1. West Indies Cricket. There was a lot of romanticism in the media, on commentary and in interviews across the past week. Lots of hope and ambition for a young side with talent. Great job, interest generated. However what we saw was 'Z Grade' Test cricket over in a couple of days effectively. The Windies were thumped and walloped. Poor catching betrays sides in Australia and impatience at the crease. They were found out big time.
We also batted poorly (except Travis Head whose seventh century passed the retired Shaun Marsh) and look like we have a few batters who believe the bowlers will rescue them each time. They do, but won't be able to do this v India. This is our achilles heel. A middle order with Green-Marsh-Carey worries the life out of us.
2. Josh Hazelwood. The bowling quartet of Starc, Hazelwood, Cummins and Lyon marches on. Hazelwood has never looked better. It would be nice to see him get more early wickets against top class batting teams too. 258 Test wickets at an average of 25 is good going however. Perhaps the quietest of achievers here!
3. Catching Steve Smith. He knicks to second slip and shakes his head, looks at the pitch, quizzical looks at the umpire. Get off! You are out. This is why he cannot be captain. It is a really unfortunate habit that needs to be checked.
However, it must be said he has the safest hands in world cricket. Nearly the same number of catches as Mark Waugh in 22 fewer tests! 21 short of Ponting too in a fraction of the time. His catching gets better with age. Now for more aggressive batting...!
Interesting how many more than Mark 'Tubby' Taylor he has taken. Taylor and Mark Waugh were perhaps the two best catchers in recent memory for Australia.
4. BBL Finals. The old classic in finals cricket...runs on the board are hard to peg back.
It is a bit hard to cop seeing the departure of common faces who have been there all year on the eve of the finals. It is a messy and mercenary game the T20 world tour. James Vince, Chris Lynn, Jamie Overton, Colin Munro, Laurie Evans all move to another more lucrative league in the dreaded Saudi sports investment program. Semis or no semis, the dollar speaks.
A great win by the Strikers over the Scorchers, who uncharacteristically bow out without a finals appearance. In 13 seasons, the Scorchers (5 wins, 3 runners up) and the Sixers (3 wins and 3 runners up plus this year's effort) have been absolutely dominant! Very few imports. Lots of local blokes and no international reliance.
5. Cricket - Future. Interested to see Adam Voges listed as an Australian coach of the future too.
6. Australian Open Tennis. Iga Swiatek (number one seed) is unceremoniously dumped and another womens' winner looms. There is such rotation there now. Any women into the fourth round of a Grand Slam can win it these days, adding a fair bit more excitement to the games there. Azarenka will go close. What about the whining from Ostapenko... a nasty character.
7. Australian Open Tennis. Familiar names in the mens last sixteen...: Djokovic, Sinner, Rublev, Medvedev, Alcaraz, Zverev... The winner will come from this lot. Hard to see Djokovic not winning it all again for his 25th title! de Minaur is ranked in the world top ten, but quarter finals are for the best eight. He is getting closer, but the difference was evident last night.
8. Asian Cup. Socceroos v Syria 1-0. Great effort... they need to win the thing and stamp their reputation firmly on the map. Usbekistan next. Our 2015 win was pretty amazing really under Ange Postocoglou. How long does it all go? The final is on 11 February 2024! Qatar are the carry over champions from 2021! Japan losing to Iraq was a major upset this week.
9. 'Training the House Down and Never Looked Better and Wouldn't Look Out Of Place In An Origin Jersey'. This award goes to Bronson Xerri at the Bulldogs. High profile and reputational improvement sought. He can run but his hands and ball skills were appalling. Hopefully this is improving.
10. NRL Rule Change. Not a bad modification that you are not penalised with an attempt, but it should be only for kick offs. Not sure the drop out is high percentage enough granted that most teams give up points in their own red zone.
11. NFL - Baltimore Ravens. Surely rich favourites now for the title. A crushing victory v the Houston Texans. Big plays by the tight ends in both of our Sunday games. The loose defence in the Geen Bay Packers and 49ers game make the winning 49ers team outsiders for the title. Brilliant game in the pouring rain with a last minute interception securing the win.
Chiefs and Bills will determine the Ravens' AFC Championship opponent, with the Super Bowl winner likely to come from that game.
The winner of Detroit Lions v Tampa Bay will now play the 49ers for the NFC Championship next week. The Lions have been on fire in season 2023-2024, but the Super Bowl winner is unlikely to come from this conference.
12. Rory McIlroy. Winning in Dubai yet again (four times). Some sort of turn around. Rory's backflip re LIV golf is interesting too. Jon Rahme has milked every cent. Rory must be feeling like he wants this too. A LIV-PGA resolution will be emerging any day now... any day...
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