Boyce spins Strikers to victory

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Walk of shame ... Adelaide Strikers celebrate the wicket of Aiden Blizzard. Source: Nikki Davis-jones / News Limited

A screamer of a catch from Adelaide Strikers' Kane Richardson helped his side to a convincing 38-run win over Hobart Hurricanes at Blundstone Arena.

T20 - Blundstone Arena

5 January 2013 - Day 1, Session 2

Hurricanes 1st Innings

X. Doherty	15	11	2	0	136.36
B. Laughlin	8	12	1	0	66.67
S. Tait	4	0	23	1	5.75

Set 163 to win, the Hurricanes fell apart once key men Ricky Ponting (26 from 25) and Tim Paine (33 from 31) departed, finishing at 8-124 on Saturday night.

Richardson brought back memories of Glenn McGrath at Adelaide Oval when he dived in the outfield to dismiss last season's leading runscorer Travis Birt (1 from 6).

The lanky paceman looked to have misjudged the chance as he moved towards deep extra cover but threw out his right hand only for the ball to stick.

He raised his arms to the crowd on the Bellerive hill as his teammates celebrated with the Hurricanes reduced to 4-63.

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Click on the video above to watch Kane Richardson's sensational catch!

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		P	W	L	NR	T	Pts	NNR
1	Renegades	6	5	1	0	0	10	0.708
2	Scorchers	7	4	3	0	0	8	0.632
3	Strikers	7	4	3	0	0	8	0.53
4	Stars	6	4	2	0	0	8	0.317
5	Hurricanes	7	4	3	0	0	8	-0.287
6	Heat	6	3	3	0	0	6	0.243
7	Sixers	6	2	4	0	0	4	-0.331
8	Thunder	7	0	7	0	0	0	-1.471

Richardson's stunning effort gave young legspinner Cameron Boyce (3-17) his third wicket after he'd already removed big guns Ponting and Paine.

When Richardson (2-26) then bowled Owais Shah (9 from 9), the home side were in all sorts of trouble at 5-85.

The win keeps the Strikers in the hunt for the finals, while Hobart blew a chance to go second on the ladder and all but wrap up a semi-final.

The Hurricanes were 1-10 when Aiden Blizzard was out for a third ball duck to Shaun Tait (1-23) - who clocked a tournament high 154.4km/h - and 2-56 when Ponting was caught at point.

It was game on when in-form Paine was caught in deep at 3-63, then came Richardson's moment and the momentum was all with the visitors.

Earlier, Strikers opener Michael Klinger had anchored his side's 4-162 with an unbeaten 71 from 61 balls with eight fours.

Klinger put on a partnership of 59 with Callum Ferguson (32 from 23) and 70 with Nathan Reardon (29 from 23).

Reminded of McGrath's catch, Richardson was happy to stake his claim.

"I think he got two hands on that so I might have him covered there," he said.

"I think I made it look a bit better than it was.

"It got caught in the wind a bit, I just stuck one hand out and it fell in.

"I probably carried on a bit too much after it."

Hurricanes captain George Bailey said his side's equation for the finals remained the same.

"It was win one of your last two and I guest that hasn't changed, and if we don't we probably don't deserve to make the finals," he said.

Relive the game with our Match Centre, featuring video of every wicket and boundary.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Classy Serena takes Brisbane title

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Champion ... Serena Williams celebrates her Brisbane International title. Source: Darren England / AP

Frightened by the fish, Serena Williams admitted she was too afraid to swim in the ocean during her recent training camp in Mauritius.

But it will be Williams who'll be scaring the daylights out of the women's field at the Australian Open after ruthlessly showcasing her power and precision at the Brisbane International.

The American superstar warmed up perfectly for a possible sixth major at Melbourne Park with a 50-minute demolition of Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on Saturday night.

Her 6-2 6-1 final triumph meant she didn't lose a set at the year-opening tournament and conceded just 17 games in total on Pat Rafter Arena.

Pavlyuchenkova admitted she was clueless.

Williams now has a 35-1 record since her shock first-round loss at the French Open, which shook her into career-best form.

Under new coach Patrick Mouratoglou, the 15-time grand slam champion is reaching towards the heights of her career-best 2002-03 period when she claimed the "Serena Slam", capped by the first of her five Australian Open titles.

Mouratoglou claims she's only getting better at 31 and, on her recent form - triumphing at Wimbledon, the Olympics, US Open and the year-ending WTA Championships - it's hard to disagree.

The world No.3 can become the rightful No.1 with victory in Melbourne in three weeks time and she feels she's done everything right to prepare.

Her Mauritius camp had her arrive in Brisbane in peak fitness despite recent surgery on both big toes.

But swimming was not on the menu.

"I ended up being really afraid of everything," she said in Brisbane.

"I was afraid of the ocean. Everyone swam with the dolphins; I thought they would bite me, so I refused.

"I ended up barely being able to snorkel because I was afraid of the fish."

Now it's Williams who's the big shark in Melbourne and the fear will on the other side of the net.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ryall late show spoils Perth party

Baptism of fire ... Sydney's teen defender Aaron Calver marshals Shane Smeltz. Source: Lincoln Baker / AAP

Sydney FC defender Seb Ryall has stolen a point for his team after Perth Glory looked to have had the game wrapped up through a Shane Smeltz brace.

Ryall poked home after a goalmouth scramble that resulted from an Alessandro Del Piero free kick in the 83rd minute, setting up a grandstand finish between two sides desperate for a win.

A game which had dallied for much of the opening period exploded into life when Jason Culina marked his recent comeback from a career-threatening injury with a superb equaliser in the 63rd minute.

Culina's goal was just reward for the visitors as they picked up their tempo in the second half and started to create chances with a run of good possession.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Central Coast	14	9	3	2	13	30
2	Adelaide	15	9	2	4	7	29
3	Victory	15	8	2	5	0	26
4	Western Sydney	14	7	2	5	6	23
5	Perth	15	5	4	6	2	19
6	Brisbane	14	5	2	7	1	17
7	Newcastle	15	5	2	8	-9	17
8	Wellington	15	4	4	7	-3	16
9	Heart	14	4	3	7	-3	15
10	Sydney	15	4	2	9	-14	14

But just as Sydney looked the most likely side to snatch victory, a re-invigorated Smeltz curled in a trademark first-time hit from the top of the box after some superb lead-up work from Travis Dodd. 

The A-League's all-time leading goalscorer, Smeltz has had a battle to find the back of the net this season but it was he who struck first to give the home side the lead.

Despite the Sky Blues dominating possession for much of the opening stanza, they were unable to create much with it and the Glory continually threatened on the break.

Finally it was the lethal head of Smeltz that broke the deadlock, giving the home side a lead at the break.

More to come...

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Video: Richardson's stunning catch

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Screamer ... Kane Richardson won't forget this catch in a while. Source:Fox Sports

Was Kane Richardson's stunning catch at Blundstone Arena on Saturday night the best grab we've seen so far in the KFC T20 Big Bash League?

Plenty who watched Adelaide Strikers' win over Hobart Hurricanes would think so, especially if the reaction on Twitter is anything to go by.

Richardson's sensational effort may not have been so eye-catching if he didn't first misjudged the flight of the ball, but he recovered brilliantly to dive at full stretch and take an amazing one-handed catch just in front of the boundary.

It brought back memories of Glenn McGrath's brilliant outfield effort against England at Adelaide Oval, or for those with even longer memories, Adam Dale's incredible diving catch for Queensland against New South Wales in 1997-1998.

But was it the best grab we've seen since the creation of the Big Bash League?

We've pulled together some of the more memorable grabs from this season, and at the bottom of the page there's a compilation of the 10 best catches from season one.

Which catch is your favourite? Have we left any out? Join the debate by leaving a comment at the bottom of the page!

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Cameron Borgas/Scott Coyte (Sydney Thunder v Adelaide Strikers, ANZ Stadium)

Tim Ludeman (Adelaide Strikers v Brisbane Heat, Adelaide Oval)

Kieron Pollard (Adelaide Strikers v Melbourne Renegades, Adelaide Oval)

Alfonso Thomas (Perth Scorchers v Sydney Thunder, WACA)

Best catches from season one of KFC T20 Big Bash League

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Mundine feels good in Brisbane

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Ready ... Anthony Mundine finishes his training in Brisbane. Source: Torsten Blackwood / AFP

Daniel Geale and Anthony Mundine have taken opposite paths to prepare for their eagerly awaited boxing world title rematch, one man staying at home and the other heading interstate.

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Mundine claims he has received a timely boost ahead of his January 30 bout with IBF middleweight champion Geale, by returning to the city where he last defeated his rival - Brisbane.

Conversely, Geale has stayed at his western Sydney base and has no plans to go elsewhere before their Sydney Entertainment bout.

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Mundine on Friday completed a month-long training stint in the Queensland capital where he was awarded the controversial 2009 victory - Geale's only professional loss.

He claimed there was "something special'' about Brisbane and believed the four-week camp had provided the finetuning needed ahead of his re-match with Geale in Sydney.

"I always feel different when I leave this joint. I always feel a lot fitter and stronger,'' Mundine said.

"Moving to a different climate, it's like altitude training for me.''

"Now I am ready to shake the world up again.''

Geale lost his IBO middleweight title to Mundine in a split-points decision in Brisbane in May 2009.

He went on to win the IBF and WBA Super titles, though he was stripped of the latter for choosing to fight Mundine.

Tasmanian-born Geale relocated to Sydney several years ago and saw no reason to change his usual routine and follow Sydneysider Mundine out of town.

"Everybody to their own - I'm getting the best out of what I need to do right where I am. It definitely works for me,'' Geale said.

"We pretty much do everything we need (to) here in Sydney.

"We're very happy - we've got good sparring partners. Everything has fallen into place perfectly for us.''

Geale, who has sparred with Trent Broadhurst and former Mundine victim Rob Medley, said he kept working throughout the holiday season.

The 37-year-old Mundine, is a $3.36 outsider with bookies against hot favourite Geale ($1.30).

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Mehmet leaves Glory for Thailand

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Gone ... Billy Mehmet decides to leave Perth Glory for Thailand. Source: Justin Benson-Cooper / News Limited

Perth Glory striker Billy Mehmet has left the A-League club in order to link up with Thailand outfit Bangkok Glass FC.

Glory coach Ian Ferguson said he has already sounded out several potential replacements for the hard-working Mehmet, who scored 10 goals in 42 games for the club.

Mehmet's departure frees up an international spot on the Glory's roster, with Ferguson keen to secure a player before the transfer window shuts at the end of the month.

"We have got one or two irons in the fire overseas and we're waiting to see what happens with those, whether they are still progressing,'' Ferguson said on Friday.

"We have put a couple of things to certain players and hopefully if it comes off, it'll be great for Perth Glory.''

Mehmet, who has been used largely off the bench whenever Shane Smeltz has played this season, was keen to join a club where he could earn a regular start.

"I can't guarantee anyone a first team place, and Billy is 29 and he wants to be playing regularly,'' Ferguson said of Mehmet's reasons to leave.

"It's disappointing, but we don't want unhappy players here either and if anyone wants to move on and head overseas, we won't stand in their way.

"We've got good attacking cover.

"Travis Dodd can play up there, as can (Steven) McGarry and we've got (Chris) Harold and (Ryo) Nagai as well.

"Hopefully the players we bring in will do a good job for us.''

Perth will be aiming to break back to the winners' list when they host Sydney FC on Saturday night.

Smeltz is set to start against the Sky Blues despite suffering a slight tweak to his groin at training this week.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cole returns home to West Ham

Return ... Joe Cole signs for the club he started his career with, West Ham United. Source: Tim Hales / News Limited

Barclays Premier League side West Ham United on Friday said they had signed Joe Cole from Liverpool, bringing the midfielder back to the club where he began his career.

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The 31-year-old, who has been capped 56 times for England, has inked an 18-month contract with the Hammers, a decade after leaving the east London side for capital rivals Chelsea.

"It is a great move for me,'' he was quoted as saying on the club's whufc.com website.

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"Coming back here brings back all the memories of the pitches I learnt how to play on.

"This is where I learnt my trade and I'm happy to have another chance to be here. I've always loved West Ham and I hope I can give the club a few memorable seasons.

"The timing was right for me to come back and I'm happy. I'm back in London and I'm delighted to be here. I want to be here and I want to make an impact.''

Cole, whose time at Liverpool included last season on loan at French Ligue 1 side Lille, said he was looking forward to playing under manager Sam Allardyce and excited to return to his roots.

"Sam didn't have to sell me the club for me to come back. For me, I have had 18 months at Liverpool where I haven't played much football and Sam wants to play me,'' he added.

"I'm going to need games to get back to my best but I want to play football and come here and help the team to make an impact.

"I feel like I owe the club a little bit as well because, if it wasn't for West Ham, I wouldn't be a footballer. This club's great youth-team coaches taught me the trade.''

In Cole's first spell at the club, he played alongside Paolo Di Canio, Michael Carrick, Frank Lampard, Jermain Defoe and Trevor Sinclair and, in 1999, was part of the Claret and Blues' FA Youth Cup-winning team.

West Ham are mid-table in the Premier League and take on Manchester United on Sunday in the FA Cup third round.

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Scorchers tame woeful Thunder

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Matchwinner ... Brad Hogg took four wickets for the Scorchers. Source: Daniel Wilkins / News Limited

Sydney Thunder remain winless in the Big Bash League with Chris Gayle again failing to fire as Perth Scorchers crushed the visitors by nine wickets at the WACA Ground on Friday.

T20 - WACA Ground

4 January 2013 - Day 1, Session 2

Scorchers 1st Innings

S. Marsh	56	45	6	2	124.44
M. North	39	30	3	0	130
A. Zampa	3.2	0	34	0	10.20

The Thunder posted just 9-113 with Usman Khawaja scoring 56 after West Indian import Gayle made just two runs while Englishman Matt Prior added only four.

Big money signing Gayle has now made just 72 runs in his six innings for the Thunder, failing to hit any sort of form with an average of just 12 this BBL campaign at a disappointing strike rate of 72.7 per cent.

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Re-live the game as it happened, with the BBL Match Centre, featuring video highlights of the wickets and all the big moments!

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Gayle was again disappointed with the performance of the team and knows with himself and Prior falling early, it turned the match in the Scorchers' favour.

"It is disappointing. We didn't start well again and that actually cost us the match. We wanted to select to bat first, but the ball did a bit and they put the ball in the right place to get the early wickets," Gayle said.

"We paid the penalty, but having said all of that we can take the positive out of the batting of Usman.

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"I thought he batted really well to actually give the team a chance to be in a winning position, but to defend 113 runs on this wicket was always going to be difficult."

Prior didn't play the first four games due to his commitments with England in the successful Test series in India but has made just 25 runs in three innings averaging 8.3 and also going at a relatively slow strike rate of 80.6 per cent.

Perth had little trouble making 1-117 in just 13.2 overs to win with nine wickets and 40 balls in hand with Shaun Marsh scoring 56 not out from 45 balls.

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Herschelle Gibbs fell early for six before Marsh and Marcus North (39 from 30) guided the Scorchers home.

Perth move to second on the ladder and the win further enhances their prospects of a semi-final berth with one game to go away to the Adelaide Strikers.

North did have two close LBW calls when on two (to Gurinder Sandhu) and 20 (to Scott Coyte) but survived both and then the pair got cracking as the pressure was released from the Thunder as they fell to a 12th straight BBL loss.

The Thunder were in trouble early slumping to 4-31 before Khawaja stood tall with some help from Mark Cosgrove (18 from 15) as the visitors limped to 113 from their 20 overs.

Bowling for the Scorchers, Jason Behrendorff delivered four straight overs at the start to take 2-16 and then Brad Hogg finished strongly, the veteran spinner claiming three last-over wickets to finish with 4-29 from his four overs.

Behrendorff was duly awarded Man of the Match and he said the Scorchers were now in a good position to target a finals berth.

"I was absolutely stoked. I was given the new ball and my job was to swing it around, and hopefully take a few early wickets. I did that and I was really happy with it," Behrendorff said.

"Even though the Thunder haven't won a game, we knew they are still a very dangerous side with some really good players. We were conscious of that coming into the game and made sure we bowled well early, and was lucky enough to get the two big wickets at the top.

"If we win in Adelaide then we definitely should be in the semis so we are going well now, and are really confident. Hopefully we can continue that form in Adelaide."

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tomic, Barty make short work of Italy

Three in a row ... Tomic finished his singles rubbers in Perth with a perfect record. Source: News Limited

Australian Bernard Tomic continued his winning run at the Hopman Cup with a 6-3 7-5 triumph over world No.23 Andreas Seppi at Perth Arena on Thursday night.

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Tomic, who stunned world No.1 Novak Djokovic on Wednesday night after accounting for German Tommy Haas earlier in the tournament, had too many weapons for Seppi, with the 71-minute win giving Australia a 1-0 lead in the tie.

"I think I played really well against Novak yesterday and today was really good as well," Tomic said.

"It's amazing preparation before the Australian Open and I'm really glad I came.

"The last few months were very hard. I was focusing a lot on my fitness and my serve. You need to serve well when you play against these top players."

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Tomic had to save three break points on his first service game.

But from there, the 20-year-old took control of the match, breaking Seppi in the fourth game on the way to first-set honours.

Seppi and Tomic went toe-to-toe for much of the second set.

But a double fault from Seppi on break point in the 11th game ended the Italian's resistance, with Tomic easily serving out the match.

Teenager Ashleigh Barty then claimed the biggest scalp of her fledgling career with a 6-0 6-3 demolition of 2010 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone.

Australia will reach Saturday night's final if Germany upset Serbia's top-seeded pairing of Djokovic and Ana Ivanovic on Friday.

Barty was only playing at the mixed-teams tournament after Casey Dellacqua was forced to pull out with a foot injury.

The 16-year-old lost to Ivanovic in straight sets on Wednesday night, but came out with all guns blazing against world No.35 Schiavone, who couldn't keep pace in the opening set.

Schiavone committed 10 unforced errors in the first set, with two of her double faults handing Barty crucial breaks.

The 32-year-old veteran won the first two games of the second set but, from there, Barty took control to break Schiavone three times to secure the win.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Chelsea, Ba agree to terms: reports

Demba Ba ... looks set to make move to Stamford Bridge. Source: SCOTT HEPPELL / AP

Newcastle striker Demba Ba has agreed to join Chelsea on a three-and-a-half-year contract, it is understood.

The Senegal international is undergoing a medical with Rafa Benitez's side after a release clause was triggered in his Newcastle contract once Chelsea offered £7 ($A11) million for him.

Ba was left out of the Magpies' squad for their 2-1 home defeat to Everton, with manager Alan Pardew admitting afterwards that he was on his way to Stamford Bridge.

A deal between the Premier League rivals appears close to being finalised, with Benitez keen to add to his attacking options to ease the burden on Fernando Torres.

"He has done fantastic for us and it's not a bad thing, all the uncertainty is now done and we can move on.

"The ball was always in Demba's court. But this club is bigger than any player for sure."

Ba joined Newcastle on a free transfer from West Ham in June 2011 and after impressing last season he has already scored 13 goals this campaign.

"It's done. He will go to Chelsea with our blessing," Pardew told Sky Sports ahead of their defeat by Everton.

"He has done fantastic for us and it's not a bad thing, all the uncertainty is now done and we can move on.

"The ball was always in Demba's court. But this club is bigger than any player for sure."

Chelsea officials held initial discussions with Ba's representatives earlier this week but had been unable to reach an agreement.

Newcastle released a statement which read: "Newcastle United can confirm Chelsea Football Club has made an official offer for Demba Ba which has triggered the release clause in the player's contract.

"The club has given the player permission to speak to Chelsea FC and therefore he will not be included in the squad for tonight's game with Everton."

Read more: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11668/8378310/Chelsea-agree-deal-with-Newcastle-striker-Demba-Ba

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Heat outshine Stars to stay alive

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Win ... Alastair McDermott picks up a wicket on the final ball. Source: Dave Hunt / AAP

Brisbane Heat weathered a Lasith Malinga onslaught before keeping their KFC T20 Big Bash League finals hopes alive with a 24-run victory over Melbourne Stars at the Gabba.

T20 - Gabba

3 January 2013 - Day 1, Session 2

Stars 1st Innings

C. McKay	2	5	0	0	40
L. Malinga	2	7	0	0	28.57
A. McDermott	4	0	21	2	5.25

In a match where tempers frayed between Australia one-day teammates Clint McKay and Dan Christian, the Heat (5-171) ended the Stars' four-match winning streak on Thursday night.

Super slinger Malinga continued his destructive BBL form with an amazing 3-0 from his first 10 balls to have the home side staring at a sub-par total of 140.

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But thanks largely to Shane Warne's rusty fielding and Chris Lynn's late-innings hitting, Brisbane set a respectable target which couldn't be reined in.

Warne dropped a simple chance from Christian (27 from 23) before Lynn (26 not out) then peeled off 17 runs from the final over by Malinga (3-26).

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Heat skipper James Hopes followed his 49 with the bat to take 3-28 with the ball in a man-of-the-match performance which tormented the Stars' international-quality line-up.

Sri Lankan allrounder Thisara Perera, in his last match for Brisbane, chimed in with 3-18 as the visitors were kept to 9-147.

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A big crowd of 24,500 - the biggest of the BBL season - lapped up the result which moves the Heat to fifth on the table with 3-3 record.

The Stars (4-2) remain in second place on eight points.

Emotions boiled over in the Heat innings when McKay and Christian engaged in a heated exchange, trading insults from close quarters, after the batsman prevented a run-out with his running line.

Warne, who won the toss and bowled first, showed his own lack of confidence in the field by calling Luke Wright to take a skied ball from Perera that landed where the 43-year-old had been standing.

Warne admitted the Stars let the home side off the hook following their impressive start.

"It was a little disappointing tonight in all three departments - our fielding and our bowling, we didn't quite get it right, and in our batting we lost wickets at crucial times,'' he said.

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Re-live the action from the Heat's win over Melbourne Stars in our BBL Match Centre, featuring video replays, ball-by-ball and all the vital stats.

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"Our last four overs went for 52 and 170 was a par score here as it was a really good wicket so we thought we could chase it down.''

Hopes, who set the foundations with a two-paced 63-run second-wicket stand with surprise No.3 Chris Hartley, felt the Heat had some momentum after winning just one of their first four matches.

"It's a funny thing with our side, we tend to play our best when our backs are to the wall and we have to lose a few first to get on a winning streak,'' he said.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mancini to explain overeating claims

Roberto Mancini ... has been forced to explain comments about referee Kevin Friend. Source: Ian Kington / AFP

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has until Friday afternoon (UK time) to comment on his criticism of referee Kevin Friend following a Boxing Day defeat to Sunderland.

The Football Association wrote to Mancini following his claim that "maybe the referee ate too much for Christmas", as Friend missed what Mancini felt was a clear foul on Pablo Zabaleta in the build-up to Adam Johnson's winner.

Due to a busy Barclays Premier League festive period the judicial panel granted Mancini's request for an extension and it is thought the City boss is facing either a warning or fine for his reaction.

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Whilst City have made their frustration known at the investigation whilst Sir Alex Ferguson escaped without punishment for his behaviour during Manchester United's win over Newcastle the same day, it has been pointed out by the FA that there are clear differences.

The main difference is that as Mancini delivered his assessment after the game and Friend was not present - unlike Mike Dean, who described his own clash with Ferguson before the second half of United's 4-3 victory as 'cordial'.

In addition, whilst Mancini's comments could be viewed as an amusing aside, they have called into question Friend's competence which the FA, at the very least, feel demands clarification.

Read more: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11679/8378336/FA-give-Roberto-Mancini-until-Friday-to-comment-on-criticism-of-referee-Kevin-Friend

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Murali gets Renegades back on track

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Too good ... Murali showed his class on Wednesday night. Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Limited

Imports Marlon Samuels and Muttiah Muralitharan claimed three wickets each as Melbourne Renegades thumped Adelaide Strikers by 48 runs in their KFC T20 Big Bash League clash at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.

T20 - Etihad Stadium

2 January 2013 - Day 1, Session 2

Strikers 1st Innings

M. Neser	29	24	1	1	120.83
G. Putland	0	1	0	0	0
W. Sheridan	1.3	0	2	1	1.33

The Renegades took top spot on the ladder as they improved their win-loss record to 5-1 while the Strikers slumped to 3-3.

For controversial West Indies offspinner Samuels, who last month had his bowling action questioned by Brisbane Heat coach Darren Lehmann, it was a grand performance under pressure.

Tom Cooper hit his highest BBL score of 59 off 46 balls to guide the Renegades to a total of 6-155.

In reply, the Strikers put themselves under enormous pressure after losing 4-50 in the first 10 overs and they were bowled out for 107 in 18.3 overs.

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

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Tim Ludeman, Callum Ferguson and Nathan Reardon all failed to reach double figures and opener Michael Klinger made 24.

After bowling Reardon in the ninth over, Sri Lankan spin wizard Murali (3-18) put his stamp on the game by trapping big-hitting West Indies import Kieron Pollard and Theo Doropoulos lbw for ducks in consecutive deliveries in the 11th over as the Strikers slumped to 6-51.

Samuels (3-16) removed Johan Botha (31) and Kane Richardson (0) in consecutive deliveries in the 18th over.
Michael Neser was unbeaten on 29.

Invited to bat first, the Renegades had been struggling at 5-112 before Cooper and Will Sheridan (15 not out) added 43 off the final 27 deliveries of the innings.

Earlier, Ben Rohrer (35) added 46 for the fourth wicket with Cooper.

Botha (1-17) bowled four tight overs while fellow spinner Brad Young claimed 2-37 and left-arm quick Gary Putland (0-21 off three overs) conceded 15 from the 19th over of the innings.

Pollard (1-17 off two overs) took a spectacular diving catch off his own bowling to remove Rohrer at 4-97 while wicketkeeper Tim Ludeman was also in good form with his catch to dismiss Cooper off the last ball of the innings.

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Watch Pollard's great catch and even greater celebration in the video below!

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Samuels (16) and the tournament's leading run-scorer Aaron Finch (13) both fell cheaply as Young and Botha made early breakthroughs for the Strikers.

Renegades' skipper Finch praised the efforts of Samuels and Murali.

"The way the two internationals owned the game with the ball was outstanding," Finch said.

Murali said chasing was hard at Etihad Stadium because the pitch tends to slow down and take turn.

"We all bowled well. Marlon especially bowled well,'" Murali told Fox Sports.

"So it's a team effort. Hopefully now we are in the semi-finals technically because we have five wins (from six matches in an eight-game format)."

Losing captain Botha said his side had a lot of work to do to have a chance of playing in the semi-finals.

"It's still in our hands to get to those knockouts," he said

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Victory's Finkler out for season

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Gui Finkler ... injured in a battle for the ball with Western Sydney's Iacopo La Rocca. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Scans have confirmed that Melbourne Victory midfielder Gui Finkler has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and will require a reconstruction, ruling him out of action for 12 months.

Finkler sustained the injury in the opening moments of the Victory's 2-1 loss to Western Sydney Wanderers on Tuesday at Parramatta Stadium.

A statement on the Victory's website confirmed the worst news on Wednesday evening.

"It has now been confirmed that Finkler has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and while there was no other damage to the knee, he will require a reconstruction," the statement read.

The Brazilian playmaker, who tops the A-League in assists, took to Twitter express his devastation.

It is not yet known when Finkler will go under the knife.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tennis No.1 Azarenka starts 2013 in style

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WORLD No.1 Victoria Azarenka has continued her Down Under love affair by "taking some bullets" on her way to an impressive warm-up for her Australian Open defence.

In her first tennis match of the 2013 season, Azarenka maintained her flawless record at the Brisbane International with a 6-3 6-3 second-round victory over big-serving German Sabine Lisicki.

The 23-year-old did not drop a set en route to the inaugural tournament title in 2009 and she never gave the world No.37 a look in during her return on Wednesday night.

The flat, heavy groundstrokes and strong return held sway over one hour 27 minutes to take her unbeaten match record to four against the German.

Azarenka thrives on the Australian plexicushion courts and broke through for her maiden grand slam win at Melbourne Park last year - wiping Maria Sharapova off Rod Laver Arena 6-3 6-0 in the final - after previously taking out the Sydney International.

It was the springboard to a 26-match unbeaten streak, the longest on the WTA Tour since Martina Hingis in 1997, which propelled her to the No.1 ranking.

"I guess it's the whole package for me," Azarenka said of her Australian success. "And at the beginning of the year, you're obviously hungry to play.

"The atmosphere here brings out the best in me ... the motivation is always extraordinary."

But she stressed her 2013 campaign would be a new slate.

"I really mean it when I say that I don't look to defend anything," the Belarusian said. "I look forward to repeat, to win.

"You defend in a war or something, but not in tennis."

Azarenka will play Kazakh qualifier Ksenia Pervak, who upset Caroline Wozniacki in the opening round, in the quarter-finals but is set for a mouth-watering semi-final showdown against Serena Williams in a replay of the 2012 US Open final.

Lisicki upset Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon last year but could not keep the pressure on Azarenka, despite breaking back three times and firing down serves in the 190km/h range.

Pleased to start her campaign with a tough clash, the world No.1 rated Lisicki's serve among the most challenging on tour behind the Williams sisters.

"I was prepared to take some bullets today, even though sometimes it looked like I wasn't," she said.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Video: Pollard's awesome celebration

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Gettin' jiggy ... Kieron Pollard shows off his unique moves. Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Limited

It's hard to keep Kieron Pollard out of the limelight.

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With his imposing 196cm frame, Pollard isn't easy to miss, but the big West Indies all-rounder makes it even harder by regularly pulling off feats that seem impossible for mere mortals.

Pollard was at it again on Wednesday night in Adelaide Strikers' clash with Melbourne Renegades at Etihad Stadium.

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Watch Pollard's catch and his interesting celebration in the video at the top of the page.

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Not content with taking a sensational diving catch off his own bowling to remove dangerous Renegades batsman Ben Rohrer, Pollard then created another addition to the highlights reel by first feigning to take off his shirt, then bursting into a side-to-side jig that left his teammates chasing in his wake.

Pollard combined with good bowling from veteran spinner Brad Young, skipper Johan Botha and young quick Kane Richardson to restrict the Renegades to 6-155 from their 20 overs.

Unfortunately for Pollard he didn't fare so well with the bat, trapped lbw for a second-ball duck by masterful spinner Muttiah Muralidaran.

The Renegades proved too strong in the end, as the Strikers were bowled out for just 107. 

Click here to watch all the best videos from the game!

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Geeves takes on Gayle and Haddin

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Feud ... Gayle v Haddin was a bit of entertainment says Brett Geeves. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Monday night was New Year's Eve. If you went to the Hobart waterfront and enjoyed the fireworks, you no doubt stepped over a broken glass, saw a fight between two teenage girls and waited more than three hours for a cab home.

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All this to witness someone standing on a pontoon, throwing half a dozen sparklers in the air.

Note to Hobart Council - a fireworks budget of $11.80 may have got the job done in 1985 – but it's not working for you in 2011.

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Sydney and Melbourne on the other hand, spent enough money to buy Gina Reinhardt's favourite knickers.

If the Falls Festival or any music festival was your thing, you're reading this stuck in a 5000+ car traffic jam, while police randomly (I'm pretty sure random doesn't mean every) breathe test cars and search them for Olivia Newton-John's ex-boyfriend, Patrick McDermott.

You probably haven't showered in three days and the fact you're wearing a turtle neck to cover the hickey on your neck is only adding to your god-awful smell. Enjoy your shower.

Maybe you attended a house party?

Someone spiked the punch and on the stroke of midnight you took the opportunity to kiss everyone too far.

Tongue kissing is for behind your high school gymnasium, the back seat of the movies, public transport and if you're from South Australia – family reunions.

You should not attempt to tongue kiss your girlfriend's grandmother on the stroke of the new year.

No amount of punch makes this acceptable, unless she looks like a wrinkly Anne Hathaway.

I am thinking most of you cricket-loving nuffies are deeply involved in the KFC T20 Big Bash League and possibly some of you enjoy bird watching, or birding as you would refer to it - making you a birder.

Ba Ba Ba Bird, Bird, Bird, Bird is the word.

Now, I hadn't planned on penning anything until day one of the next Test.

Mostly because I am lazy and if you are attempting mental imagery of me right now, think Jabba the Hut, wearing a KFC bucket head that was once actually full of chicken (what a plug!!) and a Nowitzki singlet that is now six sizes too small.

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Now think about Brad Haddin's attempt at upsetting Chris Gayle.

Now think about whether or not this was done as entertainment or if they are actually feuding.

Let's compare Gayle v Haddin and Muscle-man Manou v High-pants Hussey of 09/10.

Big Bash cricket was a different beast back then.

It was a pride-based beast where players were representing their states, as opposed to cities that most of them aren't from.

They wore clothes that bared their state's colours, the colours that are traditionally simple because that's how cricket should be – not the types of colours you could expect to see at a nine-year-old girl's slumber party.

So when Manou took exception to the antics of Dave Hussey, it meant something and if you watched the match and the way the crowd became involved, you knew that this was a rivalry that was not based on entertainment.

This had been built up over a decade of first class games and was as real as the troubles of Greece's economy.

The next time Dave Hussey played at Adelaide Oval in front of the SA fans, he was booed un-mercifully.

In true Hussey style he dominated. He lives for on-field controversy and thrives under the pressure of having to perform.

This was real cricket, played for real points and by men who cared for the result and not the pot of gold that was waiting for them at the end of the rainbow (rainbow is end of tournament).

Watching Gayle v Haddin felt like watching two school chums slowly grinding each other down to the point that one explodes and rips the others shirt, causing the kid with the ripped shirt to get a beating from his old man when he made it home.

That's what dads do when a school shirt is ripped. It's their rite of passage.

This was a feud made for entertainment, much like Family Feud or Judge Judy and should be taken as seriously as these two shows and current day wrestling.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Paine too much for Scorchers

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Classy ... Paine played plenty of quality shots in his innings of 74. Source: Nikki Davis-jones / News Limited

Former Test gloveman Tim Paine has cracked the highest score of his tough comeback from injury to steer Hobart Hurricanes to a six-wicket win over Perth Scorchers at Blundstone Arena.

T20 - Blundstone Arena

1 January 2013 - Day 1, Session 2

Hurricanes 1st Innings

T. Paine	74	57	7	2	129.82
G. Bailey	19	11	2	0	172.73
N. Coulter-Ni...	3.3	0	41	0	11.71

Paine finally returned to his best with 74 from 57 balls as the Hurricanes chased down Perth's 8-152 with nine balls to spare.

The 28-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman, who was the heir apparent to ex-Australian gloveman Brad Haddin, has endured no fewer than six operations on the finger he broke in an exhibition Twenty20 match more than two years ago.

He put on 90 from 60 balls with Ricky Ponting (34 from 26) to lead the Hurricanes to their third straight win and third place on the KFC T20 Big Bash League ladder.

The Scorchers' three-game winning streak is over with their season now 3-3.

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

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Injuries could add to their woes with in-form batsman Shaun Marsh (6 from 11) unable to field after he was struck on the thumb by Hurricanes paceman Doug Bollinger (1-27).

And in a bizarre incident, Scorchers paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile (0-41) fell clutching an ankle halfway through his run-up before completing his spell.

The home side were 1-15 when opener Aiden Blizzard was caught for 12 from seven balls to bring Paine and Ponting together.

Their stand put the Hurricanes in the box seat before veteran spinner Brad Hogg (3-17) found himself on a hat-trick in the 12th over as he reduced the Hurricanes to 3-105.

But Paine and captain George Bailey (19 from 11) steadied to steer the home side to victory.

Earlier, veteran Perth skipper Simon Katich blasted the equal-second fastest fifty of the BBL season.

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The 37-year-old reached 52 off just 28 balls with a monstrous six off Bollinger, joining Melbourne Renegades' Aaron Finch behind Brisbane's Chris Lynn, who reached 50 from 27 balls against Perth.

Katich finished with 66 from 41 balls with five fours and four sixes.

The Scorchers had been 2-10 before the former Test opener combined with Marcus North (27 from 33) to put on 69 from 52 balls.

"(Twenty20) frees you up a little bit and I was probably suffering from a lack of confidence at the start of the year so it's nice to be back on track a little bit," Paine said.

Katich said his side had been caught out early in both innings.

"We were slow to start the game, probably our first three or four overs with the bat and then the same with the ball so you can't afford to in this form of the game," he said.

"You're always playing catch-up and that's what happened to us tonight."

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Roar outgun Phoenix in spicy clash

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Make: NIKON CORPORATIONModel: NIKON D4Date/Time: 2013:01:01 21:02:58 Source:AAP

New Brisbane Roar coach Mike Mulvey unveiled more of his aggressive blueprint after his side showed flashes of their attacking brilliance with a 2-1 victory over Wellington on Tuesday night.

Quicksilver attacker Ben Halloran nailed the winning goal, his third of the A-League season, following some clever lead-up work by striker Besart Berisha and German gun Thomas Broich in the 58th minute at Suncorp Stadium.

It wasn't the performance Mulvey would have wanted.

But their were moments when the Roar looked a little like the side which had won the past two championships.

Wellington battled hard but finished the clash with nine players after 18-year-old Tyler Boyd (two yellow cards) was dismissed by referee Tim McGilchrist in the 64th minute and Leo Bertos was forced from the field late in the match following a head clash.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Central Coast	14	9	3	2	13	30
2	Adelaide	14	9	1	4	7	28
3	Western Sydney	14	7	2	5	6	23
4	Victory	14	7	2	5	-2	23
5	Perth	14	5	3	6	2	18
6	Brisbane	14	5	2	7	1	17
7	Wellington	14	4	4	6	-1	16
8	Newcastle	14	5	1	8	-9	16
9	Heart	14	4	3	7	-3	15
10	Sydney	14	4	1	9	-14	13

Brisbane also finished with 10 players after James Donachie shown a red card for a dangerous challenge on classy Wellington striker Jeremy Brockie.

Backing up their 1-0 upset over Adelaide last weekend, Brisbane move from second bottom into sixth place.

Pre-game talk Mulvey might use the A-League's January transfer window to recruit a back-up striker fired up Berisha, who opened the scoring in the 14th minute by beating defender Ben Sigmund before slotting the ball past `keeper Mark Paston.

It was Berisha's first open goal since November and the Albanian dropped to his knees and kissed the turf.

Brockie went to the top of the A-League scoring list with 10 goals when his stunning 36th-minute strike levelled scores at 1-1 before halftime as Brisbane threatened to take control of game.

Wellington struggled at times to cope with the midfield creativity of German ace Thomas Broich, the slickness of Mitch Nichols and the height of Erik Paartalu who played a more central role under Mulvey.

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Re-live all the action from the Roar's win at our A-League Match Centre, with video highlights and player stats.

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Their probing work repeatedly opened up the Phoenix defence as Berisha, Henrique and the ever-dangerous Halloran began running riot.

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Brockie's blistering equaliser seemed to rock the Roar's confidence with skipper Matt Smith and Nichols exchanging strong words as they left the field.

"We need to get our emotions going," said Broich of the half-time exchange between his teammates.
Broich said Brisbane had made life difficult for themselves.

"We had so many chances," he said.

Wellington coach Ricki Herbert said facial injuries to both Bertos and Alexander Smith late in the clash meant he would have to send for reinforcements for this weekend's showdown with Melbourne Victory.

Smith, who left the ground holding an ice pack to his left cheek, may have scans for a suspected fracture.

"We've probably got two players who might have cracked cheekbones; we'll wait and see," Herbert said.

"Alex Smith is the other one and it's probably from an elbow so hopefully that's looked at as well.

"He might have scans tonight.''

The A-League's match review panel could have a look at one or two incidents from the game including a clash involving Wellington defender Manny Muscat and Brisbane youngster Nick Fitzgerald which infuriated Berisha.

An upset Berisha earned a yellow card, his fourth of the season, for dissent after vigorously confronting referee McGilchrist and gesturing to him with his elbow.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hewitt wins in Brisbane

Win ... Lleyton Hewitt is through to the second round in Brisbane. Source: Darren England / News Limited

Lleyton Hewitt has shown all of his trademark fighting spirit at the Brisbane International to successfully start his warm-up for a 17th Australian Open campaign.

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Injury free for the first summer in many years, Hewitt slugged out a Brisbane debut to remember with a 6-3 4-6 6-2 win over Russian lucky loser Igor Kunitsyn on Tuesday night.

Despite being ranked 162 in the world, and only pitched into the first-round clash 10 hours earlier, Kunitsyn made the 31-year-old work all the way at Pat Rafter Arena.

The failed qualifier, who replaced an ill Radek Stepanek, was meant to be easy meat but roared to life late in the second set after pouncing on his first and only chance to break Hewitt.

Kunitsyn then appeared to have all the momentum at the start of the deciding set before the fired-up South Australian broke in the fourth game and never looked back in front of a full house of 5500.

Hewitt will now meet Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin in the second round after the world No.44 upset eighth-seeded Slovak Martin Klizan 6-1 6-2.

He'd originally been set down to meet Stepanek but the inaugural Brisbane International champion, who holds an overall 14-3 tournament record, was forced to withdraw with an eye infection.

While the Hewitt fight and "c'mon'' call was there, as well as his sharp court movement following radical ankle surgery last year, the world No.83 would be disappointed by taking his foot off Kuntisyn's throat in the second set.

He blew two break points when up 3-2 - including backhand drop volley - and then later lapsed surprisingly on serve at 4-5.

Prior to going under the knife, the two-time major winner had been struggling to build any momentum with his worsening toe injury gradually eroding his speed advantage and fitness edges.

But he looked in fine fettle throughout the course of the two-hour match.

Hewitt was pleased by his victory after admitting he was affected by the late change of opponent.

"When you've been preparing for three or four days to play someone then it changes it's always tough and especially when you're playing someone who's already had two or three matches in these conditions as well,'' he told the Seven Network.

"He's a good ball striker and had nothing to lose so I felt like it was a pretty high-standard match out there tonight.''

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

McGrath inducted into Hall of Fame

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Inductee ... Glenn McGrath the latest Australian to enter the ICC Hall of Fame. Source: Phil Hillyard / News Limited

Fast bowling great Glenn McGrath will be the latest Australian to be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.

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The ICC announced on Monday the right-arm speedster, who claimed 563 Test wickets in 124 Tests from 1993-2007, will become the third inductee in 2012-13 after West Indian maestro Brian Lara and Englishwoman Enid Bakewell were honoured in September.

The ceremony for McGrath will take place on Friday during the lunch break of the second day of the third Test between Australia and Sri Lanka on his home ground of the SCG.

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The 42-year-old will become the 68th male member of the Hall of Fame in recognition of a career that also included 250 one-day internationals and playing in three straight ICC World Cup-winning sides in 1999, 2003 and 2007.

McGrath took more Test wickets than any other seam bowler - current or retired - while he sits second behind leg-spinning legend Shane Warne (708 wickets) as Australia's leading wicket-taker.

"I am very much looking forward to celebrating the occasion with not only my friends and family, but all those at the SCG which is of course like a second home to me,'' said McGrath in a statement.

Alan Davidson, Fred Spofforth and Belinda Clark were inducted into the Hall of Fame last year to join fellow Australians including Don Bradman, Richie Benaud, Allan Border and Dennis Lillee.

The SCG will be bathed in pink in support of cancer charity the McGrath Foundation on the third day of the Test.

A fourth and final Hall of Fame inductee for 2012-13 will be announced next summer.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Vidosic helps Reds cruise on NYE

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Class above ... Adelaide were far too good for Sydney on New Year's Eve. Source: David Mariuz / News Limited

Adelaide United maestro Dario Vidosic scored twice to orchestrate a 3-0 drubbing of an off-key Sydney FC in Monday night's A-League match.

Vidosic's first-half brace, and a second half tap-in by Iain Ramsay at Hindmarsh Stadium, ensured the Reds keep snapping at the heels of ladder leaders Central Coast Mariners.

Second-placed Adelaide remain two points shy of the Mariners, who earlier on New Year's Eve downed Perth Glory 1-0.

Vidosic's double took his tally to eight goals in an influential season - he also hit the cross bar with an audacious curling 20 metre free kick, and struck the post with another hat-trick attempt.

But more importantly for the 10,934-strong Adelaide crowd, Vidosic helped break the Reds' two-game losing sequence, opening his account with an 18th minute header.

Creative Marcelo Carrusca delivered a nifty pass which Iain Ramsay wisely let run for teammate Cassio, streaming down the left. Cassio's cross found an air-borne Vidosic, whose header floated into the top right corner of the net.

Just 11 minutes later, Vidosic sliced through slack defence before passing to frontman Bruce Djite, who was felled by a tackle from behind by defender Sebastian Ryall.

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Relive the action with our A-League Match Centre, featuring video highlights and all the key stats.

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Vidosic calmly slotted the penalty and the Sky Blues were on their way to a ninth loss in 14 matches.

Adelaide winger Ramsay rubbed salt into Sydney's wounds in the 61st minute after Djite outmuscled Ryall, charged at goal, and aimed a low left-footer at goal.

The shot was well saved by diving goalkeeper Vedran Janjetkovic but the rebound fell kindly into Ramsay's path and he tapped in from two metres.

Sydney, without injured star Alessandro Del Piero, were hampered by the loss of midfielder Adam Griffiths who hobbled off in the 12th minute with a leg injury.

The Sydneysiders have now conceded a whopping 30 goals this season and will return to the bottom of the ladder should Melbourne Heart defeat or draw with Newcastle Jets on Tuesday.

Adelaide coach John Kosmina said the Reds could have scored seven or eight goals, such was their weight of scoring chances.

"It was a really good, solid performance," he said.

Reds defender Nigel Boogard was substituted with tightness in a hamstring as Kosmina warned of a challenging January including away matches against Newcastle, Melbourne Heart and Central Coast.

"We have a tough month in January ... it's not going to be easy," he said.

Sydney coach Frank Farina agreed his side could have copped eight goals, saying the match turned into a "virtually a training run" for the Reds.

"To be brutally honest, we were outplayed," he said.

Midfielder Griffiths' early exit was caused by knee medial ligament strain suffered last week, but Farina expected Del Piero to return against Perth on Saturday.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Stosur crashes out in Brisbane

Disappointing ... Stosur got her Australian summer campaign off to a poor start. Source: Dan Peled / AAP

Australian tennis fans must be braced for another deflating home summer for Samantha Stosur following a worrying first-up failure at the Brisbane International.

In a terrible blow to her Australian Open preparations, an off-key Stosur crashed 7-6 (7-4) 7-5 to Swede Sofia Arvidsson to be the second top-10 star upset on Pat Rafter Arena on Monday.

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The Queenslander followed former world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki, who lost to Ksenia Pervak, out of the tournament in a disappointing one hour and 44 minute display.

Underdone heading into the 2013 season following a minor ankle operation five weeks ago, Stosur moved freely but her groundstrokes were rusty and judgment off.

While she showed plenty of fight to save five first-set points, the world No.9 leaked 48 unforced errors, including seven double faults.

Stosur had enjoyed a 3-1 head-to-head advantage over world No.41 Arvidsson and had swept the tall Swede aside in the first round of her 2011 US Open triumph.

However the writing was on the wall in the seventh game as she lost her serve with a string of poor groundstrokes.

The 28-year-old seemed to produced her best when it most mattered - breaking Arvidsson twice when she served for the set - but paid for her inconsistency.

She did her best to hang in in the second set, as Arvidsson held serve with ease, before producing a forgettable last service game to fall on her sword.

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Stosur's inability to cope with local expectations has been well documented and the loss continues a poor run at her "home" tournament where she's never progressed past the second round.

It will heap even more pressure on her as she just has the Sydney International to fine-tune her game for the Australian Open.

Last summer, as the reigning US Open champion, she only mustered one win Down Under, beating little-known Belarussian Anastasia Yakimova in Brisbane before crashing in Sydney and Melbourne Park.

In more bad news for local fans, Australia's top-ranked male player Marinko Matosevic went down to Japanese No.5 seed Kei Nishikori 7-5 6-2.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Beckham family London based: Mirror

DAVID Beckham and wife Victoria have enrolled their children in London schools, increasing speculation the former England captain will sign with a club close to home, a British tabloid reports.

One-time Real Madrid midfielder Beckham, 37, has been linked with QPR in England and French club Monaco, as well as teams from China and Australia since his departure from LA Galaxy in early December.

The couple's sons Brooklyn, 13, Romeo, 10, and Cruz, seven, will attend an exclusive London school in the new year, while baby daughter Harper is also destined for a nursery in the English capital, the Daily Mirror said on Monday.

"David is coming to the end of his career and needs to consider his move carefully. A transfer to a top European club makes sense and as David has never played in France, a move to Paris would be ideal," an unnamed source told the Mirror.

A spokesman said before Christmas that Beckham plans to weigh up his options over the holiday period and isn't concerned about making a quick decision.

"There are a number of serious proposals on the table from a host of clubs across the world," the spokesperson said.

"David is no hurry to make a decision, the key is making the right one as he has always done successfully in his career.

The transfer window closes at the end of January.

Meanwhile Mrs Beckham has been busy house hunting in London's southwest, according to several media outlets.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Croatian star turns German for day

Distraught ... Andrea Petkovic's injury paves the way for Donna Vekic to make history. Source: Tony Ashby / AP

Luckless Andrea Petkovic has been ruled out of the Australian Open after suffering a knee injury in the Hopman Cup - which inadvertedly creates an unusual piece of tennis history.

With no German players available to take her place in the team, she is expected to be replaced by Donna Vekic of Croatia, the first time in the 25 years of Hopman Cup that a player has been asked to represent a nation other than their own.

The German had powered into the top 10 in the world last year when she suffered back and ankle injuries which forced her out of action for seven months, her ranking tumbling to 126 as a result.

She had to retire after winning the first set of her match in Perth against Australia's Ashleigh Barty, and scans have revealed she has ruptured her meniscus which means a month of recuperation and no trip to Melbourne.

"I had an MRI this morning and they found out it is a rupture of the medium meniscus," Petkovic said.

"They don't know yet if they have to trim it. If they do it will be fine and I will only be out for a month. I could probably be playing already after two weeks, hitting balls. That would be really great.

"My team and I are able to take it as tragically funny. People are strange and actually get used to chaos in their life, and I got used to a lot of mess this year.

"Every bad thing that could happen has happened to me so there's nothing there to surprise me anymore. I'm just hoping I can have a quick recovery."

Read more: http://www1.skysports.com/tennis/news/12110/8371944/Luckless-Andrea-Petkovic-creates-small-piece-of-tennis-history

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ref red-faced over yellow error

Mistake ... Referee Mick Russell booked a player twice but failed to send him off. Source: By Joe Castro / AAP

An English referee is in hot water with football bosses after booking a Sheffield Wednesday player twice - but failing to send him off.

Jeremy Helan, on loan from Manchester City, had already been shown an early yellow card for diving in The Owls' Championship game against Huddersfield when he was booked again after 26 minutes for a foul.

Referee Mick Russell was surrounded by furious Huddersfield players who tried to point out the error, but the official restarted play and the game continued.

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Huddersfield manager Simon Grayson described the blunder as "staggering".

"The players were aware and, at half-time, people pointed out to him what had happened, including the assessor. I spoke to the referee after the game and he apologised. He said he had written down the wrong number - which is staggering," he said, following the 0-0 draw.

"The linesman should be helping out. He's not done it deliberately but you can't make mistakes like that."

The Professional Game Match Officials Limited have launched an investigation into Russell's blunder.

"The official has subsequently admitted making a genuine error and PGMOL need to determine why this arose and what sanction, if any, should be administered to the match officials," the organisation said in a statement.

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Video: Haddin, Gayle in sledge-fest

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The man ... Chris Gayle does know how to celebrate a wicket. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Brad Haddin and Chris Gayle ensured there would be plenty of spice in next season's Sydney derby after engaging in a war of words during and after Sydney Sixers' clash with Sydney Thunder at ANZ Stadium on Sunday night.

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Gayle greeted Haddin when he walked out to bat and the pair looked to be on friendly terms as they jovially chatted in the middle of the field.

But somewhere along the line the rivalry became more than just a friendly one, as Gayle repeatedly taunted Haddin for not playing a shot to balls bowled by the West Indies star.

This eventually frustrated Haddin into playing a rash shot that resulted in the former Australia wicketkeeper being caught in the deep, prompting an eye-popping Gangnam Style celebration from Gayle.

But Haddin wasn't done yet, saving some choice words for Gayle during his boundary interview with Fox Sports' Jessica Yates.

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Watch the video at the top of the page to see Gayle's interesting celebrations and Haddin's post-innings sledge.

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"He's been all talk so far this tournament and they haven't won a game," Haddin said.

"It's disappointing to get out then, I was feeling pretty good but at least the Thunder fans have seen Chris Gayle do something for his money."

Gayle laughed off Haddin's comments as friendly banter - and pointed to his growing list of scalps this tournament that includes retired Test great Ricky Ponting as well as Haddin.

"I've done a lot for (the Thunder) from last year," Gayle said.

"(Haddin) is going to be in my pocket just like Ricky and the rest of the big names who I got out."

Relive all the action from the Thunder v Sixers game with our Match Centre, featuring videos of every wicket and boundary.

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Jamshed ton helps silence India

Nasir Jamshed ... his unbeaten century helped Pakistan defeat India. Source: AFP

Opening batsman Nasir Jamshed's century guided Pakistan to a six-wicket win over India in the opening match of the ODI series in Chennai.

1st ODI - MA Chidambaram Stadium

30 December 2012 - Day 1, Session 2

Pakistan 1st Innings

N. Jamshed	101	132	5	1	76.52
S. Malik	34	35	3	0	97.14
A. Dinda	9.1	0	45	1	4.91

Jamshed's 101 not out ensured India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's rescue act earlier in the day went unrewarded.

Dhoni came to the crease with his side on 5-29 after Pakistan left-arm seamer Junaid Khan (4-43) had run through the top order and struck 113 not out to guide them to a final total of 227-6.

Pakistan's run chase also got off to a poor start, India debutant Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowling Mohammad Hafeez with the first delivery of his ODI career.

Kumar also removed Azhar Ali (9) to leave Pakistan on 2-21 but Younus Khan counter-attacked to the tune of 58 off 60 balls to ensure the required-rate was always under control.

Jamshed went to his second ODI hundred from 127 balls in the 47th over and finished off the job alongside Shoaib Malik (34no) with 11 balls to spare.

A bad day for India got worse when Virat Kohli left the field injured. Kohli slipped in his delivery stride while bowling the 41st over and appeared to twist his right knee. He was able to walk off the field but did not return.

Junaid had earlier done the damage for Pakistan with the new ball, bowling Virender Sehwag (4), Virat Kohli (0) and Yuvraj Singh (2), and following up by having Rohit Sharma (4) caught at third slip in his opening spell.

Suresh Raina helped his skipper repair the innings with a 79-run stand spanning 33.4 overs, Dhoni enjoyed a life on 17 when Misbah-ul-Haq put down a catch at midwicket off Hafeez's bowling.

Off-spinner Hafeez (1-26) did eventually pick up a wicket, bowling Raina for 43 with the second delivery of the 34th over - the first of the batting powerplay - before Ravichandran Ashwin (31no) helped Dhoni up the tempo.

Dhoni brought up his eighth ODI century from 118 deliveries - the second 50 of which came from 32 balls - and finished with seven fours and three sixes in his undefeated 125-ball contribution.

The three-match series continues at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on January 3.

Read more: http://www.skysports.com/cricket/match_report/0,,11066_13783_1,00.html

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