🗞 It's Un-Australian

G'day sports fans,

Classic quote: “statistics are like bikinis,they show a lot, but not everything “ - Mick Malthouse.

🏏 Captain Planet, Pat Cummins believes Australia have 'given up the right to peak at the right time' after two early losses.

With one win, two losses and facing the prospect of likely having to win five of their remaining six group stage matches to reach the World Cup semi-finals, Australian captain Pat Cummins believes his side has "given up the right to peak at the right time".

The Aussies will be truly tested on tonight when they take on the 2-1 Pakistan.

They seemed to get back on track against Sri Lanka on Monday night but Pakistan are certainly on another level in comparison.

It’s un-Australian but Pakistan at $2.40 could be the value here. Mohammad Rizwan has scored the most runs so far this tournament (248) and Hasan Ali has the second most wickets (7).

👊🏻 Alexander Volkanovski has made himself one of the highest paid athletes in Australia – and “easily” above the $5 million required to enter the top 15 – after signing on for Sunday’s blockbuster title fight against UFC lightweight king Islam Makhachev.

Better, a win at UFC 294 here in Abu Dhabi could see the former Wollongong concreter put his name towards the pointy end of a list topped by the likes of NBA superstar Ben Simmons, F1 ace Daniel Ricciardo and NFL heavyweight Jordan Mailata.

Speaking for the first time about his new deal in Abu Dhabi, Australia’s No.1 fighter would not say specifically how much the deal was worth – but confirmed it was upwards of the $5 million required to enter the Aussie top 15.

Back in February, GQ Magazine released a list of the highest paid athletes in Australia based on total prizemoney earned for the year or salaries.

At the top was NBA star Ben Simmons on $51 million, followed by F1 star Daniel Ricciardo ($36M), golfer Cam Smith ($30M), NFL monster Jordan Mailata ($21M) and baseballer Liam Hendriks ($20M).

🥊 Aussie boxing world champion Ebanie Bridges’ second defence of her IBF bantamweight world title is locked in for December 9 in San Francisco against fellow Aussie Avril Mathie.

Bridges last fought in December 2022 when she obliterated fellow Aussie Shannon O’Connell in eight rounds but has faced a long lay off after a broken hand she reportedly suffered before the fight.

🏀 A powerful second quarter propelled South East Melbourne Phoenix to a clinical 102-85 NBL victory against the Adelaide 36ers at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

Mitch Creek (23 points) led the Phoenix's charge, import guards Gary Browne (19 points, eight assists) and Will Cummings (18 points) did as they pleased, while Alan Williams (15 points, 13 rebounds) was influential in his first game of the season following a knee injury.

🏉 The North Sydney Bears losing $11 million in promised NSW government funding has put Papua New Guinea in the box seat to be named the 18th NRL side.

The funding promised by Dom Perrottet’s ousted Liberal government in the lead up to this year’s state election has been scrapped by new Labor premier Chris Minns.

On the other hand, the federal government has financially backed PNG to join the NRL in a move made by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to improve international relations.

PNG Prime Minister James Marape asked the Australian Government for an NRL team by 2025 to mark the 50th anniversary of his country’s independence - and Albanese is determined to deliver it.

Albanese wants a Port Moresby-based team, with games to also be played in Cairns, as a way to counter China’s growing influence in the region.

⛹🏻‍♀️ New Zealand have kept the Constellation Cup series alive, handing Australia just their second loss this year.

Led by the stunning MVP performance from goal keeper Kelly Jury, the Silver Ferns claimed a 56-53 win to send the series to a game four decider on Monday.

🐴 Caulfield Cup: A strong field of internationals will take their place this Saturday at Caulfield in what is shaping up to be another wide-open edition of the $5 million Caulfield Cup.

The 2400m staying test has attracted the likes of last year’s Melbourne Cup winner Gold Trip, alongside a host of overseas raiders including Without A Fight, Japanese superstar Breakup, and last-start Turnbull Stakes runner-up, West Wind Blows.

After winning last year with Durston, champion trainer Chris Waller is attempting to win for a third time with the likes of Soulcombe and Montefilia, while leading overseas trainer Joseph O’Brien has also accepted with intriguing Irish import, Okita Soushi.

When: Race 9 of 10 on the Caulfield card on Saturday, at 5:15pm AEDT.

Watch: on Channel 7, Racing.com, or Sky Racing.

🇦🇺 The Jack Ginnivan trade blame game continues to divide over exactly who jumped first on his deal to Hawthorn.

Premiership Pie Ginnivan only returned from Bali on Monday; he met with Hawks on Tuesday and was officially traded on Wednesday in a whirlwind 48 hours.

Collingwood’s footy boss Graham Wright was adamant Ginnivan wasn’t “pushed out the door” by the recent signings of Bobby Hill and Lachie Schultz – insisting no conversations were had about offloading the small forward with a year to run on his deal.

But Ginnivan’s manager John Meesen said the “goalposts changed pretty quickly” this week.

“I picked up the phone and called Wrighty after my phone started blowing up,” he said on SEN.

“From that conversation I got off the phone to him knowing that Jack’s future wasn’t at Collingwood.”

🏏 Virat Kohli scored his 48th one-day international hundred overnight as India powered to a seven-wicket win over Bangladesh.

Set 257, India knocked off the runs with 8.3 overs to spare as Kohli moved to within one of Sachin Tendulkar's record 49 ODI centuries.

🏀 Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden did not show up for practice Wednesday, with coach Nick Nurse saying he had no explanation as to why.

Harden, who has sought a trade since picking up his $35.6 million player option for the 2023-24 season, had been expected to participate in Wednesday's practice. Last week, Harden said he could make his preseason debut at home on Friday -- the team's final preseason game -- against the Atlanta Hawks.

"If he's here, we go; if he's not here, we go," Nurse told reporters.

⚽️ If you’ve ever wondered who Kim Kardashian’s favourtie Footballer is: it’s Arsenal and England talisman Bukayo Saka. As revealed in the latest episode of their reality tv show.

🎾 Billie Jean King says she would happily see the women's cup competition bearing her name combined with the men's Davis Cup into one World Cup of tennis.

Both team events conclude next month, with the Billie Jean King Cup finals in Seville from 7 to 12 November and the Davis Cup from 21 to 26 November.

"I think it's really important to have a World Cup for tennis," King said.

"The whole world understands a World Cup. They know it's country versus country."

♟️ In Chess news: Karthikeyan Murali beat WR1 Magnus Carlsen in Qatar Masters!

He becomes the 3rd Indian to beat Carlsen in Classical Chess and only the 2nd Indian to beat the Norwegian after he became World No. 1.

⚽️ Liverpool have joined Chelsea and Arsenal in the chase for 24-year-old Napoli and Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen, who is rated at around £95m.

📺 Drive to Survive X Full Swing. The Netflix Cup will see teams of F1 drivers and PGA players including; Lando Norris • Carlos Sainz • Alex Albon • Pierre Gasly • Rickie Fowler • Max Homa • Justin Thomas • Collin Morikawa, take each other on in a first-of-its-kind live event on November 14th.

🏉 RUGBY WORLD CUP SEMI-FINAL PREVIEWS:

Argentina (+18.5pts) and New Zealand will face off for a spot in the final. Argentina reaches the semis for the third time, while New Zealand has missed the semis just once in ten tournaments. Despite an early loss to France, New Zealand has awakened as a formidable force, culminating in an impressive win against Ireland. The All Blacks' clinical edge makes them favourites, but Argentina's determination suggests a close match, despite a 29-point loss to NZ this year.

England (+12.5pts) and South Africa, who faced off in the World Cup Final four years ago, will now compete for a spot in the 2023 Final. England, surprisingly the only unbeaten team in the final four, is considered the underdog, which might work in their favour. Meanwhile, South Africa, name an unchanged side after a tough win against France. The betting line could be too high, and England could cover it, promising an exciting finish.