🏏 Rain, Runs And Contract Chaos

Happy new month, it's Friday, 1 July

🔊 Sport Today Podcast

This morning, Sam Ferris and Lucy Watkin are at the mic. 

Today's listen time: 9.45 minutes. 

Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

📺  What we're watching 

🏏 Friday, 2.30pm - Test Cricket - Sri Lanka v Australia - Galle International Stadium, Galle - Foxtel, Kayo

🚴‍♂️ Saturday, 12.00am - Cycling - Tour de France - Stage 1, Copenhagen - SBS

🏉 Saturday, 7.55pm - International Rugby - Australia v England - Optus Stadium, Perth - Channel 9, Stan Sport

🎾 Saturday, 8.00pm - Wimbledon Day 6 - All England Club, London - Channel 9, Stan Sport

🥊 Sunday, 12.00pm - UFC - Volkanovski v Holloway - T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas - Main Event

🏉 Sunday, 5.20pm - AFL - Dockers v Power - Optus Stadium, Perth - Foxtel, Kayo

🏁 Monday, 12.00am - Formula 1 - British Grand Prix - Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone - Foxtel, Kayo

⛳ Monday, 3.00am - Golf - John Deere Classic 4th Round - TPC Deere Run, Silvis - Foxtel, Kayo

All times are in AEST

🏏 It's all happening at the MCG... and Galle

Someone call Vin Diesel because things were fast and furious in the world of cricket yesterday.

Golden points: We had wild conditions in Sri Lanka, contract breakdowns and even some quality batting by the Aussies.

• It didn’t look like there’d be much cricket when wild weather knocked over a temporary grandstand at the ground in Galle. Everyone was fine.

• But then the rain cleared and the players got on. The Aussies lead by 101 runs thanks to a solid 77 by Cameron Green.

• This series is being shown on Fox Sports and Kayo, but the free-to-air deal with Channel 7 could be in strife.

What are the chances… Channel 7 pulls the pin early? They’re looking to get out of the deal 2 years early. They’re not happy with the quality of the Big Bash League which has led to poor ratings. But Cricket Australia will fight this in court because it doesn't want to lose out on a deal that brings in $80 million a year.

Watch it: Let’s finish on a positive with the highlights from last night’s Test.

🎾 Kyrgios reminds us that he's still pretty good 

Sleep looked pretty tempting last night, but you can’t go to bed when Nick Kyrgios is in action.

Golden points: Especially when he’s in this kind of form. He’s cruised into the 3rd round at Wimbledon and has set up a clash with a familiar foe.

• Kyrgios was way too good for #26 seed Filip Krajinović and will now play #4 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas just weeks after the Aussie beat him in Germany.

• He’s not the only Aussie killing it. Ajla Tomljanović just keeps winning, while Jason Kubler was one game away from winning before rain stopped play.

• And surprise packet Harmony Tan continues to fire after she shocked Serena Williams in the first round.

They said it: “I just wanted to remind everyone that I'm pretty good.” - Kyrgios with the friendly reminder.

Watch it: I think we’ve found the shot of the tournament so far. Never celebrate early. 

🏐 Fever searching for breakthrough title 

Hats off to Perth for scoring a couple of epic events in back-to-back weeks.

Golden points: The good folk in WA had State of Origin last Sunday. Now they get the Super Netball Grand Final, and there’s a local team they can cheer on.

• If revenge is a dish best served cold, then this must be arctic. The Fever have been stewing on their loss in the 2020 GF but they can forget about it if they beat the Vixens.

• This is the game that Netball Australia sold a few weeks ago to make a lot of money and upset the players. But it all worked out after the Fever beat the Vixens in the major semi to earn hosting rights.

• The teams have been named and this should be a classic. We’re looking at the top 2 teams from the regular season with some of the best players in Australia.

They said it: “I feel like if the West Coast Fever can’t win it this year, in Perth, then they’re never going to win it.” - Diamonds legend Cath Cox reckons the Fever are due after a couple of GF losses.

Watch it: Settle in for a quiet Sunday in front of the TV. The game starts at 7.00pm (AEST) and you can catch it on Foxtel and Kayo. 

🏉 It's never too old to dream 

It feels like forever since the Wallabies last played a Test. But we can’t really complain, especially when compared to Caderyn Neville.

Golden points: This guy will create some history when he becomes the 3rd oldest Wallaby to make his Test debut since World War II.

• He’s not that old. But he is 33yo and he’s had to wait 10 years since he was first picked in an Aussie squad.

• Neville isn’t the only debutant. He’ll be joined in the starting side by Dave Porecki.

• Here’s the full squad for Saturday’s game which includes 12 Brumbies in the final 23. That *checks notes* is more than half. 

Watch it: You know it’s winter when Test match footy is on TV. The game kicks off at 7.55pm (AEST) at Optus Stadium in Perth. You can watch it on Channel 9 and Stan Sport. 

🏉 Oliver wants some more time in Melbourne

Clayton Oliver is meant to be one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet, but he’s a Demon for life after he signed a massive contract extension.

Golden points: This is a huge deal for Melbourne because Oliver is one of the best players in the AFL.

• The numbers are large. Reports say he’s gonna get $7 million over 7 years. He was already contracted for 2023 but the club wanted to tie him down before other teams had the chance to steal him.

• This guy can play. The 24yo is already a 3-time best and fairest winner at the Demons and he finished 2nd in Brownlow Medal voting last year. 

• It means the Demons have signed their 2 best midfielders on long-term deals. Christian Petracca is sticking around until 2029.

What’s next: Good luck to Adelaide. They have to find a way to stop him when they play the Demons on Saturday at 4.35pm (AEST) at the Adelaide Oval. Oliver had 38 touches and a career-high 3 goals when they played last year.

👀 Quick singles

🏀 Patty Mills is looking for a new NBA team. The Aussie star knocked back his player option for next season worth around $9 million which means he probably won’t be at the Nets for much longer. 

🏀 He's not the only Brooklyn player looking to leave. Superstar Kevin Durant broke the internet when reports came through that he's asked to be traded. 

🏉 Charlie Cameron put on an absolute clinic last night. He kicked 4 goals to help the Lions beat the Bulldogs by 41 points in the AFL.

🏏 It looks like we’re going to get some big names in the Big Bash League international draft. South African great Faf du Plessis has put his hand up to play, as has exciting batter Rilee Rossouw. 

🏀 Okay Boomers, that was a solid performance last night. Our basketballers were too good for China, winning the World Cup qualifier by 7 points. 

🏏 England has a new white-ball cricket captain. Big-hitting batter Jos Buttler will now lead the side following Eoin Morgan’s retirement earlier this week.  

🙃 Left of field...

We’re probably never going to play a round of golf with our sporting heroes. But at least we can watch all of them play together.

Golden points: The Icons Series started in New Jersey last night and there are some megastars playing in this team tournament.

• Team USA is stacked, but let’s focus on the Rest of the World.

• We’re talking Aussie greats like Ricky Ponting, Ash Barty and George Gregan teaming up with some of the biggest names in world sport.

• There was no joy for Barty and English footballer Harry Kane overnight, but she's teaming up with Punter this morning. Name a more iconic duo. I'll wait.

Watch it: The great news is we can watch it tonight on Foxtel and Kayo. The players will be mic’d up so there should be some gold.

📽 The highlight reel

Well, that was wild. 66 points, great tries and nearly one of the biggest comebacks of all time. That's why this Manly-Melbourne rivalry is one of the best in the NRL. 

📸 Photo finish

Things are about to get rowdy in Denver as the Avalanche celebrate their Stanley Cup win.

🏃‍♀️ The finish line

🏆 Today's trivia answer

It was all the way back in 2015 at the World Cup. The Wallabies have lost 8 in a row.