CRICKET - The Sydney Sixers survived a Chris Gayle-force Big Bash onslaught to reel in Melbourne Renegades' impressive total of 4-172 with three wickets and seven balls to spare thanks to a 101-run stand between English import Michael Lumb and captain Moises Henriques.
SOCCER - The pressure appears to be finally starting to show for Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal, who walked out of his pre-match news conference after five minutes - having called on the assembled media to apologise for their treatment of him.
BASKETBALL - Sweet-shooting big man Daniel Johnson and star import Jerome Randle combined for 60 points as Adelaide stayed in touch with the NBL top four with a 91-81 win over a slumping Melbourne United, who have now lost three straight and four of their last five games.
CRICKET - Steve Smith claimed he was still pinching himself after his incredible transformation from discarded legspinner to superstar batsman was recognised with the ICC cricketer of the year award - the Test skipper having produced a staggering 1734 runs at 82.57 from 13 Tests in the relevant voting period.
