This week Gary has a look at the Blue Bulls looking to extend their dominance in the Currie Cup, as Max Verstappen aims to extend his Drivers' Championship lead at the Dutch Grand Prix.
LOW SCORES WERE WORLD CUP TREND IN TAROUBA
Now that we’ve got the Test series out the way – South Africa winning 1-0 – it’s on to the more important stuff of the three T20s between West Indies and the Proteas. I’m joking of course, but I’m sure many will see the shorter version as more interesting (and exciting) than the longest format of the game.
All three T20s will be held in Tarouba in Trinidad over the next few days, Friday, Sunday and Tuesday. The ground was the venue for five T20 World Cup matches in June. Four of those games featured minnows where 100 was reached once in eight innings, while in the game featuring West Indies and New Zealand, the scores were 149-9 winning over 136-9.
ENGLAND MAKING STEADY PROGRESS
The way England go about their ‘Bazball’ approach to Test cricket, we’re not sure when the first Test in a gloomy Manchester will end, as there were only 135 overs on the opening two days. That was still enough for England to bowl out Sri Lanka for 236 and then start their reply at five runs to the over and end the day with their noses in front at 259-6 on a pitch where runs don’t come freely.
In the other Test taking place, Pakistan got on the front foot when they declared on 448-6 in Rawalpindi and were chipping away at the Bangladeshi top-order in their opponent’s turn at the crease.
SOME TOUGH CALLS IN EPL THIS WEEK
Round one of the English Premiership produced some predictable scorelines, but this week could be different.
Saturday sees Brighton hosting Man United in a Saturday lunchtime kickoff (often there’s a “surprise” in this slot), while there are some tricky-looking games between Crystal Palace and West Ham, Southampton vs Nottingham Forest, Fulham vs Leicester, Bournemouth vs Newcastle, Aston Villa vs Arsenal and even Wolves vs Chelsea. If you’re playing Superbru, I assure you that five out of 10 correct results will see you climb the leaderboard.
VERSTAPPEN LOOKING TO FEEL AT HOME AGAIN
We’re into round 15 of 24 in the Formula One season and this weekend all attention turns to the Dutch Grand Prix, which has been won by Max Verstappen for the last three seasons in front of his adoring “sea of orange” home crowd.
The Dutch driver still has a commanding lead in the overall drivers title for the year too, but in recent races that cloak of invincibility has been stripped from his shoulders. Verstappen last won in Spain two months ago as Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have all tasted success of late. It’s too soon for Verstappen’s supporters to panic, but if he doesn’t win at Zandvoort he’ll start shuffling a bit in the seat of his Red Bull.
WOMEN’S BRITISH OPEN AT ICONIC VENUE
One of the most hallowed sporting venues anywhere is the Old Course at St Andrews and the Women’s British Open will be decided this weekend on the famous Links course. Did you know that the famous beach-running scene in Chariots Of Fire was filmed a decent 4-iron away from the 18th hole?
It’s a magnificent venue and somehow winning an Open Championship at the Old Course feels bigger than winning it anywhere else. Chinese ladies golfers are making their presence felt on the tour and two players from China finished in the top 10 at the Olympics. One of them is Yin Ruoning, who is No6 in the world, was 10th in Paris and has already won a Major. She’s a huge talent and will be worth watching for a while to come. Oh yes, she’s still only 21.
BULLS SET TO CONTINUE WINNING WAYS
There have been some big scores run-up in this year’s Currie Cup where the Blue Bulls top the log and are the only unbeaten side after seven matches. They now take on the only team they haven’t faced this season, Griquas.
It’s No1 vs No7, so expect the hosts to continue their winning ways. The average points scored for both sides says the Bulls will win 41-29. The biggest match of the round is between third and second on the table where the 2023 champions the Cheetahs entertain the Lions. Elsewhere Western Province play the Sharks and the Griffons (0 from 7) will try to change their luck against the visiting Pumas.
