1. BBL - T20. Have we have reached a point in cricket where the young punk is a liability? Two in question - Sam Konstas and Jake Fraser-McGurk - are becoming expensive, both being dropped at different times. They are extravagant and excessive and rarely read the tea leaves inside the key game moments. Think Harry Brook - or Cameron Green too.
Conversely, Steve Smith (awesome ton this week after only playing Test cricket - and not good enough to make the T20 National team) and Dave Warner (two BBL tons - 130 and 110no - and the highest tournament run scorer - on 433 runs at an average of 86.60. He hit most fifties (2) and the most fours (38), second most sixes (20). Awesome.
The Scorchers hit some great heights in the BBL annually. The Sixers too, but they will be under pressure from the Heat tonight. The records of both franchises is awesome. The Melbourne Stars are the only franchise who have never won the BBL. The crowds will fill the MCG if they can make a final. Maxwell might do us all a favour and hit double figures. He has been in horrific form this season.
2. Australian Open Tennis. Lots of hype and hoopla when the men's final will be the same as always... Sinner v Alcaraz - perhaps with the in form Medvedev putting some pressure on. Sabalanka will be hard to beat in the women's draw.
Don't we love tennis players whinging about prize money annually? They (all) already get far too much for their efforts. Huge crowds gets them excited.
Jelena Dokic is looking and sounding so much better too which is great! Such a talented player and commentator.
3. Pakistan Cricket. Hurt feelings and no team work seems to be the lot of this underperforming somewhat chaotic cricketing nation. Noticed a local team rolled for 37, while chasing 40 to win...classic Pakistani cricket.
Babar Azam was annoyed but Steve Smith was on fire and you have to yield to this surely. Instead, the silent treatment and the childish reaction underlines why Babar has not hit the heights he should have in world cricket. There are a number of other underperforming, but Haris Rauf has been excellent as usual.
4. Boxing. It's a Tszyu. Incredible scenes when Zerafa couldn't see and was blinded by the light. He has been a controversial boxing figure for a long while with delay, avoidance and technical excuses. Quite a useful boxer, but really? A bad look for a sport that has more black eyes out of the ring than inside it.
The Nelson (NAS) fight v Latimore was a comedy show...and George Burgess challenging him post fight was theatrical, but ridiculous too. The tried and tested boxing experts must be horrified.
5. NFL. Denver broke the Bills 33-30 eventually, but the Seattle Seahawks absolutely crushed the San Francisco 49ers 41-6. A massive and compelling win.
The New England Patriots have their work cut out v the Texans tomorrow whose defence this season has been rock solid. The cold conditions up north could shock the warm blooded southerners! The winner plays Denver for the AFC Championship game and a ticket to the Super Bowl. The Broncos will be without their injured quarterback...ouch!
In the NFC, the winner of the Bears v Rams then play the Seattle Seahawks for a place in the NFC Championship game. Hard to see either of them troubling the Seahawks. Still four franchises that have never MADE a Super Bowl: the Browns, Lions, Texans and Jaguars. While others have made the Super Bowl but have not won it! Cardinals, Chargers, Panthers, Titans, Falcons, Bengals, Vikings - and the Buffalo Bills.
6. EPL. West Ham had a cracking win against Tottenham 2-1, who are on the slide. Their crowd was shouting the familiar refrain about coach Thomas Frank - "you are getting sacked in the morning". How they miss Ange!
West Ham now move to 17 points with Notts Forest on 22 points. They held Arsenal 1-1 so nudge ahead. Hopefully they fall in a heap soon. Arsenal are well ahead in the race to the end as Man City had a shock loss to ManU.
Noticed Sam Kerr netted twice for Chelsea in the UK as well. She is a star...could smile more, but a star nonetheless.
7. Via Sistina. Retired. What an awesome horse. The Cox Plate win was the most incredible run in recent memory. Some significant breeding barn dollars ahead.
8. Winter Olympics. Such a northern hemisphere event...we are working out the birth certificates and visas of all talented ex-pats, so we can claim a few medals! Starts in early Feb, when the NRL pre season trial s start too (mercifully!).
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