Francis Leach @SaintFrankly had this to say with his tongue firmly pressed against his cheek: “And Afghanistan asks?Why now? We’ve had a miserable couple of decades, the least you could’ve done was allow us bit of #WattoLotto #CWC15.”

Followed by this dreary future prognosis from Glenn Mitchell @MitchellGlenn: “It is hard to see, barring injury, Watson working his way back into the AUS team for #CWC15. Beyond that also questionable.”

Furthermore, with Watson out for strike all-rounder James Faulkner it saw Steve Smith elevated to No.3 and Neroli Meadows @Neroli_m_FOX had this to say: “Funny how things evolve. Smith made his Test debut at 8... Now he’s being called one of only four “genuine batsmen” in Australia’s ODI side.”

And finally, some statistic as provided by Corbin Middlemas @CorbinMiddlemas: “Steve Smith averages 63 in 7 innings batting at first drop. 2 of his 3 hundreds have come at no.3. #CWC15”

####

Still on cricket and there are still tickets available to see former Australian player Greg Ritchie at the Kurri Weston club’s annual sportsman’s dinner. 

Tickets for the March 27 event at Kurri Kurri Bowling Club are available through club president Rob Flanagan.

####

Out that direction and the annual Charity Shield match between the Kurri Kurri Bulldogs and Cessnock Goannas will be streamed live online from 7pm this Saturday courtesy of the boys from BarTV sports.

Main commentator and Mercury sports journalist Peter Jolly returns to the microphone in 2015 as the Newcastle Rugby League season countdown continues.

This quick promo for BarTV will bring a smile to the dial: 

####

The Australian Turf Club have launched an ingenious campaign to get punters to Randwick on Saturday.

Guineas Day has been given an Irish makeover with green tinges, leprechauns and, of course, Guinness for just $5 on tap.

Entry is free for those with an Irish passport.