G'day sports fans,

Classic quote: “I was once offered a Fosters from someone over the fence, but it was warmer and frothier than a Fosters.” – Bob Willis talking about an Australian supporter.

In today's edition of Sport Journal:

🏏 More sledging required

🏉 Sydney switch for Suaalii

⚽️ ACL wrap up

🗓 On This Day:

2008 Ballon d'Or: Manchester United's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo wins his first award as best football player in the world; Barcelona forward Lionel Messi 2nd, Liverpool striker Fernando Torres 3rd

1991 Australia routs India by 10 wickets in the 1st cricket Test in Brisbane; first Test to be officiated by a match referee; former England captain MJK Smith does the honours

1984 Australian Test cricket spin bowler Bob Holland takes a career best 9-83 for NSW in the Sheffield Shield match against South Australia in Sydney

🏏 Cricket

India encouraged to sledge Steve Smith, David Warner over ball tampering ban by former paceman

Former Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan has urged coach Ravi Shastri to encourage his charges to get in the face of the Australian team or risk enduring a long summer.

The tourists have gotten off to a poor start, comprehensively beaten in the first two ODIs in Sydney, with both teams looking unusually amicable out on the field.

The cordial nature of play is a stark contrast to previous Indian tours down under which have seen infamous clashes between the two sides.

Steve Smith in particular seems to have benefitted from the warm atmosphere out on the field, slamming two centuries at rapid pace, and Khan wants to see the Indians get stuck into the former skipper about the ball tampering incident from 2018.

Bums on Seats

Former Big Bash League cult hero Brad Hogg wants the likes of Ben Stokes, Eoin Morgan and Babar Azam to be attracted back to the competition and says Cricket Australia needs to get more serious about luring blockbuster talent.

While the former Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Renegades left-arm wrist-spinner doesn't like seeing overseas talent steal the spots of homegrown guns on the rise, he says some clubs lack depth and need a boost.

Hogg says Cricket Australia must put the big guns on its radar.

"Ben Stokes, Eoin Morgan and Babar Azam would all be huge for the Big Bash so they're the players Cricket Australia need to be chasing," Hogg told Wide World of Sports.

"It's about getting bums on seats, getting eyeballs glued to the TV and getting people interested in what's going on in the Big Bash - and those are the kinds of players who are perfect for that.

⚽️ Football

Tempers flare as Glory snatch first ACL point late after Shanghai blitz

Perth Glory have broken their Asian Champions League duck after a late Neil Kilkenny penalty secured them a 3-3 draw against Shanghai Shenhua in Qatar.

The second half was particularly heated, and Shanghai substitute Cao Yunding was red carded after the final whistle as tempers continued to flare.

Victory settle for draw after blowing two-goal lead against Chiangrai

Melbourne Victory have their Asian Champions League fate in their owns hands despite a goalkeeping howler costing them dearly in a 2-2 draw with Chiangrai United on Tuesday.

Sydney FC biggest ever ACL win

Albeit a claim consolation win over Shanghai SIPG. Sydney FC were left wondering why they couldn't hit their groove earlier in the tournament after a morale-boosting 4-0 thrashing of Shanghai SIPG.

Already eliminated from Group H without a single win from their four previous matches, Sydney salvaged some pride against SIPG, who qualified in second place before Tuesday's match following Yokohama's win over Jeonbuk Hyundai.

Alex Wilkinson and Nathan Brattan put the A-League champions 2-0 ahead in the first half before a brace from Trent Buhagiar sealed their victory at the Al Janoub Stadium.

Ronaldo nominated for UEFA TOTY for 17th straight year as Bayern dominate

Champions League winners Bayern Munich dominate nominees.

UEFA announced its shortlist for fan voting on Tuesday, and Bayern led the way in terms of nominations, with 10 players – including new Liverpool signing Thiago Alcantara – up for inclusion.

Kingsley Coman, scorer of the winning goal in the Champions League final, is among the Bayern players nominated, while Robert Lewandowski – the top-scorer with 15 last term – seems a likely bet for a place in the final XI.

Ronaldo is four clear of Lionel Messi, who is also in the running again.

The Premier League and Bundesliga are the most-represented leagues with 15 players to have at some point this year played in either division.

UEFA also revealed the shortlist for the Women's Team of the Year, with Women's Champions League winners Lyon having 13 players – including the since-departed Lucy Bronze – in contention.

🏉 Rugby

Treating it as a 'Must-Win'

The Tri Nations might be out of reach, but James O’Connor says Dave Rennie won’t be using the Wallabies’ final Test of the year as an opportunity to simply blood the next generation of talent.

That’s the view of playmaker O’Connor, who after missing the past three Tests because of separate leg and foot injuries, is expected to return to the No.10 jersey against the Pumas on Saturday at Bankwest Stadium.

“No, we’re taking this as a must-win game for us,” the 30-year-old emphatically said, after being asked whether he thought Rennie would experiment.

“It’s very important for our campaign and moving forward to as a group.

“We’ve spoken about it a lot; it’s not just finishing the year this way, it’s almost spring-boarding us.” (Rugby)

'I am very ashamed': Argentina captain Pablo Matera sacked

Three weeks after guiding his nation to one of the biggest upsets in Test history, the Tri Nations has been rocked by the announcement that Pablo Matera has been sacked as captain, Argentina Rugby Union announced on Tuesday afternoon.

Matera, as well as two other senior players Guido Petti and Santiago Socino, look also set to miss the Tri Nations finale against the Wallabies on Saturday at Bankwest Stadium for xenophobic comments made on Twitter in 2011 and 2013. (Rugby)

'Milestone Moment'

The number of teams participating in the women's Rugby World Cup will be increased from 12 to 16 from the 2025 edition.

The decision was taken by the Rugby World Cup Board earlier this year and World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said it was a "milestone moment" for the women's game.

The 2021 World Cup, the ninth edition since the inaugural tournament in 1991, will be held in New Zealand from September 18-October 16.

New Zealand are the defending champions after winning their fifth title.

The host selection process for the 2025 edition begins in February 2021 and is set to conclude in May 2022 with a council vote. (Rugby)

🐴 Racing

🏉 NRL

Roosters sign Suaalii following release from Rabbitohs

Joseph Suaalii is officially a Rooster, confirming his shift across Anzac Parade on a two-year deal that adds yet another chapter in the century-old rivalry between the foundation clubs.

One of the most protracted teen contract negotiations came to a close on Tuesday when South Sydney released Suaalii via a one-sentence statement.

The 17-year-old has been the most hyped schoolboy footballer of his generation, with South Sydney and Australian Rugby waging a big-money battle for his services for much of 2020.

His exit from Redfern was acknowledged abruptly by the club, issuing a 29-word statement on Tuesday. (NRL)

🇦🇺 AFL

Player payment debacle: Bombers CEO sorry after botched salary plan

Xavier Campbell apologises to the players after plans to initially withhold wages

Essendon chief executive Xavier Campbell has apologised to his players for the club's handling of plans to initially withhold their wages.

The Bombers have backflipped on the scheme that would have left players going without nine per cent of their usual pay for November.

Players were notified by email last Friday night of the plan, which came about because of the AFL's cuts to the salary cap following financial implications of COVID-19.

The AFL last month confirmed the total player payments for each club in 2021 would be $12.1 million - down nine per cent from this year.

But Campbell has confirmed all Essendon players have been paid in full for November.

🏎 F1

Hamilton Out of Sakhir Grand Prix with Coronavirus

Lewis Hamilton will miss Sunday's Sakhir Grand Prix after a positive test for coronavirus. Giving someone else a chance for once.

Next Ricciardo earns crucial promotion in keeping Australia's F1 dream alive

Oscar Piastri has moved one step closer to joining Daniel Ricciardo in Formula One after being promoted from F3 to F2 with Prema Racing.

This year, the Renault junior impressed in Formula 3, pipping Theo Pourchaire to the title by three points in his rookie season.

The 19-year-old is now just one category away from becoming the third Australian to race in F1 this century after Ricciardo and Mark Webber, his manager.

🇺🇸 USA

At his peak Bogut was 'arguably the premier big man in the world'

Australian basketball legend Andrew Gaze has hailed Andrew Bogut as the ''premier big man in the world'' at the height of his career.

Bogut announced on Tuesday that he was retiring from basketball, effective immediately, citing the physical and mental impacts of playing through pain and the desire to remain healthy as his two sons grew up.

The 36-year-old had built his last two years around starring with the Sydney Kings and making sure he could get to the starting line for the Tokyo Olympics. But the postponed Games and ongoing back and ankle issues led to him calling time seven months before the rescheduled Olympics are due to begin.

While the likes of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green were the big names directly associated with the success of the Golden State Warriors, it was Bogut’s 2012 arrival that helped spearhead a change in fortunes.

Bogut was the guy more than any Australian had ever been in the NBA — the best player on his team for a time while in Milwaukee — as he inspired a generation who watched a 7-footer from Melbourne go toe-to-toe with the best in the world.

2005 first overall pick:

• 2005–2012 - Milwaukee Bucks

• 2012–2016 - Golden State Warriors

• 2016–2017 - Dallas Mavericks

• 2017 - Cleveland Cavaliers

• 2017–2018 - Los Angeles Lakers

• 2018–2020 - Sydney Kings

• 2019 - Golden State Warriors

Accolades included:

• NBA champion (2015)

• NBA All-Rookie First Team (2006)

• NBA blocks leader (2011)

• NBL Most Valuable Player (2019)

• All-NBL First Team (2019)

• NBL Best Defensive Player (2019)

• National college player of the year (2005)

• Consensus first-team All-American (2005)

• Pete Newell Big Man Award (2005)

Stephen Curry & Under Armour officially launched the Curry Brand today, attempting to emulate Nike's success with Michael Jordan.

📺 Live sport 👇🏼

⚽️ 07:00 - UEFA Champions Lge Group Stage - Atalanta v FC Midtjylland (Optus Sport 6)

⚽️ 07:00 - English Championship - Rotherham United v Brentford (BeIN Sports 2)

⚽️ 07:00 - UEFA Champions Lge Group Stage:

• Liverpool v Ajax Amsterdam (Optus Sport 1)

• Porto v Manchester City (Optus Sport 2)

• Athletico Marseille v Olympiacos FC (Optus Sport 3)

• Borussia Monchengladbach v Inter Milan (Optus Sport 5)

• Atletico Madrid v Bayern Munich (Optus Sport 4)

⚽️ 07:00 - UEFA Women's EURO Qualifiers - France v Kazakhstan (BeIN Sports 1)

🏀 09:00 - NCAA Men's Regular Season - Hartford Hawks v Villanova Wildcats (ESPN 2)

⚽️ 09:15 - Copa Libertadores Round of 16 - River Plate v Clube Atletico Paranaense (BeIN Sports 2)

⚽️ 09:15 - Copa Libertadores Round of 16 - Santos FC v LDU Quito (BeIN Sports 1)

⚽️ 09:15 - Copa Sudamericana Round of 16 - Club Atl√©tico Union v Esporte Clube Bahia (BeIN Sports 3)

⚽️ 11:30 - Copa Libertadores Round of 16 - Flamengo v Racing Club de Avellaneda (BeIN Sports 1)

⚽️ 11:30 - Copa Sudamericana Round of 16 - Deportivo Cali v Velez Sarsfield (BeIN Sports 2)

⚽️ 13:30 - MLS Western Conference Semi-Final - Seattle Sounders v FC Dallas (BeIN Sports 3)

🏏 14:40 - ODI Series - Australia v India (Fox Cricket)

⛳️ 19:00 - European Tour, Dubai Championship, Round 1Fox Sports

⛹🏻‍♀️ 19:05 - WNBL Regular Season - Southside Flyers v Adelaide Lightning (Kayo Sports)

THURSDAY

⚽️ 01:00 - Indian Super League - Hyderabad FC v Jamshedpur FC (Fox Sports More)

⚽️ 04:55 - UEFA Champions Lge Group Stage - Istanbul Basaksehir v RB Leipzig (Optus Sport 3)

⚽️ 04:55 - UEFA Champions Lge Group Stage - FC Krasnodar v Stade Rennais (Optus Sport 2)

⚽️ 06:45 - English Championship - Sheffield Wednesday v Reading (BeIN Sports 2)

⚽️ 07:00 - UEFA Champions Lge Group Stage:

• Manchester United v Paris Saint-Germain (Optus Sport 1)

• Ferencvaros v Barcelona (Optus Sport 5)

• Juventus v Dynamo Kyiv (Optus Sport 3)

• Club Brugge v Zenit Saint Petersburg (Optus Sport 4)

• Borussia Dortmund v Lazio (Optus Sport 6)

• Sevilla v Chelsea (Optus Sport 2)

🏈 07:40 - NFL Regular Season - Pittsburgh Steelers v Baltimore Ravens (ESPN 1)

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

🏀 09:00 - NCAA Men's Regular Season - Oklahoma Sooners v Florida Gators (ESPN 2)

⚽️ 09:15 - Copa Libertadores Round of 16 - Palmeiras v Delfin SC (BeIN Sports 1)

⚽️ 09:15 - Copa Sudamericana Round of 16 - Club Atletico Lanus v Bolivar (BeIN Sports 3)

🏀 11:00 - NCAA Men's Regular Season - Gonzaga Bulldogs v West Virginia Mountaineers (ESPN 1)

⚽️ 11:30 - Copa Libertadores Round of 16 - SC Internacional v Boca Juniors (BeIN Sports 1)

⚽️ 11:30 - Copa Sudamericana Round of 16 - Independiente v Fenix (BeIN Sports 3)

⛳️ 18:00 - European Tour, Dubai Championship, Round 2 (Fox Sports)

🥊 18:30 - Heavyweight Title - Justis Huni v Arsene Fosso (Fox Sports)

⛹🏻‍♀️ 19:05 - WNBL Regular Season - Sydney Uni. Flames v Melbourne Boomers (Fox Sports)

⛳️ 20:00 - European Tour, South African Open, Round 1, Part 1 (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 21:00 - AFC Champions League Group - Perth Glory v FC Tokyo (Fox Sports) More

⛳️ 22:00 - European Tour, Dubai Championship, Round 2, Part 2 (Fox Sports)