On today's episode of The Almanack Report, England's resurgent efforts in Test cricket thanks to the so-dubbed 'Bazball' came crashing down around them during the week as they suffered an innings defeat against the underrated South African team. As a result they have gone from media darlings to media dogma in the space of a week. But was it just because of poor execution, as skipper Ben Stokes explained it, or were they out-Bazballed by the onset of Bouchball? The discussion today will highlight some of my thoughts on the match, and what the future may hold as we approach next week's 2nd Test.

As well as this, Brisbane hosted Melbourne in two football codes on Friday night, with both matches following a similar path and similar fortunes for all teams involved. And then on Saturday, in the NRL, these two teams next opponents had scintillating victories that had overzealous media types suggesting they were back in the premiership race because of their large wins over flaccid opposition. We discuss the situation and try to separate the hype from reality.

All of that coming up on today's edition of The Almanack Report, on the podcast that plays KiamaKollapseBall, Thoughts from the Metal Cavern.

On today's edition of The Almanack Report, in recent weeks we have seen the threat of cashed-up overseas T20 competitions start to wield a concerning influence over the future of Australia's cricket summer. First South Africa pulled out of their ODI series in Australia in January to start their own T20 franchise league. Then the UAE announced their own new league, and both shorter series began offering bigger money to players. India's IPL teams then invested heavily in the South African T20, and declared their player contracts would extend beyond the IPL itself. And then Dave Warner asked for a release to turn out for a T20 tournament that was in complete competition with the BBL.

We discuss the various ins and outs of how all of this could impact Australia's season, along with the next round of negotiations for both the Memorandum of Understanding with the Australian Cricketers Association and the TV networks for the rights to televise the game. All of that coming up on today's episode of the podcast that can't seem to keep its nose clean, Thoughts from the Metal Cavern.

On today's edition of The Almanack Report, season 2022 was supposed to be the year that Carlton finally got the most out of their 20 year rebuild, and bounced back into the AFL finals, while for their rivals Collingwood, it was to be a season where they would attempt to find something in the rubble that had been their past two years. It all started off according to plan, but the last 11 weeks have revealed a swift change in fortunes, and now it looks as though their seasons will be decided in a blockbuster final round match at the MCG in two weeks time. Today we discuss just what has been going on.

As well as this, I've finally managed to get back to the footy, and apart from dissecting the reasons why GWS and Essendon are holding up the base of the ladder, I wax lyrical about just how enjoyable it is to be back at the game amongst the crowds.

All of that is coming up on today's edition of The Almanack Report, on the podcast that knows how to play the game, Thoughts from the Metal Cavern.

On today's episode of The Almanack Report, there has been a whole lot of NRL fans screaming for blood over the past 24 hours over, you guessed it, refereeing decisions. The crowning glory of the final match of the weekend, where the Cowboys managed to get a last minute penalty and parlay that into a penalty goal to win their match over the Wests Tigers, has brought down social media and after-game sports programs around the nation. Well, in two states anyway.

But you should all know by now that this is all part of the overall plan. And because it obviously isn’t a secret anymore, I can share it with you today. The fact is, the NRL, among other sports competitions around the world, are as scripted as the WWE wrestling is. And just like the wrestling, that proclaimed it was ‘real’ right up until about 25 years ago, it is now time to reveal that rugby league is also no longer a real game, but a carefully formatted results-driven spectacle that most of the participants believe is real, but is widely known to the administrators and officials of the game that it is not.

Intrigued? Then come in a check out my totally not-unfounded argument, today on The Almanack Report, here on the podcast that is 47% accurate, Thoughts from the Metal Cavern.

On today's episode of The Almanack Report, Australia has fallen at the final hurdle in their Test series in Sri Lanka, but despite the disappointing way the game was lost, has Australia gained more than it lost over the last three months? We look at the way the game progressed, and discuss the ups and downs of the middle order batting of the team in that time.

David Warner's form in Tests has come to the media's attention again, with questions being asked about his longevity. But what is the real concern, his contributions on the scoreboard or the way he has gone about his innings. We have a conversation about where the problems may lie. And after the mooted inclusion of Glenn Maxwell for the final Test as a part time spinner batting at number eight, we dissect whether this move would have been worthy of inclusion or a backwards motion.

That's all for discussion on today's episode of The Almanack Report, on the podcast that surely Australia's selectors should be listening to, Thoughts from the Metal Cavern.

On today's episode of The Almanack Report, things have gotten a little too power-hungry with those who are manning the Bunker in the NRL, something that came to the fore(arm) in last nights Knights-Rabbitohs game, when the end of the match became a farce. With the on field adjudicator looking to have defused a tough situation, the Bunker rose its head and decided to impose itself. Today we'll have a look at the repercussions of that action, and why if at all it was necessary.

In good news for some and not for most, Collingwood found a way to come back from a 29 point deficit against cellar dwellers North Melbourne to win their seventh successive match of the 2022 AFL season, and in the process continue to puzzle and annoy most supporters of the other 17 clubs. Is it significant that the Pies seem to win the close matches or is it just a matter of time before they crumble.

Those are today's discussion points on The Almanack Report, here on the podcast that knows how to play the game, Thoughts From the Metal Cavern.

On this episode of The Almanack Report, Nick Kyrgios has fought his way through just as many min-scandals as tennis matches at this year's Wimbledon Championships, on his way to his first ever grand slam semi-final. In having a look back at his fortnight, is it time to concede that he may well be living out the plot of the movie "Happy Gilmore", and that he may well be fated to finally prove (to himself at least) that he has reached his destiny.

Also, the Wests Tigers are looking to secure their coach for the 'new era' of the club, and media reports in recent days suggest that that person may already be in place to take on the role. We discuss the what has been going on, and whether any candidate who is available for the role is actually going to be able to resurrect their fortunes.

That's today's discussion on the Almanack Report, right here on podcast that cannot be serious, Thoughts From the Metal Cavern

On today's episode of The Almanack Report, Australia has come out and thrashed Sri Lanka in the 1st Test of their two match Test series in Galle, by showing a refreshing change in their batting against spin and their spin against a batting attack. In conditions that have put the tourists in a spin in past history, a positive attitude and plans that drew from that gave them a much better chance of success. Today's episode will include a discussion of the important pieces of the puzzle that fell in to place over those three days, and then offer some thoughts on what more needs to be looked at going forward.

That's all on today's episode of the podcast that still laughs at the thought of Shane Watson being referred to as an all-rounder, Thoughst From the Metal Cavern.