Australians smashing it on the world stage
In a hectic year of international sport, Australians have enjoyed incredible success.
A hectic year of international sport is going faster than Jack Miller’s Ducati. How are we faring? From Silverstone to South Korea, from The Oval to The People’s Republic of China, there’s enough globally prestigious trophies and medals on offer to fill a pool room the size of the Simpson Desert. If we’re good enough to clutch and grab and grasp them.
The men’s and women’s Ashes have been retained. Steve Smith’s bat spent a lonely old 12 months in the role of weeping willow, bawling in the corner, but it’s back. And so is he. And so is Australian cricket.
Ellyse Perry’s contributions have been Smithesque, which have been Bradmanesque, which has made you think she should have been playing as the allrounder at The Oval — until Mitch Marsh, a mishmash of a player, has rocked up and taken four-for on day one in London. Funny old game.
(A question. Does anyone really believe Smith wasn’t taking the piss out of Jack Leach after the fourth Test? So, he’s worn spectacles in honour of Chris Rogers? Justin Langer talks about the importance of Elite Honesty during the rebuilding of his side. Assuming he isn’t nominating a new top-order batter for the Southern Stars — Alyssa Healy, Ellyse Perry, Elite Honesty coming in at three — we assume he means there’s no more cover-ups or fibs. Even for something as unimportant as this. What an extraordinary coincidence if Smith’s post-stumps performance has had nothing to do with the bespectacled England spinner he’s just played against.)
Anyway. The global games. How are we going? Sound the trumpets, blow the horns, stone the crows, we’ve won golf and tennis majors. Hannah Green’s victory at the PGA Championship has been a thing of unexpected, underdog beauty, proof that if you’re in the field, any field, you’re a chance.
Ash Barty’s triumph at the French Open has been enough of a shock for her to joyfully proclaim, “What the f..k?!” She’s escaped sanction for an audible obscenity, then celebrated with a steak and a beer.
Australia’s swimmers have finished a meritorious second behind the US at the world championships. Ariarne Titmus has smashed Katie Ledeckie like a guitar in the 400m freestyle, setting up a battle royale at next year’s Tokyo Olympics.
The Matildas have left their World Cup empty-handed after losing a penalty shootout in the round of 16.
The Rugby World Cup begins next week in Japan. It’ll be a hell of an effort to win it without Israel Folau.
The World Athletics Championships start in Qatar on September 27. Just one gold medal there will be worth its weight in you-know-what. It’s the sort of contest where on the whole, Australians get smashed like Qatars, but there may be a Hannah Green about to pounce.
Labuschagne is committed, focused and hopelessly out of touch
For the first time in a long time, Australia has options at the top of the order and it continues Marnus Labuschagne’s run of poor timing.
Smith, Carey tons put Aussies on cusp of Sri Lankan sweep
Steve Smith ensconced his status as Australia’s Asian batting master as the skipper and Alex Carey drove the tourists towards the verge of a rare Test series win in the subcontinent.