Sports

The Weekly A-Z

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

A – AUDITION

Travis Head or Usman Khawaja? Usman Khawaja or Travis Head? Selectors had to weigh up who was the better fit for the middle order for the first two Tests against England before they settled on the younger South Australian. The Tests at the Gabba and Adelaide Oval loomed as an audition for Head to press his long-term claims in the national side, perhaps with a view to being elevated to the vice-captaincy in time. A slashing 152 in the first innings would indicate he put forward a reasonably strong case.

B – BOMBSHELL

Virat Kohli’s standing in world cricket is enormous. He is a bona fide superstar of the sport and a figure in India who is quite rightly revered. Therefore he surely deserved better from the BCCI than to learn he had been removed as captain of the country’s ODI and T20 sides via social media. The BCCI wanted Kohli to step down from the role after the poor performance in the recent T20 World Cup. Kohli refused. The response? Replacing him with Rohit Sharma and making that announcement known to all and sundry through Twitter before Kohli was told in person or by phone.

C – CAPTAIN FANTASTIC

Pat Cummins’ dream scenario as he put his head on the pillow on Tuesday night would have been for Australia to boss the opening day’s play against England. In his first match as captain, a few wickets from an individual perspective probably formed part of his wish list as well. Tick and tick. The only thing Cummins did wrong was lose the toss. After that, it was all Australia, with Cummins’ first five-wicket haul in his new role helping Australia dismiss the tourists for a meagre 147 off just 50.1 overs.

D – DISTRESSING

Maddie Groves created headlines earlier this year when she withdrew from the Tokyo Olympic Games selection trials because of concerns over “misogynistic” individuals involved with Australian swimming. She doubled down this week when she claimed she had been sexually abused as a 13-year-old by someone still associated with the sport in this country. Perhaps more alarming was the fact Groves said the abuse continued until she was 18. She hasn’t made a complaint at this point in time, but surely it is something that needs to be investigated by authorities, internally and externally, in order to protect others.

E – EMOTIONAL END

Any time an athlete is forced to retire, emotions run high. When the athlete, in this instance West Coast defender Brad Sheppard, says enough is enough because of reasons outside his control, they are only amplified. Despite having two years to run on his contract, Sheppard took on board medical advice and the long-term ramifications of repeated concussions. A 216-game veteran and All-Australian, he is entitled to feel a little robbed. But his disappointment now will hopefully be outweighed by a healthy life in years to come.

F – FITTING FINALE

In only the second time in F1 history, the two top drivers are equal on points heading into the final race of the season — Sunday’s showdown in Abu Dhabi. Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, who go together like beer and ice cream, are locked together on 369.5 points, although Verstappen has a nose advantage after chalking up nine wins for the season opposed to the Brit’s eight. If both were to crash out, Verstappen would be crowned champion. Fingers crossed the man who sits atop the summit on Sunday evening is there after an incident-free race.

G – GONE TOO SOON

Such a comment might sound a little strange given Choisir was 22 years of age, but his passing this week was terribly sad. The powerful Paul Perry-trained sprinter conquered the world in 2003 when he ventured to Royal Ascot and claimed the King’s Stand Stakes on the Tuesday afternoon and Diamond Jubilee on the Saturday. His deeds prompted  others, including WA stars Miss Andretti and Scenic Blast, to follow suit and prove their undeniable class in front of UK racing enthusiasts. Once his racing days were over, Choisir was a major hit at stud, siring 100 stakes winners. He won’t be forgotten any time soon.

H – HARSH TREATMENT

Ajaz Patel has every right to be filthy. He became just the third bowler in Test history to take 10 wickets in an innings in New Zealand’s recent encounter against India in Mumbai, yet was overlooked as man of the match.  Mayank Agarwal got the nod ahead of him. Patel followed up with another four wickets in the second innings, giving him match figures of 14-225. Granted, his heroics didn’t help the Black Caps to victory, but surely snaring all 10 scalps, arguably the equivalent of a batsman scoring 350+, was worthy of man-of-the-match honours.

I – INTER-ESTED

Menangle will be the focus of all things standardbred racing tomorrow night when this year’s Inter Dominion series concludes. The Belinda McCarthy-prepared pair King Of Swing and Expensive Ego are all the rage after negotiating the heat stage in style. Their efforts last weekend in Newcastle rubber-stamped their credentials and it is no shock to see them head up the TABtouch market at $2 and $2.30 respectively.

J – JOURNEY ENDS

All good things must come to an end. That applies to Mystic Journey, who trainer Adam Trinder announced yesterday had run her last race. The immensely popular Tasmanian mare, just an $11,000 yearling purchase, won in excess of $4 million in stakes following her success in the inaugural All-Star Mile at Flemington, a seismic win that came after she beat the boys to take out the Group 1 Australian Guineas, also over a mile at headquarters. And in a nice touch, fellow high-class Tasmanian mare Still A Star, a multiple black-type winner in Melbourne, also had the curtain drawn on her illustrious career on the same day.

K – KING FOR A DAY

Last Saturday’s $1 million Kingston Town Classic was meant to be all about Western Empire. The new pin-up boy of WA racing, a brilliant Asian Beau Stakes victor fresh and then a dominant winner of the Group 1 Railway Stakes, was sent out the $1.20 favourite. But his older stablemate Regal Power, a proven WFA performer, was aided by a patient Patrick Carbery ride and sprinted powerfully in the straight to overhaul Western Empire, who had no luck from the moment he left the barriers cleanly and William Pike was denied a spot in the moving line. It’s easy to forget that Regal Power is still only six years of age and already won more than $4.3 million.

L – LAW AND ORDER

“It is good when you get into a flow and rhythm.” That was the comment from Perth Wildcats recruit Vic Law after his awesome first-up performance in last Friday night’s 85-73 win over the Adelaide 36ers. Modesty and NBL imports don’t always go hand-in-hand, but Law displayed more than his share when asked to assess his output. The American connected on 16 of 29 field-goal attempts en route to a game-high 37 points and also pulled down four rebounds. It again illustrated why the Wildcats will again be active during the pointy end of the campaign.

M – MILLER TIME

Simon Miller loaded up the bases for the opening day of the TABtouch Masters. As is often the case, he was around the mark, yet needed Angelic Miss to salute in the Listed Jungle Mist Classic (1200m) for his sole victory on the card. A fortnight later, many of the same gallopers were back at Ascot and this time the scenario was completely different. Miller’s warhorse, Valour Road, broke through in the Group 3 Scahill Stakes (1400m) before he took out the next race, the Listed Lee-Steere Classic (1400m) with Liwa and then notched a rare feat of three successive black-type wins when Angelic Miss chimed in to snare the Listed Jungle Dawn Classic (1400m).

N – NORMAL SERVICE RESUMED

You just knew Bryce Cotton would respond. He had to. A proud man with a glittering CV, Cotton ripped a hole in the Cairns Taipans on Sunday afternoon just gone, amassing 31 points and five assists to help the Perth Wildcats improve to 2-0 on the season. It came less than 48 hours after teammate Vic Law was the talk of the town with his stunning debut in a red singlet. It wasn’t as if Cotton was a flop in game one — 16 points, five boards and five assists is still a fine night out. But Cotton is Perth’s talisman and Sunday proved it.

O – ON TARGET

By the time Steph Curry retires from the NBA, he is going to own all sorts of records. The greatest shooter the game has ever seen, Curry is at the peak of his powers and on the cusp of eclipsing Ray Allen’s three-point record. The Golden State Warriors guard is just 10 made three-pointers away — 2974 in total — from being the most lethal long-range bomber in the league’s history. And he will have done it in 500 fewer games and 500 fewer attempts than what Allen needed to set the benchmark.

P – POLITICS AND SPORT

In a perfect world, they would not collide. However, we all know the world we live in is anything but perfect. So, it shouldn’t come as a shock that the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in Beijing were thrust into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons this week when the USA announced a diplomatic boycott of the event. The UK and Australia followed suit soon after before Canada also declared they would adopt a similar stance. China are incensed and have threatened a no-holds barred response. Who knows where it ends.

Q – QUESTIONS REMAIN

Marcus Harris was identified as David Warner’s opening partner for the Ashes series early into the summer. He is a player the national selectors are desperate to see succeed at the highest level. Most cricket fans in this country feel the same way. However, after his cheap dismissal yesterday, Harris’ average in his 11th Test is just 22.68. His highest score is only 79. To say he needs a big innings is stating the bleeding obvious.

R – RICHLY DESERVED

Cameron Green entered the Gabba Test against England without a Test wicket to his name. It seemed a little unfair considering how well he bowled at stages during last summer’s home series against India. But when he had Ollie Pope caught brilliantly at deep fine leg by Josh Hazlewood in the middle session, his long wait was over. Though Green missed out with the bat yesterday, the overall package is exciting. Let’s hope he can flourish in the international arena.

S – SUNDAY FUN DAY

The best of the best will go toe to toe on Sunday at Sha Tin … and it can’t come quick enough. One of the great days on the international racing calendar, the card features the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), Hong Kong Cup (2000m), Hong Kong Vase (2400m) and Hong Kong Mile (1600m). Golden Sixty, the pin-up boy of the jurisdiction, will be looking to defend his Hong Kong Mile crown and notch a 16th successive win in the process. How far off them will he be turning for home? We all know he can spot his rivals a start. As his record suggests however, he runs fractions few others can.

T – THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK

If you have a genuine handle on most things sport, chiefly cricket, please reach out to WA Sports Minister Tony Buti. A week after he made the mind-boggling claim there was no international cricket in the Eastern States last summer, Buti raised eyebrows when explaining the WA Government’s decision behind trying to poach the second Test from Adelaide. His messaging over the past fortnight hasn’t been great.

U – UNDERWHELMING

The BBL, like so many other sports, has had its challenges trying to negotiate the coronavirus. The new season got underway last Sunday night at the SCG when the Sydney Sixers hosted the Melbourne Stars. Whilst the display from the Sixers was high-class, it took place before a modest crowd and the attendance figures haven’t really improved as the week has progressed. Does the competition need an injection of something? Or will the Christmas/New Year Period prove the panacea? Only time will tell.

V – VIKTORIOUS

Collin Morikawa had one hand on the 2021 Hero World Challenge trophy after the first three rounds in the Bahamas last weekend. Hell, you could argue he had both hands on it. At 18-under par and in possession of a five-stroke lead, the tournament was his to lose. Depending on how you view it, Morikawa either lost it or Viktor Hovland snatched it from his grasp, courtesy of a brilliant final-round 66 featuring two eagles. The pair are good mates and watching them duel it out on the final day of big tournaments in the future looms large.

W – WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY

We have all heard the term Super Saturday to describe either a race meeting bursting with Group 1 or black-type racing or a day of football, be it Australian Rules, rugby league or soccer that boasts a string of high-quality matches. With the AFL deciding to schedule premiers Melbourne up against the Western Bulldogs on a Wednesday night to open the 2022 season, the commentary might just need a minor tweak.

X – X’s & O’s

Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. But there is no better mind in the NFL than that of the veteran Patriots head coach. He is frightening with the benefit of a bye or a week’s break in the play-offs, devising plans that befuddle the opposition. And earlier this week, Belichick was at it again. In terrible conditions away from home against AFC East rivals Buffalo, Belichick implemented a game plan that saw brilliant rookie quarterback Mac Jones throw the ball three times. THREE times. To put that into perspective, Jones had never thrown for less than 18 times previously and in week three attempted 51 passes. The result? The Patriots prevailed 14-10 to move closer to another division title.

Y – YELLOW FEVER

There are still three weeks to go before we bid farewell to 2021. But the referee’s decision to show Sam Kerr a yellow card for her shirtfront of a pitch invader this week will take the cake as the most bizarre sporting moment of the year. It must. The pitch invader was being a pain in the butt and jeered by those on hand to witness Kerr’s Chelsea side draw in a Champions League encounter with Juventus. Kerr was fed up and took matters into her own hands, much to the delight of everyone other than the official. Astonishing.

Z – ZAC GOES BACK-TO-BACK

Less than a week after setting a new record for prizemoney won as a Hong Kong-based jockey, Zac Purton claimed successive International Jockeys Championship trophies at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. The Australian saw off a high-class field to back up his success in the series last year and maiden triumph in 2017. He joins legendary figures Frankie Dettori and Douglas Whyte as three-time winners of the prestigious title.




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