1. Sri Lanka. They are certainly not at the top of their game for a country who have produced some super star cricketers (Aravinda de Silva, Murali, Herath, Chaminda Vaas, Ranatunga...). In fact, Sanath Jayasuriya and Kaluwitharana changed cricket with their outstanding aggressive work in the first few overs of ODI cricket.
Angelo Mathews has retired six times and is struggling. The ill discipline of their batting (three or four stumpings) was incredible. Carey now has more dismissals than Paine and five more stumpings than Rod Marsh! Old straight breaking Ashley Mallet didn't do much for his stats there. Lots of old windy woofs and too many bowled.
Conversely, what a joy for Australia to bat against their four pronged attack (uniquely, three Sri Lankan bowlers were headed for 200 runs conceded each, when a declaration mercifully ended the plundering). This is the sort of bowling Root and Williamson have dined out on for a long time, so it was fitting for Smith to reach 10,000 runs+ and score his 35th Test ton (Ponting has 41).
Khawaja hitting 200+ positions him well for an Ashes farewell in Sydney. Paul Kelly will be warming up his vocal chords for his song. Khawaja now has 16 test tons, one more than Doug Walters (15), one behind Gilchrist (17) now and three behind Taylor (19) and Hussey (19). He is fast becoming one of our modern greats.
The great Matthew Kuhnemann was a revelation. A great selection really of a guy who broke his thumb a few weeks back and who has traded states to get more bowling. Exceptional performance really with 9 wickets. Lyon (546) marches onto now only 17 wickets behind Glenn McGrath (563), but having bowled 800 more overs than the exceptional McGrath at 30.25 average per wicket (McGrath got them at 21.64 per wicket).
2. Australian Women Ashes. Interesting format but what a team. Mooney and Sutherland hit tons. Alana King gets a bagful of wickets with her wonderful leg spinners. Their fielding is first class. Compared to the hopeless English fielding, it was a major difference. Such a dominant display.
England are traditionally pretty strong, so they will have a review and of course, will need to build a centre of Excellence...a guarantee that failure will hand around longer, but a top excuse for under performing clubs.
3. Dylan Brown. If a club is willing to pay over a million for Brown, then good luck to them. Parramatta have to let him go - and fast. He is derailing their season already. Interesting to see Sean McElduff go as well in senior management. Made a strong initial difference after inheriting a mess, but these player clauses in contracts...honestly. Who thought that was a great idea? Moses is taking the high ground wanting Brown to stay, but is not rescinding his own clauses in his $1 million+ contract per year. Incredible.
Hopefully Ryles enjoys success and can dictate who stays and cut the cancer in the playing roster free. He has made some solid early steps, but needs halves who are not all about themselves. Moses and Brown are both highly talented selfish players. The club captaincy will not keep Moses there. Parramatta need some quality quick young halves on long term deals.
4. Tottenham. A huge week ahead. Automatically into the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League (in fourth place!) which is a great achievement. They also head to Liverpool for the second leg of the Carabao Cup later this week. A win here pits them against either Newcastle or Arsenal. This would be an incredible result for the injury stricken Spurs team. Not a lot of inclusions from the January transfer window either.
The EPL? Well every time we mention it they lose.
5. Rugby. The Waratahs are about to set sail again. Hopefully a bigger crowd than the usual. Maybe some wins will cure that! Wales absolutely smashed in the Six Nations too.
6. NBA Transfer. Luka Doncic to join the LA Lakers... That franchise never misses out on high quality. Playing with Le Bron James too. Incredible. Patty Mills picks up his seventh (!) NBA club too. Timeless.
7. Super Bowl. As predicted, Kansas City Chiefs v Philadelphia Eagles ("I love...love...love...yes I do"!). Mahomes and KC have a formidable record. Hard to see them losing to be honest. They won 11 games by seven points or fewer this year. They know how to win tight games. Awesome! A week of media and high jinks before the game now.
8. Tassie. Have won the next AFL franchise, have two Australian cricket captains (Ponting and Paine) and two Australian wicketkeepers (Woolley and Paine), the Jackjumpers have won the NBL finals and now...the Hobart Hurricanes smashed the Thunder to win their first BBL championship on the back of Mitch Owen hitting a sparkling 100. He was outstanding. Big crowd and big innings. Riches await him.
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