Dockers too strong for tired Cats

NAB Cup ... Matt de Boer looks to put Fremantle into attack. Source: Daniel Wilkins / News Limited

A fresh Fremantle prove too good for Geelong in the second NAB Cup game in Perth, winning by 18 points.

0.4.2 (26)	Q1	0.2.4 (16)
0.7.6 (48)	Q2	0.4.6 (30)
	Q3
	Q4

Michael Walters 2	Mitchell W. Brown 2
Hayden Crozier 1	Joel Selwood 2
Chris Mayne 1
Tendai Mzungu 1
Clancee Pearce 1
Alex Silvagni 1

As proved last season, the fresher team usually prevailed and so it proved in hot conditions at Patterson Stadium with Fremantle triumphing 7.6 (48) to 4.6 (30).

Geelong had won the opening triple-header against West Coast but couldn't stay with Fremantle, whos run and carry proved damaging on the wide open spaces.

0.3.0 (18)	Q1	0.2.0 (12)
1.6.2 (47)	Q2	1.6.4 (49)
	Q3
	Q4

Jack Darling 3	James Podsiadly 2
Bradd Dalziell 1	Josh Caddy 1
Ashton Hams 1	Tom Hawkins 1
Mark LeCras 1	Joel Selwood 1
Fraser McInnes 1	Travis Varcoe 1
	Joshua Walker 1

Mitchell Brown and Joel Selwood were the only goal scorers for the Cats while six Dockers got on the score sheet, though Michael Walters was the only one to grab two majors.

Fremantle defender Michael Barlow looks to be back to his ball-winning best after gathering 15 touches in the two 20-minutes halves while Selwood and Brown against led the possessions, highlighting how much the team relied on the pair.

In the opening game, it was again Selwood who inspired his team with a last-minute super goal giving the Cats a two-point victory over West Coast.

The Eagles looked to be cruising in the opening contest of the triple-header in Perth when leading by 22 points with just five minutes remaining.

However, the Cats got back within nine-point range and Jimmy Bartel handpassed off from a mark to his captain and Selwood kicked the goal from just outside the 50-metre arc to give Geelong victory 1.6.4 (49) to 1.6.2 (47).

Josh Caddy, who crossed from Gold Coast to the Cats at the end of last season, started brilliantly with a clever goal within 20 seconds in a sign of what he can offer.

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Geelong led by seven points early in the second half of the reduced minutes contest, but that's when the Eagles took over and the most heartening aspect of all was the successful return of All-Australian forward Mark LeCras.

He started solidly enough in the first half in his first official hit out in 17 months since he injured his knee and required a full reconstruction that cost his entire 2012 campaign.

While he had just five disposals in his return, it was what he did from a free-kick on the boundary that showed just how much he was missed and why he could help West Coast go that extra step or two in the finals this year.

LeCras kicked a goal from the boundary after a free-kick and, with a super goal soon after from Bradd Dalziell and a regular six-pointer to Fraser McInnes, the Eagles looked home with a 22-point lead.

However, quick goals to Travis Varcoe and Taylor Walker, and then the super goal by Selwood, saw the Cats scrape home.

Geelong next plays Fremantle before the night concludes with the first western derby of 2013.

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Pocock leads Brumbies to victory

Second spell ... Clyde Rathbone debuts for the second time at the Brumbies. Source: Kym Smith / News Limited

The David Pocock effect has begun in Canberra, with the Wallabies flanker leading the Brumbies to an emphatic 24-6 Super Rugby win over Queensland.

2 Tries 0
Jesse Mogg 9'
Jesse Mogg 80'
1 Conversions 0
Ian Prior 80'
4 Penalties 2
Nic White 36'	Michael Harris 3'
Jesse Mogg 51'	Michael Harris 25'
Jesse Mogg 58'
Nic White 75'

Brumbies coach Jake White talked the talk in the pre-season, boasting that with Pocock in their side, the boys from the ACT can return to the glory days of old.

Saturday night's two-tries-to-nothing victory proved they are certainly on the right path.

Jesse Mogg scored both tries for the Brumbies, but it was their suffocating defence that shut down Quade Cooper and the Reds.

The fiery build-up to the anticipated match continued on the pitch, with players coming together for some push in shove at regular intervals in the first half.

There was plenty of rust for Pocock and his teammates, but the world's most dominant No.7 added an edge the Brumbies lacked last year when they stumbled with a finals berth in reach.

The win broke a two-match losing streak against Queensland as the Brumbies showed they'll again build their campaign around a rock-solid defensive game.

Halfback Nic White played a leading role, setting up a try and kicking two long-range penalties that kept the Reds out of reach.

Nine minutes into the match and with referee Andrew Lees playing the advantage in the Reds' 22, White dabbed a smart kick in behind the line, with speedster Mogg touching down in the corner.

Penalty kicks from White and Mogg had the Brumbies in control, before flying fullback Mogg put the icing on the cake with a last-minute intercept try.

Last year Queensland ground out a 13-12 win in Canberra and went on to steal the Brumbies finals spot in the last round when White's men choked against the Blues.

With Pocock in their stable and playmaking combination Matt Toomua and Christian Lealiifano back from injury, the Brumbies showed signs against Queensland that they are back with a vengeance.

Toomua and Lealiifano ran the backline smoothly, in the second half especially, and showed a willingness to run the ball to the line.

Clyde Rathbone didn't see much ball in his much anticipated return after a four-year retirement.

Queensland five-eighth Cooper didn't get much opportunity to show his wares, with the Reds scarcely getting themselves into an attacking position all night.

Fullback Mike Harris booted two penalties for the visitors but was offline with a couple of other strikes.

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Re-live the match, including highlights of both Mogg's tries, in our Super Rugby Match Centre.

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Wanderers' build streak to six

Shinji Ono ... scores in Western Sydney's win over Melbourne Victory. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

The A-League's form side Western Sydney have strengthened their hold on a top two berth with an impressive 2-1 win over Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park.

Iacopo La Rocca and Shinji Ono scored the Wanderers' goals as the visitors notched their sixth straight win - the best streak in the league this season - to move five points clear of the third-placed Victory.

It was the Victory's first home defeat since crosstown rivals Melbourne Heart downed them to open the season and their second straight loss, after falling to fourth-placed Adelaide United last weekend.

The Wanderers' win, in front of 21,638 fans including a noisy throng of their own supporters, was well-deserved.

They put the Victory under constant pressure, not letting the home side develop fluidity or freedom at any stage.

The Victory's speedy New Zealand attacker Marco Rojas, who has been in dazzling form this season, was given little room to move and with the injured Archie Thompson missing the Victory lacked inspiration.

La Rocca gave the visitors the lead in the 18th minute, after Ono sent a free kick from about 30m deep into the box and La Rocca showed poise in a goalmouth scramble to put it home.

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While the Wanderers had two more dangerous attacking thrusts soon after, the Victory didn't look like scoring in the first half.

They showed a few positive signs early in the second.

Argentinian play-maker Marcos Flores forced Wanderers keeper Ante Covic into his first save of the match four minutes into the half.

Covic had to work even harder two minutes later, when a slick Flores pass allowed Rojas to penetrate deep and cross to the goalmouth, where Covic did well to block Andrew Nabbout's shot.

The Wanderers looked to have snuffed out Victory's rally when Ono pounced on a rebound to goal in the 72nd minute after Nathan Coe had parried a Youssouf Hersi shot.

Young Victory substitute Connor Pain gave his side a flicker of hope when he scored his first A-League goal on the counter-attack three minutes later but the home side couldn't fashion another.

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Bulls keep finals hopes alive

Vital ... Chris Hartley launches a boundary for Queensland. Source: Michael Klein / News Limited

Queensland have kept their one-day cricket final hopes alive with a six-wicket win over top side Victoria.

The Bushrangers will still probably finish in first place and host the February 27 final.

ODD - Melbourne Cricket Ground

16 February 2013 - Day 1, Session 2

Queensland 1st Innings

N. Reardon	52	45	5	1	115.56
D. Michael	30	20	4	0	150
D. Hussey	4.4	0	20	0	4.29

But they must now wait until the result of Sunday's game between second-placed South Australia and NSW.

The third-placed Bulls won with 14 balls left on Saturday night, scoring 4-243 in reply to Victoria's 8-242.

Chris Hartley top-scored with 74 and Nathan Reardon made an unbeaten 52.

Reardon combined with first-gamer Dominic Michael (30no) for a stand of 43 from 35 balls to ensure the win.

Michael appeared lucky to survive an lbw appeal from Will Sheridan on the first ball he faced.

Victoria led SA by a game at the top of the table before this loss.

The Redbacks will need a massive win over New South Wales at Adelaide Oval on Sunday to take top spot from the Bushrangers.

Queensland will make the final against Victoria if SA lose.

Every team except last-placed Tasmania has a mathematical chance of making the final.

Hartley and Luke Pomersbach set up the Queensland innings with a second-wicket stand of 116.

Leg-spinner Fawaz Ahmed, who will probably make his Sheffield Shield debut against the Bulls on Monday, then made a double breakthrough.

He bowled Pomersbach for 51 and five balls later trapped Peter Forrest lbw for six.

But that only briefly held up Queensland's scoring.

When Hartley holed out to Clive Rose in the deep off Will Sheridan's bowling for 74, the Bulls were cruising at 4-200 in the 42nd over.

Michael Hill top-scored for Victoria with 88 and Matthew Gale took 5-67 from 11 overs.

Queensland started well, restricting Victoria to only 1-18 from the first 10 overs.

Former Test paceman Ryan Harris, playing his first match for the Bulls this summer, had opener Rob Quiney caught behind for two.

But Harris quickly ran out of steam and only bowled seven overs, taking 1-30.

Hill and Chris Rogers survived the early trouble, putting on 125 for the second wicket.

By the time Rogers was well-caught by Peter Forrest off the bowling of captain James Hopes for 60, Victoria were 2-130 in the 30th over.

David Hussey belted 22 from 18 balls before James Hopes had him caught behind and from there Queensland kept a reasonable check on the run rate.

Peter Handscomb made 38, with Forrest catching him on the boundary from the last ball of the innings.

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O'Keefe: Rotation is guesswork

Guesswork ... Stephen O'Keefe (L) speaks out at the Northcott Cricket Legends Lunch. Source: Tim Hunter / News Limited

Twenty20 player Stephen O'Keefe has branded the controversial rotation policy as guesswork, but ruefully admits he wouldn't mind it being extended to spinners.

The resting and management of players has been a hot topic throughout the summer with most established cricketers getting a break at some stage.

O'Keefe drew a big round of applause on Friday when he supported what most cricket followers probably believe - the now seemingly radical policy of choosing your strongest available XI at all times.

''You just think will the team suffer by not playing (someone) and then a player getting injured, it's all guesswork,'' O'Keefe said at the Northcott Cricket Legends lunch in Sydney.

''I just think your 11 best fit players should be playing.

''I think, as a public, we deserve it and I think, as a player, you have earned your right to stay there and play.

''I'd like to see it remain that simple.''

Asked if the players understood how the policy works, a candid O'Keefe said ''no, I don't think they understand it.

''It would be nice if they rotated a few more spinners.

''I think there is a lot of grey area and I certainly don't envy the coaching staff, the selectors or the physios who are put in this position and are trying to rotate through quicks.''

O'Keefe was considered a chance to make the four-Test tour of India, but missed out behind Nathan Lyon and Xavier Doherty.

Sidelined by a split webbing injury, O'Keefe said Doherty's bowling would suit Indian conditions.

''I think (England spinner) Monty Panesar had great success over there bowling fast and accurately and I think that's the reason why the Australian selectors have gone with Doherty,'' O'Keefe said.

''I think his international (record) in one-day cricket certainly holds up.''

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Rebels open account against Force

One from one ... the Rebels open their Super Rugby account against the Force. Source: Mark Dadswell / AAP

Melbourne Rebels are first on the Super Rugby winners' list after escaping with a 30-23 win over Western Force in their season-opening clash.

The Rebels trailed 11-0 midway through Friday night's opening half at AAMI Park, but three tries and 15 points from the radar boot of star fullback James O'Connor helped the home team to victory.

3 Tries 3
Ged Robinson 33'	Alfi Mafi 27'
Hugh Pyle 46'	Alfi Mafi 50'
Richard Kingi 64'	Richard Brown 71'
3 Conversions 1
James O'Connor 34'	Kyle Godwin 71'
James O'Connor 48'
James O'Connor 65'
3 Penalties 2
James O'Connor 38'	Kyle Godwin 7'
James O'Connor 53'	Kyle Godwin 23'
James O'Connor 75'

The Force were rocked in the second half when they had only 13 players for seven minutes with key flanker Chris Alcock and then halfback Alby Mathewson both yellow-carded for seemingly innocuous off-the-ball incidents.

Referee Angus Gardner had already set a precedent in the first half, yellow-carding Rebels recruit Scott Higginbotham for allegedly throwing a punch at Force lock Toby Lynn.

While the Force duo were off, Rebels winger Richard Kingi touched down after a long pass across field by O'Connor, with the conversion opening the lead up to 11 points.

But the Perth side showed their spirit with replacement forward Richard Brown scoring in the 69th minute for a 27-23 scoreline.

Force winger Alfie Mafi did his best to help his side snap a two-game losing streak to Melbourne, scoring two tries, but in the end the Rebels had too much firepower.

It started as a slow burn, however, with Melbourne playing the first half with only 40 per cent possession.

With the Force piling on the pressure, the Rebels' error rate was costly early on as they struggled to find rhythm.

The visitors, missing injured skipper Matt Hodgson, set up their 11-0 lead through the boot of rising star Kyle Godwin and Mafi's first try.

Tries each side of the main break, scored by hooker Ged Robinson and Hugh Pyle, proved the difference.

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Re-live the action and check out the key stats with our Super Rugby Match Centre.

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Pyle's try came after Kingi showed his skill and managed to bat the ball back inside to the athletic lock as he was going over the sideline.

While O'Connor looked sharp after a long stint on the sidelines with a troublesome hamstring, Kiwi Mathewson also impressed in his Force debut, particularly in the first half.

It was their third straight victory over the Force and biggest winning margin, with only a point deciding their past two clashes.

Despite the tight scoreline, coach Damien Hill said there were a lot of positives, not the least being the first opening-round win for the Rebels.

He was particularly pleased with the effort of the tight five, especially prop Laurie Weeks and second-rowers Pyle and Luke Jones.

"In the first 20 minutes, we chose not to treasure possession and then the discipline started to go as fatigue started to build.

"For the first 30 minutes, we were on the back foot but, to the players' credit, they were able to go into the second half still in the game.

"The second half, while not as clinical as we would have liked, was better."

Force coach Michael Foley, in his first Super game since switching from NSW, was also pleased with his team's effort, pointing to their ball usage.

He wasn't too fazed by the two yellow cards, saying the teams had been warned on a crackdown.

"The referees have warned us they are going to be particularly tough early in the season because they want to see the game open up.

"If we've infringed and they've made those decisions, we accept that."

The Force next travel to South Africa to face new team the Southern Kings while the Rebels host the Brumbies next week.

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Jets beat Heart, boost finals hopes

Outmuscled ... Emile Heskey (C) holds off an opponent in the Jets 2-0 win. Source: AAP

Newcastle landed a crucial blow in the scrap for A-League finals places with 2-0 win over fellow top-six contenders Melbourne Heart on Friday.

Emile Heskey and Ryan Griffiths scored in each half at Hunter Stadium as the Jets climbed back into the top six with their first win in five games.

The result in front of 11,396 fans continued the Heart's disastrous run away from home, their sixth straight loss on the road leaving them sitting perilously in sixth spot.

Jets coach Gary van Egmond made five changes to his starting side, including three in defence and a first start of the season for English striker Michael Bridges.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Central Coast	20	12	6	2	22	42
2	Western Sydney	20	12	2	6	11	38
3	Victory	20	11	3	6	3	36
4	Adelaide	20	11	2	7	3	35
5	Newcastle	21	7	5	9	-7	26
6	Heart	21	7	3	11	-3	24
7	Sydney	20	7	3	10	-8	24
8	Brisbane	20	6	3	11	-2	21
9	Wellington	20	5	5	10	-15	20
10	Perth	20	5	4	11	-4	19

And it had the desired effect, with Bridges impressing in a classy display and striker Adam Taggart also making an impact after being promoted.

Griffiths and midfielder Zenon Caravella were other strong contributors while Heskey was a tower of strength up front.

He gave the home side the lead after just nine minutes, taking a first-time shot well after Griffiths unlocked the Heart defence with a clever through ball.

The visitors had several chances to hit back, with dangerous striker Eli Babalj causing most headaches in attack.

He wasted one chance in the 13th minute but was unlucky not to equalise when his volley struck the post from a Richard Garcia cross.peTaggart and Heskey also had decent chances late in the half and the home side looked in control as they headed to halftime in front.

The Heart started the second half strongly and came within centimetres of an equaliser through Nick Kalmar in the 53rd minute.

Brazilian playmaker Fred made his return from a quad injury off the bench but the Heart hit a flat spot with little created in attack.

Taggart was unlucky not to extend the Jets' lead in the 65th minute, striking the left post with a low shot from just outside the box.

But he capped a strong performance when he set up the Jets' second in the 81st minute.

Taggart found Griffiths with a looped through ball and the striker controlled beautifully before craftily scooping the ball over Heart goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne.

Van Egmond admitted it was a tough call to drop the likes of young guns Craig Goodwin and James Virgili to the bench but felt the inclusion of new faces worked a treat.

''It was time (to make changes),'' van Egmond told Fox Sports.

''As you saw tonight, we always looked dangerous going forward. It always looked like we had goals in us.

''I thought Bridgey early on, when he was nice and fresh, did some very clever things ... hopefully he can derive a lot of fitness out of this and continue.''

Heskey said the performance augured well for the Jets' remaining six regular-season games.

''We knew how important the game was. It was one of those ones we knew we had to win,'' Heskey said.

''When we perform like this, that's what we're capable of doing.''

Heart coach John Aloisi was disappointed his men didn't take their chances in the first half and admitted the winless away form this season was a serious problem.

''It's not good - we know that,'' Aloisi said.

''We're trying to put it right but now we've got a home game to look forward to next week (against Sydney FC). It's a big game for us.

''We're still in finals contention and we have to keep working hard.''

New Dutch recruit Marcel Meeuwis made his debut off the bench in the 62nd minute and Aloisi said he would be better for the run. 

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Check out all the action, including highlights of both goals, in our A-League Match Centre.

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Pies undefeated with win over Bombers

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Screamer ... Magpie Jamie Elliott can't hang onto this attempt. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

Collingwood has finished the first triple-header of the NAB Cup undefeated after a dramatic late win over heated-rivals Essendon at Etihad Stadium.

1.0.5 (14)	Q1	0.2.3 (15)
1.2.10 (31)	Q2	0.4.5 (29)
	Q3
	Q4

Travis Cloke 1	Leroy Jetta 2
Andrew Krakouer 1	Brendon Goddard 1
Ben Sinclair 1	Dyson Heppell 1

In the final game of the night, the two clubs played out a two-point thriller and it was a free-kick to Magpies key forward Travis Cloke in the dying seconds that settled it.

Cloke was awarded a push in the back just 10 metres from goal and duly slotted it with 34 seconds left on the clock to leave the scores on 1.2.10 (31) to 4.5 (29)

0.3.3 (21)	Q1	0.3.1 (19)
0.4.5 (29)	Q2	1.6.2 (47)
	Q3
	Q4

Daniel Giansiracusa 2	Travis Cloke 2
Tory Dickson 1	Jarryd Blair 1
Jarrad Grant 1	Jamie Elliott 1
	Quinten Lynch 1
	Brent Macaffer 1
	Dane Swan 1

In a final twist, young Bomber Luke Davis was awarded a free kick after the final siren but his shot from outside 50m did not make the distance.

Essendon held a one-point lead at half-time and they extended that to 13 points midway through the second half, with star recruit Brendon Goddard kicking his first goal.

Magpies star midfielder Scott Pendlebury and former Carlton defender Jordan Russell impressed for the 'Pies, while Dyson Heppell and Goddard were high in Essendon's best..

Collingwood were equally lucky to come away with a win in the second game of the night after they came from behind to score a 18-point win over a gusty Western Bulldogs outfit in the first round of the NAB Cup at Etihad Stadium.

Backing up from the first game of the night, the Bulldogs looked the hungrier of the two team for most of the game but the fresher Magpies surged home in the closing stages and finished 1.6.2 (47) to 4.5 (29).

After losing the first game to Essendon, the Bulldogs earnt a two-point lead at half-time and were a much better team in the second game following a spray from coach Brenton McCartney.

1.2.4 (25)	Q1	1.0.3 (12)
1.5.6 (45)	Q2	1.1.4 (19)
	Q3
	Q4

Tom Bellchambers 1	Shaun Higgins 1
Alex Browne 1	Liam Jones 1
Alwyn Davey 1
Cory Dell'Olio 1
Kyle Hardingham 1
Nick Kommer 1

"When fatigue set in and the opposition put defensive pressure on us, we didn't use it that well,'' McCartney said.

"We gave up goals late in quarters.

"Sometimes you've just got to hang in there for the last three or four minutes and that's something we've got to get better at.''

Collingwood looked a little rusty at the beginning but were sparked by a classy performance from small forward Jarryd Blair and superstar midfielder Dane Swan.

In the night's opening game, Essendon gained some respite from their off-field nightmare with a morale-boosting AFL pre-season win over the Western Bulldogs.

The Bombers opened the NAB Cup on Friday night with a 26-point win over the Western Bulldogs in the first of three mini-games.

Essendon then had a break before playing Collingwood in the last game of the evening.

Star recruit Brendon Goddard had a team-high 13 possessions and Kyle Hardingham kicked the supergoal as the 'Dons won 1.5.6 (45) to 1.1.4 (19).

Essendon's defence was superb, the league's oldest active player Dustin Fletcher and his young key-defender apprentice Jake Carlisle dominating.

There was plenty of applause for the Bombers as they took to the field, a welcome change from the intense media scrutiny of the past few days.

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Essendon are under Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and AFL investigation because of supplements their players took last season.

The club was also implicated in the landmark Australian Crime Commission investigation into sport.

While the Bulldogs took the early initiative when Shaun Higgins kicked their supergoal, Essendon kicked the last two goals of the half to lead by 13 points.

They then kicked clear in the second half and first-year player Nick Kommer goaled seconds before the fulltime siren to add emphasis to the win.

Captain Matthew Boyd had a game-high 17 disposals for the Bulldogs and fellow midfielder Nick Lower also impressed in the first game for his third AFL club.

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Mathews named new Test skipper

New blood ... Angelo Mathews will take the reins as Sri Lanka skipper. Source: Theron Kirkman / AP

All-rounder Angelo Mathews has been appointed Sri Lanka's new Test and one-day captain for next month's home series against Bangladesh, selectors announced on Thursday.

The 25-year-old replaced prolific batsman Mahela Jayawardene, who stepped down after leading on a recent tour of Australia where Sri Lanka lost the Test series 3-0 and drew a one-day series 2-2.

Dinesh Chandimal, named Mathews's deputy in Tests and one-day internationals, will lead the side in T20 matches.

Mathews and Chandimal will lead the teams until the end of January 2014, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said in a statement.

Bangladesh will play two Tests, three one-dayers and a one-off T20 match. The Tests will be played in Galle (March 8-12) and Colombo (March 16-20), while Hambantota (March 23 and 25) and Pallekele (March 28) will host the limited overs games.

Mathews, with 1,668 runs in 31 Tests, has also scored 1,784 runs and taken 54 wickets in 90 one-day internationals.

Jayawardene, with more than 10,000 runs both in Tests and one-dayers, led Sri Lanka to the finals of the 50-over World Cup in the West Indies in 2007 and then the World T20 at home last year.

The 20-man Test squad has six uncapped players - batsmen Ashen Silva and Kithuruwan Vithanage, seamer Dushmantha Chameera, spinners Tharindu Kaushal and Jeevan Mendis, and wicketkeeper-batsman Kushal Perera.

Middle-order batsman Thilan Samaraweera and opener Tharanga Paranavitana, who toured Australia, were dropped while unorthodox spinner Ajantha Mendis returned to the Test squad.

Mendis, who played his last Test in May 2011, has so far bagged 62 wickets in 16 matches.

Kumar Sangakkara's participation in Tests is subject to recovery from an injury, according to the SLC statement.

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Crusaders edge Waratahs in trial

Israel Folau ... impresses again for the Waratahs in a trial. Source: News Limited

NSW Waratahs knocked back a whopping nine kickable penalty shots at goal as they fell 16-14 to the Crusaders in a scrappy Super Rugby trial at Allianz Stadium.

Waratahs coach Michael Cheika stuck with his policy for the trials of not taking three-pointers as they looked to get their attack fine-tuned ahead of their Super Rugby opener against Queensland on Saturday week.

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Young five-eighth Ben Volavola had an indifferent night at the office for the Waratahs but showed glimpses of class and enough to please Cheika with playmakers Berrick Barnes and Bernard Foley in doubt for the Reds' clash.

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Israel Folau was named man of the match as the star fullback made the most of his limited opportunities with several line breaks for the hosts who scored two tries to one.

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Folau brought the small crowd to their feet every time he chimed into the backline and showed enough to suggest he's in for a big year.

The Waratahs fought back well in the second half after trailling 13-0 at halftime.

Brendan McKibbin's injection at halfback for Grayson Heart in the 27th minute was pivotal for the Waratahs with the classy No.9 giving his side some much-needed direction.

NSW scored their first points of the night when back-rower Lopeti Timani charged onto a pass from McKibbin close the line with the big Tongan barging his way over on 60 minutes.

McKibbin slotted the goal from the sideline to make it 13-7.

The Waratahs hit the lead for the first time about seven minutes later when replacement hooker Luke Holmes scored after a rolling maul from a lineout close to the Crusaders' line with Brendan McKibbin kicked the conversion to make it 14-13.

The Crusaders hit back with a penalty goal to Tom Taylor to make it 16-14 much to the disapproval of the enthusiastic small crowd.

The first half of the match which was split into 20 minute periods didn't reach any great heights with the Crusaders scoring a try through prop Pa'ea Fununu off a rolling maul while the other points came from a conversion and penalty goal to star No.10 Dan Carter while replacement five-eighth Tom Taylor slotted kicked the first of his two penalties in the first half.

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Quade: the past is in the past

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Long road back ... Cooper is keen to make amends for his forgettable outburst. Source:News Limited

Controversial Queensland Reds playmaker Quade Cooper is eager to put a topsy-turvy 2012 behind him and use his recent boxing success as a building block towards regaining the Wallabies No.10 jersey.

Cooper returns to the rugby field on Saturday night in the Reds' season-opener against the Brumbies and if his recent knockout of Barry Dunnett is anything to go by, he appears to be in the best physical shape of his career.

"I think it helped my footwork and when I started boxing … it helped with my knee rehab," Cooper told Fox Sports' Rugby HQ.

"I feel like I'm in a good space leading into the season from a footwork point-of-view and a fitness point-of-view as well."

Boxing aside, Cooper knows there's still plenty of hard work to come on the rugby field if he's to regain the superb form of 2011.

He's also chasing redemption with the Wallabies and coach Robbie Deans, who were the targets of his now famous "toxic" environment Twitter tirade and follow-up comments on The Rugby Club.

"It's a very important year but I'm not going to get clouded and all that sort of stuff from the past," Cooper said of the comments that saw him fined $40,000 and handed a two-match suspended ban.

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"I said a few things and I also apologised for a few of the things that I said.

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Will Quade Cooper make your Fantasy Super Rugby side? Register your team now - time is running out!

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"There was a lot of emotions, up and down, with the way I was playing and a few things behind the scenes.

"But I'm not going to get caught up in that … I'm hoping that this year will be a positive year."

The 24-year-old fly half wants to make that unfortunate period a distant memory by winning back the Wallabies No.10 jersey and securing a place against the British and Irish Lions.

But that's easier said than done with good mates Kurtley Beale and James O'Connor both keen to fill the playmaking role, and talented Brumbies five-eighth Christian Lealiifano also on Deans's radar.

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Watch the Reds take on the Brumbies, Live and in HD from 7.30pm (EDT) Saturday on Fox Sports 2HD!

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"It's been a great building block with the start of the season with the boxing and getting fit and having a pre-season with the Reds boys," Cooper said of his start to 2013.

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"So I'm really excited about the opportunity of gaining back my spot in the Wallabies and it's a big year ahead with the Lions.

"And if I'm fortunate enough to put the gold jumper on and play again for the Wallabies this year, against the Lions, then that will be great.

"But then again, if I'm not selected for it then all I can do is play the best football I can and hopefully be a part of the 2013 set-up."

Cooper's journey back to the top begins at Canberra Stadium on Saturday night.

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Maddinson powers Blues to victory

Quick-fire ... Nic Maddinson's half-century propels NSW to victory over the Redbacks. Source: Phil Hillyard / News Limited

A blistering 85 from young gun Nic Maddinson trumped a brave innings by South Australia's Callum Ferguson as NSW claimed a 56-run victory in the one-day clash at the SCG on Thursday.

Maddinson's entertaining knock, his first one-day half-century of the summer, also overshadowed yet another impressive showing from Redbacks paceman Kane Richardson, who finished with 6-51 - his third five-wicket haul of the season.

The loss means SA may need to beat the Blues in the return fixture in Adelaide on Sunday to ensure they reach the final against Victoria.

ODD - Sydney Cricket Ground

14 February 2013 - Day 1, Session 2

South Australia 1st Innings

C. Bailey	19	26	0	0	73.08
C. Sayers	7	25	0	0	28
T. Copeland	12	1	42	2	3.50

But remarkably the bonus point win keeps the Blues' ultra-slim hopes of making the final alive - though that would require another bonus point win, and several results to fall their way.

Ferguson batted through pain after picking up a groin injury early on in his impressive 78 before falling to former Test paceman Trent Copeland (2-42).

But it wasn't enough to reel in the Maddinson-inspired target of 265, with South Australia starting behind the eight-ball when youngster Gurinder Sandhu (3-50) tore through their top order to reduce the visitors to 3-28.

Ferguson and Alex Ross (32 off 39) attempted to resurrect South Australia's flagging hopes with a 62-run partnership, but they departed in quick succession attempting to lift the runrate.

Richardson, who earned a $700,000 IPL contract with the Pune Warriors this month, then blasted 26 off 13 with two monstrous sixes - but when he was caught in the deep off young legspinner Adam Zampa (3-55 off 13 overs), the Redbacks' hopes of victory departed with him.

Earlier, it was Maddinson who stole the show on a dusty SCG wicket.

The 21-year-old's form in both short and long-form cricket has been unimpressive in the past 18 months - but turned that around with a brilliant Sheffield Shield century against Tasmania last week.

He backed up that bright innings with a powerful 74-ball knock, which included seven sixes, to drag NSW from a lethargic start to a match-winning total.

He put on 87 with Tim Cruickshank, who scored a patient 61, before a blistering 88-run partnership with Ben

Rohrer which came at quicker than eight runs an over.

NSW's total could've been even more imposing had it not been for Richardson, who lifted his season tally to 21 scalps when he ran through the Blues tail after knocking over Maddinson's stumps.

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Stoner set standard: Dovizioso

Casey Stoner ... set the standard for MotoGP riders. Source: William West / AAP

MotoGP has lost a yardstick for the sport with the retirement of Casey Stoner, according to new factory Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso.

The Italian said the Australian dual world champion was one of the greatest innovators of the elite series.

Stoner retired last year after becoming disenchanted with the sport and is set to race V8 Supercars this year.

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Gallery: Casey Stoner's career in pictures

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Dovizioso, who will try to do something this year only Stoner could manage - win a world title on a Ducati, described his former rival as a racer everyone tried to emulate.

Seven-times world champion Valentino Rossi might have more silverware, but it was Stoner who was the standout rider of his era, Dovizioso said.

"A lot is going to change,'' Dovizioso said.

"Since I am a fan of bikes, to see Casey ride was a show and I am going to miss what he could do and how he did it on the bike with his style.

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Need for Speed. Stoner, Webber and Whincup go head-to-head!

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"It is going to be easier, of course, because a competitor like him is always difficult to beat, but I think Casey changed a lot in MotoGP.

"For example, the approach to testing and the lines he took on the track. All riders try to study and improve and Casey was one of the riders that we took as a reference.''

He placed Stoner above Rossi in terms of talent.

"If you look at the past, nobody was able to go strong and fast from the first or second lap.

"I recall when Valentino was dominating that in the post-race tests, he could - within four laps - do the same lap as the record in the race.

"Casey could do this on the first lap.

"But we have all become aware that this can be done and we can all try and do it. Not having a strong and talented reference, though, is something we are all going to miss.''

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Fantasy Super Rugby: do's, don'ts

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Hugh Pyle ... was explosive off the bench in last season's Fantasy Super Rugby. Source: David Crosling / AAP

Following on from Tuesday's top five tips, 2012 Fantasy Super Rugby champion Daryl Johnson runs the rule over three dos and don'ts for this season's competition.

Daryl has revealed several key dos and don'ts to help bolster your roster and maximise your points for each round.

Follow the Fantasy mastermind to ensure you get the jump on your mates and colleagues this year.

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Time is running out! Enter your Fantasy Super Rugby team now! 

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DOS

1. Do try to ensure that your reserves have a realistic chance of playing most weeks. Having Hugh Pyle ($250K) as my reserve lock last season was one of the main reasons I won the competition. He came on for my team when Nathan Sharpe injured his back. He scored 2 tries in 5 minutes and those extra points catapulted my team into the lead.

2. Do try to pick a captain and vice-captain that are reliable. It's imperative they can make you thirty points even on a bad day at the office.

3. Do a check of the weather and playing conditions. This may effect who you pick as captain or play as a reserve. Fantasy coaches love a dry track and attention to this detail may get you that extra couple of points.

DON'TS

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1. Don't keep players who are underperforming in your squad. Unlike your personal favourite Super Rugby XV there is no room for sentimentality with Fantasy coaches. Conversely, not picking a player who you despise but is playing at the top of his game is also a recipe for disaster.

2. Don't pick backrowers whose primary role is pilfering the ball for their team. If they fall foul of the referee, penalties will kill their score. David Pocock ($425K) is the exception to this rule, sometimes.

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Matt Cleary takes a unique look at round one of the Super Rugby competition

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3. Don't fill your team with players from the bottom half of the ladder. They may be cheaper but there is usually a good reason why, apart from first year rookies.

ROOKIES TO WATCH

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1. Ardie Savea ($100K), Hurricanes, backrow

New Zealanders take their backrowers very seriously. This younger brother of All Black, Julian Savea, is being touted as a future international. The flanker has performed well during trial games and will undoubtedly get a run this season, sooner rather than later.

2. Bundee Aki, ($80K); Charlie Ngatai, ($125K), Chiefs, centres

These two young barnstorming centres are fighting it out for the position left vacant by Sonny Bill Williams. Another factor to consider is that All Black centre winger Richard Kahui ($275K) is one hard tackle away from his seventh shoulder operation.

3. Johnny McNicholl, ($75K), Crusaders, winger

Crusader's winger stocks are running low with Zac Guildford in rehab, Sean Maitland playing overseas and Kurt Baker injured. This young speedster knows how to find the tryline and should get the call-up in the early fixtures.

In conclusion, I would like to wish all Super Rugby Fantasy managers good luck for the season.

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Ex-Test quick Harris back for Bulls

Ryan Harris ... looks set to make his return for Queensland. Source: News Limited

Six months of frustration appear over for Ryan Harris with the ex-Test quick being named in his first Queensland side since serious shoulder surgery last year.

The burly fast bowler is set to be given the green light to run with the Bulls in Saturday's one-day clash with Victoria at the MCG, capping a frustrating stint on the sidelines since going under the knife in August.

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Harris, 33, must pass a final fitness test on Thursday morning but has been included in the Bulls squad taking on the Bushrangers.

However, he has not been asked to back up in Queensland's Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria starting on Monday.

Harris played the last of his 12 Tests on the West Indies tour last April but, since then, has been challenged by the latest on a long list of injuries.

However, Queensland chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns was confident Harris would take the first step towards breaking back into the Test team this weekend.

"Ryan is building his match fitness nicely but, at this stage, it is best if we continue to take a patient approach," Hohns said of Harris missing the Shield clash.

"As long as everyone is happy with how things are tomorrow, playing in the one-dayer will be a good, manageable target for him."

The Bulls have also rewarded Brisbane grade cricketers, with Joe Burns, Cameron Boyce and Ben Cutting called up for Australia A's upcoming clashes with England Lions.

Left-handed batsman Dominic Michael and 20-year-old quick Ronan McDonald are set to make their Bulls debuts.

Michael, 25, has been selected in the one-day and Shield line-ups while McDonald is in the squad for the four-day clash.

Bulls one-day squad: James Hopes (capt), Luke Pomersbach, Peter Forrest, Greg Moller, Nathan Reardon, Dominic Michael, Chris Hartley, Nathan Hauritz, Cameron Gannon, Alister McDermott, Matthew Gale, Ryan Harris. (12th man to be named)

Bulls Shield squad: James Hopes (capt), Greg Moller, Luke Pomersbach, Peter Forrest, Nathan Reardon, Dominic Michael, Chris Hartley, Nathan Hauritz, Cameron Gannon, Alister McDermott, Matthew Gale, Ronan McDonald. (12th man to be named)

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Special delivery for Russell Ingall

Paint job ... Russell Ingall's new Holden. Source: FOX SPORTS

Supercheap Auto Racing has taken the covers of their 2013 V8 Supercars Championship challenger.

In a unique warehouse-based launch where the car was 'delivered' to driver Russell Ingall and watching Supercheap Auto staff, the long-time V8 sponsor showcased their VF Commodore that the former champion hopes returns him to the top of the standings.

In Supercheap Auto's 16th year of involvement with V8 Supercars, the unique launch saw an Altona distribution centre staff receiving an order for a complete race team and culminated in Ingall requesting an 'amazing car' – that was then driven in to the warehouse.

"The designers of both the car and livery have got it dead right," Ingall said.

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Catch all your V8 Supercars' news here!

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"The VF Commodore is a great shape to work with as a race car.

"It really ticks all the boxes – it's the best looking car I've seen since I started racing in the category in 1996."

Ingall confirmed late last year that he would 'go around again' for another season, and has earmarked the Car of The Future as a key factor in his commitment to the sport.

Ingall remains one of V8 Supercars biggest and most popular names and a series of strong results in the second half of 2012 showed fans he still has what it takes to compete at the front.  

"Being completely new and different from the way V8s have always been built, COTF is quite a departure from the norm," Ingall said.

"Because I spent the early years of my career jumping between different categories, I believe I'll be able to adapt to the new car quite quickly.

"I'm not going into this season thinking about my last year, I'm just going into it as another year of racing. I'm probably more determined this year because of opportunities with new car.

"If I can come out of the first three rounds with a good bundle of points, I think I'll be able to have one of the best years I've had for a long time.

The Supercheap Auto VF was designed by the same Holden Design staff that penned the stunning Holden Racing Team cars unveiled recently; Ingalls's Walkinshaw Racing entry prepared out of the same garage as has been the case for several seasons.

"Walkinshaw Racing is probably the best prepared out of all the teams in having three cars totally prepared and tested before the start of the season," Ingall said.

"This will be a huge advantage in knowing what makes the car work and what the vulnerabilities are."

The new livery features a more black and red than previous, predominantly yellow, liveries.

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Netball rallies for TV coverage

Coverage ... The ANZ Championship was dumped by Channel 10. Source: Adam Ward / News Limited

A number of big-name sport stars headed by American-based basketballer Lauren Jackson have backed a growing campaign to find the trans-Tasman netball championship some free-to-air TV exposure in Australia.

Fears the tournament could face a total TV blackout when it tips off in six weeks following the Ten Network's decision to drop its coverage have prompted passionate pleas.

Former player Tania Black has launched a petition on Change.org, a lobby group with a 25 million world-wide users and 850,000 of them in Australia.

Her petition has already attracted close to 6,000 signatures from the netball community and has received backing from world-class Australian athletes such as Jackson, international cricketer David Hussey and rugby league stars Cameron Smith and Scott Prince.

"What sort of message will we be sending young girls when they can't see any female sporting role models on TV?,'' said Black, a Brisbane netballer and coach.

Former Queensland Firebirds player Clare McMeniman backed Black's concerns saying the issue was bigger than the usual argument for equality for female athletes in a male-dominated sporting nation.

"It's about the exposure that all women (and men for that matter) should have to one of Australia's most loved and played sports and the amazing athletes that play it,'' said McMeniman.

"People often speak about a desire for role models in modern society - the netball championship provides them in multitudes.''

Australia's most successful golfer Karrie Webb only recently expressed similar concerns before winning the Ladies Masters on the Gold Coast.

Webb said that if young girls could not continue to see elite women athletes competing on TV they would not have any role models to aspire to.

Former Queensland Sports Minister Phil Reeves, who has three daughters who play netball, said it was major concern that the only female sport which barely kept its head above water was in real danger of losing the exposure that free to air television provided.

"The long-term damage to the sport could be monumental, especially at the grassroots level,'' he said.

"You have to wonder what message it sends out to those little girls, and to the rest of Australia about the value of women in sport.''

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Sydney FC to unveil new striker

Replaced ... Sydney FC have been quick in finding cover for axed player Jason Culina. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Young Australian striker Jarrod Kyle looks set to become the latest Sydney FC recruit in the wake of Socceroos midfielder Jason Culina's axing.

The Sky Blues are expected to unveil the 19-year-old as their newest signing on Wednesday.

Kyle has returned to Australia after spending three years playing with Sheffield Wednesday's academy, youth and under-21s teams.

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The Gold Coast teen was a standout in the Championship club's academy side last season, top scoring with 10 goals and named as the Owls' academy Player of the Year.

Despite his strong showing, he failed to secure any first-team opportunities this season and decided to look for opportunities elsewhere.

The pacy attacker was highly sought-after in the A-League with Sydney reportedly beating Central Coast and Western Sydney in the race for his signature.

Kyle, who arrived in Sydney last week, has been training with the Sky Blues and revealed on Twitter last Thursday his excitment over the club's marquee star Alessandro Del Piero.

''Was training with the Italian god today mate. He was so bothered haha. Still sick though!,'' he tweeted.

In a timely boost to the Sky Blues' finals charge, Kyle could come straight into the squad for Saturday night's crucial home clash with Adelaide.

News of Kyle's signing comes just a day after Sydney decided to terminate Culina's contract following his bust-up with coach Frank Farina at training last week.

Kyle will add much-needed depth to Sydney FC's attack, which is still without the suspended Joel Griffiths for another week.

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Hird will be condemned: Parkin

Responsibility ... James Hird is likely to keep his job despite scandal. Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Limited

AFL coaches association (AFLCA) president David Parkin says Essendon coach James Hird can expect condemnation for his role in the AFL club's supplement saga, regardless of what the investigation uncovers.

But Parkin says he will be flabbergasted if it ends up costing Hird his job.

Parkin, a four-time premiership coach, said he had contacted Hird to offer his support after the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency (ASADA) investigation was launched into the club last week and he had enormous respect and sympathy for the Bombers mentor.

But he said a senior coach ultimately had to take responsibility for the way an AFL club treated their players.

"He came back and was very pleased for the support obviously,'' Parkin told Melbourne's SEN radio on Tuesday.

"But I felt he was in a position of no-win now.

"It won't matter whether he knew, didn't know, was encouraging or not knowing, he'll be condemned for the position he's held.''

Parkin said it was possible, given the size of AFL football departments, that Hird would not have known everything that was happening to players at the club.

But he said that didn't absolve him of responsibility.

"Coaches are responsible, in the finish they're responsible for the health and wellbeing of their players,'' Parkin said.

"We know they're responsible for their performance, but in hand with that if they're not looking after them as people, particularly in the broader sense of their health and wellbeing, then they shouldn't be in the job either.''

But Parkin said while some were suggesting Hird should be sacked, he had great values and behaviours and was the kind of person anyone would want as a leader in their club.

"I've got great faith in James as a person and as a leader of that organisation and I would be absolutely flabbergasted if that was the end result of this investigation,'' he said.

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Maxwell fails in India audition

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Audition ... Glenn Maxwell failed to make an impact against an Indian Board XI. Source: Theron Kirkman / AP

Uncapped allrounder Glenn Maxwell missed a chance to push his Test claims by falling for a duck on day one of Australia's two-day game against an Indian Board XI on Tuesday.

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Maxwell came in at No.4 and was caught behind off the bowling of paceman Stuart Binny in the post-lunch session as Australia reached 4-170 at tea.

Maxwell's rivals for the allrounder's position in the Test side were at the crease at tea, with Steve Smith 30 not out and the uncapped Moises Henriques on one.

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Opener Ed Cowan made 58 in an important knock given the ongoing speculation that Test No.4 Shane Watson might be better suited at the top of the order.

Usman Khwaja (32) and Cowan shared an opening stand of 77 at the tree-lined Guru Nanak College Ground in Chennai, as hundreds of students watched from behind a barbed-wire fence at the college end.

Legspinner Sarabjit Ladda struck five minutes before lunch as Khawaja swept a ball to deep mid-wicket.

Cowan reached his half-century after lunch off 98 deliveries. But on 58 the left-hander leant forward and was given out caught behind to offspinner Parvez Rassol at 2-109.

Rassol (2-36 off 18 overs) also removed skipper Matthew Wade who was caught at long-off for 35 after adding 58 for the third wicket with Smith.

Maxwell, whose international profile soared after being bought last weekend by Mumbai Indians for $US1 million in the Indian Premier League auction, lasted only eight balls and was out at 4-169.

Watson, Xavier Doherty, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Phil Hughes arrived on Monday night following Australia's one-day series against West Indies and are likely to play in the three-day game starting on Saturday.

Skipper Michael Clarke and David Warner, who are nursing hamstring and thumb complaints, are due to arrive overnight.

Western Australia spinner Ashton Agar, 19, has been included in the Australia team for the two-day game as part of his development and is heading home this weekend.

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T20 withdrawal frustrate Bailey

Withdrawals ... George Bailey believes the Aussie team can still entertain. Source: Theron Kirkman / News Limited

Frustrated Australia Twenty20 captain George Bailey understands why he will lead a depleted side against West Indies in Brisbane on Wednesday but fears it may compromise their World Cup countdown.

Bailey would have been forgiven for feeling like the last man standing in the T20 side as the 17-strong Australian squad assembled in India for their four-Test tour.

And his team for the one-off T20 international may be depleted further after Queensland batsman Joe Burns was called in on Monday as cover for Adam Voges (hamstring).

As a result, the finale for Australia's international summer of cricket resembles a fizzer.

"It's frustrating. No doubt Cricket Australia have prioritised the Test series - I don't blame them for that,'' Bailey said.

"But we've got seven or eight games until the T20 World Cup (in Bangladesh in 2014).

"It (preparation) does feel a little compromised.''

And Bailey said if rumours of a change to the 2014 World Cup format were true, world No.7 Australia needed the best preparation available to get out of the "danger zone''.

The number of teams have been expanded from 12 to 16 at the 2014 T20 World Cup but Bailey appeared anxious over how many automatically qualified.

"I have heard they are going to change the format...there will be a certain amount who automatically qualify,'' he said.

"I have heard six and I have heard eight, and we are in that danger zone.

"So every game as a group is important...in terms of trying to maintain some structure and continuity.''

Ticket prices for Wednesday's T20 international ranged from $45 to $105 but Bailey baulked when asked if fans would be short changed.

"It is frustrating. I am sure they (fans) would like to see the best 11 available,'' he said.

"I don't think they will be short changed...but will the best players be there? Not necessarily.''

Burns is in line to make his international debut along with the likes of WA quick Nathan Coulter-Nile and NSW batsman Ben Rohrer on Wednesday after being placed on standby for Voges.

Voges twinged a hamstring during his match-winning 112 not out in Australia's 17-run ODI win over the Windies on Sunday night, completing a five-game sweep.

Bailey - who missed the ODI finale at the MCG - was confident he would overcome his own hamstring complaint.

Meanwhile, quick Ben Cutting denied he had been given a ``cheap cap'' before running out on home ground the Gabba in national colours for the first time.

"I have worked as hard as the other boys,'' he said.

"It's part and parcel of being a fast bowler. It gives you opportunities but it can also take them away with injury and what not.''

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Thurston cleared of hand injury

Cowboy ... Johnathan Thurston is clear to play on Saturday. Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

North Queensland co-captain Johnathan Thurston has been cleared of a hand injury which threatened his start to the NRL season.

The Queensland and and Australian five-eighth underwent precautionary x-rays and scans on Monday after hurting his right hand in Saturday night's NRL All Stars game.

Thurston's hand was still sore on Monday, but the club confirmed there was no structural damage.

He is now safe to travel to Cairns on Thursday for the club's NRL pre-season trial against St George-Illawarra at Barlow Park on Saturday night.

Fellow co-captain Matthew Scott, Gavin Cooper, Dallas Johnson, Glenn Hall, Ashton Sims and Antonio Winterstein are expected to make their first appearance for the year in the trial.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys believe their latest re-signing Kane Linnett can break into representative football this season.

The 24-year-old centre, who played 24 of the club's 26 games in 2012, extended his contract until 2016 on Monday, much to the delight of coach Neil Henry and club football manager Peter Parr.

Linnett carried off the club's Most Improved award last season following a breakout year which included 12 tries to the former Rooster.

"We couldn't have been any happier with how Kane performed in his first season with the Cowboys,'' Parr said on Monday.

"He settled in straight away, had an excellent season in both attack and defence and we think there's still more development there in his game.

"He should come into contention for representative football in the near-future and it's a big positive for our club that he's committed long-term to the Cowboys.''

Linnett, who is three games shy of 50 NRL games, said he enjoyed the North Queensland lifestyle.

"Both the area and the club suit me. I already have some great mates here and you can tell we have a team capable of winning a premiership,'' he said.

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NSW ends Tassie Ryobi Cup hopes

Opener ... David Dawson's maiden Ryobi Cup century helps NSW win. Source: Richard Jupe / News Limited

A five-wicket haul from teenage NSW quick Gurinder Sandhu has ended Tasmania's slim chance of sneaking into the domestic one-day final in a 37-run victory at Bellerive.

Sandhu, who claimed figures of 5-35 in just his second match, removed dangerman Tim Paine (30 from 44) and ripped through the Tigers tail after in-form opener David Dawson had struck a maiden one-day century in the Blues' 4-246.

Spin twins Luke Doran (3-64) and Adam Zampa (1-44) had orchestrated a Tigers' collapse with the home side needing a bonus point win to remain a mathematical chance of playing in the February 27 decider.

ODD - Blundstone Arena

11 February 2013 - Day 1, Session 2

Tasmania 1st Innings

E. Gulbis	45	54	4	0	83.33
A. Fekete	0	6	0	0	0
G. Sandhu	9.3	1	35	5	3.68

Doran bowled Tasmanian opener Jonathan Wells for a duck in the second over before removing Alex Doolan (21 from 19) and Jason Krejza (7 from 9).

It was leg-spinner Zampa, though, that snared the big one when he had Ricky Ponting caught behind after the former Australian skipper had looked ominous, cracking five fours in his 28 from 29 balls.

For Tasmania, only Jordan Silk (54 from 71) and Evan Gulbis (45 from 54) offered much resistance.

Tasmania stay fifth with the loss and NSW sixth despite their first one-day victory since September 16 last year.

The Tigers made a bright start, reaching 50 off just 61 balls despite the loss of Wells at 1-6.

Ponting departed at 2-58 and Paine without a run being added, caught behind off the impressive bowling of 19-year-old Sandhu.

Any chance of a bonus point looked gone when Doolan went at 4-101, and it was 5-119 when Daniel Hughes took an unusual catch that had ricocheted off the bowler's hands to dismiss Matt Johnston (8 from 20).

Sandhu took the last four wickets, including Silk's, to mop up the tail, the Tigers all out for 209.
Earlier, Dawson continued to torment his former state with an unbeaten 124 from 139 balls.
The 30-year-old put on 93 with Tim Cruickshank (61 from 85) for the second wicket to set up NSW's total after they had won the toss.
He made 75 in the first innings of last week's drawn Sheffield Shield match but his unbeaten 19 in the second was just as important as he saw off the final over of the tense draw.

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'Hird had input into supplement use'

Denial ... Stephen Dank speaks for the first time on the ABC's 7.30. Source: ABC / Supplied

Controversial sports scientist Stephen Dank says Essendon club coaches and management were well aware of the fully legal supplement program that he oversaw.

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Speaking on the ABC's 7.30, Dank said head coach James Hird and high-performance manager Dean Robinson even had input into the program.

While he denied players were on illegal substances, Dank made the startling allegation that there were coaches and support staff on supplements that would not be allowed under the WADA code.

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As the code only applies to players, the coaches and staff had not breached it.

He also revealed he had been interviewed by the Australian Crime Commission (ACC) and told he had done nothing wrong.

Investigations into drug use are currently being carried out by the AFL, ACC and Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency (ASADA).

Another of the allegations levelled at Dank was that players were given performance-enhancing supplements without their knowledge, which he denied, saying players signed consent forms and were briefed on the supplements given to them.

"There was a collective involvement, it wasn't just Stephen Dank, there was certainly input from other people into structuring the program," he said.

"Dean Robnson, James Hird, club doctor Bruce Reid, they were the main people involved in the knowledge of the program."

A program that Dank maintains was completely above board.

"I guess from our point of view - we were introducing a pretty broad range type program - we wanted them to be informed of what was to be undertaken during that program.

"Often times, especially in the early stages, we reaffirmed with the players that they knew what they were taking.

"I'm certainly very surprised (they've said they didn't know what they were taking) given how much time we spent discussing it with them."

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Essendon kick off their NAB Cup campaign on Friday night against Collingwood and Western Bulldogs, which can be seen live and exclusive on Fox Footy.

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Essendon sparked the debate into drugs in sport when they announced they had asked the AFL and ASADA to investigate their fitness regime in 2012.

"We want to get this investigation started. We want to get it done. We want to come out with a clean bill of health," Hird said last week.

"We want to move on with the footy season."

"I'm very disappointed - shocked is probably the best word.

"I believe we followed processes, we put in place the right sort of processes. My understanding is we worked within the framework given to us by the AFL and WADA."

Dank said players were introveniasly injected with vitamin B and vitamin C only, not the alleged illegal peptides.

During his time at Manly, Dank confirmed he had used calves' blood but said nothing illegal was given to players.

"We used a lot of supplements to be honest, but nothing different to other clubs," he said.

"We did use a little bit of calves blood there at one stage but that was no different to what was appropriate in the world of sport at the time.

"Any elite system pushes towards the boundary and it would be foolish to think Essendon are the only ones pushing the line and looking at these sorts of programs."

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No doping at Manly: Hasler

Clean ... Des Hasler supports under-seige Stephen Danks. Source: Tim Hunter / News Limited

Two-time premiership-winning coach Des Hasler has broken his silence on his dealings with Stephen Dank, claiming he had "no qualms'' with the practices employed by the under-siege sports scientist during their time together at NRL club Manly.

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Dank, whose lawyers on Sunday announced the launch of a $10 million defamation claim against various media outlets, has found himself at the centre of the doping scandal uncovered by the Australian Crime Commission (ACC) last week.

AFL deputy chief executive Gillon McLachlan confirmed on Sunday that Essendon - who employed Dank in 2012 - was the one AFL club being investigated for possible multiple breaches of the World Anti-Doping Authority (WADA) code, while another player from an unnamed club was also under investigation.

The Sea Eagles also employed Dank from 2006-10 when he worked closely with Hasler, a period in which the club used cutting edge practices which included the injection of calves' blood into players.

But Hasler, now head coach at Canterbury, said he never had any reason to question Dank's methods as he leapt to the defence of his former club.

"Steve Dank is a great thinker - he's a great analytical thinker,'' Hasler said.

"In his time at Manly there, he did a lot of work with GPS and a lot of statistical science.

"He did a lot of work in (hypoxia) and that.

"I've got no qualms, 100 per cent, we worked entirely within the policy of the WADA and ASADA guidelines. There's no drama there.''

Manly are reportedly one of six NRL clubs under investigation by the ACC, the NRL refusing to confirm the identity of any possible transgressors saying the league was still not in a position to inform the clubs which are under the microscope.

The AFL had no such restraint.

"I think it's reasonable to say, given that the Essendon football club has come forward to the AFL and to ASADA, and proactively advised us of concerns they have, it's reasonable to talk to that,'' said McLachlan.

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"The AFL is aware of potential multiple breaches at that club.''

A single player from another club was also being investigated, but McLachlan refused to reveal his identity.

"The AFL is aware of one case involving the possibility of WADA-prohibited performance-enhancing drug use by one player at one club,'' said McLachlan.

Hasler said the league fraternity had no such specific information.

"There's been a lot of speculation ... a lot of accusation,'' he said.

"Everyone now is waiting to see the accountability.''

The NRL said it could be another two days before it could inform clubs, but even then, it would be up to the individual clubs to come forward to the public.

"The NRL is in close and productive negotiation with the Australian Crime Commission to establish a formal mechanism by which we can inform individual clubs that they have been the subject of intelligence gathering by the ACC,'' the NRL said in a statement released on Sunday.

"This framework should be established in 24-48 hours.

"Once this information is passed on, the NRL will not, under the guidelines outlined by the ACC, be able to identify the clubs publicly.

"This will be a matter for the individual clubs to consider in consultation with ASADA, the ACC and the NRL.''

ASADA released a statement on Sunday commending the full cooperation given by sporting organisations to work with the agency in protecting the integrity of their sports.

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Gazza rushed to intensive care

Hospitalised ... Paul Gascoigne has often struggled with alcohol addiction. Source: AAP

Paul Gascoigne, one of England's most celebrated footballers, has been rushed to intensive care after struggling to cope with a rigorous alcohol detox programme.

The 45-year-old has struggled throughout his adult life with alcohol problems and was reportedly in the United States to start treatment for his addiction.

However it would appear that the former England midfielder was unable to cope with the rehabilitation at a clinic in Tucson, Arizona, and was taken to hospital after becoming seriously ill.

Several celebrity friends are footing the bill for Gazza's treatment, including former England teammate Gary Lineker, comedian James Corden and DJ Chris Evans, which is believed to cost $50,000 for the two-month programme.

Lineker took to Twitter to update fans on the situation, saying: "Gazza is struggling, Let's hope he can hang on in there. Others have generously offered help. #GetwellGazza."

Current England captain Steven Gerrard and his England teammates have gone to the FA with the intention of contributing as well, according to manager Roy Hodgson.

"Many of them looked up to him as the star player of the day, and I can only back that up," The Daily Mail reported Hodgson as saying.

Fortunately Gascoigne's condition is now stable, but it is unknown when, and if, the former Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur player will be able to resume his rehab.

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Why are the Wanderers so good?

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Point to prove ... Mark Bridge has been superb for the Wanderers. Source: Dean Lewins / AAP

Mark Bridge scored 17 goals in 80 appearances for Sydney FC.

He's already got eight for Western Sydney Wanderers.

Fans at Allianz Stadium must scratch their heads as to where that gliding running style, confidence and cool finishing was during his time at Moore Park.

His move across town has re-ignited his career - seeing a transformation from the scrapheap to being the key player in a team eyeing the A-League finals is the epitome of the Wanderers superb success this campaign. 

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Bridge's superb strike is one of the three contenders for this week's Goal of the Week, up against Nick Kalmar's delightful free-kick for Melbourne Heart, and Alessandro Del Piero's history-breaking goal for Sydney FC.

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"Tony Popovic has been sensational," he told foxsports.com.au.

"He's brought in players who have a point to prove and players he knows have quality. 

"He's put full faith in the senior boys, mixing it with some of the younger boys – Poppa just seems to have everybody happy, his management must be fantastic. 

"I think (players having a point to prove) has had a lot to do with their success. It will be interesting to see how they go again next year after the novelty of having a point to prove wears off. They're all quality players."

All the little tweaks made by Popovic are, so far, working wonders.

"For us, he's a winger, he's not a midfielder and if he was playing deep he wouldn't have the amount of chances he does, " Popovic said after the game. 

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"It's the same with Youssouf (Hersi). They've got chances every game and good chances, not half chances.

"That's a positive for us and we're becoming more clinical in the final third."

While Michael Bridges lauds the quality of the likes of Aaron Mooy and Shinji Ono as reasons for the Wanderers' success, he picked out another former Sydney FC and Newcastle Jets player to back up the example made by Bridge. 

"Nikolai Topor-Stanley, for example, I always rated him at the Jets. He's gone to the Wanderers and lost 7kgs, changed his game, changed his lifestyle. 

"These players have got points to prove and it's a credit to them, they've been sensational."

So, can they actually go all the way? 

After being at close quarters to witness their fifth win on the trot, Bridges thinks they can, particularly with the Mariners about to encounter Asian Champions League distractions. 

"Everybody was laughing at the beginning of the year, saying they were going to get the spoon. They were getting players from here, there and everywhere. 

"But I tell you what; they are playing some magnificent football."

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Harbhajan recalled for first Test

Recall ... Harbhajan Singh is included in India's first Test squad. Source: Phil Hillyard / News Limited

Harbhajan Singh, the fiery spinner who sparked the "Monkeygate'' scandal during the Sydney Test of 2008, has been recalled to India's squad for the first Test against Australia in Chennai on February 22.

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The 32-year-old offspinner was dumped during the home series against England earlier this summer but now could be set to form a three-pronged spin attack alongside Pragyan Ojha and Ravi Ashwin.

The cheeky Harbhajan, who claimed match figures of 5-102 for Rest of India in the five-day game against Mumbai which ended in a draw on Sunday, was happy to stoke the fire of the rivalry between the two sides.

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"I bowled really well (in the Mumbai game). Now I've got the opprtunity to play against Australia, my favourite team,'' he said.

"Hopefully I'll do well against them.''

Legspinner Piyush Chawla makes way for Harbhajan after Chawla went without a wicket in England's second innings of the fourth Test in Nagpur in December.

Harbhajan is remembered in Australia as the man who was suspended for three matches after his clash with Andrew Symonds in 2008. However the ban was reduced to a fine on appeal.

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The spinner's over-the-top celebrations after dismissing his "bunny'' Ricky Ponting have also left a stain on his standing within Australian cricket, although the pair will have the chance to work on their friendship when they play for the Mumbai Indians in April in the Indian Premier League Twenty20.

Harbhajan, who is one match shy of reaching the 100-Test milestone, praised Ponting after his November retirement from Test cricket and said the Australian is one of the greats of the game.

India's 15-man squad for the first two Tests of the four-match series against Australia doesn't included opener Gautam Gambhir, who has been axed.

Gambhir will captain India A in a three-day game against Australia in Chennai starting on February 16.

India squad: MS Dhoni (capt), Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ravi Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha, Ashok Dinda.

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