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!
No comments:
Post a Comment