Shield batsmen at record low ebb

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Ricky Ponting topped the run-scoring charts for the 2012-13 Shield season. Source:AAP

IF anyone needed more proof of the declining standard of batsmen in Australian cricket, look no further.

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After Australia's capitulation in the second Ashes Test at Lord's, serious questions were asked about the calibre of willow-wielders being produced by this country.

A quick look at the numbers from the last 10 Sheffield Shield seasons paints an extremely disturbing picture of the trend in Aussie cricket.

Legendary batsmen such as Greg Chappell - who is also Cricket Australia's national talent manager - have been lining up to lament the lack of domestic batting depth, and the numbers back this up emphatically.

Statistics provided by Fox Sports Stats show the total number of runs scored in a Sheffield Shield season has dived dramatically over the past 10 years.

The last three years have been particularly worrying, with the total runs scored in each of the past three seasons well below the average of the last decade, with the 2012-2013 season the lowest-scoring season during this period.

The national batting average in the Shield has also dropped significantly, down from a high of 35.71 10 years ago to a paltry 26.10 last season.

State talent manager at Cricket NSW, David Freedman, believes simply blaming Twenty20 cricket for Australia's batting woes is too simplistic.

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Check out the table at the bottom of the page to see how the runs have dried up in Sheffield Shield over the past decade.

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"I don't think there's any one answer to the question, I think it's a combination of a lot of factors," Freedman said. "Definitely the pitches in first-class cricket over recent times have been too heavily in favour of the bowlers in my opinion.

"It's very easy to blame Twenty20 cricket, but I think it's more about the scheduling of the Big Bash as opposed to the actual format itself.

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"All countries play T20 cricket, the good players can adapt between it.

"I just think that big chunk of time out of the first-class season, where the guys aren't getting red ball cricket has an impact."

Even those who are topping the run-scoring charts pale in comparison to their counterparts from the 2000s.

The record for most runs in a Sheffield Shield season was broken three times from 2003 to 2008, by Michael Bevan, Matthew Elliott and Simon Katich respectively, with Katich holding the current record through his 1506 runs at the Bradman-esque average of 94.12 in 2007-08.

Compare that to the last three seasons, where nobody has been able to break the magical 1000-run mark - and the fact the top run-scorer in 2012-13 was retired Test great Ricky Ponting - and the dearth of genuine Test batsmen emerging in Australia is painfully apparent.

LAST 10 SHEFFIELD SHIELD SEASONS
SEASON	INNS	NO	RUNS	AVG
2012-13	1,174	149	26,751	26.10
2011-12	1,137	150	28,680	29.06
2010-11	1,130	146	27,553	28.00
2009-10	1,081	148	30,289	32.46
2008-09	1,120	158	29,861	31.04
2007-08	1,120	156	30,828	31.98
2006-07	1,155	159	31,210	31.34
2005-06	1,109	148	30,692	31.94
2004-05	1,188	148	30,903	29.71
2003-04	1,127	161	34,496	35.71
AVERAGE	1,134	152	30,126	30.68
Fox Sports Stats 2013

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Ford edges out Erebus V8 trio

Reynolds topped the times at Ipswich, heading a trio of Mercedes. Source: Mark Horsburgh / AAP

DAVID Reynolds stopped Mercedes from scoring a shock practice result yesterday with the Ford up-and-comer blasting a 1m09.59s-lap to end a spectacular three prong attack from the V8 newcomers.

With the Ipswich 360 kicking off with two 75 minute practice sessions, Reynolds came home strong with new rubber to announce his weekend intentions as Erebus Motorsport rose from the ashes with a trio of quick times.

Belted so far this season as they come to terms with their all-new machines, the upstart Mercedes outfit showed they are firmly on the rise with Tim Slade, Lee Holdsworth and Maro Engel stealing the next three places on the timesheets behind Reynolds.

The team owned by billionaire Westfiled's heiress Betty Saunders-Klimenko charged through the second session with new soft tyres and were only denied a practice sweep by Reynolds' last ditch charge.

The solid pace has given the team validation of their efforts as they try to match the big guns of the sport in the V8 arms race.

"It was a very good day for us," second-placed Slade said.

"We actually put on a fresh set of tyres at the end and went slower so we have a bit of work to do tonight. We need to work out what that was but we can also look at it as being a good thing because our old tyres were fast.

"I guess we have been in the top ten in the last couple of races and this weekend there is no reason why we shouldn't be there again. We tested here last week and it was very productive. I don't want to predict to much but it would be nice to carry on with our form and even go better."

Holdsworth was equally confident of carrying his practice speed into today's race and end his poor run of results.

"I am confident of getting into the top ten," Holdsworth said.

"I was confident of getting in the top ten at the last couple of rounds. We have gained some speed and the team has put a lot of hard work in to get these gains. I haven't been able to put it all together and get the right set-up for qualifying and it has hurt.

"I need to improve there and not get caught up in trouble."

With the likes of Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes failing to fire a genuine shot, Reynolds found the top of the leader board and is hoping to convert his practice pace into the first race victory of his career.

"Hopefully I can get that win," Reynolds said.

"I had a pretty good car in Townsville on the Sunday but didn't have the strategy of HRT. I have missed a couple of opportunities but we are always trying and always trying new things. I want to win races but we just haven't got there yet."

Reynolds admitted his practice speed was thanks to tyres he saved in Townsville when he did not finish.

"100 percent of the speed today was from that," Reynolds said.

"We saved our soft tyres from the Sunday race and we knew we would be quick here."

Lowndes claimed he had a good car despite finishing back in 20th place.

"It's been an interesting day," Lowndes said.

"We actually used three sets of tyres. We used the hard set to begin with, we had two other sets which were soft. We went through our normal program changing things.

"The car actually changed more in balance in the tyre life, than what it did instead of the car setup. But all in all, not too bad. The car balance in the end wasn't too bad, we just didn't have the grip level in the tyre to match it, so we're not too concerned at this stage, but of course sitting at 20th is never a good feeling.

"Tomorrow we've got an opportunity to make amends for it. The guys at the top of the tree were using brand new sets of tyres, which we will probably opt to tomorrow to see where we are, but other than that I'm pretty happy."

The V8s have one final practice session at 10:15am EST, followed by qualifying at 1:30pm ahead of the weekend's first race at 3:40pm.

  TIMES - V8 Supercars, Queensland Raceway - Practice 1 (75 min)  

  Pos Driver                Car          Time       Gap1   Tim Slade             Erebus       1:10.2188  2   Lee Holdsworth        Erebus       1:10.2755  0:00.05673   Scott Pye             Holden       1:10.3553  0:00.13654   Will Davison          Ford         1:10.3923  0:00.17355   James Courtney        Holden       1:10.4162  0:00.19746   Jamie Whincup         Holden       1:10.4737  0:00.25497   Scott McLaughlin      Holden       1:10.4829  0:00.26418   Mark Winterbottom     Ford         1:10.4845  0:00.26579   Alex Premat           Holden       1:10.6321  0:00.413310  David Wall            Holden       1:10.6333  0:00.414511  Jason Bright          Holden       1:10.6776  0:00.458812  Fabian Coulthard      Holden       1:10.6963  0:00.477513  Jonathon Webb         Holden       1:10.8027  0:00.583914  David Reynolds        Ford         1:10.8029  0:00.584115  Rick Kelly            Nissan       1:10.8657  0:00.646916  Craig Lowndes         Holden       1:10.8811  0:00.662317  Dean Fiore            Holden       1:10.9380  0:00.719218  Chaz Mostert          Ford         1:10.9754  0:00.756619  Russell Ingall        Holden       1:10.1342  0:00.915420  Maro Engel            Erebus       1:11.3408  0:01.122021  Garth Tander          Holden       1:11.4409  0:01.222122  Tony D'Alberto        Holden       1:11.5097  0:01.290923  Alex Davison          Ford         1:11.5379  0:01.319124  Tim Blanchard         Ford         1:11.7064  0:01.487625  Todd Kelly            Nissan       1:11.8734  0:01.654626  James Moffat          Nissan       1:11.9802  0:01.761427  Michael Caruso        Nissan       1:12.2492  0:02.030428  Shane van Gisbergen   Holden       1:14.7827  0:04.5639  

  TIMES - V8 Supercars, Queensland Raceway - Practice 2 (75 min)  

  Pos Driver                Car          Time       Gap1   David Reynolds        Ford         1:09.59262   Lee Holdsworth        Erebus       1:09.6531  0:00.06053   Tim Slade             Erebus       1:09.7750  0:00.18244   Maro Engel            Erebus       1:09.8239  0:00.23135   Fabian Coulthard      Holden       1:09.8833  0:00.29076   David Wall            Holden       1:10.0002  0:00.40767   Will Davison          Ford         1:10.0415  0:00.44898   Jason Bright          Holden       1:10.0416  0:00.44909   Alex Davison          Ford         1:10.1011  0:00.508510  Chaz Mostert          Ford         1:10.1296  0:00.537011  Mark Winterbottom     Ford         1:10.2008  0:00.608212  Alex Premat           Holden       1:10.2155  0:00.622913  Jamie Whincup         Holden       1:10.2296  0:00.637014  James Moffat          Nissan       1:10.2585  0:00.665915  James Courtney        Holden       1:10.2772  0:00.684916  Dean Fiore            Holden       1:10.3114  0:00.718817  Scott McLaughlin      Holden       1:10.3379  0:00.745318  Russell Ingall        Holden       1:10.3440  0:00.751419  Garth Tander          Holden       1:10.3776  0:00.785020  Craig Lowndes         Holden       1:10.4117  0:00.819121  Scott Pye             Holden       1:10.5094  0:00.916822  Rick Kelly            Nissan       1:10.5228  0:00.930223  Michael Caruso        Nissan       1:10.5336  0:00.941024  Todd Kelly            Nissan       1:10.5507  0:00.958125  Shane van Gisbergen   Holden       1:10.7810  0:01.188426  Tim Blanchard         Ford         1:10.8247  0:01.232127  Jonathon Webb         Holden       1:10.9219  0:01.329328  Tony D'Alberto        Holden       1:11.0157  0:01.4231  

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Re-live all the action of the Coates Hire 360 in stunning HD, Sat-Sun at 7:30pm EST on SPEED.

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No joy for Sydney's biggest punter

Eddie Hayson ... could be banned from gambling on all sports in Australia. Source: Stephen Cooper / News Limited

SYDNEY'S biggest punter, Eddie Hayson, is one step away from being banned from betting on any sport in Australia if he refuses to answer questions from racing stewards over his involvement in the controversial More Joyous affair.

Racing NSW issued Hayson with a "show-cause" why he should not be warned off racetracks after the high profile punter and brothel owner has repeatedly refused to reveal the identities of two sources he said provided information about More Joyous's fitness prior to her poor run in the All Aged Stakes at Randwick on April 27.

Hayson has previously informed Racing NSW Stewards that one of those persons had a connection to the stables of Gai Waterhouse, the trainer of More Joyous.

The consequences of being warned off include not being permitted to enter any racecourse or training facility anywhere in the world, not be able to bet on any thoroughbred horse race or place a bet with a wagering operator.

If Hayson is warned off, then this effectively means he cannot place a bet through the TAB or licensed bookmakers.

Hayson is a huge gambler, mainly on horse racing and NRL games, and the betting ban would extend to all sports.

Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'landys has established a three-person committee consisting of general manager Keith Bulloch, steward Jim Walshe, and legal counsel Natalie Tipping to conduct the Show Cause hearing on August 13.

The committee will then make a recommendation to V'landys at the conclusion of the hearing to determine whether Hayson should be warned off.

During the May inquiry into More Joyous's All Aged Stakes flop, Hayson gave evidence before stewards that he has learned "vets had been all over the horse" from two sources, one said to be connected with the Waterhouse stable.

Hayson initially agreed to provide stewards with the identities of his sources but has subsequently refused to do so.

"Yes, I did originally say that I'd provide the names," Hayson told The Daily Telegraph last month. "After I left the hearing, and I'd had time to think about it, I decided not to because the last person who gave out information from the stable was sacked.

"I'm not going to be responsible for any person losing their job. I'm sorry, but it's not my go.

"I have done absolutely nothing wrong. All I did was check on More Joyous' fitness prior to the race because everything I was hearing was negative.

"They told me vets had been all over the horse, so I didn't have a bet.''

The fall-out from the More Joyous inquiry continues with Racing NSW also revealing it has introduced new rules to deal with inside information and conflicts of interest in the sport.

"The confidence of the public and racing participants in the integrity of racing is a paramount objective of the Board of Racing NSW,'' V'landys said.

"In introducing these local rules, Racing NSW has been conscious of persons' individual rights and the need to adhere to the Anti-Discrimination Law. First and foremost, persons must be treated as individuals and their rights must be respected.

"However, the integrity of thoroughbred racing is fundamental to the multi-billion dollar thoroughbred racing industry which has over 50,000 participants in NSW.

"They are consistent with the protocols in place in the corporate world and are intended to ensure that the thoroughbred racing industry has the best practices in place to maintain the confidence of racing participants and the public in the integrity of racing.''

V'landys said he expects other racing jurisdictions around Australia to adopt the rule changes.

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Barba delays decision on future

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Ben Barba during Canterbury Bulldogs rugby league training at Belmore Oval, Sydney. Picture: Costello Brett Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

CANTERBURY star Ben Barba says he'll almost certainly play for a Queensland club at some stage in his career, but he has delayed a decision on his immediate future until the end of the NRL season.

The reigning Dally M medallist has been linked to the Cowboys, Titans and most strongly the Broncos.

Barba is keen to follow his ex-partner Ainslie Currie and their two kids, who are set to move from Sydney back to Queensland to be closer to family.

"If anything a decision, if I ever left, would be made at the end of the season," Barba said today in an exclusive live chat for Fox Sports and News Limited sites

Read Barba's full chat below.

"But at the moment my focus is on winning games with the Dogs and trying to get us into another finals series … At the moment I'm going nowhere and focused on getting the job done with the Dogs before anything."

Even so, the Mackay product says he's always wanted to return to Queensland at some stage in his career.

"I always said I'd go back to Queensland and finish up there because it's somewhere I want to raise my kids," Barba said.

"I'm not too sure where, but somewhere back in Queensland. I'm not picking one spot … It's a day-by-day, week-by-week thing and I'm working on rebuilding my family every day."

The Broncos are chasing a big-name signing and have expressed interest in Cameron Smith and Barba.

"The Broncos are a great club and there has been some talk of me going there and if the opportunity came around I'd obviously have to think about it," he said.

The 24-year-old was born in Darwin, but grew up in Mackay, while his younger brother Marmin is contracted to the Titans. 

Barba also expressed strong views about racism in the NRL after South Sydney star Greg Inglis revealed a racist tirade on social media.

"I actually read the post last night because I follow him on Instagram … I was gobsmacked," Barba said.

"I don't think it is a problem between the players in the NRL.

"I think a lot has to do with the fans and saying a bit too much than they should."

Barba said he is racially abused regularly by fans.

"I get a lot on social media," he said. "They hide behind their fake profiles and it's just wrong."
 

[View the story "NRL 360 live blog: round 20" on Storify]

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Confusion reigns over Manly record

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Brett Stewart scores for Manly Sea Eagles. Source: Grant Trouville / AAP

MANLY has written to the NRL demanding immediate intervention over an anomaly which will threaten Brett Stewart's looming attempt to become the Sea Eagles greatest-ever tryscorer.

Stewart scored his 130th try last weekend against Gold Coast, passing the 129-mark set by Sea Eagles Immortal Bob Fulton.

But now comes the confusion.

Former Manly forward Steve Menzies hold the club's overall tryscoring record - but there are two different figures.

Statisticians claim Menzies scored 180 tries - 151 for Manly, 29 for the now defunct Northern Eagles.

Manly though say Menzies scored all his tries for one club, the Sea Eagles.

Throughout the Northern Eagles debacle, Menzies always held a Manly-based contract.

Stewart will probably pass the 151 mark next season.

The NRL has now been urged to step in and determine exactly how many tries Menzies scored for Manly.

"It's not right that Steve Menzies has one of the most magnificent records in the history of the game with a question mark over who he scored them for and who he played games for,'' said Manly director Peter Peters.

"In the eyes of every rugby league fan in Australia, 'Beaver' played his entire career in Australia with the Manly Sea Eagles.

"That is how it should be viewed and remembered and the NRL had an opportunity to right a wrong, which is something at the whim of statisticians.

"I know Brett Stewart will want to be the record-holder but, in his mind, the target is 181, now 152.''

Manly godfather Ken Arthurson added: "Beaver hasn't played for anyone else in Australia other than Manly.

"Manly even had the licence throughout the Northern Eagles era. All the tries and games Beaver had should be attributed to Manly.

"It's crazy he hasn't been given those tries and games as a Manly player. He was part of the Manly side of the Northern Eagles.''

There is also some confusion over how many games Menzies played. Records state 349. Manly say they were all with the Sea Eagles.

Stats gurus though say he played 280 for Manly and 69 for the Northern Eagles.

Fox Sports head of stats, Ian Collis, said: "Steve Menzies played for two different clubs - Manly and Northern Eagles.

"That means he has two different sets of records. One for Manly, the other for the Northern Eagles.''

David Middleton, from League Information Services, also believes Menzies represented two clubs in the NRL.

"Whatever way you look at it, Steve Menzies played for two separate entities,'' Middleton said.

"The fact the Northern Eagles folded shouldn't make a difference. In my eyes Steve Menzies played for two different clubs in Australia.''

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VOTE: League's best field goal

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Braith Anasta celebrates with Roosters teammates after kicking a field goal to force extra time against the Tigers in 2010. Source: Matt King / Getty Images

VIDEO: PAT Richards' field goal has been described as the best rugby league's ever seen but let's take a moment to look at the other contenders.

The man most famous for being on the end of that flick pass from Benji Marshall in the 2005 NRL grand final put himself back on the map on the weekend with his outrageous 45-metre effort from the sideline to put Wigan ahead against St Helens in the English Super League.

You only have to look back 12 months for a Cooper Cronk candidate for league's best field goal - a hit that kept the Maroons' dynasty alive.

Or go back to the 2010 finals series when Briath Anasta dragged the Roosters into grand final calculations with an unforgettable snap from beyond the 40-metre line.

And just a matter of months ago, Parramatta superstar Jarryd Hayne helped the Eels to a rare win with an uncanny sideline effort against the Broncos.

So can we really say that Richards has just pulled off the greatest field-goal of all-time?

Perhaps it's not as clear cut as it first seemed.

Watch the video above of rugby league's greatest field goals and vote on the right-hand side of the page.

Who has kicked the best field goal in recent memory?

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Huss urges Aussies to do homework

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Michael Hussey (R) has some words of encouragement for his former Test teammates. Source:AAP

FORMER Test batting linchpin Mike Hussey says the struggling Australian side must stay united and will repay faith given time.

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Australia has lost the first two Tests of their Ashes campaign, crashing to a calamitous 347-run defeat in the second Test at Lord's after two wretched batting efforts.

They are clearly missing Hussey, who averaged 51.52 over 79 Tests, the last of which was against Sri Lanka in the first week of this year.

Since then, Australia have lost six straight Test matches.

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The prolific left-hander, who on Monday confirmed he would play for Big Bash League franchise Sydney Thunder this summer, again ruled out a Test comeback.

Renowned for his positivity and enthusiasm, Hussey was adamant Australia could bounce back but admitted they are doing it tough.

"At times like these the guys have got to really stay tight together and try and look for the positives and try and get back in a positive frame of mind," Hussey said.

"And really just identify one or two things each, individually and collectively, what they can do better."

Hussey said he expected the pride of the players to provide the spark for better performances in the three remaining Tests.

"I just think that we've got a squad there that we've got to show a lot of faith and belief in and they will repay that faith over time," Hussey said.

"It does take time to build up your experience, to get into those real tough pressure situations and work your way through them and the more times they are exposed to that the better they bare going to get."

Hussey said he wasn't missing the international stage.

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"I'm sort of glad I'm not really in that pressure situation, those tough situations, there's a lot of stress and tension involved," Hussey said.

Asked what he would advise captain Michael Clarke, Hussey said he would try to keep him in a positive frame of mind and eliminate all the distractions and peripheral issues.

Hussey believed the proliferation of T20 tournaments was having an effect on batsmen's ability to play lengthy Test innings.

"I certainly found it difficult making the transition between the different formats of the game, it took me time and I'm a very structured and planned and organised sort of player," Hussey said.

"It's a difficult challenge and I think there is possibly an effect now, but there's possibly going to be more of an effect in times to come with more and more T20 being played."

Hussey was surprised by the sacking of coach Mickey Arthur but backed his replacement, Darren Lehmann, to do a good job.

"He'll help the guys to try and relax and enjoy the game, go out there and express themselves and play their best cricket."

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McKenzie casting wide Wallabies net

McKenzie has less than a month to prepare a side for the Bledisloe opener. Source: Carly Earl / News Limited

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NOTHING can be taken for granted as Ewen McKenzie is running a fine-toothed comb over every Wallabies position in plotting for Australia's first Bledisloe Cup success in 11 years.

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Contrary to public perception, which is expecting a heavily Reds-tinged team, McKenzie has indicated his first Test outfit will have a healthy balance of form players across all five Super Rugby provinces.

And "healthy'' is the operative word, with the new Test coach stressing he won't rely on established players who aren't 100 per cent fit.

McKenzie hinted on Monday that some regular Wallabies may be best served by missing next month's back-to-back Bledisloe Tests against the All Blacks to overcome long-term injuries, creating opportunities for the previously overlooked.

The timing of his appointment, two years before the 2015 World Cup, is also encouraging McKenzie to introduce new players.

"Some players have been carrying injuries for a long time," he told AAP. "The mind is always willing and the heart is willing, but the body has to be co-operating.

"We need to be mindful of that and we don't want to get into the situation where 'this bloke 70 per cent fit is better than this other bloke'.

"You have to pick players who are fit and raring to go.

"By doing that you create depth, you create competition, you create trust and all those things can add up."

Incumbent No.8 Wycliff Palu (knee) appears to be one Wallaby in need of extended rehabilitation while others may require surgery following an intense start to 2013, capped by the taxing series loss to the British and Irish Lions.

Captain James Horwill (calf) and vice-captain Will Genia (knee) were among the carnage and below their best in the Reds' qualifying final loss to the Crusaders but McKenzie indicated they could freshen up before the first Bledisloe fixture on August 17.

The outgoing Queensland coach is tying up the loose ends of his four-year Reds' tenure this week, while at the same time locking in a plan heading into the ANZ Stadium clash, which also kicks off The Rugby Championship.

The appointments of fellow selectors, assistant coaches and other staff are expected to be finalised this week, while his initial Test squad will be unveiled in less than a fortnight.

Australia last held the Bledisloe Cup in 2002 and the Wallabies' record of just three wins in 18 trans-Tasman matches under Robbie Deans was a major reason for the Kiwi's demise.

There are concerns about the lack of firepower in the Wallabies pack due to long-term injuries to the likes David Pocock, Scott Higginbotham, Tatafu Polota-Nau and Sitaleki Timani.

But McKenzie felt there was the depth, as well as the requisite skill and smarts, to upset New Zealand.

He said the 2-1 Lions series loss made it appropriate to review all Wallabies positions.

"We're coming off a loss basically so we have to sit back and have a look," he said.

"With respect to everyone out there it's good we review each position and the candidates."

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'Bowler-friendly pitches the issue'

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Chris Rogers' form for Victoria propelled him into the Test side. Picture: George Salpigtidis. Source:News Limited

VICTORIAN coach Greg Shipperd has pointed to bowler-friendly first-class pitches and proliferating short forms of the game as key reasons behind Australia's Test batting frailty.

The Bushrangers and Melbourne Stars mentor said that all parties in Australian cricket had to work together to be "part of the solution".

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He said the short-game driven "batting generation of the future" faced a challenge to adapt to cricket's longer forms.

"There's a player responsibility, supported by coaching and strategic thinking, that's going to require a lot of attention in the next 18 months," Shipperd said.

"Behind that is the quality of pitches across our country. They have been way too heavily bent towards the bowlers - and we need to draw that back quite significantly.

"It'll make the bowlers work harder for their wickets and batsmen to understand and accept that batting for long periods of time is really what it takes at Test match level.

"You need to play good cricket (not have dubious pitches) to provide results - and that is all about good captaincy and strategic declarations if you can't actually bowl sides out.

"That's how it used to be ... and two-and-a-half day games aren't really what Australian cricket needs."

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Adelaide shock Cats to stay alive

Adelaide stun the Cats to keep their slim finals chances alive. Source: Morne de Klerk / News Limited

Adelaide forward Matthew Wright kicked four goals, including the match-winner, as the Crows stunned Geelong with a comeback two-point win on Sunday.

3.5 (23)	Q1	4.0 (24)
4.8 (32)	Q2	9.2 (56)
9.8 (62)	Q3	12.4 (76)
14.10 (94)	Q4	14.8 (92)

Matthew Wright 4	Josh Caddy 3
Tom Lynch 3	Joel Selwood 3
Andy Otten 2	Tom Hawkins 2
Bernie Vince 2	James Kelly 2
Nathan van Berlo 1	Steven Motlop 2
Brad Crouch 1	Mark Blicavs 1
Josh Jenkins 1	Tom Lonergan 1

The Crows trailed by five goals in the third quarter but rallied for a 14.10 (94) to 14.8 (92) triumph at AAMI Stadium.

Adelaide kicked eight of the last 10 goals to steal a victory which revives their flagging season - they're now only two wins outside the top eight with six games remaining.

Goalsneak Wright slotted the final goal of the game with five minutes remaining to give the Crows a four-point lead - the first time they were in front since the opening minutes.

Geelong then had two chances to win in the final minute but Jimmy Bartel and Harry Taylor both missed set shots at goal.

Adelaide had slipped 30 points behind the Cats some 15 minutes into the third term as Geelong captain Joel Selwood and Josh Caddy each scored three goals.

But Adelaide's Tom Lynch triggered a fightback with three goals in the third stanza to help the Crows creep within 14 points at three quarter-time.

Influential on-baller Bernie Vince gave Adelaide the momentum with a classy left-foot snap early in the last term and when his teammates Andy Otten and Brad Crouch soon followed with goals, the Crows trailed by one point.

Cat ruckman Mark Blicavs replied before Wright goaled on the run in the 26th minute to land the decisive blow.

Adelaide midfielders Rory Sloane (27 disposals) and Richard Douglas (31 possessions) toiled tirelessly while backman Ricky Henderson was a standout with 32 touches.

The Cats were superbly served by evergreen Corey Enright and Joel Corey (27 disposals) but the late misses by Bartel and Taylor marred their third loss this season.

Geelong next host St Kilda while the Crows travel to meet Fremantle, both games next Saturday.

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Not ready for Bathurst: Stoner

Stoner doesn't believe he's ready to drive in The Great Race. Source: Mark Horsburgh / AAP

CASEY Stoner has ruled himself out of a run in The Great Race, with the former MotoGP world champion-turned-V8 driver claiming he is not ready for the Bathurst 1000.

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A two-wheeled demon who has conquered the likes of Catalunya, Sepang and Laguna Seca, Stoner was widely tipped to make the step up to V8 Supercars for the endurance season, beginning with the Sandown 500 on September 13.

But Stoner told The Sunday Telegraph that he is not ready to partner one of the main series drivers in the endurance season, with the V8 newcomer still coming to terms with Supercars racing.

"I don't think I will," Stoner said. "I don't think I have the experience.

"I have one race before the endurance events, and that is not enough experience for me in this championship.

"I wouldn't want to put it on anyone like that."

Stoner's decision to bypass the endurance events, which include the Sandown 500, the Bathurst 1000, and the Gold Coast 600, is a blow for the sport because the diminutive racer is a proven drawcard.

Stoner shocked the racing world last year when he quit MotoGP to become a V8 Supercars driver in the development series.

The 26-year-old has since been linked to a MotoGP return.

"Rumours start everywhere and there is all types of rumours going around at the moment," Stoner said.

"People are telling me I might be going back to MotoGP, but a rumour is a rumour."

The Red Bull Racing Australia driver has not committed to V8 racing again next year, with Stoner enjoying little success in his three races in the Dunlop Series.

"I never really look too far ahead to be honest," Stoner said.

"People are already talking about next year and to be honest I am just focused on this year. I really want to enjoy myself and try to have some time off.

"I have been going from one racetrack to another for years, since I was 14. I have been doing this for a long time and it was time for me to slow down a little bit.

"We are just trying to get the ratio a bit better so I can just go out and enjoy it. There are a lot of good guys that I race against and that's what I enjoy the most. It is hard when the ratio is so much towards PR and events and not racing. That's what makes me struggle a bit."

Following a stellar career on two wheels that saw him become one of Australia's greatest motorcycle riders, Stoner said he is still coming to terms with a V8 Supercar.

"They are a very numb car," Stoner said.

"There is not a lot of feeling to them. You have to drive them more clinically than what you think.

"They are a bit peculiar from whatever I have driven, which isn't a lot.

"I am almost a clean slate here and I just have to get along and manage what we have. In reality, I am driving the car as best as I can, but I am sure if I get as much time as the other guys have had, I will start to push them."

Stoner is aiming to become a consistent top-10 driver.

"The top 10 is certainly something to drive towards," Stoner said.

"Unfortunately I have spent very brief moments inside the top 10 and I have had to battle my way through. Perth was hard with drivers blocking, once, twice and three times. It is impossible to pass them like that and we struggled to move forward in Perth."

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Live: second Ashes Test, day four

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Australia's captain Michael Clarke reacts to another England boundary at Lord's. Source: Ian Kington / AFP

AUSTRALIA will look to restore a bit of pride as day four of the second Ashes Test gets underway at Lord's.

With England starting the day leading by a whopping 566 runs, leading many to assume that it's a matter of when, not if the hosts go 2-0 up in the series.

Follow the action and get all the best reaction and analysis from the ground and around the world with our live blog.

JOIN US FOR LIVE COVERAGE OF EVERY MOMENT OF THE ASHES SERIES FROM THE FIRST BALL, INCLUDING A LIVE MATCH CENTRE WITH SCORES, STATS, HAWKEYE DISPLAY OF EVERY DELIVERY AND VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS THROUGHOUT EACH SESSION.

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