I'll never give up bowling: Watson

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Ready to go ... Shane Watson declares he will bowl as much as needed in Perth. Source: David Mariuz / News Limited

Shane Watson says he'll never give up bowling just to remain part of the Australian cricket team.

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The allrounder is expected to return to the team for Friday's third Test against South Africa in Perth after recovering from a calf injury.

Watson said only something drastic would stop him from bowling.

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"Unless something goes horribly wrong I certainly wouldn't give up on bowling," he said.

"It's something I love - being involved in the game - even though I know it puts more pressure on my body.

"Mentally, it can be challenging at times but it doesn't take away from the love of being able to contribute with bat and ball."

Watson injured his calf playing a Sheffield Shield game for NSW, after ironically being brought home early from the Champions League Twenty20 in South Africa to avoid him burning out.

After narrowly missing selection in the Adelaide Test, Watson will replace Rob Quiney and will most likely bat at No.3.

It is great news for Michael Clarke as it gives the Australia captain another option with the ball after his attack was unable to dismiss the stubborn Proteas in Adelaide.

Watson said he was ready to bowl as much as the team required.

"I'm certainly going to be up to bowling as many overs as Michael (Clarke) wants," he said.

"The normal sort of workload that I bowl in a Test match. Things have progressed really well over the last week.

"If I had of played in Adelaide it would have put my comeback in jeopardy.

"Mentally, the hardest think is knowing I'm not out there playing the game I love. Hopefully, I can have a good crack and play out the rest of the summer."

The news could get even better for Australia with South Africa star Jacques Kallis fighting to be fit after injuring his hamstring in Adelaide.

Kallis's omission would create a huge hole in the Proteas line-up, potentially giving Australia an extra advantage as they chase the world No.1 ranking.

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Putland stars in Redbacks romp

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Top-of-the-table ... Phil Hughes helps South Australia past Victoria in the Ryobi Cup. Source: Sarah Reed / News Limited

South Australia survived a batting collapse to score a four-wicket win over Victoria with 22 deliveries to spare in their top-of-the-table Ryobi Cup clash.

Victoria scored 8-241 at the MCG on Wednesday night and South Australia were in cruise control in reply before losing 6-48.

However some late hitting from wicketkeeper Tim Ludeman (26 not out off 11 balls) took the heat out of the contest as the defending champions posted a total of 6-246 to move to 18 points on the table, trailing Victoria by one point.

Paceman Scott Boland had claimed 5-63 off 11 overs to give the Bushrangers a sniff of victory but also contributed seven wides.

Michael Klinger (88) and Phil Hughes (73) looked set to carry the Redbacks to a 10-wicket win but after an opening stand of 164, they departed in consecutive overs.

Klinger was lbw to Boland and Hughes's new-found ability to play the pull shot hit a snag when he top-edged to deep-square leg.

Boland went on a bumper barrage and it paid off with three key wickets in two overs.

Callum Ferguson (seven) top-edged a cut shot to third man and Dan Christian (one) and Tom Cooper (13) holed out to the square-leg boundary as the Redbacks put themselves under pressure with poor shot selection.

Boland struck again in the 44th over with another short ball as Alex Ross (14) popped a catch to gully at 6-212.

However Ludeman and Johan Botha (11 not out) were able to steer the visitors to victory.

Left-arm swing bowler Gary Putland claimed 4-44 from 12 overs in Victoria's 8-241, continuing his fine form after taking match figures of 12-92 in South Australia's Sheffield Shield win over the Bushrangers on Monday.

Victoria chose to bat first on Wednesday in sunny conditions but the home side's batsmen struggled to counter South Australia's disciplined line-and-length bowling.

Some loose shots contributed to Victoria slumping to 5-134 before 21-year-old Peter Handscomb (65) and 20-year-old Alex Keath (28) added 74 for the sixth wicket.

In-form opener Aaron Finch made 46.

"To have 16 wickets in two games is world-class,'' Redbacks captain Botha said of man-of-the-match Putland's efforts.

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Timani gets one-week striking ban

Banned ... Sitaleki Timani will miss the final Spring Tour Test against Wales. Source: Gabriel Bouys / AFP

Wallabies second-rower Sitaleki Timani has copped a one-week suspension for striking Italian prop Andrea Lo Cicero Vaina and will miss this weekend's clash with Wales in Cardiff.

The giant NSW Waratahs back-rower pleaded guilty to the striking charge with the process in Bristol on Wednesday taking less than one hour.

Timani struck the Italian front-rower with a forearm in the 13th minute of last weekend's 22-19 win over Italy in Florence.

Kane Douglas is expected to take Timani's place in the starting side for Australia's European tour finale.
Douglas is returning after suffering a knee injury in the opening game of the tour against France three weeks ago.

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New Nissan V8 to lap Homebush

In the flesh ... Nissan's new V8 Supercar Altima will be on track and in the paddock at Homebush. Source: Supplied

Fans will get their first chance to get up close and personal with the new Nissan Altima V8 Supercar at this weekend's Sydney Telstra 500.

Kelly Racing will have their new-for-2013 challenger on display in the paddock at Homebush, ahead of the car's racing debut at the Clipsal 500 in March next year.

Rick Kelly will also hop behind the wheel for a few demonstration laps on Sunday morning, giving the trackside crowd their first chance to hear Nissan's V8 engine at full noise.

It will actually be Kelly's first drive of the car, and he's itching to get behind the wheel.

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"While I'm sure that the fans will be excited to see the Altima in the flesh for the first time, there's no doubt that the most excited person to hear this news confirmed is actually me," Kelly said.

"I've been busting to get my first drive of the new Nissan all year long as we've been watching the car take shape in the various departments of our team workshop.

"So to get the chance to drive the Altima V8 Supercar in front of a crowd at the Sydney Olympic Park street circuit is going to be a fantastic buzz."

The Nissan Altima V8 Supercar will be on display in the V8 Supercar Pit Pavilion at the Sydney Telstra 500 from Friday.

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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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