The Wrap - Kon Job

1. Sam Konstas. Dashing first innings display that did a great job to challenge the momentum of the game. It was courageous (could have looked stupid too with an early departure...like Pant!). He triumphed and really unsettled the Indian team on the biggest stage in world cricket (Session 1, Day 1 at the Boxing Day Test). His work against the spinners however is a worry. The great Jadeja nailed him. There is a problem between bat and pad for such a successful young player. It happened when batting for the Sydney Thunder as well last week. Would probably prefer fewer selfies and Bay 13 rev ups - and a few more runs. 

He cannot be so 'public' without brushing up the basics...forward defence and his fielding. Misfields don't cut it. These will prove his undoing if not addressed. McSweeney seems eons away from a recall after only five days!

2. Yasprit Bumrah. He is a phenomenon. 200 Test wickets at a ridiculous average. He especially likes batsmen who are poor exponents of foot work. McSweeney-Khawaja and Marnus have all been guilty here. He has Khawaja 5/30 this series, yet he did not shine v New Zealand at home in the recent series loss so much (5 wickets in two Tests on dead tracks). He could have had all ten wickets in Australia's second innings.

The batting of Travis Head this Test has been poor. He needs to develop a defensive game where he understands the tempo of a game. He has no idea in defence - fine when attacking. Not when jumping. Mitchell Marsh did not want to be there either. He is a funny bugger, but could be one of the greats. The bison has the confidence of a meercat under pressure, but hung onto a few decent catches on the second grab. A Marsh sibling trademark sadly - as well as fifty chances each from the selectors. Our middle order batting collapses in all Tests have proven costly to our mindset.

Thankfully for Cummins, Boland and Lyon - mentally tough!

Does a sight screen partially in shade become self-defeating?

3. Virat Kohli. Great batsman (and a terrific fieldsman - 120 catches in 122 Tests. Smith has 190 catches in 113 Tests!), but his shoulder charge on Konstas was sub-standard. 'Weak gutted dog' could become a new sign on the hill. He has been super cranky from the time his family arrived at Tullamarine. Nothing changed Day One. He will continue to be targeted. Might be time to retire.

4. Test Selectors. What the hell were they thinking? Inglis was understandably covering Head (now 7 Test ducks - 9 Test centuries), but Webster, Abbott and Jhye Richardson… why were they all needed? I am smelling some rugby squad nonsense here. Inglis has now pulled a calf while fielding for five minutes too. Hard to believe that would have happened if he was in his rhythm with the Scorchers.

Webster was released to the BBL last night... ummm?

5. Wigers Worries. A bit concerned about Jerome Luai already talking it up that he wanted to be the main man at the Wigers (unlike at the Panthers). Sounds a bit selfish. How will he work with Galvin? Two big egos and no proof yet that Galvin can dominate anyone decent. He needs to be more humble and work on strategy...otherwise it will be like playing for Samoa! Lots of feel good moments but lots of 'Ls' in the team progress tally. 

6. Nicho Hynes. Where do you play him for the Sharks? He has a lot of talent, but is not quick enough as half or fullback. This could be season defining for the Sharks. Fitzgibbon has a first world problem there.

Finally Ezra has been hammered... and deservedly so. A big fine, but a light suspension really in the scheme of driving disqualified, driving drug affected and causing injury to others too. Men of League usually pick up the fine revenue so they will be happy!

7. BBL 2024-2025. Spencer Johnson, Nick Hobson, Aaron Hardie, Ollie Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Tim David, Mitchell Owen, Xavier Bartlett and Cooper Connolly… gun performers.

The 0-5 start from the Melbourne Stars is hideous in such a big cricket market. Stoinis and Maxwell are two of the most inconsistent cricketers in the world - and are proving as much. How many years can Peter Siddle keep playing?

8. BBL Imports. James Vince produces every year for the Sixers. Seifert has been great so far for the Renegades and Duckett superb for the Stars… both excellent. Finn Allen (Scorchers) and the West Indian middle order bat, Rutherford (Thunder)… awful. Jamie Overton doing OK.

9. EPL. Liverpool are suddenly streaking away. The other big guns keep stumbling (Chelsea, Man City, Tottenham, ManU). Notts Forest are the surprise package. With the January EPL Transfer Window upon us, the annual miracle will be hoped for by a lot of teams. Southampton are relegation bound, yet seem to do nothing about it. Ange is driving his own hearse now.

10. NFL. The Cincinnati Bengals had a ripping overtime win over the Denver Broncos to stay alive in the play off hunt. Lots locked in now! Bills- Chiefs and Eagles-Lions look the favourites.

11. Max Purcell. A worry when an Olympic Gold Medallist (doubles) is a self-confessed drug cheat (no matter the means and techniques). Will he now lose his medal or like Sinner and Swiatek... all is forgiven? Tennis have a huge problem here and it is not just the return of Kyrgios either.

12. World Test Cricket Championship. How the hell does South Africa make the final? They drew with India 1-1 and lost to New Zealand 0-2 when they refused to provide a Test standard squad. They have then beaten the might of Bangladesh, West Indies, Sri Lanka and lead Pakistan 1-0 in skinny test series. What a joke!

The Wrap - Driving to Distraction

1. Sam Konstas. This will be interesting. McSweeney has had the toughest initiation of all time v India and has been dropped on his head. Konstas is meant to be the next best thing but is so raw. Did they drop the wrong opener? Usman has been dreadful this summer so far. Marnus and Mitch Marsh may need to wake up too.

Konstas looked so nervous for the Thunder and got out to an horrific shot on Saturday night. Wait until he bats against the Indians in front of 90,000 people. He will be tested. Potentially he will become the youngest Australian Test opener in history. All strength to him. We've had Finch, Wade, Smith and now McSweeney when Warner has been out. All were failures as Test openers sadly. 

This latest batch of players has been significantly impacted on the Test arena by the unfortunate loss of Pucovski, Phil Hughes and injuries to Cameron Green too. It has also coincided with T20 cash worldwide where players like Tim David and Jake Fraser-McGurk have prioritised the short form. 

2. The Sydney Chunder. The Thunder have major problems playing on that dog of a wicket at the Sydney Showground. WSC used better decks. The only bloke who plays well on that wicket is Warner. He is small and has a compact style, but throws away his wicket too often too. Is 20 runs in a T20 a triumph for a batsman? Or is it rank underperformance?

The Thunder crowd are the smallest and worst in the comp - like GWS AFL who use the same ground. They need to play on a proper cricket wicket at a venue people can get to easily. Sydney Olympic Park is not that venue. Watching a looping sky ball fall between two players can reduce a crowd quickly too. Honestly.

2. Annabel Sutherland. She is crushing international cricket, picking off tons for fun. What a player. She then turns around and bowls at pace. Impressive. Best cricketer in the family?

3. EPL - Ange Postocoglou. Everyone is an expert with Tottenham who are sitting mid table (unacceptable). Too attacking? Not defensive enough? Typical English with their conservative style, yet Bazball has captured their imagination. A big win this past week v ManU 4-3 in the Carabao Cup. The next game will be v Liverpool. They also play Liverpool this week too in the EPL. A win there will be one of the great wins, given their current injury levels. They have not lost a game by more than one goal this season.

Man City have hit the wall. For all that money spent... Notts Forest have over achieved and well done to them.

4. Ravi Ashwin (537 Test Wickets) Retirement. One of the absolute greats of the game but his retirement has been odd. It looked more like an impulsive tantrum than a retirement. Kohli has never seemed to have liked him. Jadeja is his preference. How good is Ravi Jadeja? He can turn a game like this last test. An absolute winner and multi linguist.

Why are India always so precious when they visit our shores? There is always a blow up - media, etc, especially when they get into the back end of the tour. Pressure reveals true elements of personality.

5. NRL - St George. A great signing from the Sharks - young Daniel Atkinson, but extending Kyle Flanagan? Curious with his father as coach. Shane has always struggled to promote and defend Kyle's game. A steady, but not a striking player of strength or leadership. At least Ben Hunt's saga is behind them. 

What about the Cowboys - two players missing for the season with pre-season knee injuries. What is happening with their coaching methods? Terrible.

6. Ezra Man. Ezra was a victim to the slur from Leniu at the start of last season, but at that point he had two licence disqualifications under his belt too. He has now been disqualified from driving THREE times. That is dangerous, reckless and careless. His lack of concerns for others is disturbing. You would be filthy if he ran into your family. Then he gets a court fine of $800? He needs to be banned for a season by the NRL. It is unacceptable. You get more for steroids. Surprising that the NRL is not apprised of police records of their players. 

Is the Integrity Commission asleep? They need to act quickly and crisply. It will send a strong message to all players and clubs.

6. NFL. Some dominant teams are really emerging now deep into the 2024 season... in the AFC: Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs. In the NFC: Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, Minesota Vikings. Play offs await. It is pretty open still, but the worst teams are a familiar roll call: Giants, Patriots, Raiders, Browns, Titans and Jaguars. Super bowl favourites? Chiefs v Eagles?

7. NBA. Oklahoma Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers (more to cheer here than with the Browns) and Boston Celtics look to be the pace setters. Early days, but a never ending draw. Daily almost!

The Wrap - Deja Vous

1. Australian Test Cricket. Usman's backlift looks like his bat path is coming from far too square. He cannot get behind the lifting ball on off stump well enough and is suffering, edging everything. He may do well to last till Sydney.

Nathan McSweeney's style is fresh with a quiet confidence. To start your Test career against Bumrah and India is the toughest of tests. He needs to be championed for a while yet, but Bumrah has his measure. He is sharp in the field which shows his stamp as a player. However, he too is under threat. He holds one of the worst records for a starting opener in Australian Test Cricket history.

Travis Head was again superb. He is critical in our flimsy order. Smith and Head were outstanding really. Head now has nine test tons and six of them are in the first innings. Marnus has massive problems but has an exceptional test record. Hopefully he can bounce back. Mitch Marsh... really? Pat Cummins looks safer than Mitch Marsh with the bat. He is on notice. A lame caught and bowled chance not taken, a top edge that fell safely and then a lame edge to second slip. 

A great end result from Day Two. Is there any memory of Australia hitting over 400 in recent Tests? You need to go a long way back... 14 December 2023 - a year ago v Pakistan.

2. BBL. It is the deja vous competition. No one can barely remember much about it from one year to the next, except that we need new players and new talent to cheer. The lack of superstar quality is a worry and this three week contract before jetting off elsewhere is not how we like our sport. It is viewed as a low level tournament on the world stage as everyone world wide tries to grab cash. Sad. T20 is a rare night out for anyone over 30 years of age.

The Scorchers are the exception. Huge crowds and lots of traditional success, but they are not what they used to be.

3. Oscar Piastri. He seals McLaren's (Mercedes) victory in the constructor's championship and finishes fourth in the driver's championship. He is earning $30M plus. A good year by anyone's standards.

4. EPL. Ange is suddenly really on the ropes. A loss to Chelsea and a draw with Rangers. Injury stricken but struggling. A 4-3 loss to Chelsea showed enterprise, but defence is near non-existent. Angle has started to target players too (Timo Werner)...a sure sign that he is in need of a complete form reversal, or the axe. 

The songs have been silenced in the one win from his last eight games. He moves on to play the lowly Southampton on Monday morning. A victory is the only outcome for Ange or he could be gone by next week.

Liverpool and Chelsea look strong this season, but all the top teams keep dropping points. Nottingham are surging into the top five.

Rangers v Celtic in the Scottish League Cup Final is tonight too. Ange may be wishing he was there. 

5. LIV-USPGA. Interesting that Trump hasn't solved this yet. Anytime now... tick tock.

6. Wests Tigers. Talk of them losing their identity and becoming the 'Wests Magpies' sounds revolutionary, but it comes with a warning. The Wests Tigers have won three wooden spoons, Balmain Tigers won four wooden spoons, but the Wests Magpies have won 18 wooden spoons! PNG have a great tax free incentive, but wood is not a big export or import. They could surprise in time. 

7. NZ v England Cricket. Tim Southee is about to call it quits and sits on 98 sixes in Test Cricket (the same number as Chris Gayle). There are only four players to have hit 100 sixes in Test Cricket. Ben Stokes (133), Brendon McCullum (107) and Gilchrist (100).

They are really loose in this series after a cracking series in India. Down 2-0 already to England, but they have been tougher this Test.

The Wrap - Diamonds From Pressure

1. Australia v India - Test Cricket. A classy win to lock up the series 1-1. Marnus looked a bit better - more aggressive and more balanced. McSweeney and Marnus really did well late on Day 1 and probably turned the game our way. Smith continues to worry (still averaging 56+ in Tests) and Usman will be lucky to make it to Sydney. He looks slow and old all of a sudden. His catching is dreadful - a sure sign that retirement beckons.

Travis Head was awesome. 8 Test tons to equal Yallop, Trumper and the late Ian Redpath... He can change a game like Warner or Gilchrist did. Amazing strike power. Mitchell Starc under lights at Adelaide is also an awesome threat. He has 367 wickets at 27.53 which is pretty impressive. Ahead are Waqar Younis (373 wickets), Malcolm Marshall (376) and Ian Botham (383).

Mitch Marsh can be amazing, but other times the Bison is brainless. The walk off without hitting it...honestly. No words.

Meanwhile Sam Konstas is chalking them up for NSW with 88 on a green top. He is hovering, but if he is selected he needs to be given time and space. Pucovski is missed - as is Phil Hughes. Two blokes who would be certain inclusions if they were still around. I notice Kurtis Patterson is back scoring runs as well - 167no.

2. England v New Zealand Test Series. England are dominating them. The New Zealand bowling ranks are thin. Too thin. Harry Brook keeps chalking up the tons. Even Atkinson is getting hat tricks! Joe Root yet another ton.

3. Tottenham. Ange is in deep water. He beats ManU, Aston Villa and Man City, but keeps losing to the lesser lights and that is something the fans, sponsors and others can't cop. He has drawn with Fulham and lost again to Bournemouth this week. Throw in losses to Ipswich Town, Newcastle, Brighton... he is under watch. Sad but true. They play Chelsea tonight which will be the toughest of tests,

Arne Slot. Who is he? he is Liverpool's Head Coach (Dutch man) who is leaping ahead to the EPL title.

4. F1. Mick Doohan's young bloke, Jack, is looking like he has a long F1 career ahead. His old man Mick won five 500cc Motorbike World Championships which sets a high family standard. A back marker, but an emerging gun.

The last race of the season tonight so McLaren may jag their first constructor's championship for some time!

5. Athletics - Gout Gout. An amazing prospect. Still has not beaten Patrick Johnson's 9.93, but is a pup. He has a lot of promise and will improve a lot more. We may have a running prospect to cheer in years ahead...especially if drug taking is policed properly. He welcomes pressure and is positive about pressure. An incredible mindset for someone so young.

6. Cam Smith. A playoff in the Saudi International, but no win. He is so talented, but has been quite inconsistent of late.

7. Sha Tin. James McDonald has won another two Group 1s today. Incredible strike rate!

The Wrap - Time, Timeliness and Timing

1. Sam Konstas. He has nailed it with a ton v India A. McSweeney is on notice now. A great innings in the conditions. The best players have the sustained emotional intensity to succeed. Let's hope Smith and Labuschagne were watching.

2. Australian Cricket. A fascination in the current set up is how many Australian sub-continent players don't get an opportunity in our rep teams and national teams. Unlike New Zealand, England and South Africa, we seem very homogenous as a national cricket team. All of those talented players surely can't all be overlooked or desire to play Parramatta A Grade only as the pinnacle of their career. Lots of talent and we can't develop or identify any of it? Strange. 

3. Wallabies. A great effort against Ireland (better than Scotland), but should we celebrate a loss? A 2-2 series outcome? There are signs of improvement, but please minimise then consolidate the squad and pick and stick! Promising signs, but more discipline is critical.

4. Matildas. A talented bunch who entertain and who the fans enjoy watching. However, they don't win so often these days. Brazil crunched them in the first game and the second game too!

5. AFLW and WBBL. Two comps over in one weekend. North Melbourne and the Melbourne Renegades. Both are rank underdogs in the mens' version, so an uncharacteristic set of colours on the victory diases!

6. Ian Redpath. RIP. 'Redpath it's good to see you back'. He passes this earth, but he was always a gentleman... and a talented opening batsman. Humble, stonewaller and used the old 'SS' bat. Legend who was tough and uncompromising. Loved by the Chappells.

7. Ben Hunt. Thanks goodness he has signed and the sorry saga is over. The Broncos will rue this one. Cobbo, Staggs and their young hooker, Blake Mozer, now become massive targets for other clubs. 

An intriguing battle for young halfback, Jonah Pezet. The family are from the Central Coast and he could land a motza at Newcastle if he goes there.

8. England v New Zealand. A great win by England away from home. 1-0 up. This Harry Brook can play. Seven Test tons, a double century and a triple century, averaging 60 in 22 Tests. South Africa smashed Sri Lanka - all out for 42 does not help your cause. 

9. Australian Open Golf. A surprise win by Ryggs Johnston for the Stonehaven Cup, when Cameron Smith and Lucas Herbert were absolute specials to win it. Smith plummeted to T39 behind Castle Hill's Daniel Gale. Elvis and Herbert T5 were solid. Prizemoney is scant compared to the bigger international tournaments. A little worrying really, especially when you compare it to horse racing in this country.

10. EPL. Tottenham surely have to win tonight. If Man City lose to Liverpool it will be six losses in a row with huge injuries of course. For Tottenham, they can head to fifth spot with a victory v Fulham. Surely they can't blow it again.