Australia winning the Boxing Day Test is anything but a certainty
On paper, Australia dominated the first Test against India. In reality, it was anything but and the Border-Gavaskar trophy is still well and truly alive.
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Scott has penned over 3000 articles and is one of The Roar's longest-serving writers, covering a wide range of sports. When he isn't writing about sport, you'll find him umpiring at the cricket, or on the hill at Kogarah supporting the Dragons.
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On paper, Australia dominated the first Test against India. In reality, it was anything but and the Border-Gavaskar trophy is still well and truly alive.
Umpiring was back in the spotlight at Manuka Oval last night as the Sydney Thunder picked up their second win on the trot, over the Perth Scorchers, but it’s high time the BBL got serious about introducing the decision review system (DRS).
Thank everything for Marnus Labuschagne and Tim Paine. The first Test would be over without them.
You can smell it in the air. In just over 24 hours, Test cricket will be back on Australian soil for the first time in almost 12 months.
Another chance for runs, and another failure for both Joe Burns and Marcus Harris.
As Australia’s T20 team stumbled their way to a dead rubber win at the Sydney Cricket Ground last night, Matthew Wade’s spot in the first Test at the Adelaide Oval next week was secured.
Cricket’s concussion rule has to exist, but India have exposed its weaknesses as they claimed an emphatic 11-run victory over Australia on Friday night in Canberra during the first T20.
David Warner is Australia’s most important limited-overs player, as they are going to find out this afternoon when Manuka Oval hosts the third and final ODI against India.
International cricket, back at the SCG. There has been just about no better sight in 2020 for fans, players and officials alike as India kicked off their long-awaited tour of Australia.
And so, just like that, Queensland are the Origin champions. They have done what only a month ago was thought of as unthinkable, getting the better of New South Wales with a dominant display in Game 3 at Suncorp Stadium. Here are my talking points.
It’s rare that one player can dictate the entire course of an Origin game on his own, but when Queensland and New South Wales run onto Suncorp Stadium this evening, Cameron Munster could do just that.
A decider! This is what Origin rivalries and tales are made of. Suncorp Stadium, full capacity and an underdog Queensland team looking to send NSW home with their tails between their legs in Game 3. Let’s see who The Roar’s State of Origin expert tipping panel have got for Game 3.
The State of Origin series will head to a live decider next week after the New South Wales Blues put in a dominant performance last night to beat the Queensland Maroons by 24 points. Here are my talking points from Game 2.
Match result The NSW Blues have won Origin 2 by 34 points to 10, forcing a series decider next week in Brisbane.
New South Wales weren’t supposed to be in a must-win position tonight, but for the second year in a row they must force a decider after Queensland shocked the pants off the rugby league world last Wednesday.
The Queensland Maroons made waves with a major upset in the State of Origin series opener, leaving one very happy tipser. Can they shut the series out, or will the Blues make the most of their home ground advantage in Game 2?
The Blues and Maroons have put the first chapter of the 2020 State of Origin series behind them, with Queensland winning a topsy-turvy series opener in Adelaide. Here are my talking points from the first November Origin in history.
Well, it might be November, but in the whacky world of coronavirus, that means it’s Origin time. New South Wales and Queensland are ready to renew hostilities in Australia’s greatest sporting rivalry, but is it going to be one-way traffic as the pundits suggest?
It’s time for the greatest sporting show Australia has to offer, with the State of Origin series kicking off tomorrow. The Roar’s NRL expert tipping panel are back to tell you who is winning and why.
It was fitting that Simply The Best was belted out as Cameron Smith hoisted the Provan-Summons trophy aloft last night.
Does that even go ahead? 4 weeks of quarantine for 1 final in potentially the second-biggest COVID hotspot on the planet.
More interesting is, who will Warner’s partner be in… I’m going to say Perth… When we play South Africa in about 6 weeks.
Marnus Labuschagne to the rescue as Australia's opening woes worsen
The Stars are floundering. Hurricanes going brilliantly and, to me, the only team which can break up the Sydney teams at the moment.
Are we headed for an all-Sydney Big Bash final?
G’day John, and thanks very much.
I’m not sure. I think Lyon is massively underrated in the limited overs game.
D/L does benefit teams batting second most of the time – of that there is no doubt. Especially in a limited overs game.
Are we headed for an all-Sydney Big Bash final?
I’ll always either pronounce his name or write it out properly when talking or writing. The only time I use Tino is in a blog when it’s rushed.
Six talking points from State of Origin 2
I mean…
“Cameron Munster played a huge role in Game 1 and was set to again until he was tackled in the air, causing his head to thud into the ground with such force that he was simply never going to pass an HIA test.”
I thought that explained what caused it pretty decently, but anyway.
Six talking points from State of Origin 2
Tupou acts like an extra forward early in sets… He was unreal. Almost 160 metres in the first half.
Six talking points from State of Origin 2
I’ve read a little bit of doubt… So it was worth addressing. My goodness he was just outstanding last night.
Six talking points from State of Origin 2
8:16pm for me.
Origin 1 kick-off bingo: What time will State of Origin Game 1, 2020 actually start?
T… tu… turn it up Rabbits.
The Roar’s State of Origin expert tips and predictions: Queensland Maroons vs NSW Blues, Game 1, 2020
Alright. I’ll play.
39 minutes and 57 seconds.
The Roar’s State of Origin expert tips and predictions: Queensland Maroons vs NSW Blues, Game 1, 2020
It’s a bit of the old Queensland selection strategy. Might be average in club, but if they don’t let you down in Origin, keep picking ’em.
And Frizz has never let anyone doubt at this level.
REVEALED: NSW Blues and Queensland Maroons teams for State of Origin 1
I’m gonna miss getting to 5pm on a Wednesday and going “Bloody Mithen, where are his tips?”
The Roar’s NRL expert tips and predictions: Grand final
If Finucane is there, the Storm clearly have the edge. I just doubt he’ll play if he hasn’t been named.
Raiders and Storm to be decided by epic battle of the forwards
BA Sports! It’s been a while. Welcome back.
Agree regarding that. The travel is something teams have had to do all year… And the fact he said the Raiders have faced more challenges than any club this year is laughable. The Storm and Warriors have literally not been at home.
It’s interesting you mention Munster and Wighton… If it is as physical as I anticipate it’ll be, then you’re right. The running games of Wighton and Munster, particularly at the back-end of each half, could be what cracks this game wide open.
Raiders and Storm to be decided by epic battle of the forwards
Yeah Albo, I have gone Melbourne – I think being in Brisbane gives them the edge. But I’m not saying that with a great deal of confidence.
Tino and B Smith have huge roles to play for mine this evening. Need to sort of keep the Storm ticking through that middle of the game when momentum can often be one-way traffic for long periods.
Raiders and Storm to be decided by epic battle of the forwards
I’ve tipped Melbourne but on the fence. Genuinely.
Raiders and Storm to be decided by epic battle of the forwards
I think the out of sight thing has something to do with it, but also, he gets dwarfed in coverage by Bateman… And I don’t think that is fair. Whitehead is a consistent performer for the Raiders.
And yeah, I think the only thing stopping Welch from starting will be Fotuaika. But even then, Welch has the inside running. He has been a mountain for Melbourne… That Round 9 performance – less than 100 metres and 7 missed tackles. It was average. But he has just been unreal since then.
Raiders and Storm to be decided by epic battle of the forwards
The Roosters defence has normally been so good. I wouldn’t be too worried about it coming good.
Eight talking points from NRL Round 19
I’ve written about Gutho a few times this year. He is just phenomenal.
Eight talking points from NRL Round 19
It depends if he can reign in that side of his game… I’m starting to doubt it more and more. It’s a shame because he is excellent.
Marnus Labuschagne to the rescue as Australia's opening woes worsen