The former boys’ finalist has always enjoyed playing on grass and, with Nick Kyrgios if fit, is expected to lead the Australian contingent this yearAs Alex de Minaur challenged Carlos Alcaraz with his dash and dare at Queen’s last Sunday, he presented as Australia’s leading contender for the 2023 Wimbledon crown. Nick Kyrgios is the headline grabber but the injury doubt surrounding him, combined with the strong form of De Minaur, suggests the latter is the Australian who will be the one to watch at the All England Lawn Tennis Club.Although the 24-year-old fell to Alcaraz in straight sets in the Queen’s final, the skill set he deployed to test the new world No 1 should hold De Minaur in...
Captain’s half century builds lead on day of ups and downs after Sophie Ecclestone’s relentless bowling checked their progressOn the fourth morning of the Women’s Ashes Test in Nottingham, Australia had the game in their hands. One wicket down, 149 on the board, leading by 159 in the third innings, with their two most reliable hands Beth Mooney and Ellyse Perry together at the crease. Thirty-five overs later they were all out for 257, the last nine down for 108.That session-and-a-bit of was like the breaking of a storm, after three and a half days of bowlers working thanklessly thanks to a batting pitch and a raft of missed chances from both teams. The game’s trajectory had not suggested losing...
This year offered West Coast a chance to reset. But two consecutive floggings and the biggest losing margin in their history have the Eagles in a tailspinChapter 12 of Stephen King’s Misery ends with the line: “Then the rain came and things changed.” In King’s book, the weather turned, Annie Wilkes’ mood darkened, and Paul Sheldon forfeited his foot. When the rain came for the West Coast Eagles in 2019, they kept their legs, but lost the double chance. Since that day, pretty much nothing has gone right.It was round 22 - Richmond at the MCG. One of the great games of the pre-Covid era. In the first term, the Eagles played almost perfect football – the clean, crisp, kick-and-catch...
Ben Stokes’s declaration on day one was a mistake but it was not a fatal one and a lack of match practice really undid themA close finish in Test cricket is an Agatha Christie, a whowunnit with umpteen suspects. When the difference between the sides is slim, you can attribute it to almost anything: Usman Khawaja’s 13-hour vigil, Pat Cummins’ cool-headed cameo, Ben Stokes’s befuddling declaration, Jonny Bairstow’s frustrating fumbles, Nathan Lyon’s eight wickets – or a pitch that was tailor-made for him. The old farts among the fans were too quick to blame it on the boogie. But it wasn’t Bazball wot lost it: it was Bazball that, as so often, defeated the draw.The declaration attracted the most scorn,...
Annabel Sutherland had advantages early in life but her first Test century shows she has never stopped learningIn terms of sporting provenance stories, having a national cricket board CEO for a father doesn’t hit the inspirational high notes. James Sutherland spent two decades at the top for Cricket Australia and, like some players, probably held on a few years too long. When he did make way, it at least partially cleared the air for his children, Annabel and Will, to pursue playing careers.No doubt being connected to power in the game opened plenty of doors and gained access to the best development. It gave them a life so entwined with cricket, perhaps attempting to play it was inevitable. The one...