For the last 10 years or so, Australian cricket has been on an effortless high. Dominating all comers. Smashing the also rans. It was exciting at first but it just got boring. God bless Graeme Smith and his South African team.

They came over to Australia and were facing some serious history. His team could be the first South African team to win a series against an Aussie team on Australian soil. And win they did.

The series as we speak is 2-0 in South Africa’s favour. And I’m loving it. Finally the Aussie team is the underdog.

As I sit here writing this, Mitchell Johnson is coming in to bowl, having saved Australia’s bacon with Michael Clarke in their first innings. He’s just sent Graeme Smith to hospital with a nasty delivery that came off a crack in the pitch. Siddle, Bollinger, Hauritz, McDonald are all pretty new faces. Hayden about to depart the pitch for the last time. Lee and Symonds injured.

It’s not a crisis for Australian cricket, it’s exciting times. Boys, even if you lose 3-0 you’re showing signs of improvement and signs of fight.

Bring it on. Get well Graeme Smith. I’ll be tuning in.

Much has been made of the violence seen in previous “International Rules” matches between Ireland and Australia. The Irish threatened to boycott all future games after they were effectively bashed up by the Australians in the last series.

The AFL have since come out and said this series would be about, and I don’t quote “peace, love and mung beans”, but take a peek at the advertising on the box and it looks like war. Australian players launching elbows and Irish players, logically, looking for cover.

Give us a break! It’s sport. The Irish come over to Australia with some silky skills and the advertising has us all expecting the silkiness to be left bloodstained on the field.

Channel 7 and the AFL should be making the most of this great event. Sure try and use the pride factor in your advertising, throw in a little nationalism but keep the bogan out of it.

We, the viewers, are not stupid. We, the viewers, love sport. Please Mr Seven AFL man, give some credit to the viewer.