G'day sports fans,

Classic quote: The other advantage England have got when Phil Tufnell is bowling is that he isn't fielding - Ian Chappell

In today's edition of Sport Journal:

👋🏼 Has Smith 'found his hands'?

📆 A-League and W-League fixtures announced

⚾️ Real life 'Field of Dreams'

🏏 Cricket

Be afraid, India: ‘Everything has clicked in’ for Smith in the nick of time

Steve Smith cracked a big smile after a net session this week declaring he “found a little something” that could turn his batting around after a surprisingly lean IPL. 

The batting dynamo conceded he was “disappointed” with his return for the Rajasthan Royals, which was 311 runs, with three 50s, in 14 games as his team missed the finals.

The early finish has left Smith without a game of cricket for a month, a long time for someone who craves batting like he does.

But Smith has taken advantage of the smaller Australian training groups in quarantine in Sydney, spent more time in the nets and said he had “found my hands”, a signal that he has unlocked the secret to his best form just in time for Friday’s opening ODI against India.

“I started well and had a few innings here and there. I never really got into a really good rhythm.

“The last few days I have found something, that people close to me that know me well know, I have sort of found my hands the last few days which I am extremely excited about.

David Warner says COVID-restrictions could see him miss some upcoming tours

David Warner will consider missing some cricket tours in 2021, with bio-secure bubbles and hotel quarantine limiting time with his young family. (abc)

⚽️ Football

A-League and Westfield W-League 2020/21 countdown begins

• A-League and Westfield W-League kicking off together for first time

• Expansion club Macarthur FC’s debut away to local rival Western Sydney in double-header

• Ex Westfield Matildas boss Ante Milicic leading Macarthur, ex-Socceroo Mark Milligan captain

• Sydney FC host Melbourne City in A-League grand final replay at ANZ Stadium

• Festival of professional football coming, with games broadcast on FOX SPORTS six days per week

• Australia’s rising stars on show with over 40 Olyroos, Young Socceroos and Young Matildas to feature in A-League and Westfield W-League, plus dozens of Socceroos and Matildas

The A-League and Westfield W-League seasons commence with an historic double-header, to mark the first time both seasons kick off together, on December 27.

The festival of professional football begins with 18 matches played over eight days, including a Westfield W-League and A-League Grand Final rematch between Sydney FC and Melbourne City FC at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday 30 December and an F3 Derby (Central Coast Mariners v Newcastle Jets) on New Year’s Eve at Central Coast Stadium. (A-League)

Complete A-League fixture list

Colder, faster, younger

Ball speed rising for each A-League side - The number of passes per minute of possession is a measuring tool for tempo or ball speed. Pre Covid only 2 teams were over 14 passes per minute, this rose to 6 teams during the bubble. The best A-League clubs compared favourably to the European and Asian heavyweights.

AFC Champions League

Melbourne Victory went down 3-1 to Beijing Guoan. A late consolation from youngster Gianluca Iannucci the only highlight.

Heartbreak for Perth Glory who conceded 89th and 93rd minute goals to lose 2-1 to Ulsan.

Do or die for Sydney

Sydney FC prop up Group H on just a solitary point alongside Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors – as the pair prepare to meet in a crucial clash today.

Aside from a 4-0 opening-day loss to Yokohama F. Marinos it's been a tale of misfortune for Sydney, who generally performed well in their other two games. The A-League champions conceded late to draw 2-2 with Jeonbuk back in early March before missing a number of chances against Shanghai SIPG last Thursday as they went from a goal up to lose 2-1.

UEFA Champions League Match Day 4

Manchester United will be looking to avenge an embarrassing loss to İstanbul Başakşehir, while PSG will try to make up ground against RB Leipzig in Group H.

Today

• Group E: Chelsea (England) vs. Stade Rennais (Italy); Krasnodar (Russia) vs. Sevilla (Spain)

• Group F: Lazio (Italy) vs. Zenit (Russia); Dortmund (Germany) vs. Brugge (Belgium)

• Group G: Juventus vs. Ferencvárosi (Hungary); Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine) vs. Barcelona (Spain)

• Group H: Manchester United (England) vs. İstanbul Başakşehir (Turkey); PSG (France) vs. RB Leipzig (Germany)

📈 🤯 Liverpool's Sadio Mane is still yet to taste Premier League defeat at Anfield.

• Games: 71

• Wins: 61

• Draws: 10

• Losses: 0

🐴 Racing

Cranbourne trainer Udyta Clarke fights for life after morning medical episode — www.racenet.com.au

Popular Cranbourne trainer Udyta Clarke is in a critical condition in hospital after suffering a severe medical episode on Monday night.

Clarke is best known for her emotional post-race interviews when one of her small team wins a race around Victoria.

🏉 Rugby

'Flat' Wallabies get creative with review

The crestfallen Wallabies have undertaken a new intensive match review process, seeking "nuggets of gold" as they look to rebound from their disappointing 15-15 Tri Nations draw with Argentina.

Wallabies assistant coach Scott Wisemantel said the side were as "flat" as he'd seen them after they let a 15-6 lead slip against the Pumas in their clash in Newcastle on Saturday.

A win would have put them within 80 minutes of lifting the tournament silverware, and the Wallabies knew they'd blown a golden chance.

"We broke the game down into four 20-minute quarters and throughout the whole squad, they were divided into four groups and each were given a portion," he explained.

"They then had to review what was good and what was poor and how we can manage it - it was a long process but at the end of it I think we ended up with tactical growth which is what we want.

"In those smaller groups everyone gets a voice and from that you get little nuggets of gold."

French rugby legend Dominici dies in park tragedy

Ex-France rugby international Christophe Dominici has been found dead in tragic circumstances in a park.

Dominici, 48, was best known for helping France knock out the New Zealand All Blacks in the 1999 Rugby World Cup.

A witness saw him climb the roof of a disused building at Saint-Cloud park near Paris on Tuesday before jumping from a height, police sources say.

Dominici played 67 times for his country and won the French championship five times with Stade Français. (BBC)

🏉 NRL

Keith Titmuss's family pay tribute following death of rising Manly Sea Eagles NRL star

Keith Titmuss's older brother says the Manly Sea Eagles rugby league player died "doing what he loved".

• Jesse Titmuss described his younger brother as a "loving, gentle giant"

• Keith Titmuss was expected to make his NRL debut in 2021

• He was regarded as a rising star at the Sea Eagles after coming through the club's junior ranks

Titmuss died on Monday after falling ill following a Sea Eagles training session held in Narrabeen on Sydney's Northern Beaches. (abc)

✍🏼 Signings

Blore signs new Tigers deal - The new, two-year deal will see the 20-year-old remain in Wests Tigers colours until at least the end of the 2023 NRL season.

Jake Clifford to join Knights - The talented playmaker will join the Knights at the conclusion of the final year of his contract with North Queensland in 2022.

Keaon re-signs with Rabbitohs - Rabbitohs extend contract of Keaon Koloamatangi until at least the end of the 2023 season

🎾 Tennis

‘Don’t think it’s going to happen’: Fears for AO unless there are big changes

ATP Finals champion Daniil Medvedev has cast further doubts over the viability of this summer’s Australian Open if the current quarantine measures remain in place.

Under current guidelines players would have to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival in Australia, unable to leave their hotel rooms to practice.

It is a situation that leaves Medvedev “really uncertain” over his involvement in the Open.

“I’m going to go to Australia when we can to avoid any circumstances that would change your mind about competing there,” Medvedev told CNN.

“If, for instance, you weren’t able to compete or to train during quarantine just ahead of the tournament, I don’t think the tournament is going to happen.

“[I’m] not complaining that it’s boring or something like this, it’s just that going out from the room after 14 days of not doing anything and [then] playing five sets right away, I think would be really dangerous for the health of any sportsman. (Fox)

🚀 Rocket Man

Welcome to the game-changing Electrified Wing-suit that gives its user the ability to soar through the skies at incredible speeds of up to 186mph!

🏊🏼‍♀️ Swimming

Jack's defence after positive test

Shayna Jack has reportedly suggested a blender used by her partner and her brother could have been contaminated with ligandrol.

She told the court her supplements might have been contaminated in the manufacturing process, while also suggesting a blender used by her partner and brother could have been contaminated with ligandrol.

Lastly, Jack told the court she might have come into contact with the substance while using a public pool or gym in Townsville or Cairns.

Swiss-based CAS decided to cut the 22-year-old's ban in half on appeal, meaning she will be allowed to return to the pool next year. (nine)

🇺🇸 USA

🏈 NFL Play of the Week

The Field of Dreams Game

New York Yankees v Chicago White Sox will be played on August 12, 2021.

• 8,000-seat stadium

• Located in Dyersville, Iowa

• Next to where 'Field of Dreams" was filmed

🏀 Wizards' John Wall Buys Ownership Stake in NBL's South East Melbourne Phoenix

Washington Wizards guard John Wall has reportedly purchased an ownership stake in the South East Melbourne Phoenix, a basketball team in Australia's NBL, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times.

The ownership group is led by Romie Chaudhari. It includes other current and former NBA players, including Zach Randolph, Al Harrington, Josh Childress, and Melbourne's Dante Exum.

The Phoenix were an expansion team in the 2019-20 season and finished eighth of nine teams.

Wall's purchase continues a trend of NBA players investing in the NBL, as Stein noted.

Indiana Pacers star Victor Oladipo joined the ownership group of the New Zealand Breakers last week alongside former NBA players Matt Walsh and Shawn Marion. Kevin Martin owns part of the Brisbane Bullets.

👏🏻 Bonus

📺 Live sport 👇🏼

⚽️ 07:00 - English Championship - Bournemouth v Nottingham Forest (BeIN Sports 2)

⚽️ 07:00 - UEFA Champions Lge Group Stage:

• Borussia Dortmund v Club Brugge (Optus Sport 5) 

• Paris Saint-Germain v RB Leipzig (Optus Sport 6) 

• Manchester United v Istanbul Basaksehir (Optus Sport 1) 

• Juventus v Ferencvaros (Optus Sport 4)

• Dynamo Kyiv v Barcelona (Optus Sport 2) 

• Lazio v Zenit Saint Petersburg (Optus Sport 3)

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

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

⚽️ 10:00 - MLS Knockout Round - Toronto FC v Nashville SC (BeIN Sports 3) 

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

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

⚽️ 12:00 - MLS Knockout Round - Philadelphia Union v New England Revolution (ESPN 1)

⚽️ 14:30 - MLS Knockout Round - Seattle Sounders v Los Angeles FC (ESPN 1) 

⛹🏻‍♀️ 18:30 - WNBL Regular Season - Perth Lynx v Southside FlyersKayo Sports

🏏 19:10 - Women's Big Bash League Semi-Final - Melbourne Stars Women v Perth Scorchers Women (7mate or Fox Cricket) 

🐴 20:20 - Listed Race, Newmarket Handicap (Sky Racing 1 or Sky Thoroughbred Central)

⚽️ 20:30 - J1 League - Kawasaki Frontale v Gamba Osaka (Optus Sport 1)

⚽️ 21:00 - AFC Champions League Group - Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors v Sydney FC (Fox Sports More)

⚽️ 21:00 - J1 League - Kashima Antlers v Kashiwa Reysol (Optus Sport 2) 

⛹🏻‍♀️ 21:00 - WNBL Regular Season - Bendigo Spirit v Adelaide Lightning (Kayo Sports)

THURSDAY

⚽️ 01:00 - Indian Super League Regular Season - FC Goa v Mumbai City (Fox Sports More) 

⚽️ 04:55 - UEFA Champions Lge Group Stage - Olympiacos FC v Manchester City (Optus Sport 2)

⚽️ 04:55 - UEFA Champions Lge Group Stage - Borussia Monchengladbach v Shakhtar Donetsk (Optus Sport 3) 

⚽️ 05:00 - France Ligue 1 - Lens v Nantes (BeIN Sports 1) 

⚽️ 06:45 - English Championship - Bristol City v Watford (BeIN Sports 2)

⚽️ 07:00 - UEFA Champions Lge Group Stage:

• Bayern Munich v Red Bull SalzburgOptus Sport 3 

• Atletico Madrid v Lokomotiv Moscow (Optus Sport 6)

• Liverpool v Atalanta (Optus Sport 1) 

• Ajax Amsterdam v FC Midtjylland (Optus Sport 2) 

• Inter Milan v Real Madrid (Optus Sport 5)

• Olympique de Marseille v Porto (Optus Sport 4) 

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

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

🏈 11:00 - NCAA Men's Regular Season - Boston College Eagles v Villanova Wildcats (ESPN 1) 

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

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

🏈 13:30 - NCAA Men's Regular Season - Arizona State Sun Devils v Baylor Bears (ESPN 1)

⛹🏻‍♀️ 19:00 - WNBL Regular Season - UC Capitals v Perth Lynx (Fox Sports or Kayo Sports)

🏏 19:10 - Women's Big Bash League Semi-Final - Brisbane Heat Women v Sydney Thunder Women (7mate or Fox Cricket) 

⛳️ 21:00 - European Tour, Alfred Dunhill Championship (Fox Sports)