The first ball of the Ashes will be bowled in less than an hour, and I must admit I woke up a little nervous this morning.

Athletes are told that nerves are a good thing, but is it healthy for fans to tie themselves up in knots over a game? Absolutely yes.

Let’s hope today’s first ball looks a little like this - that is, if Australia are bowling, I mean.

🏉 Queensland Reds half-back Kalani Thomas is set to make his Wallabies debut off the bench against France, with coach Joe Schmidt sticking with a mostly settled side for the final match of the Spring Tour. Thomas would be the fifth debutant to appear for the Wallabies this year if he takes to the field. Prop Angus Bell and inside centre Len Ikitau will both celebrate their 50th Tests, while fly-half Carter Gordon and winger Dylan Pietsch return to the starting team after injury. Sunday’s match against the world’s 4th ranked side will see the Wallabies playing to avoid their first winless tour of Europe since 1958. The match kicks off at 7:10am on Sunday (AEDT). You can watch it on Stan Sport.

🏏 The Hobart Hurricanes have extended their unbeaten start in the Women’s Big Bash league to five matches after defeating the Melbourne Renegades by six wickets. The result was impacted by wet weather as Hobart’s run chase was twice stopped for rain. As a result, the Hurricanes' target was reduced from 156 to 106 using the DLS method. Heather Graham was named player of the match after taking three wickets and scoring 14 runs not out. In the later match, the Melbourne Stars dominated the Sydney Sixers by 111 runs with Meg Lanning helping her side to victory with an impressive 135 runs off 74 balls. Tonight, the Brisbane Heat host the Sydney Thunder at 8:10pm (AEDT).

⚽ Montpellier has rejected Mary Fowler’s allegation that she experienced racism during her time at the French football club. The Matildas star wrote in her memoir (titled ‘Bloom’) that other players handed her and a teammate bananas instead of flowers as a farewell gift in 2022. The club released a statement that says there is no evidence to support her account, noting that she was under contract at the club until 2023. The conclusion of the statement read: “Had such incidents been reported and substantiated, the club would have taken all necessary measures immediately upon being notified. Racism is a serious issue that cannot be exploited. The club wishes to reiterate its ongoing commitment to combating all forms of discrimination.”

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Talking points: The historic Test cricket rivalry between Australia and England returns to Australian shores for the first time since the 2021/22 series, which Australia won 4-0 (one Test was a draw). In fact, England have not won on Australian soil since the 2010/11 series. The Australians will field a side with two debutants, opening batsman Jake Weatherald and fast bowler Brendan Doggett. Both have been selected due to a combination of factors: their impressive domestic form, and injuries to pace bowlers Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins. With incumbent captain Cummins injured, Steve Smith will take the reins opposite England captain Ben Stokes. 

How to watch: You can watch the Ashes from 1:20pm today on Channel 7, Kayo, and Foxtel.

Talking points: The last time these two teams met was in Round 3 this season, a match which Carlton won 58-44. The Blues will be confident they can get the job done against Brisbane after dominating Hawthorn 79-33 in last week’s semi-final. That being said, Brisbane has won eight straight matches and possesses a wealth of finals experience as they seek to appear in a fourth consecutive AFLW Grand Final. The winner of this preliminary final will take on the victor of the earlier game on Saturday between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Melbourne Demons. The Roos are currently on a 25-match winning streak and loom as heavy favourites for that match. 

How to watch: The match begins at 7:35pm on Saturday (AEDT). You can watch it on Channel 7, Foxtel, and Kayo. 

Talking points: Formula One returns this weekend for the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The race kicks off three consecutive weekends of racing to finish the 2025 season. Australia’s Oscar Piastri sits second in the Drivers’ Championship, 24 points behind leader and McLaren teammate Lando Norris. After a blistering start to the season, which saw him build a lead of 34 points in the Championship, Piastri has not finished on the podium in the five races since the Italian GP in September. The young Aussie will be looking to re-establish himself this weekend and keep his hopes of a world championship alive. 

How to watch: The race begins at 3:00pm on Sunday (AEDT). You can watch it on Foxtel or Kayo. 

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