Live: Aussies two wickets from win

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INSINUATIONS of ball tampering from both sides continued to blight the series, with Australia warned by the umpires about how the ball was being treated during a tense final day of the third and deciding Test.

Shortly before lunch umpires Aleem Dar and Kumar Dharmasena called captain Michael Clarke over and the three had an animated, arm-waving conversation.

Dar was holding the ball in one hand and appeared to be gesturing to it, however the ball was not changed and the umpires did not penalise Australia five runs, which they must do under the playing conditions if they believe the ball has been deliberately tampered with.

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The problem appeared to be the Australians constantly throwing the ball into rough areas around the pitch and practice pitches.

Australia was struggling to close out the match on day five as South Africa hung on grimly to be 7-201 at tea trying to keep the series level at one-all.

Faf du Plessis was unable to repeat the heroics of Adelaide in 2012, when he defied Australia for seven and a half hours scoring an unbeaten century. On Wednesday he was leg before wicket to part time leg-spinner Sreve Smith for 47, made in two and a half hours.

Ryan Harris claimed the valuable wicket of AB de Villiers with the second new ball shortly after lunch, caught behind for 43 scored in five and a half hours from 228 balls.

Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers were thorns in Australia's side. Source: Getty Images

The only wicket to fall before lunch on day five was nightwatchman Kyle Abbott. He batted for almost two hours for just seven before leaving a ball from James Pattinson which came back to hit off stump.

After the conversation between Clarke and the umpires, Ryan Harris gestured to umpire Dharmasena, with the fast bowler rubbings his hands together in exaggerated fashion.

The Australians believe that South African wicketkeeper AB de Villiers helped rough the ball up during the second Test in Port Elizabeth by constantly rubbing it in his gloves.

David Warner made the claim on Sydney radio and was fined $2900 by the International Cricket Council for making detrimental public comment. Warner was also disciplined by the Australian team hierarchy.

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South Africa levelled the series at one-all in Port Elizabeth thanks to some brilliant reverse swing bowling.

It also became a hot issue in this Test when convicted ball tamper Faf du Plessis questioned how Australia was able to generate reverse swing so quickly.

"I must be honest, I was really surprised to see the ball reverse from their side," du Plessis said after the third day. "I think it was 27 overs when the ball started reversing, especially after rain and a wet outfield (from the day before). I was really surprised by that, so … let's leave it at that."

Du Plessis was been fined 50 per cent of his match fee after he was found guilty of ball tampering in the second Test against Pakistan last October.

He was caught on camera rubbing the ball against a zip on his pocket, leading umpires Ian Gould and Rod Tucker to penalise South Africa five runs and change the ball.

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Replay: Sheffield Shield day three

James Hopes of Queensland on his way to career best figures. Source: Bradley Kanaris / Getty Images

QUEENSLAND and Victoria continued to dominate their matches while New South Wales just escaped with first innings points on day three of the ninth round of Sheffield Shield matches.

With all matches using the revolutionary pink balls under lights, much has been made of which players will be able to adjust best to the new conditions.

Fawad Ahmed has certainly done just that, with the leg-spinner claiming two wickets on Wednesday to leave Victoria just five wickets away from their first win at the MCG this season.

Tasmania went to stumps battling at 5-116.

STUMPS REPORT: VICTORIA v TASMANIA

James Hopes was the star of the show up north, with the Queensland skipper taking career-best figures as the Bulls pushed towards victory against Western Australia at the Gabba.

The Warriors went to stumps on 5-73, requiring another 322 to pull off a miracle victory.

STUMPS REPORT: QUEENSLAND V WESTERN AUSTRALIA

It was a tighter affair at Adelaide Oval, with NSW getting first innings points after eclipsing South Australia's score by just four runs thanks to a composed 71 from wicketkeeper Peter Nevill.

The Redbacks went to stumps on day three on 5-232, a valuable lead of 228 runs heading into the final day.

Relive the action in our blog below!

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Sochi fall paralysed skier

Maria Komissarova is paralysed after an accident at the Winter Olympics. Source: AP

A RUSSIAN freestyle skier who suffered a serious accident at the Sochi Winter Olympic Games is permanently paralysed, Russia's Freestyle Federation said Wednesday, citing her doctors.

Maria Komissarova, 23, is in a German clinic after suffering a fractured spine in a crash in training for the ski cross event at Sochi 2014, by far the worst accident of the Winter Games.

"Due to the severity of the injury, the functions of the spinal canal are not regenerating," the federation cited specialists at the German clinic as saying.

"In the opinion of the specialists, Masha will be able to move around independently using special equipment," the statement said, using a diminutive for Maria.

Komissarova is due to spend another 10 weeks in the German clinic learning to adapt to her condition and will then undergo a long period of treatment and rehabilitation, the federation said.

Komissarova herself wrote on Instagram late last month: "I do not feel my body lower than my belly button ... But I am strong and I know that some day I will definitely be on my feet again."

While still hospitalised in Russia, Komissarova had received a personal visit from President Vladimir Putin at her bedside.

Ski-cross is one of the most frenetic and risky events of the Games, where four skiers race together down a slope filled with jumps, obstacles and banked corners.

Russian President Vladimir Putin visits Maria Komissarova in a hospital in Sochi. Source: AFP

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Japan defeats NZ in friendly

JAPAN scored four times in 13 minutes to cruise past New Zealand 4-2 in a friendly in Tokyo.

Japan was 4-0 by the 17th minute.

Shinji Okazaki opened and closed Japan's scoring burst, putting the host on the scoresheet just four minutes in when he took a pass from Shinji Kagawa and beat New Zealand goalkeeper Glen Moss.

"We played well for the first 30 minutes and were able to execute our game plan," Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni said.

"After that, our pace slowed and New Zealand made a game of it."

Kagawa doubled the lead three minutes later from the penalty spot after he was hauled down in the area.

Masato Morishige's header off a Keisuke Honda free kick in the 11th made it 3-0 and Okazaki widened the lead six minutes later with a left-footed shot that deflected in off Moss' hands.

"I was able to score early when we had a lot of chances," Okazaki said.

Japan's Shinji Okazaki shoots to score against New Zealand. Picture: AP Source: AP

"We had some issues as the game went on and there are some areas where we need to do better."

New Zealand, which failed to qualify for the World Cup, got both goals from Chris Wood, in the 39th and with 15 minutes left.

Japan was without injured midfielders Makoto Hasebe and Atsuto Uchida, and forward Yoichiro Kakitani.

Zaccheroni's side will play once more at home, on May 27 at Saitama against Cyprus, before going overseas for a World Cup training camp.

Japan's World Cup group includes Ivory Coast, Greece and Colombia.

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Live: Smith departs for final time

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DAVID Warner's golden summer has reached new heights, becoming the first player to score 500 runs during a three Test series in South Africa following another brutal century.

The potent left-hander made 145 in just 156 balls before Michael Clarke declared at 5-303 approaching tea on day four of the third and deciding Test, setting South Africa an historically impossible 511 for victory.

South Africa was in tatters at 3-15 in reply after Mitchell Johnson (2-8) and Ryan Harris (1-7) wreaked havoc.

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Graeme Smith had a low key retirement acknowledgement before play when the departing South African captain walked ahead of the team onto his home ground of Newlands and raised his cap to almost empty stands.

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He was given a guard of honour by the Australians when he came out to bat but managed just three before an inside edge from Johnson hit Smith's hip and lobbed to Alex Doolan at short leg.

It was the ninth time that Johnson had dismissed Smith, more than any other bowler, and left him with just 45 runs for the series at an average of 7.5

Earlier Warner, resuming on 25, put South Africa to the sword, scoring his second century of the Test and third of the series to continue a phenomenal summer.

Warner made 543 runs at an average of 91 in the series. Jacques Kallis, with 498 runs against India during 2010-11 previously had the most while Adam Gilchrist was next and the most prolific Australian with 473 runs in 2002.

This latest hundred followed Warner's 135 from just 152 balls in the first innings to set up this pivotal Test and 115 in the opening Test at Centurion Parks.

He was the leading run scorer during Australia's 5-0 whitewash of England with 523 runs at 58 with two hundreds.

His career statistics now read 2467 runs at 47 from 30 Tests with eight hundreds.

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South Africa was already in trouble before Warner took to them again and Australia's innings ended in farcical circumstances when Smith had all nine fieldsmen on the boundary to Warner.

When Australia resumed at 0-27 in its second innings with an overall lead of 234 the total was just two runs shy of the best run chase South Africa had ever achieved at Newlands, 2-236 against Australia two and a half years ago.

That was when Australia was bowled out for just 47 in its second innings on a seaming pitch, very different conditions to the dry and dusty dead deck served up for this Test.

Australia's first wicket did not fall until the score was 123 from just 20.2 overs when Chris Rogers was run out for 39.

By then the lead was 330, almost as many as any team had ever chased at Newlands to win. The best was 6-334 by Australia in 2002.

Dale Steyn suffered a hamstring injury in the first innings and given the state of the game it is surprising he was even on the field. He bowled three overs but was murdered by Warner, conceding 23 runs, and was promptly taken off.

Given Australia's desire for quick runs to declare it was a surprise when Alex Doolan, playing just his third Test, appeared at the crease ahead of Shane Watson.

Doolan scored 37 in 87 balls before Watson was promoted, making 25 in 17 balls. Clarke made a first ball duck driving to mid-off.

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Victoria ends Shield drought

Marcus Stoinis (L) and David Hussey (R) helped Victoria get first innings points. Picture: Michael Klein. Source: Michael Klein / News Corp Australia

COACH Greg Shipperd calls them "jumbos".

The big scores that put matches out of opponents' reach.

On Tuesday night at the MCG, one of those he'd probably least budgeted on to provide one came through – decisively.

Marcus Stoinis, the 24-year-old who began his Sheffield Shield career with Western Australia as a hard-hitting all-rounder five years ago, blasted Victoria to an almost impenetrable position with a superb unbeaten 164.

Recast as the Bushrangers No.3 after dominating Premier Cricket with four centuries this summer, Stoinis, 24, delivered the long-awaited monster knock to give Victoria its first Shield points since November 16 – ending 108 days of futility with 21 fours and three towering sixes.

Marcus Stoinis was in superb form at the MCG. Picture: Michael Klein. Source: News Corp Australia

With fears of the pink ball in its second evening of day-night cricket all but forgotten, Stoinis shared in the season's highest third-wicket stand of 190 with David Hussey, who himself was desperately unlucky to be stranded on 88 by a dubious LBW decision.

But the powerfully built Stoinis wasn't satisfied with that, racing from 100 to 150 in just 50 balls late in a long day for the Tigers, adding another unbeaten 99-run stand with Peter Handscomb (43*).

The net result of Stoinis' maiden first-class ton in just his seventh match – four for Victoria – was to give the Bushrangers a 187-run lead with two days to play.

Stoinis admitted he was nervous approaching 90, but backed himself to take on the challenge quickly, blasting boundaries to roar through the 90s and beyond.

"I was a bit edgy, but I thought surely I'm seeing them all right now, I can play a few shots and get through that," he said.

"It's a great feeling. I won't be sleeping much tonight – just stoked, buzzing."

Stoinis admitted the journey from highly touted Perth teen to his maiden ton had made him appreciate the achievement.

"Obviously I would have loved to have got here quicker.

"But (in hindsight) it's probably a good thing missing out when you're 19 when it's all come pretty quick, (because) you probably have to earn the right to play with those guys like Dave Hussey.

"I'm hungry for more (on day three), I'm eyeing off 200, for sure. Spirits are always high after a hundred."

The day of carnage for Tassie began well enough with debutant opener Dean Russ trapped LBW by Xavier Doherty.

Rob Quiney's dismissal for 70 then gave the visitors some hope with Victoria at 2-104, still 102 in arrears.

Tim Paine successfully appeals for the wicket of Dean Russ. Source: Getty Images

But just when the Tigers could sense a bit of life in the pink ball, their hopes were first blunted, then later smashed as Stoinis and Hussey took control.

Stoinis notched his 50 with a six into the Members Stand off Doherty to signal his intent.

By the time he repeated the dose to bring up his 150 late in the final session, he'd blasted the Aussie one-day bowler to the fence nine times and over it twice more.

Hussey, who before the match admitted his Bushrangers tenure was likely coming towards an end, carved his fourth half-century of the Shield season.

He savaged Ben Hilfenhaus, so much so with a pre-lunch onslaught that the former Test paceman didn't bowl in the second session.

Butterworth (1-62) was the pick of the Tigers' bowlers, but for the second consecutive day, the pink ball offered little assistance to the seamers.

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Vettel predicts Melbourne debacle

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FOUR-TIME Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel predicts a debacle for Red Bull unless they improve their car before the season opens at the Australian Grand Prix in two weeks.

"First of all, just getting to the finish would be a success," the German told broadcaster Servus TV.

"If half the drivers fail to finish, then maybe we could take a few points."

The 26-year-old is bidding for a fifth consecutive world title when the season kicks off in Melbourne on March 16, but endured a frustrating four-days of testing the new Red Bull car in Bahrain, which concluded on Sunday.

His mentor and Red Bull's adviser Helmut Marko echoed Vettel's concerns.

"We are not where we want to be," said the Austrian after the second testing session of the winter.

"The start of the season has come at least two months too early for us.

"It will be difficult to catch up, we don't know when or if that is possible."

Vettel failed to complete a single lap in testing on Saturday due to electrical issues and problems with the car's Renault engine.

Williams' Felipe Massa posted the fastest time in Bahrain, clocking 1min 33.258 secs, closely followed by Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton, who was just 0.06 seconds, while Vettel came in 18th fastest overall with teammate Daniel Ricciardo tenth.

Vettel finished Sunday's final testing ninth fastest, 4.190 secs slower than Hamilton's best, after suffering a spin after a brakes failure, but still managed to completed 77 laps, his highest mileage of the winter on a single day.

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Ukraine welcomes a friendly clash

Viktoria Plzen and Shakhtar Donetsk's players observe a minute of silence in tribute to those who died in Ukraine. Source: Alexander KHUDOTEPLY / AFP

WITH the country in turmoil, Ukraine's national football team says it is united in its belief of "indivisibility".

The Ukrainians are scheduled to face the United States in a friendly on Wednesday in Cyprus, a match moved from Kharkiv to Larnaka for security reasons.

Ukrainian team spokesman Alexander Glyvynskyy conveyed the players' collective concern over developments at home on Monday, and stressed that the players — who come from all over the country — are united.

The match, which will be played at Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium, is a key warm-up for the United States ahead of this year's World Cup. But for Ukraine, which failed to qualify for the tournament in Brazil, it will serve as preparation for the qualifying tournament for the 2016 European Championship.

Ukraine coach Mykhailo Fomenko said he expects Wednesday's game to be similar in style to a Premier League match, since many of the American players play for English clubs.

All of them will be looking for a spot on the World Cup squad.

"This game is a huge opportunity, mainly for our European-based players, for those guys to prove to us that they are eager and hungry to jump on the train to the FIFA World Cup," US coach Jurgen Klinsmann said.

Jurgen Klinsmann, the coach of the US team. Source: AP

Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium has hosted many of Cyprus' international matches, but it's not the Mediterranean island's top football venue. The GSP Stadium in Nicosia, however, is unavailable because Cyprus is hosting Northern Ireland in another friendly.

It's the second time in recent weeks that Cyprus has been selected as an alternate venue for a match involving a Ukrainian team. Last month, a Europa League match between Dynamo Kiev and Valencia was moved to the Cypriot capital.

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Victory’s nervous wait on star trio

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MELBOURNE Victory faces a challenge hanging on to star visa duo Gui Finkler and Adama Traore while Archie Thompson's ­contract is no closer to being resolved.

Talks with the uncontracted trio have been going on for months and Victory officials remain "hopeful" of retaining all three.

The silver lining is that ­former captain Adrian Leijer, who could return from injury on Friday night against Central CoastMariners, is on the verge of ­extending his contract.

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Brisbane Roar striker ­Besart Berisha has been confirmed as Victory's international marquee player for next season, ­replacing Chilean Pablo Contreras, who is due to retire.

Left back Traore is on the verge of obtaining Australian citizenship. Although he's precluded from representing the Socceroos as he played for Ivory Coast at youth level, he won't take up a visa spot next season.

Midfielder James Jeggo, the only other player coming out of contract, is understood to have agreed to a two-year deal with Adelaide United from next season.

While the A-League salary cap is a replica of the AFL version, former Essendon and now Victory chief executive Ian Robson admitted the international component made it more challenging but was hopeful of retaining the stars.

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"We're in discussions with all four (Traore, Finkler, Thompson and Leijer) about their futures and beyond that we don't comment on the specifics of the conversations,'' Victory chief executive Ian Robson said.

"We're hopeful that we'll get some positive outcomes and get that news out in the coming weeks.''

Leijer, who fractured an eye socket three weeks ago, is tipped to sign a multi-year deal.

But it could be a new-look Victory next season with Tom Rogic (Celtic) and James Troisi (Juventus or Atalanta) expected to return to their parent clubs and Mauritian midfielder Jonathan Bru already released.

And though Mark Milligan has another 15 months to run on his contract, the captain is almost certain to field offers after the World Cup, where he is expected to play a key role for the Socceroos.

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Victory's challenges are not dissimilar to Western Sydney Wanderers, who have lost midfielder Aaron Mooy to Melbourne Heart for next season while star visa duo Jerome Polenz and Youssouf Hersi are yet to re-sign.

A-League clubs must take a longer-term view of recruiting with Football Federation Australia announcing last month visa spots will be cut from five to four in season 2015-16.

They also announced that they were likely to switch to the Asian Football Confederation's 3+1 rule, which is the Asian Champions League regulation and the rule adopted in most leagues across the continent.

Meanwhile the match review panel on Monday night confirmed Victory defender Nick Ansell will serve a one-game ban for his derby red card on Saturday night.

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Heart fairytale rivals Wanderers

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AS outrageous as it sounds, Melbourne Heart is now a ­contender for this season's A-League championship in what looms as a Steven Bradbury-style finish.

Heart is four points adrift of the top six, but if it makes April's finals series, a grand final appearance on the first weekend of May is a strong possibility.

While Heart has a decent run home that includes games against fellow top-six hopefuls Newcastle, Wellington and Central Coast, John van't Schip's side fears no one. And that's why Heart looms as the team nobody would want to meet in the finals.

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League leader Brisbane Roar succumbed 1-0 to the league's in-form side a fortnight ago at AAMI Park and I wouldn't be surprised if Heart wins again when the sides meet in Brisbane on March 28.

The only blemish during a super consistent seven-game streak that has yielded 19 of a possible 21 points was conceding a last-minute equaliser away to Adelaide United, the team looming as Brisbane's main threat.

With Asian Champions League trio Western Sydney, Melbourne Victory and the Mariners a worry on recent performances, Heart could enter the finals series as the genuine form team.

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Two wins would be enough to propel it to the grand final, a feat that would go close to matching the Wanderers' debut season fairytale.

The mere presence of marquee player Orlando Engelaar lifts his teammates and his quality has been on show. His goal against Victory on Saturday was effortless and one perfectly weighted 50m pass to Mate ­Dugandzic was a ball few A-League players can hit.

With Harry Kewell to give Heart another dimension in attack and youngsters Ben Garuccio and Stefan Mauk improving every week, anything is possible.

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