G'day sports fans,

"When he fell into that pool, he's been a different batter since." - Test captain Pat Cummins knows the secret behind keeper-batter Alex Carey's great form - the accidental dip in a hotel swimming pool in Karachi in March 2022.

🇦🇺 Aussie Sport

🏏 The Proteas saved their best batting performance of the summer until the final day of the last Test, surviving 108 overs in the first innings before Australia enforced the follow-on on Sunday afternoon.

South Africa defended and prodded towards 2-106 before both sides shook hands and settled for a draw, giving Australia a 2-0 series triumph.

With four wins out of five Tests this summer, as well as recent tours of the subcontinent under their belt, Australia heads into their trip to India next month as ready as they'll ever be according to captain Pat Cummins.

The touring party for that campaign, where Australia's sole series win in the past 50 years came in 2004, will be announced this week.

🏏 A Sean Abbott masterclass helped the Sydney Sixers jump back to the top of the BBL table with a seven-wicket win over rivals Sydney Thunder on Sunday night.

🏉 Broncos star Selwyn Cobbo has claimed resurfaced comments from him saying he didn't think Kevin Walters was a good coach have been "taken out of context".

🇦🇺 Melbourne Demons veteran Tom McDonald has been training with Collingwood Magpies midfielder Jack Crisp as he pushes to return to full fitness.

McDonald battled a foot injury throughout the 2022 season, being limited to just nine games. (ZeroHanger)

🇦🇺 The Brisbane Lions could host matches at the Queensland Sport and Athletic Centre (QSAC) with a capacity 48,500, as plans to develop the Gabba continue to be discussed.

It's likely the Gabba will require a facelift ahead of the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane, potentially ruling the stadium out of action for several years prior to the world event.

🏉The Raiders have secured the signature of Samoan international Danny Levi on a two-year deal after a stint in the Super League.

The dummy-half has played 112 NRL games in stints at the Knights, Sea Eagles and most recently the Broncos in 2021.

🐴 A new nighttime $3m slot race for three-year-olds will be a precursor for Magic Millions day as part of a dramatic revamp to the Queensland summer carnival.

The 1100m sprint will be run on the Friday night before Magic Millions day in 2025, with the Gold Coast to undergo a dramatic redevelopment this year.

🌍 World Sport

🎾 Novak Djokovic prevailed over Sebastian Korda in a pulsating men's singles Adelaide International final on Sunday night, but not before unleashing and booting two of his support members out of the venue.

Djokovic saved a championship point in the second set and fought back to beat Korda 6-7 (8), 7-6 (3), 6-4, in a match that lasted three hours and nine minutes.

It means the Serbian legend now has a winning streak of 34 matches in Australia and is level with Rafael Nadal on 92 ATP titles.

🎾 Two-time champion Naomi Osaka has joined Venus Williams in withdrawing from this year's Australian Open just eight days before the start of the tournament.

Osaka, a winner in Melbourne in 2019 and 2021, has not played on the WTA Tour since September and has slipped to 42 in the world rankings.

No reason was given for the 25-year-old Japanese player's withdrawal. 

🏆 Team USA defeated Team Italy to claim the first United Cup title in history at Sydney's Ken Rosewall Arena.

🏆 World number five Aryna Sabalenka claimed her 11th WTA Tour title with a straight-sets win over impressive 18-year-old qualifier Linda Nosková in Adelaide.

🥊 American Gervonta Davis defended his WBA 'regular' lightweight title by stopping Hector Luis Garcia after eight rounds in Washington.

Davis, 28, extended his record to 28-0 with 26 knockouts and is set to face fellow American Ryan Garcia in April.

⛳️ Collin Morikawa takes a six-shot lead into Sunday's final round of the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii.

-24 C Morikawa (US); -18 S Scheffler (US), JJ Spaun (US), M Fitzpatrick (Eng); -17 J-H Kim (Kor), J Rahm (Spa);

⚽️ FA Cup: Man City pumped Chelsea 4-0 and will play the winner of Arsenal v Oxford United in the next round.

Reading manager Paul Ince will return to Old Trafford to face former club Manchester United.

🚨Ex-Arsenal & Celtic striker Anthony Stokes was arrested after he was found with £4,000 of cocaine following police chase.

🏈After issues in their past two home games, the Broncos have had their entire field replaced.

The new field cost US$400,000 and is only for one game, as it will have to be replaced again before next season.

NBA mailbag - Why are so many players putting up 50 points on any given night? — www.espn.com.au

Donovan Mitchell and Klay Thompson are the latest stars to score more than 50 points, but they're joined by a surprising amount of other players, too.

⚽️Atletico Madrid are demanding a AU$20m loan fee and a commitment to buy for AU$130m from Manchester United as negotiations continue for Portugal forward Joao Felix, 23. (Sunday Mirror)

🏈 Doctors described Damar Hamlin’s neurological function as "excellent", as the Buffalo Bills safety continues his recovery after he was resuscitated when he collapsed mid-game against Cincinnati last week.

🏈 There hasn’t been a first-time college football champion in almost 30 years. TCU, given 200-1 odds to win the title, technically wouldn’t be on that list - but in spirit, they’re 60 minutes away. Now, they only have to beat defending champs Georgia.

⚽️ Man Utd and Erik ten Hag are set to enforce a new 'Ronaldo rule' which will limit first-team stars' salaries to a maximum of £200,000 a week to control their annual wage bill.

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TODAY

⚽️ 06:45 - Italian Serie A - Milan v Roma (beIN SPORTS 3)

⚽️ 07:00 - Spanish La Liga - Atletico Madrid v Barcelona (Optus Sport 2)

⛳️ 08:00 - PGA TOUR - Tournament of Champions, Round 4 (Fox Sports)

🏈 08:25 - NFL - Philadelphia Eagles v New York Giants (ESPN)

🏈 08:25 - NFL - Washington Commanders v Dallas Cowboys (7mate)

🏀 11:00 - NBA - Oklahoma City Thunder v Dallas Mavericks (ESPN 2)

🏈 12:20 - NFL - Green Bay Packers v Detroit Lions (ESPN)

🏏 19:15 - Big Bash League - Hobart Hurricanes v Melbourne Stars (Fox Cricket or Channel 7)

🏏 20:30 - ODI Series - Pakistan v New Zealand (Fox Sports)

TUESDAY

⚽️ 06:45 - Italian Serie A - Bologna v Atalanta (beIN SPORTS 3)

⚽️ 07:00 - Spanish La Liga - Athletic Club v Osasuna (Optus Sport 2)

⚽️ 07:00 - FA Cup Third Round Proper - Oxford United v Arsenal (Paramount+)

🏀 19:30 - NBL - Illawarra Hawks v Tasmania JackJumpers (ESPN)

🏏 19:30 - ODI Series - India v Sri Lanka (Fox Sports)

🏏 19:40 - Big Bash League - Adelaide Strikers v Melbourne Renegades (Fox Cricket or Channel 7)

🏀 21:30 - NBL - Perth Wildcats v New Zealand Breakers (ESPN)