Faulkner thrives on Stokes rivalry

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JAMES Faulkner won't back down from an Australia Day joust with England rival Ben Stokes as the spicy battle of the all-rounders continues in Adelaide.

Faulkner and Stokes are two peas in a pod - ultra competitive characters on the rise who will give opponents a spray in the heat of battle.

Man-of-the-match Stokes' pointed send off after claiming Faulkner in Perth was the latest in ongoing banter between the pair.

"We play pretty similar sort of cricket and style. That is what it is, it's professional cricket," said Faulkner, who demoralised England in game two at the Gabba with an unconquered, match-winning 69.

"At times you step over the line and say things you probably shouldn't. I suppose that is the game and it is good to see some passion."

"He has been impressive all summer, is a very good player and has a bright future."

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Faulkner, 23, promised Australia would hit back hard against the Old Enemy on the national day of celebration - wanting a 4-1, one-day series win.

"I have never been privileged to play on Australia Day and you have to perform," said Faulkner, averaging 47 with the bat after 23 one-day starts for Australia.

"It is a special day, I am expecting a big crowd. Hopefully we can put on a good show for the country."

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Boof to Maxwell: Pull your head in

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FRUSTRATED Australian coach Darren Lehmann has ordered Glenn "Big Show" Maxwell to pull his head in but defended Phil Hughes' South Africa tour snub.

Australia's nine-game hold over England was broken with a 57-run loss in the one-dayer in Perth on Friday night. Maxwell's shot selection and Mitchell Johnson's (0-72) first bad match of the summer were areas of concern.

Lehmann put a rocket up Maxwell, wanting the all-rounder to follow the improved temperament of opener Aaron Finch (108) ahead of the fifth and final ODI in Adelaide today, when skipper Michael Clarke and Shane Watson return.

"It was disappointing to lose 5-50. Maxwell has to finish those games off for us," Lehmann said.

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Maxwell's crude swipe at a Ben Stokes delivery, with Australia needing 95 runs for a 10th straight international win over England, most irked Lehmann.

It followed Maxwell's mid-wicket slog in Brisbane with only James Faulkner's undefeated 69 saving the team.

"He is a batting all-rounder but has to show the responsibility to bat at No.6. We know he has the flair and excitement, and love that about him, but we want him to understand the game better," the coach said.

Johnson will be rested, with Lehmann wanting the pace ace fresh and firing ahead of the three-Test tour of South Africa.

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"He had a disappointing night and he admits that, so you get back to the drawing board and get him right for South Africa," Lehmann said of Johnson, whose form dip coincided with shaving his famous moustache.

"He's very important, got 37 wickets at 14 against England (in the Tests). We have to make sure he is right on the money and on the plane."

Left-hander Hughes controversially missed out on the 15-man squad to visit the Rainbow Nation, with Shaun Marsh and Alex Doolan preferred.

Lehmann said it was important to inform Hughes why he wasn't selected, despite having cracked 549 Sheffield Shield runs at 61, compared with Western Australian Marsh's 248 at 31 and Tasmanian Doolan's 391 at 39.

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"I had a good chat the other night in Sydney with Phil and that is a conversation that will stay between him and me," said Lehmann, adding Shield form "very much" still counted.

"He is making runs and that is all he can do."

However, Lehmann conceded pressure was now "very much" on uncapped Doolan and seven-Test batsman Marsh, 30, to excel in South Africa.

"Shaun gets a chance. He or Alex will bat at No.3 or No.6, so it is a good chance to stake their claims," Lehmann said.

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Open losses drove Li Na to redemption

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LI Na wanted this, really wanted it.

After she was Australian Open runner-up in 2011 and 2013, winning last night's final against Dominika Cibulkova had been a long time in the making, in contrast to her breakthrough grand slam title at Roland Garros three years ago.

"I prepare this one for already two weeks, every round, every day I was think about what I should do," Li said.

"I prepare if I play semis what I should do, if I play final what I should do, because I already have twice in the final up here.

"In the French I was feeling I just go for it. I didn't think about win or lose. But this one, I really wish I can doing well. And also maybe you guys didn't know how hard I was working for the mentally to make this one."

China's Li Na shares a light moment with Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkova. Picture: Saeed Khan. Source: AFP

The 31-year-old was pleased the Melbourne monkey was finally off her back.

"At least, you know, I make it, not like last two times, you know, always feeling one more step," she said.

"This time I really, so proud myself."

Coach Carlos Rodriguez said it would take a while for the victory to sink in.

"I don't realise yet, I think, I"m too much into it, maybe tomorrow," Rodriguez said.

"I really congratulate her."

Li's fellow players were in raptures on Twitter over her 7-6 (7-3), 6-0 win and her acceptance speech in which she thanked her coach for "always believing in me", agent Max Eisenbud for making "me rich", and husband Jiang Shan, "you a nice guy".

Even her opponent agreed she was a popular winner.

"I have to say she's one of the nicest players on tour," Cibulkova said.

"I really like her. I think everybody likes her sense of humor. She's a great player and a great champion."

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Cibulkova revealed she had only spoken to her parents in Slovakia via text over the past fortnight because she didn't call them after winning her first-round match and they were superstitious.

Neither parent could even bring themselves to watch the final on TV.

"My dad, he's too nervous to watch it but he was awake, for sure. My mum, she always watch the match after when they show it again," she said.

Cibulkova said it remained to be seen how her life might be different when she returned home, but she had changed markedly after her first appearance in a major final.

The 24-year-old now believes she can win a grand slam, starting with the French Open in May.

"I feel like my game is there to challenge the biggest names, you know, to beat them, so why not?" she said.

"Now I know I'm 100 per cent sure I can do it. I get so much confidence from this tournament."

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Mata flies in for Man U medical

Midas touch ... Chelsea have accepted an offer worth around 37 million pounds for midfielder Juan Mata to transfer to Manchester United. Picture: Olly Greenwood Source: OLLY GREENWOOD / AFP

SPANISH midfielder Juan Mata flew in to Manchester by helicopter on Saturday to complete his transfer to Manchester United, the Premier League champions announced.

United confirmed on Friday that they have agreed a deal to sign the 25-year-old from Chelsea for a "club-record fee", with media reports claiming he will cost 37 million pounds ($70 million).

The deal is subject to the completion of a medical examination and agreement over personal terms.

Photographs published on United's Twitter account on Saturday showed Mata, wearing a white shirt and grey blazer, greeting United manager David Moyes at the club's Carrington training complex.

"Juan Mata has arrived at the Aon Training Complex to begin his medical," the club said on Twitter.

The deal is set to eclipse the 30.75 million pound ($59 million) that United paid Tottenham Hotspur in 2008 to sign Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov.

Mata joined Chelsea from Valencia in 2011 and was voted the club's player of the year in his first two seasons, but he has fallen out of favour since Jose Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge as manager last year.

Pending the completion of the transfer, Mata is expected to go straight into the squad for United's home game against Cardiff City in the league on Tuesday.

His signing reflects Moyes's eagerness to arrest a startling decline in United's fortunes since the Scot succeeded Alex Ferguson as manager at the end of last season.

Meanwhile, reports in the British media on Saturday claimed that United have opened talks with striker Wayne Rooney over a new contract.

The 28-year-old England striker has 18 months remaining on his current deal and was the subject of two unsuccessful bids from Chelsea during the close season.

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Blue hoo Keary cries Maroon tears

Luke Keary during warm up for South Sydney Rabbitohs training. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

RISING South Sydney star Luke Keary is so desperate to wear Maroon and not be forced to play for NSW that he has requested a meeting with NRL head of football Todd Greenberg.

Greenberg told The Courier-Mail that he was willing to listen to Keary's plea to reverse the ARL Commission's eligibility ruling because the young halfback's case was so unique.

Keary was born and raised in Ipswich until he was 10, even started his junior football career in the region, but then moved to Sydney where he continued to rise through the school and junior ranks to become the budding superstar he is today.

Under the ARLC eligibility criteria Keary answers four questions NSW and only one for Queensland which is why he was deemed to be a Blue by the game's powerbrokers.

Maroons coach Mal Meninga is fully supportive of Keary's desire to represent Queensland, particularly after the likes of Rabbitohs Greg Inglis and Michael Crocker pushed his credentials as a star of the future last season.

But Greenberg understands Keary's case is complex and that is why he has accepted a request to meet the player to discuss the situation.

Luke Keary during warm up for South Sydney Rabbitohs training at Redfern Oval. Source: News Limited

The meeting won't result in an immediate overruling, but Greenberg said it would at least allow him to understand the reasoning behind the 21-year-old's desire and perhaps lead to an appeal hearing.

"I'm not sure if it's an appeal as such. He asked us to have a look at his situation which we confirmed back to him that we saw it as he is a NSW player," Greenberg said.

"He has asked to catch up with me personally to talk through it which I'm happy to do.

"Whether that goes to a more formal request I'm not sure but I'm certainly going to catch up with him in the next couple of weeks.

"It's never a perfect system because people have rights of birth and where they play their football, but that decision was undertaken and conveyed back to him.

"But if he has asked for that meeting I'm certainly happy to talk him through the issues."

Discussion of Keary's Origin potential might be scoffed by some, especially as the kid has only just broken into first grade, but settling the argument now is the best result considering it may not be too long before he becomes a genuine selection chance.

Luke Keary and Adam Reynolds. Source: News Limited

Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire said Keary was already forcing his way into South Sydney's starting side for next season, forcing John Sutton into a likely move to the forward pack so he can partner Adam Reynolds in the halves.

Maguire said he's been impressed by Keary's preseason efforts and was excited about seeing him perform in the NRL trials.

"He has been excellent. He has had a really good preseason and I'm looking forward to seeing where he it takes him, he is a good player Luke," Maguire said.

Told Keary was already at the heart of an Origin fight Maguire was keen to see the youngster remain a Blue.

"I haven't spoken to him, but being a New South Welshman he would be handy in a NSW jersey," he said.

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Nofoaluma's inspiration to succeed

David Nofoaluma scores for the Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium. Source: News Limited

DAVID Nofoaluma knows how lucky he is.

Raised without the presence of his mother or father, it was his grandparents Sisifo and Lyn Nofoaluma who raised the Wests Tigers flyer.

A product of his environment, Nofoaluma credits his grandfather as his inspiration to achieve his dreams of becoming an NRL star.

"I grew up with my grandparents so my grandad got me into (rugby league)," Nofoaluma says.

"My mum couldn't really support me so she thought the best thing to do was to give me to my grandparents to look after me.

"My grandad took me to my games and drove me. He was the one that really got me into it. I could see that he must have seen that I was going well and I noticed that as I was playing through (the grades) and kept my focus on the game of footy, loved it and enjoyed it every time I played.

"I'm actually grateful for that because if I wasn't staying with (my grandparents) and they didn't raise me I guess I wouldn't be where I am today."

Raised in Campbelltown, David is a Magpies junior and spent his junior career climbing his way up the ranks at the Tigers.

Rarely missing a game at Campbelltown Stadium, it was Sisifo who would drive David to training in his Ford Falcon until the speedster turned 18 and got his first car.

It is a sentiment not lost on the 20-year-old who grew up supporting the club he is now a star of.

Screen grab of Wests Tigers winger David Nofoaluma's miracle try against Manly at Campbelltown Stadium. Credit: Fox Sports Source: Supplied

Since making his debut last season, Nofoaluma wasted no time in making a name for himself.

He caught the attention of sporting fans worldwide for an acrobatic try he scored against Manly.

Leaping for a Benji Marshall cross-field bomb, Nofoaluma caught the ball in the air before being hit by Jorge Taufua and despite his body dangling over the touch line, the winger was able to place the ball in the field of play. It was awarded the Dally M Try of the Year.

With teams well aware of what the youngster can produce, Nofoaluma says his goal this season is to play with consistency.

Natalie Keys and David Nofoaluma at the 2013 Dally M Awards held at the Star in Pyrmont. Source: News Limited

"Being my first year getting try of the year and my second game I got the match-winning try - I have to back it up next season," he said.

"I'm not saying I have to do anything spectacular but I have to be a better player."

Having already increased his speed and strength during the off-season, the Junior Kangaroo knows with the return of Pat Richards, rivalry for spots is going to be fierce.

But rather than look at the veteran winger as competition, Nofoaluma sees him more as a role model - taking any opportunity to learn from him.

"There's a lot you can learn from his experience just by the way he trains and the little things he does," he said.

"The coaches told me to watch him at training … his preparation and always on the spot, switched on at every session and doing the little things right. Because he shows that I have to step up because he is the more experienced player."

Teenage David Nofoaluma in NSW state of origin 18's and NSW Combined Catholic Colleges. Source: News Limited

And while Nofoaluma credits the likes of Robbie Farah and Mick Potter as being his mentors at the Tigers, his grandfather will always be his greatest advisor.

Sisifo may have traded the drive to training for regular phone calls to provide some calming advice - all the miles and petrol have proved to be well worth it.

"I'm proud to know that I have made him proud," he said of his grandfather.

"All the times he has taken me to training has paid off."

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Putin, you're out of touch

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SOCHI-bound Australian Winter Olympian Belle Brockhoff says she plans to send a strong, unambiguous message to Russian President Vladimir Putin that she disapproves of Russia's anti-gays laws.

The 21-year-old Victorian snowboard cross rider is the only openly gay athlete on the 56-strong Australian Winter Olympic team.

She has vowed to make her views known before, after and possibly even during her snowboard cross event on Sunday, February 16.

"It's the perfect opportunity to send a message," Brockhoff said.

"The Australian Olympic Committee has been really supportive and they want me to be safe. They don't recommend me waving a [rainbow] flag around which I won't do.

"The most I'll do is hold up six fingers to represent Principle Six. Possibly I'll do it on camera here or there, and maybe after the heats of my event."

Russian President Vladimir Putin talks of his personal feelings towards gay people and welcomes any chance to chat with Elton John. Courtesy: BBC

Principle Six is one of seven Fundamental Principles of Olympism on the Olympic Charter. It states:

"Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement."

Two anti-discrimination nonprofit groups have together created the website principle6.org, and Belle Brockhoff appears on the homepage.

The site's organisers are hoping that straight athletes join the six-fingered salute as a show of solidarity.

Brockhoff says she'll do limited interviews before her event, but afterwards will talk to as many people as possible in order to convey her anger towards President Putin.

"After I compete, I'm willing to rip on his ass," she said.

"I'm not happy and there's a bunch of other Olympians who are not happy either."

Brockhoff is one of Australia's best medal hopes in Sochi, and carries a rich snowsports bloodline.

Belle Brockhoff flies through the air, displaying the form that earned her a place on the plane to Sochi. Source: News Limited

Her uncle, Peter Brockhoff competed in Alpine Skiing at the 1960 and 1964 Winter Olympics, while her grandfather Harold Brockhoff was one of the original pioneers of Mt Buller.

Her great aunt, Joyce Brockhoff has a ski hut and a run named in her honour at Mt Hotham in recognition of her work promoting the place of women in snow sport

The run is extremely steep and gnarly, which is exactly how Belle Brockhoff likes her racecourses.

Brockhoff has suffered at least five serious falls in just two seasons on the snowboard cross World Cup circuit. In the latest, in Andorra, she slammed her head on the snow and suffered concussion.

But she's stood on a World Cup podium, which means her best is definitely good enough for an Olympic medal.

"I like going fast," she says. "I love hitting jumps, love pinning it. My advantage above most of the girls is not having fear of the course. I am hardly ever scared before hitting the course."

She's clearly not scared of airing her views either, and whatever happens on snow, Belle Brockhoff is certain to be one of the most in-demand athletes from any country in Sochi.

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UCI chief: Comeback possible

Lance Armstrong has been encouraged to tell all if he wants any leniency on his lifetime ban. Source: News Limited

DRUG cheat Lance Armstrong may have his lifetime cycling ban overturned if he co-operates with an independent investigation into the sport's sordid past.

Brian Cookson, president of the UCI, yesterday confirmed he would shortly announce "terms and conditions" that could see riders like Armstrong have their life ban from the sport lifted in return for helpoing investigators.

"I think there will be the possibility of a reduction but the commission will have to make an assessment of that on a case-by-case basis," Cookson said.

"It all depends on what information Lance has and what he's able to reveal. That's not going to be in my hands, he's been sanctioned by USADA and they would have to agree to any reduction in his sanction based on the validity and strength of the information he provided.

"If they're happy, if WADA are happy, then I'll be happy."

Cookson declined to comment on individual cases, but when asked about high-profile Australian Stuart O'Grady who retired last year and confessed to using EPO before the 1998 Tour de France but is adamant he never did so again, urged everyone to tell the truth.

"I would encourage everyone to tell all of the truth, if you tell the partial truth - and I'm not saying that anyone is doing - the thing about the truth is that it comes out in the end," Cookson said.

"It might be six months, 10 years, a generation, but it comes out in the end, so it's better and less painful for everyone I believe if people tell the truth and all of the truth and I would encourage everybody to do that."

He the commission's investigation into the sport's dark past could see more bloodletting by way of revealing more riders who doped in the past.

"It's a little bit too early to say, I want the commissioners to feel that they own the process and they don't have an interference from me or anyone at the UCI," he said.

"I don't rule out anything really, there may well be more revelations, but it will hold its hearings in private, it will gather evidence in private, but it will publish a report at the end of that.

"Ultimately I'm sure we'll learn some interesting things from the past."

Cookson said the commission would investigate the "problems and reputational damage" that doping had done to the sport.

"If we can't have a sport in which a family can bring their children, and those kids can go all the way to the top of their sport without having to cheat, without having to lie about their cheating, without having to take substances that might damage their long-term health, and without having to spend the rest of their lives looking over their shoulder ...

"If we can't do that, then we failed as administrators of our sport.

"Don't tell me that other sports have got problems, that's not my job, I care about our sport and if sport doesn't have integrity it's a circus and we have to give our sport back its integrity."

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Schu's family told hopes are fading

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DOCTORS have warned Michael Schumacher's family that he may be in a permanent vegetative state but his loved ones say they won't give up hope.

The F1 champion, 45, may be suffering from Apallic Syndrome, a diagnosis that can't be verified until months after an injury. He has been in a coma for four weeks now.

People with the condition show responses like anger, hunger or pleasure but not the same way or in response to the same things that they would if they were awake.

Michael Schumacher was injured in a skiing accident on December 29, 2013 in the French ski resort of Meribel. Picture: AFP

Holding on with hope ... Corinna Schumacher, the wife of German Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, arriving at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre with French surgeon professor Gerard Saillant to visit her husband. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

Dr Colin Shieff, neurosurgeon at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in central London, told the Mirror that the Schumacher family should be prepared for that potential diagnosis.

"In my own professional personal experience it would be too early to put any such label on Michael Schumacher, but it is correct for doctors to warn his family at this stage - and it is absolutely horrible for doctors to watch," he said. "There are situations worse than dying from an injury."

Michael Schumacher's father Rolf, left, and brother Ralf arrive at Grenoble Hospital. Picture: AP Source: AP

Schumacher's wife Corinna, 44, said they family continued to hope for the best.

"We all know: he is a fighter and will not give up!" she said.

The family released a statement saying the level of support they had received had helped them in their darkest hours,

"We are deeply moved that there is no let up in the good wishes for Michael from around the world. That gives us strength. Thank you all of you!"

View of the French Alps ski resort of Meribel, and the rocks between the slopes where former seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher injured his head during a ski accident. Picture: AP Source: AP

Doctors, and undoubtedly Schumacher's family by now, know that the longer he remains unresponsive the less likely it is that he will pull through unscathed.

Jean-Marc Orgogozo, professor of neurology at the University of Bordeaux, said: "Every day, every week in a coma the chances decline that the situation is improving."

Grenoble's University Hospital Centre in the French Alps, where retired seven-time German Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher remains in a coma. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

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Perth should be Poms' best chance

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ENGLAND arrived as the Urinaters and will leave as the Capitulaters.

Now Australia is taking the piss.

If the bewildered Poms can't beat this second string Australian side being rolled out in Perth on Friday then the mercy rule should apply for the Australia Day clash in Adelaide on Sunday.

Australia should play Australia A for some decent competition because this is basically an Australia A side anyway.

Shane Watson was already resting from the team which beat England in Sydney last Sunday to claim the one-day series 3-0 after a 5-0 Ashes whitewash.

Joining Watson with their feet up are captain Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin and David Warner.

While Clarke and Watson will play the final match in Adelaide, where Australia is a chance to be searching for a 10-0 super-sweep, Warner and Haddin have been given the rest of the one-day series off.

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Such is the lack of experience in Australia's cobbled together team that Mitchell Johnson is vice-captain and will lead the side if George Bailey's hip problem does not heal itself in time.

How remarkable, Johnson could go from missing the Ashes tour to leading his country out in his adopted home town of Perth in little more than six months.

The butt of Barmy Army ditties on the 2009 Ashes tour has hammered England in body and mind and has no intention of easing up.

Winner of the Allan Border Medal on Monday night, Johnson says his side will be trying to secure a 5-0 clean sweep of the series.

"England have destroyed us in the past," Johnson said. "We've been asked if we feel sorry for them, and we've all said no because of that reason.

"Hopefully we can win this one-day series 5-0 as well, and send them home without a victory against us."

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There is even a chance of a 13-0 score line, with three Twenty20 matches to follow the one-dayers, which would be England's ultimate humiliation.

Almost all of Australia's leading players will be heading for South Africa for next month's three-Test series.

Most of the squad leaves next Wednesday, the same day as the first T20 match against England in Hobart.

Playing his first one-dayer in more than a year, Steve Smith is also talking 5-0 and claims Australia deserves the mantle of No.1 one-day team in the world.

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Australia will displace India from the No.1 spot a year out from the World Cup if the Indians do not win their current series against New Zealand, despite the Aussies losing the recent series in India 3-2.

"That's our aim as a team, to be No.1 in the world in all three forms and that would be ticking off one of those boxes," Smith said in Perth on Wednesday.

"If that happens hopefully we can carry on in the other two formats to keep improving.''

Smith was part of the unchanged Test XI that won the Ashes 5-0 and is now focused on extending that domination over England

"I think it would be nice. To win 5-0 would be amazing,'' Smith said.

"It would be great to end the series that way."

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