LIVE BLOG: England v Wallabies

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THE Wallabies kick off their Spring Tour with a clash against England at Twickenham, and we'll have all the action covered.

Coach Ewen McKenzie has dropped another selection bombshell in the lead-up to the clash, stripping James Horwill of the captaincy and elevating Ben Mowen to Wallabies skipper.

LIVE STREAM: Watch the Wallabies' clash with England

MATCH CENTRE: Live scores, stats from Twickenham

In another shock move, flyhalf Quade Cooper has been appointed vice-captain.

Can Mowen, Cooper and co kick off the Spring Tour with a win and keep hopes of an historic Grand Slam alive?

Follow the action in our live blog early Sunday morning. Kick-off is 1.30am AEDT and we'll be live from 1am AEDT.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sharma blasts double ton

Top knock ... Sharma hit a double century. Source: AP

AN incredible double century to Rohit Sharma helped set an enormous target of 384 in the series-deciding one-day clash, to add insult to a hamstring injury suffered by Australia's Shane Watson.

Watson left the field for treatment on his hamstring after pulling up during his delivery stride to begin his sixth over.

It puts his Ashes campaign in serious doubt and India won't have helped the mood in the Australian camp by smashing 6-383 in the seventh and final ODI of their series in Bangalore.

Rohit Sharma led the way with a staggering 209, the second-highest individual score of all-time.

Sharma's incredible 158-ball innings included one 26-run over from Xavier Doherty and blew away Andrew Stauss's 158 for the highest individual score at M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Follow all the action at Match Centre, featuring video replays and ball-by-ball coverage!

India's total also smashes Australia's 2-347 in 2003 as the biggest team total at the ground.

Ireland achieved the highest successful chase of 7-329 against England at the 2011 World Cup.

Sharma put on 112 for the opening wicket with Shikhar Dhawan (60) - their third century stand of the series - after being sent in to bat by Australian skipper George Bailey.

The entertaining partnership was broken by Xavier Doherty, who trapped Dhawan lbw in the second over after a brief rain delay.

India's frustrations were compounded soon after when the explosive Virat Kohli was run out for a duck.

Kohli was left fuming after he was sent back for a single by Sharma - who had initially set off for the run himself.

Fast-bowling allrounder Nathan Coulter-Nile, taking his place in the side for the rested Mitchell Johnson, collected the ball at mid-on and sent it back to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin to complete the runout.

Entering the match wicketless for the series, Doherty enjoyed his best game on tour - finishing with two important wickets, including an lbw of Suresh Raina (28).

India rebuilt through Sharma, who smashed 16 sixes and 12 fours, and put on 78 with Raina and 167 with skipper MS Dhoni (62).

Australia's task will be made all the more difficult without Watson, who roared to form with the bat with a destructive century in Nagpur on Wednesday.

Australia did superbly to limit the damage during the second powerplay, conceding just 22 runs in the five over period.

But two butter-fingered outfield efforts hurt dearly in the final overs.

Sharma was given a life by substitute fielder Moises Henriques, who let a simple boundary catch slip through his fingers for a six when the strokeplaying right-hander was on 120.

Then Dhoni was dropped by the usually sure-handed Glenn Maxwell when on 29.

Sharma made the Australians pay to the tune of 89 runs and Dhoni added 33 after his life, including a six which exited the stadium, as India piled on 151 runs in the final ten overs.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Inside the Spencer-Cumani spat

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IRISH jockey Jamie Spencer yesterday spoke for the first time about his very public spat with British-based Italian trainer Luca Cumani.

For those not across it, Spencer rode Melbourne Cup hope Mount Athos in two lead-up runs this year, only for his efforts to be described by Cumani as "two very bad rides''.

Spencer then hit back at Cumani, posting a cartoon on Twitter of a grown man in a pram, surrounded by toys.

There's been plenty of interest at Werribee the past week to see the reaction when Spencer and Cumani cross paths.

But Spencer, after he won his first Aussie Group 1 in the Mackinnon Stakes on Side Glance, told At The Track: "It's been blow out of the water. I put up that picture of Luca of the man in the pram. He came up to me at Newmarket and said, 'good picture, good comeback'.

"It took me a while to find that picture.

"When I moved to England (from Ireland) I came as a freelance, and for my first three months Luca took me under my wing. When Frankie (Dettori) was in a plane crash, then Keiren Fallon broke his shoulder, Luca put me on every horse. What he did for my career I could never say anything against him.

"It's a cycle with Luca. I rode for him for three years, then didn't ride for three years, then I rode for two, didn't ride for three, then rode again for a year. Doing my maths, I think I'll be back for him around 2015 or 2016.''

Spencer will ride Dunaden, the 2011 Cup winner who will be Tuesday's 58.5kg topweight.

"The weight is the key, and if he had 54.5kg, you'd say he'd be a big chance, if not a favourite's chance,'' Spencer said.

"With 58.5kg, it won't be easy, and we won't have much room to manoeuvre.''

Imagine Spencer's Dunaden and Cumani's Mount Athos fighting out the finish on Tuesday? Security.

I SHOCKED THE SHERIFF

ZOUSTAR'S managing owner Sheriff Iskander was so overcome with emotion after the colt's powerhouse win that he fainted.

Iskander had to be helped off the ground in the enclosure as his fellow owners realised they had just pocketed an extra $4 million for winning the race.

The $14 million deal with Widden included a $4 million bonus for winning the Coolmore, with another $2 million for one more Grup 1 triumph.

"I fainted. I've never fainted in my life,'' Iskander said.

"I don't know what happened. I was so nervous before the race I had to have three scotches.''

Iskander was entitled to guzzle some Blue Label Johnnie Walker last night given the torrid week he had because of the on-again off-again negotiations.

This bloke was about to walk away from the game altogether after being ``screwed over'' by reputable types in racing. Waller told him Zoustar was the real deal. Yesterday was proof that good things do come to good people.

Iskander told us when the deal was signed, Widden boss Antony Thompson leaned across the table and kissed him.

WATERHOUSE MISSES BOOKIE BOAT

ROBBIE Waterhouse had all intentions to field in Melbourne this week, only for his licence to be approved too late.

Waterhouse said he would be back on his stall next year, and if He had been working Tuesday, said: "I think Gai's horse (Fiorente) is at amazing odds. I have a healthy respect for Mount Athos, as well as anything trained at the Lloyd Williams' stable.''

Ruscello's trainer Ed Walker could be mistaken for colleague Ray Thomas. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

SEPARATED AT BIRTH

BABY-FACED Englishman trainer Ed Walker is no stranger to Australia. The 30-year-old, who won the Lexus Stakes with Ruscello - and is a dead ringer for colleague Ray Thomas - said he worked for Luca Cumani, and travelled Down Under with Purple Moon as part of a working holiday.

Walker had nothing but praise for Cumani, whose best advice was to "never cut corners'' and "if you do things properly, the results will come''.

As for how he felt about helping former Australian all-rounder and Ruscello's owner Simon O'Donnell to a big-race victory on the eve of the Ashes, Walker quipped: "I'm pleased to make him feel better, especially when England keep beating Australia (in the cricket).''

BATHURST SPRINKLER SHOCK

OK, it's not Flemington, but this has to be the funniest video we've seen in years.

Not long after the field jumped in the last at Bathurst on Friday, the sprinklers decided to switch on at the home turn.

Stunned jockeys put their heads down and were drenched before Path To Freedom went on to win the race by a head from Flying Impulse.

Steward Sam Fitzgerald interviewed all the hoops after the race, and eventually declared correct weight.

But the best part of this yarn is how the sprinklers were actually activated.

At The Track can reveal the water was switched on from 900km away.

Yes, the Queensland company who recently installed the state-of-the-art electronic system were conducting a training drill, and pressed the wrong button.

"It's one of those systems where a track manager can be anywhere in the world and they can turn on the sprinklers,'' chief steward Ray Murrihy said.

"On this occasion the sprinklers at Bathurst have been turned on from Brisbane.

"We've since written to the track managers who have this system to make sure they turn on the override switch before each meeting.''

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WALLER ON A WINNER

IT HAS been impossible to ignore the presence of trainer Chris Waller this spring.

The Kiwi trainer who trains plenty of winners on track - and never knocks back a media request off it - has now caught the attention of the international press.

On Friday morning at Flemington, Waller was seen being interviewed by news giants CNN for a segment to beam tomorrow night.

Meanwhile, Waller WILL run Boban in Saturday's Group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600m), despite the Epsom winner being lumped with the topweight.

BOSS OVER LONG SHOTS

IF POLITICIANS wants to be liked by voters, they should start telling it how it really is like jockey Glen Boss.

No other jockey cuts straight to the chase like Bossy.

For example, on Friday before the Derby, he basically said his mount Bring Something couldn't win, and was a "top five chance'' at best.

And he was now at a stage in his career he couldn't be bothered riding "100-1 shots that have no hope'' in big races.

"I'd rather give the ride to someone else and give them the pleasure of riding in a Melbourne Cup, because it won't thrill me. I like to be competitive in every Group 1 contest,'' Boss said.

Phew. Tell us what you really think.

We asked Bossy late Friday about his frankness, to which he said: "Whether I'm right or wrong, I'll tell it how I see it, it's as simple as that. You get what you get.''

BART'S CUP JUST A YEAR AWAY?

SAINTLY Lad may not have got the cash in the Carbine Club Stakes, but there's every chance the immature gelding could be back at Flemington in 12 months time to pop up in a race like the Melbourne Cup.

His mum Miss Meliss ran in the Cup as a four-year-old. And there's no reason her little boy can't follow suit once he gets his act together.

"The penny hasn't dropped with him, but he'll be a good stayer ... just wait for him, just wait for him,'' trainer James Cummings said.

The Carbine Club was taken out by Paximadia, the third time Darley's colours were carried to victory in the Derby Day opener the past five years.

WILD, WILD WYONG

WE TOLD you last week trouble was brewing big time at Wyong. Well, the ever-smiling chief executive Tony Drew officially retired this week, and the immediate future of the provincial club doesn't look like improving any time soon.

The story we've been told several times now is how the club wrote to Racing NSW, requesting funding for a new pool to the tune of $1.8 million. Sadly, the pool was expected to cost just a third of that quote. Hmmm.

BREEDING FRUSTRATION

THE mystery surrounding next autumn's Breeders Cup-style program in Sydney is starting to frustrate trainers who are unsure how to map out the next preparation for their respective stars.

Anthony Cummings is one trainer who is waiting on a program with Fiveandahalfstar.

Now Murray Baker wants to know what's doing so he has some sort of idea with It's A Dundeel.

It's A Dundeel arrived back in New Zealand on Friday, and Baker was hopeful officials in Sydney would decide either way if the autumn will remain the same, or the revamped cashed-up carnival over two Saturdays gets the green light.

"Everyone's waiting on this program, aren't they?'' Baker told us.

We phoned around and were told to expect a decision in the next fortnight.

I DID MY MONEY ON...

EVERYTHING. It started with Equator in the Carbine Club, continued with Wordplay in the Wakeful Stakes, then Strike The Stars, who rocketed home in the last. Is there a lower feeling than walking to the ATM on track?

The Oompa Loompas from Sydney add some colour to Derby Day. Picture: Nicole Garmston Source: News Limited

FASHION FAUX PAS

THIS award has to go to the group of punters who parked themselves by the 100m, dressed as Oompa Loompas. We can reveal one of the group is a respected journo, and another an up-an-coming trainer from Sydney. Also, girls, when will you learn not to apply fake tan with a trowel.

SSSSSSHHH

WHICH Melbourne Cup horse who is right in the market for Tuesday's race was involved in a trackwork scare? The horse dumped its rider and went to take off, only to stop after 20m and turn around and look at the red-faced rider. The odds would have blown had the horse kept going.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Gai out to repel the raiders

Trainer Gai Waterhouse at Derby Day at Flemington. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Michael Dodge / Getty Images

GAI Waterhouse's Fiorente remains the best chance to keep the most prized trophy in Australian sport, the Melbourne Cup, from being taken overseas as a record number of internationals flood the field for Tuesday's big race.

Ruscello, winner of the Lexus Stakes yesterday, vaulted into the Cup field, keeping the Bart Cummings-trained Precedence out of the race.

Mount Athos is emerging as the pick of the international raiders and is now challenging Fiorente for favouritism.

The Derby Day meeting at Flemington yesterday, held before a bumper crowd of 95,223, featured only four stayers that have made the final 24-horse field for the $6.2 million race.

Trainer Gai Waterhouse with Melbourne Cup Favourite Fiorente. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

Ruscello and fourth placegetter Ethiopia from the Lexus Stakes while Mackinnon Stakes runner-up Dear Demi and Mourayan (seventh) did enough to convince their connections they deserve a start in the Melbourne Cup. The major big-race news includes:

#There are 14 Group 1 winners in race including the last two Melbourne Cup winners.

#Dunaden, the 2011 Melbourne Cup winner, is topweight with 58.5kg, with defending champ Green Moon on 57.5kg.

#A record nine northern hemisphere-trained stayers are in the field - Dunaden, Red Cadeaux, Brown Panther, Voleuse De Coeuers, Verema, Mount Athos, Royal Empire, Simenon and Ruscello.

#Owner Lloyd Williams has an unprecedented six starters- Green Moon, Sea Moon, Fawkner, Seville, Mourayan, and Masked Marvel.

#Gai Waterhouse's Fiorente is the $7.50 favourite.

#Cox Plate-winning apprentice Chad Schofield gets his first Melbourne Cup ride on Ruscello.

#Bart Cummings is without a Melbourne Cup runner after Precedence was left stranded at 25th in order of entry.

Waterhouse describes Fiorente as her best chance of winning the Melbourne Cup after preparing three second placegetters - Te Akau Nick (1993), Nothin' Leica Dane (1995), and Fiorente (last year).

She will also saddle up French recruit Tres Blue.

Sydney's premier trainer Chris Waller had four stayers qualified but accepted with only two - Hawkspur and Foreteller.

Waller decided against accepting with Moriarty despite his good third in the Mackinnon Stakes yesterday.

Hawkspur will start from barrier 18, which has never produced a Cup winner. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: News Limited

Stablemate Kelinni, who ran fourth in last year's Melbourne Cup, struggled when 10th in the Lexus Stakes, disappointing Waller who decided against running the stayer in the big race.

Cummings made a strategic decision to leave Precedence at home and not contest either the Mackinnon Stakes or the Lexus Stakes even though the stayer was 29th in order of entry.

It nearly paid off with Precedence creeping up to 25th in order but the 11th hour decision to run Lexus Stakes winner Ruscello meant Cummings was left without an opportunity to improve on his extraordinary 12 wins in the great race.

Tuesday's Melbourne Cup will be only the second time in over a decade that Cummings has not had a starter in the race - it was 2006 when the race was run without a stayer trained by the "Cups King''.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Watters gone, Saints gutted

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SCOTT Watters has been sacked as St Kilda coach, leaving a gutted football department and disgruntled players and staff in his wake.

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Watters was yesterday summoned to an 11am meeting in a city office with Saints president Peter Summers, vice-president Jack Rush and board member Andrew Thompson where he was told in a 20-minute meeting that he would be fired with a year to run on his contract.

What Summers described as a "strong decision" was made at an unscheduled board meeting at 8am via phone hook-up. It was here that Watters' meddling in other departments and his strained relationships with colleagues and players were laid bare.

There were also increasing concerns over his coaching, particularly on match day, where frequently changing tactics and mixed messages were common.

The Herald Sun reported Watters had told Summers a month ago that he was willing to buy-in to a new structure and narrow his focus on coaching. It came after Thompson's review of the football department revealed an "endorsement that we have the right people in the right roles".

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But in the weeks since the club had become convinced that Watters' behaviour wasn't going to change.

"We hope everyone who comes in is successful long term, but it's obviously not unconditional. We assessed things today and got to the decision we did," Summers said yesterday.

"It's been ongoing. That (review) was an assessment of where we were at a point in time. We went through a period where other things became clearer. As things have emerged issues become clearer."

Asked what those issues were, Summers said: "We met with Scott this morning and went through the reasons for our decision, but they will remain confidential between Scott and ourselves. He was disappointed, as I think we would all expect."

Watters' sacking comes after the departures of assistant coaches Dean Bailey and Jaymie Graham and fitness boss Bill Davoren, while his relationship with football boss Chris Pelchen remained strained.

Summers admitted there had been infighting, but denied it was the deal-breaker in Watters' demise.

"It's been reported there's been tension in the football department. We accept that. But I've also said that, and I've operated for a long time in business, and tension isn't a bad thing necessarily," Summers said.

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"They (Watters and Pelchen) probably got on the wrong side, but I don't want to harp on it, it's irrelevant going forward. I heard the working relationship of late was OK.

"It's been portrayed as one versus the other and it's not the case. They worked together over the last period quite well. When I spoke to Scott and Chris about that there hadn't been issues.

"It's an indication of the sort of issues we dealt with this morning in the board meeting, but I wouldn't overplay it.

Everyone has got relationships in a club ... some of the personality issues we addressed during the year."

Former Hawthorn champion Dermott Brereton slammed St Kilda's decision, launching an attack on the club's hierarchy.

"It's a pathetic decision driven by a certain section in the football department that is cancerous," Brereton told SEN.

"There's a lot of people with blood on their hands tonight.

"They are the most poorly led from the top club. It is the blind leading the blind."

Watters took over as coach after Ross Lyon's shock defection to Fremantle in 2011, but engineered only 17 wins from 44 games.

The Saints have drawn up a shortlist of potential coaching replacements and have started formalising a selection committee.

Port Adelaide premiership coach and Richmond assistant Mark Williams is the favourite to take over, while favourite son Robert Harvey is an outside chance.

THE CONTENDERS

MARK WILLIAMS: Former Port Adelaide premiership coach who is desperate to have another crack at senior coaching. Will bring instant respect and discipline. Currently assistant coach at Richmond.

ROBERT HARVEY: Favourite son who would certainly tick the box for winning the fans back. Spent time at Carlton as an assistant and was recently promoted to be Nathan Buckley's right-hand man at Collingwood.

LEIGH TUDOR: The most highly regarded assistant out there who went close to snagging senior gig at West Coast. Part of Sydney's premiership coaching team and spent time at St Kilda under Ross Lyon. Returned home to Victoria for family reasons and recently took job at North Melbourne.

ALAN RICHARDSON: Been around the mark a number of times and ran a close second to Watters a couple of years ago for the Saints gig. Currently senior assistant at Port Adelaide.

MICHAEL VOSS: Was sacked by Brisbane mid-way through his fifth season. Many felt after a slow start to his coaching career the Lions great was starting to show he would make the grade. Would certainly bring the playing group together.

Listen to Watters' interview on SEN below

MORE TO COME

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Muscat will rise to top: Bosnich

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IN 1991 at the World Youth Championships in Portugal our quarter-final match against Syria went to a penalty shootout.

Coach Les Schienflug nominated Kevin Muscat as a penalty taker.

Being two years younger than the rest of us I privately challenged Les as to why he would give such responsibility to such a young lad.

He replied that if he missed and it was to be retaken I could retake it. 

Kevin missed his first attempt and lo and behold the referee wanted it re-taken. I strode over ready to relieve "Musci" of the second attempt when he turned around to me and said: "Get back over there. I'll score and you just worry about saving the next one." 

Shocked, I walked away. "Musci" scored, I did save the next one and we progressed to the semi-finals against Portugal.

Ballsy? Yes. Cheeky? Definitely. But most importantly at 17 years of age he took responsibility at great risk. That is the key. 

Fast forward to 2013 and Kevin will be in charge of arguably the biggest soccer club in the country, Melbourne Victory.

Yes he has had problems with tackles in his career — we all have had problems haven't we? Yet the one thing I learned is everyone deserves a second chance. 

Since Ange Postecoglou took over at Melbourne Victory anyone who has spoken to Kevin would tell you the change in his demeanour has been immeasurable. 

Some people can't make the transition from player to anything else after their playing days are over. 

Kevin has done that privately and now it's time for him to show it publicly.

That's Musci's biggest challenge, because as soon as anything on the pitch is seen to be untoward, then fingers will be pointed at the boss. 

So all the best, old pal, and never forget that day in Portugal, when you took responsibility and triumphed.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

England ticking time poms

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SET your clocks for when South Sydney meet Canterbury next season.

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That's when Sam Burgess and James Graham can forget the pretence of being teammates and go at each other like they really want to go at each other while playing for England in the current World Cup. As opponents. 

While currently masquerading as teammates, the pair are very much off with each other after the now infamous night out that saw Gareth Hock sent home in disgrace (for drink-driving half the team home) and several others disciplined behind closed doors.

The Poms are in turmoil at the moment. Mostly because Graham and Burgess came together in what in rugby league circles is variously described as a fracas, a set-to, a brouhaha or any other synonym care to be named, depending on what radio station you listen to.

No word on who got the victory, but the smart money is if they were allowed to keep fighting until one man got the victory then they would still be ­going.

Burgess has the athletic ­advantage but nobody has a better cold, dead stare, which hides all that silent intent, than Graham. In either case, there are few tougher players in the game.

Graham makes his World Cup debut tonight when the Poms take on Ireland which, by a strange coincidence, will feature no Burgess given his one match ban.

***

THE Australian Sports Commission's intentions to boost corporate support for women's sport are admirable.

The ASC said this week it believes women's sport in Australia is "under-appreciated" and, to prove his point, chairman John Wylie said this week that he will approach the chairmen and CEO's of the ASX 100 companies to lure them into getting behind female athletes and their sports.

The first question the companies will ask is the first question of sport: what's in it for us?

For all the romance of Anna Meares' fight for Olympic gold, or the true grit of a Sally Pearson, the fact is every top level sport nowadays is about money. And what sells better than a pretty face? 

Indeed, could it be asked that some of the women complaining that women are not judged on their sporting merits, but instead their looks, are guilty of their own prejudices?

Last month surfer Sally Fitzgibbons took home the Sportswoman of the Year Award at the I Support Women In Sport Awards, run by Women's Health magazine.

And why wouldn't she?

Bright, beautiful and highly marketable, Fitzgibbons is everything one of those ASX companies should want to get behind after finishing third in this year's world tour. 

But did the people behind the award fall victim to the own prejudice?

"Sally's phenomenal determination and commitment for her sport — and her remarkable achievements in the surfing sphere, validates why she won the sought-after title of 2013 Women's Health Sports Woman of the Year," the mag's editor Felicity Harley said.

Included among the field Fitzgibbons beat for the award was fellow surfer Tyler Wright. 

Wright finished second on the tour, above Fitzgibbons. If the award — by women for women — was about the achievement of women in sport, and not all the extras women protest, then why didn't Wright beat Fitzgibbons for the award?

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Soccer turning summer on its head

The atmosphere for the Sydney derby last weekend was incredible. Source: Mark Evans / DailyTelegraph

THE Australian sports world has been turned on its head by the A-League's summer competition in a few short years.

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In a month when we should all be talking up real summer sport, the A-League now grabs pages out of the sports sections of newspapers and commands precious minutes in television sports bulletins.

FFA boss, David Gallop, says his sport will soon be the number one football code in Australia. This, of course, is a nonsense because of the sheer magnitude of the AFL and NRL competitions.

It won't happen in his lifetime but Gallop has every right to feel some optimism when a derby game between two Sydney teams can fill a 40,000 seat stadium - in October.

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Soccer is no longer the poor cousin of football codes in Australia as Gallop has adopted a savvy approach to his work.

He knows how to attract publicity from his days at the NRL and refuses to concede an inch to the big two codes. His guest list for big matches reads like a who's who of Australia's business world, a far cry from the days when nobody would go near a match unless David Beckham was playing.

As ambitious as Gallop's prediction sounded, there are some serious warning signs for three major Australian sports, two of which are played in summer.

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We all know rugby union has been overtaken as the number three footy code in this country. Suffering from a chronic lack of success internationally, and managed diabolically in recent times, the Wallabies' brand value has slipped to almost nowhere.

Television executives who used to rely on rugby to deliver very healthy pay television audiences lament the day they signed lucrative deals with the code. The audience is disappearing before their very eyes, with the Super XV suffering a dilution of talent thanks to too many Australian teams.

The quality of the game in Australia has slid so badly in recent times that nobody quite knows how to fix it. Parents of rugby-playing boys found out the hard way last week just how debt-ridden the ARU is when they were asked for $660 each after their sons were selected in a Junior Gold Program.

This alleged representative honour went to 200 boys aged between 15 and 17 on the proviso they coughed up the cash first.

"This levy may decrease depending on the obtainment of sponsorship," the letters told them. Don't hold your breath boys.

Rugby is not the only victim of the A-League's success. Golf and tennis are struggling to gain notice in the lead-up to their Australian tours.

The world's most charismatic, handsome and successful golfer in 2013 is an Australian.

Adam Scott appears the one great chance for Australian golf this summer, with officials desperately hoping his US Masters win and accompanying green jacket will get the turnstiles ticking.

Outside of that, as world-class as our professional golfers and courses are, it's a hard sell to the uncoverted.

The golf and tennis hoopla of 20 years ago has diminished to a whisper. Both sports have suffered huge losses in audience in recent years, coming off the back of the year-round publicity footy attracts.

Tennis is the biggest loser. Golf will always attract the diehards, but with the exception of the Australian Open tennis at the end of January, the lead-up tournaments will barely rate a mention.

Even the Open, once the hottest ticket in town, has slid in popularity, particularly among young people. Have a look at the average tennis crowd now and most are over 40.

Arrogance from world tennis authorities, who made us endure 50 weeks a year of the sport, has resulted in a slide into mediocrity for what was once a sporting juggernaut. Young people aren't interested in two-week events.

They want the quick hit that footy can provide and the A-League now fills a breach in those barren months between October and February.

I met a Somali taxi driver in Melbourne last week who has three daughters and a son. He plays park soccer, follows the Melbourne Victory and his kids play both soccer and Aussie Rules.

He reckons Australia is only a generation away from being a genuine power, a day he sees coming because so many of our refugees view it as their first sport.

David Gallop is not quite under the skin of Andrew Demetriou or Dave Smith just yet but his code is becoming more than a minor irritant for sports who have sat on their hands for way too long.

The A-League has become the saviour of pay television and a handful of stadiums which suffered from poor league crowds throughout the season. You won't get me to too many games anytime soon, but I may well be the last one on the bandwagon that is gathering speed every week. 

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ride alongside Gai's Fiorente

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GAI Waterhouse arrives for trackwork at 4.37am, relaxed and happy, without a care in the world. You wouldn't know that just five days later, she will be back here at Flemington in her quest for the holy grail of racing that has eluded her for 20 years.

The Melbourne Cup, Australian racing's greatest prize, is there for the taking and Waterhouse has her best chance yet to claim a key piece of silverware missing from her trophy cabinet when she saddles up Fiorente on Tuesday.

In this exclusive insight, here is the first in a series of daily videos leading up to the Cup with a never-seen-before access to a Melbourne Cup runner, the race favourite no less.

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Fiorente ran a slashing second in last year's race, beating every rival except Green Moon in an exceptional Australian debut.

Waterhouse has had the horse for more than 12 months now and knows how to prepare him for big races.

Fiorente scored a diving win in the Group 1 Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes at Mooney Valley over 1600m first-up, and his latest effort, a gutsy third in the Cox Plate last weekend after being trapped wide for most of the run, was full of merit.

At Flemington this morning, Waterhouse gave Fiorente a light run on the dirt track after his tough Cox Plate run, with the promise of more work during the day before he is put back into his stable at night.

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"He's come through (the Cox Plate) super," Waterhouse enthused. "Damien (Oliver) rode him the other day and .... he said he's unbelievable. He says his recovery rate is enormous and he said he's very relaxed."

Asked what she wanted out of Fiorente, Waterhouse says he was there to "shoot the breeze".

"He just canters a couple of laps on the dirt here. Dirt being a nice even surface. I use it a lot in Sydney," she explains.

"He'll head to the beach, do some pool work. He does quite a few kilometres before he goes to bed."

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Waterhouse appears remarkably relaxed, despite still trying to win her first Melbourne Cup 21 years after her first runner in the race, Te Akau Nick, finished second to Dermot Weld's import Vintage Crop in 1993.

But she has reason to be.

"He's a really happy horse," she said. "He's doing well and he doesn't have to do much more.

"His credentials are impeccable."

22.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hughes backs Clarke to the hilt

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FORMER Test skipper Kim Hughes says suggestions Michael Clarke failed to buy into the Australian team culture when he was vice-captain are nonsense.

As Ricky Ponting attempts to mend bridges with Clarke, Hughes believes the Test skipper is being excessively blamed for Australia's decline as a cricketing power.

Clarke was reportedly left furious when Ponting's new book claimed he drifted apart from the team during his relationship with Lara Bingle and could have invested more at team meetings.

Hughes understands the importance of supportive senior players better than most given he was charged with hauling Australia out of the dark days of the early 1980s.

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The stylish former Test batsman had a strong rapport with deputy Allan Border and says he would be surprised if Clarke deliberately sat on his hands when he was Ponting's right-hand man.

"You have to understand the group dynamics of an Australian team," said Hughes, who captained the side in 28 Tests between 1978-84.

"From a captain's point of view, your wicketkeeper and your senior bowler are just as vital.

"The vice-captaincy is a bit over-rated. Just because someone is the deputy, it doesn't mean they have to provide the most input. That's nonsense.

"I can't say for sure if Michael did enough because I wasn't in the room with the team, but I think Michael has matured into a fantastic leader of men. He is a very intuitive captain, very natural, he pulls the right strings on the field.

"Apart from the captain, the wicketkeeper is the most influential person because he is at the coalface. He often has better relationships with the bowlers and he's receiving the ball from the fielders. He is the most important person from a chemistry point of view.

"It is absolutely crucial, even more so than what the vice-captain can provide."

Kim Hughes, wielding a golf club, had a problematic relationship with Rod Marsh on his immediate left. Source:

Ponting sent Clarke a text message on Tuesday to clarify the critique of his former deputy. He then told an Adelaide radio station Clarke's evolution as a leader had come with a greater understanding of his responsibilities.

"I think Michael does like the changerooms," Ponting said.

"He is starting to learn more, anyway, in the last couple of years about how important that environment is, especially when you're a leader.

"I mention a couple of things in the book about different times where Michael probably wasn't always thinking about that first and foremost but the more you play and the more you learn, you realise how important that is.

"We want to both try to move on from where we're at. He's got a lot of cricket to play."

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Hughes said Clarke seemed to be paying a heavy price for Australia's slide from the No.1 Test ranking.

"At the end of the day, winning and scoring runs hides all sins," he said.

"Winning keeps people in teams. People haven't kept their positions in the Australian team because they have lacked consistency and lost games.

"It's bloody simple. Michael is doing everything he can and needs better performances from players around him."

22.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

From burger flipper to big time

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FROM burger flipper to the big-time ... the transformation of George Bailey has been nothing short of miraculous.

The Tasmanian once almost universally ridiculed in cricket circles has suddenly become a lock for the Ashes and even the Poms can't help but admire him.

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"George Bailey has once again proved he has to bat at No.6 in the Ashes and should be vice-captain," England's former Ashes-winning captain Michael Vaughan tweeted when Bailey teed off with a big century before Australia lost Wednesday night's ODI in India.

Bailey's sparkling 156 against the Indians - coming off the back of a series of big scores - has almost guaranteed he has sealed the one vacant Australian batting spot for the Ashes.

But it wasn't long ago that Bailey was under siege with bullets coming at him from everywhere.

In the midst of an outcry about Australia fielding a second-string one-day side with Bailey as captain last summer, Channel Nine executives were in the process of negotiating a rich new TV deal.

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And they didn't miss Bailey, who publicly canned Nine for its none too subtle criticism of an Australian 'B-team' lacking star power.

"George should stick to playing cricket and leave (the TV) rights to the people who know what they're talking about," Channel Nine's executive producer of cricket Brad McNamara said.

"I reckon he's got his hands full as it is. He needs to concentrate on staying in the side.

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"Without the TV rights deal, George is probably working in a coalmine or flipping burgers at McDonald's."

Then came a verbal assault from former Australian Test skipper Ian Chappell, who claimed Bailey's selection as skipper in Australia's team for the World Twenty20 Cup in Sri Lanka was a handicap to the side.

"They (Australia) are handicapping themselves when they are leaving David Hussey out of the line-up," Chappell said at the time.

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"And the handicap has come about because they have picked a captain and then they have picked a team around the captain and that is not the Australian way of doing it."

Through it all, Bailey has kept his head down and his chin up. The 31-year-old from Launceston now averages an extraordinary 56.85 from 34 one-day matches and he keeps getting better.

Clearly, he thrives under intense pressure. And that is exactly what Australia needs in the Ashes after trying a series of batsmen who may have had the techniques but not the heart for the pressure-cooker of Test cricket.

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Most expected Bailey to be a fly-by-night fad in the Australian cricket team, dropped, discarded and forgotten.

One of the few men who saw what was coming was sacked Australian coach Mickey Arthur, who was perhaps Bailey's strongest supporter.

"You pick batting ability, fielding ability, but there needs to be a separate column for character and what the chap actually brings to the group," Arthur said when he was coach last year.

"That's massively important. But I can tell you from where I sit that what George Bailey brings to our team is phenomenal."

The burger flipper jibe was funny at the time but let's hope the joke is now on England this summer.

22.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sydney FC to risk Del Piero

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SYDNEY FC will fly Alessandro Del Piero to Perth on Friday and give the Italian marquee until the last minute to be declared fit to face Glory the next day, in a game that could define the Sky Blues' season.

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After missing the derby defeat to Western Sydney last weekend through a calf injury, The Daily Telegraph understands that Del Piero will be included in the travelling party to Perth despite the risks inherent in an five-hour flight.

With pressure mounting on the side - and on coach Frank Farina - in the wake of two losses, Del Piero's return is crucial to the Sky Blues, as Farina admitted that Sydney "lacked a creative spark" without him in attack against Western Sydney.

Del Piero suffered the calf injury half an hour into what became a 4-0 thrashing in Brisbane 12 days ago.

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With just two goals scored in three games and the league's worst goal difference, Sydney need a positive result in Perth to quell unrest among their supporters.

The Sky Blues face a Glory side without injured marquee Shane Smeltz but buoyed by the 1-0 win over Melbourne Heart last weekend that marked young striker Jamie Maclaren's first goal.

Farina may have further resources to call on, with both Terry McFlynn and Brett Emerton training with the first team this week after recovering from injuries.

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Emerton is the more likely to be involved after coming off the bench against Brisbane, and narrowly missing out against Western Sydney.

But McFlynn may also be pressed into service after recovering from a recurrence of a groin issue first suffered four years ago, with Farina chronically short of options in central midfield.

Rhyan Grant's torn anterior cruciate ligament has ruled him out for the season, while Peter Triantis remain weeks away from any prospective return.

Right back Pedj Bojic was expected to return against Perth but hasn't trained with the full squad this week meaning Sebastian Ryall may have to deputise again.

Meanwhile Western Sydney look set to be without Youssouf Hersi on Friday night at home to Adelaide, as the flying Dutch winger continues his recovery from a seriously bruised toe sustained in the derby.

Midfielder Aaron Mooy is expected to come back into the side after missing the derby in the wake of a concussion injury.

Meanwhile, FFA are considering shifting the Sydney derbys to a bigger venue next season and have already booked ANZ Stadium should the cross-town rivals meet in this campaign's grand final.

Last week's first clash of the season between Western Sydney and Sydney FC was a sellout, and the January 11 fixture between the two sides is certain to fill the 20,000-seater Pirtek Stadium.

A larger venue like ANZ Stadium can accommodate over 80,000 fans and A-League boss Damien de Bohun, said a switch is a possibility for next season.  

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Australia's cold medal hopes

Freestyle skier Anton Grimus will be one of our medal hopes at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Source: Adam Taylor / DailyTelegraph

YOU can barely see it behind the beard, but this could be the new face of Australian Olympic dominance.

With 100 days to go until the 2014 Winter Olympics in the Russian city of Sochi, Australian Chef de Mission Ian Chesterman says the team is aiming for a top 15 finish on the medal tally.

If that's going to happen, Australia's male athletes like freestyle skier Anton Grimus are going to have to step up – literally – to the podium.

Women have dominated Australia's recent Summer and Winter Olympic campaigns. In London, the girls won 20 of our 35 medals. At the 2010 Winter Olympics, Torah Bright and Lydia Lassila won our only two gold medals.

Both Bright and Lassila will defend their titles in Sochi. But in a sign of Australia's increasing all-round strength as a winter sports nation, world class male athletes like Anton Grimus could deliver the lion's share of Aussie medals in Sochi.

"The girls are outstanding and they've shown us what it's about," Grimus said. "We're going to knuckle down a bit and see where it gets us."

Grimus grew up in the Victorian ski resort of Mt Buller. His parents run the popular Hotel Pension Grimus, and Anton jokes that the family's accommodation was nowhere near as swish as the guest rooms.

His childhood was a little different to most. Instead of mowing lawns or doing the dishes, his parents made him help out in the hotel or shovel snow.

He skied whenever he could, and today Grimus is one of the world's top athletes in the event of ski cross. It's the wintry equivalent of a greyhound race, a mad flurry of elbows and shoulders as four competitors dash down the hill together in an elimination format.

Grimus, who has finished on the podium in World Cup events, said luck plays a big part in his sport. "Anyone can do a Bradbury, that's part of the game."

Meanwhile, Australian chef de mission Ian Chesterman says Australia's winter sports athletes no longer feel like a lonely sibling to the summer team here in Australia.

"There is a sense of self‐belief and culture within our athletes and they believe they can win which is very important," he said.

"We are delighted that these athletes are part of the Australian Olympic Team as one brand."

Mr Chesterman also said the Sochi venues, which have cost up to $50 billion, were easily the best he'd seen anywhere in the world in his five stints as Chef de Mission.

"The money's been spent and you can see where it's been spent," he said.

He also said Australia's Olympic village would be an alcohol-free zone, as it will be at the 2016 summer Olympics in Rio.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Victory put faith in Muscat

Kevin Muscat takes a Victory training session last week. Source: George Salpigtidis / HeraldSun

LESS than three years after retiring, Melbourne Victory legend Kevin Muscat will officially be unveiled as the new coach ahead of his official debut against former mentor Ernie Merrick's Wellington Phoenix on Monday.

Muscat is understood to have signed until the end of the 2014-15 season, replacing Ange Postecoglou who was headhunted for the Socceroos position.

Victory's highly-rated youth coach Darren Davies, who has worked with the senior squad on almost daily, will be promoted to become Muscat's chief assistant. 

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And former South Melbourne and New Zealand striker Vaughan Coveny will step up from youth team assistant to head coach, although Davies will remain heavily involved with the youth team. 

Contrary to speculation on Wednesday, former South Melbourne and Auckland Kingz NSL coach Mike Petersen won't be joining Victory's coaching staff.

Victory's board is understood to have interviewed Muscat over the weekend while the last few days have been spent nutting out the terms of the contract.

He spent two years as playing-assistant under Merrick before working with Mehmet Durakovic and Jim Magilton before Postecoglou's arrival. 

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Muscat, who is completing his FFA/AFC Pro License, told the Herald Sun last Sunday that his 18-month apprenticeship under Postecoglou has prepared him for the head role. 

"It's OK having a philosophy and clear vision but another implementing it and he (Ange) has certainly taught all the staff what's required in (terms of) their roles and responsibilities. And the club stands in a much healthier position than when he arrived," Muscat said.

"I think I'm in a clear space now in terms of what's required to run a football club and the amount of time and thinking and how detailed he is on everything that goes on in this place, he was aware of everything.

"Right across the board I've got a clear idea and a clear picture of what it takes to get the best out of people and implement a style and I'm very grateful to him for that.

"I've been here from day one, 18 months with Ange, been there all the way through implementing this philosophy. I understand it inside out and if the club believe they want to carry on this journey I do believe I'm best placed to take the job and take this club forward.

"There's a certain hunger and fire in the belly that I know what it's gonna take to carry on the mantra that Ange has left behind."

Monday's Etihad Stadium clash against Wellington kicks off at 7.30pm.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

End of the road for Cooke

Baden Cooke's career looks to be over after failing to win a contract extension from Orica-GreenEDGE. Picture: Sarah Reed

AUSTRALIAN cyclist Baden Cooke is coming to terms with the realisation his decorated career looks over after being told by Orica-GreenEDGE he would not be re-signed for next year.

A mainstay of Australian cycling for nearly two decades, Cooke won the Tour de France's green jersey in 2003 and will go down as one of the nation's best ever road riders.

"I think pretty much it's over," Cooke said last night.

"It's a really bad year for cycling with so many teams shutting down, there are hundreds of guys on the market with no job and I'm one of those guys.

"I'm speaking with one WorldTour team at the moment but it's a very small chance, there are probably 50 guys going for the one spot."

The 34-year-old Victorian told News Limited he was "surprised and disappointed" by Orica-GreenEDGE's decision but said he left the team on good terms.

"I had no inkling this could be my last year," he said.

"I thought I'd do two more years and at my age I can still ride fast enough to do my job well.

"It's a shame if I do have to go out not on my own terms but I'm not angry or anything, I've had a really good run.

"I'm very close with Gerry Ryan the owner of the team and Shayne Bannan who have both helped me immensely during my career.

"I'll never forget that and I wouldn't be here today if I didn't have their help over the years."

Cooke was a national champion on the track before turning to the road where he won the Herald Sun Tour, Dwars Door Vlaanderen, stages of the Tour de France and Tour Down Under and had three top-10 finishes in Gent-Wevelgem.

But it was his victory in the points classification at the 2003 Tour de France, in which he and Robbie McEwen remain the only Australians to win the green jersey, which stands out.

"I've won 50-odd professional races and I'm proud of every one of those," he said.

"Obviously the green jersey stands out as a life changing thing, the other ones are nice memories but the green jersey has changed my life really.

"That was a defining moment of my life."

Cooke's departure continues an exodus of experience at Orica-GreenEDGE this season following the retirement of Stuart O'Grady.

"Like someone said the other day, 'You've lost Stuey and you've lost Cookey, so you've lost 40 years of professional experience," Cooke said.

"My days of being a prolific winner are long gone, I still come close occasionally but my main role on the team was basically the same as Stuey's was.

"An experienced road captain with so much talent on the team, I would take those guys and put them in the right spot and talk them through what's happening and give them tactics.

"When Stuey and I were heading to races I was like his right-hand man to make decisions. He was the captain and I was there to bounce ideas off each other and when he wasn't there, that was my role."

Cooke said he would ride for a Pro Continental team but roster spots were few and far between and even if something became available, it would need to pay the bills.

"If it's not happening then I need to move on to the next part of my life," he said.

That could include a future as an agent for Australian riders while still being based in Monaco.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Barba grudge match to start season

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THE NRL will launch the 2014 season with the grudge match of the year — superstar Ben Barba against the club he walked out on, the Bulldogs.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal that broadcasters Channel 9 requested the Brisbane-Canterbury blockbuster for the opening Friday night of the season at Suncorp Stadium on March 7. 

It would put the fullback and 2012 Dally M champion up against his old club and many of the players he fell out with during a tumultuous 2013 that included claims of domestic violence as well as gambling and alcohol issues. 

On the Thursday night, March 6, bitter local rivals the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Sydney Roosters will play at ANZ Stadium.

The games will also be shown live in high definition on Channel 9, the station having finally overcome the technical issues that prevented it covering the NRL in HD. 

Nine recently lodged its requests with the NRL for the opening 20 rounds of a fixed-schedule season and expects final approval within days. 

The AFL season draw is revealed on Thursday but the NRL will be at least two weeks later.

Barba's clash with the Bulldogs will surely sell out Suncorp, ensuring a bumper 50,000-plus State of Origin-type crowd in Brisbane.

The night before, the Roosters and Rabbitohs will get up towards 70,000 at Homebush in what has now become the traditional season kick-off. 

Barba, recovering from recent ankle surgery, last night told The Daily Telegraph it would be a huge first-round challenge.

"Wow, imagine the crowd," Barba said. 

"I've got to play against the boys sometime, so it might as well be round one. At the moment I'm just getting over my surgery and looking forward to starting training. 

"At this stage I'm thinking more about the Broncos than my opponents."

It's no secret Barba left the Bulldogs on bad terms with many of his teammates and coaching staff. 

They were bitter he walked out on the club after management and coach Des Hasler had invested heavily in his rehabilitation. 

The two opening-round blockbusters are part of more strategic planning involving Nine, Fox Sports, the NRL and the clubs. 

A poorly thought-out schedule was largely blamed for the slump in crowds and TV ratings last season. 

"We will be trying to play as many of the big marquee games in key timeslots to maximise TV ratings and crowds," the NRL's head of football Todd Greenberg said. 

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Clarke says Bailey deserves debut

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MICHAEL Clarke has endorsed his stand-in one-day captain George Bailey as a worthy debutant in the first Test at the Gabba, beginning next month.

And chairman of selectors John Inverarity has indicated that Bailey may not even need to play a Sheffield Shield match on his return from the Indian one-day series to play against England in Brisbane.

"I think Bailes has done an exceptional job in the last couple of years in the shorter formats and he's leading the boys really well," Clarke said.

"I'd love to see him get his opportunity in the Test team.

"It's obviously going to come down to performance and who selectors think the right man is for that position but I've always enjoyed playing alongside Bailes.

"He's a great fella and if they select him I'll be extremely happy."

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The way Inverarity spoke yesterday that is a distinct possibility.

"His performance in one-day cricket has been outstanding. Since he started 18 months ago he's been our best-performed one-day player in terms of average, aggregate runs, strike-rate.

"It's a thrill to see him coming on and playing so well."

Bailey's 1379 runs at 53 in 33 one-day matches has him streets ahead of any other Australian since his debut in March last year, and second in the world behind India's Virat Kohli, but Inverarity claimed selection is based on more than just figures.

"When we look at a player we look at four things: their batting, their bowling, their fielding, and their character or what else they bring to the team," Inverarity said.

"George certainly brings a great deal in that character category to the team.

"He's a very mature, calm young man, composed. I think you'll have seen in his batting performances and in difficult situations that brings out the best in him."

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Inverarity claimed that Bailey had gone past being part of Australia A, with NSW all-rounder Moises Henriques named as A team captain for the four-day match against England in Hobart next week.

"That's more development, and he's firmly entrenched as an Australian player," Inverarity said.

While the first round of Sheffield Shield matches start today (Wednesday) those on the one-day tour of India will not be available until the second round, beginning next Wednesday, when the A game also starts in Hobart.

"For those coming back from India it's a pretty tough call. My guess is [of] those players coming back from India quite a few of them probably won't play in that round of first-class fixtures," Inverarity said.

"It's a pretty demanding tour. The last game finishes Saturday night, they travel Sunday-Monday, and then the fixtures start on Wednesday."

And if Bailey does playing for Tasmania in that Shield match against Queensland at Allan Border Field, a failure will not rule him out of Test contention.

"All performances are important, but we're not going to select the Ashes team just on the performances of that round of Shield and [the] Australia A game. Our minds are well made up before that," said Inverarity.

"We're very well advanced on our planning."
 

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Clarke set to make NSW return

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MICHAEL Clarke and David Warner will make a rare appearance for NSW together after Clarke proved his fitness during a team training session at Blacktown yesterday.

The Australian and NSW captain claimed he would wait until this morning before confirming his place in the Blues Sheffield Shield side for the match against Tasmania at Blacktown, beginning today.

However Clarke completed two 15-minute net sessions at Blacktown yesterday afternoon and ran around in fielding drills without discomfort.

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Today starts the first of three Shield rounds in as many weeks for players to finetune or stake a claim ahead of the first Test against England, beginning at Brisbane's Gabba next month.

However Warner has already been in explosive form for NSW during the just completed Ryobi Cup, impressing chairman of selectors John Inverarity.

"We were thrilled to bits with three centuries in his last four innings, where he scored very good hundreds."

Inverarity hailed as "outstanding" and "compelling" Warner's domestic one-day record score of 197 in the semi-final against Victoria last Thursday.

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"I think David's learned a lot during the past five or six months. His form during the Ryobi Cup was outstanding and we're looking forward to him taking that forward.

"It's been very good for David to be settled in his home bed for some months ... he's had a real chance to settle down and I think it's been in his interests to do that."

Warner needs to make an early impression in the Ashes series after averaging just 24 on the tour of India earlier this year and 23 during the Ashes tour that followed.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ahmed kept from playing Poms

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AUSTRALIA is hiding leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed from England with a plan to unveil him as Australia's surprise Ashes weapon in the first Test at Brisbane's Gabba next month.

The selectors deliberately avoided choosing the Pakistani refugee for next week's Australia A game against the tourists in Hobart so England's batsmen could not get a good look at him.

While all the talk has been about Australia's batting heading into the Ashes, Fawad shapes as the bolter in this series after gaining his citizenship earlier this year.

Chairman of selectors John Inverarity indicated that Fawad was squarely in the frame and made no apologies for not choosing him in the Australia A team.

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"Leading into a series, you're wise in not giving the opposition a good look at your bowlers," Inverarity said yesterday.

England has a long and difficult history against leg-spin, with five former Australian twirlers claiming 80 wickets or more against the Old Enemy.

Not surprisingly Shane Warne is chief amongst them with 195 wickets but there are three centurions with Clarrie Grimmett (106) and Bill O' Reilly (102) while Arthur Mailey took 86 and Richie Benaud 83.

Brisbane's fast and bouncy wicket has a reputation for helping quick bowlers but leg-spinners have prospered on the lively surface.

Of the top three Australian wicket-takers against England at the Gabba, two of them are leg-spinners, Warne and Benaud, with 19 and 17 wickets respectively from three Tests.

Not surprisingly Glenn McGrath is on top with 22 wickets in four Tests.

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Fawad's Sheffield Shield form for Victoria over the next two weeks will play a significant part in whether he can upstage incumbent Nathan Lyon.

Not that Lyon has a particularly secure hold on the position as Australia's leading spinner.

He was surprisingly dropped for the second Test in India earlier this year and then again overlooked for the opening two Tests of the Ashes when 19-year-old Ashton Agar was chosen instead.

If Fawad, 31, can continue the Shield form for Victoria he showed when chosen for the final three matches of the season, claiming 16 wickets, he will be difficult to ignore.

He played two Twenty20 and two one-day matches against England midyear with modest results but Inverarity made no secret of how the selectors feel about the spinner.

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"We're very pleased with the way Fawad is going," Inverarity said.

"There's been a great deal of press because it's a very special story.

"But we broke the ice with him in Australia A both in the UK and in South Africa and Zimbabwe. Then he played some ODI and T20 cricket representing Australia.

"We're very keen for him to settle into Shield cricket to see how well he can do there and have a consistent run.

"This next series of Shield games is very important in his career.

"I saw him bowl in a couple of Ryobi Cup games and he bowled well. He's a good bowler."

Victoria's left arm finger spinner Jon Holland has been chosen in the Australia A team after missing last season with a shoulder injury Ahmed is clearly ahead of him in four-day cricket.

"Victoria's intention has been to play Fawad in their Shield side," Inverarity said.

Australian leg-spinners against England

Shane Warne: 36 tests - 195 wickets - average of 23 - 8-71 best figures

Clarrie Grimmett: 22 tests - 106 wickets - average of 32 - 6-37 best figures

Bill O'Reilly: 19 tests - 102 wickets - average of 25 - 7-54 best figures

Arthur Mailey: 18 tests - 86 wickets - average of 34 - 9-121 best figures

Richie Benaud: 27 tests - 83 wickets - average of 32 - 6-70 best figures

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bailey to be given dispensation

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GEORGE Bailey's chance of making his Test debut in Brisbane next month will not be ruined if he has a bad first class match after returning from India.

The one-day players will miss the opening round of Sheffield Shield matches, beginning Wednesday.

They will have just the second round of Shield games or the Australia A game in Hobart, all beginning next week, before the first Test squad is announced on November 12.

However the one-day players currently in India will be given some dispensation because the conditions will be so different.

The Australia A team, which will be named today should not be an automatic guide to who is in line for Test selection.

Bailey is a popular favourite to line up in Brisbane on November 21 to receive his baggy green cap but in reality the field, like the Melbourne Cup next Tuesday, is too close to call.

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Shaun Marsh also has strong support and has recovered well from his latest hamstring strain with a strong Ryobi Cup.

In all seven batsmen currently not in the Test team have been discussed as possible Australia or Australia A candidates who have a realistic chance of promotion this summer.

Along with Bailey and Marsh they are Usman Khawaja, Phil Hughes, Alex Doolan, Michael Klinger and Aaron Finch despite his poor first class record.

Significantly Ed Cowan is not among them despite being part of the Ashes tour, where he played the first Test but failed in both innings.

Hughes and Khawaja were also Ashes tourists but the fact they were dropped for the last Test at The Oval highlights that the selectors have lost patience with them, for now at least.

Hughes, Khawaja and Marsh are all left-handers, which could count against them because of Graeme Swann's high class off-spin turning across them.

However Swann is not considered the same threat on Australian pitches that he was on the dry and doctored wickets in England mid-year.

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While the Ryobi Cup may have been a white ball tournament in October the selectors have been delighted by the number of centuries, with David Warner making three in eight days.

His Test place was never under serious threat, although he would not want to have another poor series after averaging 24 on the tour of India and 23 in England this year.

Marsh also made a hundred after three good scores and Khawaja followed four half-centuries with a hundred in the final against NSW last Sunday to set Queensland up for a second successive Ryobi Cup triumph.

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Ricky ready for pre-season pain game

Ricky Stuart on his first day at the Raiders. Source: DailyTelegraph

RICKY Stuart is back home - and he means business.

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Stuart's Raiders will return to the training field on Thursday — less than four weeks since the NRL grand final.

Canberra will be the second team back, following the New Zealand Warriors' return to training on Monday.

The remaining 14 clubs will resume training throughout next month. All clubs will give their World Cup stars an extended break.

It seems bizarre to be talking about footy training just 23 days after the Sydney Roosters' grand final triumph.

But the NRL demands results — and every team will be back training over the next four weeks before enjoying a short break over Christmas.

Stuart has moved from ­Sydney to Canberra in preparation for the next challenge in his long coaching and ­playing career.

Former Canberra teammate Laurie Daley wasn't surprised the Raiders will be back training on Thursday.

"Because Canberra missed the finals this year, they have had some time off," said Daley, who played 244 first grade matches and won three premierships with the Raiders.

"Ricky is the new coach at Canberra and will want to get his teeth into the job.

"The players will be excited and I know Ricky will be looking forward to a new challenge.

"Canberra are among the first clubs back — so I reckon the players will return keen and motivated."

Raiders chief executive Don Furner is expecting success from the whole club this season under Stuart.

"Ricky will roll up his sleeves and expect the same work ethic from the entire playing squad and staff," Furner said.

"The club missed the semi-finals, so everyone has had a fairly long break.

"It will be good to get back and have a fresh start."

Premiers the Roosters have struggled to nominate a return date to training because 16 of their players are involved in the World Cup in England.

Their stars will make staggered returns depending on how far their nations progress in the tournament. Roosters coach Trent Robinson is currently enjoying a well-earned holiday.

After a traumatic season, Wests Tigers return to training on November 11.

"It will be intense and hard," Wests Tigers coach Mick ­Potter said.

"The experience some of our younger guys got last year will drive them to improve themselves.

"That is what happens in the pre-season.

"It's exciting for the club. We have lost some good players but also acquired some good players.

"That's rugby league — it changes all the time."

Melbourne will hit the training fields on November 7.

A Storm spokesman said: "Due to the World Cup and a number of other factors, it is impossible to identify an actual return date for Melbourne Storm. Instead, players will be ­rolling into training and be around the club from November 7 on a sliding scale into the New Year."

Brisbane expect recruit Ben Barba to be at the club's first training run on November 6. The Parramatta Eels should also welcome a new recruit when Will Hopoate steps out for his first training session on November 7.

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