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FLASHBACK... 2010
SLAM DUNK GETS AUSSIE CHANCE CRICKET
Tasmania’s Ben Dunk has a chance to take his immense domestic form to the international stage against South Africa in this month’s Twenty20 series. Dunk had to be picked for the Australian side after his record 229 knock out against Queensland, and he will take the gloves at Adelaide Oval on November 5. Bulls big hitter Nathan Reardon was the other bolter in a side to be skippered by Aaron Finch and with the experience of Shane Watson back from injury. Just four players remain from the one that faced Pakistan in Dubai earlier this month – Finch, Sean Abbott, Cameron Boyce, James Faulkner and Kane Richardson – with Faulkner only to join the squad once he’s no longer needed in the Middle East. National selector Rod Marsh said selection is a chance to impress ahead of the World Cup. “While the 2016 ICC World Twenty20 seems a long time away, the nature of short T20 series at international level means every match between now and then is a great opportunity for players to show what they’re capable of against high-quality opposition,” said Marsh. “The squad itself includes a good blend of youth and experience, providing Aaron with multiple options with both bat and ball.” The Australia and South Africa series will be aired live on Sky Sports 2. As the Aussies return home for the series against the Proteas, followed by Tests against India over Christmas, New Zealand’s Blackcaps follow their series 78
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Australia are unbackable favourites for the Four Nations but flashback to 2010 when New Zealand’s Kiwis got the better of the Kangaroos at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Could happen again come final time on November 15, if England don’t have something to say about it.
against South Africa to head the other way to face Pakistan. Three Tests in the UAE (Nov 9, 17 and 26) will be followed by two T20s and five ODIs.
SOCCER-WHOS FACE SAMURAI FOOTBALL
Ange Postecoglou has been preparing his Socceroos as he sees fit, chopping and changing the line-up in unconvincing warm-up matches that included a 0-0 draw with the UAE and a shock loss to Qatar. Against Japan on Nov 18, the last game before they host the Asian Cup, fans expect a good show from something close to a full-strength line-up. The Aussies expect to be pushing to win the first major international tournament Down Under, but with the shaky defence and a strikeforce that includes ageing Tim Cahill as the only regular threat isn’t a good sign.
BIG MONTH FOR... Australian rugby’s autumn internationals took on a whole new meaning when Ewen McKenzie quit as coach after the 29-28 loss in the third Bledisloe Cup match. Super Rugbywinning Waratahs coach Michael Cheika now gets his chance to start over in Europe with Michael Hooper (pictured) and co, with the Barbarians at Twickenham followed by Tests against Wales (Nov 8), France (Nov 15), Ireland (Nov 22) and finally England (Nov 29), ahead of next year’s World Cup back here. For those with a pint half full, there can’t be a Northern Hemisphere series in recent years where an Aussie side’s been under less pressure...