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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Crocker named Bunnies skipper

Michael Crocker ... named South Sydney captain. Source: Brett Costello / AAP

South Sydney have dumped their co-captaincy structure, installing Michael Crocker as their sole skipper for the 2013 NRL season.

The Rabbitohs blossomed into a finals team last season under the leadership of five co-captains, one of them Crocker, where they fell just one game short of a grand final appearance.

But 32-year-old Crocker, a Queensland and Australian representative, stood above Roy Asotasi, Sam Burgess, Matt King and John Sutton in the eyes of the players and coach Michael Maguire.

"We are one group here at the Rabbitohs and the players and staff decided that the way to go, in terms of leadership this year, was to have a leadership group directing things with Michael to act as the captain on field and as a spokesperson off the field,'' Maguire said in a statement.

"Crock has demonstrated over a number of years that he is a strong leader on and off the field, and really acted in this role for the latter part of last season as it was.

"I'm delighted to be working with Michael at this level again and I'm looking forward to him and the leadership group developing their skills to lead further, as well as helping nurture the next group of players coming through as leaders at this club.''

Crocker said the leadership would still be shared among the senior players.

"Part of our culture is that we are one group and, as captain, I will simply be the spokesperson on the field and, in some cases, off the field as well for the playing group,'' he said.

"The leadership group is full of strong characters and people who want to see the team achieve everything it can, and we know that the whole squad will be working in the one direction to make that happen.

''... it's an honour to captain this side and we will do everything we can to have a successful season in 2013.''

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Indigenous boys storm to victory

Stars ... Inglis and Barba were on their game for Indigenous All Stars. Source: Dave Hunt / AAP

The dark cloud hanging over Australian sport received a welcome silver lining as Canterbury-Bankstown sensation Ben Barba inspired the Indigenous All Stars' 32-6 win over an NRL 'who's who' at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.

After an Australian Crime Commission investigation uncovered systemic drug use in sport with links to organised crime, Barba tried to provide the shot in the arm disillusioned NRL fans craved in the official season kick-off in a sublime display.

Stealing the limelight in an All Stars game is no mean feat.

But reigning Dally M Medallist Barba effortlessly stole the show with three tries, forming a deadly combination with North Queensland five-eighth Johnathan Thurston.

And Barba appears destined to again combine with Thurston this year in Queensland State of Origin colours after picking up on Saturday night where he left off in his breakthrough 2012 NRL season.

Barba did his best to keep the 41,021-strong Suncorp Stadium faithful on their feet after the All Stars concept came under fire in the lead-up to the fourth annual clash, held for the first time in Brisbane this year.

A lucrative pre-season nines tournament mooted for New Zealand next year has placed pressure on the existence of the All Stars showcase.

Barba provided one good reason to keep the faith with the concept, although a lacklustre second half ensured a restless crowd resorted to starting a Mexican wave.

The lack of second-half highlights coincided with Barba being rested in the final quarter after opting to ice a hamstring niggle.

The Indigenous All Stars squared the ledger at 2-2 with their NRL counterparts thanks to hat-tricks by Barba and flying Canberra Raiders winger Reece Robinson.

The feel-good vibe in the Indigenous camp threatened to turn sour when Thurston was felled by Willie Mason contesting a bomb in the dying minutes.

After the heart of Indigenous coach Laurie Daley - and, no doubt, Queensland mentor Mal Meninga - skipped a beat, Thurston eventually regained his feet and gave a thumbs up to team staff.

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