Sport

Malcolm Knox
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 03: Nathan Lyon, David Warner and Steve Smith of Australia sing the national anthem during ...

Subcontinent ready or subconsciously ready for defeat?

According to the bookies, India are more likely to beat Australia in their Test series than Winx is to beat Mister Ed. If the Border-Gavaskar series, starting in Pune on Thursday, were to be played a theoretical 11 times, Australia would be backable to win it just once. At best. And even that is beyond punters' capacity for optimism.

Dual international: Charlotte Caslick has represented Australia at rugby sevens and Touch Football Australia.

Strength of women's sport is its biggest weakness

At a forum on the future of professional women's sports last year, the retired Australian netball captain Liz Ellis asked despairingly: 'Would it be better for us if we were in the news for being out on the drink and disgracing ourselves?'

Faces of Australian cricket: David Warner and Steve Smith.

Why Australian fans and players are sick of ODI cricket

Just what is the Australian one-day cricket team anyway? An instrument of cricket diplomacy? An international aid organisation? A travelling circus? Whatever it is, we now know what it is not: a representation of Australia's best cricketing talent in the 50-over format.

Lucky escape: Paceman Joe Mennie narrowly evaded a critical injury after being struck by a ball in the nets.

Bowlers need safety nets in Twenty20's evolution

If you are a bit of a galoot at a golf driving range, the fun thing to do is aim some shots at the cart driving around sweeping up balls. The prank is only conceivable because the threat is doubly harmless: the cart driver is enclosed behind a reinforced plastic shield, and the ability of said galoots to hit any target, moving or not, creates its own unlikelihood.

Missing you already: Chris Lynn hits lustily for the Heat.

Mid-year report for the Bingewatch League

Like any binge television viewing, the Big Bash League moves too fast for analysis of one particular match. Themes can, however, emerge from the continuum, and here's a report card of the BBL06 season so far.

Like watching paint dry: Two fans during the rain delay at the Sydney Cricket Ground on the third day of the Test.

Rain of terror killing cricket

Recorded long-distance telephone conversation between Kerry Packer (location: The Hereafter High-High-Rollers' Room) and unnamed Nine Network cricket producer (location: Sydney Cricket Ground). Date: First week of 2017.

Perfect pair: Matt Renshaw and Peter Handscomb pose with the SCG Honour Board.

Handscomb the mad scientist of batting

Just before 11am on Wednesday, 20-year-old Matthew Renshaw walked off the Sydney Cricket Ground to a standing ovation after scoring 184, his maiden Test century.