This week Gary has a look at the Women’s Proteas booking a spot in the Women’s T20 World Cup finals, while the F1 season returns at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas.
NZ OR WINDIES? NO MATTER. BRING IT ON!
At the time of writing, I didn’t know who would be in Sunday’s Women’s T20 final to play South Africa in Dubai. What I do know is that either New Zealand or West Indies would need to have their A-game, and such to beat the women’s Proteas.
They were simply superb in the semi-final against Australia and I watched it with the TV sound turned down, finding the commentators far too talkative, if that makes sense. “Who is the fastest runner in the commentary box?” “I don’t know but I know who’s fastest to the dining room” (laughs). My impression from the soundless viewing was that South Africa took all the pace off the ball, making the batters have to hit the ball to the ropes, instead of using the pace of the ball into the gaps. Basically, it’s a great tactic on a slow pitch. South Africa will prefer the Windies in the final because NZ are the one team who wouldn’t mind a slow pitch.
FULL HOUSE FOR SA’S URC QUARTET?
One. One. Five. Three. That’s the number of away wins in each round so far of the United Rugby Championship. There’s a variety of reasons why, but the bottom line is that it’s really difficult for any team to win away. It’s obviously a bit easier when it’s an internal “derby”, or against a poor team.
This week the Stormers host Munster, a team they’ve lost to in all three URC matches they’ve never beaten. I’m going for home-ground advantage to count here though. Elsewhere, the Bulls are away to the Scarlets (Welsh teams are poor), while the Sharks host Glasgow and the Lions are away to Zebre (also poor). What does all this mean for South Africa’s four franchises? All to win.
F1 SEASON RESUMES IN TEXAS
For the petrolheads, Formula One is back on track after a four-week break and Max Verstappen, who has the Mclaren of Lando Norris climbing all over him in the race to the drivers’ world championship, has spoken. Or rather, had spoken. He reckoned his stuttering Red Bull had made big improvements in the last month and he is ready to resume normal service.
That was before the FIA revealed that the “unidentified team” being investigated and admonished for dabbling in some technical dark arts – all of which is difficult for someone like me to understand – was Red Bull. But, that shouldn’t detract from the spectacle of the United States GP in Austin. We’re back to the sprint race at 10pm (SA time) on Saturday and then the main event at 11pm on Sunday. The betting makes Norris 14-10 favourite and both Verstappen and Oscar Piastri 4-1.
LIVERPOOL LOVING LIFE UNDER SLOT
We’ve got the October international break behind us so it’s back to the English Premier League – and other domestic leagues – this weekend. Man United’s match against Brentford could decide Erik ten Hag’s immediate future, but the big one of the round is at Anfield on Sunday where Liverpool host Chelsea in what is, for now, a “top four” encounter.
Liverpool have conceded only two goals all season, which might explain why they’re top of the table. Should Liverpool not beat their visitors from London you’d feel that come Monday they won’t be log-leaders, because at least one, or both of Man City (at Wolves) and Arsenal (at Bournemouth) should pick up all three points. For now, though Jurgen Klopp’s successor Arne Slot is on everyone’s songsheet at the Kop end.
ALSO WORTH CHANNEL HOPPING …
There’s the round of 16 in the Carling Knockout in South Africa this weekend, where the two toughest results to pick look to be Galaxy hosting Chippa and Kaizer Chiefs away to SuperSport. On paper at least, Pirates and Sundowns should progress, while defending champions Stellenbosch have a banana skin trip to AmaZulu …
While F1 action is in the USA, MotoGP’s travellers are in Australia. The title race is becoming a shootout between Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia, while Brad Binder is in a head-to-head with Pedro Acosta for fifth overall … The world’s richest turf race, the (Aus)$20-million (R236m) The Everest, will be held at Royal Randwick in Australia. It’s a 12-horse sprint and I have no idea who will win. I’m told a low draw helps, so let’s go for Growing Empire …
