Starting with the quicks, Dale Steyn once again had an impressive past 12 months showing off his pace and swing, whilst the English fast men including Stuart Broad and James Anderson also had good seasons in 2011. The Aussie workhorse Peter Siddle gained a few yards of pace and proved his worth, especially in the recent series against India.

Steyn, Anderson and Broad had a lot of competition from a few new comers at the international level last year as well. The young left arm quickie (no surprise) from Pakistan Junaid Khan looks impressive, talented Umesh Yadav form India also looks to be a proper fast bowler. You have to also include Zaheer Khan who was the leading wicket taker in the World Cup where he was unplayable with the old ball.

Likewise, you can’t forget the 18 year old form Australia, Patrick Cummins, a rare find who has a bright future. The South African camp unearthed their secret weapon named Vernon Philander who absolutely ripped through the Aussies in 2011 and just keeps getting five-fors. I could go on and on but these guys stood out.

Now the hard part; picking three fast bowlers. If I was picking my best 11 of recent times, these would be the fast bowlers I’d include.

Dale Steyn

This guy is unstoppable, you would think he will breakdown but year after year, series after series he keeps delivering for his side and maintains his performance level. His specialty is Test Matches and in 2011 he took 28 wickets at an outstanding average of 19.57. All I can say is wow because he is so good and so consistent.

Vernon Philander

Another South African but completely different bowler to Steyn. He made his debut in Tests against Australia and took a five for right away and never looked back as he won the Man of the Series Award. He has only played a few tests thus far but from what I saw he is smart and just keeps at you like a McGrath would do, they aren’t the quickest of bowlers but very effective. If you look at his stats you would think there is a typing error because from his first three Tests he had 24 wickets at a ridicuois average of 12.37.

Patrick Cummins

Although he is injured at the moment he really did excite everyone with his energy and most of all talent that is hard to come by. He has pace swing and control which is rare in someone who is only 18. His performances in T20s and ODIs led him to the Test XI for Australia and debuted against the intimidating South Africans at home, but no worries for Pat as he produced a match winning spell of 6 for 79 in the second innings to help Australia defeat the Proteas.

Out of the spinners there are a few standouts including Graeme Swann who keeps doing well, Shakib al Hasan who is a lone man in the Bangladeshi line up to be honest, Saeed Ajmal who keeps weaving his magic and keeps troubling all sides with the one and only Shaid Afridi. From India, Ravichandran Ashwin is also a good find replacing the experienced Harbhajan Singh, whilst Herath has been doing pretty well for the Lankans and the Aussie selectors have finally stuck to a spinner in the form of Nathan Lyon who has impressed.

For me if I were to pick one spinner, it’s a no brainer.

Saeed Ajmal

He has it all; the off spinner, the toppy, arm ball, quicker ball, also the best of the lot, the doosra. He had a really good World Cup and just kept the form right throughout 2011. In tests he took 50 wickets at an average of 23.86 and in One Dayers he took 34 wickets at an average of 17.08 which isn’t too bad is it. He conveyed his mountains of skills against England overnight as he absolutely destroyed the world number one’s, taking career best figures in tests of 7 for 55.

So those are my best bowlers of 2011 and early 2012, but who do you think is worth a go? A lot of bowlers have impressed lately, so who would you pick? Let us know in the comments section!

So as we count down the hours to the year which we will cease to exist, let’s cast our eye back over the good, bad and ugly sporting moments of 2011.

Cricket, Corruption and Blatter

Corruption was a sad tale of 2011, with cricket and FIFA the biggest culprits.

How Sepp Blatter is still FIFA president not even the great Einstein would be able to fathom right now. The Swiss leader has literally come under fire for every word spoken ever since the debacle that was Qatar getting the FIFA World Cup.

Talks of bribery, corruption and fixing ruled FIFA-related discussions and truly undermined the figures that run the beautiful game. Former Vice-President Jack Warner and Qatari Mohammed bin Hammam and were found guilty of taking and giving bribes to other members, whilst Blatter himself stepped in his own mess on various occasions.

His recent claims that players who get racially abused during a match should just shake hands with their accuser after the match was the final straw for most. #YourTimeIsUp

Meanwhile, Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif were all found guilty and will serve jail time after accepting bribes for bowling no balls. It’s been a bit of a wakeup call for the ICC and the cricketing world, and the lies are much deeper down for me.

There needs to be some changes made at the top of the tree and really some uniform rules put in place. If there is a board running cricket at the moment it’s the BCCI.

Vettel Doubles Up

Another smashing year for the German, who is I dare say turning into the next Schumacher. He broke all sorts of records this year, becoming the first driver to ever reach 15 poles for a season. He converted 11 of those into race wins and remarkably out of the 19 races in the season, he only finished outside the podium on two occasions.

Red Bull have locked the talented youngster to a contract that will keep him with the team until the end of 2014, the only question now is can he possibly make it three in a row come 2012?

Heavyweights Finally Deliver

After year upon year of World Cup heartbreak, both India and New Zealand delivered on the world Cup stage when their respective county’s eyes were on them. The cricket crazy nation finally won the biggest prize, MS Dhoni and his men we’re at their ruthless best and no one from the sub-continent will ever forget THAT six the skipper crunched to beat Sri Lanka in Mumbai

Superbly marshalled by Gary Kirsten who effectively removed the egos and made the squad play for each other, the only negative came when Kirsten decided to return home to manage South Africa and the calamitous BCCI decided to give the vacant position to England’s version of Inzamam ul-Haq. #4-0.

Meanwhile, the All Blacks won arguably the best ever grand final in Rugby World Cup history against France, the victory being all the sweeter with an impressive win over Tasman rivals, Australia, in the semis.

Cadel Reaches Summit

Finally, Cadel announced himself to the world. Australian Cadel Evans who went close in 2010, at last won the coveted Tour de France, putting in a relentless performance over the entire course to bring that Yellow Jersey to the continent.

No one will be able to forget that majestic performance in the time trial that got him in such a comfortable position that he had the Tour wrapped up by the final stage, allowing for a memorable cruise to Paris.

Show Me The Money

How can we forget two of the biggest player lockouts in American sport this year. Both the NFL and the NBA we’re rocked by higher wages claims from respective player associations. The NFL came of only slightly bruised, their pre-season slightly disrupted, but now they’re in full swing.

The NBA really felt the pain though, their wage protest lasting up to December, with a ‘revamped’ and shorter season beginning on Christmas Day.  Whilst it’s truly wonderful to see Dwayne, Kobe, LeBron, Dwight, Carmello, Nash (just so we’re being fair..) and the rest back in action, how much is this season really worth? Will the gloss be taken off a 2011/2012 championship? We think it might.

Hope For Japan

After the devastating floods and earthquakes in Japan mid way through the year, the country was in mourning, facing a huge rebuild. It would have taken a brave man to predict that the women’s football team would provide the nation with inspiration beyond words.

The group of players went to the FIFA Women’s World Cup and came back with the ultimate reward. But it was the way they played that really emphasized their passion. They went down 1-0 in the final to the Americans and equalised with some nine minutes of normal time remaining. Into extra time and again they found themselves behind to an early goal. But golden boot winner, Homare Sawa popped up to level the scores once again with some two minutes left. The rest is history.

Spanish, European & World Champions

Barcelona completed a remarkable treble this year by confirming themselves as Spanish, European and World Champions and rubber stamping their authority on club football. Led by Argentine Lionel Messi and dominate forces liek Iniesta, Xavi, David Villa, Puyol, Pique and now Cesc Fabregas, the reign only looks like it will continue.

The Djoker Takes The Mantle

Novak Djokovic really stepped it up this year and pushed the likes of Federrer and Nadal off the top spot. His relentless attitude and funny personality is starting to win over some fans as well. Three majors this year and he has the world at his feet for 2012.

What Other Moments Stood Out?

There were so many other great moments we couldn’t fit in to our list, so what else deserves a mention? Let us know in the comments!

LIVE football commentary returns to Injury Time with the blockbuster Melbourne derby in the Hyundai A-League!

It’s Melbourne Heart up against two-time champions, Melbourne Victory!

Both Melbourne clubs come into the game on the back of impressive wins, with the Heart actually sitting one place above their more illustrious opponents in 4th.

The Heart have been steadily building up form and have been one of the real surprise packages this season, and if you can believe it, if they manage to conjure a win this evening, they’ll move up to outright second on the table. Meanwhile for the Victory, a little bit of pressure was eased last week when they dominated Wellington Phoenix 3-1 at home and if they manage another convincing win of three goals or more against the Heart, the two teams will currently switch spots in the ladder.

Over the past 12-16 months, the Melbourne derby has firmed as the most passionate and intense local rivalry in the league and with both teams currently playing well, let’s hope we get a stunner of a match tonight!

Coverage will begin at 7.45PM AEST, with Gordon D’Mello on hand to take you through all of the action!

Last time India came to Australia.. Now Neither Bhaji or Simo will feautre.

Whenever India and Australia meet a buzz around the cricketing community occurs. The fact that I am a neutral in this series doesn’t stop the interest I have for this upcoming Boxing Day clash at the legendary MCG; doesn’t get much better for a cricket nut.

The beauty of the Boxing Day Test is the build up and then the actual match which always pans out completely differently in comparison to the headlines a few days before the contest. So no one can quite predict what will actually happen as there is so much pressure on the players.

After the match is completed everyone will realise there are three more tests to go. India or Australia; who will stamp their authority?

For me Australia get the first advantage and that is because it’s their home series and we all know that the Australians at home are a tough beast to tame. The pitches which are true, fast and bouncy, are features that the Aussies are accustomed to and the Indians will struggle with the pitches. Although the Indian fan will say that India’s batting is world class and will be able to handle the tough conditions.

The big three from India; Tendulkar, Dravid, Laxman will have to lead the way as they are experienced pros at this level. Looking at the recent series between the Black caps and Australia, the ball will move around so India’s batting will face a steep challenge. Batting is India’s strength and Australia will go hard at them especially with tall swing bowlers like Pattinson, and possibly Hilfenhaus, who will challenge India.

Looking at the bowling attacks of both sides, Australia has the upper hand; they have more pace and more form. Pattinson is bowling well, Siddle looks good and the offspinner Lyon has impressed everyone. India has a weaker bowling attack but some of their young guns like Yadav are very capable. Guys like Ishant Sharma, who was the best bowler last time around in Australia, could trouble the Aussie batsmen with his height and seam movement but he needs to find rhythm. Zaheer Khan is badly needed by India, he has shown in the past to be a class bowler early in the innings with swinging the new ball and then reverse swing with the old ball; if he stays fit he could be the difference.

Australia’s batting will fancy their chances against a moderate Indian bowling attack but they need confidence to do that and by looking at the last 12 to 18 months there is not much to be confident about for the Aussie batsmen. There is a major collapse every few innings it feels these days for the Aussies so India will know that and should try to take early wickets and put pressure on guys like Ponting and Hussey who are not in great touch. Also the inclusion of Ed Cowan as and hopefully a fit Shaun Marsh will give the line-up a new look compared to the last few months. However, this means the team isn’t really settled, which gives the Indian side an opportunity to pounce.

Guys to look out for…

Nathan Lyon – he has impressed so far but his greatest test to date will be against the skilful Indian batsmen starting on Boxing Day.

Ricky Ponting – many want him out of the side but don’t count Punter out. By the way he is due and I recall him getting consecutive double tons against……………………………………………… India!

Virat Kohli – tipped to be the next superstar, Kohli is a stylish player with all the shots, and he’s in some good form. This is his chance to make his mark on the big stage.

Virender Sehwag – the most destructive opener these days and if he gets going he could put India well and truly on the front foot.

My Prediction

I believe this Test series will be an exciting one because to me the bowlers will decide it. The pitches will assist the bowlers and the batsmen will be kept honest and based on the bowling I believe Australia have the upper hand. So with no real confidence out of four Tests, I think there will be one draw and a 2-1 win to Australia. That’s a safe bet but I really think India have a chance if they bowl well.

Keen to get tickets? They start as low as $20!! Don’t miss out! More info at: http://www.weekendnotes.com/australia-v-india-test-series/

Thunder.. Aussie slogger David Warner will be one of the big attractions.

Australia will become the latest country to start their own lucrative Twenty20 cricket competition when this Friday the Sydney Sixers take on the Brisbane Heat at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

It’s certainly had its fair share of hype, with each of the states ditching their traditional colours for more 80’s-retro outfits, some of which are cringe worthy.

Worryingly, it joins the IPL in India as a franchise-based slog fest.

Yes, it will draw massive crowds and will probably be viewed in the bigger picture as a successful competition.

However, my biggest concern continues to be the integrity of the sport when it comes to such tournaments.

Businessman and investors are only looking for one thing out of leagues like the aforementioned; money. They know that income will come and lots of it, so really it’s a no brainer.

You could argue that all sport these days is money-based and you’re probably right. However, when you look around the world at other sports, the most heavily invested sports and teams are playing at the highest level.

Take Manchester City in the English Premier League. Absolutely ridiculous amounts of money being spent by the sheiks, but now City are challenging for the title in arguably the best league in the world.

There can be no doubt that Twenty20 cricket is the glamour side of cricket. Test cricket is still the ultimate level. But with competitions like the Big Bash, money is thrown at players to play a form of cricket that requires less skill.

Twenty20 may be the younger brother to Test cricket, but boy he’s getting more girls than Test cricket had all his life.

Don’t get me wrong, I think Twenty20 cricket is great fun and I’ll definitely be heading down to the SCG for a few games this season. But the long term future of test cricket does worry me.

With more tournaments like this, the crowds only get smaller during tests. Therefore the less financial backing and eventually serious complications will have to be looked at.

Twenty20 cricket is important for cricket worldwide, as long as the players know that test cricket will forever be the greatest check on ability, character and determination.

For more information regarding the upcoming Big Bash League, visit the following link for all the news: http://www.weekendnotes.com/big-bash-league/.