A tale of two codes: upday weekend sport preview
Ashes cricket goes pink, international rugby is served in two different flavours and England take a German exam at Wembley.
This weekend there is a veritable buffet of sporting excellence on display for sport lovers and those looking to distract themselves from the circus sideshow that is British politics.
Winter is closing in so get the kettle on, pull on a thick pair of socks and ensconce yourself in front of decent screen for this weekend’s sport.
Thursday 9–12 November
Cricket — England v Australia — Women’s Ashes Test (BBC Radio 5Live)
The action kicks off early in the week with England taking on Australia in a must-win Women’s Ashes test in Sydney. How can you make a grudge match between the old rivals more interesting? Make it the first ever Ashes day-nighter with a pink ball and a series on the line. Definite six appeal.
Friday- 10 November
Cycling — Track Cycling World Cup (BBC Red Button/Online)
Football — England v Germany, Friendly (ITV 1)
Fancy rolling into the weekend full-tilt with no breaks, jostling alongside skimpily-clad individuals with a sense of reckless abandon? It’s not a night out down the Bigg Market — the UCI Track Cycling World Cup hits Manchester with British Cycling hoping for some positive headlines after a scandal-hit year. The team is spearheaded by the gold-laden champion-duo-of-just-about-everywhere Katie Archibald and Elinor Barker as well as veteran triple olympic champion Ed Clancy(19:00).
Gareth Southgate’s England team also play the first of two testing friendlies in seven days, taking on the world champions Germany (20:00).
The good news is the game cannot end in penalties. The bad news is England have a midfield crisis and Arsenal’s fleetingly brilliant Mesut Ozïl usually saves his best (only) performances for die Mannschaft.
Saturday 11 November
Rugby Union Autumn Internationals.
England v Argentina (Sky Sports); Scotland v Samoa (BBC 1); Wales v Australia (BBC 1)
Reach for the wax Barbour jackets, kilts and Bread of Heaven song sheets (Cwm Rhondda to the fans) — rugby union’s Autumn Internationals are back. Argentina stand in the way of England’s chariot at Twickenham (14:30), with the hosts hoping to make it dozen home wins in a row on the old cabbage patch.
Gregor Townsend makes his home debut as Scotland coach with his emerging side confronted by the physicality of the bankrupt but talent-rich Samoa (14:30).
If you still haven’t had your fill of action, Wales and Australia lock horns in Cardiff (17:15). The Wallabies winning streak against Wales stretches to 12 games now — will 13 prove unlucky for Australia? Has the Lions coach Warren Gatland run out of roar after a busy year? And will this rhetorical device lose its potency if I use it again?
Sunday 12 November
Rugby league — England v France, World Cup (BBC 2)
Tennis ATP World Tour Finals (BBC2)
Formula 1 — Brazilian Grand Prix (Sky F1)
The Rugby League World Cup continues apace down under with England looking to improve from a mixed effort last time out against Lebanon. England are all-but qualified — expect a cricket score against already-eliminated France in Perth(10:00).
The ATP World Tour Tennis finals takes place in London and what it lacks in star power with the absence of Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, it makes up for with the presence of all-time greats Roger Federer and the resurgent Rafael Nadal. Sunday’s play sees the six-time Swiss winner take on Jack Sock of the USA (After 14:00).
Are you going to start paying (more)UK tax Lewis?
The fat lady bellowed last week in Mexico yet two more acts remain starting with the Brazilian Grand Prix. Newly-crowned World Drivers Champion Lewis Hamilton will hope to avoid a tequila hangover, following a week where it emerged his elusiveness on the track is also evident in his tax affairs (15:30).
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