SWANNY'S WORLD OF SPORT: Stokes is a villain, Sterling is a hero, another Ausse bashing on the way, big club bias, Hamilton is the Formula One equivalent of Celtic

But the reaction should be the exact opposite. His over-aggressive behaviour on the street has cost England any chance of retaining the Ashes.

Stokes in that England middle order on that Brisbane pitch could have made a huge difference as would the removal of Jake Ball from the bowling attack.

As it was England were still the early removal of Steve Smith away from the chance of a win.

But without their star all-rounder, it will be Alastair Cook’s decline, Moeen’s inability to bowl spin as well as Nathan Lyon and the failure of England captain Joe Root to convert 50s into 100s like his Aussie counterpart that will dominate the inevitable inquest.

HERO OF THE WEEK

Too many Premier League games are extended ‘attack v defence’ training sessions these days as coaches of clubs like Huddersfield lack ambition. Well done Raheem Sterling for making sure Huddersfield’s entertainment-killing, style-free approach wasn’t rewarded last weekend enabling this gloriously gifted Manchester City side to march on at the top.

LEWIS IS FORMULA 1’S CELTIC

Apparently Lewis Hamilton won the Formula One Drivers title a couple of weeks back, an achievement that’s as surprising and as impressive as Celtic winning all the trophies in Scottish football.

AUSSIE BASHING (2) ON THE WAY
England’s near-collapse against Tonga in their Rugby League World Cup semi-final was frightening. Like English cricketers as soon as pressure was applied they crumbled. Another heavy defeat a the hands of the Aussies will happen this weekend.

SPOTY IS PC NONSENSE

The presence of Harry Kane and and the inclusion of people I’ve never heard of, once more makes the BBC SPOTY list a load of irrelevant PC nonsense.

BIG CLUB BIAS IS A THING

Anyone doubting that referees have an ingrained bias towards the bigger clubs should watch the footage from the Arsenal and Celtic matches last weekend.