1. ODI Cricket v Sri Lanka. A 2-0 series loss, but who really cares? The Sri Lankans were too good on their decks with bat and ball. In fact, where were some of these players in the recent Test series?
Sam Konstas hits an ODI ton domestically at the same time we crumble on the turning Sri Lankan decks. Like Matthew Short however, we may be good in Australian conditions, but the patience and skill needed on the sub-continent is a special quality. Maxwell continues to disappoint... so talented but so inconsistent. Our 'B Team' was either arrogance or opportunity, but it simply did not fire.
Jake Fraser-McGurk is a current liability, too often lacking patience and poise. Reckless. Trying to be Dave Warner (without the cunning). He makes a lot of money for a bloke who gets out for less than 10 a lot. Champions League cricket is reserved for champions so he needs form and fast in the IPL. His aspiration is to be an international T20 player only, but he needs to learn how to play proper cricket shots at the right time. Cooper Connolly also needs to keep to the basics. He has had a rocky international start.
Without our best fast bowlers, our bowling stocks were far too thin. The lack of genuine pace made things easy for Sri Lanka. Happily, no one was reported for throwing. Not a problem when you are winning.
2. ICC - Matthew Kuhnemann. What a joke. The ICC are a mess. Imagine if this was an Indian bowler? You get wickets and the accusations fly. I think we all know if someone is a full on thrower. There are signs that this is revenge for Murali (Boxing Day 1995 revenge for the ghosts of Darrel Hair), but a protractor from the old Kent set will be needed to work out the arm angles. If he throws, he does not do it very effectively. He bowls better than that.
Where is Todd Greenberg? He has been very silent here and needs to step up. he seems to have forgotten that players lives are tainted and impacted by this. In fact, Murali rarely gets a mention or accolades for his incredible bowling feats.
3. NRL Trials. Melbourne have no chance, Souths haven't got a hope and Parra or the Sharks will win the comp. Adam O'Brien (who has made the semis three of the past four seasons) is to be sacked? Stop. That's right they are preseason trials.
- The Indigenous v All Stars game. The risk of injuries must petrify every NRL coach. A physical game and a lot of feeling in it! It always sets a cracking pace to the season arrival. (How we miss the NRL!).
- Francis Molo's effort to escape his contract at St George (who is the 'other' club behind this?) is also being described by Shane Flanagan as "a mess".
- Joe Ofahenguae is a dill. He dacks Zac Zomax mid interview live on Fox Sports. Parramatta need to cut him free. He is a liability. Ill-disciplined on the field and off it. He is a fool. What's next Joe? A flick on the butt with a wet towel, a crow peck, a nipple cripple, a horse bite on the leg...please. Parramatta need to iron this rubbish out. Gutho turned up to a press conference last year in his speedos. Unprofessional. A bad sign for Ryles. He needs to rule with an iron fist!
- How about the first Super league game of the year? The Leigh Leopards, coached by Adrian Lam beat the Wigan Warriors 1-0! A late field goal. An extraordinary result in this era of rugby league.
4. Super Rugby - Waratahs. A rare win so early in the season and a good win v Highlanders. Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii gets the headlines, but they need to stay consistent and win close games. That is how you make finals. After the spoon last year and a 2014 title a distant memory, any Super Rugby positivity is a delight. A great start.
5. Jannik Sinner (by name and deed). Is there a greater mess than WADA? A three month drug ban at a time where world number one, Jannik Sinner misses nothing much - and no prize money removed or titles eg. The recent Australian Open. Like getting a school detention in the school holidays. The French Open starts on 19 May. How convenient...just over three months away! Perfect preparation. Honestly.
The integrity of tennis has always been pretty strong, but this is not a good look for your number one player. What came of the Tomic match fixing allegations? All a bit quiet now too. A mess. Especially when world number one, Iga Swaitek has also admitted drug taking!
Yet lower ranked players would get hammered for any violation! (Bol got four years, Shayna Jack got two years, Bronson Xerri got four years!). So inconsistent. Kygrios may have said something sensible.
We've had contaminated meat, bad toothpaste, too much sex, kissing girls in niteclubs, mum's tablet, coaches tablet, oral sex with pregnant wives and girlfriends, infusions gone wrong, bad medical teams, fake urine samples, ghosts (NY Jets), cross contamination of waste products on shorts... now a masseuse using ban products on a player's open wound....on it goes.
6. Sydney Kings. They crumbled and shrunk into oblivion v Adelaide in the finals. A poor end and Brian Goorjian the coach will need to recruit better international personnel. The player cocaine bust in the week of the finals was so disruptive. Maybe more sensible, wholesome recruiting will be required in future.
7. Super Bowl. Jordan Mailata and the Philadelphia Eagles are celebrating long and loud. A cracking win v the Kansas City Chiefs. Jordan can also sing... the complete package!
8. LIV Golf - The Grange. Golf on fire and an Adelaide crowd channelling the Phoenix Open! Not sure the team names are front and centre in fans minds - more the individual players. Simply put, the fans want to see the best players. There should be a peace plan very soon from Mr Trump (tick tock)! That and Ukraine. A complete mess.
9. Sam Kerr. What a shock. Not guilty after an absolute circus and waste of time. She should have been fined and suspended and everyone moves on. The policeman may need a new career or role in case his feelings get tested again. The courts must be a slow, choked place in that country.
10. Tottenham. It could all end for Ange this week. ManU tonight will not be easy, but he has tenacity. The Europa League is his last hope...crushed in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup! Even North Korea has banned Spurs games now because Son is their South Korean skipper - not because of their win-loss record!
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