Third Test – Day 2: Ricky and me

The bowling selections which seemed so brilliant on the opening day seem decidedly lacking in this second innings, says Susie Giese.

Third Test – Day 2: Tourists score at will against flat Aussies

Australia needs early wickets today but Luke Reynolds says it doesn’t have the attack to do it.

Third Test – Day 1: The proof is in the fruit-cake

Bernard Whimpress says that the so-called rotation approach where top cricketers are rested de-values Test cricket.

Third Test – Day 1: Typical Wild Wild West day, well almost

The crowd support Ricky Ponting received today will surely spur him to one last century, says Mick Jeffrey at the WACA.

Third Test – Day 1: Intelligent bowling/Lazy batting

Phil Dimitriadis watches the batsmen forget the basics in the Third Test ‘Grand Final’ at the WACA.

Third Test – Day 1: Ricky’s Garden

Thanks to Ricky Ponting, Pamela Sherpa took up gardening a couple of years ago and named the far back corner of her yard the ‘Ricky Ponting Memorial Garden’.

Third Test – Preview: A Climax in Act One?

How much will Australia be spurred by Punter’s last hurrah? What has the man himself got left in the tank?

Will Francis “Casino” Jackson ever learn his lesson?

Richmond’s head recruiter, Francis Jackson, has been getting plenty of credit of late for choosing Houli, Grigg, Maric, Knights and Chaplin, pity he didn’t choose any of them, says Louise Comra.

Art exhibition opening

Resident Almanac artist, Yvette Wroby, advises the Annual Paint in the Park Exhibition of the Glen Eira Artists Society will be held from Wednesday, December 4-16, in the Annexe of the Glen Eira Gallery

Third Test – Preview: Too tough to pick

Some thoughts on Perth. Watto’s back so the Most Run Outs: Australia market is looking very attractive.

Off Season Odyssey – Part 43: Larry

Junior legends: If I had a drink in my hand, I’d raise it to all the former champions. To the places life takes them. To people already past their prime, which they reached as young teenagers.

Crio’s Racing: Return to reality

The publication of acceptors for Saturday’s Caulfield meeting has rammed home the reality of a return to pretty humdrum racing – 5 runners in the first if they all get there!

Facing my son in the nets

From initial bowling lessons off two steps, to giving his dad a bruise on the knee with a fast delivery, Sean Curtain recalls his son’s improvement with the cherry and the willow.

Almanac Rugby League – Off Season Odyssey Part 41: Friday on Thursday

Rugby is tough, relentless. Teams run to patterns and plans. Weaknesses are exposed. It’s hard man’s chess, where players like the Storms’ Billy Slater are knights, able to cut at angles, and jump over you to find space.

Second Test – Day 4: The Clarke Captaincy

As a fielding captain Michael Clarke first won points for being inventive and a lateral thinker. This summer he’s begun to lose them as he’s gone from being inventive to quirky to cutesy-pie, says Bernard Whimpress.

Second Test – Day 5: Moment please

After an absorbing five days in Adelaide, Dips O’Donnell wonders how captivating this series may have been had it been played across five Tests.

Second Test – Day 5: STEYN AVOIDS DEFECT in the CITY OF DENTED VASES

Really, says Almanac anagram king Andrew Gigacz, the result of the test was there for all to see in plain English.

Crio’s Question: When sportsmen are “spent”

Du Plessis cramping and Siddle doubled over may well be the enduring images from the Adelaide Test.There’s something inspiring at seeing a person search for their full potential – “leaving it all on the field”. Who has some mental imprints to share?

In A-League of its Own: Round 8

Sydney FC has again fallen at the last hurdle in their bid to register a point and has now conceded 16 goals in their past 4 games, reports our A-League specialist Tom Riordan.

Second Test – Day 4: Test cricket in all its constructive glory

Rob McLean asks, in what other sport do you have the chance to socialise but still keep in touch with what’s happening on the field whilst not paying complete attention?