It has been quite the
year in Sports, but you'll have to look elsewhere for your retrospectives. New Year's Eve is chock full of sporting
events, but the main focus is on New Year's Day.
The Ashes series was
decided when Australia took the first three of the five Test matches
programmed. Nonetheless, some exciting
cricket has continued as England came alive in the fourth test, this one at the
Melbourne Cricket Grounds, and was only denied a win because of the great
batting of Steve Smith, who hit a century for Australia, as they battled
England to a draw. The Australia skipper
stonewalled the English bowling attack to remain unconquered on 102 for his
third century of the series when the Test was called a draw late on the final
day. Australia only lost two wickets on
the fifth day but coasted through after lunch to finish on 263 for four with
Mitchell Marsh not out on 29.
It was just the second
drawn Boxing Day Test in 20 years. Alistair
Cook, batting for England had a record breaking 244 to open, but in the final
hours, Australia's Smith and Marsh salvaged the draw. There was a total attendance of 262,616 fans
over the five days. There was some criticism of the lifeless state of the
Melbourne Cricket Ground drop-in pitch.
The series of Test Matches concludes at the historic Sydney Cricket
Grounds, January 4-8.
In the United States 10
games in the final week of the regular season of the National Football League
have playoff implications, but most of those are of teams who playoff
possibilities could be altered, if they lose.
In only one game, Carolina Panthers and the Atlanta Falcons — do
both teams have a real something at
stake. It seems the New York Jets are always playing for glory against the New
England Patriots, and seldom finding it.
The Pats are heavily favored in this game, but in Football, as in all
things, pride goeth before a fall. New
England has certainly proved this time and again, a great franchise, but one
who loves to be in the faces of all the other teams. They win often, but when they lose, it is
always a big loss.
The Minnesota Vikings will
host the Chicago Bears this New Year's Eve.
As the cookies have crumbled the Vikings no longer have a chance to clinch home-field
advantage throughout the playoffs, but they can get a first-round bye with a
win or a tie. Even if they lose, they still stand a decent chance of a first
round bye. The New Orleans Saints (11-4) play the (4-11) Tampa Bay
Buccaneers. If they win, the NFC South
division is theirs, but they can also win it if the Carolina Panthers lose or
if both teams tie. The Carolina Panthers can win the N.F.C. South
if they win and the Saints lose. They are favoured over the Falcons but the
Falcons are battling for a wild card spot.
A Happy New Year to all
of our readers. Thanks for your involvement and participation.
