Hi everyone,

It feels incredibly strange to be writing about sport today while our country is reeling from the tragedy in Sydney yesterday, and it’s hard to find the right words when something this heavy sits over us.

Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and all those affected.

We know that for many, sport is a way to connect, but it can also be a necessary distraction when the world feels overwhelming.

I’ve kept today’s edition briefer and more focused than usual, just in case you need a small break from the news cycle.

Please take care of yourselves and those around you. If you’re in NSW, the State Government has a 24/7 mental health line on 1800 011 511.

77
The number of runs scored by Hobart Hurricanes star Lizelle Lee as she helped her side to an eight-wicket victory over the Perth Scorchers in the final of the Women’s Big Bash League. Lee’s total, scored off just 34 balls, broke the record for the most runs scored in a WBBL finals match. The title is the Hurricanes' first in 11 seasons of the WBBL.

"For me there is no issue to resolve. He is now the same as any other player. You talk to your players if you are happy or unhappy, but for me there is nothing for me to talk about after what happened against Leeds."
Liverpool manager Arne Slot drawing a line under his public feud with player Mohamed Salah, who was dropped for the previous match after claiming he had been "thrown under the bus" by the club. The Egyptian star came off the bench to grab an assist in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Brighton on Sunday, surpassing Wayne Rooney to become the Premier League's all-time leader for goal involvements at a single club (277) before jetting off to play for his national team in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Golf balls were originally smooth until players noticed that older balls with nicks and cuts flew further than new ones. The dimples on modern golf balls reduce air resistance and allow the ball to not only be hit further, but straighter too.

🏈 For the first time since 2014, the Kansas City Chiefs will miss the NFL playoffs. The Chiefs’ fate was sealed on Sunday (local time) after a 16-13 loss to the LA Chargers. The Chiefs' streak of 10 straight playoff berths was the second longest in NFL history behind only Tom Brady’s New England Patriots, who reached 11 in a row (2009-2019). To make matters worse, the team has confirmed that superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL during the game. The Chiefs have played in five of the past six Super Bowls, winning three titles. 

🏀 NBA star Victor Wembanyama has made a triumphant return from injury, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a 111-109 upset over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup semi-finals. The French phenom scored 22 points to help end the Thunder’s 16-game winning streak. The Spurs will now face the New York Knicks in the NBA Cup decider on Wednesday (AEDT), after All-Star guard Jalen Brunson scored a season-high 40 points to guide his side past the Orlando Magic. The NBA Cup is the league's annual in-season tournament, modelled after European football cups, where teams compete for a separate trophy and cash prize during the regular season.

⚽ Sam Kerr has continued her return to form in the Women’s Super League (WSL), coming off the bench to help Chelsea down Brighton 3-0. The Matildas captain is yet to start a WSL match this season, but added spark to a stuttering attack in the second half by setting up a superb goal. Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor said: "From her performance you could see she is getting closer to her best level: her movement and contribution in the team is better than when she just came back.” 

Wallabies centre Lalakai Foketi and has launched legal action against Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs over terminating his contract.

Rugby Australia alleges Foketi broke his contract by appearing in promotional content for New Zealand’s Chiefs, the Super Rugby club he has signed with from 2026, while still employed by the Waratahs. 

Foketi denies the allegations, and earlier this month said he would never play for Australia again. 

Speaking to Code Sports earlier this month, Foketi insisted he did not break his contract and has hired former Waratahs player Michael Wells as his lawyer. 

Wells argues that promotional work for future clubs is common practice, pointing to examples of other Wallabies like Pete Samu, Angus Bell, and Tom Hooper.

The 30-year-old player says he was entitled to his November salary and long-service leave, which he says Rugby Australia cut. 

He told Code Sports the dispute has affected his family and his finances, adding: “To be honest, I’ll never come back to play for like Australian Rugby right now”.

The dispute is now expected to move into formal court proceedings. 

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Cooper Connolly stole the show in the first game of the Big Bash League season, leading the Perth Scorchers to a five-wicket win over the Sydney Sixers.

Here’s what to know about last night’s match and the season ahead. 

In a match reduced to just 11 overs a side due to heavy lightning and rain in the west, Connolly smashed 59 off 31 balls to help the Scorchers chase down the Sixers' total of 113. 

Sydney's star recruit, Babar Azam, produced a mixed performance on debut. The Pakistani player was dismissed for just two runs with the bat, but took a stunning catch to dismiss Mitch Marsh. 

The Hobart Hurricanes are the reigning champions of the competition after beating the Sydney Thunder by seven wickets in last year’s Big Bash finale. It marked the Hurricanes' first title, and they will be looking to go back-to-back.

They will face stiff competition. The Sydney Sixers pulled off the signing of the summer in Azam, while the Brisbane Heat have bolstered their pace attack with another Pakistani star in Shaheen Afridi. 

The Perth Scorchers will look to bounce back from a rare finals miss last season, with star player Mitch Marsh set for a full season. Marsh only made one appearance for the Scorchers in the past three seasons because of injury and international commitments. 

The competition could be turned on its head in January. Once the Ashes series concludes, the league will see an injection of Test superstars, with Steve Smith, Travis Head, and potentially even Mitchell Starc returning to their franchises for the business end of the season.

With a T20 World Cup on the horizon, the stakes are even higher. This isn't just a hunt for the BBL trophy; it is the final audition for national selection. Every run and wicket counts.

The 40-game regular season runs until 18 January, with each of the eight teams playing 10 matches.

At the conclusion of the regular season, the finals series begins for the top four sides. The top two teams face off in the ‘Qualifier’ for a direct spot in the title clash. The loser gets a lifeline in the ‘Challenger’ on 23 January, where they’ll meet the winner of the third versus fourth ‘Knockout’ match. The champion will be crowned on 25 January.

T20 (Twenty20) is a fast-paced, shortened format of cricket where each team faces just 20 overs (120 balls) in a single innings. The format is designed for high energy and big hitting, and matches are usually completed in about three hours. 

You can watch the Big Bash League on Channel 7, Kayo, and Foxtel. Tonight’s match between the Melbourne Renegades and Brisbane Heat will begin at 7:15pm (AEDT).