SBS World News Radio: The sporting world is starting to slow down ahead of the festive break, but there is still some great action to look forward to.
The first Test against Pakistan will be the mainstay for cricket fans, but, elsewhere, there is also A-League and European football, plus local basketball.
In football's A-League tonight the Newcastle Jets welcome an Adelaide United outfit which will be desperate for a victory.
Adelaide is at the bottom of the ladder, and, despite some glimpses of good form, the results have not come for the reigning league champion.
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A 4-nil loss to the Brisbane Roar in the last round should give the Reds plenty of incentive to show under-pressure coach Guillermo Amor they can turn things around.
The Jets, however, only snapped a seven-game winless run with a victory against Perth last weekend, and they will be looking to build on that momentum.
SBS has coverage of that match from 7.30 tonight.
In the English Premier League, Chelsea goes into this weekend's Round 17 with a six-point lead at the top of the table.
The Blues travel across London to take on Crystal Palace on Saturday night, enjoying a 10-match winning streak.
The Antonio Conte-coached leaders beat Sunderland in midweek, thanks to a fine goal by Spanish international Cesc Fabregas.
He says he has enjoyed playing under his new coach.
"You know, I feel very comfortable. I have a lot of players in front of me that I can pick passes between the lines. They go into (a) space. I have protection behind me. I'm really enjoying it. I think it suits me a lot."
SBS has live coverage of that match from Selhurst Park at 11pm on Saturday night.
In the National Basketball League, the ladder-leading Sydney Kings welcome the Adelaide 36ers in a special match for Kings guard Jason Cadee.
He has been struggling to hit top form in recent times, but Fox Sports basketball commentator Steve Carfino says facing his old team could be just the incentive he needs.
"He'll be looking to bounce back against a city that has shown him support in his years in Adelaide. Also, he wants to play well against his old teammates. Anytime you go back and play against them ... there's always a little something extra in the tank when you go up against your mates."
It will not be easy for Cadee and his Kings teammates, though, with second-placed Adelaide on a five-match winning streak.
And that Round 11 fixture will be on SBS from 3pm on Sunday afternoon.
Whatever sport you enjoy watching or playing over the weekend, spare a thought for the ocean-going rowers taking part in the Atlantic Challenge.
Twelve teams of four rowers set off from a small Canary Island during the week, heading for Antigua.
They typically row two hours on, two hours off, the whole way.
At some points, they could face huge waves, sleep deprivation, heat exhaustion and psychological challenges.
One team of rowers from London is rowing in memory of one team member's brother.
James Wentworth-Stanley took his life 10 years ago at age 21.
Harry Wentworth-Stanley says the memory of his brother will spur him and his teammates on.
"We've all got our own personal motivations as well. Obviously, we're rowing in memory of my brother James, and I know that, when times are tough, they're not that tough, and he'll be looking down on us and willing us on."
The race is expected to last around six weeks.
