🗞 Saddest Decision

G’day Sports Fans,

Attack the weekend: “I think luck falls on not just the brave but also the ones who believe they belong there.” - Novak Djokovic

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🇦🇺 AUSSIE SPORTS NEWS
 

🏏 Australia's potential openers are yet to make a big statement against Pakistan in the race to replace the retiring David Warner.

Batting for the Prime Minister's XI at Manuka Oval on Thursday, Marcus Harris (49) and Cameron Bancroft (53) made starts but didn't go on with the job as their side finished day two at 2-149.

They are replying to Pakistan's 9-391 declared, highlighted by skipper Shan Masood's brilliant unbeaten 201 that perhaps raised hopes his side can match it with Australia in their upcoming NRMA Test series.

🏏 BBL Opener: Brisbane Heat 214 for 3 (Munro 99*, Labuschagne 30, Coulter-Nile 1-35) beat Melbourne Stars 111 (Cartwright 33, Swepson 3-23, Bartlett 2-8) by 103 runs.

Opener Colin Munro smashed an unbeaten 99 before Brisbane Heat overcame a brief flurry from an injured Glenn Maxwell to thump Melbourne Stars in the BBL season opener at the Gabba.

The BBL looks to be getting it’s mojo back as a spectacle, with this innings-break entertainment…

🐴 Australian Racing Hall of Fame Legend Gai Waterhouse has described the potential sale of Rosehill racecourse as the saddest decision ever made.

In a radical proposal from the Australian Turf Club being considered by the NSW government, a $5 billion price tag has been put on the land in Western Sydney which would see 25,000 new homes built, a new school, entertainment facilities and green spaces.

The Rosehill racecourse is home to the world's richest two-year-old race, the Golden Slipper, a race which Waterhouse, who trains at Randwick with Adrian Bott, has won six times.

"I think it's the saddest decision they've ever made," - Waterhouse told RSN927.

The funds from a likely sale, will mean the major development are estimated to inject up to $5bn into Sydney’s racing industry, including avenues like racing, training and infrastructure facilities, and stabling venues.

“This future-proofs Sydney racing for a century to come,’’ - ATC Chairman Mr McGauran said.

🏉 NRL SIGNINGS

Kurt Capewell says coach Andrew Webster is a "massive reason" behind him deciding to leave the Broncos immediately to join the New Zealand-based club.

After weeks of speculation, Capewell's move was made official on Thursday, with the 30-year-old signing a three-year deal that he deemed to be "an opportunity too good to pass up".

Sea Eagles enforcer Haumole Olakau’atu has reportedly put pen to paper on a mammoth eight-year extension worth around $8 million.

The Roosters have exacted their revenge on Rugby Australia, confirming the signing of young gun Wallaby Mark Nawaqanitawase.

Nawaqanitawase will also link up with his new teammates under Trent Robinson that same year once his rugby contract expires at the end of 2024.

Some are suggesting an immediate swap deal Suaalii 🔁 Nawaqanitawase, which would give both players more time to adjust to their new prospective codes.

📺 Amazon has secured the exclusive live rights to International Cricket Council (ICC) tournaments, including the men’s and women’s Cricket World Cups, in Australia until the end of 2027.

The deal also includes the World Test Championship Final, T20 World Cups, Champions Trophy, and ICC youth tournaments, totalling 448 live matches over the four-year deal.

As has been the case with Amazon’s sports partnerships in other territories, cricket coverage in Australia will be available to Prime subscribers at no extra cost.

🎾 The Australian Open 2024 singles entry lists have been released, headlined by world No.1s Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek.

World No.2 Aryna Sabalenka returns to defend her 2023 title, as does Djokovic, who will target a record-extending 11th AO men's singles title at Melbourne Park.

Several superstars, including former champions Rafael Nadal, Naomi Osaka and Angelique Kerber, will make their Grand Slam comebacks at AO 2024 using protected rankings for entry.

Nick Kyrgios was a notable absentee. The Aussie star admitted last month that the "stars have to align a little bit" for him to return to the form which saw him make a Wimbledon final in 2022. (Full List)

🌎 WORLD SPORTS NEWS

🏀 Is there anything Luka Doncic can’t do?

The Dallas Mavericks superstar, coming off a 36 point, 15 rebound and 18 assist effort against the Oklahoma City Thunder, went a long way to matching those numbers in the first half on Thursday.

Doncic was unstoppable as he inspired the Mavericks to a 74-51 halftime lead over the Utah Jazz, recording 31 points, six 3-pointers, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in just 21 minutes.

Stat: Luka Dončić notched 29 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the first 25-point triple-double in a half in NBA history.

⛳️ Golf's biggest hitters are likely to see the distance they can propel tee shots shortened by around 15 yards after the R&A and United States Golf Association announced changes to rules surrounding ball specifications.

All players will be affected, but officials estimate that recreational golfers, incapable of generating the rapid swing speeds of pros, will suffer a reduction of fewer than five yards to their longest shots.

"It will bring back some skills into the pro game that have maybe been lost,"

"I actually think it will make the pro game more entertaining to watch - you will see a different variety of games." - Rory McIlroy.

🥇 WWE superstar Brock Lesnar's strength and athletic abilities have been passed down to his children.

Lesnar's daughter, Mya, is off to a strong start in her indoor track and field season after breaking Colorado State's record in the shot put on Friday with a mark of 18.50 meters at the Mines Alumni Classic. The previous school record was 17.55 meters.

🛞 Wheels coming off? Man city are now 6 points behind leaders Arsenal in the Premier League. Man City have lost all four matches Rodri has not played this season.

It is worth mentioning though that in their 2018-19 title-winning season under Guardiola, City were 10 points off top spot after 19 games and still went on to win the Premier League with 98 points.

⚽️ Real Madrid are ready to offer 24-year-old France forward Kylian Mbappe, whose Paris St-Germain contract expires next summer, a deal - but he must make a decision by 15 January.

🏆 Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi has been named Time Magazine's Athlete of the Year for 2023 after his move stateside to join the MLS this summer reinvigorated the league's popularity.

Messi joins the likes of Michael Phelps, LeBron James, Simone Biles, and the United States Women's National Team to win the coveted award. New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge was Time's Athlete of the Year in 2022.

📺 LIVE SPORTS ON TV

TODAY

06:30 - Premier League - Everton v Newcastle United (Optus Sport 2)

07:15 - Premier League - Tottenham v West Ham United (Optus Sport 3)

09:00 - In-Season Tournament Semi-Final - Milwaukee Bucks v Indiana Pacers (ESPN 2)

10:30 - Four-Day Tour Match - Prime Minister's XI v Pakistan (Fox Cricket)

12:15 - NFL - Pittsburgh Steelers v New England Patriots (ESPN)

13:00 - In-Season Tournament Semi-Final - Los Angeles Lakers v New Orleans Pelicans (ESPN 2)

19:15 - Big Bash League - Sydney Sixers v Melbourne Renegades (Fox Cricket or Channel 7)

19:30 - NBL - Illawarra Hawks v Perth Wildcats (ESPN)

21:45 - A-League Men - Perth Glory v Melbourne City (Paramount+)

22:30 - T10 League - T10 League Qualifier (Fox Cricket)

SATURDAY

10:30 - Four-Day Tour Match - Prime Minister's XI v Pakistan (Fox Cricket)

14:00 - NBA - Utah Jazz v Los Angeles Clippers (ESPN)

17:30 - NBL - New Zealand Breakers v Tasmania JackJumpers (ESPN)

17:30 - A-League Men - Wellington Phoenix v Newcastle Jets (Paramount+)

19:06 - Men's Cape Town Sevens, Day 1, Round 2 (Stan Sport)

19:15 - Big Bash League - Adelaide Strikers v Brisbane Heat (Fox Cricket)

19:45 - A-League Men - Sydney FC v Macarthur FC Bulls (10 Bold or Paramount+)

20:00 - NBL - Adelaide 36ers v Cairns Taipans (ESPN)

23:30 - Premier League - Crystal Palace v Liverpool (Optus Sport 1)

SUNDAY

02:00 - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Nottingham Forest (Optus Sport 4)

02:00 - Premier League - Manchester United v Bournemouth (Optus Sport 3)

02:00 - Premier League - Sheffield United v Brentford (Optus Sport 5)

02:00 - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Burnley (Optus Sport 6)

02:15 - Spanish La Liga - Real Betis v Real Madrid (Optus Sport 2)

02:30 - T10 League - T10 League Grand Final (Fox Sports)

04:00 - Men's NCAA - Penn Quakers v Kentucky Wildcats (ESPN 2)

04:30 - Premier League - Aston Villa v Arsenal (Optus Sport 1)

06:00 - Men's NCAA - Indiana Hoosiers v Auburn Tigers (ESPN 2)

07:15 - Men's NCAA - Arizona Wildcats v Wisconsin Badgers (ESPN)

08:00 - NHL - Calgary Flames v New Jersey Devils (ESPN 2)

12:30 - NBA In-Season Tournament - In-Season Tournament Championship (ESPN 2)

14:00 - NBL - Melbourne United v Brisbane Bullets (10 Peach, ESPN)

15:00 - A-League Men - Adelaide United v Brisbane Roar (10 Bold or Paramount+)

16:00 - NBL - Sydney Kings v South East Melbourne Phoenix (10 Peach, ESPN)

17:00 - A-League Men - Western Sydney Wanderers v Melbourne Victory (Paramount+)

18:54 - Men's Cape Town Sevens, Day 2, Round 2 (Stan Sport)

19:15 - Big Bash League - Melbourne Renegades v Perth Scorchers (Fox Cricket or Channel 7)