1. Alex Carey. Great to see him step up at a critical time v New Zealand. While not a super attack, over there is always tricky. Seaming decks against an enthusiastic, talented opponent is a challenge. A shame Cummins did not allow him to hit the ton, but a win is a win! Mitchell Marsh (80) and Carey 98no were superb. It is rare to see us consolidate in the middle order, rarer to see us chase down a fourth innings total. Cummins really knows how to win and can do it with the bat as well. He has done it in his first ever test v South Africa, the most recent Ashes series and now against New Zealand. A tough cameo innings.
It sealed a highly successful campaign in the end on the back of a T20 whitewash too. With those ten catches, Carey was rated MOTM. A fantastic outcome for a player who promises much and had quite frankly, not really delivered in test cricket. Hopefully he is set to really shine now and will consolidate. India will be a huge test for the whole team.
Our bowlers x 4 are the four highest wicket takers so far in test cricket from 2023-2025. We are also now sitting second on the ICC Test Championships 2023-2025 table.
2. Ellyse Perry. Consecutive IPLW player of the match awards, taking 6/15 and hitting runs for fun. What a talented player. A match winner and should deservedly cash in at next year's IPLW auction. She has been the dominant player. The final is tomorrow night.
3. Shield Final This Week. A big week this week for Tasmania who play Western Australia in Perth. This is where Bancroft is put under the microscope for mine. Can he produce under pressure? He has scored runs again, but not the most. A Shield final ton takes the notice of selectors. It is a bit of a media hobby horse to promote his return at present, but he can put it beyond doubt. The final Shield run scoring numbers (the final yet to be added) are below.
Tasmania's Beau Webster could be a miracle man and hit 1,000 shield runs. The first since 2018-19 (Marcus Harris). Tassie gave up the home final with a shock last round loss, but they will be primed. Matt Wade plays his last long form red ball game as well.
Chris Tremain (NSW) had a tremendous year with the ball picking up 50 wickets. Very clever work. Olly Davies scored a third Shield ton and is in the mix for an Australian gig as well. The highest legitimate batting average as well in the 2023-2024 Shield season (67). Three tons and three fifties, striking at 81. Impressive.
4. IPL Carnival. This action starts this week again. Starc and Cummins will need to produce on their fat salaries and will... It is the cornerstone of the world cricketing calendar. Such hype. Dave Warner will be looking for a tough showing granted he seeks T20 World Cup selection too. His record in the IPL is stunning.
5. NRL - Xavier the Saviour. Awesome try at the death for the Storm. How the Warriors lost that game defies belief, but that is why the Storm are the benchmark. And all of it without the genius of Munster. They are destined for greatness again. Interesting how they did not concede points to the Panthers, but leaked a bit this week v Warriors.
6. NRL Panic Merchants. How tough has the draw been for the highest teams to start the season? Souths will bounce back when they get an easier team or two. They looked awful v Broncos and there seem to be too many captains and views. Cody Walker for all his talent, is getting long in the tooth. Warriors no points yet either. Hand off the red buzzer, there are many weeks to go. The Bulldogs and Tigers look very plain. You do get the sense that the Tassie Tigers may be the best lesson...prosper or perish!
Not sure Jerome Luai is the answer at the Tigers. His dancing and prancing at the line does not help a team's attack. Nor does his ill discipline. He needs to run straighter and take the line on. Incredible to see how late Cleary passes the ball when taking on the line. He has them guessing constantly. A genius. It is staggering the other half backs don't study him more closely.
The 'middle teams' who are also fringe top eight teams (Parramatta, Manly, Cowboys, Newcastle, Souths, Canberra) need to beat top eight teams to make their mark. Turning around their fortunes takes a long time. Manly look fabulous and have done it twice in two rounds. They are semi-final bound. Luke Brooks looks like a new player.
7. AFL. The Swans continued a dominant start to the year knocking over the 2023 Premiers and Finalists in Melbourne the week previously. They are beating top eight opponents already too. They are in form and firing. Like the Storm, they just seem to produce excellence every year. Pies terrible and need to lift. The Suns could be about to shine...
8. NBL. Great week for Tasmania. The Jackjumpers are into the finals v Melbourne. Runners Up in 2022 and named after a venomous ant! Interesting that Melbourne United their opponents sit at the top with seven titles (equal with the Sydney Kings). Brian Goorjian is a top shelf international and national coach coming back to Sydney next season.
9. Six Nations Rugby. Ireland become back to back winners and Wales break eight straight seasons of wooden spoons for Italy! Wales need a rethink.
10. EPL Misery. A huge loss by Tottenham against Fulham 0-3. Terrible in the context of the season after a cracking win last week. ' Consistency is the greatest measure of high performance'.
11. Paris Olympics. Fast approaching. Sadly drug taking stories will start to emerge no doubt. The sacrifice of the athletes is amazing. Reading about the female swimmers - Titmus, McKeon, et al is very inspirational. These athletes are incredible.
12. Waratahs. Beat the Crusaders and a narrow loss to the Highlanders now compounded by a two point loss the Auckland Blues. Much better form than pre-season, but like all teams, they need to win close games! The Brumbies continue to impress as well. Better signs for Australian rugby.
13. Zougotcha. Amazing win in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic on Saturday. JMac on board makes him unbeatable. How good is James McDonald as a jockey? Incredible intuitive rides. Gets some good horses of course, but his work constantly earns high distinctions.
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