Hughes hits ton against Victoria

Top score ... Cameron White hit 88 but lost his wicket to the first ball of day two. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

Former Test opener Phil Hughes jumped to the top of the Sheffield Shield runscoring table with an unbeaten 127 for South Australia on day two of the clash with Victoria.

SHEF - Melbourne Cricket Ground

23 November 2012 - Day 2, Session 3

South Australia 1st Innings

P. Hughes	127	197	18	0	64.47
C. Ferguson	48	110	5	0	43.64

The Redbacks reached 2-244 at stumps at the MCG on Saturday in reply to Victoria's first innings of 346 as the visitors chipped away at the Bushrangers' formidable total on a pitch that was a little two-paced.

Hughes hit 18 fours from 197 deliveries and was in superb touch through the cover region, sharing an unbroken partnership of 127 with fellow Test hopeful Callum Ferguson (48 not out).

Ex-NSW star Hughes has scored 479 runs in five matches for his new team this season.

The 23-year-old ripped off his helmet and waved his bat to the dressing room to celebrate his first Shield hundred for the Redbacks, which came off 157 balls.

Hughes was dropped from the Test side in December 2011 but has been a consistent runscorer for the Redbacks this summer to keep his name in front of national selectors.

Ferguson has also scored over 400 runs this season.

Hughes added 80 for South Australia's first wicket with Sam Raphael (38) and Michael Klinger (18) fell at 2-117 in the third over after tea.

Earlier, Victoria posted a total of 346 thanks to some big hitting from No.8 John Hastings after resuming on 6-259.

Skipper Cameron White top-scored with 88, losing his wicket to Gary Putland (7-64) from the first delivery of the day.

Hastings, who had been on 14 overnight, smashed 80 off 98 balls including 11 fours and two sixes.

Left-arm swing bowler Putland sent down 36 overs, constantly beating the bat and claiming a five-wicket haul for the fifth time in just 15 first-class games.

The 26-year-old has taken 14 wickets at 20.85 in three Shield appearances this season.

Hughes said reaching his 20th first-class century was a special feeling, especially after missing out three times already this season with scores of 92, 95 and 83.

"I was delighted when I got to three figures, my first one for South Australia in this format so I'm really rapt about that,'' he said.

"I continue to work on my game and it's a really sweet moment.''

And he knows the only way to add to his 17 Tests is to score lots of runs.

"That's how you get your name put up there in front of selectors and I want to continue that,'' he said.

Hughes said he'd batted at No.3 during the winter in English domestic cricket.

"I'm not sure what position is my right position, to be fair. It could be one to six,'' he said.

"Batting at the top of the order, it can be quite difficult. If slots come up anywhere in any team, I feel like I'm ready.''

Victoria's new-ball attack included 20-year-old second-gamer Louis Cameron (0-43) as the Bushrangers struggled to get breakthroughs on a wicket that had flattened out on day two.

Earlier, Victoria posted a total of 346 thanks to some big hitting from No.8 John Hastings (80 off 98 balls) after resuming on 6-259.

Cameron White top-scored with 88, losing his wicket to Gary Putland (7-64) from the first delivery of the day.

Hastings said Hughes was looking very solid at the crease.

"He's pulling the ball well and I've never seen him pull like that before,'' Hastings said.

"He's got his game pretty well sorted out.''

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Jets come from behind against Heart

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Opener ... Richard Garcia (2nd L) celebrates his first-minute goal. Source: Salpigtidis George / News Limited

Newcastle Jets pinched a late 3-3 draw with Melbourne Heart in the most drama-charged of A-League games at AAMI Park on Saturday night.

The Jets fought back from both 2-0 and 3-2 down, eventually taking a share of the points with an 87th minute Ryan Griffiths penalty.

Referee Jarred Gillett had no hesitation awarding a late spot-kick when Newcastle winger James Virgili went to ground under a combined challenge from Simon Colosimo and Matt Thompson.

Griffiths made no mistake with his coolly-taken spot-kick.

The Heart had led 2-0 at halftime and dominated the opening 45 minutes after being gifted two goals in the first five minutes by the Jets.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Adelaide	8	6	1	1	7	19
2	Central Coast	7	4	2	1	7	14
3	Victory	8	4	1	3	-2	13
4	Newcastle	8	4	1	3	-2	13
5	Perth	7	3	1	3	1	10
6	Western Sydney	8	3	1	4	-2	10
7	Wellington	7	2	2	3	1	8
8	Heart	8	2	2	4	-1	8
9	Brisbane	7	2	1	4	1	7
10	Sydney	8	2	0	6	-10	6

With star striker Emile Heskey a virtually unused marquee at one end, the Jets flapped like a tent in the breeze at the other.

A goal after 33 seconds came from Heart's Richard Garcia when Scott Neville steered the ball into his path for the simplest of finishes.

Then Garcia completed the Jets' defensive implosion just a few minutes later when defender Connor Chapman brought him down in the box with a clumsy challenge.

Josip Tadic slotted home the penalty in the fifth minute, and the Heart spent the rest of the half playing champagne football.

Only goalkeeper Matthew Nash kept the Jets in the match, making three important saves - the pick a superb diving save from a Simon Colosimo header on 39 minutes.

The game turned around completely with the introduction of ex-Heart wide man Craig Goodwin on 55 minutes.

Within 45 seconds he had a goal, curling his leg around Heart defender Michael Marrone to make it 2-1.

Jets midfielder Ruben Zadkovich levelled things up in the 63rd minute with a long-range drive.

But the Heart seemed to regain the ascendancy when Garcia grabbed his second in the 72nd minute, finishing off a sweet move from Tadic and Thompson to make it 3-2.

After the match reached a late flashpoint when Heart defender Aziz Behich grabbed Virgili by the throat following a questionable challenge, Virgili then darted into the box and went to ground, forcing the spot-kick which levelled the scores.

Disappointed Heart coach John Aloisi admitted losing the lead twice and missing out on all three points was hard to take.

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And he believed the heat, with the temperature in the 30s during the match, took a toll on his players by the second half.

"The first half was working so well, the way we were playing we could have had a few more,'' Aloisi said.

"The second half ... we lost our shape. We lost our way and they started to play around us a lot.''

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Jets coach Gary van Egmond believes his men must defend better if they are to be championship threats.

"There's no way known we're going to be serious title challengers while we concede the amount of goals that we're conceding,'' he said.

"That's something we've definitely got to rectify.

"You come away against a team like Melbourne Heart, you score three goals and you still don't win the game. It's never going to be sustainable.''

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Relive the match, including highlights of all six goals, in our A-League Match Centre.

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Bumbling Faf nearly misses debut

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Nervous start ... Faf Du Plessis almost missed his Test match debut. Source: Rick Rycroft / AP

Bumbling South African Faf du Plessis almost didn't make his first Test innings.

The debutant feared being timed out by umpires after a comical exit from the Adelaide Oval dressing room on Saturday during the second Test against Australia.

"I had an absolute shocker going down the stairs,'' du Plessis said.

2nd Test - Adelaide Oval

22 November 2012 - Day 3, Session 3

Australia 2nd Innings

M. Clarke	9	25	1	0	36
M. Hussey	5	8	1	0	62.5
M. Morkel	9	2	24	1	2.67

His nerves were already frayed while waiting for minutes as a decision review confirmed he was in to bat.

Du Plessis started down the stairs from the changerooms, through the crowd.

"My boot clipped one of the stairs and my whole foot came out (of the boot),'' he said.

"I had to kneel in front of the whole crowd there while they were abusing me from both sides.

"And my shoelaces were tied and my pad was in the way, so I couldn't get my foot back in.''

Amid the abuse, du Plessis had a horror thought.

"I was thinking 'I'm going to get timed out here, I need to do something'.''

So he slipped his foot partly into the boot.

"I said 'I'm just going to have to run on with my boot like this. I will sort it out when I get there','' du Plessis said.

"Then my first step ... I almost tripped.''

That set off the crowd again, he said, likening them to an "abuse factory''.

After finally arriving at the pitch, du Plessis felt he had nothing to lose.

"When I got in, I said it can't go worse,'' he said.

He finished with an impressive 78, featuring 13 fours and a six. And when dismissed, the Adelaide crowd gave him a "much, much better'' reception.

"But in all honesty, I would have abused myself when I was tripping down the stairs.''

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Ten-man Victory defeats Wanderers

Against the odds ... Archie Thompson celebrates his goal. Source: News Limited

The Melbourne Victory have defied being a man down for most of the match, cruising to a 2-0 away win over the Western Sydney Wanderers in a middle of the table clash.

Victory defender Sam Gallagher was sent from the field 15 minutes into the match after a sloppy challenge on Wanderers forward Dino Kresinger.

But the Victory were the unlikely first scorers thanks to an own goal from Wanderers captain Michael Beauchamp on the stroke of halftime.

Victory's perenial sharp-shooter Archie Thompson then completed the brilliant performance, finishing from an impossible angle, squeezing the ball between Wanderers goalkeeper Ante Covic's legs.

More to come...

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White steers Vics out of trouble

Leader ... Cameron White leads by example in their Sheffield Shield clash. Source: Michael Dodge / News Limited

Victoria captain Cameron White ensured his side claimed first-day honours with an unbeaten 88 in a total of 6-259 on Friday in their Sheffield Shield clash with South Australia.

SHEF - Melbourne Cricket Ground

23 November 2012 - Day 1, Session 3

Victoria 1st Innings

C. White	88	179	7	2	49.16
J. Hastings	14	34	2	0	41.18

White's display of determination on a difficult batting wicket at the MCG follows his 72 against NSW in the previous round, also at No.7 after being shifted down the order from No.3.

No.6 Peter Handscomb (69) and White shared a sixth-wicket partnership of 131 after Victoria had been struggling at 5-83 after losing the toss.

The home side had recovered from 2-14 to reach 2-82 before left-armer Gary Putland triggered a dramatic middle-order collapse of 3-1 in the sixth over after lunch.

Putland was threatening all day for the last-placed Redbacks and finished with 4-48 off 26 overs.

Chadd Sayers (2-61) struck in the second over to remove Ryan Carters caught behind for a duck.

Aaron Finch followed for nine at 2-18, caught at first slip by Michael Klinger off Sayers' bowling.

Putland ended the 64-run partnership between David Hussey (29) and Chris Rogers (39) as Rogers edged a ball onto his stumps.

Glenn Maxwell was lbw to an inswinger for a third-ball duck and Hussey was Putland's third victim, caught at second slip by Phil Hughes two deliveries later.

Handscomb hit eight fours in his three-hour knock before falling to Putland in the third over with the second new ball at 6-214.

John Hastings is unbeaten on 14.

White, who hit seven fours and two sixes from 179 deliveries, admits he'd prefer to be batting at No.5.

"It's been quite hard work on the wickets this year so I've made the move to go back down," said White, who has lifted his season's tally to 208 at 41.60 following his two successive half-centuries.

White said the move to No.7 came after the national selection panel discussed giving Maxwell more opportunities up the order at state level.

"As soon as I went back there I said to (Victoria coach Greg Shipperd) 'I don't want to stay there, I want to go back up'," White said.

"He said I'd have to make some runs.

"Number five is the position I've played for a long time and I feel as though that's where I'm suited to."

White said he would have had no hesitation in sending the Redbacks in if he'd won the toss.

"It was quite overcast for the first hour or so, so I'm pretty comfortable with the position we're in," White said.

Putland's three-wicket over after lunch put the Redbacks back in the game, although their advantage faded late in the day.

"It was a good feeling," Putland said of his triple-breakthrough.

"It was coming out well all day and I felt pretty confident."

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Late Vidosic winner breaks Sydney

Winner ... Dario Vidosic scored a late winner for Adelaide United. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Sydney FC suffered yet another heartbreaking defeat as a late winner gave A-League leaders Adelaide a 2-1 victory at Allianz Stadium on Friday night.

Badly needing a result after three straight losses, the Sky Blues looked set to at least salvage a point in front of 13,317 fans after Yairo Yau had levelled the scores in the second half.

But in-form Reds midfielder Dario Vidosic struck in the 88th minute to continue the Reds' brilliant start to the season and move them five points clear atop the table.

After conceding a whopping 14 goals in their past three games, Sydney were much improved in their second match under caretaker coach Steve Corica.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Adelaide	8	6	1	1	7	19
2	Central Coast	7	4	2	1	7	14
3	Newcastle	7	4	0	3	-2	12
4	Perth	7	3	1	3	1	10
5	Western Sydney	7	3	1	3	0	10
6	Victory	7	3	1	3	-4	10
7	Wellington	7	2	2	3	1	8
8	Brisbane	7	2	1	4	1	7
9	Heart	7	2	1	4	-1	7
10	Sydney	8	2	0	6	-10	6

But they remain rooted to the foot of the table while the search for a new head coach continues.

Corica admitted the defeat was crushing despite some signs of heading back in the right direction, especially after halftime.

"I think (we were) much better second half. We got the goal and we looked likely to score the next one as well," Corica said.

"But that's football. When you're down .. it's tough to take really.

"We've just got to get on with it.

"We've got to find a win from somewhere so we'll work hard again next week and see if there's any more boys that can come back in and we'll go from there."

The match marked the long-awaited return of former Socceroos midfielder Jason Culina from a serious knee injury, coming off the bench in the second half for his first A-League appearance in almost two years.

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Re-live the game as it happened with our A-League Match Centre, featuring video highlights of all the key moments!

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Vidosic, who received a national recall this week, created the opener for Adelaide in the 21st minute.

His perfectly-executed back-heel flick allowed Fabio Ferreira to break on goal and unleash a powerful finish for his first A-League goal.

The Reds were unlucky not to be 2-0 up at halftime after Marcelo Carrusca had a goal incorrectly ruled out for offside seven minutes prior to the opener.

Sydney's best chance of the half came when Alessandro Del Piero's ambitious free kick was tipped over the bar by Eugene Galekovic in the 42nd minute.

But they looked sharper after halftime and capitalised when Yau put them back on terms with a great finish in the 57th minute.

The Panamanian showed great pace in collecting an Adam Griffiths long ball and beating Galekovic from a tight angle.

Sydney suffered a nervous moment in the 63rd minute when referee Peter Green showed a red card to Seb Ryall, before realising it was only his first yellow of the night and allowing him to remain on the field.

Culina received a standing ovation when he came off the bench in the 68th minute to cap a remarkable return after two bouts of surgery.

Despite chances to both teams, the match looked headed for a draw before Vidosic struck.

Nigel Boogaard hit the bar from close range and Evan Kostopoulos had an air swing but Vidosic made no mistake with a third attempt for the Reds.

Adelaide coach John Kosmina felt his players made life hard for themselves by trying to force the pace of the game but hailed their fighting spirit.

"Our guys showed a lot of character, a stack of character to stay alive in the game and score the winner like we did," he said.

"We've been building towards that (first half performance) and it was good. Now the trick is to take that into the second half as well."

Kosmina backed Vidosic to continue improving, saying he felt he had not reached even half of his potential.

"He was on fire tonight. He wants his spot back in the Aussie team and if he plays like that he deserves it," Kosmina said.

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Neill misses out on AFC award

Unlucky ... Lucas Neill misses out on the final shortlist for Asian player of the year. Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

Australia captain Lucas Neill has missed out on being named Asian player of the year after he was omitted from the three-man shortlist, organisers said on Friday.

The former English Premier League defender and Iran's Mohsen Bengar, who were both nominated earlier, were left off the final list which now consists of South Korea's Lee Keun-Ho, Iranian veteran Ali Karimi and Zheng Zhi of China.

Lee will be viewed as favourite for the annual honour after he was named man of the match when Ulsan Hyundai clinched the AFC Champions League title unbeaten earlier this month.

Karimi won the award in 2004 and China's Zheng has helped Guangzhou Evergrande clinch the Chinese league and cup double under World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi.

The winner will be announced at the Asian Football Confederation's awards ceremony on Thursday.

Only players present at the ceremony are eligible to collect the award.

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QPR sack manager Mark Hughes

Out of time ... Queens Park Rangers have decided Mark Hughes has run out of lives at Loftus Road. Source: AP

QPR have terminated the contract of manager Mark Hughes following a disastrous start to the season.

The former Manchester City, Fulham and Blackburn boss has had a torrid time at the helm of Rangers this season, failing to win a single Barclays Premier League game in 12 attempts.

Rangers sit at the foot of the table, already five points adrift of safety, and the board of elected to get rid of the Welshman in time for his successor to prepare for the upcoming transfer window.

The news comes just a day after QPR's West London rivals Chelsea decided to sack their own manager Roberto Di Matteo and quickly replace him with former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez.

More to come...

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Blues pull off the steal of the night

Tory Menzel ... a steal for the Blues with their first pick on Thursday night. Source: Sarah Reed / News Limited

Carlton landed the coup of the draft snaring freakish goalkicker Troy Menzel at pick No.11.

Rated by some as the second-best player in the draft, Menzel fell into the hands of the Blues who were prepared to take the risk on his injured knees.

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Who did your club opt for? We have every pick for every club from this year's national draft.

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Menzel, the brother of Geelong's Daniel Menzel, had radical LARS surgery as a 16-year-old, which was enough to scare off rival clubs.

As recently as last week Greater Western Sydney were toying with taking the Central Districts left-footer with selection two or three. 

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GWS clean up, Dogs take a chance

The top 10 ... Greater Western Sydney cleaned up at the top of the draft. Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Limited

Greater Western Sydney have taken Victorian midfielder Lachie Whitfield with the No.1 pick at the AFL national draft.

The Giants also had the next two picks at Thursday night's function at the Gold Coast Convention Centre, with which they snared another midfielder Jonathan O'Rourke and key defender Lachie Plowman.

Whitfield is a 184cm, 77kg 18-year-old, long touted as the likely No.1 pick.

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Who did your club opt for? We have every pick for every club from this year's national draft.

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He won the Larke Medal as the best player in this year's under-18 national championships and is highly regarded for his elite endurance and precise kicking on both feet.

O'Rourke is also a 184cm 18-year-old Victorian, boasting great, speed endurance and classy ball use by both hand and foot.

Plowman is a 192cm backman with great composure.

As expected, Melbourne Demons, who had the No.4 pick, swooped on South Australia's Jimmy Toumpas, a quick, hard-working midfielder who played in a senior SANFL premiership as a 17-year-old last year.

The Western Bulldogs had the next two picks, first plumping for tall utility Jake Stringer.

The Dogs were not put off by the fact that 191cm, 94kg Stringer missed the entire 2011 season with a badly broken leg.

They then took 189cm long-kicking left-footed midfielder Jackson Macrae.

Port Adelaide added ferocious tackling, hard-at-it 188cm midfielder Oliver Wines with their top pick (No.7).

Brisbane Lions added some attacking power, with 187cm South Australian forward Sam Mayes at No.8.

Richmond went for aggressive, solidly-built midfielder Nick Vlastuin at No.9, with Essendon's father-son pick, tall forward Joe Daniher, rounding out the top 10.

In other notable first-round selections, Carlton swooped on freakishly talented forward Troy Menzel at No.11.

The brother of Geelong's Daniel Menzel, Troy would most likely have gone higher if not for the fact he had a LARS knee reconstruction at age 16.

West Australian quick, agile midfielder-forward Joshua Simpson, who threw recruiters a surprise when it was revealed in recent days he fathered a child early this year, gets to stay in his home state after being taken by Fremantle at pick No.17.

Collingwood picked up the man regarded as the outstanding ruckman in this year's draft pool, 202cm South Australian Brodie Grundy.

Richmond also added ruck depth, taking lightly-framed 203cm Victorian Liam McBean with their third choice, No.33.

North Melbourne, who had failed to strike a trade deal with Port Adelaide for Victorian defender Ben Jacobs, drafted him at pick No.37, making Jacobs the first recycled player taken.

The Giants, who had a total of six picks inside the top 27, went for bigger players with the last three of those, taking 194cm utility Kristian Jaksch (No.12), 194cm defender Aidan Corr (No.14) and 198cm forward James Stewart (No.27).

Reigning premiers Sydney Swans used their first pick, No.22, on 22-year-old, 189cm midfielder Dean Towers, from VFL club North Ballarat.

Losing grand finalists Hawthorn used their first selection, No.28, on quick 193cm forward Tim O'Brien.

Hawthorn re-drafted their 2008 premiership forward Michael Osborne, who is working his way back from a knee reconstruction.

Along with Jacobs, North Melbourne took two other recycled players, former Sydney-listed 23-year-old, 200cm ruck prospect Daniel Currie (No.56) and 20-year-old ex-Gold Coast midfielder Taylor Hine (No.62).

The Kangaroos had earlier taken 18-year-old medium forward Taylor Garner with their first pick.

Melbourne, who had used the trade and free agency period to recruit several AFL-experienced players, added more experience by taking a 25-year-old, Matt Jones, from VFL club Box Hill, with their fourth selection (No.52).

Adelaide Crows, whose first pick did not come until No.62, after giving up their earlier selections, used that choice on 19-year-old Tasmanian 194cm rebounding defender Sam Siggins and their other on agile 185cm Victorian forward Rory Atkins.

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Kallis available as batsman only

Injured South African allrounder Jacques Kallis may not play again in second Test against Australia. Source: AAP

CHAMPION South African allrounder Jacques Kallis will feature again in the second cricket Test against Australia - but only with the bat.

Kallis, who took two wickets in three overs on Thursday, sustained a grade one hamstring injury which forced him from the field on a grim opening day for the tourists in Adelaide.

The 37 year old will bat for the visitors but has been ruled out of bowling for the remainder of the match. It was still up in the air whether he'd be available for the third Test in Perth.

Australia amassed 5-482 in what South African coach Gary Kirsten termed a "beating" for his side.

The Proteas lost paceman Vernon Philander pre-match, the fast bowler unable to bend when getting out of bed on Thursday.

Scans revealed no more than a lower lumbar muscle strain and the Proteas are confident he'll be available for Perth.

"Losing Jacques to a type of injury he has never had in his career was a tough one," South African coach Gary Kirsten said.

"He was a little bit sore and I think he made a wise decision, as soon as he felt a twinge he got off the park quickly."

Fast bowling spearhead Dale Steyn also left the field for treatment on a tight hamstring but returned to action.

The Proteas were heading back to the drawing board after Australian captain Michael Clarke (224 not out) plundered another double-century and opener David Warner (119) and Mike Hussey (103) also scored tons.

Kirsten, strangely, said South Africa "bowled well to Michael Clarke this Test match, as we did the last one" when the Australian leader made an unbeaten 239 in the drawn series opener in Brisbane.

"Maybe where we are fault is our thinking," Kirsten said.

"We looked at him closely in our preparation for this Test match, we need to go back and look again to see what we can do.

"We certainly tried one or two things we felt could work, it didn't go our way.

"I guess we need to go back and look at what else we can do - but there is very little that you can do in terms of your strategies.

"We will try different types of strategies, plan A, plan B, even to plan C, and if they don't work you go back to plan A and start again."

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'Scared' Warner smashes demons

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Scared ... David Warner overcame his fears to notch a devastating century. Source: Sarah Reed / Fox Sports

David Warner said he was scared facing Morne Morkel on the first day of the Adelaide Test, but he certainly didn't show it.

2nd Test - Adelaide Oval

22 November 2012 - Day 1, Session 3

Australia 1st Innings

M. Clarke	224	243	39	1	92.18
M. Hussey	103	137	9	4	75.18
D. Steyn	17.1	1	62	1	3.61

Warner treated Morkel and the South African bowlers with contempt on the opening day of the second Test blasting away the cobwebs and answering questions about his suitability as a Test opener.

The powerful Warner clobbered 119 from 112 balls with 16 boundaries and four sixes, before Morkel eventually had him caught at slip.

Morkel fired a couple of decent bouncers at Warner, but more often than not he watched the red ball hit the fence, finishing with 2-128, the best of the Proteas bowlers.

Warner and Michael Clarke piled on an electric 155 to take the game away from South Africa before they could even blink.

The Australian captain said that Warner had battled some mental demons since his failure in the first Test at Brisbane.

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Encouraged to play his natural game, Warner cleared his head at training during the week and came out on the opening morning and smashed the Proteas all over the ground.

But he swears he wasn't always comfortable.

"Morne bowled a very fast spell to me and those three bouncers he bowled me in that one over I was a bit scared at one stage,'' Warner said.

"For my preparation for this Test, credit goes out to the net bowlers. I faced them and they bowled themselves into the ground.

"I sorted it (poor form) out in the nets and today it came off for me.

"My game is to go out there and try and score. For a session there they bowled too short and I ended up swinging the bat a little bit.''

The left-hander had received great support from senior teammates Ricky Ponting and Clarke earlier in the week.

Ponting said it was only a matter of time until Warner carved out a record similar to Adam Gilchrist before him.

Warner had scored more than 30 just five times in 17 Tests leading into Adelaide.

But right from the get-go on Thursday, Warner stuck to his philosophy of "see the ball, hit the ball''.

At one stage during the first session, he stood at the other end as opening partner Ed Cowan (10), Rob Quiney (0) and Ponting (4) fell within the space of 15 deliveries to make things precarious at 3-55.

But Warner fearlessly continued to follow his instincts.

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Don't miss Fox Sports live blog of day two at the Adelaide Oval

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Quade's contract offer 'substantial'

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Not cheated ... David Nucifora says Quade Cooper got a reasonable offer. Source: William West / AFP

The Australian Rugby Union has slammed suggestions Quade Cooper was offered an inferior "rookie contract" to drive him out of the game.

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David Nucifora, the national high performance unit boss, who was a major player in putting together Cooper's contract, said any suggestions the ARU wanted to ditch the controversial Queensland Reds star were way off the mark.

"If the aim was to get Quade to leave then that's what would have been done," Nucifora said.

"The fact that it's been put out there that it was a rookie offer was not accurate.

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"He was given a substantial offer and an offer that if he chooses to accept, he will be well rewarded.

"The fact he's been given an offer means we want to keep him."

Nucifora hasn't heard anything from Cooper or his manager Khoder Nasser.

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"We haven't had any contact with them so it's a bit hard to make a comment. We haven't been told officially where things are at from their point of view," he said.

"It's not frustrating, it's just the reality of the way people go about their business at times.

"Until we're contacted and told formally what the situation is, it's pretty hard to have a position on it."

Cooper is considering his future after the ARU reportedly offered him a downgraded, incentive-based contract. If he does not accept an ARU offer the three-year Reds deal he signed in June effectively becomes redundant.

The ARU offer came after a difficult season in which Cooper battled with injury while also being heavily fined for referring to the Wallabies as a "toxic environment".

The 24-year-old is said to be poised to quit Australian rugby to either continue playing overseas, switch to rugby league or possibly even turn to boxing.

Nasser said on Monday Cooper would hold a press conference next week.

Nucifora said there was no deadline from an ARU perspective on when the matter would be resolved.

"You can't force these things, it's up to the other side. It's up to them to respond when they want to bring it to a head. We just have to sit back and wait," he said.

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'We have Rooty Hill RSL for Becks'

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Pursuit ... Mark Bridge wants to play alongside David Beckham at the Wanderers. Source: Philippe Lopez / News Limited

Coach Tony Popovic may not be entertaining the possibility but Western Sydney striker Mark Bridge feels his club should do everything possible to get superstar David Beckham to the A-League.

• ADELAIDE UNITED: ruled out. cost reportedly twice as much as what they thought it would be.
   
• BRISBANE ROAR: ruled out
   
• CENTRAL COAST: club will offer to house Beckham in Singo's luxury beach-house or helicopter him from Sydney.
   
• MELBOURNE HEART: offered a six-figure deal for guest stint but also keen to talk about longer-term package.
   
• MELBOURNE VICTORY: board said to have been keen but coach Ange Postecoglou ruled the idea out.
   
• NEWCASTLE JETS: ruled out
   
• PERTH GLORY: favourites with bookies and understood to have offered the highest cash element in their deal.
   
• SYDNEY FC: highly unlikely
   
• WELLINGTON: highly unlikely
   
• WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS: Frank Lowy is keen but money would have to come from third parties.
   

Clubs including the Central Coast Mariners, Perth Glory and Melbourne Heart, have all publicly stated an intention to sign the former England skipper on a 10-game guest stint.

And while joking Rooty Hill RSL would be a major drawcard for the global star, Bridge feels the Wanderers should throw their hat in the ring.

"Everyone involved in football knows how big that would be," Bridge said on Wednesday.

"If we can get him here, that would be brilliant.

"I think any club should do their absolute best to get him here. After all, it's David Beckham.

"Whether it's our club or someone else, for the league in general, having (Alessandro) Del Piero, Shinji Ono, (Emile) Heskey and David Beckham here in the one season - that's unbelievable."

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The Major League Soccer star announced he will play his last game for LA Galaxy next Saturday after six years in the US.

Beckham said he wants one last challenge before hanging up his football boots and revealed he has "some exciting options on the table."

And while Bridge would love to see him in Australia he feels cashed-up overseas clubs are more likely to snag the former Manchester United and Real Madrid player.

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"I've heard PSG (Paris Saint Germain), China and the Middle East (are interested)," he said.

"We can't compete financially with those guys, so we'll have to wait and see."

Popovic wasn't buying into the hype however.

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When asked if he could see Beckham in the A-League he responded: "Oh, I don't know about that.

"But obviously he's a big name so I'm sure wherever he goes he'll be of benefit to that league.

"We'll just wait and see whether he comes to the A-League."

Former Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Ante Covic said he would love to have Beckham at the Wanderers.

"Nothing's concrete as yet, so there's no point to really get your hopes up that someone like Beckham could come to the league," he said.

"But the A-League is starting to get interesting for a lot of stars out there.

"So for a club like this - a start-up club with a region that's very passionate about their football - if he was to come out here it would be fantastic."

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Osieck to blood young guns, again

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Young gun ... Australia's forward Nikita Rukavytsya. Source:AAP

A host of Socceroos tyros proved in Australia's upset win over South Korea last week why they shouldn't be ignored in future fixtures.

And coach Holger Osieck is likely to reward their impressive showing in Hwaseong when he names his squad for the East Asian Cup qualifiers.

Osieck fielded an experimental side for the international friendly the Socceroos won 2-1 and the same can be expected when Australia travel to Hong Kong to play the hosts, North Korea, Guam and Chinese Taipei as Australia vie for a spot in next year's East Asian Cup for the first time.

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While there were obvious choices in the likes of veterans Lucas Neill, Mark Schwarzer and Archie Thompson, Osieck showed last week he was willing to try out some new faces and give fringe Socceroos another crack.

Unlikely hero Robbie Cornthwaite, who netted the winner in Hwaseong, is almost certain to be named with his South Korean club wrapping up their season on December 1.

Cornthwaite, who was only selected for the friendly amid a spate of injuries, made the most of the opportunity to stay on Osieck's radar.

The German coach, who isn't renowned for taking risks, handed Central Coach dynamo Thomas Rogic and fellow exciting youngsters Aziz Behich (Melbourne Heart) and Eli Babalj, who plays for Serbian club Red Star Belgrade, debuts off the bench in South Korea.

And with the risk paying off they may all be back in the national fold as soon as next month.

With the line-up likely to be made up of predominantly A-League talent Mariners' gun shot-stopper Matthew Ryan, who looks set for a move to English club Hull City, is a likely inclusion as Schwarzer's back-up.

Perth's Michael Thwaite meanwhile, more than justified his recall in South Korea and should be named.

Of the overseas options, striker Robbie Kruse, who scored his first goal in the Bundesliga for club Fortuna

Dusseldorf earlier this month, may be welcomed back into the national side.

However having established himself as a starting player in his third season with Fortuna, Osieck may not be able to prize the former Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory player away from the German club.

Nikita Rukavytsya, who also plays in Germany's top-flight, levelled the score in South Korea and would also be in the forefront of Osieck's thinking.

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Bulls gives NSW the blues at Gabba

Dominant ... The Bulls defeat NSW in a bonus-point victory at the Gabba. Source: Darren England / News Limited

Queensland routed NSW for 142 for a bonus-point one day cricket victory on Wednesday night but the Blues didn't feel all the pain at the Gabba.

ODD - Gabba

21 November 2012 - Day 1, Session 2

New South Wales 1st Innings

J. Hazlewood	7	7	1	0	100
D. Bollinger	10	18	2	0	55.56
A. McDermott	10.5	3	26	3	2.40

Bulls batsman Chris Lynn was rushed to hospital for scans on his groin and had to be dosed up on painkillers after copping an agonising blow during the home side's 8-252 batting first.

NSW's bowlers were off-line and astray for much of the innings - conceding a domestic record 26 wides - but Doug Bollinger hit Lynn dead-centre with a brute of a shortish-pitched delivery.

The blow floored Lynn for several minutes but he got to his feet and unleashed an influential cameo by belting 39 off 28 balls - including four sixes off Sean Abbott - before holing out.

The 22-year-old did return to the Gabba in time to see his teammates complete their 110-run victory but had tweeted ''ensoreeggs enagony'' while waiting for specialists at the Mater Hospital.

Late-blooming former Victorian paceman Matthew Gale (3-48) was an unlikely hero for Queensland as he returned from a terrible start with the new ball to rip through the Blues middle-order.

NSW were seemingly cruising at 1-73 in the 16th over in the day-nighter but the match turned when Cameron Gannon (2-36) had Nic Maddinson out hooking, sparking a 9-69 collapse.

While both Gale, who also ran out Peter Nevill, and Alister McDermott (3-26) picked up three wickets, it was Ben Cutting (1-20 off eight) who built the pressure from the Vulture Street end.

The Bulls won the toss and batted first but were never comfortable on a two-paced wicket where Peter Forrest battled for 96 balls to top score with 62.

With fringe Australian paceman Josh Hazlewood the main culprit, the Blues conceded 26 runs in wide deliveries.
Hazlewood struggled with his radar as he conceded 14 wides in his first three overs before being taken off after wicketkeeper Brad Haddin didn't even get close to two leg-side shockers.

But the tall quick fought back admirably to dismiss Joe Burns (7) with the second ball of his second spell and concede a mere 19 runs from his next seven overs.

Only Lynn's fireworks and tail-ender Nathan Hauritz belting 17 off the last over from skipper Steve O'Keefe (3-65) lifted the total past 250.

Queensland's convincing win moves them to third on the Ryobi Cup table on nine points, still 10 behind leaders Victoria, and leaves NSW (4) struggling in equal last.

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Shoulder charge ban shocks Gallen

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Dangerous ... The ARLC is set to ban the shoulder charge from the 2013 season. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

Cronulla Sharks skipper Paul Gallen says the ARLC is "taking something out of the game" after the Commission accepted a recommendation to outlaw the shoulder charge from all competitions from 2013.

The ARLC announcement was made through a press release on Tuesday evening.

"The Commission has reviewed a detailed report into the shoulder charge and accepted a management recommendation that the increased size of athletes was creating a situation where the shoulder charge could, if maintained, lead to an unacceptable injury risk," the statement read.

Gallen, speaking on Triple M on Tuesday evening, said he was shocked at the news and that, if approved, it would deprive fans of one of their favourite parts of the game.

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"I was shocked it has really surprised me they've banned it," the uncompromising forward said.

"We don't want players getting hurt, but it's taking some of the toughness of the game.

"Like it or not, the fans do appreciate it when it comes off."

Gallen said reducing the number of interchanges would make it harder for bigger players to produce so many huge hits.

"Personally I think it would change a lot of things," he said.

"If you have blokes who are 115-135 kilos scratching around, they would simply have to lose weight and become fitter.

"It will make the bigger men tired and certainly take the collisions out of the game.

In the ARLC's statement, NRL Interim Chief Executive, Shane Mattiske said player welfare was at the centre of the decision.

"This is about reducing a potential risk of serious injury to our players," Mattiske said.

"The Commission has gone through a thorough review process and been public in warning players about the risks of illegal play.

"The report shows that the shoulder charge is not a significant part of the game and its removal is not likely to impact on the way the game is played.

"With the increase in size and strength of the players, we believe this is the time to eliminate a potential risk."

Gallen's Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan echoed his skipper's sentiments and said he was concerned at how the new ruling would be interpreted.

"It sounds easy but it's not," Flanagan told AAP.

"How are do they determine that a player wasn't affecting a tackle when his shoulder comes into contact with the head?

"This can happen sometimes when a player lowers his centre of gravity when running with the ball. I just want to know the difference between that and a shoulder charge."

Flanagan said reducing the interchange from 12 to eight would encourage more playmakers to come into the game.

"It would see more footballers who are not just athletes," he said.

"We are too athlete-based. We need to become more football-based. This would bring the smaller players back into the game and make fatigue more of a factor."

Wests Tigers captain Robbie Farah on Tuesday joined the chorus of NRL players to express their disappointment at the decision.

"When executed correctly I think it's a great part of our game," Farah said.

"It's been there for years and it's unfortunate that it won't be any more.

"Your own teammates get a lift from a shoulder charge, from a big hit."

Several players were controversially banned over shoulder charges in 2012, including Greg Inglis, Frank Pritchard and Ben Te'o.

NRL general manager of football operations Nathan McGuirk will consult with the game's Competition Committee to finalise proposed rule amendments in relation to the shoulder charge.

The proposed rule amendments will be put before the commission at December's meeting.

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Hart in running for top 'keeper gong

Award ... Gianluigi Buffon and Joe Hart will vie for a place in the 2012 FIFA World XI. Source: News Limited

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has been rewarded for his superb form of the past 12 months, earning his first nomination for the FIFA World XI, the Spanish professional soccer players' association said on Monday (Spanish time).

Iker Casillas, the stalwart backstop for Real Madrid and Spain, is another of the five nominees for the position of starting goalkeeper.

Who should be the goalkeeper in the 2012 FIFA World XI?

The Spaniard has been a member of the past four football World XI squads.

The remaining competitors for the spot with this year's team are Italy's Gianluigi Buffon, Juventus; Czech veteran Peter Cech, Chelsea and German Manuel Neuer, Bayern Munich.

The winner is to be chosen in a vote of more than 45,000 players from across the globe and announced at a January 7 gala where world soccer's governing body will present its Ballon d'Or award for world player of the year.

The World XI consists of a goalkeeper, four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards.

List of nominees for the defender, midfielder and forward slots will be released in three separate batches in the next week-and-a-half.

Besides Casillas, the 2011 World XI included fellow Spaniards Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Xabi Alonso, Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta.

The elite team also featured as Brazilian Daniel Alves, Nemanja Vidic of Serbia, Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, English striker Wayne Rooney and Argentina's Lionel Messi.

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Who should be the goalkeeper for the 2012 FIFA World XI? Vote in our poll above.

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Jets 'keeper to undergo surgery

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Crunched ... Phoenix forward Jeremy Brockie collides with Mark Birighitti. Source: Paul Miller / AAP

Medical attention ... Jets 'keeper Mark Birighitti after the collision. Source: Paul Miller / AAP

The Newcastle Jets confirm goalkeeper Mark Birighitti requires surgery after fracturing his cheekbone in 3-0 loss to the Wellington Phoenix.

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Birighitti will have surgery once the swelling has reduced and is expected to be sidelined for up to eight weeks, was involved in an ugly collision with Phoenix striker Jeremy Brockie.

Brockie's knee connected with the gloveman's face and Birighitti was sent straight to hospital in Newcastle.

The Jets, who have Matthew Nash on an injury waiver after they also lost their first 'keeper Ben Kennedy to a knee injury last month, may be forced to find a new custodian.

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Cricket rage: When gentlemen lose it

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Temper ... Dan Christian is gaining a reputation for losing it in the dressing room. Source: Ray Titus / News Limited

Cricketers, despite playing in a sport of tradition and gentlemen, are no angels. Dan Christian's suspension by South Australia for trashing dressing rooms is testament to that.

Frustration gets the better of everyone, and if a batsman didn't feel a modicum of rage after foolishly throwing away his wicket then we would all question his passion for the game.

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But Christian's latest outburst – it's his third offence – is just the most recent in a long line of tantrums thrown by cricket's finest. These are some of the best of those tantrums.

Ricky Ponting famously smashed a TV after being run out against Zimbabwe during the 2011 World Cup.

Storming to the pavilion after his disappointing 28, then-captain Punter threw his box at his kit bag which ricocheted into the nearby wide-screen TV causing it to need replacing.

Matthew Hayden rarely threw his wicket away cheaply, but in the 2003 New Year's Test against England it was the umpire's decision that stoked his ire. Restraining himself until he was off the field, Hayden then proceeded to smash a pavilion window instead.

But like Ponting and Hayden, former South Africa captain Hansie Cronje also occasionally took his frustrations out on the dressing room fixtures. In 1999 the South African was so enraged at losing the third Test, and ultimately the series, against Australia he launched a stump through the door to the umpires' room.

Cronje was well-known for his temper, to the extent that calling him on it would get YOU in trouble. Fanie de Villiers reportedly intervened once when Cronje was manhandling a team minder out of their dressing room, only for de Villiers to be dropped for the next series.

Infighting is something Australia does pretty well itself. Who can forget the fallout from Simon Katich's axing from the international setup, when the details of a change room scuffle between him and skipper Michael Clarke came to light.

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Should players be reprimanded for off-field outbursts, or is containing it on-field enough of a demand? Let us know what you think.

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Which of these incidents is cricket's biggest tantrum?

Having just beaten South Africa in 2009 at the SCG the two batsmen apparently argued over Pup's desire to get the formalities out of the way so he could have dinner with his girlfriend of the time Lara Bingle. Katich felt Clarke's priorities needed rearranging and felt, it would seem, that grabbing his captain's throat might achieve this.

However former England captain and now respected pundit Nasser Hussain went one better than Cronje's door spearing.

After losing his wicket against the West Indies Hussain returned to the dressing room in a typical rage. His teammates new from experience to steer clear but poor Angus Fraser hadn't finished padding up.

Fraser watched in horror as his skipper punched a locked door, only to plough his fist right through and get it stuck there. Fraser, wisely holding back laughter, was forced to help Hussain remove his hand from the door before heading out to bat, and is apparently still waiting to be thanked.

However it isn't always in the pavilion that cricketers' tempers can flare. In 1997 Pakistani great Inzamam ul-Haq took his frustrations out on a fan, jumping into the crowd to confront him during play and even threatening the spectator with a bat.

Admittedly the fan had been using a megaphone to hurl insults at poor Inzy, but when the extent of the abuse is 'mota aloo' – fat potato – then it's safe to assume ul-Haq has a pretty short fuse.

Ul-Haq had to be held back by police from knocking the man's block off, and was later handed a four-match ban for bringing the game into disrepute.

So while Christian is sitting out South Austrlia's Sheffield Shield match against Victory this weekend, at least he'll know that he's in good company.

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What's your favourite incident of cricketer rage? Vote in our poll, and if we've missed one let us know about it below.

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Tippett hearing rescheduled

Delayed ... The AFL Commission hearing is pushed back to November 30. Source: Darren England / News Limited

The AFL Commission will now meet on November 30 to hear 11 charges relating to Kurt Tippett's expired contract with Adelaide.

The hearing was due to start on Monday afternoon, but was adjourned after the Crows and their football manager Phil Harper sought more time to prepare their submissions.

The Crows, Tippett, Harper, club chief executive Steven Trigg and their former football manager John Reid will all front the commission hearing.

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Adelaide also started pre-season training on Monday and coach Brenton Sanderson said all other AFL clubs will be nervous in the wake of the Tippett controversy.

The Crows and Tippett have been charged by the AFL with salary cap cheating and draft tampering in relation to the key forward's expired contract with the club.

"I probably shouldn't comment on other clubs but I'm sure this is going to make a lot of other clubs nervous, too," Sanderson told reporters on Monday.

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"There is a lot of greyness surrounding ASAs (additional services agreements) and how players are paid so probably the other 17 clubs are just double-checking and ensuring that everything is above board.

"But as far as I know ... Adelaide has been squeaky clean for 22 years and this has been something that they are going to have to work through and we will certainly get through it."

If found guilty, Tippett could be deregistered as a player and the Crows banned from up to four national drafts, as well as fined any amount the AFL determines.

"It's a bit out of my hands, to be honest," Sanderson said of likely future draft penalties.

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"As we stand today, really happy to be involved in this year's draft and we'll bring some good young talent in and, until the investigation is completed, I guess we have just got to wait and see."

Tippett became the Crows' highest-paid player on signing a multi-million dollar, three-year contract extension in 2009.

But Adelaide admitted last month they had a once-secret deal, outside the contract, with the ruckman-forward who walked out on the club at the end of last season.

The investigation prevented Adelaide trading Tippett, who remains on the club's list until he likely nominates for December's pre-season draft.

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I won't change style: Warner

Determined ... Warner walks off after losing his wicket cheaply in the first Test. Source: Adam Head / News Limited

Australia opener David Warner has no intention of changing his boom-or-bust approach to Test cricket.

Warner says he will continue his aggressive method in the second Test against South Africa starting in Adelaide on Thursday despite a failure in the drawn series-opener.

Warner made just four in the first Test in Brisbane and has passed 30 runs just five times in 17 Test innings.

"The way I play, I'm going to be hit and miss here and there,'' Warner told reporters on Monday.

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"But I have got to try and learn to be a bit more consistent too. If I get myself in, I have to try and be there and get those big hundreds.

"But my job is to try and get us off to a good start.

"If I show intent and try and build pressure on them by getting a couple away, then I am winning the battle.''

The powerful left-hander said he was "raring to go'' on an Adelaide pitch expected to offer true batting conditions.

"Play hard, hit the ball into the gaps - that is my game and that is what I'm going to try and do,'' he said.

"My game is trying to hit the ball ... if the ball is there, I'm still going to hit it because that is my game - that is how I score my runs for the team.''

Warner expected South Africa's vaunted bowling attack to respond to their disappointing Brisbane Test where only five Australia batsman were dismissed - with one, Ed Cowan, run out.

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Pakistan players cleared for BBL

Relief ... Umar Akmal will now be able to take up his place with Sydney Sixers. Source: AAP

Pakistan on Monday allowed three players to compete in the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash League, following a request from Australian cricket authorities.

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Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal and Umar Akmal had all signed up to play in the league from next month, but the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) last week refused permission.

Afridi had been due to play with Sydney Thunder. Ajmal signed for Adelaide Strikers and Umar for Sydney Sixers but the PCB ordered them to feature in a domestic Twenty20 event being used to test players ahead of the matches against arch-rivals India.

But on Monday, PCB spokesman Nadeem Sarwar said they would be allowed to play in the Big Bash following a request from Cricket Australia that said they had already signed their contracts.

"We will allow these players to go to Australia at the end of our Twenty20 tournament around December 8," Sarwar told AFP, adding that the players will have to return for the national camp for the Indian tour.

Pakistan will play India in two Twenty20 matches and three one-day internationals between December 25 and January 6 - the two countries' first series since 2007.

All three players were reportedly concerned about not being signed in the future for the Big Bash if they had not honoured their contracts.

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Doping saga hits Aussie cycling

Claims ... former cyclist Martin Vinnicombe says a current high-ranking official helped him dope. (Photo from 2006)

Controversial Australian former cyclist Martin Vinnicombe claims a current high-level figure in the sport once helped him with an injection.

Vinnicombe has spoken about the crisis that continues to rock cycling following Lance Armstrong's lifetime ban.

Vinnicombe, a 1988 Olympic silver medallist, tested positive to steroids in 1991, but made a successful legal challenge against the case.

"There are still people existing in cycling at the moment, in powerful positions, (who) at one point in their careers were exposed to doping and knew about doping methods," Vinnicombe told the ABC's 730 Report.

The ABC said the anonymous man that Vinnicombe specifically referred to is now "a senior Australian cycling figure".

It was known you'd have a sudden drop in blood pressure, therefore you needed someone there to assist you," Vinnicombe said.

"At that time ... was a person I trusted and thought he would assist me and he did so.

"He was present in the room."

While Vinnicombe said he sometimes did not know what he was taking, he added: "I don't think it was water".

Olympic cycling gold medallist Dean Woods said he competed clean throughout his career, but added some Australian cyclists should be nervous about their pasts.

"I would think if anyone was involved in road cycling from the late `90s right up until say 2005-06, certainly there are probably a few nervous guys around," Woods said.

"If they're implicated, they should be held accountable."

The federal government has announced an independent inquiry into Cycling Australia and the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency are also looking into the sport.

"Today cycling above all else needs the truth," noted Australian anti-doping expert Michael Ashenden said.

"It needs accountability, for the people in charge of cycling to make sure that what they say is what they do.

"Every cyclist who comes forward and tells the truth is going to help us to get to that position."

Former Australian road professionals Matt White and Stephen Hodge have lost high-level roles in the sport after admitted they doped during their racing careers.

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'Roar's best performance all season'

Flying ... Fox Sports' Mark Bosnich hails "the Roar's best performance all season". Source: Dave Hunt / News Limited

Fox Sports' Mark Bosnich is joined by Melbourne Heart midfielder Vince Grella to review round seven of the A-League, with Bozza particularly impressed with the Roar's performance against Sydney FC.

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Brisbane Roar 4 defeated Sydney FC 2 at Suncorp Stadium

Bozza: I thought it was the Roar's best performance of the season, albeit against a Sydney side lacking a bit of confidence. Brisbane still had to get out there and do the business, and that's exactly what they did. Their reaction to coach Rado Vidosic's post-match spray last week was very good. For Sydney FC, as a player you need someone in the dressing room to lead you. They need a new coach as soon as possible. You want to make the right decision, but you don't want the season to slip away. From a selfish point of view, I want to see Alessandro Del Piero in the finals.

Grella: The Roar have had a good solid team together for a few years. They all know each other very well and they've won two titles, so it's all about winning for the Roar, and that's exactly what they've done against Sydney.

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Adelaide United  0 defeated by Melbourne Heart 1 at Hindmarsh Stadium

Bozza: I thought in the first half of each half that Melbourne Heart were the better side. Once they get control of that midfield, Osama Malik in particular, they're very very strong and they slightly deserved to win this I thought. Heart coach John Aloisi was right to come down on his players. As a player, you want your coach to be hard on you. His career is depending on his players so he's right to enforce his will and desperation to win on his charges.

Grella: John Aloisi is very strong with team discipline and he wasn't happy with how the boys played. He showed that in his press conference after the match. The football culture at the Heart is very good. It's working, we're developing some very high quality players.

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Melbourne Victory 2 drew with Central Coast Mariners 2 at Etihad Stadium

Bozza: Managers say things after games to get a reaction from their players. That's exactly what Ange Postecoglou has done with Marcos Flores after his red card. He's giving him a kick up the backside. Flores is not a malicious player. His challenge was etched in frustration after the Victory couldn't break down the 10-man Mariners, who did superbly to hold on.

Grella: I was very impressed with 37-year-old Daniel McBreen. He's obviously keeping himself fit. The Mariners frontman would have had a good pre-season, he looks sharp and the coaching staff have a big part to play in that. Arnie is doing a great job with him.

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Newcastle Jets 0 defeated by Wellington Phoenix 3 at Hunter Stadium

Bozza: This was a really resolute performance from the Phoenix. I think Newcastle in the end ran out of ideas. I have a little tip for Newcastle, they like to play a slick style of football and move it around quickly. They'd be well advised to water the pitch at Hunter Stadium a bit more to help them do this.

Grella: I don't really know what happened to the Jets. I've watched Wellington a couple of times and they're a very solid team. Sometimes when you're at home you try to attack more and you can leave spaces behind for counter-attacks. Wellington exploited that. They've done well to get all three points away from home.

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Perth Glory 0 defeated by Western Sydney Wanderers 1 at nib Stadium

Bozza: I don't think it was a red card to Youssouf Hersi. The referee obviously thought it was retaliation, but it was nothing. A yellow card would have sufficed. The refs have the most difficult job on the pitch and we all know that. Both fitness coaches have to take a lot of credit for this result, especially Wanderers'. They work on playing a man down in training and, fitness-wise, it's one of the hardest things to do in football.

Grella: On Hersi, for me that's just a yellow. It's didn't impact on the result but it would have good to seen the game keep moving. Sometimes it's not easy when the opposition is defending very deeply, as Western Sydney had to do when they were a man down. Perth had some good chances and football is about taking chances. Unfortunately Perth didn't take theirs.

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Bozza's Save of the Week, R7

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Miraculous ... Western Sydney's Ante Covic goes full stretch to deny Perth Glory an equaliser. Source:FOX SPORTS

Western Sydney held on to a slender 1-0 lead against Perth Glory in round seven, and goalkeeper Ante Covic was instrumental in keeping the Glory scoreless.

Covic's heroics earned him man-of-the-match honours at nib Stadium, but one save in particular won him another award: Mark Bosnich's Save of the Week.

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Click on the video at the top to see the block Bozza nominated as Save of the Week and tune in to Sunday Shootout on Fox Sports 1HD every Sunday for analysis of every round of A-League.

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As the Wanderers' gutsy win was the last match of the round, Bosnich had already lined up several other worthy contenders for the award, but Covic nabbed it at the end.

"Ante Covic was outstanding," said Bosnich. "We were going to go with Nathan Coe but this one right towards the end - they say save the best 'til last.

"I have to say congratulations to all the defences over the weekend - in particular the goalkeepers did very well."

At the end of each round of A-League action, Fox Sports Football expert Mark Bosnich will nominate his Save of the Week on Sunday Shootout. 

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Did you think Covic's save was the best from all the games in A-League round seven? Leave a comment below to have your say on Bozza's pick!

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Scans confirm worst for Marsh

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Mitchell Marsh ... young all-rounder set to miss entire Twenty20 series. Source:News Limited

Mitch Marsh's hopes of playing in the Twenty20 Big Bash League appear over after the star all-rounder severely tore his hamstring in Western Australia's 14-run one-day loss to South Australia.

Marsh suffered the injury while diving to make his ground late in Western Australia's doomed run chase in the Ryobi Cup. The 21-year-old will undergo scans to determine the extent of the damage, but a best-case scenario would likely see him miss between four to six weeks.

Even that would leave his participation in Australia's domestic T20 competition highly unlikely, especially given the frantic nature of the format.

New Warriors and Perth Scorchers coach Justin Langer was disappointed to see Marsh suffer the injury, but urged the powerful right-hander to focus all of his energies on healing as quickly as possible.

"It's a huge blow for lots of reasons," Langer said of the injury to Marsh, who has endured a turbulent summer after being caught up in the Perth Scorchers' boozy night out in South Africa last month.

"We've got a Shield game and a one-dayer in Tassie next week which he won't be available for.

"Then it's unlikely he'll be available for the Scorchers. He's pushing hard to play Australian one-day and Twenty20 cricket, so it's going to be hard (to push up for selection) if he's not playing."

Langer's coaching debut was an interesting one, with the former Test opener caught somewhat by surprise when Redbacks coach Darren Berry paid him a visit early in WA's run chase.

An animated Berry went to Langer to voice his confusion over the third umpire decision review system currently used in domestic one-day cricket.

Under the current system, the third umpire can review a decision if they see a replay in time and view it as a controversial call.

However, this has created a situation where some batsmen hang around once they've been given out - or trudge off the field extremely slowly - in the hope the third umpire will see a replay in time and then decide to review the dismissal.

"Coaches, players and umpires alike are all pretty confused and frustrated by this system, which was clearly evident on several occasions tonight," Berry said after his team's third one-day win of the season.

"I'm confused. I'm confused. I'm confused."

Berry isn't the only one to express his displeasure.

Tasmania skipper George Bailey described the system as "shocking" and "embarrassing", while Queensland coach Darren Lehmann brandished the competition's rule book at a television camera during the same game after a decision was reversed on review.

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Cook, Prior lead England fightback

Unbeaten ... Cook will return to the crease on day five on 168. Source: AFP

Alastair Cook batted throughout day four to give England renewed hope of saving the first Test against India.

1st Test - Sardar Patel Stadium

15 November 2012 - Day 4, Session 3

England 2nd Innings

A. Cook	168	341	20	0	49.27
M. Prior	84	190	10	0	44.21
P. Ojha	44	13	102	2	2.32

England closed on 5-340 in their second innings, a lead of 10 runs, after Cook and Matt Prior shared an unbroken partnership of 141 in 51 overs.

The sixth-wicket pair had come together with the tourists, who had been asked to follow-on the previous day, in deep trouble at 5-199.

Cook, in his first match since succeeding Andrew Strauss as England's Test captain, closed on 168 not out and has spent more than eight hours at the crease, facing 341 balls and hitting 20 fours so far. Prior found the boundary 10 times in an increasingly fluent 84 not out.

England's prospects of even taking their fight into the final day looked bleak when Nick Compton, Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen all departed during the morning session after they resumed on 111-0.

Compton added three runs to his overnight 34 before being trapped lbw by left-arm seamer Zaheer Khan (1-38) with a delivery that held its line.

Trott made a start, reaching 17 off 43 balls, but edged behind off India left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha (2-102), Mahendra Singh Dhoni holding a smart catch.

Ojha bowled Pietersen (2) for the second time in the match in his next over, Pietersen missing with a premeditated sweep.

England went to lunch on 3-182 but suffered a double blow in early afternoon when seam bowler Umesh Yadav (2-60) pinned Ian Bell (22) and Samit Patel (0) lbw with successive deliveries.

Cook, who became the first person in Test history to make centuries in each of his first three matches as captain, finally found a long-term ally in Prior and, as the day wore on, India began to run out of ideas on a pitch holding together better than anticipated.

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