The Melbourne Stars' 10 years of Big Bash history is genuinely some of the most hilarious sports in Australian history. Don't do this normally but, a thread:

THREAD: Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs)

Global car sales shrank by ~14% in 2020
* Sales of electric cars grew ~50% (from a very low level)
* Sales of SUVs declined ~10%, but share of sales went from 39% to 42%

→ What about emissions from SUVs?

1/

https://t.co/WBN3Lup2hU

Emissions from SUVs are estimated to have seen a slight increase of 0.5% in 2020, despite global emissions down ~7%.

"Despite the effects of the pandemic on overall car use, SUVs consumed more oil last year than they did in 2019"

2/

"Oil consumption from SUVs reached 5.5 million barrels per day in 2020"

"Remarkably, we estimate that the increase in the overall SUV fleet in 2020 cancelled out the declines in oil consumption by SUVs that resulted from Covid-related lockdown measures"

3/

"SUV emissions are comparable to those of the entire maritime industry, including international shipping"

"Emissions from SUVs have nearly tripled over the past decade"

4/

"we estimate that the reduction in oil demand from the increased share of electric vehicles in the overall car market in 2020 – around 40,000 barrels a day – was completely cancelled out by the growth in SUV sales over the same period."

5/

35 years ago today, in Moscow, Russia, "The Italian Stallion" Rocky Balboa defeated "The Siberian Express" Ivan Drago via 15th round knockout in what is still considered one of the greatest wars in combat sports history 🥊

Many questioned Balboa's decision to fight Drago following the death of his friend Apollo Creed during an exhibition bout with the Russian earlier in the year. Balboa was criticised for failing in his duty as a cornerman by not throwing in the towel when Creed was clearly done.

Drago showed no mercy and no remorse for the former heavyweight champion of the world. Creed would pass away in the ring in what is still considered one of the darkest days in boxing history.

It didn't take long for Balboa and Drago to come to terms and agree to throw down but even the press were stunned to learn the date and location at the pre-fight press conference. Christmas day in the Russian capital.

Drago was heralded as the perfect combination of genetics and science, using some of the most state of art training facilities and equipment available at the time. The result was the highest punching power ever achieved by a boxer. A record that still stands to this day.

Thread - With their legacy & millions of fans Mohun Bagan & East Bengal have seen several iconic personnel over the years. This list includes players, officials...and groundsmen. Popularly known as "mali" two such groundsmen became legends in their own rights. #IndianFootball

Bhaskar "Bhasiya" Senapati was from Orissa & joined Mohun Bagan in 1937. It was said that Bhasiya gave up offers in Brook Bonds & State Bank so that he could continue to work at Mohun Bagan. His voter identity card had the club address as his home address #IndianFootball

After Mohun Bagan's shattering 5-0 loss in 1975 IFA Shield final he was so sad that he didn't eat for 3 days. Among his favourites were Gostha Pal, Chuni Goswami, Subrata Bhattacharya. He played dual role of "Head mali" & club masseuse #IndianFootball

Upon his 1992 retirement, Bhasiya was given an unprecedented farewell. He was provided a life membership to the club, felicitated by players & officials while he went around the Mohun Bagan ground in front of applauding spectators #IndianFootball

Shankar Pillai joined East Bengal in 1940s & worked for the club for the next six decades. Coaches, players and management changed as East Bengal became one of India’s most successful clubs but Shakar mali remained constant #IndianFootball

It's 16th of December, 2020. India is standing at the back of an ODI series loss and a momentum shifting win in the t20i series. It's time for the marquee Border Gavaskar trophy. The pink ball test, the boxing day, new year's test and the Gabba Challenge. Are we up for it?

Join me on a special thread where I take you through the series with the journey of the series. We shall look at the playing 11s, the game progressions, special strategies, important moments, standout performances.

Fasten your seat belt or don't, hop on anyway for 46 tweets ☺️

Match 1: Adelaide

Jadeja is injured so Ashwin becomes an easy answer for the tough question of the lone spinner. There are other tough questions as to who should be the 2nd opener, Gill who had good practice game or Shaw who scored a 50 in the last test he played? Pant or Saha?

India is going into the pink ball test with Pace trio Bumrah Shami Umesh. Shaw is opening and Saha keeping. A decision probably taken with the Wicketkeeping ability as the priority

Virat has one the toss and decided to bat. He has never lost a test match after winning the toss

Second ball of the first over and the nightmares turn true as Starc runs through Shaw. Mayank gets out after getting a start and then Virat stitches two gritty partnerships with Pujara and Rahane. Things turn bad only when Virat gets run out on an unfortunate wrong call by Rahane