G'day sports fans,

Classic quote: "I still eat pizzas, I still like pies, I still have spaghetti hoops for breakfast... but it's in moderation now." - Shane Warne.

In today's edition of Sport Journal:

📺 Ultimate weekend of Sports TV guide

🏏 Lost Pitches Uncovered

👊🏻 Biggest stars clash

🏏 Cricket

Epic quest to uncover Australia's 'lost' cricket pitches

West Australian amateur historian Les Everett is on a mission to document the relics of Australia's cricketing past, no matter how many kilometres he has to cover.

So far, he has travelled thousands of kilometres and spent hundreds of hours poring over maps and newspaper archives to locate WA's "lost" cricket pitches.

Mr Everett, 65, says each one has a unique story to tell.

Many of those he's found are now overgrown or surrounded by fields of crops that have sprouted in the decades since they last heard the echo of willow striking leather.

"I see it as a celebration of life — even though some places and some towns have totally disappeared and all that's left is a cricket pitch." (ABC)

Looking back at the era of Smith, Warner, Lanning and Perry, and who's next for Australian cricket - ABC News — www.abc.net.au

Where do Australia's current cricketers compare with the all-time greats, and who are the next most likely?

⚽️ Football

A-League Previews

Today: Sydney FC (1.57) v Central Coast Mariners (5.50): CCM recent history against the Sky Blues does not make for pleasant reading with just one win and three draws in their last 17 matches, dating back to the start of the 2014/2015 season.

Considering they will be on incredibly short rest, it would not be at all surprising to see Sydney FC look like the stronger side as the Mariners seem destined to sink to back-to-back defeats.

Sat: Western United (2.45) v Perth Glory (2.70): Chances are this will be a slightly less frenetic match than what we saw during the week (Perth 5-3 Adelaide), as Western United look to play this match on their preferred terms.

Adelaide United (2.30) v Melbourne Victory (2.95): Adelaide looked phenomenal in their convincing 2-0 win over Melbourne City in early January, then looked a step behind Perth after a 17-day layoff.

The visitors will have had 20 days between A-League matches since their last outing, a 3-1 loss at home to Brisbane Roar, and chances are they will be a bit lethargic out of the gates.

Sun: Wellington Phoenix (1.85) v Newcastle Jets (4.0): In a way, you kind of have to feel for the Jets, they just are not at the same level as the rest of the A-League. New owners with cash are needed.

Highest Scorer in the History of Football?

Cristiano Ronaldo was hailed as the most prolific professional goalscorer in the history of the game on Wednesday after notching his 760th senior goal to help Juventus beat Napoli 2-0 in the Italian Supercup.

The title of greatest goalscorer is much contested, and global governing body FIFA does not keep an official record, but several media outlets reported that Ronaldo's strike had taken him past Austro-Czech Josef Bican to the top of the list.

Bican, as well as Brazilian strikers Pele and Romario, scored in excess of 1,000 goals during their careers but those statistics include strikes in amateur, unofficial and friendly matches.

Top 5:

• 760 - C. Ronaldo

• 759 - Bican

• 757 - Pele

• 743 - Romario

• 719 - Messi

🗣 Transfer Talk

🇳🇴 Arsenal have made an approach for Real Madrid and Norway midfielder Martin Odegaard, 22. (Sky Sports)

However, Odegaard, a Liverpool fan, is said to be nearing a loan move to Sevilla. (Cuatro - in Spanish)

👹 Tottenham, West Ham and Sheffield United are among numerous clubs keen on signing 28-year-old Manchester United and England midfielder Jesse Lingard on loan. (Talksport)

👵🏻 Juventus are interested in signing ex-Wellington left-back Liberato Cacace from Sint-Truiden for the U23 team. (@FabrizioRomano)

🐴 Racing

Late entry Viridine comes off the bench for Godolphin in Australia Stakes

Godolphin have made the late call to replace Isaurian with Viridine, who is the $1.85 favourite to win the $200,000 Australian Stakes.

Head trainer James Cummings said Isaurian was not quite right when scoped earlier in the week, leading the team to substitute Viridine.

Viridine was not among the original five entries for the Australia Stakes but Cummings said Godolphin was keen to take advantage of the weak edition of the race this year.

“We were initially going to run Viridine at Rosehill in the Expressway (Stakes),” Cummings told RSN.

“We had a bit of a grip on the numbers of nominations so we didn’t have to nominate Viridine straight up.

“We ended up putting him in when we saw the strength of the nominations wasn’t quite there this year.

Damien Oliver will ride Viridine in the Australia Stakes.

Harness racing Summer Of Glory ready to rumble

There's a real State of Origin feel about this Hunter Cup.

The marquee race of harness racing’s Summer Of Glory looks a match in two between Victoria’s superstar Lochinvar Art and the defending champion, NSW pin-up pacer King Of Swing.

They’ve clashed three times, with King Of Swing holding a 2-1 advantage, but it was their latest meeting which turned the tide and is why Lochinvar Art is TAB’s $1.70 pre-post Hunter Cup favourite and King Of Swing is $3 second elect for the February 6 feature.

While the Hunter Cup takes centre stage in the Summer of Glory, there’s also huge interest in Australia’s biggest trotting races – the Group One Great Southern Star – which is now a stand-alone meeting on Friday night, February 5.

Check out Punters.com's Stars to Watch in this Summer of Glory.

🏀 NBL

There's been some top quality stuff in the NBL this round.

The Hawks are flying. For the first time since 2013, @thehawks have started a season 3-0, overcoming a 13-point deficit to win 90-82. Safe to say Goorj has his side clicking.

Tyler Harvey snagged the Bunnings Trade player of the game with 31 points

NBL20 Grand Final Series Wins Asian Television Award

IMG’s production of the NBL20 Grand Final Series has been awarded Best Live Sports Coverage at the prestigious 25th Asian Television Awards.

The 2019-20 Hungry Jack’s NBL Season was a record-breaking season for the league with the Perth Wildcats winning their second consecutive championship after a three game series against the Sydney Kings.

Launched in 1996, the Asian Television Awards is the industry’s most significant and celebrated event in the region, recognising excellence in programming, production and performance.

👊🏻 UFC 257

UFC 257 will be held at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Sunday (AEDT) and is headlined by a Lightweight fight between Conor McGregor (1.25) and Dustin Poirier (3.25).

The biggest star in the history of the sport returns this weekend on Fight Island.

These two meet for a second time, Conor having won by TKO back in 2014.

McGregor kick started a very successful 2020 for the promotion this time last year with a dominant display against Cowboy Cerrone and that is the last time we have seen the Irish superstar inside the Octagon.

Poirier returns to Lightweight after his loss to McGregor in 2014 at Featherweight and has gone 10:2:1 NC since.

He captured the vacant UFC Lightweight belt and became the Interim Champion when he defeated Max Holloway at UFC 236 in April 2019.

He is the only fighter to have shared the cage with both Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov.

There is no doubting that Poirier has improved out of sight since their last meeting but stylistically this looks a bad match up for him.

⛳️ Golf

Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship: Rory McIlroy shoots eight-under-par 64 to lead

Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, first-round leaderboard: -8 R McIlroy (NI); -7 T Hatton (Eng); -6 F Zanotti (Par). Selected: -4 L Herbert (AUS), -3 W Ormsby (AUS), -3 J Scrivener (AUS).

Rory McIlroy hit a bogey-free eight-under-par 64 to lead the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship after an opening day cut short because of fading light.

The Northern Irishman leads by one from England's Tyrrell Hatton who had two eagles and three birdies in his 65.

Defending champion Lee Westwood, who won last year's European Tour Race to Dubai, opened with a three-under 69.

American Justin Thomas, who was three over after his first six holes, finished on one over.

World number six McIlroy is competing in his first tournament of 2021 and his first European Tour event in 14 months.

🇦🇺 AFL

New jumper numbers: Blues recruit inherits club legend's No.6

Check out the new numbers that recruits, draftees and some familiar faces will wear in 2021 (here)

Carlton's prized recruit Zac Williams will take over the No.6 guernsey worn with distinction for the past 18 years by Kade Simpson.

Williams joined the club from Greater Western Sydney during last year's trade period and was handed the jumper worn in 342 games by Simpson, who retired at the end of last season.

Fellow recruit Adam Saad will have a familiar number on his back, grabbing the No.42 he wore across 109 games for Gold Coast and Essendon, while Lachie Fogarty will move into No.8 – becoming just the third player to wear that number for Carlton in the last 25 seasons.

The Blues' announcement of their new 2021 jumper numbers is among the latest of several reveals ahead of the official AFL Community Series pre-season games beginning on February 18.

🎾 Tennis

‘I have some bad news’: First Aus Open player records positive COVID test

Spaniard Paula Badosa has confirmed she’s tested positive for COVID-19, becoming the first Australian Open player to record an actively infectious result while in hard lockdown.

Italian journalist Luca Fiorino on Thursday night reported on Twitter that a player that had travelled on a flight to Australia from Abu Dhabi had tested positive for COVID-19, six days after their arrival into Melbourne. (Fox)

🇺🇸 USA

Embiid drops 42 points as clutch Simmons play sends Sixers top of the east

The Philadelphia 76ers are at the top of the Eastern Conference with victory over Boston thanks to a Joel Embiid special & Ben Simmons produced a clutch defensive play late on to help the Sixers come from behind to earn a 117-109 victory against Boston.

Collin Sexton scored a game-high 42 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers overcame a James Harden triple double and spoiled the debut of the Brooklyn Nets’ Big Three with a 147-135 double overtime victory.

Other NBA Results

• PACERS 112-124 MAVERICKS

• RAPTORS 102-111 HEAT

• HAWKS 123-115 PISTONS

• TIMBERWOLVES 96-97 MAGIC

• ROCKETS 103-109 SUNS

• CLIPPERS 115-96 KINGS

📈 Stat: Stephen Curry is on the verge of passing Reggie Miller for second place on the NBA's career 3-pointer list - he's nine away from passing the Pacers great - Curry needs just 422 more to eclipse Ray Allen to become the top 3-point shooter in history.

📺 Live sport

TODAY

⚽️ 07:00 - Premier League - Liverpool v Burnley (Optus Sport 1)

⛳️ 07:00 - PGA TOUR, The American Express (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 07:30 - Spanish La Liga - Eibar v Atletico Madrid (BeIN Sports 1)

⛳️ 11:00 - PGA TOUR Champions, Mitsubishi Electric Championship, Round 1 (Fox Sports)

⛹🏻‍♀️ 11:00 - Women's NCAA - Tennessee Volunteers v Connecticut Huskies (ESPN 2)

🏀 11:30 - NBA - Milwaukee Bucks v Los Angeles Lakers (ESPN 1)

⛵️ 13:00 - America's Cup, The Prada Cup Round Robins, Day 4 (Fox Sports)

🚴🏼‍♂️ 13:35 - Men's Santos Festival of Cycling, Stage 2 (7Plus)

🏀 14:00 - NBA - Utah Jazz v New Orleans Pelicans (ESPN 1)

🏏 16:05 - Big Bash League - Hobart Hurricanes v Perth Scorchers (Fox Cricket)

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

⚾️ 19:00 - ABL - Melbourne Aces v Brisbane Bandits (Fox Sports More)

⚾️ 19:00 - ABL - Sydney Blue Sox v Canberra Cavalry (Kayo Sports)

⚽️ 19:05 - A-League - Sydney FC v Central Coast Mariners (Fox Sports)

🏏 19:15 - Big Bash League - Sydney Sixers v Sydney Thunder (Fox Cricket)

🏀 19:30 - NBL - Adelaide 36ers v New Zealand Breakers (ESPN 1)

🐴 20:00 - Group 2, Australia Stakes, 1,200m (Racing.com or Sky Racing 1)

⚽️ 21:05 - W-League - Brisbane Roar Women v Melbourne Victory Women (Fox Sports)

👊🏻 21:55 - UFC 257 Weigh-In (ESPN 1)

SATURDAY

⚽️ 06:30 - German Bundesliga - Borussia Monchengladbach v Borussia Dortmund (BeIN Sports 1)

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

⚽️ 06:45 - FA Cup Fourth Round Proper - Chorley v Wolverhampton Wanderers (ESPN 1)

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

⛳️ 07:00 - PGA TOUR, The American Express, Round 2 (Fox Sports)

🏀 07:00 - EuroLeague - Saski Baskonia v Alba Berlin (Fox Sports)

⛳️ 11:00 - PGA TOUR Champions, Mitsubishi Electric Championship, Round 2 (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 11:00 - Women's Friendly - United States v Colombia (ESPN 2)

🏀 11:30 - NBA - Philadelphia 76ers v Boston Celtics (ESPN 1)

🏀 12:30 - NBA - San Antonio Spurs v Dallas Mavericks (NBA League Pass or SBS Viceland)

⛵️ 13:00 - America's Cup, The Prada Cup Round Robins (Fox Sports)

⚾️ 13:00 - ABL - Sydney Blue Sox v Canberra Cavalry (Fox Sports More)

🚴🏼‍♂️ 13:20 - Men's Santos Festival of Cycling, Stage 3 (7Plus)

🏀 14:00 - NBA - Phoenix Suns v Denver Nuggets (ESPN 1)

🏒 14:00 - NHL - Anaheim Ducks v Colorado Avalanche (ESPN 2)

⚾️ 16:00 - ABL - Sydney Blue Sox v Canberra Cavalry (Fox Sports More)

🏏 16:05 - Big Bash League - Melbourne Renegades v Brisbane Heat (Fox Cricket)

⚽️ 16:05 - W-League - Newcastle Jets Women v W. Syd. Wanderers Women (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 17:05 - A-League - Western United FC v Perth Glory (ABC, Fox Sports)

⚾️ 19:00 - ABL - Melbourne Aces v Brisbane Bandits (Fox Sports More)

⛳️ 19:00 - European Tour, Abu Dhabi Championship, Round 3 (Fox Sports)

🏏 19:15 - Big Bash League - Melbourne Stars v Perth Scorchers (Fox Cricket, Kayo Sports or 7)

⚽️ 19:40 - A-League - Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory (Fox Sports)

🐕 19:57 - Group 1, National Futurity, 520m (Sky Racing 1)

🏀 20:00 - NBL - Cairns Taipans v Sydney Kings (ESPN 1)

🐕 20:38 - Group 1, National Derby, 520m (Sky Racing 1)

🐕 20:58 - Group 1, Paws Of Thunder, 520m (Sky Racing 1)

🐎 21:15 - Group 2 Pacers, Harness Breeders NSW (Sky Racing 1)

🐎 21:32 - Open Pacers G1, Ballarat Pacing Cup (Sky Racing 1)

⚾️ 22:00 - ABL - Perth Heat v Adelaide Giants (Fox Sports More)

⚽️ 23:15 - FA Cup Fourth Round Proper - Southampton v Arsenal (ESPN 1)

⚽️ 23:30 - FA Women's Super League - Aston Villa Women v Reading Women (Optus Sport App)

SUNDAY

🏀 06:30 - NCAA Men's - North Carolina Tar Heels v North Carolina State Wolfpack (ESPN 1)

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

⚽️ 07:00 - Premier League - Aston Villa v Newcastle United (Optus Sport 1)

⚽️ 07:00 - Spanish La Liga - Deportivo Alaves v Real Madrid (BeIN Sports 1)

⛳️ 07:00 - PGA TOUR, The American Express, Round 3 (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 07:00 - Copa Sudamericana Final - Club Atletico Lanus v Defensa y Justicia (BeIN Sports 3)

🏀 08:00 - NCAA Men's - Louisville Cardinals v Duke Blue Devils (ESPN 1)

🐴 08:59 - Group 1, Pegasus World Cup Turf (Sky Racing 1)

🏀 09:00 - NBA - Utah Jazz v Golden State Warriors (NBA League Pass, SBS Viceland or Sky Sports 2)

🐴 09:44 - Group 1, Pegasus World Cup (Sky Racing 1)

⛳️ 11:00 - PGA TOUR Champions, Mitsubishi Electric Championship, Round 3 (Fox Sports)

🏀 11:30 - NBA - Brooklyn Nets v Miami HeatESPN 1 12:00UFC 257UFC 257 Prelims (ESPN 2)

⚾️ 13:00 - ABL - Melbourne Aces v Brisbane Bandits (Fox Sports More)

⛵️ 13:00 - America's Cup, The Prada Cup Round Robins, Day 6 (Fox Sports)

⚾️ 15:00 - ABL - Sydney Blue Sox v Canberra Cavalry (Fox Sports More)

🏏 16:05 - Big Bash League - Sydney Thunder v Adelaide Strikers (Fox Cricket)

⚽️ 16:05 - W-League - Canberra United Women v Perth Glory Women (Fox Sports)

🏀 17:00 - NBL - Perth Wildcats v South East Melbourne Phoenix (SBS Viceland)

🐴 17:15 - Group 1, Stewards' Cup, Triple Crown (Racing.com, Sky Racing 2 or Sky Thoroughbred Central)

⛳️ 18:00 - European Tour, Abu Dhabi Championship, Round 4 (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 18:05 - A-League - Wellington Phoenix v Newcastle Jets (Fox Sports)

🐴 18:20 - Group 1, Centenary Sprint Cup (Racing.com, Sky Racing 2 or Sky Thoroughbred Central)

🐴 18:30 - Group 1, Hong Kong Classic Mile (Racing.com or Sky Racing 1)

🚴🏼‍♂️ 18:30 - Men's Santos Festival of Cycling, Stage 4 (7Plus)

⚾️ 19:00 - ABL - Perth Heat v Adelaide Giants (Fox Sports More)

🏏 19:15 - Big Bash League - Sydney Sixers v Hobart Hurricanes (Fox Cricket, Kayo Sports or 7)

⚾️ 22:00 - ABL - Perth Heat v Adelaide Giants (Fox Sports More)

⚽️ 22:30 - Italian Serie A - Juventus v Bologna (BeIN Sports 1)

⚽️ 22:30 - Indian Super League - Jamshedpur FC v Hyderabad FC (Kayo Sports)

⚽️ 23:00 - France Ligue 1 - Girondins de Bordeaux v Angers SCO (BeIN Sports 3)

⚽️ 23:00 - FA Women's Super League - Arsenal Women v West Ham United Women (Optus Sport 1)

⚽️ 23:00 - FA Women's Super League - Manchester United Women v Birmingham City Women (Optus Sport App)

⚽️ 23:00 - FA Cup Fourth Round Proper - Chelsea v Luton Town (ESPN 2)

⚽️ 23:30 - English Championship - Preston North End v Reading (BeIN Sports 2)