Nathan Hauritz picks up first five-wicket haul as Australia beat Pakistan at MCG

Just what I like to see... Australia humbled Pakistan today by 170 runs in the first Test at the MCG on the back of improving off-spinner Nathan Hauritz's maiden five-wicket haul. Hauritz took the two remaining wickets in his first over after lunch to finish with 5-101 as Pakistan crashed to 251 in their second innings. Hauritz had Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf caught at short leg off the pad for 61 and five balls later had Saeed Ajmal (10) caught from a skied slog. Australia had set Pakistan 422 runs to win. I wish I could have been in Melbourne to see the last day!

Former Ku Klux Klan Member Ordained In Black Church

A former officer of the Ku Klux Klan has changed his ways and was ordained in San Diego so he could serve as a minister in one of the country's largest black denominations. Former imperial wizard Johnny Lee Clary said in a statement he was authorized by the Church of God in Christ to participate in the ministry of racial healing and conduct evangelism campaigns, according to reports.

Clark joined the KKK Youth when he was younger, then later became a national spokesman for the White Knights of the KKK. According to Clary's web site, he started reevaluating his life and eventually embraced religion. Clary changed his view on the world and racism. Clary said in a statement that he has learned good friends come in many colors. Clary now sees racism as a cancer, and says he wants to bring people together and not tear them apart. Absolutely amazing!

Alfa Romeo wins the Sydney to Hobart yacht race

The New Zealand supermaxi Alfa Romeo and its crew outsailed and outmanoeuvred the best supermaxis and the most experienced navigators in the world to storm across the finish line of the Rolex Sydney to Hobart in first place last night. The triumphant skipper, Neville Crichton, embraced his yacht's 146th victory in ocean racing since its launch in 2005 with an ecstasy fuelled by beating his arch rivals - Mark Richards on Wild Oats XI and Mike Slade on ICAP Leopard - in a light wind race that was the most unpredictable in years.

Get well coach!

Yesterday the best coach in American college football, Urban Meyer, announced he was quitting the Florida Gators due to health reasons. Today it seems that stance has been modified to an indefinite leave of absence to bolster his failing health, with a view to leading the team next season. Urban is the former coach of the Utah Running Utes, taking them to an undefeated season in 2004 and becoming the first BCS busters in the process. Since then he has taken the Gators to two national championships in 5 years. Coach, just get better fast, the world of college football is much poorer without you, and I wish you all the best in a speedy recovery.

Merry Christmas All

I would like to take the last few minutes of Christmas Day to do two important things. Firstly, to celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus who came into the world to save his brothers and sister and lead us back to the heavenly parents that gave us breath. Without Christ, Christmas would have no meaning. Secondly to thank a loving God for the family I have been blessed with, from my parents, to my wife, children, grandchildren and last but not least, caring friends. For a day of blessings, I am truly thankful. Merry Christmas all, with wishes for a successful, prosperous and edifying New Year.

'Balloon Boy' Parents Get Jail Time, 4 Years Probation

A Colorado judge sentenced 'Balloon Boy' father Richard Heene to 90 days in jail and four years probation today. Larimer County District Judge Stephen Schapanski prohibited Richard Heene from receiving any form of financial benefit, whether through the media, a book, or articles he might write stemming from the balloon hoax. The judge also required him to turn over quarterly bank statements to make sure he's not making money off this incident. His wife also got 20 days jail time. With their $42,000 or more restitution to pay, this is a great result for these two idiots. Brilliant.

All Blacks close decade with 100 wins

The All Blacks will close the year as the best team of the decade, winning 24 more games than any other side, and scoring 133 more tries than the second best attacking nation. It has essentially been the perfect ten years for the New Zealand rugby team, with the exception of one small trophy.

It will not be until 2011 that the All Blacks will be able to rectify the only caveat that currently blemishes their ever impressive record; with three World Cups “available” over the next ten years.

While some use all manner of vernacular in regards to New Zealand’s World Cup campaigns, such as failed expectations or even chokes, one of the main reasons that so much hype surrounds the All Blacks tilts at World Championship glory is because of their outstanding record before, after and in between these tournaments.

Indian Man loses wife at cards

An Indian husband has gambled his wife away after he lost a game of cards. The woman reportedly managed to escape from the house of the man who "won" her and complained to the police. The incident occurred in the village of Billauchpura around 250 miles from the city of Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh.

A police spokesman said: "The woman, who approached us on Tuesday, has alleged that her husband Raheesu had used her as a stake after he lost all his money while gambling." But Raheesu also lost that game to a man known only as Feroz, to whose home he later forced his wife to go.

The police said both men were on the run and they were making efforts to find them. M.P. Singh, additional superintendent of police, has ordered an inquiry into the incident. He said: "The case is a shocking one. We have initiated an inquiry into the matter and promise to take strict action against those behind the incident."

This truly boggles the mind. At least the poor wife knows she's better off without her man!

Afghanistan Rekindled

US President Barack Obama is going to send 30,000 extra troops to Afghanistan, prolonging the war, and putting more lives at risk. He also has set a time for withdrawal, one that is many, many years too late, even if it is only 18 months away. President Obama as well as his predecessor George W. Bush, both avoided history instead of learning from it. Here are some interesting thoughts:

• Even if there is a withdrawal at the stated time, it will be almost to a month, the same length of stay as the Russian who went home in defeat in 1989.
• A former commander of Soviet forces in Afghanistan has warned history is being repeated in the war-ravaged country as the United States and its allies become increasingly mired in an "unwinnable war."
• The allies should have left when the Taliban were first defeated, and let the Afghans run their own country. Trying to build Afghanistan into something it is never going to be is futile and naive.
• If the Taliban had become belligerent again, then they could have been defeated again in an appropriate, short, sharp reminder.
• Afghanistan is about as important as invading Somalia or other backwater. Leave them alone and spend our hard earned taxes on poverty and education.