India fail to learn lessons of the past as Australia gifted early advantage

Cricket writer’s challenge: discuss bowling first in a Brisbane Test without referring to Nasser Hussain. Better to fail at that challenge in the first line and get it out of the way. England’s former captain has copped an unfair amount of grief for his decision at the toss in 2002. Captains who bat first and lose badly never get criticised for making that decision.

England of that era were likely to be thumped by an epochally great Australian side no matter what they chose. Facing Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, and Jason Gillespie, they were bowled out in the fourth innings for 79. Facing those three first up would not likely have helped.

Continue reading...

Missouri State takes on Washington State following White’s 30-point game

Missouri State Bears (5-4, 0-1 MVC) at Washington State Cougars (8-2) Pullman, Washington; Saturday, 5 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Cougars -11.5; over/under is 143 BOTTOM LINE: Missouri State takes on Washington State after Dez White scored 30 points in Missouri State's 80-77 loss to the Indiana State Sycamores. The Cougars have gone 4-0 at home.