G'day sports fans,

Classic quote: “He was sweating like a bag of cats at a greyhound meet.” - The Honey Badger, of course

In today's edition of Sport Journal:

🎅🏽 Some Stocking Filler ideas for the sports fan in your life

🏏 Viewership records

💰 Lebron gets paid again

🎅🏽 Stocking Fillers 📚

Born to Run: The hidden tribe, the ultra-runners, and the greatest race the world has never seen — www.amazon.com.au

In search of an answer to why his foot hurt, Christopher McDougall sets off to find a tribe of the world's greatest distance runners and learn their secrets - and in the process shows us that everything we thought we knew about running is wrong.

Cheat: The not-so-subtle art of conning your way to sporting glory: O'Reily, Titus — www.amazon.com.au

Where there's sport, there's cheating. No sport is immune; athletics, swimming, rugby, American Football, cricket, baseball, badminton, motorsports, tennis and curling. Yes, even that sport on the ice with brooms.

🏏 Cricket

Australia vs India, 1st T20I

Australia & India take their rivalry forward to the shortest format of the game, as Men in blue look to avenge the ODI series defeat.

As Australia and India kick off their three-match T20I series today, you wouldn't expect just the locals but a lot of those from Sydney to drive down to not just watch the cricket but also do justice to the local brews on offer.

The tickets for this game like with most of the white-ball ones involving India were sold out.

India might have started a tad slowly on Wednesday but Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya showed just why the Canberra pitch is rated as being one of the best for batsmen in Australia.

The nation's capital is also where the temperatures really drop later in the evening. But it shouldn't stop the frenzy of fours and sixes, especially with one of the boundaries expected to be shorter than the other. 

Australia Squad: Aaron Finch(c), Matthew Wade, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Moises Henriques, Alex Carey(w), Ashton Agar, Sean Abbott, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Andrew Tye, Marnus Labuschagne, D Arcy Short, Cameron Green, Daniel Sams, Marcus Stoinis

Adam Zampa And Ashleigh Gardner Commit To Birmingham Phoenix In The Hundred 

Moeen Ali is set to captain the men's team in the re-scheduled 2021 tournament, while New Zealand all-rounder Sophie Devine will lead the women's team.(ndtv)

The Australia v India One Day International series is breaking records

Combined numbers across Foxtel, Foxtel Now, Foxtel Go and Kayo have lifted the overall viewing audience.

• Game I last Friday drew an average of 470,000 viewers.

• Game 2 on Sunday drew 586,000 -the most-watched ODI game ever on STV.

• Game 3 on Wednesday averaged 435,000.

The series is now averaging 498,000 across combined platforms, up +31% on the three-game ODI series against India in 2019.

Women’s cricket is also up, with a combined audience of 131,000, up +24% on the 2019 Final.

⚽️ Football

Scrap the Cap

Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) has declared that any introduction of a domestic transfer system must be accompanied by a removal of the A-League salary cap, stating the two concepts are "incompatible." (ESPN)

The FFA enshrined the introduction of a DTS (Domestic Transfer System) in the third of its new XI Principles, part of a wider section on "stimulating the growth of the Australian football economy", and it is a clear goal of federation chief executive James Johnson.

Champions League

• Olivier Giroud became the oldest player to score a European hat trick on Wednesday (a perfect one at that), as Chelsea beat Seville 4-0.

• A Neymar double saw-off Man United 3-1.

• Barcelona maintained their 100% record with a 3-0 win over minnows Ferencvaros.

• Ronaldo scored his 750th career goal in a 3-0 win over Dinamo Kiev

Transfer Talk

Brandon O’Neill is reportedly in Thailand to complete his move to Buriram United, with Pohang Steelers to receive a fee between $200k-300k. Moving from Pohang Steelers in Korea. 

Paris St-Germain and Brazil forward Neymar, 28, says he wants to play with Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, 33, again and they have to "do it again next season". The pair played together at Barcelona before Neymar joined PSG. (ESPN)

🐴 Racing

Legend heads to QLD for one ride

Legendary Cessnock jockey Robert Thompson has been a regular visitor to ride in Queensland for more than two decades and he’s keen for that to continue for a while yet.

At 62, Thompson is an icon of the racing industry and has ridden an Australian record 3690 winners and counting across the country with many of those coming in the Sunshine State.

Every August and September punters are likely to see his name pop up in racebooks in North Queensland when the Australian Racing Hall Of Famer takes part in the carnivals at Cairns and Townsville.

One such worthwhile opportunity has presented itself to Thompson this weekend where he is set to pilot the Alex Malliff-trained Paniagua in the TAB 2020 Country Cups Challenge Final (1600m) at Doomben.

Paniagua has won seven straight ahead of his city debut including the Townsville Guineas and Cairns Cup and is the $2.80 favourite to continue that run on Saturday.

🏉 NRL

Bulldogs table big offer to Josh Addo-Carr for 2022 and beyond

After months of speculation the Bulldogs have finally tabled a concrete offer that could land Josh Addo-Carr at Belmore on a four-year deal from 2022.

Addo-Carr is desperate to return to Sydney to unite his family but was unable to secure a release from the Melbourne Storm for next year.

For now his quest appears to be one step closer with a contract waiting for him to play under Trent Barrett. It is understood to be worth in excess of $2 million over four seasons. It's a contract that leaves his position an open question.

Addo-Carr has been vocal about his desire to play fullback; a position that earns the best players in excess of $750k-a-season.

At the moment the best paid winger in the game is his close mate Blake Ferguson, who earns around $500k-a-season.

Greatest sports team of the last five years

Thousands of pundits were stunned when the Melbourne Storm this week pipped Richmond for the title of Australasia's greatest sports team of the last five years, as judged by a sports-analytics company.

But the founder of Gain Line Analytics, former 28-Test Wallaby Ben Darwin, has set out in clear terms why the powerhouse NRL club received the crown.

"Statistically, Richmond didn't do that well in the 2016 season. Richmond have won grand finals, yes, but the difference is Melbourne Storm over that time have won more games," Darwin said on SEN's Breakfast with Vossy.

"Richmond, in order to win this award, have to win consistently over that five-year basis.

"It's hard to win this.

🇦🇺 AFL

Class of 2020: Why Finlay Macrae edges out brother Jack in draft stakes — www.afl.com.au

Victorian draft prospect Finlay Macrae talks about his football journey and reflects on advice from his brother, Western Bulldogs star, Jack Macrae.

MCC CEO urges AFL not to "copy other sports"

MCC CEO Stuart Fox would like to see the AFL Grand Final return to its traditional afternoon time slot in 2021.

Due to the unprecedented COVID-19 affected season, the 2020 Grand Final was played under lights at the Gabba in Brisbane – the first premiership decider played outside of Victoria.

“The day slot is really special, we don’t need to copy other sports,” Fox told SEN’s Whateley.

“I don’t subscribe to the thought it’s about lights and entertainment, I think people just love our game so much.

“If we can focus on that more than the bells and whistles and bands, that’s why our game is so special.

The tradition of starting off with breakfast and then lunch and getting our families home at a responsible time, I think they’re the positives of the game and that’s why our game has been so special.

🗓 Richmond and Carlton will open the 2021 season and Fox understands the AFL is likely to release part of next year’s fixture before Christmas.

🏉 Rugby

Legend Status

One of Australia’s most highly regarded players, Mark Ella, has been honoured with the elevation to Legend status in the New South Wales Hall of Champions today.

Ella joins the likes of Sir Donald Bradman AC, Evonne Goolagong MBE, Murray Rose, and Richie Benaud as champion athletes from NSW that went on to achieve great things in their chosen sport.

One of three Ella brothers to play Rugby for Australia, Mark won 25 Test caps for the Wallabies between 1980 and 1984, where he started in all 25 of those matches. (Rugby.au)

Australia make three changes for final round of Rugby Championship

Australia head coach Dave Rennie has made three changes to the starting line-up for the final round of the tri-nations Rugby Championship clash against Argentina.

The last time these two teams met was during the fourth round at McDonald Jones Stadium when the encounter finished in a 15-15 draw.

Reece Hodge is shifted from fly-half to fullback with Tom Banks dropping to the bench. James O'Connor makes a comeback and takes the kicking responsibility and will form halfback partnership with Nic White.

The final change in the starting XV comes in the front row with Allan Alaalatoa coming back to replace Taniela Tupou.

Pablo Matera reinstated as Argentina captain

Pablo Matera has been reinstated as Argentina captain and had his and two team-mates' suspensions for "discriminatory and xenophobic" comments on social media lifted.

Matera, Guido Petti and Santiago Socino were suspended on Tuesday for posts made between 2011 and 2013.

But the Argentine Rugby Union (UAR) now says such measures were "unnecessary".

🏎 F1

Ricciardo still angry at Formula 1: "My opinion has not changed"

On Sunday after the race, Daniel Ricciardo fiercely criticised the TV footage of Romain Grosjean's crash, which was broadcast repeatedly. At the press conference on Thursday, the Australian announced that his opinion on the matter remained unchanged.

Ricciardo believes that it would have been enough to show Grosjean who was in the medical car after the accident. He also believes it was inappropriate to Grosjean's family.

🇺🇸 USA

🥏 Ultimate Frisbee - is eligible for the 2024 Olympics in Paris, and I can't wait! I found 371 Colleges in the U.S. that offer Frisbee scholarships (up to $2,500 a year). 🤯

🏀💰 Lebron getting paid, again!

James and the Lakers agreed to a two-year, $85 million contract extension through the 2022-23 season, making him a free agent the same year his son, Bronny, graduates high school and (likely) becomes draft-eligible. (Axios).

Lakers fans will also be happy that Anthony Davis is closing in on a $190m, 5 year deal with the Lakers.

🔁 Houston has agreed to trade Russell Westbrook to Washington for John Wall and a first-round pick, sources tell ESPN.

📺 Weekend Live Sport Guide👇🏼

TODAY

⛳️ 06:00 - PGA Tour, Mayakoba Golf Classic, Round 1 (Fox Sports)

🏀 06:45 - EuroLeague Regular Season - Olimpia Milan v Panathinaikos BC (Fox Sports) 

⚽️ 07:00 - UEFA Europa League Group Stage:

• AZ Alkmaar v Napoli (Optus Sport 4) 

• Granada v PSV Eindhoven (Optus Sport 6) 

• Benfica v Lech Poznan (Optus Sport 5) 

• Rangers v Standard Liege (Optus Sport 2)

• Arsenal v SK Rapid Wien (Optus Sport 1)

• Roma v BSC Young Boys (Optus Sport 3)

🏏 09:00 - Test Match - New Zealand v West Indies (Fox Cricket) 

🏀 11:00 - NCAA Men's Regular Season - USC Trojans v Connecticut Huskies (ESPN 1)

⚽️ 11:30 - Copa Libertadores Round of 16 - Gremio v Club Guarani (BeIN Sports 2)

⚽️ 11:30 - Copa Sudamericana Round of 16 - Vasco da Gama v Defensa y Justicia (BeIN Sports 1)

⚽️ 12:30 - MLS Western Conference Semi-Final - Sporting Kansas City v Minnesota United (BeIN Sports 3)

⛳️ 17:30 - European Tour, Dubai Championship, Round 3 (Fox Sports) 

⛹🏻‍♀️ 18:05 - WNBL Regular Season - UC Capitals v Adelaide Lightning (Kayo Sports)

🏅 19:00 - Awards CeremonySport - Australia Hall of Fame (7mate)

🏏 19:10 - Twenty20 Series - Australia v India (Fox Cricket) 

⛹🏻‍♀️ 20:05 - WNBL Regular Season - Townsville Fire v Perth Lynx (Kayo Sports)

⚽️ 21:00 - AFC Champions League Group - Sydney FC v Yokohama F. Marinos (Fox Sports More)

⛳️ 22:00 - European Tour, South African Open, Round 2 (Fox Sports) 

🏏 22:00 - ODI Series - South Africa v England (Fox Sports) 

🐎 22:40 - Pacing Gold Grand Circuit, WA Pacing Cup (Sky Racing 1) 

🏏 22:40 - ODI Series - South Africa v England (Fox Cricket)

SATURDAY

🏎 00:30 - Formula 1 Sakhir Practice 1 (Fox Sports) 

⚽️ 01:00 - Indian Super League - Chennaiyin FC v Bengaluru FC (Fox Sports More)

🏉 04:00 - Currie Cup - Pumas v Griquas (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 04:30 - English Championship - Barnsley v Bournemouth (BeIN Sports 2) 

🎱 05:30 - Mosconi Cup, Day 4 (Fox Sports More)

🥊 06:00 - Super Middleweight Title - Billy Joe Saunders v Martin Murray (Fox Sports)

⛳️ 06:15 - PGA Tour, Mayakoba Golf Classic, Round 2 (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 06:30 - German Bundesliga - Hertha Berlin v FC Union Berlin (BeIN Sports 1) 

🏉 06:45 - Premiership Rugby - Bristol Bears v Northampton Saints (Fox Sports) 

⚽️ 07:00 - France Ligue 1 - Nimes Olympique v Olympique de Marseille (BeIN Sports 2)

⚽️ 07:00 - Spanish La Liga - Athletic Club Bilbao v Celta Vigo (BeIN Sports 3) 

🏏 09:00 - Test Match - New Zealand v West Indies (Fox Cricket) 

🏈 12:30 - NCAA Football - Appalachian State Mountaineers v Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns (ESPN 1)

🏍 12:30 - Australian Superbike Championship, Round 2 (Fox Sports) 

⚽️ 16:00 - J1 League - Shimizu S-Pulse v Kawasaki Frontale (Optus Sport 2) 

⚽️ 16:00 - J1 League - Consadole Sapporo v Cerezo Osaka (Optus Sport 1) 

⛹🏻‍♀️ 17:05 - WNBL Regular Season - Bendigo Spirit v Melbourne Boomers (ABC, Fox Sports More)

⛳️ 17:30 - European Tour, Dubai Championship, Round 4 (Fox Sports) 

🏉 19:45 - Tri Nations - Australia v Argentina (10, Fox Sports) 

🐴 19:50 - Group 1, Kingston Town Classic (Sky Racing 1 or Sky Thoroughbred Central)

🐎 21:05 - Group 3 Pacers, Sitecom Commercial Cleaning Pace (Sky Racing 1) 

⛳️ 22:00 - European Tour, South African Open, Round 3Fox Sports 

🏉 23:00 - Autumn Nations Cup - Georgia v Fiji (BeIN Sports 3) 

🏎 23:10 - Formula 2 Bahrain Race 1 (Fox Sports) 

⚽️ 23:30 - Premier League - Burnley v Everton (Optus Sport 1) 

⚽️ 23:30 - English Championship - Reading v Nottingham Forest (BeIN Sports 2)

SUNDAY 

🏎 01:00 - Formula 1 Sakhir Practice 3 (Fox Sports) 

⚽️ 01:00 - Indian Super League - NorthEast United v SC East Bengal (Kayo Sports)

🏉 01:15 - Autumn Nations Cup - Ireland v Scotland (BeIN Sports 3) 

🏉 01:30 - Currie Cup - Blue Bulls v Free State Cheetahs (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 02:00 - Premier League - Manchester City v Fulham (Optus Sport 1) 

⚽️ 02:00 - English Championship - Coventry City v Rotherham United (BeIN Sports 2)

🏉 02:00 - Premiership Rugby - Wasps v Newcastle Falcons (Fox Sports More) 

⚽️ 02:15 - Spanish La Liga - Sevilla v Real Madrid (BeIN Sports 1) 

🏉 03:45 - Autumn Nations Cup - Wales v Italy (BeIN Sports 3) 

🏎 04:00 - Formula 1 Sakhir Qualifying, Round 16 (Fox Sports) 

⚽️ 04:00 - Italian Serie A - Juventus v Torino (BeIN Sports 2) 

🏉 04:00 - Currie Cup Regular Season - Golden Lions v Western Province (Fox Sports)

🏈 04:00 - NCAA Football - Auburn Tigers v Texas A&M Aggies (ESPN 1) 

🏈 04:00 - NCAA Football - Michigan State Spartans v Ohio State Buckeyes (ESPN 2)

⚽️ 04:30 - German Bundesliga - Bayern Munich v RB Leipzig (BeIN Sports 1) 

⚽️ 04:30 - Premier League - West Ham United v Manchester United (Optus Sport 1)

⛳️ 06:00 - PGA Tour, Mayakoba Golf Classic, Round 3 (Fox Sports) 

⚽️ 06:45 - Italian Serie A - Inter Milan v Bologna (BeIN Sports 2) 

⚽️ 07:00 - France Ligue 1 - Montpellier HSC v Paris Saint-Germain (BeIN Sports 3)

⚽️ 07:00 - Premier League - Chelsea v Leeds United (Optus Sport 1) 

⚽️ 07:00 - Spanish La Liga - Cadiz CF v Barcelona (BeIN Sports 1)

🏈 07:30 - NCAA Regular Season - Wisconsin Badgers v Indiana Hoosiers (ESPN 2)

🏏 09:00 - Test Match - New Zealand v West Indies (Fox Cricket) 

👊🏻 11:00 - UFC Fight Night - UFC Fight Night Prelims (ESPN 1) 

🏈 11:30 - NCAA Regular Season - Virginia Tech Hokies v Clemson Tigers (ESPN 2) 

🏍 13:00 - Australian Superbike Championship, Race 1 (Fox Sports or SBS)

🥊 13:00 - Welterweight Title - Errol Spence Jr. v Danny Garcia (Fox Sports) 

⛹🏻‍♀️ 13:05 - WNBL Regular Season - Sydney Uni. Flames v Bendigo Spirit (Fox Sports More)

👊🏻 14:00 - UFC Fight Night Main Card - Jack Hermansson v Marvin Vettori (ESPN 1)

🏈 14:30 - NCAA Regular Season - Utah Utes v Oregon State Beavers (ESPN 2) 

⛹🏻‍♀️ 15:05 - WNBL Regular Season - Southside Flyers v Melbourne BoomersABC, (Fox Sports More)

🐴 17:40 - Group 1, Champions Cup (Racing.com or Sky Racing 1) 

⛹🏻‍♀️ 18:05 - WNBL Regular Season - Townsville Fire v UC Capitals (Kayo Sports)

🏏 19:00 - ODI Series - South Africa v England (Fox Sports)

🚘 19:00 - WRC Rally d'Italia, Day 4, Round 7 (Fox Sports)

🏏 19:10 - Twenty20 Series - Australia v India (Fox Cricket) 

⛹🏻‍♀️ 20:05 - WNBL Regular Season - Adelaide Lightning v Perth Lynx (Kayo Sports)

⛳️ 21:00 - European Tour, South African Open, Round 4 (Fox Sports) 

⚽️ 21:00 - AFC Champions League R16 Draw (Fox Sports More) 

🚘 22:00 - WRC Rally d'Italia, Day 4, Round 7 (Fox Sports) 

⚽️ 22:30 - Italian Serie A - Hellas Verona v Cagliari Calcio (BeIN Sports 1) 

⚽️ 22:30 - Indian Super League - Mumbai City v Odisha FC (Kayo Sports)

⚽️ 23:00 - Scottish Premiership - Ross County v Rangers (BeIN Sports 2) 

⚽️ 23:00 - France Ligue 1 - Lille OSC v AS Monaco (BeIN Sports 3)

⚽️ 23:00 - Premier League - West Bromwich Albion v Crystal Palace (Optus Sport 1)

🏏 23:05 - ODI Series - South Africa v England (Fox Cricket) 

⚽️ 23:30 - FA Women's Super League - Chelsea Women v West Ham United Women (Optus Sport 2)