Aussies have the need for speed

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AUSTRALIA without fast bowlers is like Sampson without his hair.

Fast bowling is in Australia's DNA. It has a loud and proud heritage which was enhanced at the Gabba as terrified England batsmen were humiliated.

Mitchell Johnson (4-61) was brutal, Ryan Harris (3-28) relentless and Peter Siddle (1-24) miserly.

It was a bone-rattling, helmet crashing display from Johnson, with his Movember moustache harking back to the raw aggression of Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson in the `70s.

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While Australia's batting depth continues to be exposed, the abundance of fast bowlers must be celebrated, as it was in Brisbane on Friday by a baying crowd which filled the Gabba almost to capacity.

Australia has four frontline fast bowlers out with long term injuries, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Jackson Bird, yet has still managed to assemble a confronting collection of high class pacemen.

On Friday's performance it is remarkable to think that Johnson was not considered among the best five fast bowlers in the country when he was ignored for the Ashes tour.

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Such has been his resurrection, with ball and bat, that he now looks set to be a permanent fixture this summer, raising the delicious prospect of more fireworks on the fast and bouncy Perth wicket for the third Test in a few weeks. The stars align for Johnson in Perth.

There is nothing more exciting than a fast bowler in full flight.

It raises the level of the contest to a more brutal gladiatorial form.

Skill and bravery must be shown in equal measure if a batsman is to survive and thrive. England managed neither.

And this is an era when batsmen have never had it so good.

Kevin Pietersen had no answer to Ryan Harris. Source: News Corp Australia

It highlights the skill and courage of those from eras past who had nothing but a layer of cloth between them and the ball on their head and most of their body.

What a joy to watch a Test match on a fast and bouncy wicket which brings the best out of the finest combatants.

The Gabba is not payback for the dry and doctored wickets England ordered around their country a few months ago to blunt Australia's pacemen and give their star spinner Graeme Swann an armchair ride to becoming the leading wicket-taker in the series.

It is simply the way the Gabba rolls out most of the time.

Mitchell Johnson bowls to Stuart Broad of England during day two of the First Ashes Test. Source: Getty Images

Everyone has the chance to prosper, as sometimes unloved spinner Nathan Lyon proved when he chimed in with the wickets of Bell and Prior to be on a hat trick.

The roaring of the crowd when Johnson was in full flight revived the glory days of Australian fast bowling.

I will never forget sitting in the Great Southern Stand of the MCG on Boxing Day 1975 with 85,000 people chanting Thommo and then Lillee as they demolished the West Indies.

Or the chants of Lillee that continued to rise from the same ground by delirious fans long after he had bowled Viv Richards on the last ball of Boxing Day 1981 to leave the West Indies 4-10 at stumps.

All those at the Gabba on Friday will talk about Johnson for years.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Aloisi can't get Heart out of hole

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MELBOURNE Heart's loss to Sydney last round was arguably the worst performance in A-League history.

Cries of "Aloisi out'' at the final whistle reverberated around Australia with the players producing a substandard performance. Fingers were pointed at the board.

So what is happening at Melbourne Heart? Why? Who's to blame? And how are they going to fix it?

It's a continuation of last season's poor finish but things have gone from bad to worse.

There's always several factors at play but the first thing that strikes you is that the players on the pitch are not playing to their full capacity.

The big names usually play OK but there seems to be too many willing to merely pick up their pay packet without worrying to much about the result or performance.

This is were the lack of a transfer system and incentives, such as promotion and relegation, come into play.

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A column for another day, but right now the performance against Sydney FC showed nothing but a complete disregard for the plight they find themselves in.

Just doing enough to get by is a part-time attitude that needs to change fast.

John Aloisi is a Socceroos legend and he would be doing everything possible to make his team better.

But does he have the experience in management to turn this around? I don't believe so and therein lies the quandary.

Very few succeed immediately after a playing career and the ones that do usually have a good team or a lot of funds to do it with.

Whether it's been Aloisi, chief executive Scott Munn or general manager football Johnny Didulica, the recruiting - including decisions to let players go - has been poor.

The exodus of nearly all their experienced players was ludicrous and the Harry Kewell experiment is turning into a farce.

This is where the board have big decisions to make. Do they persist and risk losing fans or do they bite the bullet?

Results and fan reaction will ultimately determine that, but if Heart continues on this road then something will have to be done to stop the bleeding.

The board must also decide in which direction it's headed.

There's more than one suitor keen to invest in the club and if selling a portion will help the club progress then they should do all they can to get this cash injection.

It's not impossible to turn this around, just look at tomorrow's opponent Newcastle Jets.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Perfect time to twist the knife'

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IT'S payback time at the Gabba this weekend.

A Test victory should await rampaging Australia but the home side must try to put a fistful of cherries on top of the pie. This is simply act one of a five-act play.

The next few days are a rare and precious chance for Australia to set themselves up for the summer by trying to break England's four-man attack in the field, getting a previously ropey top order into form and keeping England's key batting weapons pondering where their next run is coming from.

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Winning is the prime goal but keeping as many opposition players as possible out of form is a key subplot because England, fighters that they are, will be back.

Just losing a Test would be a numbing jolt for England given they have been unbeaten for 13 in a row and have not lost in a year. They are not used to getting over losses.

The fascinating thing about playing two Ashes series side-by-side is that there are recurring themes that become recurring nightmares.

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The series is just two days old yet already a host of players have blood dripping from reopened wounds.

Alastair Cook had a stunning series against Australia three years ago but in his two others series, including the recent one in England, he was firmly kept in Australia's pocket with repeated nicks outside off stump.

Ryan Harris found Cook's edge yesterday, so a skeleton is already rattling in his closet.

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Australia have been talking for a month about Jonathan Trott's struggles with the short ball and there they were again.

Cook and Trott, who destroyed Australia here three years ago, now look vulnerable each time they take the crease.

These are huge victories.

CHANGE OF PLAN

WE know England can protect a lead, scrap like junkyard dogs and sandpaper teams to death. But can they chase?

The prospect of Australia winning this Test and taking the lead against England for the first time in four Ashes series throws down a fascinating challenge for English captain Cook, whose naturally defensive mindset is more suited to protecting a lead rather than chasing one.

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THE FORTRESS

IF there was a snapshot of the reason why the Gabba is the greatest fortress in world cricket it was the madhouse English collapse between lunch and tea yesterday.

The biggest single factor behind Australia's 24 years of domination is the bounce of the wicket.

Batsmen going to India might be able to condition themselves for the turning ball and continued exposure to the swinging ball in the nets can enhance a batsman's skill level to that challenge.

Australia's Brad Haddin and captain Michael Clarke (L) react for a successful caught appeal. Source: AFP

But the Gabba continually proves that no amount of practice against ramped-up bowling machines or net bowlers can fully prepare a player for deliveries pounding into their ribs at 145km/h.

England may struggle to train for the Australian pace assault because barely a ball they have bowled in this match has pushed the speedometer past 140km/h.

The next time some AFL voice tries to convince the Gabba to have a drop-in wicket cricket officials should pull out a time capsule containing footage of yesterday's dismissals.

It was epic Test cricket.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ding dong, wicked Mitch is back

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MEMO: Barmy Army. Cop that.

Resurgent Australian quick Mitchell Johnson silenced his fiercest English detractors with a vicious second-session spell that turned the Gabba Test on its head on Friday.

For so long Australian cricket's true enigma, Johnson finally solved his own riddle and rendered England clueless as he honoured his pre-series pledge to be an Ashes force.

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The 32-year-old reprised his role as Australia's fast-bowling bully, taking 4-61 and claiming three wickets in 13 balls as the punchdrunk Poms (136) lost 6-9 in a disastrous middle session.

Johnson's first victim was Jonathan Trott (10) and when he removed Michael Carberry (40), Joe Root (2) and Graeme Swann (0) just before tea, Australia's standover man was re-born.

If cricket has a tale of redemption, this is it.

Exactly two years ago, Johnson lost the plot so dramatically he changed his bowling run-up midway through a Test against South Africa in Johannesburg.

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He finished with 2-168. A mess technically and physically, requiring toe surgery, he considered retirement.

He had already been through the wringer once before, left mentally battered by the Barmy Army brickbats that scorched Johnson's soul during his 2009 Ashes meltdown.

Yet here he is. Better for life's vicissitudes. Just as fast. Just as menacing. And now, alarmingly for England, mentally stronger for the dark days that taught Johnson to grasp every chance and bowl as if he's walking the (Baggy) Green Mile.

Mitchell Johnson lets fly. Source: Getty Images

Entering this Test, Johnson vowed he would no longer be a brain-frying conundrum. If the Barmy Army sledged him, he would give it back. After talking the talk, the left-arm speed merchant was duty-bound to walk the walk.

By stumps, his spikes trampled ruthlessly over an English top-order that surely thought it had seen the last of Johnson after he failed to appear in Australia's recent 3-0 Ashes loss.

Johnson started slowly yesterday and he can continue to tease, enchant, delight and frustrate ... all in the same spell. But it was another gamble, much like the one he took two years ago in Johannesburg, which proved a career-shaping moment.

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This time, the roll of the dice succeeded. Opting to go around the wicket, he rattled Carberry with two 145km/h thunderbolts before the English opener's edge to Shane Watson fuelled Johnson's fire.

The veteran of 209 Test wickets will never possess the metronomic consistency of Glenn McGrath but on his day Johnson sends the Richter scale soaring.

Perhaps he is best left raw and unspoiled.

As Australia's riddle, Mitchell Johnson's unpredictability is havoc enough to wipe out any (Barmy) Army.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Scott is the bogey man

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IT was a dramatic collapse. Five gone in the blink of an eye. The trophy surrendered, perhaps, with the battle still in its first day.

Not Australia, Adam Scott. Not five wickets, five shots.

A horrendous quintuple bogey nine at the par four 12th hole during the first round of the World Cup at Royal Melbourne that was, from Scott, far more shocking than Australia's routine top order collapse.

A tee shot and a provisional ball both carved right into the tea tree. The first ball lost, the second unplayable. So Scott trudged back to the tee where he needed to hole out from 410 metres to salvage bogey. He came up short.

That walk back to the tee is familiar to the club hacker as the Australian batsmen's march back to the pavilion. But for the world No.2 it must have felt as unfamiliar as leaving a nightclub without being offered half a dozen phone numbers.

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Nine is usually the first figure on a prizemoney cheque for Scott, not a golf score. It was the highest number he had pencilled on his scorecard since an unsightly 10 at Doral six years ago.

Inevitably, Scott would sign for a four over 75. Eight more than in his first round on the same course at the Australian Masters one week ago. Only Jason Day's pleasing 68 stopped Australia from slipping lower than eighth in the team event.

''Two lazy swings,'' said Scott of two of three two-irons he hit from the 12th tee. ''Just off with the fairies.''

Perhaps that was a sign of fatigue given Scott's tremendous recent workload. Having won back-to-back tournaments for the first time and shouldered a mountain of media and promotional work, he was entitled to a momentary brain fade. Even if the punishment did not quite fit the crime.

Scott's dramatic blowout was part of an otherwise low key day at Royal Melbourne. An indication the World Cup had not yet captivated even that golf mad part of the planet in Melbourne's famed sand belt region.

Adam Scott emerges from the scrub seemingly without his lost ball during his opening round. Source: Getty Images

Tournament organisers IMG are promoting back-to-back events on the same course, a tough sell even with Scott's quest for a Summer Slam and Day's relatively rare home appearance. But the subdued atmosphere from the modest galleries did not do justice to the excellent golf from some top-line players in conditions far more difficult than last week when the greens were softened by rain.

American Kevin Streelman upstaged his more heralded countryman Matt Kuchar with a sometimes spectacular 66. He matched the mark set by Danish veteran Thomas Bjorn who ensured Denmark had a chance of tightening its traditional grip on world golf.

Not that there was any hint of patriotic fervour. A bone of contention about the new World Cup format was that, as teams events go, this is more like Formula One than Ryder Cup. Every man for himself, then tally the numbers at the end of the day.

Still searching, Adam Scott peers into the undergrowth as he hunts down his lost ball. Source: Getty Images

Scott and Day played two hours and eight minutes and eight holes apart wearing their regular sponsored shirts rather than team uniform. Not an arrangement that allowed for Ryder Cup-style high-fiving or which distinguished the event greatly from last week's Australian Masters.

The added emphasis on the individual prize has been justified by the World Cup's dwindling significance on a crowded calendar. But yesterday that seemed a bit like fighting the market dominance of vanilla ice cream by producing yet more vanilla ice cream.

Surely something could have been done to accentuate the World Cup's point of difference - a team battle for a once prestigious team trophy. Like the Ashes, except with Australia having some chance to win.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cricket Confidential: A horror story

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CRICKET Confidential takes a different view on the opening Ashes Test as a horror story began to unfold at the Gabba and the Brisbane crowd experienced Ground Hog Day.

Horror on the Broadwalk

No, it's not a horror movie. Well, maybe it was before Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson slowed Stuart Broad's wicket-taking rampage and lowered the Gabba crowd's blood curdling screams to a murmur.

The Brisbane public really embraced The Courier-Mail's hate campaign aimed at public enemy No.1, Broad.

Aside from the constant booing whenever the lanky quick had the cherry in his hand, one great mind north of the Tweed came up with this gem: Stuart Broad, I know what you did last summer.

Hats off sir!

The Gabba crowd targets public enemy No.1. Adam Head. Source: News Corp Australia

Piggy in the middle

No, it's not 1983 and Sir Ian "Beefy" Botham (the pig) isn't causing mayhem on the Gabba outfield.

But there was a sense of deja vu in Brisbane on Thursday after a police officer - we haven't confirmed if it was the same constable from 83' - was snapped carrying a pig from the stands that had been smuggled in.

Don't worry kids, it wasn't Babe, but you might want to shield your eyes when "Beefy" tucks into a few bacon butties on day two.

Tweet of the day

Cricket's cockney rhyming slang

We're playing the Poms, so it's only fitting we give you the best cockney rhyming slang. Cricket Confidential heard a beauty on Thursday.

Mitchell Johnson hit a Demi Moore. Translation: Mitchell Johnson hit a cracking four!

Tweet us more cricket related rhyming slang at @FOXCricketLive or @FOX_CRICKET

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Root's a ringer for Ellen

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FIRST, it was the Sherminator. Now, Ellen DeGeneres. Shane Warne's attempts at getting under the skin of English batsmen have hit new heights with the spin king posting a split screen image Joe Root and DeGeneres on Instagram - the resemblance is shocking.

The uncanny similarity sent the Twitterverse into raptures after Warne posted the picture just before the close of play on the first day at the Gabba.

Warne famously labelled English batsmen Ian Bell, "The Sherminator" - a character in the movie American Pie - in a previous Ashes series.

Let's hope this jibe has the opposite effect on Root because Bell has been one of the world's premier batsmen since Warne launched his Sherminator attack. Fingers crossed.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Broad shoulders abuse to thrive

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STUART Broad revealed how a psychologist's report told him he would thrive on abuse as England's destroyer turned Michael Clarke into his Ashes batting bunny.

Broad may be Public Enemy No.1 down under, but the English quick is also Clarke's bully-boy after continuing his domination of Australia's best batsman in the first Test.

The Courier-Mail had urged Brisbane fans to snub the paceman as part of a "Broad-ban" and how Clarke must have wished his rival was barred from the Gabba precinct.

The Australian skipper managed a mere single before Broad struck again - the sixth time in his last eight Test innings Clarke has fallen to his British bogeyman.

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The paceman (5-65) finished with bragging rights as Australia recovered to 8-273 and he later attended the press conference clutching a copy of the newspaper that had pilloried him.

Mind-games clearly don't faze Broad. England's team shrink subjected the entire squad to a pre-tour psychological assessment and it found three players would relish sledging in Australia.

"We do all these tests about what kind of personality we are," said Broad, who was booed before his first delivery of the morning.

"The psychologist said there are three guys in this side who would thrive on getting abuse and they are 'KP' (Kevin Pietersen), myself and Matty Prior, so they picked the good men together."

Of the anti-Broad campaign, he said: "A couple of my mates had mentioned it, but I just saw this (The Courier-Mail) outside and it made me smile.

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"It's good fun. At the end of the day, you are focusing on your routines, not what the crowd is doing.

"But there is something about Ashes cricket that brings out my best ... there is a bit more niggle there."

The 27-year-old removed the top-three of Chris Rogers (1), David Warner (49) and Shane Watson (22), but it was his dismissal of Clarke that franked his big day out.

Like a cricketing ghost, Broad incessantly haunts Clarke. At 2-73, the skipper faced a typical rescue mission before Broad had him spooked, producing a rearing short-ball which Clarke fatally fended to Ian Bell at short leg.

"We know what a big player he is so you always have specific plans for their best players," he said.

"For the plan to work with Michael gave us a big lift."

Stuart Broad appeals unsucessfully to remove David Warner, one of his few disappointments on Thursday. Source: Getty Images

The firebrand dismissed Clarke five times during the recent series in England. Broad now has his scalp a record eight times at Test level, but denied having the wood on Australia's top dog.

"I wouldn't say I have a hold over him," he said.

"He can be destructive. There will be a time in the series when it goes well for him so we've got to enjoy the time he walks back for less than 10."

Few bowlers can consistently bamboozle Clarke but Broad, with his energy, competitive fire and deceptive short-ball, clearly has the man nicknamed 'Pup' on a leash.

Stuart Broad clean bowls Mitchell Johnson with a ball that swung late as the batsman attempted to drive. Source: Getty Images

And the Poms have every reason to delight in Broad's muzzling of Australia's top dog.

For decades, Aussie fans have rejoiced at the mention of Daryll Cullinan, the classy batsman who turned into a South African version of Phil Tufnell whenever he faced spin-king Shane Warne.

But for all the jibes not even Warne dominated Cullinan like Broad has Clarke. Warne dismissed Cullinan four times in the Test arena, which makes Broad's spell over Clarke twice as magical.

Broad has his critics and has been derided as a blond-haired, baby-faced pretty boy. But he possesses the heart of a lion, bowling unnerving lines yesterday to claim his 11th five-wicket Test haul. He finished the day with 222 Test victims and is set to overtake countrymen Steve Harmison (226), Andrew Flintoff (226), Darren Gough (229) and Andy Caddick (234) this summer.

No stranger to being laughed at, Broad has delivered the punchline. The joke is on Australia ... and Michael Clarke.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Time for talk is over

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ALL Ashes series are preceded by a Phoney Wars punctuated by routine predictions of 5-0 whitewashes, transparent mind games and chest-beating jingoistic rhetoric.

But the period of silly name calling, hollow accusations, petty internal squabbling and juvenile taunting before this Ashes series has made parliamentary question time seem like the Algonquin Round Table.

Shane Warne claims Alastair Cook's captaincy is boring, when, in fact, the only monotonous thing Captain Cook does is win. Nine Test victories in 16 as captain with a single defeat to India in a series England won.

Ricky is mean to Michael who is friends again with Shane who was just misunderstood. Which, alarmingly, is the dressing room machinations of the Australian team, not the plot of High School Musical 3.

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Arrogantly we accuse Kevin Pietersen of arrogance. In response the South Engfrican launches a smarm offensive that only emphasises why, if not for an outsized batting average, Pietersen's teammates would gladly row him back to Johannesburg.

The Australian boosters claim the English are more prepared for a poker tournament than a cricket series after several days in Hobart and Sydney are washed out. The English lick their lips at the thought of bowling to Australian batsmen Ian Botham claims should be carrying the drinks for the Randwick fifths.

Then, just as sanity is set to be restored by the start of play, the silliest remark of all from the most reliable source. David Warner claims - presumably while free from the influence of alcohol or narcotics - that the English are scared of Australia.

If so, after three consecutive series victories, England's nerves must be so fragile they carry smelling salts on the ghost train at a primary school fete. Let alone while facing Ryan Harris.

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Of course, for all the contrived controversies, internal squabbling and crystal ball gazing, the reality of this series is . . . the reality. What happens after the first ball is bowled.

For Australians disheartened by the now ritual humiliations inflicted by the Old Enemy, and bemused by their team's internal combustion, there will be considerable cause for optimism when all the smoke clears today at the Gabba.

Australia are not as bad as recent results - a troubled 4-0 drubbing in India followed by an almost equally tumultuous 3-0 defeat in England - suggest. Particularly now that the fault-lines in a team that became gaping craters have not merely been papered over, but properly addressed.

Coach Darren Lehmann is not everyone's schooner of New. The avuncular South Australian can be friendly, obliging and welcoming; but also terse, aggressive and combative.

Lehmann's incitement of Australian crowds to jeer Stuart Broad was not great politics. But if it was the type of statement that will have been welcomed in the sheds by players who will believe their coach has their back.

This, recent revelations suggest, is in stark comparison with the less unifying environment created by former coach Mickey Arthur. One in which uncertainty about selection, tactics and discipline only compounded insecurity in a team divided along personality lines.

If Lehmann has fulfilled his promise of creating a more harmonious change room, captain Michael Clarke's summer will be much easier. Even more so if his, as seems possible, his fellow batsmen ease his burden.

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Much of the focus entering the first Test is on mature-aged debutant George Bailey whose easygoing nature has been heralded as a magic ingredient. But the attributes that have made Bailey a fine limited-overs captain and player will count for little if he can't contribute significantly with the bat.

The greater source of encouragement for Australia is that, overall, a batting line-up that underwent more makeovers than a Double Bay housewife in England is settled. Warner earned his place with a first-class hundred, Watson looks solid at three and, most encouragingly, Steve Smith is emerging as a player of substance.

With James Pattinson and Mitchell Starc injured, the greatest concern is with the bowling line-up. Most obviously, whether Dr Mitchell or Mr Johnson turns up in Brisbane. Do we get a stump shattering blitzkrieg from the lightning left-armer, or scuds that prompt square leg umpires to call for a helmet?

Still, for the first time in a while, there is a sense of order and stability about Australia's line-up. Nor, despite their recent dominance, do England seem as daunting as before the last series.

There are two ways of assessing England's home victory. Either they played well below their best, yet still romped to a convincing 3-0 win by raising their game for the big moments.

Alternatively, Australia began to prise open cracks not previously seen in the English. Bowling full to Cook and short to Jonathan Trott. Making hay from the third paceman who is not a patch on the brilliant openers Jimmy Anderson and Broad.

At the same time, bone dry English pitches made for a sometimes tedious war of attrition that played to local strengths. Notably, the superior off-spin of Graeme Swann and reverse swing of their quicks.

Juicier pitches in Brisbane and Perth, particularly, won't necessarily discourage England. But, like the series itself, they will create uncertainty and excitement.

The Phoney War has been, in its Vaudevillian way, an entertaining time-filler. But no match for the real thing.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Meet Australia's own super sub

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AUSTRALIA will seek Ashes revenge by fielding a former Brisbane fruit packer to revive the ghosts of English super-sub Gary Pratt.

Coach Darren Lehmann has sought the services of the Brisbane Heat's "professional fieldsman'' Chris Sabburg to be 13th man for Australia during the Gabba Test.

Sabburg will effectively become 12th man, with Australia's nominated 12th man set to be sent south to play Sheffield Shield cricket.

Athletic and acrobatic, Sabburg is arguably the best fieldsman in Queensland and he played three Twenty20 games for the Brisbane Heat last summer as a specialist in the field without getting a bat or bowl.

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He finally got to do something other than just field for the Brisbane Heat when he got a bat at No.8 in the Heat's loss to Trinidad and Tobago at the Champions League tournament in India.

The 23-year-old has never played first-class or 50-over domestic cricket.

The move has sparked memories of the controversy in 2005 when highly-skilled but unknown England substitute fielder Gary Pratt ran out Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting with a direct hit in the Trent Bridge Test.

It prompted a furious tirade from Ponting, who screamed expletives at England coach Duncan Fletcher, who was sitting smugly on the England team balcony.

Ponting continued his campaign against substitute fielders as England thumbed their nose at him, with Pratt winning a place on the open-top bus which took England's Ashes winning team through London.

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Given the hot-blooded background to the substitute fielder affair, England are unlike to take the Sabburg news well.

Sabburg, who is fast, has a strong arm and superb hands, was at Australian training yesterday where he was seen in deep discussion with coach Lehmann.

''I am locked in (to be Australia's sub) for the first three days of the Test,'' Sabburg confirmed to The Courier-Mail.

''It would be pretty fun to get on the field. There is a bit of history of sub-fielders with Australia and England. I do remember that Gary Pratt thing.''

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Few Australian cricket fans would know much about Sabburg but he boasts an impressive cricket pedigree as the cousin of former Australian fast bowler Andy Bichel and the nephew of the former Queensland quick Dirk Tazelaar.

He has given up working at Brisbane's Rocklea Fruit Markets and is studying to become a personal trainer, but hopes he can carve a career out of cricket.

Sabburg is expected to share the Australian sub-fielding duties at the Gabba with another red-haired Queenslander, batsman Alex Kemp, who also is a superb fieldsman.

IS THIS JUST HYPOCRISY FROM AUSTRALIA OR FAIR ENOUGH AS IT'S WITHIN THE RULES. HAVE YOUR SAY BELOW.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Broad targeted for 'cheating' to a T

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ENGLAND paceman Stuart Broad has officially become Public Enemy No. 1 with Australian cricket fans issuing a $10,000 backhander to the "cheating Pom".

Ahead of the first Test starting today at the Gabba, Australian supporters have seized upon T-shirts condemning Broad for refusing to walk during the recent Ashes series in England.

Melbourne academic Googan Djerra has unveiled a range of T-shirts protesting against Broad, accompanied by the slogan: "Never forgive. Never forget."

The English quick stood his ground in the first Test in July despite replays showing he edged an Ashton Agar delivery which deflected off wicketkeeper Brad Haddin to Michael Clarke at first slip.

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Djerra said Broad's actions were a clear breach of the spirit of cricket and his anti-Broad shirts have been snapped up in their hundreds by the Australian public.

"Basically, it's a protest against England and Stuart Broad being the cheating Pom that he is," Djerra said.

"He has openly admitted to cheating, he has been quoted around the globe saying he hit the ball but refused to walk.

"It's meant to be a gentleman's game and Stuart's actions were against the spirit of the game.

"On the internet I'm getting hundreds of hits a day. I actually started out with shirts protesting against Japanese whaling and now I am protesting against Stuart Broad.

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"His abject cheek was so great it inspired me to want to do something.

"I am now selling them in bundles of four because the demand has been so great."

Broad is bracing for brickbats from Australian fans throughout the summer, saying recently: "You don't want the Aussies loving you because it probably means you're rubbish."

In an interview with English media last week, the 27-year-old said he had no regrets over his decision not to walk, taking aim at the actions of Australian rival Haddin.

"I'm not really bothered what people think on that side of things. There were 19 or 20 instances of England or Australia players not walking in the Ashes series," he said.

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"Nobody mentions Brad Haddin not walking at the end of that match with 10 to win. So I think I was made an example of.

"I've never been a walker, 99 per cent of professional cricketers are not walkers.

"It's the umpires' decision. If Wayne Rooney (Manchester United soccer star) jumped into a two-footed tackle in a Premier League game against Liverpool and the ref gave him a yellow card, would he go, 'You know what, ref, we're one-nil down but I'm going to walk off ... come on, send me off'"

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Federer headlines event line-up

Roger Federer has been booked to play at the Brisbane International next month. Source: CARL COURT / AFP

SIX top-10 women, Roger Federer and one of the rising stars on the men's tour will be the drawcards for next month's Brisbane International.

Maria Sharapova (ranked No.4), Jelena Jankovic (8), Angelique Kerber (9) and Caroline Wozniacki (10) have been added to the previously announced entrants, Serena Williams (1) and Victoria Azarenka (2), in the official list of female stars for the tournament at the Queensland Tennis Centre.

The addition of Jankovic and Wozniacki means five women who have reached the top ranking have entered Brisbane's December 29-January 5 event.

Bulgarian star Grigor Dimitrov, one of the new generation of men knocking on the door as a future Grand Slam winner, would be fifth seed behind top seed Federer in a list featuring four of the top-20 men.

Dimitrov, the boyfriend of Sharapova, started the year with a runner-up finish, beaten by Andy Murray, at Tennyson and has risen to No.23 in a run which included a win over Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic and his first ATP title in Stockholm.

"He's been called Baby Fed because of a playing style many see as similar to Roger and it's a matchup with Roger everyone would like to see in Brisbane,'' tournament director Cameron Pearson said.

Lleyton Hewitt, ranked No61, and former top-10 players Marin Cilic, Gilles Simon and Jurgen Melzer add depth to the field for the men's singles, which offers half the prizemoney of the Tennyson women's purse.

There are only two Australian direct entries in the men's and women's fields, Hewitt and Marinko Matosevic.

But Perth's Matthew Ebden, ranked No.79, would the next player into the main draw, should one man pull out, increasing the chances of an additional wildcard be available for a younger Australian.

The entry by six top-10 women, plus Wimbledon runner-up Sabine Lisicki, gives each of the sessions at the QTC guaranteed starpower.

Jankovic has had a resurgent year, returning to the top 10 and qualifying for the year-end WTA championship, at which she beat Azarenka before a loss to Williams ended her season.

"The lists prove the players love which we have been able to provide for them,'' Pearson said.

"The fans that go out for any of the sessions will see top-class tennis. We have five women who are or have been world No.1s and two men's No.1s.''

Entries by prospective seeds:

Women: Serena Williams (ranked 1, US), Victoria Azarenka (2, Belarus), Maria Sharapova (4, Rus), Jelena Jankovic (8, Serbia), Angelique Kerber (9, Ger), Caroline Wozniacki (10, Den), Sabine Lisicki (15, Ger), Carla Suarez Navarro (Spa, 17).

Men: Roger Federer (6, Switz), Kei Nishikori (17, Jpn), Gilles Simon (19, Fra), Kevin Anderson (20, RSA), Grigor Dimitov (23, Bul), Jurgen Melzer (27, Aut), Feliciano Lopez (28, Spa), Dmitry Tursunov (29, Rus).

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Dogs pounce on fullback Hoffman

Ben Barba and Josh Hoffman. . The Brisbane Broncos vs the Canterbury Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Pic Peter Wallis Source: Peter Wallis / News Limited

THE Bulldogs are preparing to pounce on disgruntled Broncos fullback Josh Hoffman as payback for stealing their Dally M superstar Ben Barba.

Bulldogs coach Des Hasler is aware the Kiwi World Cup star is unhappy in Brisbane and is working feverishly behind the scenes to get him to Belmore.

Canterbury has four players in the New Zealand tour party - Sam Kasiano, Frank Pritchard, Krisnan Inu and Greg Eastwood - who are quietly encouraging the blockbusting fullback to move to Sydney.

Hoffman has been out of sorts since Barba signed at the Broncos amid speculation he would be shunted to the wing.

"We're aware of Canterbury's interest," said one senior Broncos official.

"They're all over him.

"When you're on tour in another country for so long you build a bond with your team mates and the Canterbury boys have been working on him.

"But at this stage we don't want to release him."

Broncos Training at Red Hill. Justin Hoffman. Pic Mark Calleja Source: News Limited

Still, the Broncos based their entire campaign to sign Barba on the fact he was unhappy in Sydney and wanted out from Canterbury.

It would be hard for them to stand in the way of one of their own players who clearly doesn't want to be there, just like Barba at the Bulldogs.

Since the end of the season, the Dogs have tried but failed to lure Parramatta's Jarryd Hayne and William Hopoate to Belmore to replace Barba.

They even went big-time for Wallaby star Israel Folau who eventually decided to stay with the Waratahs.

When those negotiations fell over, Hasler turned his attention to the blockbusting Broncos player.

Working in Canterbury's favour is the fact the Broncos need to free up cash to finalise their record bid for Australia's Test captain Cameron Smith.

Paying Hoffman $400,000-a-season to play on the wing is seen as too much money spread across the salary cap.

Josh Hoffman after Brisbane's loss during the round 24 rugby league game between Penrith and Brisbane at Centrebet Stadium in Penrith, Sydney. Source: News Limited

Aside from the Bulldogs, other NRL clubs are aware of Hoffman's situation and have spoken to his agent in recent weeks.

However they don't have as much money as Canterbury have to play with under the salary cap.

Before Barba signed in Brisbane, 25-year-old Hoffman was just beginning talks with the Broncos about extending his contract.

But he has made it clear he wants to wear the No 1 jersey.

Barba can play in the halves but has made his home at fullback in recent seasons from where he became the 2012 Dally M champion.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rabbitohs and Wanderers unite

Coach Michael Maguire during South Sydney rugby league training at Redfern Oval, Sydney. Pic Brett Costello Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

THEY are successful Sydney sporting clubs with virtually nothing in common.

One has won 20 premierships over 103 years and is run by a glamorous Hollywood actor.

The other is not two years old from battling western Sydney.

Now though, the famous South Sydney Rabbitohs and A-League's Western Sydney Wanderers have united at the highest level.

Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire and Wanderers coach Tony Popovic have struck up an unlikely friendship. They share ideas and ideals.

Maguire was at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday night watching the Wanderrs beat Melbourne Victory 1-0. He ended up in the victorious dressing room.

The Bunnies coach spent a portion of last week with Popovic inside the Wanderers organisation.

Popovic now has plans to visit South Sydney's Redfern headquarters when Maguire returns from a trip to Arizona.

The cross-code relationship just may help the Wanderers to A-League glory and Souths to an elusive NRL premiership.

Coach Michael Maguire and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Sydney Domestic Airport after returning from Townsville Source: News Limited

"He (Popovic) is a great fella," Maguire said from America.

"I can see why they are having success.

"He is a very smart coach."

Asked did they share ideas, Maguire said: "He is very similar to me, always learning."

Maguire was so keen to watch the action on Saturday night he was spotted sitting in the rain.

"The match against Victory was a good opportunity to bring Michael in to see how we do things at the Wanderers," Popovic said.

"I look forward to taking some time to visit Redfern oval in the coming months."

Andy Paschalidis, Sky Sports Radio football commentator and Wanderers ground announcer, watched Maguire and Popvic mingle on Saturday evening.

"I was pleasantly surprised to see Michael at the game. I first noticed him talking to some of the Wanderers backroom staff at the dressing room entrance before the game," Paschalidis said.

Tony Popovic during the Western Sydney Wanderers v Melbourne Victory A League game at Pirtek Stadium, Parramatta. pic mark evans Source: News Limited

"Then I bumped into him in the Premier's Lounge where he would have been the guest of (Wanderers executive chairman) Lyall Gorman. It was an engaging conversation with 'Madge' stating that both he and Tony Popovic are very similar in many ways and that he was very keen to forge a long-term friendship.

"Michael was enthralled by the match day spectacle on the back of spending time with 'Poppa' and the team in midweek.

"Like many who make it to 'Wanderland' for the first time he couldn't believe how such a franchise could have developed so quickly, reached such great heights on the pitch and drawn a strong supporter base.

"Despite the rain he decided to head outside and take in the atmosphere during the second half; no doubt impressed that the majority of the Wanderers fans didn't move from their seats for the entire match."

Maguire's Rabbioths fell one game short of the 2013 grand final, Popovic's Wanderers were beaten in the A-League grand final earlier this year.

Popovic visited Wayne Bennett several years ago when he coached the St George Illawarra Dragons.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Heavyweight battle Kiwis and Poms

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SUNDAY morning's World Cup semi-final between England and New Zealand is being billed as a battle of the heavyweights and it's an appropriate description when you consider the relative size of the forwards packs each side will put out.

The Kiwis have arguably the most formidable pack in the tournament, with the likes of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Ben Matulino and Sonny Bill Williams.

It's one with power and skill and a large part of New Zealand's game plan is based around forward dominance.

But England won't be intimidated. They have the Burgess clan - Sam and Tom are the lightest of the three at 116kg - and workhorse front-rower James Graham.

In fact, England's starting pack in their quarter-final against France was slightly heavier than New Zealand's at 625kg to the Kiwis' 620kg and they also brought George Burgess and his 120kg frame off the bench.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves of New Zealand during the Rugby League World Cup Quarter Final match between New Zealand and Scotland at Headingley Carnegie Stadium on November 15, 2013 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

England and New Zealand have taken a different approach to Australia, who have opted for a more mobile pack, and it's helped by the slow play-the-balls seen so far at this World Cup and 12 interchanges allowed in the international game.

There will be a number of intriguing match-ups on Sunday, not least of all the one between Williams and Sam Burgess. Williams will play on the right side, Burgess on the left.

Williams leads the tournament in offloads with 13 (Burgess has five) while Burgess is third among forwards for tackle breaks with 16 (Williams has 14).

"They have a lot of big boys but we should be able to match them," Matulino said.

"They are going alright in the tournament and so are we.

"Sam Burgess is in the top three forwards in the game at the moment. You know what he's going to bring because he brings it every week in the NRL. He's going to come out and hit hard and run hard.

"James Graham is a workhorse. He tackles and runs all day. We have a little bit of insight but our track record against them in England isn't too good so we are the underdogs."

Sam Moa (C) of New Zealand acknowledges the crowds applause on a lap of honour after his sides victory during the Rugby League World Cup Quarter Final match between New Zealand and Scotland at Headingley Carnegie Stadium on November 15, 2013 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

The Kiwis haven't beaten England in the UK since 2005 and Matulino has been involved in the last two tours.

He debuted in the unsuccessful 2009 Four Nations, when the Kiwis won only one game against France, and returned for their poor 2011 campaign when their only win was against Wales.

He had a great season in 2012, when he was Warriors' Player of the Year, but his form dipped in 2013.

"I think I'm playing a bit better [at the World Cup] than what I was in the NRL," he said.

"I'm a lot more confident playing alongside these boys.

"Everyone is driving each other in this team. Sonny is probably leading the way. When he does stuff, people tend to copy and it rubs off on the others."

Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney said last week's side against Scotland was close to his favoured 17 but there's still a question mark around the fourth front-rower with Sam Kasiano and Sam Moa going head-to-head.

Moa was preferred last week over Kasiano, who had previously played in all three games on tour and was said to be in need of a rest.

If Kasiano was to play, his 1.96m and 122kg frame - it's closer to 130kg - would only add to what is already a weighty match.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Socceroos Report Card

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"It's a starting point and we want to get better".

Ange Postecoglou might not have been doing cartwheels, but he was certainly a satisfied man after the Socceroos opened his account as coach with a 1-0 win over Costa Rica.

There was evidence of what the side worked on at training, signs of a renewed spirit and energy, the return of a structure and organised set-up and glimpses in attack to bury the memories of a torrid few months for the green and gold.

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It's only a step forward and the 1-0 win against an underwhelming Costa Rica is nothing to get carried away over. As Mark Bosnich noted on Fox Sports after the match, there's a long way to go just to be competitive in Brazil next year, but it's a hell of an improvement.

We run the rule over the first performance in the Postecoglou era.

OVERALL/TACTICS

The pride in the green and gold returned, and they are starting to remember what it's like to play with the ball again.

It was fascinating hearing veteran Mark Bresciano elaborate on the difference over the past week: "(It was) different (under Ange). I think you can see the boys are enjoying their football again, we showed that tonight - keeping possession, looking to play ... We got our enthusiasm back."

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The Socceroos pressed the Costa Rican midfield well for the majority of the 90 minutes, which went a long way to winning the midfield battle, and retrieving the ball promptly if we did happen to turn it over.

If that high tempo, energised style is to become a hallmark under Postecoglou, then we're going to see a return to a type of character that once again befits our national side.

Postecoglou is making no secrets of his approach. Mat Ryan was preferred because of his comfort with the ball at his feet; the coach singled out his full-backs for their energetic performances, and even in the dying moments of the match, you could hear the coach barking "keep the ball, keep the ball".

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A confidence returned to the side on the ball and there were more forward passes played than in a long time. Sure, the opponents didn't put a great deal of pressure on the Socceroos this time around, but the signs of the work in progress are promising.

There was always pace available in midfield - and in stark contrast to some of the recent performances under Holger Osieck, there was mobility and structure that helped support Bresciano, Neill and co, and build towards the clean sheet.

Was there cohesion for 90 minutes? Not at all; even Postecoglou said it was far from the fluency he would like. But it was certainly a step in the right direction - in attitude, demeanour and performance.

Mark : B+

MATCH REPORT: ANGE ERA OFF TO WINNING START

ANALYSIS: PLENTY OF POSITIVES FOR ANGE

TIRADE: NEILL: 'WHY ARE YOU F***IN BOOING?'

AS IT HAPPENED: RE-LIVE OUR INTERACTIVE BLOG

PLAYER RATING: WHO SHONE FOR THE SOCCEROOS?

DEFENCE

All the talk in the days leading into the game were that Mitchell Langerak would get the nod between the sticks, but game time for Club Brugge and his ability to sweep off his line and distribute saw Ryan get the nod. Barring two nervous miscommunications with Jason Davidson and Lucas Neill in the first-half, the former Central Coast Mariners stopper had little to worry about.

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That had a lot to do with a terrific performance from the back-four. Ivan Franjic is arguably the epitome of the type of player Postecoglou wants in his side, and he did not look out of place at this level, feeding Kruse cleanly all night, was on the money defensively at right back and often the man scrambling back to defuse dangerous situations.

Davidson, playing with Hercules in the Dutch first division, enjoyed his best 90 minute display for the Socceroos - recovering well after almost enduring a horror start when he headed past Ryan and scoring another international own goal. With the country craving a genuine left-back to step up to the plate, he now finds himself in the box seat, and was lavished with praise from Postecoglou after the match.

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A lot of focus was on captain Lucas Neill at the back, but alongside Rhys Williams, then Ryan McGowan, they were hardly troubled. Australia drifted a bit too deep midway through the first-half, but the back-four returned to squeezing further up the field in the second term, and Neill was quick to pressure Joel Campbell or Jonathan McDonald when they had their back to goal.

It's hard to remember Ryan having to make a save of note, so it was a job well done by the back-four.

"I thought he (Neill) marshalled the defence really well," Postecoglou said. "He kept us nice and compact.

"Rhys has been fantastic all week - he tweaked his groin yesterday, so to get through 60 minutes was (great)."

Mark: B

MIDFIELD

What an encouraging performance from Mark Milligan and Mile Jedinak playing alongside each other as the screening 'two' in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

"It's the first time I've played with him (Mile) at international level ... and when one was going, one was sitting," Milligan said after the game.

Indeed, the balance was solid as Australia dominated midfield and possession. Jedinak's work-rate was outstanding, but what was particularly impressive was his distribution - after a wobbly start, it was one of his sharpest displays in green and gold. Alongside Milligan, they consistently broke down Costa Rica's attack and it's a combination that looks promising going forward.

Further down the pitch, the more we see Robbie Kruse on the ball, the better. The Bayer Leverkusen man is a menace and a vital outlet. He almost put one on a platter for Matthew Leckie in the first-half, and his pace, movement and footwork are a treat to watch. He lures an incredible amount of fouls on him, which can put Australia into valuable set-piece territory, and also makes some incisive darts through the heart of the defence.

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It makes such a difference to Milligan and Jedinak to have pace to hit out wide, and if need be, a shrewd ballplayer in front of them. To start with, it was Mark Bresciano. It wasn't his most dangerous or consistent display in green and gold, but he put a tough week behind him to show signs of his importance - although it must be said, Costa Rica weren't putting a great deal of pressure on the Aussies on the ball.

The veteran, though, was arguably upstaged by Tom Rogic's cameo. In his stint, we saw glimpses of his surreal talent as he burst through the heart of midfield. The Celtic man needs more game time at club level, and if he develops that killer instinct, he will be the vital cog in the Roos XI.

Tommy Oar added another dimension when he replaced Dario Vidosic, who was involved in some nice interplay but probably didn't grab his opening with both hands. Oar was a slippery customer on the left.

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Can the midfield move the ball quicker, press more consistently and provide more incisive goal scoring opportunities? Of course. But as flat as Costa Rica were, a lot of it had a to do with the energy resonating from the Socceroos' engine room.

It was a hell of an improvement on recent outings and the intent was there.

Mark: B

UP FRONT

The more things change, the more they stay the same. You can throw all the analysis out the window, because at the end of the day, it was Australia's talisman who scored the way he has so many times for the national side - soaring above the pack with his head off a set piece.

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Cahill certainly provided an excellent focal point when he came on, but credit has to go to Mathew Leckie for his first big outing at international level. Alone up front, he drifted into space, was able to hold the ball up and link with the oncoming midfielders. On another day, would have had a goal.

We didn't see a lot of Cahill and Kennedy together, but there mere fact they were on together is another sign that there is a new coach in charge, prepared to try things.

Mark: B

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tale of two speedsters

Patrick Corbin: "My friends just said, 'Dude, you have a pretty good arm. Why don't you just go out there and give it a shot?" Source: Jared Wickerham / Supplied

PATRICK Corbin threw his first fastball wearing jeans.

Back then, the Arizona Diamondback was still in his teens. A junior at North Syracuse High.

A first pitch towards what would eventually be deliveries challenging those of Australian cricket speedster, Mitchell Johnson.

Now starring in the Major Leagues, Corbin will today join LA Dodgers catcher AJ Ellis at the Sydney Opera House as the hype surrounding the 2014 MLB season opener, to be held at the SCG next March, gathers momentum.

Despite being famed for his slider, Corbin still has a fastball that travels at 153km/hr. In comparison, Johnson, who starts his Ashes campaign on Thursday, recently had his own fastball clocked at 154.6km/hr.

Mitchell Johnson has recently been clocked bowling at 154.6km/hr as the Ashes loom. Source: Getty Images

Yet in a recent interview, Arizona superstar Corbin admitted he never even considered a baseball career until high school.

After being dragged along to tryouts by his friends, the coach asked if he could hit. 'No,' came the reply. 'Okay, I guess we better see if you can throw then'.

"I didn't really know what the heck was going on," Corbin recalled. "My friends just said, 'Dude, you have a pretty good arm. Why don't you just go out there and give it a shot?'

"I was good friends with all of them and was like, 'What the heck?' "

"I remember walking up to pitch with jeans on."

Ironically, it was a similar story of discovery for Johnson who, at 17 and bowling in his father's golf shoes, shocked Queensland cricket officials by recording the fastest delivery in the state.

Off the field, both speedsters are also considered shy, modest and incredibly respectful.

With his signing bonus, Corbin bought a used car instead of a new one. He also still lived at home with his parent's until earlier this year and, during the offseason, officiates youth basketball games.

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Orica-GreenEDGE extend rider deals

Orica GreenEDGE rider Brett Lancaster drinks ater after the 18th stage of the Tour de France earlier this year. Source: Sarah Reed / News Limited

INVALUABLE experience and the attraction of more Grand Tour success are among the motivating factors behind Brett Lancaster and Svein Tuft's contract extensions with Orica-GreenEDGE.

Olympic and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Lancaster, 34, and Canadian Tuft, 36, agreed to new two-year deals after sharing in OGE's watershed Tour de France glories this year.

With the departures of Stuart O'Grady and Baden Cooke, Lancaster and Tuft will be tapped for leadership and endurance qualities.

Both remain world-class time-triallers, but the pair's tactical savvy is just as critical as the team pushes to convert talented young riders to world-class competitors as quickly as possible.

"I really enjoy working with the younger riders," Lancaster said. "They have good heads on their shoulders.

"Guys like Luke Durbridge are so eager and all ears. I like passing along what I've learnt and helping them out by showing them the ropes."

Lancaster's work ethic was decisive in his re-signing.

"We're very pleased to renew Brett's contract," OGE sport director Matt White said.

"He played a part in some of our biggest rides and secured some nice results for himself.

"This past year, he won a stage in Slovenia, rode consistently throughout the entire Giro with our normal sprint group, won the team time-trial at the Tour de France and was one of the strongest performers in our silver-medal ride in the team time-trial at the world championships."

Part of the world record-setting 4000m pursuit team at the 2004 Athens Olympics, Lancaster wants to finish his career with OGE.

"I have another two years signed, but in my head I want do three more before I call it quits when I'm 37," Lancaster said.

"Five years with GreenEDGE would be a dream.

"The choice (to extend) was simple. I wanted to stay on the team. I wasn't really thinking about going anywhere else. The last two years have been very memorable. I've achieved some incredible things. I'm looking forward to another two years with GreenEDGE.

"The Tour this year was pretty awesome.

"Winning the team time-trial and standing on the podium with all the boys was really special.

"The team's owner, Gerry Ryan, and his son Andrew were there to witness it all. That was definitely the highlight - the highlight from two years with many, many memorable moments."

Eight-time Canadian time-trial champion Tuft again showed remarkable strength in a variety of roles.

He won the individual time-trial at the Tour of San Luis in Argentina and Tour of Slovenia before joining Durbridge in a record-breaking ride at the Duo Normand two-man team time-trial in France.

And he was hugely effective in OGE's Tour de France team time-trial triumph in Nice.

"Svein is one of the rocks in our team," White said.

"He's one of the most reliable guys we've got. He's a super teammate who is also very accomplished in his own right.

"It's great news that Sveino wants to retire with us. He's a big benefit to all the younger guys on the team - to everyone, for that matter."

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Watson still hoping to bowl in Test

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SHANE Watson managed six gentle deliveries at training yesterday, raising hopes that he may be able to bowl in the first Test, beginning at Brisbane's Gabba on Thursday.

However, his contribution with the ball will be so limited because of his latest hamstring drama, if it happens at all, spinner Nathan Lyon may be forced to sacrifice his own game and tie up an end.

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That Lyon is in the side at all is a show of faith from the selectors, which has not always been forthcoming given he was omitted at stages during Australia's most recent series in India and England this year.

Australian physiotherapist Alex Kountouris claimed that Watson was going well with his rehab.

"He did a little bit of bowling today, so that's in the infancy, but he's going well at the moment," Kountouris said.

"Obviously the Test is a long game, so we're building him up to bowl whenever he's ready to go.

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"So if it's this Test, that's great. If it's a bit longer, then that's how it's going to be."

Michael Clarke is an attacking captain who likes to use his spinners in that vein.

However, Lyon can see occasions where that may not be possible.

"If it's turning a lot I'll be a more attacking bowling, but if it's not turning as much and if it's seaming I might be thrown the ball to do a containing-and-holding role so we can rotate our fast men for the other end and try to create some pressure," Lyon said.

"I'm happy to do whatever role it takes for Australia to win a Test match. I'm all for the team, I don't care who's taking the wickets.

"If Ryan Harris takes five and six wickets, I take none for the game and we win the Test match, I'm over the moon. I'm happy with whatever role Michael Clarke comes up with, and hopefully I'll be able to take that and help get wickets from both ends."

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While all the talk at the Gabba is of fast bowlers, Lyon has a good record there, claiming 11 wickets in two Tests at just 24 apiece.

He is one of just three off-spinners who have taken more than eight wickets at the ground in their career.

The others are former West Indian world record wickets holder Lance Gibbs (14) and former Australian captain Ian Johnson (12).

"I really enjoy bowling at the Gabba, you are able to get a lot more bounce compared to other pitches around the country," Lyon said.

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Link reaction took a bit of time

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WALLABIES coach Ewen McKenzie says it took days for him to establish the facts of the alcohol-fuelled night out by his players in Dublin last week, so he could not have suspended them from last week's Test against Ireland.

McKenzie held a press conference at the Wallabies' Edinburgh hotel on Monday to explain his reasons for suspending six players for one match each, and officially warning nine others.

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Five players; Adam Ashley-Cooper, Nick Cummins, Benn Robinson, Tatafu Polota-Nau and Liam Gill, will miss this week's Test against Scotland while Paddy Ryan will miss next week's Test against Wales.

Immediately questions were raised about why McKenzie did not stand the players down from last week's Test against Ireland, which is generally considered a tougher challenge than this weekend's match against the Scots.

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"When I was confronted with a number of names, I spent all Thursday and Friday establishing the facts and details," McKenzie said.

"I tried to work out where I would go.

"I delayed the decision because I had so many people to speak to.

"In this process I have got to be fair and just, I believe we have been.

"If I could have acted quicker, I would have.

"This sort of stuff is a massive distraction, I have spent far too long on this."

The players went out in separate groups for dinner, and some then decided to carry on at other bars, not returning to the team hotel until the early hours of Wednesday morning.

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McKenzie said there were no public complaints made about their behaviour during the night, but expressed frustration with the wayward players after having spoken to them about off-field expectations the week before they arrived in Dublin.

Dave Dennis, Kane Douglas, Saia Fainga'a, Bernard Foley and Nick Phipps have been given written warnings, while Scott Fardy, Mike Harris, Ben McCalman and Nic White received verbal warnings from McKenzie.

Wallabeers: six of the best banned for a Test, nine more disciplined following boozy night out

"I am disappointed in all of them, I don't think I've lacked clarity," McKenzie said.

"I made it clear to individuals about what is acceptable.

"It was a bad night for us, a bunch of bad decisions were made.

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"The guys can have a glass of wine with dinner, that's always been the case.

"Some players made the decision the dinner would go on a lot longer, and involve a few more drinks.

"We were unhappy with the decision-making of some of our players.

"There is nothing sinister [about the night out], this is us judging ourselves.

"The decisions were poor and not in keeping with the focus of the team.

"We're in the business of developing a successful team for a long while.

"The easiest thing in this situation is to do nothing, I've been involved in sport for a long time, but to do nothing will give us mediocrity."

McKenzie is attempting to reform the culture of a side that has won just five Tests all year, and fallen from No.2 to No.4 in the world rankings in the past 12 months.

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