Australia want Ponting for Ashes

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Still wanted ... selectors are backing Ponting to play through to the Ashes. Source: Sarah Reed / News Limited

Australian coach Mickey Arthur says selectors are unanimous in not wanting Ricky Ponting phased out before next year's Ashes but warns there's mounting pressure on him from beneath.

Arthur couldn't deny that the third Test against South Africa in Perth could be pivotal in the future of Australia's highest-ever run scorer, with Phil Hughes, Usman Khawaja and even Rob Quiney still in the picture.

Ponting has had three successive failures to start the series against South Africa, and in the second Test in Adelaide was bowled twice in a match for only the second time in his career.

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The Tasmanian turns 38 next month, but unfortunately that same number is the former captain's Test batting average for the past three years.

Arthur said Ponting's position was dependent on runs but he made it clear the selectors were keen to avoid losing his experience and presence before Australia head to England.

"All I know is inside that dressing room and privately we've all backed Ricky Ponting. At the moment (he) has the unanimous backing of the selection panel," said Arthur.

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"If he's scoring runs we certainly want Ricky Ponting around for the next six months.

"We want Ricky Ponting to go to the Ashes, there's no doubt about that.

"Like any batsman though you've got to keep scoring runs ... and Perth is a big Test for him, and that's by Ricky's own admission.

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"I'm 100 per cent sure though and confident Ricky will come through in Perth."

Ponting has already thrown himself at the mercy of selectors, conceding a frank chat with the panel probably isn't far away.

But Arthur said there was yet to be any discussion about Ponting's future.

"No, none whatsoever," he said.

Clarke said Ponting's strong Shield form prior to the Test series hadn't been forgotten and his brilliant record for Australia meant he deserved to have faith shown in him.

"Once he gets in I have no doubt at all he'll go on and make a big score," said the skipper.

"He knows how to make big hundreds. He's still as good a player under pressure as anyone in that changeroom."

In the first Test against Sri Lanka next month in Hobart, Ponting would be in line to break Waugh's all-time record and become the second most capped Test cricketer of all time behind Sachin Tendulkar, in front of his home-State fans.

It would be a massive call to drop him before then.

But further failures against South Africa's highly-touted quicks in Perth would raise serious questions about whether he is too far in decline to see out the summer.

A young player like Hughes, Khawaja or Quiney looking for a second chance at Test level, could benefit from making their return against the weaker attack of Sri Lanka.

Hughes, who hasn't played for Australia since being dropped after the New Zealand Test in Hobart last year, is the highest run-scorer in Shield cricket this season and averages 51.8.

"We've got some young players there that have a taste now of international cricket and when called up or when needed are ready to step into the breach," said Arthur.

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Cooper will play round one: Martin

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Training on ... Cooper is still working with the Reds despite the impending expiry of his contract. Source:News Limited

Quade Cooper will be back in a Queensland Reds jersey for the first round of the 2013 Super Rugby season, Fox Sports rugby commentator and former Wallabies fullback Greg Martin says.

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The controversial Wallabies playmaker on Monday revealed plans to fight on Sonny Bill Williams's undercard on February 8th in Brisbane, the bout arranged after he refused to sign an incentive-based contract with the Australian Rugby Union.

Amidst talk of a "total communication breakdown" with the ARU, Cooper stressed he had no problems with the Queensland Rugby Union despite his current contract expiring in December.

Speaking on Fox Sports' The Back Page, Martin said Cooper's first professional bout was nothing more than a money-making exercise and that he was confident the 38-Test fly half would be in a Reds jersey come February 16th.

"This is a circus, a highly-paid circus," Martin said of Cooper's place on the Williams undercard.

"He'll probably make $150,000 to $200,000 and that'll make up for that shortfall and then he'll come back to rugby. He's still training with the Reds.

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"He'll train all the way up (to the fight); he won't play the trials and then he'll play the next weekend against the Brumbies – February 16th."

Opinions are split as to whether Cooper still deserves a place in the Wallabies set-up, following his infamous "toxic environment" spray.

But he remains a key component of the Reds' set-up, both on and off the field.

"It's Quade Cooper – he is exceptional," Martin said.

"You've seen the rubbish the Wallabies have been dishing up – they need him back."

"Kids will stop watching rugby unless they get Quade back."

Cooper won't be able to play for the Reds unless he reaches an agreement with the ARU.

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Aussie MotoGP hopes revived

Dream ... Bryan Staring will ride in the MotoGP with Go and Fun Honda Gresini from 2013. Source: Supplied

Bryan Staring will keep Australia's presence on the MotoGP grid alive in 2013 after signing with the Go and Fun Honda Gresini team.

The 25-year-old has enjoyed sustained success in various categories.

Most recently, Staring competed in the FIM Superstock 1000 Championship for Pedercini Kawasaki and took wins at Aragon, Brno and Portimao. He would finish fourth at season's end.

Staring said a spot in the MotoGP field was a dream come true.

"Racing in the MotoGP class has always seemed a very remote, practically unattainable. Now that I have a real chance to race in this championship with Go & Fun Honda Gresini, it's is almost unbelievable," he told the MotoGP website.

"It's the greatest opportunity of my career and I will be giving it my best. I know I still have a lot to learn and I will put in all the effort it requires.

His seat in MotoGP continues Australia's three decade-long presence in the top echelon of motorcycle racing, a streak that looked dead when Casey Stoner retired at the end of the season.

Staring has previously won three Australian championships in the 125GP, Superbike and Supersport categories.

Go and Fun team manager, Fausto Gresini said Staring was the perfect fit for the new team.

"Bryan made his mark in the Superstock 1000 class winning three races and he certainly has a competitive spirit and lots of important goals to reach with our FTR-Honda," he said.

"I cannot wait to see him on track and working with our boys with whom, I believe, he will integrate very well."

Staring will ride alongside Alvaro Bautista, the Spaniard starting his second season on Gresini's Honda RC213V in 2013.

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Olympic swimmer in hot water

Facing charges ... Eamon Sullivan over a scooter joyride gone wrong in Adelaide. Source: Lindsey Parnaby / AAP

Olympic swimmer Eamon Sullivan has a date with an Adelaide magistrate after being reported by police for assault and disorderly behaviour after a joyride on a motorised scooter went wrong.

Sullivan was in Adelaide for a buck's party on October 18 for an AFL footballer and was drinking at the Prince Albert Hotel in Gawler when it's alleged he borrowed a motorised scooter belonging to pensioner John Guppy.

Mr Guppy told the Nine Network that one of the men at the buck's party asked "for a spin" on the scooter.

Nine said Sullivan and a footballer took the scooter onto the footpath and crashed into a table outside the pub injuring two people.

Publican Adrian Armstrong told the network that the people in the buck's party did not appear to be intoxicated but he asked them to move on after the incident.

Police have reported Sullivan, 27, from Western Australia, to appear before the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on a date to be fixed to face two charges of assault and one of disorderly behaviour.

Sullivan's lawyer issued a statement saying that although an accident did occur there was no evidence that the swimmer was responsible for it.

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Robinson quits as Scotland coach

Failure ... Robinson had little success in his time as Scotland's coach. Source: AFP

Scotland coach Andy Robinson has resigned a day after his side lost to Tonga, the Scottish Rugby Union announced on Sunday.

The Englishman had been under contract until after the 2015 Rugby World Cup, but the 21-15 upset loss to the Tongans in Aberdeen meant that the Scots had lost 10 of their last 13 matches, including elimination from the World Cup at the group phase for the first time.

They also lost their three November internationals, all at home, to New Zealand, South Africa and Tonga.

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In a statement issued by the SRU, Robinson, who was appointed in June 2009, said: "It's been a privilege to be the head coach of Scotland and I'd like to thank the fans, players, coaches and staff for all their support over the years.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the players and the coaches in the last few years.

"I believe I have left the team in a better position than when I took over and have great confidence in the players and the coaches for the future.

"I am very disappointed by our recent results but I have belief in the players to develop into a winning team."

Scottish Rugby's Chief Executive, Mark Dodson, said: "Following the sequence of recent results during the EMC Autumn Tests a change in head coach is required to take the team forward and build towards the Rugby World Cup in 2015.

"Andy has overseen some fine results as Scotland head coach since he was appointed in June 2009 but the recent defeats have been very disappointing.''

A recruitment process for a new Scotland head coach will start with immediate effect, the SRU said.

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Panesar puts England on brink of win

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Fiver ... England spinner Monty Panesar has snared two five-wicket hauls in the second Test in Mumbai. Source:AP

Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen struck record-equalling 22nd Test centuries before Monty Panesar spun England into a commanding position at stumps on day three of the second Test in Mumbai.

Cook (122) made an unprecedented fourth consecutive century as captain and Pietersen cracked a scintillating 186 as both men drew level with three all-time greats in Wally Hammond, Geoff Boycott and Colin Cowdrey as their country's most prolific centurions.

2nd Test - Wankhede Stadium

23 November 2012 - Day 3, Session 3

India 2nd Innings

G. Gambhir	53	109	5	0	48.62
H. Singh	1	1	0	0	100
G. Swann	13	4	39	2	3.00

Cook's second successive hundred against India - following his rearguard 176 in last week's defeat at Ahmedabad - and Pietersen's first since last summer helped England post 413, giving them a useful first-innings lead of 86.

It was then time for England's spinners to take centre stage and, with the pitch beginning to turn and bounce appreciably, they made immediate inroads to leave India tottering on 117-7 at stumps - a lead of only 31.

Panesar, fresh from his five-wicket haul in the first-innings, claimed five more in the final session on day three, a feat which sees him become the first England spinner to take 10 wickets in India since Hedley Verity did so in Madras back in 1934.

The left-arm spinner accounted for Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni and Ravi Ashwin, while spin partner Graeme Swann snared Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli to make England firm favourites to level the four-match series on Monday.

Sehwag was the first of seven India batsman to depart after tea, edging a spinning Panesar delivery to Swann at slip, while Pujara endured a rare failure, presenting Jonny Bairstow with a sharp catch at short leg.

Sachin Tendulkar, playing what could be his last Test match in front of his home crowd, once again fell to Panesar, playing back to a quicker delivery which pinned him lbw for just eight - his 10th successive score of less than 28.

India slumped to 65-4 when Virat Kohli inexplicably hit a Swann full toss straight to sub fielder Joe Root at mid-off and England's day got even better when Dhoni edged Panesar to Swann and Ravi Ashwin spooned the same bowler straight up to Samit Patel.

Gautam Gambhir (53 not out) held firm for India and remains key to the home side's fading chances of posting a target which may trouble England on a wearing pitch.
Controversial

Captain Cook and Pietersen shared a superb 206-run partnership for the fourth wicket to help England claim a vital first-innings lead on the stroke of tea at the Wankhede Stadium.

Cook, out on his own with his fourth century in his first four Tests as captain after his two while standing in for Andrew Strauss in Bangladesh two-and-half years ago, reached three figures with a cover-driven four off Harbhajan Singh.

Pietersen operated at a quicker tempo throughout in an innings which gave England telling impetus and truly rubber-stamped his return to the fold after his disagreements with management and senior players last summer.

Five minutes after Cook completed his century, Pietersen did likewise, from only 127 balls - with a reverse-sweep just wide of slip off Harbhajan for his 15th four.

When Cook finally departed, via a faint edge behind in forward-defence as Ashwin found some turn, Pietersen jogged 30 yards down the wicket and past the stumps to voice his personal acknowledgement as the captain made his way off the pitch.

New batsman Bairstow (9) fell shortly after in controversial circumstances in what proved to be the final ball before lunch, his bat/pad catch being taken by Gambhir at silly point, but not before the ball had deflected off the fielder's grille.

Pietersen continued to take the fight to India, sweeping Pragyan Ojha for three further sixes before the left-armer finally got his revenge with Dhoni claiming a sharp catch behind the wicket.

With the ball spinning and bouncing appreciably, England's tail meekly folded from 382-5 to 413 all out, with Ojha continuing his impressive series with figures of 5-143.

Wicketkeeper Matt Prior was involved in a mix-up with Stuart Broad and as a result run-out for 21, while Broad propped a catch to silly-point; James Anderson went in the same Harbhajan over; and Panesar was last out slog-sweeping straight to deep midwicket.

Read the full story at Sky Sports

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McIlroy ends season in winning style

Unstoppable ... McIlroy charged home to win by two shots. Source: AP

World No.1 Rory McIlroy responded in magnificent fashion to Justin Rose's course record round of 10-under par 62 by making five birdies in his last five holes to win the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai on Sunday.

At the Earth course of Jumeirah Golf Estates, McIlroy had fallen two shots behind world No.7 Rose with a bogey on the 13th hole, but regrouped to finish at 23-under par following his final round of six-under par 66.

Rose had started the day six shots behind overnight leaders McIlroy and world No.2 Luke Donald, but his bogey-free round helped him set the clubhouse target at 21-under par 267.

McIlroy had already wrapped up the Race to Dubai European money list crown by taking an unassailable lead coming into the tournament. He also topped the money list on the USPGA Tour, only the second player to do so after Luke Donald last year.

Donald (71) finished tied for third place at 18-under par 270 along with 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel.

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'Time for Ponting to call it quits'

Time ... Malcolm Conn says Ricky Ponting must make Perth his final Test. Source: Greg Wood / AFP

What a tragedy it has come to this.

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Ricky Ponting, rated by Allan Border as Australia's greatest batsman after Bradman, should jump before he is pushed.

A retirement announcement and a fitting farewell during the last Test against South Africa in Perth would help to recapture some of the dignity lost in Adelaide.

The rehabilitation of Phil Hughes continues apace. His 158 against Victoria in Melbourne on Sunday made the left-hander the leading Sheffield Shield run scorer this season with 510 runs at 57.

He turns 24 on Friday and already has 20 first class centuries.

If there is ever a time to give Hughes another chance it is against Sri Lanka in the three-Test series starting in December, although the first Test in Hobart could be a torrid affair given Western Australia were bowled out for 67 there on Sunday.

Australia must try and put together a settled side for the Ashes in England next year, and clearly it is unrealistic to believe Ponting will make the trip, however much he wants to.

It is not just that Ponting has made 0, 4 and 16 in this series while Michael Clarke and Mike Hussey have filled their boots, or the fact that Ponting turns 38 inside a month.

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Hussey will turn 38 in May before next year's Ashes tour. His age is not an issue after 257 runs in this series at 86, with two centuries and a second innings top score of 54 on a wearing wicket on Sunday.

Ponting has 20 runs at an average of under seven and does not look like playing an innings of substance.

Tellingly, this is just the second time in a 167-Test career extending almost two decades that Ponting has been bowled twice in the one match.

The first would be a dim and distant memory when the India spinners got him on a dodgy Feroz Shah Kotla pitch in Delhi back in 1996 during just his fourth Test.

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This Test will be seared in his mind. First there was the full outswinger from Jacques Kallis which forced Ponting to overbalance and land on all fours as the ball clattered into his off-stump.

Then there was the tentative chop on to a regulation delivery outside his off-stump on Saturday, one of the worst shots, or non-shots, he has played during a long and illustrious career as Australia's most prolific batsman.

This is not a sudden tumble from the brief 60 career-average Ponting achieved with a century against England during the 2006-07 whitewash. It has been years in the making.

Ponting went two-and-a-half years scoring only one century and averaging just 33 before his amazing series last summer, when he played a central role in beating India 4-0 with a hundred and a double hundred.

A more detailed look shows his 108-run series average was a deluge amidst the drought.

During the past two years, Ponting's series averages have been 16 against England, 31 in Sri Lanka, 17 in South Africa, 33 against New Zealand, 108 against India, 24 in the West Indies and under seven in this series.

It's time.

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Ten-man Victory defeats Wanderers

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Against the odds ... Archie Thompson celebrates his goal. Source:News Limited

A ten-man Melbourne Victory overcame a controversial first-half send-off to secure a gritty 2-0 win over Western Sydney at Parramatta Stadium.

The Victory, already without star playmaker Marcos Flores through suspension, looked in for a tough night after defender Sam Gallagher was shown a red card just 16 minutes into his first A-League game for the club.

But the Wanderers failed to make their numerical advantage count, with captain Michael Beauchamp having a night to forget.

The centre back's own goal just before halftime gave Melbourne the lead and he was at fault again as Archie Thompson doubled the visitors' advantage in the 60th minute.

It was a valuable win for Ange Postecoglou's side, given the circumstances, and they climbed into equal third on the table with a third win in four games.

The Victory looked unlucky to be reduced to 10 men in the first place.

Wanderers striker Dino Kresinger appeared to have fouled Gallagher from behind but play was allowed to continue.

Kresinger then broke on goal before being brought down by Gallagher just outside the box and referee Ben Williams produced a red card without hesitation.

Shinji Ono fired the resulting free kick just wide and Western Sydney tried hard to get on top before the break.

But the nearest they came was a close range header by Mark Bridge in the 22nd minute that was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Victory goalkeeper Nathan Coe.

Instead the home side went into halftime behind, after Beauchamp accidentally turned the ball into his own goal while trying to clear a dangerous Gui Finkler ball.

The Wanderers put Melbourne under some pressure early in the second half and were perhaps unfortunate not to get a penalty after Adam Traore appeared to hand-ball in the box.

But again they conceded against the run of play when Socceroos striker Thompson struck.

Beauchamp coughed up possession on the halfway line, allowing Marco Rojas to streak downfield and find Thompson with a deflected pass.

Although Coe was forced into action a couple of time as the Wanderers chased the game, the Victory held their lead well from then on.

Postecoglou praised his players for sticking to their natural game even after going down a man.

"It was a challenge today for sure,'' Postecoglou said.

"We've spoken about it in the last couple of weeks, we're playing some good football but I guess from our point of view if we're going to be contenders we need to show a little bit more character and resilience under difficult situations.

"I thought today we were tremendous in that area.''

Postecoglou said he had not seen the send-off but but been told Gallagher was clipped by Kresinger first.

"If that's the case it's disappointing, because it's a big decision,'' he said.

Wanderers coach Tony Popovic was pleased with his side's ball movement but felt his players tried to force things too much in attack.

He felt the send-off may have actually worked against the Wanderers.

"It's frustrating really because we started the game so well and it was almost as if it was the worst thing that happened to us,'' Popovic said.

"I felt the players seemed a little stressed and a little bit nervous having the extra player and we kind of forced things a little bit too often.''

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Kallis out and Pattinson in doubt

Doubts ... Jacques Kallis (L) is out and James Pattinson is very doubtful for the Perth Test. Source: AP

It looks likely that two of the key men in the Australia-South Africa series have been ruled out of the third and final Test at the WACA.

Australia's fiery quick James Pattinson is a major doubt after being rushed for scans on a side injury on day three of the second Test, while Proteas' star all-rounder Jacques Kallis may be playing his last Test in Australia after aggravating a hamstring injury during a gallant innings.

2nd Test - Adelaide Oval

22 November 2012 - Day 3, Session 3

Australia 2nd Innings

M. Clarke	9	25	1	0	36
M. Hussey	5	8	1	0	62.5
M. Morkel	9	2	24	1	2.67

Australia could be on the verge of securing the world No.1 Test ranking in Perth, but they might have to enter the crucial third Test without the 22-year-old.

It will be a nervous wait for results, but it would seem he's at least very long odds to contribute to Australia's bowling efforts in the fourth innings.

Backing up for another Test just three days later in Perth on Friday would be a big ask.

Pattinson's explosive pace would be keenly missed on the fast bowler's paradise that is the WACA.

The Victorian, complaining of pain along his left side, left Adelaide Oval during the opening session on Saturday.

It's the latest blow in his injury-plagued career.

The express quick missed most of last summer with a foot injury and suffered from stress fractures in his back as a teenager.

He's also been forced to miss matches in the past year due to abdominal and buttocks strains.

Meanwhile South Africa superstar Kallis will not be fit for the series-deciding third Test.

The 37-year-old defied his torn right hamstring, and Australia's bowlers, for nearly two hours in making 58 on Saturday's third day of the Adelaide Test.

Frequently grimacing in pain, Kallis will bat again in the second innings in what could be his last Test appearance in Australia.

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"It's unlikely he will respond in time to be fit to take his place for the Perth Test match because we have got a quick turnaround,'' South Africa's team doctor, Dr Mohammed Moosajee, told reporters.

"Selectors are considering who to send over as cover.''

Kallis, batting at number nine, was in great discomfort during his courageous knock.

The 37-year-old strolled between the wickets and leant on his bat for support numerous times during breaks in play.

His pain was never more obvious when ducking to avoid a series of short balls from Australia's fast bowlers, instinctively reaching with his hand for the torn muscle after ducking.

"We knew he was always able to bat, the challenge was what is going to happen,'' Dr Moosajee said.

"Safe to say that he probably aggravated his injury by running and batting.

"Every time he stretches forward or he ducks under a bouncer or takes off or stretches or lunges forward, he is straining that area particularly.''

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Log on to Foxsports.com.au to follow our live Test blog with Trent Hile on day four of the Adelaide Test.

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Kallis tore the hamstring while running in to bowl during Australia's first innings on Thursday.

The 157-Test veteran will become the second South African batsman ruled out of the Australian tour, after JP Duminy ruptured an Achilles tendon in a freak injury during the first Test in Brisbane.

Duminy will miss six months of cricket, having collapsed during a warm-down after the opening day of the Brisbane Test.

NSW tearaway Mitchell Starc shapes as favourite to replace Pattinson should he be ruled out.

Starc has carried the drinks for Australia at the Gabba and in Adelaide and his 2012 performances in shorter-form cricket have been excellent.

WA quick Nathan Coulter-Nile, rising NSW paceman Josh Hazlewood and Victorian allrounder John Hastings would come into contention for a call-up to the national squad if Pattinson is ruled out.peHowever, Starc would almost certainly be the man to play.

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