Strikers offer Bailey tougher Test

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ADELAIDE Strikers enforcer Shaun Tait and protégé Kane Richardson have pledged to make life tougher for George Bailey in Hobart on Sunday than England paceman Jimmy Anderson this Ashes summer.

Test No.6 Bailey (39 not out) smashed a record 28 runs off one Anderson (0/105) over in Australia's resounding, 150-run, third-Test win against England in Perth last week.

Tait, 30, laments he can only sling one bouncer an over at Bailey in the Big Bash League opener at Bellerive.

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"He is a great player, we have to play him this week but Twenty20 will be a whole different ball game. It will be a whole lot different to a Test match," said former Test speedster Tait.

Hurricane's skipper Bailey will have less time to set up - and margin for error - against Tait and Richardson's 150km/h missiles.

"We will have to put a bit of heat on him I reckon," said Tait.

Watching Mitchell Johnson devastate England has provided Tait with fresh impetus to press for a berth in Australia's Twenty20 World Cup squad to Bangladesh next April.

"It gives you an inspiration to keep having a crack, I think I am in peak fitness," said Tait, who figured in Australia's 2010 T20 World Cup campaign in the Caribbean and 2011 one-day showpiece in India.

Richardson was signed for a $700,000 debut 2013 season with Indian Premier League franchise Pune Warriors.

Skippers Johan Botha and George Bailey face off ahead of Sunday's BBL clash. Source: News Limited

Tait believes new-ball partner Richardson, 22, will better his 10 wickets at 21 in the BBL last season - starting with an emphatic display against Hobart.

Tait vowed to blow away rivals inside the first six overs this tournament and leave spin twins Johan Botha and Adam Zampa to mop up the rest.

"Kane Richardson is one of the better Twenty20 bowlers going around at the moment in world cricket. There is a reason why he went for $700,000. He is dangerous," said Tait.

"I think we will have a good bowling attack. Michael Neser is in good form for Queensland in the one-day series."

Mumbai based Tait is an IPL stalwart with Rajasthan Royals and took Strikers teammate "Richo" under his wing on the subcontinent.

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"He was playing for Pune and we played against each other a few times. A mate of mine has a restaurant down there in Pune so we got him out of his hotel room and away from the PlayStation a few times," said Tait.

"We got him used to Indian conditions, I think it opened his eyes up a fair bit. I think he got a bit bored there."

Tait recalled the days mentoring Richardson as a junior but has been impressed by the Northern Territory export's rapid progress to an Australian one-day debut against Sri Lanka in Adelaide during January.

"He's getting paid more than all of us now, turned into a big lad, has the tatts," joked Tait.

"He has grown a beard which I have nailed him about but he is a good lad, a talented player."

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bell urges calm from selectors

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IAN Bell has urged England's selectors to give the same players a chance to redeem themselves in the final two Tests despite their 3-0 Ashes humiliation.

England are in danger of a 5-0 whitewash after Australia wrapped up the series so emphatically in Perth.

And while Bell admits England have been outplayed in all departments and deserve to be 3-0 down, he has cautioned against making wholesale changes to the long-established team.

"I think the management will be very careful on those decisions," said Bell, who is an ESPNcricinfo columnist.

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"It's very easy to make rash decisions when you're quite emotional and things have happened quickly, but I believe there are some very good players here.

"You don't become a bad player overnight and I believe this team still has a lot of good cricket to play over the years. Things haven't gone right here, but they've been doing a lot of good things for a long time and that doesn't change things.

"We're still a very good Test side and we certainly don't want to lose 5-0."

The result has been a reality check for England. They arrived in Australia on the back of three consecutive Ashes wins and rightfully expected to at least compete for a fourth.

That didn't happen and now, with the urn gone, Bell says England will have to take a tip from the Australians.

"I don't think there's any embarrassment in the fact that we've been outplayed, but now we've got to react in a good way and then try and get better as quick as we can," Bell said.

"We have been a good Test side for a while, but maybe we need to start improving. That's the reality we've been hit with. Yes, we've done well, we've won three Ashes on the bounce, but Australia have come back better and stronger and that's what we have to do now - exactly what Australia has done, we have to react.

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"These two games are important for us as a team going forward."

England will be desperate to avoid a repeat of the 2006-07 Ashes series when they were beaten 5-0.

Bell admits it will be a huge test of their character, but they don't have any other option but to show some fight in Melbourne and Sydney.

"If you can't get yourself up for a Boxing Day Test at the MCG, or a New Year's Test at the SCG, then you're never going to get yourself up for any Test match," he said.

"When you're in this position, for me, there's no alternative. You've got to go out there and fight and scrap and try and do as well as you possibly can.

"You can't run away from these things and sometimes it happens at this level of sport. You want to win every series you're involved in, but the reality is that's not going to happen. We're playing against a very good Australian side and we've been outplayed.

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"The important thing for us now as a group is to show a bit of character. The reality is the series is gone, but we've got two games to play for. The important thing for us is to make sure we do the right things in Melbourne and if we can do that right then we'll do the right things in Sydney."

Australia's turnaround might seem remarkable since the Lord's Test against England when they lost by 347 runs and were themselves expected to lose 5-0, but Bell hasn't been surprised by their response at home.

"They're a very good side with Darren Lehmann and Michael Clarke leading that camp," he said.

"It doesn't surprise me because, to be honest, in England it was a lot closer than what people gave Australia credit for. But the important thing is we won the key sessions in England and unfortunately we haven't even got close to competing in the key sessions here on this tour, so we're going to have to improve."

* Ian Bell will be writing exclusively throughout the Ashes series for the leading cricket website www.espncricinfo.com

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Big George's brutal Storm initiation

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Big George Rose and the rest of the Storm players - minus the big three of Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater and a handful of others - were given a rugged introduction to Boot Camp Craig Bellamy style last week.

George Rose at Melbourne Storm boot camp. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

The players thought they were headed for a relaxing leadership retreat in Nagambie. Maybe a bit of canoeing, some quiet drinks around the fire and a few guest speakers. In big George's case, maybe a few snags on the barbie would have been nice.

But the reality was a much more brutal surprise as George and the boys climbed steps, were pushed to the limits and were even forced to wash cars.

Shattered players during the 44km walk. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

"They got us a beauty," Storm premiership player Ryan Hinchcliffe said. "They went to great lengths to keep us from knowing the real truth."

Before they knew it, the Storm players, who had already trained at Gosch's Paddock on Wednesday morning, were surrendering their wallets, phones and watches to team officials.

Melbourne Storm boot camp. Kenny Bromwich. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

"I'm not going to lie, it was hard to find out," Hinchliffe said. "I've done one of those camps before, so I knew how hard it would be physically and mentally.

"And to think you're going somewhere else and then it is sprung on you, it did take a couple of hours to sort it out."

Players contest in some milling - 60 seconds of boxing with no high shots. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Limited

It was 3pm on Wednesday when the players were marched out of AAMI Park without being told where they would be walking to or how far.

They soon realised this was no leisurely stroll.

The start of the 44km walk. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

In the middle of the night and a staggering 44km later, they arrived at their destination - the base of the dreaded 1000 steps in the Dandenong Ranges.

"It was real hard - I didn't think walking was so hard, but after 30km everything seizes up," Hinchcliffe said.

First bit of sleep for over 24 hours. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

"Your hamstrings, your back goes on you, you can't straighten your legs or walk properly. All the boys were chafing and had blisters."

It then dawned on them that the destination was only the starting point.

The start of the 44km walk. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

"To get to the 1000 steps and realise we had to go up and down it a few times was very hard," Hinchclfife said.

"When we came down the sun was coming up at 5:30 in the morning and we had been walking for 15 hours.

"It was the hardest thing I have ever done."

Justin O'Neill and Ryan Hinchcliffe clear weeds from a dam. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

After walking to the point of exhaustion and through the day and night, the sleep deprived players were given no respite.

The next two days included army-style obstacle courses in 40-degree heat, milling sessions and even an exercise that involved washing cars at a caryard at 6:45am.

Kenny Bromwich in the holding position as punishment for a lack of attention to detail on the carwash. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

There were also peer evaluation sessions and assigned written tasks.

It was all done to tighten the Storm group with mental toughness the overriding theme of the trip.

Melbourne Storm boot camp. Ryan Hoffman. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

Winger Matt Duffie won the prized award of player of the camp. Winger Justin O'Neill and Kenny Bromwich were not far behind. Rose, judging by the pictures, was luckiest to survive.

"The best thing for me was spending time with the young guys and hearing their stories," Hinchcliffe said.

"On the first night we had to do a speech on ourselves and how we had come to where we are. It was very interesting because while you know your teammates, sometimes you don't really know them.

Players clear weeds from a dam. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

"From that I feel a lot closer to those young guys and we now share that bond."

Hinchcliffe said it was an amazing experience.

Jordan McLean during the car wash. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

"Now you look back on it and you can't believe you did all that," he said.

"There are certainly some good lessons to take out of it.

"Things such as team work and attention to detail. If we can do that, we can do anything."

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Toovey set to re-sign with Manly

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MANLY'S boardroom war has had little impact on Geoff Toovey with the head coach on the verge of extending his future at Brookvale until at least 2016.

The Sea Eagles were hoping to announce the new deal last Friday, but Toovey instead spent this weekend going over the terms of the deal, which will keep him at the club he has already spent a remarkable 24 years with, both as a first grade player and an NRL coach, for at least a further two seasons.

Toovey's new deal will provide the ultimate Christmas cheer for members and fans, who have been stuck in the middle of an ugly boardroom battle for control of the Manly District Football Club.

Coach Geoff Toovey is set to re-sign. Source: News Limited

It was at last Thursday's annual general meeting that Manly chief executive David Perry provided an update on negotiations with Toovey to the football club board, which the members decided to retain at the ballot box.

Despite some discussion within the room that St George Illawarra were interested in Toovey, Perry informed the directors that after two months of negotiations with the head coach, a deal was imminent.

In just his second NRL season at the helm of the Sea Eagles after taking over from Des Hasler, Toovey's nous to steer a battered and bruised Manly side into last year's grand final was respected even by their biggest rivals.

Geoff Toovey holds court at Manly training. Source: News Limited

The performance and character which Toovey drew from his players led rugby league immortal and club legend Bob Fulton to champion the signing of Toovey to an extended deal.

"Everyone is saying that (Michael) Maguire and (Trent) Robinson deserve an upgrade, well, Toovey has had two years at this coaching caper now and Manly have come fourth in his first season, fourth again this year and now they're into the grand final," Fulton said.

"That has to be recognised by keeping him at the club long-term.''

Toovey will head into the 2014 season with a squad not too dissimilar to last season. The biggest challenge facing the Sea Eagles is in the forwards following the departure of Brent Kite, George Rose and Joe Galuvao.

Toovey's new deal will create immediate stability, while also removing him from the pressure-cooker of being one of the few coaches off-contract next season.

Geoff Toovey at the Sydney Academy of Sport, Narrabeen. Source: News Limited

Wests Tigers' Mick Potter, New Zealand Warriors' Matt Elliott, South Sydney's Maguire and Cronulla's Shane Flanagan are all off-contract with their clubs in 2014.

Dragons coach Steve Price is in a unique situation where the club has an option to keep him on board for 2015, or sever ties with the 36-year-old at the end of next season.

A busy and targeted recruitment drive that includes the purchase of England duo Gareth Widdop and Mike Cooper and Canberra pair Joel Thompson and Sam Williams to complement the signing of Josh Dugan last season, has left Price feeling confident his future will be with the Dragons.

Elliott, who in his first season with the Warriors finished 11th, is under immense pressure to make the finals.

New Zealand have not made the finals since the 2011 grand final and a mid-year battle for wins next year could force an early decision on Elliott's ­future from the Warriors' private owners.

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Organised Jets upset Brisbane

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BRISBANE Roar coach Mike Mulvey admitted his table-topping team received a timely wake-up call in losing 2-0 to Newcastle at Suncorp Stadium last night.

The Jets continued their recent dominance over Brisbane and are now unbeaten in their past four matches against the Roar, a run of games that has included three victories.

Despite Brisbane dominating possession, the Jets hung tough and were rewarded for their diligence in recording their fifth A-League win of the season.

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Having grabbed the lead in the 34th minute via an own goal from Roar defender James Donachie, the Jets sealed their win in the dying stages with a goal from substitute Joey Gibbs after some excellent work from the impressive Josh Brillante.

While an ordinary playing surface due to two recent concerts didn't help the Roar's renowned passing game, the hosts lacked composure in front of goal as they lost for the third time this season and for the first time at home since in 11 months.

"I don't think we have to have any losses," Mulvey said.

"What this is, is a wake-up call for us. This is our home ground. We want it to be a fortress. It was up until now."

"We'll take our medicine. We're big enough and ugly enough to deal with that.

"I take full responsibility for the result, and we will fix it on the training paddock, and we will get ready for Sydney on Thursday (at Allianz Stadium)."

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Brisbane had the first chance of the contest in the eighth minute after a brilliant build-up involving more than half of the Roar team.

Working their way from one side of the field to the other, the Roar eventually managed to get behind Brisbane's defence via a Besart Berisha cross which found Ivan Franjic beyond the far post.

Franjic then laid the ball back into the path of midfielder Liam Miller, who seemed certain to score.

But with only Jets goalkeeper Mark Birighitti to beat, Miller failed to hit the target with his shot.

"If that goes in it's a different story because they game with a particular game plan," Mulvey said.

Realising his side's early problems, Jets coach Gary van Egmond changed formation, abandoning his narrow diamond midfield shape and opting for what was in essence a five-man midfield when Brisbane were in possession.

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It worked immediately, with the Roar no longer having space on the flanks to create havoc.

The Jets were able to work their way back into the contest and took the lead in the 34th minute.

Jacob Pepper found Andrew Hoole, who got the better of Brisbane skipper Matt Smith before firing a dangerous low cross across the face of Brisbane's goal.

While the ball didn't reach intended target Adam Taggart, it forced Donachie into an outstretched clearance that ended up in his own net.

It continued Donachie's run of outs against the Jets, with the youngster having gifted Newcastle their winning goal when the two sides met at Hunter Stadium last month.

The Jets continued to absorb pressure before Gibbs ensured the visitors their win with his 87th-minute goal.

"It was a fantastic effort by the players defensively," van Egmond said.

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CA relieved buck stopped with Boof

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AS with any election everything swings on the result. Australian cricket faced the referendum of a home Ashes series and delivered a landslide victory.

All the troubles that had preceded it were instantly muted. Replaced by cheering, victory speeches and the clambering for credit.

The afterglow surrounding Michael Clarke's team has been particularly warm for the improbability of it all. Like Paul Keating's win for the true believers.

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The fault lines in the team are still easily identified but Australia played three superb Test matches that revealed the fundamental difference in nature between the two teams.

England became world-beaters waiting for its opponents to err. The Australian way is to charge and force error.

England trailed in each Test and could never execute its worn strategy. Australia sought to exert scoreboard pressure, relentlessly and furiously, until the English collapsed under the weight.

It was a tactical annihilation playing perfectly to the strengths and obfuscating the weaknesses of the home XI.

In the corridors of power there will have been deep sighs of relief. These past few days have been deliverance. With it comes term and tenure. The catalogue of mistakes left for redundancy rather than retribution.

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On the dramatic day Darren Lehmann was installed as coach, a desperate and bold move in the face of impending wipeout, the jobs of the faceless men were placed in his hands.

Lehmann was fundamentally opposed to the ideology at play in Australian cricket and scrapped the policies those in charge had implemented.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland couldn't help but indulge in the throes of electoral victory the morning after: "It looks like a pretty good decision, doesn't it?" he noted triumphantly.

Indeed it does.

It neatly sheets home all the problems of the past to the previous coach Mickey Arthur. As if he was singularly responsible for the depths to which a dysfunctional setup had sunk.

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Sutherland wasn't replaced when the Argus Report laid bare the shortcomings that had developed on his watch. He was instead entrusted to fix things.

He presided over the hiring of Arthur. The coupling with team performance manager Pat Howard was a flawed union. Two scientifically oriented, process-driven, linear thinkers.

One informed school of thought believes Lehmann was identified as the ideal candidate in the first sweep but declined to participate in what he saw as a beauty pageant for the coaching position.

Cricket Australia didn't persuade or lure him.

But when the emergency chute was pulled three weeks from the northern Ashes, Lehmann was the only consideration because he had been the right man all along.

Lehmann was the complimentary and necessary lateral thinker. The creative force, the visionary, the man who engaged with his players.

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Howard had used Lehmann as a sounding board when both were based in Queensland. The administrator well knew his survival was linked to his capacity to work with the new coach and salvage what they could from the summer.

The old thinking was swept away. Lehmann criticised the rotation policy from the outside and scrapped it without hesitation.

It is hardly a coincidence that fortunes turned in a settled and stable environment.

It neatly mirrors the situation now delivered to Cricket Australia with the core necessity of winning met.

It has breathing space to the business of governing where the challenges are as difficult as they were before. From regenerating the national team to combating the power of India.

It's the beginning of a term that likely stretches beyond the 2015 World Cup and through to the winter Ashes.

The change in circumstance neatly measured through the passage of five months.

The Big Bash League was regrettably launched with a coordinated campaign in the hours following the abject humiliation of a 347-run Lord's defeat. It said everything about CA's skewed priorities and its failure to grasp the collective black mood.

Last night BBL03 commenced as a celebration of cricket rather than the concept responsible for ruining what is held dear. And a nation basks once more in the unifying power of the game.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hales hopes to follow Warner's lead

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AS incoming chairman of selectors James Whitaker surveys England's Ashes wreckage there will be a new temptation to fight fire with fire.

Whitaker, from January 1, will be casting an eye not just for express pace offered by project quick Tymal Mills but also for the box office hits offered by Nottinghamshire and Adelaide Strikers opener Alex Hales.

Hales is plotting to emulate David Warner's all-conquering path from Twenty20 hit-man to Test entertainer. Twenty20's No. 1 ranked international batsman wants more.

Warner - who cut his teeth in the cut and thrust of T20 - has become the prototype for success across all forms.

"He is obviously an incredibly talented player and to adapt as he has done is fantastic. I would love to be able to do the same, I have a lot of hard work to do," said Hales of No. 5 ranked T20 hitter Warner, also with 457 Ashes runs at 91.

Hales, 24, is the odd-man out in the world's top 10 Twenty20 batsmen - still to bed down a Test or one-day berth for England.

The strapping opener broke the 1000-run, first-class barrier for Notts. in 2011 and followed up with 857 in 2012. Hales' first-class form fell away this season but maintains he has the proficiency to succeed across the longer forms.

"I have to keep doing well in the T20 side. I feel I have the technical side, definitely. If it goes well in the Big Bash League for the Strikers and the Indian Premier League, I don't see why not," said Hales, who fell one run short of England's inaugural Twenty20 ton against the West Indies in June last year at home ground Trent Bridge.

"I didn't have a particularly good year for Notts. but this is a new season coming up and a lot of cricket coming up in our winter."

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Standing 195cm, Hales is one England batsman to escape the carnage caused by Mitchell Johnson's 150km/h ferocity this summer.

Hales crashed 94 runs off 61 balls in England's 27-run victory over Australia at Chester-le-Street in August. However, he empathised with the plight of Johnson's 23 Ashes victims in three Tests.

"He has some great rhythm going at the moment. I faced a bit of him in the Twenty20 series, he is bowling exceptionally quick and it is not particularly pleasant," said Hales of spearhead Johnson.

"Johnson has been outstanding, I don't think it is anything poor in the English batting but Johnson has been a class above everyone."

Alastair Cook's Ashes unit is reeling from 3-0 scoreline that has shocked the cricket world.

Reputations and the old England order have been scorched in a Test side that held firm through four years of Ashes rule.

Regardless, Hales predicts England can lift from the canvas in Melbourne's Boxing Day Test and avoid the 5-0 whitewash Andrew Flintoff's side experienced seven years ago.

"I didn't expect it to be this one-sided over here but it looks like the squad is going through a bit of rebuilding with younger guys coming through," said Hales, buoyed by the stunning maiden Test ton of all-rounder Ben Stokes in Perth.

"I knew it would be a lot closer than what it was in England, I don't think 3-0 was a fair reflection last series.

'It is going to be tough but I think they can win if they turn it up at the MCG and hopefully it won't be 5-0."

Hales' stint with Adelaide Strikers is the key springboard to the watershed 2014 he covets. Nottinghamshire will not release Hales for the IPL unless he's guaranteed an auction price exceeding $400,000. While Hales should command a lofty IPL price tag, his value will be influenced by BBL performance as Strikers paceman Kane Richardson found with a $700,000 Pune Warriors payday for a breakout 2012-13 BBL.

"The deal is if I go in the auction I have to go in the top bracket," said Hales.

"It is hugely important with the IPL auction coming up in January. It is a very big tournament for me and I think we have the squad that go could go all the way."

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bird is the word as Stars shine

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THERE were quicker and cheaper wickets, but the Melbourne Stars knew Aaron Finch was their man.

So despite highlights aplenty from their array of heroes, it was a superb diving catch to remove the Renegades skipper that prompted the biggest Stars celebration as they broke their cross-town rival's Big Bash hold in the season-opener at the MCG.

After Finch - who made 178 unbeaten runs in two winning knocks against the Stars last season - skied man-of-the-match Luke Wright to mid-on and Hussey dived to take a superb running catch, the party was on.

The Stars, having been sent in, posted a club-record 7-208, then immediately had the 'Gades on the ropes with three top-order wickets.

Finch blasted his way to 32 before he fell at 44, then English import Jos Buttler and Peter Nevill put on 67 for the fifth wicket.

Luke Wright raises his bat after reaching his fifty. Source: News Limited

But when Jackson Bird picked them up in consecutive balls with the score on 111, the final score of 132 was only academic in a 76-run hiding.

And capping a bad night for the men in red, fast bowler Jayde Herrick strained a side muscle and left the field midway through his third over.

He'll have scans on Saturday, but will likely miss much of the tournament.

Bird, in his first elite-level match since suffering stress fractures to his back in the fourth Ashes Test at Durham in August, was as impressive as he could have been in the slap-and-dash format.

The angular Tasmanian had great shape and bounce in nabbing 4-31, despite Finch having hit him for six over cover on his first ball of the night.

Bird was clearly delighted by his return on the ground on which he made his Test debut last year before taking 11 wickets in his first two matches in the baggy green.

But the match was set up by Wright, who bludgeoned five sixes in his best MCG score of 70 off just 32 balls on an outfield that might never have played with the rope so far inside the fence.

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The only bright light for the Renegades was the ageless Muthiah Muralidaran, who was the proverbial boy with his finger in the dyke, holding back the tide of Stars runs.

The Sri Lankan legend, as his teammates were plundered by merciless batting from Wright, Cam White and Brad Hodge, was rewarded for both his control and reputation.

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White, after holing out for 53 off 38, said the Stars had planned to keep the off-spinner at bay and plunder his mates.

The second part of that plan was successful, but Wright was unable to fulfill his end of the bargain, becoming Murali's victim.

Remarkably, Murali gave up just one score over two - a six by Hodge that just cleared the fence - in his four overs that went for 1-23.

But all the while, the gluttonous Stars feasted at the other end.

It took a couple of overs for Wright and White to find stride, but they blazed away after that, sharing a 95-run opening stand in just 51 balls to set the winning platform.

Wright's form was so spectacular that it prompted some wags to suggest he was the most in-form English batsman in Australia as his countrymen stumble into town having already lost the Ashes.

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22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Leapai plans heavyweight belting

Alex Leapai has announced he wants a chance at the World heavyweight title. He will be fighting next at the Broncos Leagues Club this month against Russian Evgeny Orlov (140kg). Source: News Limited

WORLD heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko says he wants to unify the division for the sake of his family but he hasn't figured on being run over by Logan van driver Alex Leapai.

While Klitschko says he wants to add the WBC belt to the IBF, WBO, WBA and IBO world titles he will defend against Queensland's incredible hulk next year, the 111kg Leapai says the Ukrainian giant shouldn't be getting ahead of himself.

Before chasing any more belts, Klitschko first has to fight Leapai in the most important bout to ever feature an Australian.

"Klitschko's a great champion but after I fight him all his belts will be coming home with me to Brisbane,'' Leapai told The Courier-Mail.

"I'm going to bomb him early and put so much pressure on him he'll think he's surrounded.

"He talks about wanting to win another world title belt for his family - well my family aren't multi-millionaires like his - we've done it tough all our lives and now it's time for me to beat him on behalf of Australia and Samoa.''

Wladimir, 37, and his brother Vitali, 42, have dominated the heavyweight division for 15 years but Vitali this week announced he was relinquishing his WBC championship to pursue another of his dreams, the presidency of Ukraine.

He is currently the country's opposition leader and he and Wladimir, along with Wladimir's fiancee the Hollywood actor Hayden Panettiere, have recently been manning the barricades in Kiev leading angry protests against President Viktor Yanukovych.

Now the 198cm Wladimir, an Olympic gold medallist in 1996, has announced he wants Vitali's WBC belt to add to his collection.

Alex Leapai working hard in the gym. Source: News Limited

"Of course, it is my goal to bring the WBC title back into the Klitschko family," Wladimir said yesterday.

The last heavyweight to hold all the major world titles was Britain's Lennox Lewis in 2000.

Canada's Bermane Stiverne and Americans Chris Arreola and Deontay Wilder are the top contenders to fight for the vacant WBC crown with Klitschko eyeing the winner.

But Leapai, who is a delivery driver away from boxing, says the world champ is getting ahead of himself.

"Klitschko can make all the plans he wants,'' Leapai said. "But he better plan on getting hurt against me because I believe I have the style to stop him.

"People have written me off all my life but I am going to shock the world - and Wladimir Klitschko.''

Leapai's trainer/manager Noel Thornberry, who is locked in negotiations with Klitschko's representatives over a purse that will pay Leapai seven figures, says he's happy Klitschko is looking past the Leapai fight that is due to take place next April or May at a venue to be decided.

"If Wladimir dismisses Alex he will pay a very heavy price,'' Thornberry said.

"I've always believed Alex was a good chance to knock out Klitschko. He's been a world champion for a long time and he's hard to dislodge but pure punchers like Alex give him hell. I don't think Wladimir has a great chin and he absolutely hates pressure.

"Lamon Brewster who is 10kg lighter than Alex knocked Wladimir out, Sam Peter had him down and almost out.

"We will be going into this fight very confident.''

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Kewell gives Melbourne their Heart

Melbourne's Harry Kewell battles for possession with Sydney's Joel Chianese. Picture Gregg Porteous Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

LEFT-BACK Aziz Behich has revealed that Harry Kewell's ability on the ball will give him and his Melbourne Heart teammates the confidence to take risks in tomorrow's derby at AAMI Park.

Kewell is set to start his first game since the Round 1 derby having come off the bench in the last two weeks after missing seven games with whiplash and an ankle injury.

Heart is desperate for a win with pressure mounting on coach John Aloisi whose team is winless and bottom of the table with the board expecting the team to play ``deep into the finals''.

But Behich, an attacking left-back who barely got forward in the opening round derby draw at Etihad Stadium and has had an under-par season, said he can be more adventurous when the ball is at his captain's feet.

"When he's got the ball he's capable of producing anything, hopefully on the weekend he can show a lot of that,'' Behich said.

``If he's looking one way without you even realising he knows where you are and can spot you out.

``He gets into good positions, little pockets and the balls he plays forward are very dangerous for the opposition to defend.

``Just with his experience and leadership on the park, when he's got the ball he's confident and obviously we know what he can do.

``I try to pick my times when to get forward, I try to feel the right moments to go forward. As the weeks have gone on, it's been easier with the flow of the game and keeping the ball allows me to get more forward.''

Behich, a former Victory player who joined Heart in season one, said the players are up for tomorrow's game.

He said the return of Kewell and striker Dylan Macallister has added an edge to training.

``The players are pretty confident because we do always perform well in the derby, it's a game our team has always been up for and it won't be any different,'' he said.

``We analysed the Sydney game and what we could do better, it's a different game plan playing Victory and hopefully we can turn it around.

``It is very important (to get some wins on the board over the festive period), we're 10 games in now and it's something we've looked at and what better way to start than derby.

``There's positive signs with Harry back and Dylan back training, bit more competitive at training now for spots.''

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More