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Hussey Jr, Bailey in for Mr Cricket?

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 29 Desember 2012 | 22.07

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Cavalry ... Could either Dave Hussey or George Bailey replace Mr Cricket? Source: Brett Costello / AFP

Mike Hussey's retirement from international cricket is set to leave a big hole in Australia's batting lineup, but could also open the door for younger brother David to make his Test debut.

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The senior Hussey announced on Saturday that the New Years Test against Sri Lanka will be the last time he wears the baggy green, and Fox Sports cricket commentator Damien Fleming says selectors don't have to look far to find the 37-year-old's replacement.

"Mike Hussey has been a truly great player for Australia in all forms of cricket, but what about his brother David?', Fleming asked on Fox Sports News.

"This (Hussey's retirement) could open the door for him. He's a great player who can bowl a bit too."

While the likes of Usman Khawaja, and to a lesser extent, Rob Quiney and Glenn Maxwell, appear to be ahead in the pecking order, fellow Fox Sports commentator Greg Blewett said the experience of George Bailey could prove invaluable for the Aussies.

"The India tour will be very interesting. Maybe it opens the door for George Bailey," Blewett said.

Tom Moody agreed, insisting Australia's Twenty20 skipper could provide Michael Clarke with the much-needed deputy currently lacking in the side, with an Ashes series against in-form England on the horizon.

"They're big shoes to fill for Australia. But George Bailey has experience, and an older and mature head to support Michael Clarke for the next few years," Moody said.

Blewett said that while the news of Hussey's retirement probably came as a surprise to Cricket Australia, it leaves plenty of time to bed in Hussey's replacement before the Ashes.

"It's probably knocked the selectors around a little, who thought Michael Hussey would be around for another year at least," Blewett said.

"The timing is probably right for a player like him to go out on the top of his game. He's had a great summer.

"He was under pressure 12 months ago but really turned it around. I like the timing, there is a chance to rebuild."


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Warner, Cowan captaincy options?

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Leadership material ... opening partners David Warner (L) and Ed Cowan. Source: Greg Wood / AAP

Australia coach Mickey Arthur expects Michael Clarke to be fit to play in next week's Sydney Test, but the question remains who would lead the side in Clarke's absence.

Vice-captain Shane Watson has already been ruled out of the January 3-7 third Test against Sri Lanka with a calf-muscle injury.

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All-rounder Watson's latest setback means he'll only play three of a possible six home Tests this summer, which also raises the question is it wise to have such a player as the captain-in-waiting?

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Watson's suggestion that he may consider playing as a batsman only in the future could help solve his injury problems, although that issue won't be clarified until after the third Test.

If something happened to Clarke, as it could have done this week when the skipper scored a magnificent 106 in Melbourne but risked further injury by carrying a hamstring complaint into the match, Australia's leadership stocks would be stretched - especially given the retirement of veteran batsman Michael Hussey at the end of the summer.

"I don't think it will be an issue because I do think Michael will be playing in Sydney but there would need to be some extra discussion around that so there's no firm decision," Arthur said on Saturday.

Cricket Australia's high-performance chief Pat Howard mentioned the names of openers Ed Cowan and David Warner as possible captaincy options.

"Michael Clarke's hamstring is well-documented, so we have planning in place," Howard said.

"There's no obvious answer at the moment. We have a young team in transition, but many people have captained.
"David Warner captained the Sydney Thunder last year, you had Ed Cowan take Australia A away, David Warner captained the Chairman's XI the year before.

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"I can't really speculate (on a stand-in captain) unless I've got that green light from the board.''

Howard says while any suggestion from Watson about playing as a batsman-only will be duly considered, selectors are keen on multi-skilled players.

The inclusion of uncapped Victorian allrounder Glenn Maxwell in place of Watson in a 13-man squad for the Sydney Test could be the answer to Australia's hopes of finding a batsman capable of contributing 10 or 15 overs per innings.

"He brings quite a lot. He can bat for us in the top six or seven," Arthur said.

"We're really keen to develop his offspinners.

"The important thing there is that he replaces an allrounder so we need to be able to get some overs."


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tomic fights back to down Haas

Fightback ... Bernard Tomic trumps Tommy Haas in Hopman Cup tie. Source: Justin Benson-cooper / News Limited

Bernard Tomic produced two spirited fightbacks to beat Germany's Tommy Haas 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 7-5 in Saturday night's Hopman Cup tie at Perth Arena.

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World No.21 Haas held a 6-1 lead in the first-set tiebreak, but the 34-year-old's fluency deserted him when it mattered most as the Australian reeled off the next seven points to take the vital advantage.

Haas looked to have the rubber in the bag after taking the second set and edging out to a 5-3 lead in the third set.

But Tomic refused to throw in the towel, breaking back to even the scores before putting the heat on Haas as the German attempted to send the match into a deciding tiebreak.

Tomic blew his first two match points by sending his forehand long, but he didn't have to break a sweat on the third attempt, with a Haas double fault handing Tomic the win in 135 minutes.

"It was a very tough first set. It was my first set in a few months,'' Tomic said.

"I don't know how I got out of that tiebreak.

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"I've been training really hard and extremely well. I've been training well so hopefully it will be good preparation for the Australian Open.''

Teenager Ashleigh Barty can win the tie for Australia if she can upset Andrea Petkovic in the women's singles.

Tomic, who reached a career-high ranking of 27 in June, has since slid to 52nd after a poor end to the year in which he made first-round exits at his final three tournaments.

But after embarking on a seven-week training campaign, Tomic insisted he was fresh, hungry, and ready to make amends for his list of on and off-court controversies in 2012.


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The early results appear good, with Tomic's willingness to dig in and fight his way out of the first-set tiebreak particularly heartening.

And then when Tomic appeared gone in the third set, he again displayed Hewitt-esque fighting spirit to turn the match his way.


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Scorchers end Renegades' run

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Superb ... Alfonso Thomas put on a T20 bowling masterclass. Source: Daniel Wilkins / News Limited

Perth Scorchers rocketed back into KFC T20 Big Bash League finals contention by beating Melbourne Renegades by 51 runs at the WACA Ground on Saturday night.

T20 - WACA Ground

29 December 2012 - Day 1, Session 2

Renegades 1st Innings

A. O'Brien 4 6 0 0 66.67
M. Muralidara... 1 3 0 0 33.33
A. Thomas 3.1 0 8 4 2.53

The Scorchers have won three-straight games since losing the opening two matches at home, while the Renegades have lost for the first time after winning their first four matches.

Renegades captain Aaron Finch won the toss and the Scorchers posted a league-best total of 3-187 thanks to 56 runs from 39 balls by South African import Herschelle Gibbs, 85 from 52 by Shaun Marsh and 40 from 27 by Adam Voges.


Relive all the action with our Match Centre, including videos of every boundary and wicket.


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Muttiah Muralitharan was the pick of the bowlers for the Renegades, returneing 0-29 from his four overs while Will Sheridan had 1-22.

Needing to chase down the biggest score of the season, the previously-unbeaten Renegades stumbled to 3-24 with Finch out for eight, Marlon Samuels a first ball duck and Daniel Harris seven.

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Ben Rohrer did his best to resurrect the innings with a tremendous 52 from 33 balls but, once he fell - caught behind off Jason Behrendorff - the Renegades' chances went out the window and they were all out for 136 with five balls remaining.

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Alfonso Thomas was terrific with the ball for the Scorchers with 4-8 from 3.1 overs while Jason Behrendorff picked up three wickets despite conceding 44 runs from his four overs.

He had 24 taken off his third when Rohrer took a particularly liking to his left-arm bowling.

Thomas showed the WACA pitch is perfectly suited to his type of swing bowling, taking 4-8 on the same deck that Melbourne Stars bowler Lasith Malinga exploited to take 6-7 in the last game in Perth, and he loved every minute of his first home match.

"We always knew it was going to be a tough game, but the boys batted well up front and obviously with the new ball we took wickets early, which definitely put us on our way,'' Thomas said.

"We were confident coming back to the WACA. It's obviously a bouncy wicket and that was something we looked to exploit, and it worked for us tonight."

Rohrer gave the Renegades some hope with his 52 in the chase but, in the end, the Melbourne side didn't get close and they are looking to bounce back quickly at home to Adelaide Strikers.

"The wicket was pretty good out there so the start we made was pretty disappointing," Rohrer said.

"The stats are something ridiculous like 90 per cent of the time if you lose three wickets in the first six overs, you lose and we did that tonight and couldn't fight back.

"There was a bit of swing there for both their opening bowlers and they used it well and nicked a few blokes off early which was disappointing, but that happens and we will bounce back in a couple of days time."


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

India release Aussie tour dates

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 28 Desember 2012 | 22.07

Dates ... Schedule released for Australia's tour of India. Source: Theron Kirkman / AP

India's cricket board (BCCI) moved a scheduled Test match in 2013 from Kanpur to Hyderabad following pressure from Australian officials.

  • First Test: New Delhi, 22 Feb
  • Second Test: Chandigarh, 2 Mar
  • Third Test: Hyderabad, 14 Mar
  • Fourth Test: Chennai, 22 Mar

The BCCI said that Australia would play a four-Test series in India in February and March in the cities of Delhi, Mohali, Hyderabad and Chennai.

"The change was necessitated because the ongoing construction activity at the Green Park, Kanpur, would not have been completed in time for the Test,'' BCCI secretary Sanjay Jagdale said.

A recent inspection by Cricket Australia (CA) found the Kanpur venue to be below-par, while hotel amenities have also failed to satisfy the standards of CA and the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA).

Association chief Paul Marsh said earlier this week that neither the ACA nor Cricket Australia was keen on the Kanpur venue.

"The change-room facilities are not up to international standard and there are various issues with the outfield and the pitch,'' Marsh said.

"The main thing is there are certain facilities they haven't got that we would expect to be in place for international cricket.''


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rojas rocket shoots down Jets

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Top-shelf ... Marco Rojas. Source: Salpigtidis George / News Limited

Two extraordinary Marco Rojas goals saved Melbourne Victory from themselves, as they beat a spirited Newcastle Jets 3-2 at AAMI Park.

The Victory squandered a two-goal lead and total first-half dominance as the Jets fought back to level at 2-2 with 17 minutes left.

But just 60 seconds after Emile Heskey's equaliser, New Zealander Rojas produced a goal of freakish skill, controlling a ball which rebounded towards him in the box, spinning and volleying for a winner befitting a pulsating match.

P W D L GD Pts
1 Central Coast 13 8 3 2 12 27
2 Adelaide 13 8 1 4 4 25
3 Victory 13 7 2 4 -1 23
4 Western Sydney 13 6 2 5 5 20
5 Perth 13 5 3 5 3 18
6 Wellington 13 4 4 5 0 16
7 Newcastle 13 5 1 7 -8 16
8 Brisbane 13 4 2 7 0 14
9 Sydney 13 4 1 8 -11 13
10 Heart 13 3 3 7 -4 12

After league leaders Central Coast and second-placed Adelaide United both lost this week, the Victory have now climbed to outright third - just two points adrift of the Reds.

The Victory looked in total control going into halftime, with a first 45 minutes oozing with magic and menace which would have made both the Mariners and Reds as uncomfortable as it did the Jets.

Rojas, who had been dangerous on the left, launched a stunning strike on 33 minutes for the opener.

His unstoppable 20-metre strike with the outside of his right foot bent away from Newcastle goalkeeper Mark Birighitti at warp speed to find the net.

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Rojas then teamed with the excellent Billy Celeski to present Archie Thompson an easy finish for Victory's second right on halftime.


Catch Marco Rogas's stunning strikes, plus all the highlights in our Match Centre.


But Victory's first half of magic was followed by a second half of illusion.

The Jets kept working hard, and winger James Virgili forced Victory's makeshift centre-half Leigh Broxham - outstanding all night - to make a vital clearance off the line early in the second half.

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Then skipper Ruben Zadkovich belted a 25-metre strike past Victory keeper Nathan Coe in the 64th minute to give the Jets a lift.

When Heskey took advantage of some dithering Victory defence on 73 minutes, the Jets were back in business, before Rojas donned his cape.

Newcastle had a great chance to equalise with just two minutes left, but Coe made a superb point-blank save from substitute Adam Taggart's shot.

Melbourne Victory coach Ange Postecoglou was agitated that referee Kris Griffiths-Jones had not noticed his team trying to make a substitution in the breakdown of play prior to Newcastle's opening goal.

Midfielder Jonathan Bru, who failed to get across to cover Zadkovich, was struggling and was the player Postecoglou wanted to take off.

"I assume they spend a lot of money on miking officials up, unless they're listening to music with those things.'' Postecoglou said.

"I was pretty disappointed the message didn't get across.''

But Postecoglou believes his side are steadily improving and developing, though he admitted he could do with less excitement in their games - following on from their last-gasp derby win over the Heart last weekend.

"Teams keep saying they want to make their home ground a fortress. Ours has become an amusement park - thrills every week,'' he quipped.

"But there's plenty to be positive about. We're becoming a really, really dangerous team going forward.''

The Jets slid out of the top six for the first time this season with the loss, but coach Gary Van Egmond remained upbeat with the performance in defeat.

"We still held our own, and in the second half we thought if we scored first, we were definitely back in the contest,'' Van Egmond said.

"We did that. It's just little things we have to get better at.''


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Heat continue Thunder agony

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Struggles ... Sydney Thunder's Chris Gayles reacts after getting out against Brisbane Heat Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

Brisbane Heat overcame a controversial catch to down a hapless Sydney Thunder by five wickets in their KFC T20 Big Bash League match at ANZ Stadium on Friday night.

T20 - ANZ Stadium

28 December 2012 - Day 1, Session 2

Heat 1st Innings

C. Lynn 51 37 2 4 137.84
P. Forrest 12 11 1 1 109.09
S. Abbott 1.4 0 16 0 9.60

Dan Christian starred for the Heat, taking five wickets as the home side were bowled out for just 126 before the runs were chased down with 20 balls remaining.

The Heat were made to work for the win which at one point looked a formality.

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The visitors were cruising at 0-26 after three overs when Thunder import Matt Prior claimed a suspect catch to remove Heat skipper James Hopes for eight.

Prior, normally a wicketkeeper, was fielding at a widish first slip when he claimed a catch off Dirk Nannes (2-31) though replays suggested the ball had hit the grass before it reached him.

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Hopes appeared to query the validity of the catch on the field before accepting Prior's word and trudging off while replays were shown on the big screen.

The jovial 30-year-old admitted he cringed when replays flashed up on the big screen but insisted he'd spoken to the umpires and that it was most certainly a fair catch.

"I looked up and thought `ooh, crikey, it doesn't look good','' Prior said.

"But I do think the cameras can sometimes make it look a little bit dodgy.

"I genuinely felt I caught it. I felt my finger underneath the ball and that's the thing you can't pick up on camera.

"I spoke to the umpire immediately and he agreed it looked absolutely fine to him. That's good enough for me.''

It's not Prior's first controversial moment on Australian soil.

In 2011 he claimed Australian batsman Mitchell Johnson had been clean bowled in a one-day clash, despite knocking the bails off with his gloves.

The dismissal sparked a mini collapse as the Heat lost 4-31 on a tricky wicket before an impressive unbeaten 51 off 38 balls from right-hander Chris Lynn secured just their second win of the season.


Relive all the action from the Sydney Thunder v Brisbane Heat clash with our BBL02 Match Centre, featuring pitch map, video highlights and detailed stats.


The loss keeps the hapless Thunder, who slumped to their 10th defeat on the trot dating back to last season's horror show, rooted to the bottom of the ladder.

Even the free-hitting Chris Gayle, despite top-scoring, failed to reach any great heights - scoring 28 at a run a ball, a relatively pedestrian rate for the man proclaimed as the best Twenty20 batsman in the world.

He put on 35 with Prior (18) before both were dismissed in Christian's first over - a massive turning point in the game.

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"They were looking dangerous,'' Christian said.

"Obviously Chris had taken his time early on and with these short boundaries you know it's not hard for him to hit them over.

"It was nice to get him and then obviously Matt straight after put the breaks on a bit.''

Christian's figures of 5-26 are the best ever by a Heat bowler and the second-best from anyone this summer, trailing only Melbourne Stars firebrand Lasith Malinga's exceptional 6-7 against Perth.


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sir Alex slams 'hypocrite' Pardew

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No charge ... Sir Alex Ferguson avoids scrutiny for his contact with referees. Source: Jon Super / AP

Sir Alex Ferguson has criticised Newcastle manager Alan Pardew for his claims that the Manchester United manager should have been sent off after a verbal exchange with referee Mike Dean during their clash on Wednesday.

P W D L GD Pts
1 Man United 19 15 1 3 20 46
2 Man City 19 11 6 2 18 39
3 Chelsea 18 10 5 3 20 35
4 Tottenham 19 10 3 6 9 33
5 Everton 19 8 9 2 9 33
6 West Brom 19 10 3 6 5 33
7 Arsenal 18 8 6 4 14 30
8 Stoke 19 6 10 3 4 28
9 Swansea 19 6 7 6 4 25
10 Liverpool 19 6 7 6 2 25
11 Norwich 19 6 7 6 -8 25
12 West Ham 18 6 5 7 0 23
13 Sunderland 19 5 7 7 -4 22
14 Fulham 19 5 6 8 -5 21
15 Newcastle 19 5 5 9 -7 20
16 Aston Villa 19 4 6 9 -21 18
17 Southampton 18 4 4 10 -11 16
18 Wigan 19 4 3 12 -16 15
19 Reading 19 1 7 11 -16 10
20 QPR 19 1 7 11 -17 10

The United manager called Dean over just before the beginning of the second half of the 4-3 Barclays Premier League encounter at Old Trafford to argue over a decision in the opening period and he also had words with an assistant referee and fourth official Neil Swarbrick.

Ferguson was unhappy that Dean overruled his assistant referee, Jake Collin, who flagged Papiss Cisse offside when Jonny Evans turned in an own goal and the goal was given.

The Reds manager was criticised in the media for his outburst but because Dean has opted not to include the incident in his referee's report means Ferguson will escape any punishment from the Football Association.

Pardew claimed on Thursday that Ferguson should have been sent to the stands but the United manager responded angrily on Friday.

Ferguson also joked that the only man who has not been asked for his opinion is American president Barack Obama but his defence was serious.

He said: "The problem for me and Manchester United is that the profile of the club is huge.

"Alan Pardew has come out and criticised me. Alan Pardew is the worst at haranguing referees - his whole staff every game. He was at it for the whole game on Wednesday.

"He shoves the linesman and laughs about it and he has to cheek to criticise me. It is unbelievable. He forgets the help I gave him by the way.

"The press have a good field day. They have addressed every possible angle, the only one they have not asked is Barack Obama - he is too busy.

"It's unfortunate that I carry that, because I'm the manager of the biggest club in the world. I'm not like Newcastle - a wee club in the North East.

"That is the facts of life. I was demonstrative but I was not out of order. That has been overplayed by the press.

You've all had a field day.

"Some managers shove linesman on the pitch and make a joke of it. I'm not making a joke of this. I think it should have been disallowed, I really do."

Ferguson has also defended his actions of encroaching onto the pitch and stands by his assessment of the incident - but did not criticise Dean.

"I thought the first hand was on Evans from Cisse. The rule book says if an opponent is interfering with defender then he is offside, it says it clearly in the rule book.

"The interpretation is from Mike Dean is that he was not interfering, I think he was. I think that is reasonable. I thought Mike Dean handled it well. He is an experienced referee, mature.

"The interpretation is from Mike Dean is that he was not interfering, I think he was. I think that is reasonable. I thought Mike Dean handled it well. He is an experienced referee, mature."


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Emerton strikes late for Sydney

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 27 Desember 2012 | 22.07

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Tussle ... Trent Sainsbury and Nick Montgomery pressure Blake Powell. Source: By Dean Lewins / AAP

A resurgent Sydney FC stunned A-League leaders Central Coast with Brett Emerton grabbing a late winner to seal a 1-0 victory on Thursday.

Emerton's 89th-minute winner secured the three points to lift the Sky Blues off the bottom of the ladder into ninth place.

The Sky Blues looked a different side to the one that was thumped 7-2 by the Mariners in their last encounter in what was an end-to-end clash at Allianz Stadium.

Sydney showed a sense of urgency from the start with Yairo Yau creating a chance for stand-in skipper Emerton a minute in.

P W D L GD Pts
1 Central Coast 13 8 3 2 12 27
2 Adelaide 13 8 1 4 4 25
3 Western Sydney 13 6 2 5 5 20
4 Victory 12 6 2 4 -2 20
5 Perth 13 5 3 5 3 18
6 Wellington 13 4 4 5 0 16
7 Newcastle 12 5 1 6 -7 16
8 Brisbane 13 4 2 7 0 14
9 Sydney 13 4 1 8 -11 13
10 Heart 13 3 3 7 -4 12

But the Mariners attack soon began to create headaches for Sydney, easily getting past the Sky Blues defence with both the league's leading goal scorer Daniel McBreen and Joshua Rose forcing saves from Vedran Janjetovic.

Alessandro Del Piero showed his impressive skills to win the ball and go on a defence-busting run, with Socceroos goalkeeper Mat Ryan saving his shot.

The Juventus legend looked like putting the hosts in front just before the break, causing a goal-mouth scramble with a curling corner that Trent Sainsbury did well to clear off the line.

The Sky Blues continued to pepper the Mariners goal with shots in the second half. Both Adam Griffiths and Blake Powell got the 16,887-strong crowd on their feet with dangerous strikes.


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The match was briefly interrupted in the 63rd minute when a streaker took to the field.

McBreen had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock in the 74th minute when he found himself one-on-one with the the keeper, but Janjetovic saved the strike from point-blank range.

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Tomas Rogic could have stolen a win in the dying minutes when late substitute Mitchell Duke supplied him with a perfect cross into the box but the Mariners playmaker sent his shot over the bar.

Sydney's Rhyan Grant replied with a fierce strike that was only denied by the woodwork. Ali Abbas then played a perfect ball to Emerton with the Socceroo heading home the winner.

Frustration boiled over for the Mariners with John Hutchinson sent off in injury time after earning his second yellow card.

It got worse for the Mariners with Rogic getting a straight red card for a tackle on Grant.

"Of course we believed we could win that game,'' Sydney coach Frank Farina said. "You've got to believe that otherwise there's no point turning up.

"It was pleasing to get the result, but even more so the work ethic and the fighting they showed out there tonight.''

Graham Arnold was full of praise for the much-improved Sydney side.

"It wasn't one of our better displays,'' he said. "But give credit to Sydney, I thought they played very well tonight. It was probably the best they've played all year.

"So we have to get used to the fact that we're sitting at the top of the table and teams will lift against us.

"You saw tonight they were prepared for the fight and I think they were still hurting from the 7-2 loss and they wanted some revenge and they got it.''


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hodge stars in win over Strikers

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Field day ... Hodge smashed the ball to all parts of Adelaide Oval. Source: Sarah Reed / News Limited

A top-shelf showing from vintage batsman Brad Hodge inspired Melbourne Stars to an eight-run victory against Adelaide Strikers in Thursday night's Twenty20 match in Adelaide.

T20 - Adelaide Oval

27 December 2012 - Day 1, Session 2

Strikers 1st Innings

K. Pollard 65 43 5 4 151.16
M. Johnston 8 8 0 0 100
C. Rose 3 0 32 0 10.67

Hodge cracked a sparkling 88 from 58 balls as the Stars posted 8-175, with the Strikers finishing 4-167 in reply.

The Stars, with their fourth-consecutive win, took second spot on the KFC T20 Big Bash League ladder from Adelaide.

The Strikers never seriously threatened to reel in their target despite a star turn from Kieron Pollard (65 from 43 balls) and solid contributions from Callum Ferguson (35 from 28) and Tim Ludeman (30 from 21).

Adelaide's hopes of pinching a win before a sell-out 15,344 home crowd hinged on their gun import Pollard.

But the West Indies giant couldn't engineer a big-hitting miracle despite whacking four sixes and five fours in his unbeaten knock.


Relive all the action with our Match Centre, featuring videos of every boundary and every wicket!


The Strikers needed 27 to win from the final over and Pollard smashed two sixes - the biggest of the tournament so far - and a four to add respectability to his side's score.

Melbourne's import Lasith Malinga was instrumental in restricting the home side, the Sri Lankan paceman taking 1-29 from four shrewd overs.

Fellow paceman James Faulkner also claimed an important 2-32 from four overs but his teammate Hodge was the hero with a sensational performance with the bat.

Hodge underpinned the Stars' innings with the veteran dominating scoring - when dismissed in the 15th over, Hodge had made 88 of the visitors' 129 runs.

Two days shy of his 38th birthday, Hodge was vicious on all bowlers and plundered 10 fours and three sixes.

Hodge's assault set the Stars on a path towards a massive total, but when he was dismissed they lost momentum - his wicket started a slump of 6-32.

Hodge's opening partner Rob Quiney made 22 from 12 balls but no other Stars batsman passed 17 runs, while Adelaide quick Shaun Tait (2-36 from four overs) was the only multiple wicket taker for the home side.

Hodge said his match-defining innings was pleasing.

"The thing that drives me is performance, it doesn't matter what age you are," Hodge said.

"My job is to go out there and perform every time I play."

Strikers captain Johan Botha said the Stars were likely title threats.

"It wasn't our best performance and we still only lost by eight runs against a team that will be one of the contenders," he said.


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Calf injury blow for Watson

Blow ... Shane Watson has picked up a calf injury and is out for the third Test. Source: William West / AFP

Shane Watson has suffered another calf strain and is expected to be ruled out of the third and final Test against Sri Lanka in Sydney.

The injury-plagued vice-captain suffered the latest injury while bowling in Australia's first innings on Boxing Day at the MCG, but batted with the problem on Thursday, making 83, his highest score in more than a year.

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Watson is not expected to bowl in Sri Lanka's second innings. He managed only three overs on the first day of the second Test and did not bowl after lunch.

"Shane sustained a left calf injury while bowling on day one,'' Cricket Australia physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said. "He was able to get though the batting innings today and is likely to field on day three.

"Whether he bowls in the second innings will be determined closer to the bowling innings.

"A decision on his availability for the New Year Test will be made after the completion of the current match.''

Watson's likely replacement in Sydney would be Usman Khawaja, who was on standby for Michael Clarke in Melbourne when the captain suffered a hamstring strain and was forced to retire hurt in Hobart.

While Watson, 31, is an all-rounder the selectors consider him a top-order batsman first and foremost.

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Rob Quiney replaced Watson for the first two Tests against South Africa at No.3 when a calf strain also kept him out of the team.

Terribly unlucky with ongoing injuries, Watson missed the whole of the last Test summer with hamstring and then calf problems.

He was left vulnerable to injury in this match after being forced to bowl more during the first Test in Hobart than at any stage in his first-class career after Ben Hilfenhaus broke down with a side strain.

Watson delivered 20.4 overs in the first innings and followed it up with 27 in the second innings.

He has managed just 11 of a possible 19 matches since Clarke was officially appointed captain and only 38 of a possible 88 since his debut at the SCG in January 2005.

The dual Allan Border Medallist and brilliant short-form player has underachieved at Test level, scoring 2481 runs at 37 and taking 62 wickets at 30.

Watson was the player of the tournament during the World Twenty in Sri Lanka during September.


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Glory, Wanderers share the points

Draw ... Perth Glory and Western Sydney Wanderers share the points. Source: Justin Benson-cooper / News Limited

Perth Glory substitute Nick Ward scored an 87th-minute thunderbolt to secure a 1-1 draw against a second-string Western Sydney Wanderers outfit at Patersons Stadium.

The Wanderers appeared headed for their fourth straight win after Labinot Haliti's 38th-minute strike gave them the lead against the run of play.

But just as the game looked to be petering out, Ward met Ryo Nagai's beautiful cross with a powerful volley to ensure for a share of the spoils.

"I just sort of hung out at the back post and luckily enough it came to me,'' Ward said.

P W D L GD Pts
1 Central Coast 13 8 3 2 12 27
2 Adelaide 13 8 1 4 4 25
3 Western Sydney 13 6 2 5 5 20
4 Victory 12 6 2 4 -2 20
5 Perth 13 5 3 5 3 18
6 Wellington 13 4 4 5 0 16
7 Newcastle 12 5 1 6 -7 16
8 Brisbane 13 4 2 7 0 14
9 Sydney 13 4 1 8 -11 13
10 Heart 13 3 3 7 -4 12

"It's good to get a point, but we're disappointed not to get a win.''

Glory almost secured all three points at the death, only for Shane Smeltz's goalward-bound header to cannon off teammate Nagai.

Despite rescuing a point out of the match, Perth were dealt a major blow in the 77th minute when defender Michael Thwaite suffered what appeared to be a serious calf injury.

Ward's goal was heartbreaking for the Wanderers, who put on a brave showing for most of the night despite entering the match minus a host of stars.

The Wanderers made six changes to the starting line-up that walloped Adelaide 6-1 last week, with coach Tony Popovic eager to rest key players during a period in which the club will play three games in 11 days.

Japanese star Shinji Ono and Youssouf Hersi didn't play while in-form striker Mark Bridge and Dino Kresinger started on the bench.


See both sublime goals and relive all the action in our Match Centre


The result was enough for the Wanderers to jump above Melbourne Victory into third spot on the ladder on goal difference, while Perth remain in fifth spot.

Pacy Glory duo Chris Harold and Nagai caused the Wanderers problems early on, but the visitors drew first blood when Haliti cut inside Josh Risdon and unleashed a beautiful curling strike that bounced in off the upright.

With almost all of the 8936 crowd pro-Glory, Haliti ran over to a group of 16 Wanderers supporters to celebrate the goal.

Despite dominating possession in a physical first half, Perth were unable to unlock the Wanderers' defence, with low drives from Shane Smeltz and Steven McGarry easily saved by goalkeeper Ante Covic.

With the temperature still hovering above 31 degrees at the 6.45pm kick-off, a drinks break was held midway through the opening half.


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Bozza's Save of the Week R12

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 26 Desember 2012 | 22.07

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Bozza's Save of the Week ... Coe makes other sharp save against the Heart. Source: Joe Castro / AAP

Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Nathan Coe wins Mark Bosnich's Save of the Week for his screamer in the local derby when he denied a David Williams' thunderbolt.

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Coe won his first Save of the Week back in round nine for his stunning reflex stop, denying deadly Kiwi marksman Shane Smeltz, and helping Melbourne claim a pivotal victory over Perth Glory.

Again, Coe starred in the most intense game of the season helping his team to a narrow victory over the Melbourne Heart and joins Mark Birighitti, Eugene Galekovic, Ivan Necevski with two Save of the Week 'trophies.'

How does Nathan Coe's save stand up against other stops in round 12? Have your say below.


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Hurricanes win last-over thriller

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On fire ... Ponting top-scored for the Hurricanes yet again. Source: Phil Hillyard / News Limited

No stranger to being the centre of attention on Boxing Day, Ricky Ponting has farewelled the SCG in trademark style with a match-winning KFC T20 Big Bash League knock to steer Hobart Hurricanes to a tense seven-wicket win over the Sydney Sixers.

T20 - Sydney Cricket Ground

26 December 2012 - Day 1, Session 2

Hurricanes 1st Innings

R. Ponting 63 52 2 3 121.15
O. Shah 13 12 2 0 108.33
M. Henriques 2.5 0 28 0 9.88

Ponting, who is more accustomed to spending December 26 under a baggy green at the MCG, racked up a composed, unbeaten 63 off 52 balls to guide the Hurricanes to 3-158 in reply to the Sixers' 8-154.

In an at-times nervy final few overs, Ponting calmly pushed him team over the line - even when they needed nine off the last over - with Owais Shah (13 not out) hitting the winning runs off Moises Henriques with one ball to spare.

And while it might not compare to his majestic 117 against South Africa on Boxing Day in 2005, Ponting's classy innings extended the Sixers' losing streak to four games and is likely to kill off their title defence.

The Sixers have just one win with three games to play and are now two wins shy of the fourth-placed Hurricanes.

Ponting, who brought up his 50 with a six off 42 balls, was ably supported by Aiden Blizzard (48 off 30), fast bowler Ben Laughlin (who took 4-31) and some haphazard play from the Big Bash and Champions League Twenty20 champions.

Laughlin's haul lifted him to ten scalps for the tournament, overtaking Melbourne Stars firebrand Lasith Malinga as the Big Bash's leading wicket-taker.


Relive the action with our Match Centre, featuring videos of every wicket and every boundary.


The Sixers were hampered by careless batting, poor fielding and precious few bowlers who regularly threatened the Hurricanes batsmen.

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It seemed cruel that their best, Brett Lee (1-21), will be better remembered from this game for dropping a chance offered by Blizzard that was hit so high it would've cannoned into the roof had the match been played at Etihad Stadium rather than the SCG.

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Luke Feldman also toiled hard, picking up 2-21 and was desperately unlucky not to finish with better figures - having had two catches grassed off his bowling.

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Earlier, the Sixers squandered a prime opportunity to capitalise on a rare hot start provided by openers Brad Haddin (22) and Michael Lumb (34).

The pair put on 57 mid-way through the sixth over before the wheels fell off, with both dismissed in quick succession as Laughlin ripped through the middle and lower order and the final five wickets fell for a paltry 25 runs.

Ponting acknowledged it was a different experience to what he was used to on Boxing Day but said that despite his strong contributions for the Hurricanes he still had no regrets about retiring from Test cricket.

"It's a lot different today, I said when I started this game tonight that I'm normally at home on the couch ordering room service (and) getting ready for day two of the Test match," Ponting said afterwards.

"A little bit different but I've known for a while that this is what my last half of the summer is going to look like.

"... I'm more than comfortable with the decision I made.

"This format's a little bit different than facing the best fast bowlers in the world in a Test match.

"But scoring runs is always nice and it's nice to be contributing to some wins, albeit for the Hurricanes and not for Australia but I've had my time in the sun there.

"160-odd Tests is enough for me I think. I can sit back and enjoy watching some of the younger boys play now."


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Geeves on the Boxing Day Test

The word ... Everybody's heard about Jackson Bird. Source: William West / News Limited

Brett Geeves channels his inner-Grinch to explain why Christmas is overrated, how the Boxing Day Test isn't far removed from backyard battles, and why everybody's heard about Jackson Bird - especially headline writers.

Merry Christmas Fox followers!

2nd Test - Melbourne Cricket Ground

26 December 2012 - Day 1, Session 3

Australia 1st Innings

S. Watson 13 44 2 0 29.55
M. Clarke 20 46 3 0 43.48
S. Eranga 10 2 53 0 5.30

Christmas Day, along with New Year's Eve, has to be one of the most overrated days of the year, unless you're a 14-year-old school boy who refuses to give up on the notion of "Santa". If you are that child, then you are most likely beaten up at school.

Being the day after Christmas, Boxing Day should be a day of rest. If you're a cricket lover, and not directly involved in the Australian first XI, it means a day on the cans trying to create your own glory with backyard battles that end up in fist fights over contentious caught-behind decisions or whose missus cooks the better roast.

"Johnno, you're flipping crazy man. There is no way you accidentally flicked the top of your grip as the ball sailed past your outside edge. Ya missus burns the carrots and couldn't cook herself in the desert sun..." WHACK! And so the story goes.

I'm sure Jackson Bird's 2011 Boxing Day ran a similar path to the example above. A long run down the hill, opening the bowling for his team, facing a chap who had consumed more alcohol and ham in a 24-hour period than any human on the planet and his freshly cracked can in the hands of the square-leg umpire as he took guard.

Making assumptions is poor journalism and very rarely leads to the truth being spoken, but did I see umpire Llong holding a freshy at square leg while Tillakaratne Dilshan faced up?

This might explain Sri Lanka being all out for 156 in 43.4 overs. It might also explain why Dilly looked like he was in a rush to get off the ground - no one can drink warm frothies. Remember, this is an assumption and more than likely not true.


Re-live day one in our brand new live and interactive blog format, and join us for all the fun again on Thursday from 1030am (EDT).


There have been so many plays on Jackson Bird's name – 'Bird in full flight', 'Bird is humming', 'This Bird can fly' – but for me, it's Peter Griffin and his rendition of "Surfin Bird" that really hits the mark.

Peter: "It was my understanding that everyone had heard."

"Heard what?" asks Brian foolishly. "A well a bird bird bird, ba ba bird is the word. I said a bird bird bird, ba ba bird is the word." And so it goes. You should YouTube it, I don't do it justice.

Jackson deserves his spot in the Test team. He has dominated domestic cricket for two seasons and has proven he can perform away from The Incredible Hulk - Bellerive. But some will say he is only playing due to the rotation policy, put in place by sport scientists to preserve the quicks.

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Mitchell Starc is coming off his best individual performance at Test level and one that got his country over the line for a memorable victory. Had he not been rested, he was a certain starter for the current Test.

Former quickies, from the old school, will tell you they used to bowl through broken ankles, torn groins and would then walk home from school in the middle of winter wearing only plastic sandals and a pair of shorts.

Once home, they would chop 10 tonnes of wood and cook dinner for the family, all 14 of them. They would also say that resting, or being rotated, is for sooks who aren't man enough to get through tough summers.

Sadly, sandals aren't made of plastic anymore and using science to increase performance is the way forward for professional players.

For me, science in 1972 was all about smoking rolls of toilet paper and using bunsen burners to set the fire alarm off, causing an all-school evacuation and putting an end to science class.

But science has come a long way. Australian cricket and its band of professionals are using it well and, as the squad has the depth to cover Starc for one game, I say do it. The success of "the Bird is the word", it's proof in the Christmas pudding.

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Now, the big issue is when Starc comes back from his break and Jackson Bird has taken 8-23 in the second innings. Mitch is going to want (and deserves) his spot back.

Can you drop Bird? Surely Not. Can you drop Johnson after his four wickets in the first innings? No. Can you drop Siddle (please not on his face, those sparklers look terrific and expensive) after he has bowled like a demon for 12 months? No. But you can rest whoever you want.

As long as there is clear communication to the pecking order, then I can see this being advantageous to Australian cricket. What we don't need is uncertainty surrounding those dropped or rested. Good luck selectors.

Ed Cowan and Phil Hughes were involved in a run out that was reminiscent of most backyard mix-ups. Ed called yes and ran, Phil was unsure and stuttered so badly that there was an awkward silence, resulting in both of them racing back to the end that would see them safe (non-strikers).

Sadly for Phil, he lost this race and had to make a dash to the other end. He was run out by a comfortable margin.

When two players are racing to make it to one end, it can look like they are both being incredibly selfish, in the hope of remaining in the game. When this happens in backyard cricket, you are permitted to use a DDT or figure-four leg-lock on the batsman that remains in the game.

Unfortunately for Phil, this is not the case at Test level. It's Chinese burns and horse bites to the thigh.

Let me me finish this off by being Frank for a moment: "This is Frank Drebin, Police Squad. Throw down your guns, and come on out with your hands up. Or come on out, then throw down your guns, whichever way you wanna do it. Just remember the two key elements here: one, guns to be thrown down; two, come on out!"

I've watched very little cricket today...


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Lehmann set to face CA hearing

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Facing the music ... Lehmann caused a stir with his comments about Samuels. Source: Glenn Barnes / News Limited

Brisbane Heat coach Darren Lehmann will defend his right to speak his mind on Thursday when he faces the music over his controversial outburst against West Indies all-rounder Marlon Samuels' bowling in the KFC T20 Big Bash League.

Lehmann's Cricket Australia (CA) code of behaviour hearing will be held via a phone hook-up before the Heat travel south to play Sydney Thunder in a must-win match for both struggling sides.

The former Test batsman is in hot water after questioning Samuels' fast-paced off-spinners in Brisbane's five-wicket loss to Melbourne Renegades last weekend.

Samuels was banned from the Indian Premier League earlier this season for a suspect action but has been cleared to play in the BBL.

The 31-year-old Jamaican has reportedly been mentioned by one umpire in the BBL, where three mentions would result in him being sent in for testing under CA's doubtful bowling procedure.

Lehmann on Wednesday said he would continue to hold true to his opinions.

He's been alleged to have breached breached Rule 9: Detrimental Public Comment in CA's code of behaviour.

The rule states players or officials must not "denigrate or criticise another player or denigrate or criticise an official, umpire, referee or team.

Lehmann was angered by Samuels bowling his quicker ball up towards 120km/h with a suspect bent-arm.

"I just want something done. He couldn't bowl in the IPL last year, yet he can bowl in the BBL," said the Heat coach.

"If he's deemed legal, I'm totally understanding of that. But from my point of view, from 20 years of cricket, I've got a problem with 120km/h off no (run-up) steps."


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Lankans expect hostile MCG crowd

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 25 Desember 2012 | 22.07

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Backlash ... Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene expects a hostile MCG crowd. Source: William West / AFP

Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene is expecting a hostile reception at the MCG for Wednesday's second Test against Australia amid ongoing tensions over the ball-tampering accusation made against Peter Siddle.

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Sri Lanka made an unofficial complaint to ICC match referee Chris Broad during the first Test in Hobart last week

The allegation was dismissed and Siddle was furious at how his name had been dragged through social media during day five of the match in which he claimed nine wickets.

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The Victoria and Australia pace bowler is a crowd hero at the MCG and can expect his home-town fans to be in full voice on Wednesday in support of their man. However Jayawardene is expecting several thousand Sri Lankan fans to also pack into the ground and make their feelings known in defence of their team.

Australia's major concern is the fitness of skipper Michael Clarke, who completed a series of sprinting and fielding drills and declared he felt good but would wait until Wednesday morning to assess how his injured hamstring was feeling.

"My fitness test ... was really (Christmas Day). Now I need to see how I pull up from that before we make a decision on whether I am 100 per cent fit to play,'' Clarke said on Tuesday.

Despite his side's 137-run loss in Hobart, Jayawardene was in a confident mood on Tuesday.

He said not only would the tourists have strong support in the crowd but they would also be going after Australia's offspinner Nathan Lyon, who failed to take a wicket in Sri Lanka's second innings in Hobart.

Jayawardene needs no reminding about what happened the last time Sri Lanka played a Test at the MCG in 1995, when spinner Muttiah Muralitharan was no-balled seven times in three overs for throwing.

"We have been through a lot of hostile things in the past. 1995 was one and even after that,'' Jayawardene said.

"I don't think that fazes our team. It might give us something extra.

"You have to remember there will be a good partisan Sri Lankan crowd as well so that will be good. It might go against him (Siddle).

"We can't control what happens out there. All we can control is what happens in the middle.

"A lot of the younger guys probably won't even understand what the crowd's going to tell them.''

Jayawardene took aim at Lyon, saying that Sri Lanka's batsmen were playing for a draw in Hobart on a wearing pitch.

"We would definitely have gone after Nathan Lyon if the wicket was half-decent,'' Jayawardene said.

"The way the wicket was behaving we thought if we played shots that would have made life tougher to bat on.

"On a different surface or a different day things may have been different. These are the situations we want to get into in a Test match and see if we can capitalise on that.''

While the Lankans see Lyon as a potential problem area for the home side, the Australians could also be unsettled if Clarke is a late withdrawal through injury.

Clarke is Test cricket's leading runscorer in 2012 and his vice-captain Shane Watson has never led the side at Test level.

Former Test No.3 Usman Khawaja is on standby for Clarke.

Tasmania's Jackson Bird will make his debut in place of injured quick Ben Hilfenhaus while Mitchell Johnson returns for his fellow left-armer Mitchell Starc who has controversially been rested.


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League's biggest moment in 2012

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Another huge year ... what was sport's biggest moment in 2012? Source:FOX SPORTS

Foxsports.com.au has gathered the five moments that defined rugby league in 2012 and it's up to you to decide which was the biggest.

Check out our highlights video of the five big moments before heading to the bottom of the page to tell us if the decision was right or wrong.

Have we missed any of rugby league's defining moments for 2012? Leave a comment with your most memorable moments at the bottom of the page!


TOOTHLESS TIGERS
It wasn't one moment that consigned Wests Tigers' 2012 season to the scrapheap but the cumulative effect of a number of poorly managed issues. Favourites with the bookmakers prior to round one, the Tigers lost five of their first six games and never fully recovered. First it was big-name signing Adam Blair who copped the treatment for failing to justify his price-tag in a forgettable start to the season then it was talk of a rift between Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall that caused a distraction in Concord. The rumoured power struggle was brought to a head by NRL on Fox, with Farah furiously describing the show as an ambush on Twitter after Matthew Johns probed the Tigers skipper on his relationship with the Kiwi superstar as well as a perception that the team was soft in defence. The Tigers briefly turned things around, winning seven in a row mid-season, but fell away again and failed to qualify for the finals, costing premiership coach Tim Sheens his job at the end of a train wreck of a year. 

Glory ... Cam Smith holds the Origin shield aloft. Source: AAP

THE TRY THAT WASN'T
In a year that can only be described as forgettable for NRL officials, the Michael Oldfield try in the semi-final between Manly and North Queensland Cowboys was the straw that broke the camel's back. With the Sea Eagles leading 16-12 with just under 20 minutes remaining, a bomb in Manly's attacking zone was contested by Kieran Foran and his opposing five-eighth Johnathan Thurston. Neither was able to come down with a clean catch and the ball spilled towards the Sea Eagles' try line before being scooped up by Jamie Lyon, who offloaded in a tackle to send Oldfield over. The decision went upstairs and, not for the first time in 2012, video referee Sean Hampstead thrust himself into the spotlight by awarding the try despite vision showing Foran propelling the ball forward in the lead-up. The wrong decision condemned the Cowboys to another failed finals appearance and, ultimately, cost referees bosses Bill Harrigan and Stuart Raper their jobs.

STORM REDEMPTION
Melbourne Storm's history was unpleasantly re-written in 2010 when they were stripped of two NRL titles as punishment for rorting the salary cap. But it didn't take them long to get their name back on the premiership honour board with a stirring finals campaign in 2012. The Storm were written off in some quarters after a post-Origin slump. But the Storm's star-studded line-up rose for the big occasion, first with a stunning thrashing of finals nemesis Manly in the preliminary final, then with a near-flawless grand final against Canterbury-Bankstown to claim ultimate redemption with a 14-4 victory. 

Hindy ... the 330-game veteran bids farewell to Eels fans. Source: AAP

MIGHTY MAROONS
After winning an epic battle in 2011, Queensland started the 2012 series as favourites to clinch a remarkable seventh series in a row and they didn't disappoint. Lauded as one of the best teams of all-time, the Maroons soaked up everything a valiant New South Wales side could throw at them before eventually clinching victory by a solitary point in the decider through a 40-metre Cooper Cronk field-goal. It was a fitting way for a series full of controversial moments - headlined by the Greg Inglis try in game one - to end. The seventh series win in a row extended an already history-making dynasty and guaranteed another year of soul searching for the Blues.

FAREWELLING A LEGEND
Almost since the day he started his NRL career, Nathan Hindmarsh was a fan favourite and that status only grew the longer the Parramatta legend's career lasted. So when he announced towards the end of the 2012 season that the round 26 match-up with St George Illawarra would be his last, a sentimental build-up to his finale began. Alas, Parramatta couldn't match the occasion with a fitting performance, going down to the Dragons 29-8 to give another duo of retiring champions, Ben Hornby and Dean Young, the fairytale farewell. While Hindmarsh and his good mate Luke Burt instead went out with their first wooden spoon, it mattered little to the adoring fans, with 45,000 present at ANZ Stadium to scream themselves hoarse in appreciation of all of the decorated retirees.


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AFL's biggest moment in 2012

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Another huge year ... what was sport's biggest moment in 2012? Source:FOX SPORTS

Foxsports.com.au has gathered the five moments that defined AFL in 2012 and it's up to you to decide which was the biggest.

Check out our highlights video of the five big moments before heading to the bottom of the page to tell us if the deicision was right or wrong.

Have we missed any of AFL's defining moments for 2012? Leave a comment with your most memorable moments at the bottom of the page!


GIANTS JOIN THE PARTY
The AFL's newest franchise, led by the competition's oldest coach, stepped out for the very first time in 2012. Kevin Sheedy guided the young Giants to two victories but couldn't avoid the wooden spoon. A number of exciting youngsters, headed by Toby Greene, Jeremy Cameron and Stephen Coniglio, looked at home in the big time. Israel Folau, however, didn't. The big-money former NRL star turned his back on the code after a trying year.

BUDDY BOOTS A BAKER'S DOZEN
AFL crowds are used to Lance Frankling doing the seemingly undoable, but the game's most mercurial player took it to another level in round 10 against North Melbourne. Heading into the match with just 21.36 from the opening nine rounds, the Hawthorn hero slotted home 13 majors in a career-best performance. Buddy's performance helped his side crush the Kangaroos by 115 points, a record for the Hawks against the Kangaroos. Are you really surprised that, according to IMG Sports Technology Group, Franklin is the AFL's most popular player and more than twice as popular than the second-ranked player, teammate Cyril Rioli? Didn't think so.

Swans ... flew to the flag in 2012. Source: AAP

RATTEN OUT, MALTHOUSE IN
Carlton great Brett Ratten never really won over Blues fans as coach. The likeable Ratten helped the club return to the finals after a seven-year drought in 2009. They were bundled out by a kick, then again in 2010, before thumping the Bombers in an elimination final in 2011. Big things were expected in 2012 - a premiership, perhaps - but when Gold Coast rolled them in round 22, that was it for 'Ratts'. Mick Malthouse got the nod in no time and the former Footscray, West Coast and Collingwood coach will be paid handsomely to do so.

THE TIPPETT SAGA
He's not the biggest name in the game but Kurt Tippett has commanded more column inches than anyone in 2012. The off-season - and much of the season itself - was dominated by the former Adelaide Crows big man. Would he stay or would he go? Then, where would he go? And, then, what would the AFL commission decide. Collingwood superstar Travis Cloke did his best to keep pace with the Tippett for headlines before opting to sign a new deal with the Magpies.

SUPER SWANS
Hands up if you tipped the Swans to make the top four? Didn't think so. And forget it if you claim you had them as your pick for the flag. Sydney, powered by a blue-collar midfield, a dependable defence, and honest attack, upset the more-fancied Hawks in a classic grand final. Lewis Jetta's run down the wing with Cyril Rioli in pursit, Nick Malcesski's stunning goals, and Lance Franklin's third quarter were memorable.


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Sixers need some Lumb luck

Call up ... Batsman Michael Lumb will play for Sydney Sixers on Boxing Day. Source: Stephane de Sakutin / AFP

Sydney Sixers have called upon star batsman Michael Lumb in a bid to revive a flagging KFC T20 Big Bash League title defence ahead of their Boxing Day clash with the Hobart Hurricanes at the SCG.

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Sydney suffered a heavy nine-wicket loss to the Adelaide Strikers on Sunday and with just one win from the opening four games sit in second-last place, ahead of only winless rivals the Sydney Thunder.

The Sixers lost just two games on their way to winning last year's title, and have so far come up with few solutions as to how they halt their current three-game skid.

They've already fallen three games behind competition leaders the Melbourne Renegades, and have just four games left to improve their position to fourth to secure a finals berth.

But star allrounder Steve Smith insists they haven't given up hope yet.

"It is obviously going to be hard work from here on in. We are going to have to play some good cricket and turn it around,'' he said.

Helping matters significantly will be the return of English batsman Lumb, who arrived on Christmas Eve after missing the start of the tournament and has been named in a 13-man Sixers squad.

Lumb starred for the Sixers in their triumphant Champions League campaign, finishing as the tournament's leading scorer with 226 runs and a top score of 82 not out.

Much of the Sixers' troubles this summer have stemmed from a lack of runs at the top of the order, highlighted by their scores of 113 and 135 in losses to Perth Scorchers and the Strikers.

Young pair Kurtis Patterson and Daniel Hughes have also been added to the Sixers' squad after missing the first half of the season through injury.

Hobart enter the clash in strong form having belted the Thunder by 30 runs for their second win of the season, leaving them in fourth spot on the ladder.

Sydney Sixers: Brad Haddin (capt), Luke Feldman, Moises Henriques, Daniel Hughes, Josh Lalor, Brett Lee, Michael Lumb, Sunil Narine, Stephen O'Keefe, Kurtis Patterson, Dan Smith, Steve Smith, Dominic Thornely (12th man to be named, one to be omitted)
Hobart Hurricanes: George Bailey (capt), Tim Paine, Aiden Blizzard, Scott Boland, Doug Bollinger, Travis Birt, Xavier Doherty, Michael Hogan, Jason Krejza, Ben Laughlin, Ricky Ponting, Owais Shah, Jon Wells (12th man to be named, one to be omitted)


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Mathews ready for captaincy

Written By Unknown on Senin, 24 Desember 2012 | 22.07

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Ready ... Angelo Mathews says he would relish captaining Sri Lanka. Source: Rick Rycroft / AP

If Sri Lanka want Angelo Mathews to become their next cricket captain, he is ready.

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The all-rounder goes into the Boxing Day Test - Sri Lanka's first Test at the MCG since the infamous 1995 Muttiah Muralitharan chucking controversy - in run-scoring nick.

The 25-year-old looks certain to take over as skipper once Mahela Jayawardene steps aside at the end of the current series.

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And he is confident that "his own ways'' of approaching captaincy can succeed, though he admits replacing Jayawardene will be difficult.

"I'm pretty much prepared. If they offer me the captain's job, I'll probably take it,'' Mathews said.

"Mahela's done a wonderful job and it's not easy to take those reins and do as well as Mahela. It will be a tough challenge.

"But let's see how it goes.''

Mathews has made 79, 84 and 75 in his past three Tests, but despite 11 half-centuries has only once scored a Test century.

That was against Australia, and Mathews has also shone at the MCG in a one-day international when his 77 not out as part of a 132-run ninth wicket stand gave Sri Lanka an extraordinary one-wicket win over the Aussies in 2010.

With Australia set to hand paceman Jackson Bird a Test debut, Mathews admitted the Sri Lankans knew little about the Tasmanian.

"To play for Australia, he has to be a good bowler - we cannot take him lightly,'' Mathews said.

"We have to try and be careful and take on the challenge. We need to get hold of his videos and analyse him.''


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Milligan banned for two games

Banned ... Victory's Mark Milligan has been outed for two matches after last weekend's Derby. Source: JOE CASTRO / AAP

Melbourne Victory midfielder Mark Milligan has been banned for two A-League matches for a jab to the stomach of Heart rival Jonatan Germano in last weekend's derby.

Milligan's first half hit on Germano was missed by match officials, but was picked up by the match review panel in its deliberations on Monday.

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The Socceroo will miss the Victory's clash with Newcastle at AAMI Park on Friday night, and the New Year's Day match at Western Sydney Wanderers.

"The MRP determined that the player had committed the offence of assault on a player (violent conduct when not challenging for the ball) against Jonatan Germano," the panel said in a statement.

It is a double blow for the Victory, who have already lost skipper Adrian Leijer for the Jets match after his suspension for exceeding the yellow card limit.


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Fischer tips Sydney-Hobart drag race

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Drag race ... Ragamuffin and Wild Oats ready for battle. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

Ragamuffin Loyal skipper Syd Fischer is tipping a drag race between Wild Oats XI and his boat in the battle for line honours in the Sydney to Hobart.

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The two super maxis remain favourites to secure line honours with Wild Oats XI having previously been first to reach Hobart on five occasions and Investec Loyal - as she was known then - claiming the honour last year.

"I think it's going to be a bit of drag race actually, because they are going to be watching us and were going to be watching them,'' Fischer said.

The oldest competitor in the race at 85, Fischer is confident his boat is ready to go after an eventful leadup.

It required repairs to rigging after the mast struck Sydney's Anzac Bridge just under two weeks ago.

"We were struggling, we had a couple of problems that we've had to overcome but we're pretty right,'' Fischer said.

Eternally respectful of the weather's influence on the race, Fischer was cautious about talking up his boat's line honours prospects.

"I think we're confident we've got a good chance, but I don't like overestimating a situation that you can't control,'' Fischer said.

The fleet of 77 is expected to start in south easterly breezes of around 15 knots on Wednesday.

The winds will lighten after a few hours but forecast northerlies will kick the fleet along on Thursday.

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With a westerly change now likely to arrive earlier than expected on Thursday it may be hard for any boat to break the race record.

"The race record to us is a bonus ... it all depends on the conditions,'' Wild Oats XI skipper Mark Richards said.

"It's possible, the nor-easter may stay in for an extra three or four hours and that's a big deal in these boats.''

Richards acknowledged for the record to fall, his boat would have to cover as much of the 628-nautical mile course as possible before the westerly change hits.

"Don't back off, push as fast as you can and hopefully you can sail the shortest course possible and the rest is in the hands of the gods.''

There was nothing in the latest weather forecast to concern Fischer, who will be doing the race for the 44th time.

"I don't think we're going to get knocked around too much,'' Fischer said.

"It will be a race in which attention to detail will be the main thing.''

Richards emphasised it wouldn't be all smooth sailing, especially with southerlies to contend with on the first night.

"It's going to be big and bumpy and uncomfortable,'' Richards said.

The latest forecast still appeared to favour the bigger boats in the battle for overall honours.

"The overall winner is likely to come from a boat 60 foot or larger and it depends on who gets through some of those transition periods the best,'' said Matt Allen skipper of the 70-foot Ichi Ban.


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