Macca

Some good stuff there, JJ. Steely Dan are one of my all time favourite bands. This clip is a 'Classic Albums' music doco on their famed album 'Aja' from 1977. Goes for an hour so you'll need to to be in the mood. Some recognisable songs such as 'Peg' and 'Josie' are featured. Their music is a mix of jazz, rock and funk and they are what I would call an "acquired taste." Many of their songs need multiple listens to really appreciate the depth of this duo's talents. Macca's jazz 6.1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8GwEX7nn6o

Warner missing the 2 warm up games prior to the 1st Test means he'd have to be a doubtful selection for the first 2 Tests. Gives the selectors a chance to give Watson another chance at the top of the order. (Watson bowling again probably assures him a spot in the side) Rogers has made 214 and 184 playing for Middlesex in the last 5 weeks so he'd have to be a real chance to get into the starting XI. Cowan could drop down to no.3 or maybe Rogers could bat at 3. We could see a batting order going into the 1st Test as follows ... Rogers Watson Cowan Khawaja/Hughes Clarke* Wade Haddin Faulkner/Starc Pattinson Siddle Lyon/Ahmed The big concern for our bevy of left handers is Swann. He's in great form and if the wickets continue to be dry, he'll be more than a handful. Warner is not a good player of spin and I've left Hughes out for the same reason. In an ideal world Wade would be replaced with someone like a George Bailey or an up and coming young batsman like Burns, Doolan or Maddinson. However, Matthew can bat and he's worth a go in the lower middle order. Faulkner adds a bit of X factor although he might have to bide his time. Ditto for Fawad. *Pup might bat at no.4 and let's hope his back comes good. We're going to need him to make some big runs to have any chance.

... Warner suspended until start of Ashes

Huge win in game 3 for the Spurs. Miami were awful in the 2nd half ... highlights Green and Neal provided the X factor. Vital 4th game now. If the Spurs can get over the line it may prove enough. Miami would then have to win the last 3 games to defend their title.

Can't keep him out of the news ... ... Sources: Pats to sign Tim Tebow

Spurs win game 1 ... highlights and recap ... game 2 is on Monday at 10am (our time)

WJ summed it up well in the above post, 'dl' Swann is going to be a handful regardless of the conditions. He looked in great form in those 2 tests. The English commentators were also not exactly complimentary towards Nathan Lyon. I was quite surprised with that attitude because I believe he's quite a decent bowler and their batsmen won't want to underestimate him. Whilst not in Swann's class he's quite capable and can turn the ball. Anyway it's looking almost certain that Fawad Ahmed will join the Ashes squad after being called up for the Australia 'A' squad (currently in England) ... Ahmed's call-up a 'dream come true'

Big news on the PED controversy ... ... MLB seeks to suspend A-Rod, Braun

I agree. It's at least healthy competition for Nathan Lyon. The commentators in the 2 England/New Zealand tests were of the opinion that the wickets were quite dry for that time of year. They went on to say that Swann would really trouble the Australians if the wickets presented during the Ashes series were just as dry (or drier) Another good reason why Fawad could be added to the squad. Apart from anything else, we need some sort of X factor in order to compete well in the series. Of course, if our batting doesn't improve substantially, we're in a bit of strife. In other news ... Taylor calls for Watson to be Ashes opener

Miami through to the finals after beating the Pacers today. Wade had a good game and LeBron scored 32 ... highlights Anyway, it all starts in Miami on Friday at 11am (our time) The 2nd game is on next Monday. San Antonio are well rested but hopefully not rusty. Should be a fascinating series. I reckon it can go either way. Head says Miami but I'd like the Spurs to win.

Watto made 135 the other day in a warm up game. And he's bowling again!! Does that count

Miami just don't appear to be that good, compared to last year. Certainly not as good as I thought they would be. San Antonio would match up ok against the Pacers, but would they be that worried about facing the Heat? Miami have been really good at times and then they struggle. Maybe in game 7 they will bring their A game? I reckon we've got a good final coming up, regardless of who the Spurs meet. The rest up would have to help the veterans from San Antonio but against that, they don't want to come out rusty in game 1. I still think the Heat will get through. They get the Birdman back for Tuesday's game (our time) and it would be a huge story if they missed. I'm tipping a close finish.

The Pacers force a game 7. Regardless of whether the Heat win the final game in Miami or not, the Spurs must be feeling reasonably confident of beating either team in the finals. Miami only scoring 77 points must be a concern. They'll possibly step it up and win game 7 but too much is being left to LeBron. ... Today's highlights ... Hibbert and George had very good games.

... Channel Nine's board has granted its senior managers clearance to go ahead and clinch the rich cricket broadcasting rights for the next five years.

... Birdman suspended for game 6

One from 'Devo' followed by a track from the 'Talking Heads' Macca 13.2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVGINIsLnqU

Apparently this is what they might be talking about. Not sure I'd 'pet' it. Gruesome little creature ... Tell you what though, if the CFL was on cable, I'd probably be watching :-) Central American Tiger-Cat

Only 11 days to go!

Spurs/Pacers final would be interesting. If the Heat are at their best they'll get through, but Indiana winning game 2 in Miami will give them a lot of confidence. I reckon the Pacers have to win game 5 to have a real chance. On ESPN from 10.30am tomorrow. Work gets in the way again - not happy about that

And those Pacers do level things up in a spirited display today. It means the series will continue to at least Sunday (our time) Indiana are proving tough opposition ... game 4 highlights

... Ricky Ponting won't rule out Ashes series recall

Spurs through after sweeping the Grizzlies ... highlights ... Parker had another big game. June 6 is the 1st game of the finals so they've got a bit of a wait. Game 4 of the Miami/Indiana series tomorrow. Heat leading 2-1.

Win or bust for Memphis tomorrow. Would like to see them win at least one game for their fans. Miami way too strong for the Pacers today ... highlights

French open starts Sunday evening (our time) Andy Murray is out with a back injury whilst Sam Stosur is seeded 9. Sam is in Maria Sharapova's quarter of the draw, so they are drawn to meet in the quarter finals. In the Ladies, the top seed is drawn to meet the 4th seed in the Semi-finals whilst the 2nd seed is drawn to play the 3rd seed. In the Mens, the top seed is drawn to play the 3rd seed in the Semi-finals and the 2nd seed is drawn to play the 4th seed. This means we could get a Nadal/Federer final (in theory) What it also means is that Novak and Rafa must meet in a Semi-final if they both progress that far. For further news on this story and more ... ... Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic in same half of French Open draw Mens seeds ... Novak Djokovic Roger Federer Rafael Nadal David Ferrer Tomáš Berdych Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Richard Gasquet Janko Tipsarević Stanislas Wawrinka Marin Čilić Nicolás Almagro Tommy Haas Kei Nishikori Milos Raonic Gilles Simon Philipp Kohlschreiber Ladies seeds ... Serena Williams Maria Sharapova Victoria Azarenka Agnieszka Radwańska Sara Errani Li Na Petra Kvitová Angelique Kerber Samantha Stosur Caroline Wozniacki Nadia Petrova Maria Kirilenko Marion Bartoli Ana Ivanovic Roberta Vinci Dominika Cibulková

2 tracks from 'Moby' ... the first song is from 'Letterman' and features Gwen Stefani Macca 13.1