1) There’s only one way to start this week, really. Here are Phillip Hughes’ brilliant centuries at Durban in 2009; here he is making his maiden century in first-class cricket in 2007; here he is explaining his trademark cut shot; here’s his 126 on a turning wicket in Colombo in 2011; here he is knocking off the required 106 runs against New Zealand almost single-handedly in 2010; here he is racing to a double hundred against South Africa earlier this year; and here’s the very nicely done tribute video put together by Cricket Australia.
2) Sportspeople being lovely dept: “Hello, Kevin Pietersen” and the Houston Texans’ quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick being very proud of his son.
3) Photo-finish of the week: Katie Compton v Sanne Cant in round three of the Cyclo-Cross World Cup. And also in the world of off-road racing this week: watch out for the deer.
4) Why Is Darts Big In Stoke? Find out here. What did Have I Got News For You make of Fifa’s World Cup bidding enquiry? It’s here.
5) Goal of the week: this screamer from Square Utd v Boyne Harps (warning: commentary may contain A Bad Word) and woah, excitable high school footballers of the week.
6) Hurling all over the world.
Our favourites from last week’s blog
1) Everyone loves a half-court buzzer-beater don’t they? Erm, no …
2) A few sportsmen at the very top of their game: squash rally of the week a the world championship and Dan Atherton + a GoPro + Hardline 2014 = an incredible downhill run.
3) This is footsnooker! For some reason.
4) Former STV commentator Arthur Montford died last week. Here’s one of his classic commentaries, with Scotland needing a win to qualify for the 1974 World Cup.
5) Remember Ken Block? He of the incredible driving flicks and tricks? This is not Ken Block. This is Ken Box, with a homage to Block. In a box.
6) Adryan’s reaction to Jonny Russell’s tackle during the Leeds v Derby match might have been a little over the top. And from the ridiculous to the … equally ridiculous. Messi v Neymar in weird energy ball keepy-uppy challenge. And David James in a net-kicking fury.
Spotters’ badges: JestersDead, TollcrossToi, AoZRoon, StuartRG, BlackCaesar, fmgazette, SantosElHalper, RedThunder, Kev Brown
