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Aussies take control on day two

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 15 Desember 2012 | 18.48

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Dismissed ... Siddle takes the key scalp of Sangakkara. Source:AAP

Sri Lanka have collapsed to 4-87 with their two superstar batsmen already in the sheds after Australia dominated day two of the first Test in Hobart on Saturday.

1st Test - Blundstone Arena

14 December 2012 - Day 2, Session 3

Sri Lanka 1st Innings

T. Dilshan 50 85 8 0 58.82
T. Samaraweer... 7 20 0 0 35
N. Lyon 2.1 2 0 1 0.00

The ultra-consistent `Mr Cricket' Mike Hussey was the backbone of Australia's 5-450 declared, finishing unbeaten on 115 after skipper Michael Clarke made 74.

Returning to full fitness and growing in confidence, Tasmania's swing specialist Ben Hilfenhaus removed Sri Lankan second-gamer Dimuth Karunaratne caught behind for 14.

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Pace spearhead Peter Siddle claimed the key wicket of Kumar Sangakkara caught in the gully by Hussey for four.

But the biggest blow to Sri Lanka's hopes of a first-innings lead came with the score on 70 when their alltime leading runscorer Mahela Jayawardene was lbw to Shane Watson for 12.

Skipper Jayawardene immediately referred the decision to the third umpire but replays showed the ball was on line.

Opener Tillakaratne Dilshan has played a typically aggressive knock of 50 not out including eight fours.

However on the last ball of the day Dilshan lost his fourth batting partner as spinner Nathan Lyon claimed the wicket of Thilan Samaraweera caught behind for seven.peHussey's hundred was his 19th and third in four home Tests this summer.

The 37-year-old has developed a fondness for Sri Lankan bowling attacks, reaching three figures five times in six Tests.

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For once it was Hussey who overshadowed Clarke, who was caught at first slip off the bowling of Shaminda Eranga in the third over of the day.

The in-form Clarke leads all runscorers in Tests in 2012 with 1432 at a staggering average of 102.28.

Clarke and Hussey added 106 for the fifth wicket before Hussey and Matthew Wade (68 not out) shared an unbroken partnership of 146.

Hussey was dropped at deep mid-wicket on 96 as Angelo Mathews fumbled the chance and watched in horror as the ball rolled over the rope to hand Hussey his fourth hundred of 2012.

The West Australian hit eight fours and one six from 184 balls in a brilliant display.

Play will start 30 minutes early at 10am on Sunday following a series of rain interruptions on Saturday.


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Wanderers exact derby revenge

Sweet revenge ... Beauchamp scores the winner against his old club. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Western Sydney turned the tables on cross-town rivals Sydney FC with a classy 2-0 win in their A-League derby at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.

After losing 1-0 at home in the first clash between the sides in October, the Wanderers always looked in control as they sealed a sweet maiden derby triumph in front of 26,176 fans.

Goals in either half to Ethiopian-born midfielder Youssouf Hersi and captain Michael Beauchamp ensured the Wanderers climbed up to fourth spot and continued a superb debut season.

The Sky Blues remain last after failing to build on a valuable win away to Wellington last week.

P W D L GD Pts
1 Central Coast 11 8 2 1 13 26
2 Adelaide 10 7 1 2 8 22
3 Victory 11 5 2 4 -3 17
4 Western Sydney 11 5 1 5 0 16
5 Perth 11 4 2 5 2 14
6 Newcastle 11 4 1 6 -8 13
7 Wellington 10 3 3 4 1 12
8 Heart 11 3 3 5 -2 12
9 Brisbane 11 3 2 6 0 11
10 Sydney 11 3 1 7 -11 10

They welcomed back Brett Emerton and Terry Antonis from Socceroos duty but marquee star Alessandro Del Piero started on the bench as he continues to battle a troublesome hamstring.

The Italian striker came on with 20 minutes to go but had little impact as the Sky Blues struggled to penetrate a well-organised Western Sydney defence.

The early stages were evenly contested but the Wanderers quickly began causing problems for Sydney's defence.


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


Mateo Poljak was allowed space to shoot in the eighth minute but his effort went just wide.

Lacopo La Rocca also wasted a good chance before Shinji Ono came close with an ambitious volley in the 17th minute.

Western Sydney continued to mount pressure and capitalised when Hersi struck his first A-League goal in the 24th minute.

Sydney defender Seb Ryall failed to clear a dangerous Jerome Polenz cross and Hersi showed great composure to turn and score from close range.

Ono almost doubled the advantage six minutes later with a curling, long-range effort floating just wide.

Sydney created little in attack with Adam Griffiths wasting their best chance of the half, hitting a header wide from Jason Culina's 33rd minute free kick.

Sky Blues coach Frank Farina injected Ali Abbas off the bench midway through the second half but the home fans got the substitution they wanted when Del Piero replaced Culina in the 70th minute.

However it failed to halt the Wanderers, who doubled their advantage seven minutes later.

Sydney were again punished for failing to clear, with Ono's cross finding its way to Beauchamp on the back post and the former Sky Blues defender smashed it into the roof of the net.


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Fight for Life: league trumps rugby

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Fight for Life ... Gallen and Bird win their respective bouts. Source: Gregg porteous / News Limited

Rugby league win a unanimous 3-1 victory at the explosive, wild and ruthless Fight for Life charity boxing event in Auckland.

NRL players Paul Gallen, Greg Bird and Manu Vatuvei all won their bouts over three two-minute rounds at the Fight for Life event in Auckland.

Former All Black Carlos Spencer got one back for rugby, while Willie Mason and another ex-All Black, Troy Flavell, fought out a draw in the battle of the big boys.

NSW skipper Gallen proved the surprise packet with a unanimous decision against All Blacks hooker Hika Elliot.

At the weigh-in, Gallen had talked down his abilities against an opponent who boasted a 62-0 record in karate.

But the Cronulla forward picked his moments to throw punches and was able to find a target with a series of combinations.

"I didn't want to be over-confident, to be honest,'' he said.

"I heard so much about the bloke and how good a fighter he was, I just wanted to go out there and do what my trainer told me.''

Gallen said he privately backed himself, even if all the talk about Elliot's ability had made him nervous.

Despite his clear-cut victory, he won't be hurrying back into the ring.

"I've got no plans to be a boxer.''

Gallen won despite carrying an elbow injury from training a couple of weeks ago and for which he will have surgery on.

He said the rehabilitation period was only a fortnight, so he would be 100 per cent for the start of the NRL season.

Vatuvei also got all the judges' votes against London Games rowing gold medallist Eric Murray.

The Warriors winger couldn't quite tag Murray with a big shot, his opponent managing mostly to keep himself out of range, but he was buzzing after the fight.

"It was an awesome feeling,'' he said.

"I'm happy I jumped in. Eric and I went in to put on a good show and hopefully everyone enjoyed it.''

Bird won an incident-filled contest over Auckland Blues back Rene Ranger via a split decision.

Bird was caught flush with a right hand in the second round and dropped to the canvas.

But Ranger was docked two points for throwing the punch after the referee had called for the fighters to break.

"I've copped bigger hits than that on the footy paddock,'' Bird said.

"I'll be right. The head's pretty solid.''

Spencer won a majority verdict over former Kiwi Jarrod McCracken.

The bout developed some feeling, with Spencer unhappy with some of McCracken's tactics, including a couple of punches thrown when Spencer's back was turned.

"A win's a win,'' he said.

"It was more like a league match than a boxing match.''

Mason and Flavell provided plenty of entertainment with a mix of big punches and occasional wrestling, and couldn't be separated by the judges.

In a six-round women's lightweight professional bout, New Zealander Daniella Smith's aggressiveness paid dividends as she beat Australian Lauryn Eagle by unanimous decision.


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Stars edge out Hurricanes at MCG

Big-hitter ... Brad Hodge got the Stars' innings going. Source: Michael Klein / News Limited

Melbourne Stars scraped home for victory in a low-scoring and sometimes fiery KFC T20 Big Bash League clash with Hobart Hurricanes at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday night.

T20 - Melbourne Cricket Ground

15 December 2012 - Day 1, Session 2

Stars 1st Innings

J. Faulkner 6 4 1 0 150
P. Handscomb 2 2 0 0 100
E. Gulbis 3.1 0 28 0 8.84

The Hurricanes batted first and got off to a shaky start, losing key batsmen Ricky Ponting, Travis Birt and Owais Shah early on.

Clever batting from Tim Paine, George Bailey and Scott Styris eventually helped Hobart post a modest total of 8-134.

The Stars didn't fare much better at the start of their innings, with Doug Bollinger and Ben Laughlin causing plenty of problems with the ball.

Brad Hodge and Rob Quiney got the Stars back on track, but after they were both dismissed in quick succession the game hung in the balance.


Relive the game live with our MATCH CENTRE.


Just as the match was at its most tense moment, controversy struck when James Faulkner appeared to handle the ball, infuriating the bowler, Laughlin.

Faulkner escaped and was at the crease as Evan Gulbis bowled a no-ball in the last over to hand the Stars an anti-climactic victory.

More to come...


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Hobart day one: Geeves' Top 5

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 14 Desember 2012 | 18.48

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Good knock ... Read Geeves' unique perspective on day one of the Hobart Test. Source: William West / AFP

Former Australia and Tasmania player Brett Geeves reflects on day one of the Hobart Test between Australia and Sri Lanka, where he returned to commentary duties in the ABC radio box.

1. Day one of this Test has a strange feel to it. Driving to the ground this morning, I felt like I had left something at home.

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You know that empty feeling you get when you've left home without your pants on?

I was got that exact feeling but my pants were on, albeit tightly (I've gained weight of late and am in need of some sort of shake diet and an abmaster/stair-master combo).

The keys are obviously in the ignition because the car is moving and I have triple checked my backpack for lunch.

I am yet to leave home without my lunch, ever. This is a fact. So what was plaguing me? When I arrive to the ground, I check the team sheets and chat with Jim Maxwell about the pronunciation of players names.

The Sri Lankans are a tough mob to master. HIlfenhaus will no doubt cause me some grief later in the test also.

I then walk, with Jim, down to ground level and chat with folk about the game. As we make our way through the media scrum, Jim says "I feel sad and empty today".

I ponder that statement for a moment and come up with two things. The first, Jim shouldn't feel empty as his pants cover at least 86% of his body. He should, in fact, feel quite full and proud to be flying the flag for high pant wearers the world over. The second was to ask him why? "No Ponting today, sad day" replies Jim, adjusting his pants to cover his nipples.

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That was it. Jim had just identified why I feel lonely and abandoned. It's the realisation that one of the games' greats is now lost to the "real world".

For me that is 9-5 working for a recruitment agency, drinking six cups of coffee a day and four trips to the toilet, just to kill some time. Jim is right. It is a sad day.


What is your Top Five from day one of the Hobart Test?


Cricket Australia shove Ponting in a Toyota ute and give him a lap of honour around his home ground, Bellerive, during the lunch break.

I pop out on the ABC balcony and clap lovingly. Emotion overwhelming me and I blow Rick a kiss in memory of his double hundred against India at Adelaide, 2003.

Fortunately for me, he did not see this and my dignity is kept in check. Congratulations Ricky Ponting for your enormous contribution to Australian Cricket. I hope that retirement treats you well and you are not forced to join the "real world".


2. Being a bits and pieces player for ABC Grandstand's coverage of cricket has its positives and negatives.

The positives are that I get a free lunch. Being a packed lunch man, it means double lunch! BAM!

One negative is that because I only get the Hobart based international games, the frequently used commentators forget who I am.

When I enter the room this morning, I expect a shaking of hands and some back-slapping (that's what old friends do). Instead, Geoff Lawson turns his back and requests that I use herbal infused oils when massaging his neck.

Um, Geoff, I'm hear to call the game with you - not rub your neck.


3. When Jim and I make our way down to the ground to talk with folk about the match (see earlier); I ran into my old Delhi Dardevils teammate Glenn McGrath. What excites me most about this, is the fact that he actually remembers me ... as Brent, but that's cool. Atleast he doesn't think I am the team masseuse.

During that time in Delhi, whenever we travelled anywhere as a team, there were always a million photographers on hand, wanting to take "one snap" of Mr McGrath. Myself and team Physiotherapist, Justin Steer, decided that a competition was in order, to see who could get in the most published photos with Glenn. We didn't have to be right in  the photo with Glenn, just lurking around the outskirts was enough to score a point. Glenn didn't realise we were doing this, until Justin sticky taped himself to Glenn one night at the F-Bar. Too far Justin, too far.


4. Phil Hughes makes his return to the Australian team as a result of the departing Ricky Ponting, who is seeking a tour card for the PGA Tour. Terrific striker of the ball, but has the short game of a one-armed bear, who's only knowledge of golf is that the players are tasty.

Phil has had two stints at the top level. The first against South Africa, in South Africa, where he dominated their attack like Brendon Julian would have dominated the night scene of Perth many moons ago.


Follow our live blog of the first Test in Hobart from 10.30am


From there it was the Poms attempting to hit him in the face with every ball, ultimately bringing about his demise.

He went back to domestic cricket and plundered more runs, earning a recall against New Zealand, where he failed again miserably. Caught Guptill bowled Martin became as famous a catch cry in New Zealand as caught Marsh bowled Lillee in Australia, circa 78. It is said that Martin Guptill popped out of Phil Hughes's vanity cabinet, to offer some assistance with a snick from shaving, such was Guptill's ability to catch any snick from Hughes. I think that's how the gag went. Kerry O'Keeffe - funny, funny man.

There has been a lot of talk about Hughes's change in technique and how this is making him a better player.

Nothing about this new technique struck me as being new or fixed. What is evident, is the maturity and increased knowledge of his own game. He played within himself scoring a healthy 86. This is Phil Hughes' time. He has the ability to succeed at international level and I hope it works for him.

5. The Los Angeles Lakers are struggling!! This makes me happy.


Brett Geeves will return on Saturday


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Murray sees long-term link with Lendl

ANDY Murray says he wants coach Ivan Lendl to stay with him on a long-term basis, possibly for the next five years.

The Scot hooked up with the Czech legend a year ago and in the past 12 months he won Olympic gold in London, his first major title at the US Open and reached the final at Wimbledon.

Going into next month's Australian Open in Melbourne, Murray feels the partnership has proved its worth and should be extended.

"Ivan and I have a very good relationship. It's very honest and open. That's why it has worked so well and why both of us are planning long term," he was quoted as saying in a number of national newspapers.

"We spoke at the end of last year and it was much more short term - 'let's see how the first few months of the season go'.

"Now it's: 'What are we going to be doing in four or five years' time?'"

Murray also admitted that only since his Olympic heroics has he felt able to walk around with his head held high.

"Since the Olympics I just feel a bit better about myself," he said.

"I find it easier to walk around with my head up, whereas before I was always head down, not wanting anyone to see me or say anything.

"Maybe I felt that having lost in grand slam finals I was letting whoever it was down.

"I know I had been reminded every day for the last six years that it's this long since someone from our country won a slam. So there was part of me probably that felt a little bit of responsibility.

"It's nice not to have worry about that any more and see what else I can achieve."


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Bolton gifts Mariners victory

Double ... Pedj Bojic puts two past Melbourne Heart keeper Clint Bolton. Picture: Liam Driver. Source: Liam Driver / News Limited

A brace from Pedj Bojic secures the Central Coast a 2-0 win over Melbourne Heart to extend the Mariners' unbeaten run to eight games and consolidate their place at the A-League's summit.

It was a case of history repeating with Bojic, who scored the winner in the Mariners 1-0 win over the Heart in their last meeting, sinking the visitors with two second-half goals at Bluetongue Stadium on Friday.

Heart's veteran gloveman Clint Bolton will want to forget his sloppy keeping gifting Bojic his first goal and he should have done better to save his second.

The loss leaves the Heart in seventh place.

Melbourne had a defensive game plan from the outset not attempting one shot on goal in the opening half, while the table-topping Mariners ran riot in the front third.

Bojic looked like netting four minutes in, curling a free-kick from about 25 metres out to force a spectacular save from Bolton.

The Mariners had another chance just before the half-hour mark when Joshua Rose beat the Heart defence with a through-ball to Berni Ibini, who instead of passing the ball to the waiting Daniel McBreen, went for glory himself with Bolton saving the effort.

The Mariners had a flurry of chances late in the opening half but the stoic Heart defence of Simon Colosimo and Patrick Gerhardt managed to keep them scoreless.

Bojic finally opened the scoring in the the 49th minute with what looked like an innocuous long range strike but Bolton made a meal of saving the effort letting it slip through his hands and into the back of the net.

McBreen, currently the league's top scorer, looked like adding to his tally of nine goals this season keeping Bolton busy with a long range shot.

Socceroo tyro Tomas Rogic, who was kept relatively quiet, set McBreen up for another but the veteran striker sent it sailing over the crossbar.

Bojic continued to be Bolton's nightmare when the keeper was unable to save his dipping free-kick in the 69th minute putting the Mariners 2-0 up.

McBreen outpaced Gerhardt and could have put the game beyond doubt with 10 minutes remaining but didn't get a clean connection.


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Renegades cruise past Thunder

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On top ... Muralitharan stars in the Renegades win over the Thunder. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Melbourne Renegades have shot to the top of the Big Bash League ladder, comfortably overhauling a modest total set by Sydney Thunder.

Aaron Finch (31 off 33 balls) and Ben Rohrer (27 off 20) ensured the Renegades overhauled the Thunder's total of 116, steadying the ship in the middle overs after a slow start from the top order.

But it was the Renegades bowlers who set up the Melbourne side's second consecutive win, with Sri Lankan star Muttiah Muralitharan claiming 2-16 off his four overs.

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The Thunder's star opening pairing of Chris Gayle and Usman Khawaja were well contained by the Renegades bowlers and the momentum never really changed after Gayle was run out for a sedate innings of 12 off 13 balls.

Young all-rounder Chris Tremain (37 not out off 23 balls) paired with wicketkeeper-batsman Ryan Carters to stage a late rally for the Thunder after at one stage it looked as though they'd be bowled out well short of their 20 overs.

But the home side's total of 116 never looked like it would be enough and after Rohrer's mid-innings cameo, the Renegades put the result beyond doubt.

More to come...


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Tinkler saga won't stop privatisation

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 13 Desember 2012 | 18.48

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Adamant ... John Quayle says private ownership of NRL teams will continue. Source: Liam Driver / News Limited

Veteran rugby league administrator John Quayle says privatisation will continue to be a part of the NRL despite Newcastle owner Nathan Tinkler's continued financial woes.

On Thursday, the Australian Tax Office applied for the Knights to be wound up due to unpaid debts of $1.4 million according to documents filed in the Federal Court.

The move follows continued speculation over Tinkler's money problems and his ownership of the NRL club.

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It continues an uneasy run with private ownership for rugby league with Michael Searle's time as owner of the Gold Coast a failure, both Melbourne's and Manly's struggles under privatisation and uncertainty over South Sydney's future after part-owner Russell Crowe's decision to quit his share in the Rabbitohs at the end of the 2013 season.

But Quayle said private ownership in rugby league would not die.

"The Tinkler situation is especially disappointing given the game has just started a new era," Quayle said.

"But I don't think it will disappear.

"This is not the first time we have seen this kind of thing in sport in Australia. What you have to remember is that Tinkler saved the Knights.

"You have to look at the positives. I think one of the main points is that you have to ensure that there are provisions in place and that you do not completely hand the licence over without those."

A $20 million bank guarantee was a condition of Tinkler's Hunter Sports Group's privatisation of the Knights.

Quayle said the game's governing body the ARL Commission needed to ensure that such strict restrictions continued to be a condition of private ownership.

"Whoever ensured that bank guarantee was doing their job and ensuring that things would not go wrong with private ownership of the Knights under Tinkler," the long-time general manager of the NSWRL said.

"That guarantee means the club's future is secure. The NRL needs to ensure that each time a licence is handed over it is done so with similar guarantees in place."

Quayle is the chairman of Venues NSW, which the Knights still owe around $600,000 for the lease of their home ground Hunter Stadium, another matter that is currently before the courts.

Hunter Sports Group issued a statement saying that the monies owed to the ATO would be paid as soon as possible.

Knights chief executive Matt Gidley said: "We are looking forward to regrouping after the Christmas break and looking forward to a positive 2013 on and off the field."


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Powerful Pollard sets Strikers alight

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Powerful ... Kireon Pollard wasted little time adjusting to life in the Big Bash. Source:News Limited

Adelaide Strikers have set Brisbane Heat a target of 186 in their KFC T20 Big Bash League clash at Adelaide Oval.

T20 - Adelaide Oval

13 December 2012 - Day 1, Session 2

Heat 1st Innings

P. Forrest 2 2 0 0 100
C. Hartley 0 0 0 0 0
K. Richardson 3.5 0 22 1 5.74

Heat speedster Alister McDermott made the early breakthroughs with the wickets of Michael Klinger and James Smith inside the first three overs.

Fellow paceman Ben Cutting then removed the dangerous Tim Ludeman, who'd earlier smashed two sixes on his way to 18.

Callum Ferguson and Nathan Reardon then set about the recovery mission, the pair taking the score to 90 before the latter skied a catch to long-on from the bowling of Thisara Perera.

Ferguson went on to reach 50 but was then out the very next ball as he found Nathan Hauritz at deep cover.

That left West Indies import Kieron Pollard with the responsibility of moving the home side towards a competitive total and the towering all-rounder obliged with a quick-fire 48 from just 23 balls.


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Clive wants Coolum stay for Aussie PGA

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Confident ... Clive Palmer wants the Aussie PGA to stay at Coolum. Source: Megan Slade / News Limited

Billionaire Clive Palmer has dismissed reports the Australian PGA Championship is being played at his Coolum resort for the last time.

PGA chief executive Brian Thorburn revealed earlier this week ongoing discussions with current hosts Palmer Coolum Resort had failed to reach a new hosting agreement despite months of talks.

But Palmer was bullish when asked his thoughts on losing the tournament at a press conference on the Gold Coast on Thursday.

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"I think the PGA will stay at Palmer Coolum Resort ... I'm pretty confident there's not a better place in Australia to have the PGA," he said.

"It's got all the facilities. It's got international standing and, as we know, the players love it.

"The PGA is the Professional Golfers' Association so if the players love it, the ayes have got the number.

"I'm sure it's going to stay there."

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What will definitely be staying regardless of where the PGA is hosted is Palmer's controversial animatronic dinosaur - a lifesize Tyrannosaurus Rex called Jeff.

The large model, the first of several dinosaur replicas Palmer plans to install, moves and growls and has caused much debate in the build up to this week's tournament.

Large signs dedicated to assassinated US president John F Kennedy as well as promoting Palmer's Titanic II project have also caused a stir.

But Palmer says golfers, signs and dinosaurs will come together in harmony for next year's event.

"I don't think the PGA is annoyed," Palmer said.

"I think they love it. They love the media attention. They love how the brand's being sent around the world.

"I'm sure the board is very happy with what's happening at Palmer Coolum Resort, so happy they want to come back next year and we want to have them."


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India start strong against England

Fourth Test ... Ishant Sharma struck early for India in Nagpur. Source: David Mariuz / News Limited

India made a strong start in their quest to level the four-match series after reducing England to 199-5 at stumps on day one in Nagpur.

In what can best be described as a turgid opening day's Test cricket, England's batsmen struggled to adapt to a slow, low pitch at the VCA Stadium, with only Kevin Pietersen (73) reaching a half-century.

4th Test - Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium

13 December 2012 - Day 1, Session 3

England 1st Innings

J. Root 31 110 1 0 28.18
M. Prior 34 83 3 0 40.96
I. Sharma 19 7 32 2 1.68

Pietersen's contribution helped England recover from 2-16 after Alastair Cook, fresh from winning his first toss as captain, and opening partner Nick Compton had fallen early to Ishant Sharma (2-32).

Pietersen and Jonathan Trott shared an 86-run partnership for the third wicket to put the tourists back on track, however the former failed to kick on and join Cook on 23 Test centuries when he clipped debutant Ravindra Jadeja (2-34) to Piyush Chawla at midwicket shortly after tea.

Jadeja had accounted for Trott earlier in the afternoon, while Warwickshire team-mate Ian Bell (1) fell cheaply to Piyush Chawla, but England debutant Joe Root and Matt Prior shared an unbroken 60-run partnership in the evening session to lift spirits heading into day two.

Root, selected at No.6 in place of Samit Patel in one of two changes made by England - Tim Bresnan also replacing the injured Steven Finn, reached the close unbeaten on 31, with Prior (34no) playing a useful hand alongside him.

Having won the toss for first time in the series at the start of the day, England captain Cook opted to bat first - however it was a decision he may have been regretting when he became the second wicket to fall inside 11 overs.

Somerset batsman Compton, who has been awarded an incremental contract by the ECB after playing in four successive Tests, managed just three before he was back in the pavilion, with the opener edging a short delivery from Ishant (2-25) through to MS Dhoni.

Sharma also removed Cook, although in controversial circumstances. Cook (1) was struck on the pads outside off stump by a delivery that was angling away, however umpire Kumar Dharmasena raised his finger - and with no DRS in play, there was little the England captain could do.

Trott and Pietersen safely negotiated the rest of the morning session and calmly took the score along to 102-2 before an inexplicable lapse in concentration led to the England No.3's demise.

After compiling 44 in some 133 balls, Trott's stay came to an end when he left a straight delivery from India left-arm off-spinner Jadeja, which knocked back off-stump

Fellow Warwickshire Bear Bell then came to the middle, however he struggled to come to turns with the slow, low surface, making just one from 28 deliveries before driving Piyush Chawla (1-25) straight to short cover, where Virat Kohli took a sharp, low catch.

Pietersen carried on undeterred and, having passed 50 for the 28th time in Tests, he then went past 15,000 career first-class runs.

But he could not go on, falling into the trap set by Dhoni after two near misses when he clipped Jadeja to Chawla, who caught well diving forward.


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Red Devils welcome back skipper

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 12 Desember 2012 | 18.48

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Welcome ... Nemanja Vidic has overcome his knee injury. Source:AAP

Sir Alex Ferguson admits Nemanja Vidic's timely return from injury is a 'big bonus' for Manchester United.

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The commanding centre-half has been sidelined since 19th September after being forced to undergo another knee operation.

Vidic is, however, hoping to put an injury-ravaged period of his Old Trafford career firmly behind him and rejoin United's quest to wrestle the Barclays Premier League crown back from arch-rivals Manchester City.

Sunday's derby date with City came too soon for the Serbia international, but he will come into contention for Saturday's home tie with Sunderland, and Ferguson is delighted to have his skipper back in the fold after seeing Jonny Evans limp out of action at the Etihad Stadium

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"It would have been crazy to play him against City but against Sunderland...definitely," said Ferguson.

"It's a big bonus to have him back. He is a real competitor with that uncompromising way of his. He likes defending - that's what it is.

"In the last 18 months he has only had 10 games or something. It is not many games that he has played.

"Now he has no pain in the knee, and it's a different knee to the one he did his cruciate on."

"It's a big bonus to have him back. He is a real competitor with that uncompromising way of his."

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With United having looked uncharacteristically fragile at the back this season, keeping just four clean sheets in 24 fixtures, Ferguson is looking for Vidic to help plug the leaks.

He added: "He's under pressure isn't he? But he'll make a difference, absolutely. He gives us the options.

"And to have senior players like that, it's helpful."

Read more: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11667/8326183/Manchester-United-boss-Sir-Alex-Ferguson-delighted-to-have-Nemanja-Vidic-back


Watch Manchester United play Sunderland, LIVE and in stunning High Definition, at 2am (EDT) on Sunday on Fox Sports1 and 1HD.


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NZ women thrash Australia

Fine knock ... Meg Lanning produced a great innings in a losing side. Source: Supplied

New Zealand captain Suzie Bates scored an unbeaten century to help her team end a three-year one-day international drought against Australia in the opening match of the Rose Bowl cricket series in Sydney on Wednesday.

A massive second wicket stand of 168 off 169 balls between opener Bates (122 not out off 131 balls) and Amy Satterthwaite (98 off 95) helped the White Ferns achieve their target of 249 with 5.1 overs to spare.

It was New Zealand's first ODI win over Australia in their past 13 completed games since March 2009. Bates, who struck 16 fours and a six, notched her fourth ODI ton.

Satterthwaite, who was dropped on nine by Australian captain and wicketkeeper Jodie Fields, also struck 16 fours.

Together they plundered an attack missing injured pace bowlers Ellyse Perry and Julie Hunter.

Satterthwaite was dismissed just two runs short of her maiden ODI century, when trapped lbw by part-time bowler Meg Lanning (1-30 off four overs).

Lanning (87 off 71 balls) and Fields (51 off 57) provided most of the substance during an Australian innings in which the Southern Stars scored quickly but lost wickets at regular intervals.

After winning the toss, Australia were dismissed for 248, with 11 balls of their allocation left.

Victorian Lanning smashed 13 fours and a six in a typically enterprising innings before being run out.

The innings subsided to 7-157 in the 32nd over before Fields and Erin Osborne (34 off 38) added 80 off 83 balls.

Fields struck seven boundaries and Osborne weighed in with three fours and a six, before the last three wickets fell for 11 runs.

Fast medium bowler Rachel Candy (4-35 off 9) was the most successful member of the New Zealand attack.
Left arm medium bowlers Sian Ruck (2-37 off 9.1) and Morna Nielsen (2-39 off 10) were the other main wicket takers.

The four-match series continues on Friday at North Sydney Oval.


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Pacquiao vows to 'rise again'

No quitter ... Manny Pacquiao has said he will keep on fighting. Source: JOE KLAMAR / AFP

Manny Pacquiao vowed to "rise again'' as he flew home on Wednesday after a brutal knockout defeat that prompted some fans and experts to urge him to retire.

"Don't worry, we will rise again,'' he told well-wishers as he arrived in Manila from the United States, where he suffered his second consecutive loss with a sixth-round knockout by Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez on Saturday.

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Pacquiao, who has 54 wins, five defeats and two draws in nearly 18 years in the pro ring, had lost his World Boxing Organization welterweight crown in June on a controversial points decision to unbeaten US fighter Timothy Bradley.

But retirement appeared far from the mind of Pacquiao, who turns 34 on Monday and was once regarded as the world's best pound-for-pound fighter.

"I watched a replay of my fight and I am satisfied with my movement,'' Pacquiao said.

"I was fighting very well from the first to the sixth round. I was moving well. It was just that I got hit with a lucky punch on the last second of the round.''

Pacquiao, who on Wednesday also announced he was donating 10 million peso ($A233,000) to the victims of a typhoon which devastated the country's south last week, said he had been looking to finish off Marquez by the eighth round.

"The way the fight was going, there was no way it would have reached the 12th round,'' he said.

He cited how he had broken the Mexican's nose, leaving him with breathing difficulties that Pacquiao claimed had forced his foe to remove his mouthpiece at one point.

But Pacquiao acknowledged: "He owned that night. Let's give him due credit.''

Former world champion Ricky Hatton, 34, who was knocked out by Pacquiao in May 2009, has added his voice to calls for the Filipino to hang up his gloves.

"The only advice I could give Manny Pacquiao is that his legacy is already secured,'' said the Briton, a former world light-welterweight and welterweight champion who retired for a second time last month.

"The thing is with us fighters is that there is always one more fight.''

"What's he (Pacquiao) going to achieve by having one more fight? Probably nothing. He's an eight-weight world champion. There's nothing more to be said.''

Hatton, who was knocked out in a failed return to the ring in November, in what he says was his last fight, said of his Filipino rival: "You'd like to see him go into retirement and spend some time with his family and be happy.

"He can't do any more from a boxing point of view."


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Video: Malinga outshines Warne

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Outshone ... Warne took one wicket, five less than Lasith Malinga. Source: Daniel Wilkins / News Limited

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It's not easy to steal the show from Shane Warne, but Sri Lanka pace ace Lasith Malinga has done just that at the WACA Ground.

Warnie showed us he still has it, talking the Fox Sports commentators through a few ripper deliveries where he toyed with young Perth Scorchers batsman Hilton Cartwright before the spin king eventually took his first wicket of BBL|02 with a trademark flipper to dismiss Adam Voges.

But Lasith Malinga was undoubtedly the Star of the show, ripping through the Scorchers batsmen to eventually end with the incredible figures of 6-7 off four overs - the best bowling figures in Australian domestic T20 history.

That led to the Scorchers setting another Big Bash record, albeit an unwanted one - they finished on 69, beating the previous lowest score set by New South Wales against Western Australia in 2009-2010.

The Stars were well on their way to chasing that down, racing to 29 off just two overs before rain halted proceedings in Perth. 


Follow the match between Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Stars LIVE with our Match Centre!


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Deans gets ARU backing before crucial year

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 11 Desember 2012 | 18.48

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Defence ... ARU chairman Michael Hawker has backed Robbie Deans ahead of a make-or-break year. Source:AAP

Australian Rugby Union chairman Michael Hawker has made a passionate defence of the Wallabies' season ahead of a make-or-break year for coach Robbie Deans.

Deans may struggle to push beyond his contract, which finishes in 2013, following a season in which the Wallabies dropped from second to third in the world rankings and played a brand of rugby which delivered just 15 tries in 15 games.

Hawker admitted 2013 shaped as a significant year for Deans and the Wallabies, with the three-Test British and Irish Lions' tour of Australia the biggest indicator of success in the coming 12 months.

"I think for coaches every year is make or break,'' Hawker said on Tuesday. "That's the nature of coaching. I don't think Robbie takes anything for granted.

"For us, I think everyone in the Australian public is pretty keen to win all the games. So is Robbie, and he'll do the best he can to do that. In the board's view we've got every chance of defeating the Lions next year ... Next year is a huge year.

"(The Lions tour) always creates a huge wave of anticipation in this country, seeing the best of the northern hemisphere come here. We're pretty keen to try and thump them.''

Despite the Wallabies' dour playing style, it hasn't hampered participation rates across the country, with the ARU announcing on Tuesday a fourth consecutive year of growth - with player numbers totalling 323,115 in 2012.

Hawker said it was unfair to criticise the Wallabies simply on their record of nine wins, five losses and a draw - pointing to the unprecedented number of injuries which rocked the national team this year.

Playmakers Will Genia, Quade Cooper, James O'Connor and Kurtley Beale all missed significant portions of 2012, as did skipper James Horwill and world-class flanker David Pocock.

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"From the Australian Rugby Union, we're happy with where the Australian team is. We'd like to have less injuries and I think if we didn't have as many injuries we'd have been right up the top,'' Hawker said.

"You've got to put the Wallabies performance in context with how many injuries we've had. We've had 55 people play for the Wallabies this year, which is a pretty broad number of players, and so we've had an unusual level of injury rate.

"You look at some of the international teams (and) if you took Carter and Richie McCaw out in New Zealand you have a different proposition.''

So severe was the injury crisis Hawker revealed it had prompted an internal investigation, the result of which was a new process to handle injured players.

"We've actually just approved a better player management process between the Australian Rugby Union and the Super Rugby franchises to make sure that a player's welfare is managed right collectively across those two levels of the game,'' he said.


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Stoner edges closer to V8s

Switch ... Stoner impressed at a track day in a Holden Commodore. Source: Edge / Supplied

Former MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner has moved another step closer to a career in V8 Supercars, impressing during a test day at Queensland Raceway today.

The two-time MotoGP world champion, who retired from the sport at the end of this year's campaign, drove Jamie Whincup's Holden Commodore at the test day with Triple Eight Race Engineering.

With Whincup's veteran teammate Craig Lowndes offering advice, Stoner did well during the hit-out.

Speculation continues to build the 27-year-old will race with the team in the minor-category Dunlop Series next year.

"He's doing a great job at the moment and has acquitted himself well,'' team manager Adrian Burgess told motorsport website Speedcafe.com.

"We're going through a range of spring changes, bar adjustments and letting him feel what a real V8 Supercar is like with a proper engine.''

Burgess said Stoner was down to a lap time of one minute and 11 seconds by the end of his third run on the 3.12km track, around two seconds behind the fastest times in qualifying for this year's V8 Supercars race in Ipswich.

It's the second time Stoner has driven a V8 Supercar but Burgess said no decision on Stoner's future has been made.

"Prior to today, he's only driven our ride car," Burgess said.

"This is the opportunity to drive the race car.

"Once today is over, he can go home and make a balanced, educated assessment of where he's at and if he wants to do a deal."


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Gibbo farewells The Back Page

Over and out ... Gibson (R) hosted The Back Page with aplomb for 16 years. Source: News Limited

Veteran sports journalist Mike Gibson has called time on his stint as host of The Back Page after 16 years and 720 episodes.

The multi-award winning journalist, television and radio personality began hosting The Back Page on Fox Sports in 1997 when the program premiered, and has missed just one episode in 16 years.

Throughout his years as host Gibson has delivered his keen knowledge of sport with the home-spun philosophy of a fan who loves the game and wants to share his passion with other fans, forging an enduring rapport with his regular sidekick, "The Twelfth Man" Billy Birmingham.

"I've only ever missed one show and it was because of a crook back. I couldn't straighten up and would have had to host the show from the floor," Gibson said after his final show on Tuesday night.

"What I love about the show is that it is one of the few sports shows in the country that covers all sports. People have come up to me in restaurants and coffee shops and told me The Back Page is part of their life, part of their weekly routine, which is a great compliment."

Whilst admitting it was too difficult to pinpoint his favourite interview or moment over his 16 years on the show, Gibson said he relished the opportunity to work alongside Birmingham.

"Billy is an absolute genius," he said.

"I will always remember some of the legendary exchanges between Peter Fitzsimons and the late Peter Frilingos in the early years, it was very funny stuff.

"Aussies treat sport seriously, but you've got to remember it's not World War III. We've looked at sport as a whole lot of fun.

"For a little show that I thought might last a couple of years, I've got to say, it's been a heck of a ride."


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Evans lights up at record attempt

Record ... Cadel Evans has attempted a record by helping to light a Christmas tree with bikes. Source: Tracey Nearmy / AAP

Cadel Evans began the day with drug testers knocking on his door at 6am, continued on to a three-and-a-half hour 110km bike ride and ended with a world record attempt to generate human-powered renewable energy to light up a Christmas tree.

The 2011 Tour de France winner reckons he has just about shaken off an illness that's been bugging him all year and is getting stronger for his attempt to win a second Tour in 2013.

"So far I'm feeling nearly normal again after feeling absolutely exhausted for the best part of the last 10 months,'' he said.

Evans was speaking up for renewable energy on Tuesday for the attempt at Federation Square, which featured 120 specially-prepared bikes fitted with generators. He said anyone who knows cycling knows he had an average year in 2012 due to health issues.

That's when he finished seventh in the Tour, with only two Australians before him having managed a top 10 place.

When asked how he planned to win another Tour, Evans replied: "It's pretty simple. Just be a little bit faster than everyone else.''

Evans said he will start racing again in February or March as he regains his fitness. He said in next year's Tour there will be more uphill finishes, that will suit him, with less distances to cover in the time trials.

"It will be much more interesting with lots of tricky and narrow roads in Corsica - we like those,'' Evans said.

He believes this year's winning team, Sky, led by Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins, will have stiff competition in 2013.

"They made the team for the course and it was like the course was made for the team,'' Evans said. "They prepared very carefully and got the results they deserved.

"But there will be a few more people in the mix, myself included, who will unsettle a few things.''


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Campbell diplomatic on boycott

Written By Unknown on Senin, 10 Desember 2012 | 18.48

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Preston Campbell ... understands boycott threats for the All Stars game. Source: Dave Hunt / AAP

The man who conceived the NRL's All Stars idea - Preston Campbell - said he would understand if players boycotted the rugby league showpiece over a salary dispute.

But Campbell hoped NRL players would consider the impact the game had on the community programs it helped fund before striking.

Campbell was in Brisbane on Monday to help launch the final stage of public voting for the 2013 All Stars clash on February 9 to be held at Suncorp Stadium for the first time.

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However, Campbell admitted he was concerned the headline event may be a fizzer if big name players opted to stay away.

The Rugby League Players Association held their latest round of talks with the Australian Rugby League Commission last week in a bid to increase the NRL salary cap from $5 million to $6.5 million next season.

Players have refused to rule out an All Stars strike over the dispute.

Campbell said players deserved a pay increase but hoped they did not earn it by ditching the All Stars clash.

"I understand the boys want to get what they can," he told AAP.

"If the boys get a bit more then they deserve it. It's a tough environment playing rugby league.

"But at the same time players have to realise that without the support of the community, without people buying merchandise or going to games, switching the TV on to watch a match, the game wouldn't be as great - we need to remember that."

The All Stars concept has helped raise almost $5 million for NRL community programs in its first three years, with the ARLC hoping to increase the initiatives it supports next year.

The All Stars game was one of the projects that helped the ARLC take out Governing Body of the Year at this year's Beyond Sport Federation Awards in London.

"It would be disappointing if the game wasn't played," Campbell said.

"We would have to work a bit harder in trying to get the message out there.

"This is a great vehicle to get to a wider audience.

"It is making a big difference in so many people's lives."

Broncos star Justin Hodges said a strike would damage the good work the game did on and off the field.

"It would hurt everything,'' he said.

"As players we want to get paid like everybody else.

"We deserve it. We put our bodies through a lot of torture.

"But I will leave it to the players association.

"Hopefully we can get out there and play ... especially a game that means so much to our people."

Public voting on the Indigenous side and a 64-man NRL All Stars shortlist will end on January 14.

Laurie Daley will return as Indigenous All Stars coach while Wayne Bennett will again take up the NRL team's reins.


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Private racetrack a real gem

Leadfoot ... Dean Wills built a private track on his property in Kulnura. Source: Liam Driver / News Limited

It's not Monaco, the Nurburgring or even Oran Park - this racetrack is NSW's best-kept secret.

The privately owned road in Kulnura, on the Central Coast, is a 5.1km Formula One-style track with 22 turns, described by one motorsport champion as the second-best track in the world.

The track, which is said to have cost $10 million, was built by car enthusiast and former Coca-Cola Amatil boss Dean Wills after he lost his licence for speeding on the old Pacific Highway in 1996.

Mr Wills wanted to enjoy his growing fleet of exotic cars - which included the only McLaren racing car ever sold privately - without having to worry about oncoming traffic.

Kulnara ... a windy part of the tack. Source: News Limited

His son Mark said the track was motivated by a lack of opportunity for "spirited" driving in a safe environment.

"In the early days it was possible to wake up early on Sunday morning and go driving," he said.

"It was becoming increasingly less safe so we really needed somewhere we could go where we wouldn't get into life-threatening situations.

"Safety was the most important thing, to be able to enjoy driving in the way manufacturers designed the cars to be driven without on-coming cars or cyclists.

"We don't do lap times, the only way we measure it is how long the smile lasts."

While from the air it looks every bit a hair-raising speedway, Mr Wills said it was deliberately built as a country road, without a race track's ripple strips, barriers or gravel run-off areas.

Guests have to adhere to strict road rules including "no racing" and it even features standard road signs with recommended corner speeds.

"It never really entered our minds to create a race track, we just wanted a country road to drive on."

Mr Wills would not reveal how much the family had ploughed into the road but a conservative estimate of about $60sq m for the bitumen alone puts the 40,000sq m of circuit at $2.4 million.

Getting to race on the track is akin to joining the mafia - someone has to vouch for you.

"It's all friends of friends," he said. "We know the people who are inviting (other people) here and we trust their judgment."

Those who have done a few laps include motorcycle champion Casey Stoner, the "Flying Scot" Sir Jackie Stewart and Formula One great Jack Brabham.

Mr Wills said Wayne Gardner described the road as his second favourite circuit in the world behind Suzuka in Japan.


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Hughes primed for third Test coming

Right call ... Hughes's move to Adelaide paid immediate dividends. Source: News Limited

A confident Phil Hughes hopes he can translate his sizzling domestic form into the Test arena when Australia's three-match series against Sri Lanka begins in Hobart on Friday.

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Hughes cracked a match-winning 74 off 48 balls to help guide Adelaide Strikers to a six-wicket victory over Perth Scorchers at the WACA Ground on Sunday.

Chasing 163 for victory, the Strikers reached 4-164 with four balls to spare.

Hughes has been in sparkling touch this summer, averaging 51.8 in the Sheffield Shield ranks and 80.75 in one-dayers for his adopted state, South Australia.

The 24-year-old played the last of his 17 Tests a year ago.

But after making a minor technical tweak to his batting during the off-season and piling on a mountain of runs, Hughes is confident he can make the most of his third Test coming.

"The confidence is quite high at the moment," Hughes said.

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"It's nice getting runs behind you. Hopefully I can start off well in the first Test against Sri Lanka.

"I'm really excited about it.

"I can't wait to get in camp with the boys.

"Having that (previous Test) experience behind me, I'm a bit more relaxed about going into camp because I've been in that environment before."

Meanwhile, Scorchers opener Shaun Marsh has been ruled out of Wednesday night's home clash with Melbourne Stars due to a hamstring injury.

Marsh returned to form with 57 runs off 45 balls against the Strikers, but suffered a minor strain to his right hamstring late in the innings.

Scans have cleared him of any serious damage, and the Scorchers are hopeful the talented left-hander will be fit for Sunday's away match against Sydney Sixers.

Although the injury is a blow to Marsh, Scorchers coach Justin Langer said he was pleased to see the 29-year-old regain his sparkling touch with the bat.

"I knew it was just a matter of time for him," Langer said of Marsh, who was briefly dropped from Western Australia's Shield and Ryobi Cup sides earlier this season.

"He's been preparing well. He played well in the practice matches during the week. It was nice to see him make some runs."

Former Scorchers skipper Marcus North is set to replace Marsh against the Stars, while the Scorchers will also need a replacement for Test-bound veteran Mike Hussey.


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Cousins to make playing return

Training run ... Cousins has agreed to play two games for Mullewa Saints in 2013.

Former West Coast and Richmond star Ben Cousins will make a brief playing return next year when he fronts up for the Mullewa Saints in Western Australia's Great Northern Football League.

Cousins has agreed to play two games for the Saints, but club president Brett Del Nero hopes the 2005 Brownlow Medallist will end up playing more.

The 34-year-old notched 238 games for West Coast and a further 32 for Richmond during a decorated but controversial AFL career.

Cousins was sacked by West Coast at the end of 2007 after his methamphetamine addiction spiralled out of control.

The West Australian made a successful AFL return in 2009 with Richmond, before retiring in 2010.

Del Nero said it wasn't hard to convince Cousins to play for Mullewa, which is located 450km North of Perth.

"But we also had to take into consideration the commitments he's got," Del Nero told ABC radio.

"He's got a young family and other commitments to different groups.

"He's very approachable and very well respected within our community."

As well as turning out for a couple of games, Cousins will also conduct training sessions with fellow ex-Eagles player Travis Gaspar.

The pair, who have joined forces previously to conduct clinics at schools in the area, will also provide life coaching to the players.

And in an added bonus to Mullewa, Del Nero said Cousins has offered to redirect his match payments to the club's academy.

Del Nero said the news of Cousins's arrival next year had already inspired the club's players to improve.

"I even had some players talk about doing a pre-season this year, which is unusual," Del Nero joked.

"That's Ben Cousins, and that's what he brings to football. I think it's great."

Life after AFL hasn't been smooth for Cousins, who earlier this year was committed to a mental health hospital as a result of prolonged psychosis related to his battle with drugs.


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Senior cherishes Aus Open triumph

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 09 Desember 2012 | 18.48

Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

Peter Senior cherished his sweetest triumph after holding his nerve in "near impossible'' conditions to become golf's oldest Australian Open champion.

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The 53-year-old overcame galeforce winds and a three-hour delay at the windswept Lakes course in Sydney to post a dogged final-round even-par 72 to win the Stonehaven Cup by a shot from a valiant Brendan Jones (71).

With his teenage son Mitchell carrying his bag, Senior tallied four-under for the tournament after rounds of 75-68-69-72 to claim his 30th professional win - and first since the 2010 Australian PGA Championship at Coolum.

"This is probably the most special,'' Senior said.

"We've been closer over in America. We've lost three playoffs, come pretty close in a few other events and just once I would have liked to have said: `Mitch, well done mate, we've done it.'''

The Queenslander's second Open victory on a drama-charged afternoon comes after his first as a 30-year-old at back in 1989.

"I'm getting a bit long in the tooth now. I really thought these days were over,'' Senior said.

"God, golf is such a funny game. One minute you think you're down, the next minute you're up.

"I didn't play particularly well this week, but I got it up and down out of some places all week and today was no exception.''

The previous oldest Open winner was the legendary Peter Thomson at 43 at Kooyonga in 1972.

As virtually the entire field went backwards in winds gusting up to 80kph, Senior dropped just two shots all day - at the fifth and seventh holes - but birdies on the par-4 10th and 12th holes proved priceless.

While Senior took the spoils, Jones was heroic in almost snatching victory with a spectacular finish.

Contesting his first national championship in four years, the Japan-based Jones nearly overcame a 12-shot deficit early in his round after going five under through his last 13 holes, including a brilliant eagle on the par-5 17th.

But he was gallant in defeat.

"Peter Senior, he's a champion,'' Jones said.

Cameron Percy (73) finished outright third at two under, one ahead of Kim Felton (72), rookie Kieran Pratt (75) and English world No.4 Justin Rose (76).

Third-round leader John Senden - who also led into Sunday last year only to come up short - had a shocker, capitulating with a final-round 82 to be joint 18th.

The tournament finished in near darkness but while some players argued about the suspension of play, Open boss Trevor Herden said officials had no alternative but to halt proceedings just before noon when the fierce winds knocked down a television tower near the 18th green.

The southerly change also caused scoreboards to topple over, balls to move on the fairways and greens and sand to be blown from bunkers and into the galleries.

Herden said player and spectator safety was paramount.

"We had to suspend play,'' he said.

"Obviously there's nothing we can do to protect anybody other than to get them out of danger.

"We have an obligation to the public and the players and then there's the golf course, which at that point became unplayable.

"We were managing very, very well through the 60km (wind) zone but once we got to 80, we all know that no golf course can defend 80-kilometre winds.''

Herden agreed conditions were "brutal'', but defending champion Greg Chalmers claimed they were even tougher than that.

"Borderline impossible at certain points,'' Chalmers said after closing with a 77 to tie 23rd.

"t was just one of the most difficult days that I've played in a long time.''

 

Tour: APGA

Event Date: 06/12/2012 - 09/12/2012

Course Name: The Lakes Golf Club

Course Length: 6290m

Par Score: 72

1 Peter Senior (AUS) F -4 75 68 69 72 284
2 Brendan Jones (AUS) F -3 68 71 75 71 285
3 Cameron Percy (AUS) F -2 72 69 72 73 286
T4 Justin Rose (ENG) F -1 68 73 70 76 287
T4 Kieran Pratt (AUS) F -1 71 71 70 75 287
T4 Kim Felton (AUS) F -1 68 75 72 72 287
T7 Stuart Appleby (AUS) F E 70 73 70 75 288
T7 Scott Gardiner (AUS) F E 76 71 68 73 288
T7 Michael Hendry (NZL) F E 72 71 74 71 288
T10 Nick O'Hern (AUS) F +1 71 73 73 72 289
T10 Rod Pampling (AUS) F +1 74 69 73 73 289
T10 Matthew Jones (AUS) F +1 71 72 69 77 289
T10 Brett Rumford (AUS) F +1 73 69 75 72 289

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'Reds have set the benchmark'

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Benchmark ... Adelaide's Bruce Djite holds off Billy Celeski. Source:News Limited

Fox Sports' football expert Mark Bosnich believes Adelaide United's first-half performance against Melbourne Victory has set the benchmark for the season.

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Adelaide United 4 defeated Melbourne Victory 2 at Hindmarsh Stadium

Bozza: Phenomenal. The pace of the game, considering the heat, and the quality of the football. Speed in any type of game really does make a difference and when you play at that type of pace, yes you can make a lot more mistakes, but in terms of entertainment value and the quality that was on show, the 14,000 sell-out crowd at Hindmarsh must have gone home - plus the result for them - very, very happy. Watching it on TV was fantastic - entertainment, great atmosphere from the crowd - the big test for Adelaide is that they've set the benchmark for themselves. Can they keep doing it week in, week out?

Griffiths: They've got the depth that no other team in the A-League has at the moment. I think Central Coast are the closest ones to that. They're playing great football, their fans are on board now, which is important, and I can't see anyone really threatening them aside from the Mariners at the moment.


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Melbourne Heart 1 defeated Perth Glory 0 at AAMI Park

Griffiths: It's always going to be physical when you're playing against Perth Glory and I think it's instilled in all the players there. You know you've got to be up for the challenge. I take my hat off to Heart, they played the game in that way. [Josip] Tadic, I don't really agree with going down when you don't get hit, he probably got him in the eye or something, but that's playing the game. If they're going to come out doing that you've got to do it yourself.

Bozza: I can tell you, during my 20 years as a professional, I would say once every three weeks (there was a bust-up in the tunnel). Minimum. Not only that but at training as well, between teammates, and moreso probably at the bigger clubs. At Manchester United for example I would say there was a training ground fight once every two or three weeks.


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Newcastle Jets 0 lost to Central Coast Mariners 2 at Hunter Stadium

Bozza: The first half I thought there was a split hair between the sides. I think the Mariners perhaps created the more open opportunities of both sides but it was still very close. I thought gradually starting with Josh Rose on the right-hand side and Pedj Bojic on the other, that was the key. At the beginning, young [James] Brown and Craig Goodwin had them penned back, but once they established midfield dominance, and those two boys started to get forward, it was a completely different game. Both goals came as a result.

Griffiths: I think we're [Newcastle] at a stage where consistency is a little bit out the door. We need to be more consistent as a team. I think I explained earlier that when you have a younger squad, it's difficult to get that consistency, but when we go on a roll, we really go on a roll. If we can get those wins together, Newcastle are dangerous.


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Wellington Phoenix 1 lost to Sydney FC 2 at Westpac Stadium

Griffiths: To go over there and try to get a win, they've gone and done it and I take my hat off to them. Maybe it is the new coach effect there but whatever Frank's done, he's done well.

Bozza: A really good performance like I said, it is the first week and there's a lot of work to do, especially the way they play - keeping possession of the ball. Wellington weren't at their very best, albeit, but the way they kept possession, they just looked a much better, much more orgainsed side. But there's a long way to go and a big test this week with the derby, but a fantastic victory and they deserve a bit of respite after the stick that they've, deservedly, copped for their start to the season.


Western Sydney Wanderers 1 defeated Brisbane Roar 0 at Parramatta Stadium

Bozza: The first 15 minutes I thought the Wanderers dominated and were unfortunate not to be 1-0 up. Brisbane just aren't quite the same free-flowing side we've become accustomed to over the last two seasons. They slowly got their way back into it but not in the way that we're used to, not with that free-flowing type of football. They did create a few chances but I thought it had 0-0 written all over it until it exploded a little bit over those last few minutes, but Brisbane will count themselves very unfortunate not to get themselves at least a point, especially with hitting the bar and the post straight after they conceded the penalty.

Griffiths: Sometimes that happens in football, you don't realise until you go behind that 'hang on I'd better start playing here'. It happens a lot and Brisbane are very good at coming home as we know from the past. But the game, definitely like Bozza said, Brisbane's free-flowing game from last year just isn't there this year.


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Bolton beauty is Bozza's best

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Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

Melbourne Heart fans were not only chanting Golgol Mebrahtu's name on Saturday night, one of the heroes was undoubtedly Clint Bolton.

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Bolton is one of Australia's most experienced goalkeepers and showed he has lost nothing by denying Perth Glory's Travis Dodd from point-blank range.

Bolton didn't have to save too many against the Glory but when called on did his job with aplomb. As the cross came in, Dodd sneaked in behind his Heart marker and fired a shot low to the left hand corner only to be denied by Bolton's outstretched fingers.

At the other end, Mebrahtu would strike late to deliver all three points to the Heart in a tense 1-0 win.

Former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Bosnich singled the effort out as his save of the week.

Bosnich said the technical difficulty of Bolton's save was the deciding factor, just in front of Sydney FC youngster Vedran Janjetovic.

"That change in direction at a crucial time in the game - it's one of the hardest things to do as a goalkeeper and that was truly an outstanding save," he said.

"It contributed greatly to Melbourne Heart notching up the victory.

"There's a lot of work that goes into that. You probably do 30 or 40 every week, going across your goal, changing direction and saving at various heights.

Janjetovic has shown great talent in his few starts for Sydney FC and was again on hand to stop Wellington Phoenix.


Watch Bolton's sublime save against Perth Glory above and have your say on Bozza's save of the week by leaving a comment below!


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Socceroos qualify for East Asian Cup

Australia needed just over half an hour to secure their East Asian Cup berth with an 8-0 demolition of lowly Taiwan at Hong Kong Stadium on Sunday night.

The top-placed Socceroos will now join Japan, China and hosts South Korea in the showpiece next July.

Adam Taggart, Richard Garcia and Aziz Behich all scored their maiden international goals with Robert Cornthwaite and Aaron Mooy rounding out the scoring for the experimental Socceroos side.

Rookies Taggart and Behich both netted a brace each while Taiwan gifted Australia their eighth with an own goal.

With North Korea beating hosts Hong Kong 4-0 in Sunday's earlier match Australia knew they needed at least five goals against world No.176 side Taiwan to better the Koreans goal difference of plus 14.

It didn't take long for Australia to get off the mark with Melbourne Heart striker Garcia scoring in the 11th minute courtesy of superb lead-up work from Behich. Scott Jamieson forced a save from Taiwan goal keeper Lu Kun Chi moments later with the rebound falling to Cornthwaite who made no mistake.

Newcastle's teen striker Taggart took advantage of the lacklustre defence to easily score in the 19th minute and put Australia up 3-0.

Taggart found the back of the net again soon after, getting on the end of a Jamieson ball for the 4-0 lead. Behich secured Australia's East Asian Cup berth with a header in the 33rd minute as Australia went 5-0 up.

Mooy continued the assault right after the break, scoring with a superb free-kick - quickly becoming his specialty - for the 6-0 advantage.

The Taiwan side did their best to halt the humiliation with defenders scrambling at the goal mouth to block a tirade from Emerton, Taggart and Behich.

Behich scored his second in the 56th minute easily getting past Taiwan's hapless defence.

Archie Thompson, who replaced Garcia in the 57th minute, twice came heartbreakingly close to equalling Damian Mori's all-time highest goal scoring record for Australia, stinging the palms of 'keeper Lu and denied by the woodwork moments later.

Adding insult to injury Taiwan supplemented Australia's massive goal haul with an own goal from skipper Yang Cha Hsun 10 minutes before time.


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