G'day sports fans,

Classic quotes: “It was scored a little bit with the head of Diego and a little with the hand of God.”

“I was waiting for my teammates to embrace me and no one came, ... I told them, 'Come hug me or the referee isn't going to allow it.'” - Diego Maradona on the infamous 'Hand of God' goal vs England in the 1986 World Cup.

In today's edition of Sport Journal:

🏏 Australia and India rivalry continues

🇦🇺 Phantom draft prediction

⚽️ 'The best circus to ever hit this country': Maradona's two weeks in Sydney

🍷 Wine Offer - Black Friday Special

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🏏 Cricket

Rivals finally meet

Australia take on fierce rivals India in three one-dayers and three T20s through late November and early December, before the Tests begin next month.

All six white-ball games are being played in Sydney and Canberra to limit the amount of travel the two sides undertake and reduce potential exposure to COVID-19.

• First ODI: November 27, SCG, 2.40pm AEDT

• Second ODI: November 29, SCG, 2.40pm AEDT

• Third ODI: December 2, Manuka Oval, 2.40pm AEDT

• First T20: December 4, Manuka Oval, 7.10pm AEDT

• Second T20: December 6, SCG, 7.10pm AEDT

• Third T20: December 8, SCG, 7.10pm AEDT

Australia ODI & T20 squad: Aaron Finch (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey , Pat Cummins (vc), Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Daniel Sams, Kane Richardson, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa

Form guide

The sheer lack of international cricket in 2020 means it is difficult to get a good read on either side.

A Smith-less Australian side iced a final-over run chase of 303 against world champions England to seal a 2-1 ODI series victory in September at Old Trafford, but went down by the same margin in the preceding T20 campaign in Southampton.

India have not played together since February's tour of New Zealand. While they won the T20 series there, they suffered a 0-3 whitewash in the ODIs, just their third 50-over series defeat from their previous 18 bilateral encounters.

History suggests it will be a closely-fought series either way; in three bilateral ODI campaigns Australia and India have played since the start of 2019, both sides have won series away and all three have come down to deciders in the final match.

Top India Series Run Scorer

Given what we mentioned above, you’d be mad to back against Kohli with the (2.50) value on offer.

In 40 career ODI’s against Australia, India’s most famous batsman has averaged 47.25 runs and scored a century on eight occasions.

Top Australia Series Run Scorer

Smith is a god, but it’s no real surprise to find Warner as the $3.25 favourite to lead Australia to victory.

Call him a flat track bully all you like, the man has produced the goods, especially against India where he’s averaged 49.29 runs in 19 ODI’s.

Warner has also never registered a duck in One Day cricket against India.

Top Australia Series Wicket Taker

Mitchell Starc was in superb form during the English tour where he took five wickets across the three-match ODI series, so it’s hard to see him not finishing up as Australia’s top bowler (3.30)

🏏 WBBL final is set

A rollercoaster semi-final ended in a Sydney Thunder victory over two-time reigning champions Brisbane, setting up date with Melbourne Stars on Saturday.

Set 145 for victory thanks to Thunder captain Rachael Haynes’ gritty 48 not out, Laura Kimmince (27 off 17) had the Heat on course for victory.

But after three calamitous run outs, left-arm spinner Sam Bates (2-37) and teen pacer Hannah Darlington (3-19) triggered a late collapse of 4-2 to dismiss their rivals for 131 and claim a 12-run win.

The Melbourne Stars have sealed a spot in their first WBBL final in style, with a clinical seven-wicket victory over the Perth Scorchers.

In what was billed as the battle of the league’s strongest opening partnerships, it was Stars leg-spinner Alana King who wreaked havoc, removing both Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney during her game-turning spell of 3-16.

🏏 7:10 p.m. - Women's Big Bash League Final (7mate, Fox Cricket)

🏍 MotoGP

A rollercoaster crash for Aron Canet at the Portuguese GP.

If you missed this at the weekend: The Spaniard was lucky to escape this scary accident at Turn 8.

He was left on the track with bikes coming over the hill behind him in what could have been a tragic situation.

He quickly noticed he was in danger though and escaped collision after crawling to the side of the track as several bikes went straight past him.

Canet was able to recover and qualify for the race.

He finished in 15th place earning a championship point.

⚽️ Football

Diego Maradona dies: Three days of mourning begin in Argentina as tributes pour in

Three days of national mourning have begun in Argentina after Maradona died on Wednesday at the age of 60.

Maradona, who played for clubs including Barcelona and Napoli, was captain when Argentina won the 1986 World Cup, scoring the famous 'Hand of God' goal against England in the quarter-finals.

Former Tottenham midfielder Ardiles, who played alongside Maradona at the 1982 World Cup, said he was "a god" in Argentina, in Naples and all around the world.

"He will be remembered as a genius in football," he added. "You can see the extraordinary amount of interest that he generates.

'The best circus to ever hit this country': Maradona's two weeks in Sydney

For two weeks in October 1993, Maradona turned Sydney into the centre of the sporting universe. The harbour city had seen nothing like it before, and never will again.

Argentina needed him. Their team was a mess. Two months earlier, a humiliating 5-0 defeat at home to Colombia ended their hopes of direct qualification to the 1994 World Cup in the United States and sent them into a two-legged, winner-takes-all showdown with Australia.

Around 2000 fans had gathered to greet him at the airport, waving banners, banging drums and growing increasingly restless as they waited for their idol to emerge.

"The police were a bit concerned, they were keen on sneaking the team out the back way with a bus," said Ian Holmes, then-chief executive of the Australian Soccer Federation.

In the match; All Maradona needed was a half a slip-up to make Australia pay. When it inevitably came, he dispossessed Milan Ivanovic, whipped in a cross, and Abel Balbo headed it past Mark Bosnich. 1-0 Argentina.

But the Socceroos fought back, and five minutes later, an exquisite pass from Ned Zelic unleashed the Vidmar brothers. Tony crossed to Aurelio, and in front of a jam-packed Sydney Football Stadium, the scores were level.

That's how it finished, but with an away goal in their pocket and the home leg to come, it was advantage Argentina. (Continue to article SMH)

Maradona revealed in 2011 that the Argentinian team was given performance-enhancing "speedy coffee" before the second leg, in collusion with their national federation.

A match in which they won 1-0 to go to the World Cup in 1994, where Maradona would be sent home for failing a doping test.

🐴 Racing

Apprentice Mikayla Weir’s incredible ride from rodeos to racetracks — www.racenet.com.au

Apprentice jockey Mikayla Weir is extremely content with where her career has taken her and on Saturday at Rosehill, she gets a chance to enjoy the full fruits of her labour.

$1Million Winterbottom Stakes (Race 9 Saturday)

The Winterbottom Stakes is one of the three Group 1 Perth Summer Racing Carnival features run at Ascot Racecourse and is the feature race of the late November – early December meeting.

Trekking may not have a better opportunity to add another Group 1 to his resume.

The Godolphin sprinter has turned in three huge efforts this time in work, opening with a second to Pippie in the Moir Stakes, a fourth to Classique Legend in The Everest, and a last start second to Hey Doc in the Manikato Stakes.

The son of Street Cry tends to do his best racing off a freshen-up and he’ll be afforded all the favours with William Pike on board on Saturday.

If the Wizard can offset the wide gate, he should be adding a third Winterbottom to his resume.

⛹🏻‍♀️ WNBL

Teenager ices Capitals win breaks Perth hearts

It seemed only something special would snatch a victory for UC Capitals in their 2020 Chemist Warehouse WNBL clash with a spirited Perth Lynx in Cairns on Thursday.

Enter Jade Melbourne.

The boom teenager added another clip to her ever-expanding highlights reel by nailing a last gasp match-winner as the Capitals finally overcame the gutsy Lynx 73-70.

In just her seventh WNBL game, the 18-year-old who has only just completed her year 12 exams nailed a booming three-pointer with barely seven seconds left on the clock to ice the Capitals’ sixth straight win.

The Capitals next face Villawood Properties Bendigo Spirit on Saturday while Perth play the Spirit on Tuesday, both in Townsville.

🇦🇺 AFL

AFL Draft: ESPN's two-round phantom draft

With the trade period behind us, all eyes turn to the AFL draft on December 7. ESPN's draft expert Chris Doerre analyses all the talent and the clubs' needs to predict the first two rounds.

1. Western Bulldogs - Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (Western Bulldogs Next-Generation Academy - matching Adelaide's bid)

Height, Weight: 194cm, 84kg

Profile: Ugle-Hagan is unstoppable when launching at the football aerially, timing his jumps to perfection, leaping high and protecting the ball drop in the air so he can't be spoiled. Ugle-Hagan is the most unstoppable inside 50 threat that we've seen for his age and has the most diverse number of ways of taking advantage of opposition defenders.

2. Adelaide - Riley Thilthorpe

Height, Weight: 200cm, 99kg

Profile: Featuring in the 'bests' in five of nine matches in the SANFL, Thilthorpe has the performances on the board against senior SANFL opposition. Thilthorpe combines a strong overhead mark with ground level craft and incredible acceleration and athleticism for someone his height and size.

3. North Melbourne - Logan McDonald

Height, Weight: 196cm, 85kg

Profile: Leading the goalkicking for much of the year in the WAFL, McDonald secured a position in the WAFL Team of the Year. Combine his performances on the board with his meteoric rate of improvement and McDonald has the scope to become one of the premier key forwards in the competition.

Continue to article

✍🏼 Frawley name returns to St Kilda

Premiership Hawk James Frawley will come out of retirement to play for the Saints in 2021. (AFL)

🏉 NRL

NRL confident of NZ return, no player ‘bubble’ in 2021

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo is confident NRL matches will be played in New Zealand and Melbourne in 2021 and is hopeful players and staff won’t have to return to a ‘bubble’ next year.

Round 1 Fixtures:

• Thursday 11th March: Storm v Rabbitohs

• Friday 12th March: Knights v Bulldogs

• Friday 12th March: Broncos v Eels

• Saturday 13th March: Roosters v Sea Eagles

• Saturday 13th March: Panthers v Cowboys

• Sunday 14th March: Raiders v West Tigers

• Sunday 14th March: Dragons v Sharks

NRL 2021 draw: Everything you need to know for all 16 clubs who your team plays twice, turnarounds, toughest stretch.

✍🏼 Signings

Cartwright joins Parra - Bryce Cartwright has signed with the Club on a one-year deal. Cartwright will commence training with the Club in time for the 2021 pre-season.

The 25-year-old made his NRL debut with the Penrith Panthers in 2014 before moving to the Gold Coast Titans in 2018.

Burton inks Bulldogs contract - Trent Burton had been linked to the Bulldogs since ex-Panthers assistant coach Barrett was announced as new coach in July and is set to partner another new recruit, Kyle Flanagan, from 2022 onward.

🏎 F1

Formula One superstar Lewis Hamilton’s runaway lead doesn’t stop on the track.

The seven-time world champion is reportedly earning over $60 million more than his Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas and an estimated $75.2 million more than the lowest salary on the grid, Antonio Giovinzazzi.

The 2020 salaries of all twenty Formula 1 drivers have been revealed in the 2020 edition of Business Book GP, a financial monitor for racing.

The figures – which exclude endorsements – are simply eye-watering.

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel sits in the number two spot on $57m, despite sitting 13th in the championship with just one podium this season!

Australian Daniel Ricciardo comes in third on $32 million for the year – plus he’s believed to make over $2.7 million in lucrative endorsement deals, according to Forbes.

Ricciardo slotted in at number 48 on the Forbes list of highest-paid athletes for 2020, one shy of veteran NFL quarterback Matt Ryan.

There is an estimated $26 million wage difference between Ricciardo and Renault teammate Esteban Ocon.

It is expected that Ricciardo will take a substantial pay cut and instead will receive a per- point bonus when he moves to McLaren next year.

🇺🇸 USA

NFL games on Thanksgiving Day - Schedule guide, game picks, fantasy football tips, odds, injuries and more — www.espn.com.au

What to watch for in every game. Bold predictions. Fantasy advice. Key stats to know. And, of course, score predictions. It's all here for Thanksgiving Day.

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📺 Live sport

TODAY

⚽️ 7:00 a.m. - UEFA Europa League Group Stage:

• Tottenham v Ludogorets (Optus Sport 1)

• Napoli v HNK Rijeka (Optus Sport 3)

• PSV Eindhoven v PAOK (Optus Sport 6)

• Rangers v Benfica (Optus Sport 2)

• Bayer Leverkusen v Hapoel Beer Sheva (Optus Sport 5)

• CFR Cluj v Roma (Optus Sport 4)

🏈 8:30 a.m. - NFL Regular Season - Dallas Cowboys v Washington (ESPN 1)

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

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

🏈 12:20 p.m. - NFL Regular Season - Pittsburgh Steelers v Baltimore Ravens (ESPN 1)

🏏 2:40 p.m. - ODI Series - Australia v India (Fox Cricket)

🏏 5:00 p.m. - Twenty20 Series - New Zealand v West Indies (Fox Sports)

🏉 5:05 p.m. - Mitre 10 Cup Championship Final - Hawke's Bay v Northland (Fox Sports)

🐕 7:42 p.m. - Group 1, Bold Trease, 715m (7TWO or Sky Racing 1)

🐕 8:10 p.m. - Group 1, Melbourne Cup, 515m (7TWO or Sky Racing 1)

⚽️ 9:00 p.m. - AFC Champions League Group - Ulsan Hyundai v Perth Glory (Fox Sports More)

⚽️ 9:00 p.m. - AFC Champions League Group - Melbourne Victory v Beijing Guoan (Fox Sports)

⛳️ 9:00 p.m. - European Tour - Alfred Dunhill Championship, Round 2 (Fox Sports)

🏎 10:00 p.m. - Formula 1 Bahrain Practice 1, Round 15 (Fox Sports)

🐎 10:40 p.m. - Open Pacers G1 - Mares Classic, 2,536m (Sky Racing 1)

🎯 11:45 p.m. - PDC Players Championship FinalsPlayers Championship Finals, Round 1, Day 1 (Fox Sports)

SATURDAY

⚽️ 1:00 a.m. - Indian Super League - SC East Bengal v ATK Mohun Bagan (Kayo Sports)

🏎 2:00 a.m. - Formula 1 Bahrain Practice 2, Round 15 (Fox Sports)

🏏 3:00 a.m. - Twenty20 Series - South Africa v England (Fox Cricket)

🏉 4:00 a.m. - Currie Cup Regular Season - Sharks v Pumas (Fox Sports)

🏈 4:00 a.m. - NCAA Regular Season - Texas Longhorns v Iowa State Cyclones (ESPN 2)

🎯 6:00 a.m. - PDC Players Championship Finals (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 6:30 a.m. - German Bundesliga - VfL Wolfsburg v Werder Bremen (BeIN Sports 3)

⚽️ 6:45 a.m. - English Championship - Brentford v Queens Park Rangers (BeIN Sports 2)

🏉 6:45 a.m. - Premiership Rugby - Newcastle Falcons v Sale Sharks (Fox Sports More)

🏉 7:00 a.m. - Super League Grand Final - Wigan Warriors v St Helens (Fox League)

⚽️ 7:00 a.m. - Premier League - Crystal Palace v Newcastle United (Optus Sport 1)

⚽️ 7:00 a.m. - Spanish La Liga - Real Valladolid v Levante (BeIN Sports 1)

🏈 7:30 a.m. - NCAA Regular Season - South Florida Bulls v UCF Knights (ESPN 1)

🏈 7:30 a.m. - NCAA Regular Season - North Carolina Tar Heels v Notre Dame Fighting Irish (ESPN 2)

🏈 11:00 a.m. - NCAA Regular Season - Oregon State Beavers v Oregon Ducks (ESPN 1)

12:00 p.m. - Middleweight - Daniel Jacobs v Gabriel Rosado (DAZN)

🏈 2:30 p.m. - NCAA College - NCAA Regular Season (ESPN 1)

⛹🏻‍♀️ 3:00 p.m. - WNBL Regular Season - Townsville Fire v Southside Flyers (Kayo Sports)

🐴 3:20 p.m. - Listed Race, McKenzie Stakes (Racing.com or Sky Racing 1)

⚽️ 4:00 p.m. - J1 League - Sanfrecce Hiroshima v Consadole Sapporo (Optus Sport 1)

🐴 4:20 p.m. - Listed Race, ATC Cup (Sky Racing 1)

🏉 4:35 p.m. - Mitre 10 Cup Premiership Final - Auckland Rugby v Tasman Mako (Fox Sports)

🐴 4:51 p.m. - Listed Race, City of Marion Stakes (Racing.com or Sky Racing 1)

⛹🏻‍♀️ 5:00 p.m. - WNBL Regular Season - Adelaide Lightning v Sydney Uni. Flames (ABC, Fox Sports More)

🐴 5:20 p.m. - Listed Race, Carlyon Stakes (Racing.com or Sky Racing 1)

🐴 5:40 p.m. - Listed Race, Starlight Stakes (Sky Racing 1 or Sky Thoroughbred Central)

🐴 5:48 p.m. - Listed Race, Recognition Stakes (Sky Racing 1 or Sky Thoroughbred Central)

🐴 6:25 p.m. - Listed Race, Classic F&M Plate (Sky Racing 1 or Sky Thoroughbred Central)

🏏 7:10 p.m. - Women's Big Bash League Final (7mate, Fox Cricket)

⛹🏻‍♀️ 7:30 p.m. - WNBL Regular Season - Bendigo Spirit v UC Capitals (Kayo Sports)

🏉 7:45 p.m. - Tri Nations - Argentina v New Zealand (Fox Sports)

🐴 7:50 p.m. - Listed Race, WATC Tattersall's Cup (Sky Racing 1 or Sky Thoroughbred Central)

🏎 8:10 p.m. - Formula 2 Bahrain Race 1, Round 11 (Fox Sports)

🐎 8:22 p.m. - Group 3 Pacers, Prydes Easifeed (Sky Racing 1)

🐴 8:30 p.m. - Group 1, Winterbottom Stakes (Sky Racing 1 or Sky Thoroughbred Central)

⛳️ 9:00 p.m. - European Tour - Alfred Dunhill Championship, Round 3 (Fox Sports)

🏎 10:00 p.m. - Formula 1 Bahrain Practice 3 (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 11:30 p.m. - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Liverpool (Optus Sport 1)

⚽️ 11:30 p.m. - English Championship - Reading v Bristol City (BeIN Sports 2)

🎯 11:45 p.m. - PDC Players Championship Finals (Fox Sports)

SUNDAY

⚽️ 12:00 a.m. - Spanish La Liga - Elche v Cadiz CF (BeIN Sports 1)

🏎 1:00 a.m. - Formula 1 Bahrain Qualifying, Round 15 (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 1:00 a.m. - Italian Serie A - Sassuolo v Inter Milan (BeIN Sports 3)

⚽️ 1:00 a.m. - Indian Super League - Bengaluru FC v Hyderabad FC (Kayo Sports)

🏉 1:30 a.m. - Currie Cup - Griquas v Golden Lions (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 2:00 a.m. - Premier League - Manchester City v BurnleyOptus Sport 1

⚽️ 2:00 a.m. - English Championship - Sheffield Wednesday v Stoke City (BeIN Sports 2)

⚽️ 2:15 a.m. - Spanish La Liga - Valencia v Atletico Madrid (BeIN Sports 1)

🏉 3:00 a.m. - Autumn Nations Cup - Wales v England (BeIN Sports 3)

⚽️ 4:00 a.m. - Italian Serie A - Benevento Calcio v Juventus (BeIN Sports 2)

🏉 4:00 a.m. - Currie Cup Regular SeasonWestern Province v Blue BullsFox Sports

🏈 4:00 a.m. - NCAA Regular SeasonFlorida Gators v Kentucky WildcatsESPN 1

🏈 4:00 a.m. - NCAA Regular SeasonMichigan Wolverines v Penn State Nittany LionsESPN 2

⚽️ 4:30 a.m. - Premier League - Everton v Leeds United (Optus Sport 1)

⚽️ 4:30 a.m. - Spanish La Liga - Huesca v Sevilla (BeIN Sports 1)

🎯 6:00 a.m. - PDC Players Championship Finals (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 6:45 a.m. - Italian Serie A - Atalanta v Hellas Verona (BeIN Sports 2)

⚽️ 7:00 a.m. - Premier League - West Bromwich Albion v Sheffield United (Optus Sport 1)

⚽️ 7:00 a.m. - Spanish La Liga - Real Madrid v Deportivo Alaves (BeIN Sports 1)

🏉 7:10 a.m. - Autumn Nations Cup - France v Italy (BeIN Sports 3)

🏈 7:30 a.m. - NCAA - Clemson Tigers v Pittsburgh Panthers (ESPN 1)

🏈 7:30 a.m. - NCAA - USC Trojans v Colorado Buffaloes (ESPN 2)

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

🏈 11:30 a.m. - NCAA - West Virginia Mountaineers v Oklahoma Sooners (ESPN 2)

🏏 12:00 p.m. - Twenty20 Series - New Zealand v West Indies (Fox Sports)

🥊 1:00 p.m. - Exhibition Bout - Roy Jones Jr. v Mike Tyson (Main Event)

⛹🏻‍♀️ 1:00 p.m. - WNBL Regular Season - Adelaide Lightning v Southside Flyers (Fox Sports More)

👊🏻 2:00 p.m. - UFC Fight Night Main Card - Curtis Blaydes v Derrick Lewis (ESPN 1)

🏏 2:40 p.m. - ODI Series - Australia v India (Fox Cricket)

⛹🏻‍♀️ 3:00 p.m. - WNBL Regular Season - Sydney Uni. Flames v Townsville Fire (ABC, Fox Sports More)

⚽️ 5:00 p.m. - J1 League - Cerezo Osaka v Yokohama FC (Optus Sport 1)

🐴 5:40 p.m. - Group 1, Japan Cup (Racing.com or Sky Racing 1)

⛳️ 9:00 p.m. - European Tour - Alfred Dunhill Championship, Round 4 (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 10:30 p.m. - Italian Serie A - Lazio v Udinese (BeIN Sports 3)

⚽️ 10:30 p.m. - Indian Super League - Jamshedpur FC v Odisha FC (Kayo Sports)

⚽️ 11:00 p.m. - English Championship - Nottingham Forest v Swansea City (BeIN Sports 2)

🏏 11:30 p.m. - Twenty20 Series - South Africa v England (Fox Cricket)

🎯 11:45 p.m. - PDC Players Championship Finals - Quarter-Finals, Day 3 (Fox Sports)