Careers on the line: Gooch

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ENGLAND batting coach and former captain Graham Gooch claims every England player and member of the coaching staff have their jobs on the line as the tourists head towards a 5-0 thrashing.

With England facing another heavy defeat after just two days of the fifth and final Test in Sydney, Gooch claimed that the side needed to be rebuilt and admitted there may be more pain in store before things get better.

"We've given too many wickets away, and too many easy dismissals," a surprisingly Frank coach said after Australia went to stumps 311 ahead with six wickets in hand on a difficult, grassy pitch.

"We have only one 100 in four and a bit Tests, and that's not going to win you anything, so it's been pretty disappointing.

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"Everyone has to look at themselves. The coaches, the players; we're all going to be under scrutiny, quite rightly, and we all have to take it on the chin and we have to take the criticism.

"It's quite right. If you play the way we play, the brutal truth is it's not been good enough. We have to look for ways to move forward and ways to improve and that might entail taking some more pain before it gets better.

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"Obviously there will be a rebuilding process, I think that's fair to say. I don't make those decisions but I've been here before many times, so that will be a process I'm sure will start at some stage.

Gooch readily admitted that his position as batting coach had to be under scrutiny because of the team's continued failure to make decent scores. It has been 12 Tests since England has compiled 400 in an innings.

"You have to take responsibility as well," Gooch said.

"We all have to look at ourselves and our methods. Personally, I have total belief in the messages I give to the players but we'll have to look at it and see whether there's a better way, or the powers that be will definitely be reviewing everyone after this series, as they do, and quite rightly.

"Everyone on this tour would not like to leave under the circumstances of this tour and the debris of this tour, 4-0 down and behind the 8 ball in the 5th game is not the way you want to leave.

"Everyone will be wanting to try to put things right and try to move English cricket forward. We've had some very good years in recent times. A year ago we were all elated by winning in India. This is the other end of the scale."

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Harris targeting Ashes 2015

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THERE was no guarantee Ryan Harris would be able to play all five Test matches, but the 34-year-old quick now has his sights set on defending Australia's Ashes next year.

Harris has been a revelation during the back-to-back Ashes series. He played four Tests in England where he was Australia's standout player and followed that up with supreme performances at home.

He's picked up 17 wickets this series as he, Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle have terrorised England's batsmen.

And he wants to do it all again.

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"I'd love to have one more trip to England to try and defend the Ashes, that would be amazing," he said.

"I've spoken to the coach and he's happy to have me there and the captain and we'll go from there I guess, but that's a long way away."

Harris will go to South Africa first, where Australia play a three-Test series in February and March, and will have to have his knee assessed after it before thinking too far ahead.

"I've got a little bit of stuff floating in my knee, which I'm going to get cleaned out after Africa that could give me another year or two - who knows."

Harris revealed that Australia's main plan has been to cut out the dangerous Bell and he is pleased with the way they've executed that.

He has loved every minute of being part of the three-pronged pace attack and says each bowler has played his part.

"To be in a team that's done so well and the contributions we've all made as a bowling unit, it's a very good feeling and we're going to thoroughly enjoy receiving that urn as a unit," he said.

Ryan Harris celebrates taking the wicket of Alastair Cook. Picture: Brett Costello Source: News Limited

"I've loved every minute of it. It was a goal of mine to get through five and I can tick it off."

Johnson may have stolen all the limelight, but Harris says the Australian team needs Siddle.

"He cops a little bit of criticism every now and then because he's not getting wickets or he's not bowling as quick as he used to," he said.

"Today showed beautifully - it was a crucial time in the game, not much was happening with the partnership they had, and he came in and broke it. That's what he does.

"You need Peter Siddle in this Australian cricket team for as long as you can. He's a warhorse and he picks up wickets at tough times when there's partnerships going on and he does that through the whole series."

Harris says the best thing about the bowling unit is their close bond.

"When one of us might look like we're struggling one of the other boys will come along and a pat on the bum," he said.

"It's the confidence we have in each other. We know each other very well and pick each other up if one's down, simple as that. That's what compliments us really well - the respect we have for each other, which is a big part of our relationship."

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Hewitt to face Federer in final

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LLEYTON Hewitt insists he will be "hopefully close to 100 per cent'' fit for his showcase Brisbane International final against Roger Federer on Sunday.

Hewitt and Federer, both 32, will play their first final in Australia and their 27th career match after Hewitt's exhausting 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 win against Japan's second seed Kei Nishikori in heatwave conditions.

"I don't know why I keep putting myself through it. It's like punishment,'' said Hewitt, who has won eight of his 26 career matches against Federer, having arrested a 15-match losing streak in their final in Halle Germany in 2010.

"Whenever you come off court, it feels like the worst (heat I have ever played in). My first Davis Cup match in Boston was bad, but that was a drier heat.''

Federer's 6-3, 6-7 (3-7), 6-3 singles semi-final win over France's eighth seed Jeremy Chardy later took 35 fewer minutes than Hewitt's 2hr30min marathon.

But the 17-time Grand Slam title winner then headed back out with Frenchman Nicolas Mahut for a doubles semi-final.

Roger Federer in action against Jeremy Chardy in their semi-final. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: News Limited

It's a dream finale for Brisbane International organisers, topping off an event in which the 100,000 total crowd mark will be passed for the first time and the top-two ranked players contested the women's final.

"We have big matches in Slams, Davis Cup … he has been great for the tournament and how he has promoted tennis in Australia,'' Hewitt said.

Chardy, a 2013 Australian Open quarter-finalist, was unable to break Federer's serve, but made the top seed nervous in the second-set tiebreak rallies with his big serve.

With Federer's Open campaign in sight of a serious road bump, he saved a break point in the opening game of the third set when Chardy missed a run-around forehand return.

Chardy missed twice with forehands and coughed up two double-faults when he dropped serve to fall behind 3-5 in the third set.

Hewitt will bid for a first Australian title in nine years on Sunday in the Brisbane International final and could finish his home circuit restored as his country's top-ranked player once again.

Lleyton Hewitt celebrates after reaching the Brisbane International final. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: News Limited

Hewitt's resilience and a Brisbane heatwave turned the blowtorch on Japan's ishikori, the world's No. 17 player, for a 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 win in their Pat Rafter Arena semi-final.

Hewitt, a fearsome and well-trained competitor even at age 32, took to draping a towel packed with ice around his neck after just seven games in temperatures measured at 42C at the Tennyson stadium.

But in the 2hr30min slog, the former world No. 1 was stronger than Nishikori, eight years his junior, as their Brisbane International match moved past the two-hour match mark.

"I love the battle,'' he said.

"It's a true fight, a one on one battle and why you do all the hard work.''

Hewitt is defending second-round rankings points at the Queensland Tennis Centre and so will make a jump from No. 60 when the new standings come out on Monday.

Lleyton Hewitt feels the heat during his Brisbane International semi-final. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: News Limited

He will make an immediate charge at finishing the Australian circuit with the national No. 1 mantle, with Bernard Tomic (No. 51) defending champion points at the Sydney International, starting on Sunday, and third-round points at the Australian Open.

Hewitt last won a tournament in Australia in 2005, in Sydney, and his win over Nishikori means he has won all nine tour semi-finals he has played on home soil.

Hewitt's 2005 home circuit was a memorably rousing one, culminating in a heartbreaking four-set loss to Marat Safin in the Melbourne Park final, the closest he came to winning the Australian Open.

"You are a long time retired and mentally it's a massive win today to go the distance like that,'' he said.

"I feel sharp at the moment and I've been able to get a good pre-season in November and December,'' said Hewitt.

Under the shade at Pat Rafter Arena, the two baseliners had to contend with a blanket of hot, still air enveloping them.

Lleyton Hewitt in action during his win over Kei Nishikori. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: News Limited

As the first set wore on it was noticeable that Hewitt did not have the usual power in his legs as he stepped into his groundstrokes against an opponent eight years younger.

But in the second set, the Australian foiled Nishikori when the 24-year-old second seed held two break points at 4-all, hitting an ace and then benefiting from an error.

Nishikori was showing signs of fatigue and a rash of three backhand errors handed a grateful Hewitt the second set in the next game.

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Adelaide's best 22

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NEWS Limited football experts go deep inside each AFL club to predict how each team's best line-up could look next year.

ADELAIDE

IN:

Eddie Betts (Carlton), small forward

James Podsiadly (Geelong), forward

Matt Crouch (North Ballarat), midfielder

Riley Knight (Woodville-West Torrens), utility

James Podsiadly is now a Crow. Source: News Limited

OUT:

Bernie Vince (Melbourne)

Graham Johncock (retired)

Aidan Riley (delisted, picked up by Melbourne)

Ian Callinan (delisted, Crows reserves captain)

Nick Joyce (delisted)

Richard Tambling (delisted)

CARLTON'S BEST 22

TEAM OF 2013: HEADLINE GRABBERS

AFL QUIZ: 50 FOOTY QUESTIONS

COACHES

BRENTON SANDERSON

Dean Bailey (strategy and innovations)

Mark Bickley (forwards)

Scott Camporeale (midfield)

Darren Milburn (backline)

BEST 22

B: Luke Brown, 21, 24 games, Ben Rutten, 30, 215 games, Rory Laird, 19, 18 games

HB: Brodie Smith, 21, 54 games, Daniel Talia, 22, 54 games, Brent Reilly, 30, 193 games

C: David Mackay, 25, 105 games, Patrick Dangerfield, 23, 109 games, Brad Crouch, 19, 14 games

HF: Richard Douglas, 26, 136 games, Taylor Walker, 23, 69 games, Tom Lynch, 23, 23 games

F: Eddie Betts, 27, 184 games, James Podsiadly, 32, 83 games, Matthew Wright, 23, 58 games

Foll: Sam Jacobs, 25, 82 games, Scott Thompson, 30, 245 games, Rory Sloane, 23, 78 games

Int: Nathan van Berlo, 27, 182 games, Josh Jenkins, 24, 28 games, Jason Porplyzia, 28, 126 games, Mitch Grigg, 20, 5 games

HOW THEY'LL PLAY

Brenton Sanderson was an important part of premierships at Geelong as an assistant coach.

He still believes the Geelong way is the way to play: a platform of a steady and accountable defence allowing for flair and run when the ball is in his players' hands.

The Crows will look leaner this season after a summer spent on more running and slightly less emphasis on building muscle in the gym. Much of that has to do with the cap on interchange rotations - the Crows used the bench more than most - and the way Sanderson and his staff see the game developing.

Brad Crouch should become an elite player. Source: News Limited

READY TO FLY

Brad Crouch impressed last year from his first moment in a Crows jumper, and there is an expectation he will develop into an elite player.

He's an old-fashioned footballer's footballer - one with an innate sense of where the ball is likely to go next, which player is likely to do what.

He has pace, strength and skills that suggest he could be part of one of the best midfields in the competition.

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R13 preview: can Victory halt Roar?

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ADP is finally in Adelaide, JVS is back in charge and Victory is out to halt a Roar. Here are your R13 A-League previews.

Adelaide United v Sydney FC

Coopers Stadium, Adelaide

Kick-off: 7.00pm

Live on Fox Sports 1

Anyone really want to call this result? Given the utterly inconsistent form of both teams, it's very hard to pick how this game will unfold - but one thing we can be sure of is a raucous welcome for Alessandro Del Piero in Adelaide.

After waiting so long to see the Italian in action, Adelaide fans flooded to the airport to welcome ADP to the City of Churches on Thursday. But do they really want to see him at his best.

Sydney is still hurting from back-to-back losses, including the lesson dished out by Brisbane in round 12, while the Reds are enjoying a three-game unbeaten run with three successive clean sheets. Five points sit between the two clubs in sixth and fifth and Adelaide will be desperate for all three points to close that gap.

Mark Rudan says: "No one questioned how Adelaide were playing and they haven't turned their back on that style but they're starting to score goals. Most important is defensively; when you don't concede you give yourself the best opportunity to win games. I think at home they'll be too strong for Sydney."

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Newcastle Jets v Perth Glory

Hunter Stadium, Newcastle

Kick-off: 5:30pm

Live on Fox Sports 1

The Jets backed up their storming defeat of league leader Brisbane with a somewhat underwhelming 1-0 loss to Adelaide and Gary van Egmond will be looking at this fixture as a strong chance to get three important home points.

The Jets have alternated wins and losses over their past six games, so they're due a win - and can jump back on top of rival Central Coast if they can take advantage of a Perth team in transition.

With the drama of Alastair Edwards's dismissal behind it, interim coach Lenny Lowe now has to resurrect Glory's season. Perth showed plenty of heart but little creativity in the controversial loss to the Mariners on New Year's Eve. With so much instability, it' no surprise results have suffered; Perth has just one win in its last eight games, losing its last three away games and has failed to score in three of its last five.

Mark Rudan: "The Jets have to go back to basics. They're playing a different counter attacking style. They created a couple of chances against Adelaide and will continue to do so because of their pace upfront. Adam Taggart has gone away from that good form and he needs to recapture that."

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Melbourne Victory v Brisbane Roar

AAMI Park, Melbourne

Kick-off: 7.45pm local (7.45pm AEDT)

Live on Fox Sports 1

There is no doubt this game is the pick of the round, perhaps pick of the season so far. After an early wobble, Victory has adjusted well to the loss of inspirational coach Ange Postecoglou, with Kevin Muscat resisting calls to react to stutters and maintain the shape and philosophy he inherited.

Victory has now lost only once in its last six games, and with 17 points from a possible 19 at home, it is turning Melbourne into a fortress.

Brisbane's record in Victoria isn't great and Mike Mulvey travels south with star striker Besart Berisha - it would have been good to see the Albanian giving Victory a bit of his trademark niggle - but after the 5-2 demolition of Sydney FC, will Mulvey really be that worried? Roar has now scored at least five goals in a game at least once during the last four seasons.

Both teams are full of confidence and it should provide and fascinating and hugely entertaining spectacle.

Mark Rudan: "Victory are creating chances and playing fantastic football, with pace in the midfield and upfront with the likes of Barbarouses and Pain, and Archie Thompson still to come back from injury. It's great to have that sort of depth in your squad. I'm going to go with the home team on this one."

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Central Coast Mariners v Melbourne Heart

Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford

Kick-off: 5.00pm local

Live on Fox Sports 1

The Mariners snatched victory from Perth in controversial circumstances on New Year's Eve but all that matters to Phil Moss is the three points.

Central Coast has been obviously lacking the demanding presence of Graham Arnold in recent weeks as Moss has striven to imprint his own character without losing any of that winning consistency. There has been a significant drop in their key attacking and defensive stats from last season, including fewer goals per game, fewer shots, with more goals and shots conceded.

The loss of key players will also hurt the Mariners - and they might just be facing Melbourne Heart at entirely the wrong time.

The week after John Aloisi's departure, former club John van 't Schip is at the helm with the club still searching for its first win of the season. Could that sudden release of pressure be just what Heart needs?

Mark Rudan says: "The Mariners have been inconsistent. They were good value against Perth and did deserve the three points. They need to take that momentum against Heart, which will be a tough one against a team with a new coach.

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Hewitt advances to quarter-final

Lleyton Hewitt celebrates winning against Feliciano Lopez of Spain at the Brisbane International Tennis. Pic Darren England. Source: Darren England / News Limited

LLEYTON Hewitt backed his ability to last through the most grueling of hardcourt battles this summers after producing all his age-old tenacity today to win his Brisbane International second-round match over Spain's sixth seed Feliciano Lopez 7-5, 6-3.

Chasing his first week-one title win since his Adelaide final win 14 years ago, Hewitt, 32, watched as his draw opened up after he had ventured at least one round better than his second-round exit at his only previous Pat Rafter Arena tournament 12 months earlier.

"I feel I can last as well as anyone on the court and it's a good sign leading into the Australian Open,'' Hewitt, ranked No.60, said.

In Friday's quarter-final, Hewitt will play Marius Copil, a Romanian qualifier who scored the second career win over a top-20 player when he fought off France's third seed Gilles Simon 7-5, 6-3 to make his first ATP quarter-final.

Hewitt is the second Australian to make the last eight at the event, joining Marinko Matosevic, who will take on Roger Federer on Friday.

Lleyton Hewitt of Australia hits a backhand volley in his match against Feliciano Lopez of Spain at the Brisbane International tennis tournament. Source: AFP

The winner of Hewitt and Copli, 23, will advance to a semi-final on Saturday against either second seed Kei Nishikori or Croatian Marin Cilic.

Lopez served for the first set at 5-4, but Hewitt turned off the tap on his unforced errors and found a way of countering the Spanish left-hander in their backcourt duel, admitting he targeted his opponent's backhand.

Hewitt fell a break of serve behind in the third game and then had to save six break points across his next two service games to stay in the first set.

But the ascendency of Lopez was worn away by the second-ranked Australian, who extended his career edge over the Spaniard to 4-0 with a fire which led him to gesture repeatedly to his supporters in his courtside box.

Copil, ranked No.147, beat only two top-100 players in 2013 but he says he has made improvements to his fitness since his father Craciun took charge of his fitness in mid-November.

"He is there for a reason. I'm old enough to know I have to back well tomorrow,'' Hewitt said.

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Dilshan to enjoy Thunder home

Sydney Thunder's Tillakaratne Dilshan is ready to make a splash at ANZ Stadium. Source: Stephen Cooper / News Limited

JUST ask Australian paceman Mitchell Starc if new Sydney Thunder import Tillakaratne Dilshan's trademark 'Dilscoop' works at the Sri Lankan's new home ground.

A seasoned international veteran, Dilshan will make his Big Bash T20 debut for Thunder against the pacesetting Melbourne Stars at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday.

His dashing unorthodox batting and tidy off spin will be invaluable assets, as Thunder aim to end a two-year 15-match losing streak.

Dilshan, who replaces Englishman Chris Woakes, is renowned for his improvised strokeplay.peIn his only previous appearance at the Olympic Stadium early in 2013, Dilshan took a 144km thunderbolt on off stump from left-arm speedster Starc in a T20 international and scooped it over the wicketkeeper's head for six.

"The very straight short boundaries might be a help for me," Dilshan said on Tuesday.

Used to shouldering responsibility in other teams, Dilshan wasn't focusing on Thunder's losing streak.

"The past record is past now, we have to start from tomorrow," Dilshan said.

Thunder Skipper Mike Hussey has set Dilshan a nice easy target to start with.

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"Hopefully he can score 120 not out off about 35 balls, two wickets and a run out and we'll be very happy," Hussey joked.

"He's going to be an excellent addition to our team, he brings a lot of experience and a lot of class."

Dilshan will open the batting and is no stranger to taking the new ball when bowling.

"I'm used to opening the batting and bowling in T20 internationals and some club tournaments as well," Dilshan said.

Hussey is adamant Thunder are close to breaking their drought and just need to improve in a couple of areas.

"Our fielding can definitely sharpen up," Hussey said.

"Probably finishing our innings off with both bat and ball, we can definitely get a little bit better at as well.

"But we come up against the Stars and it's a different challenge all together.

"They are a fantastic team.

"They are hard to plan against because they can throw up high quality options."

The Stars reached 200 in each of their first two games, winning them by 76 and 77 runs.

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Live BBL: Strikers v Scorchers

Shaun Tait bowls in the Strikers' thrilling win over the Thunder. Pic: Brendon Thorne Source: Brendon Thorne / Getty Images

THE Adelaide Strikers are hoping to ring in the New Year with a second successive BBL win as they play host to the Perth Strikers tonight.

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But while the Strikers can lean on the batting firepower of the world's number one rated T20 batsman Alex Hales, and the frightening pace of Shaun Tait with the ball, the Scorchers have got plenty of star power of their own.

The Marsh brothers have started the competition in fine form and Brad Hogg has defied his age in the Scorchers' two performances so far.

Who can carry their form into this explosive clash and finish 2013 with a bang?

Find out by following all the action right here with our live blog, featuring social media updates and commentary on all the big moments!

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Mariners down Glory amid fireworks

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MICHAEL McGlinchey scored a last-gasp goal to hand Central Coast Mariners a 2-1 win over Perth Glory in an utterly bizarre New Year's Eve A-League thriller.

The New Zealand international midfielder, just one game away from leaving Central Coast for a stint in the J-League with old coach Graham Arnold, was a deserved hero with a thumping right-foot strike from inside the box deep in injury time in Gosford.

It all looked to have gone pear-shaped for the Mariners in the 83rd minute, when replacement defender Marcel Seip conceded a penalty by fouling Glory's Chris Harold in the box, allowing Steven McGarry to powerfully convert for a 1-1 scoreline.

Seip was strangely yellow-carded as he entered play in the second half for injured Central Coast goalscorer Trent Sainsbury, for coming on before the change was put on the board by the fourth official.

Yet his nightmare turned to jubilation thanks to man-of-the-match McGlinchey, who followed up decisively after Josh Rose hit the post with a header.

Not long after Seip's seemingly fatal foul, Perth captain Jacob Burns was sent off in bizarre circumstances, reportedly for dissent as he waited on the touchline to re-enter the field after having his head bandaged. It was just all part of the circus as the new year was brought in with a stunning match that marked reigning champion Central Coast as a threat again in 2014.

Get all the stats and video highlights from Gosford in our match centre.

The Mariners only had to wait until the 12th minute to open their account, with defender Trent Sainsbury the unlikely hero by scoring his first A-League goal in his 56th game.

After a sustained barrage following a corner, towering Zac Anderson was the unlikely playmaker as he deftly laid a pass inside the box for his central defensive partner to make a cool, close-range finish.

It was a surprise way for Anderson to impress, having made his first start under new coach Phil Moss.

The Mariners celebrate Michael McGlinchey's late winner. Source: Getty Images

The game lost direction in the second term and Sainsbury gave the Mariners cause for concern when he was replaced in the 64th minute due to a hamstring strain - leading to Seip's odd card.

Seip was lucky not to be sent off for his penalty challenge, having clearly clattered into Harold, but luckier still when McGlinchey brought the house down with his winner.

The little attacking midfielder showed he will be sorely missed when he departs after Sunday's home game against Melbourne Heart.

The Mariners managed their victory despite benching out of sorts talisman Marcos Flores for the clash. The Mariners also lost Anderson to cramp in the second half.

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Live BBL: Renegades v Heat

Peter Nevill celebrates a dismissal in the Renegades' round two match. Pic: Paul Kane Source: Paul Kane / Getty Images

THE Renegades are desperate for their first win in this season's BBL, as they host reigning champions Brisbane Heat at Etihad Stadium tonight.

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The Renegades have come off second best in their clashes with the Melbourne Stars and the Perth Scorchers, while the Brisbane Heat are still licking their wounds after an astonishing final-over loss to the Hobart Hurricanes.

Who will recover best and post a much-needed round three win?

Find out by following all the action right here with our live blog, featuring social media updates and commentary on all the big moments!

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Ash gets the cash in Brisbane

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ASH Barty gained fresh momentum for her attack on the WTA Tour today with a career-best singles win over former top-five player Daniela Hantuchova at the Brisbane International.

Barty, the former Wimbledon junior champion from Ipswich, played with a nervelessness belying her lack of experience at the top level of the game to close out her first-round match against Hantuchova 6-3, 7-5 at Pat Rafter Arena.

The Queenslander will play in the second round on Wednesday against either third seed Maria Sharapova or France's Caroline Garcia, who play tonight at Rafter Arena.

Barty had too much poise and control for Hantuchova - who reached a ranking of No.5 in 2003 and is now 33rd - with the strong base of her three wins in qualifying.

Barty celebrates after defeating Hantuchova in the biggest singles victory of her short career. Source: Getty Images

She let out a scream of triumph as she ripped a deep forehand to clinch the win.

Coached by Jason Stoltenberg and rated by former top doubles player Todd Woodbridge as having talent the equal of any of the women in the top 10, Barty was aged just three when Hantuchova started her proud professional career.

Barty, ranked No.190, salvaged her place in the main draw on Sunday by winning her last qualifying match from five match points down against Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens.

Barty shows she can also play a one-handed backhand at full stretch against Hantuchova. Source: Getty Images

Her skills showed the Queensland Tennis Centre crowd how her ranking does not reflect her quality as a player, as 2013 was the last season in which she was restricted in the number of WTA tournaments she could play under WTA age regulations.

Barty's doubles partner, Casey Dellacqua, booked a meeting with world No.2 Victoria Azarenka with a win in the previous match at Rafter Arena, taking out Galina Voskoboeva of the Ukraine in three sets in a second women's rankings upset.

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'Second brain op' for Schumacher

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FORMULA 1 legend Michael Schumacher has reportedly undergone a second brain operation after suffering a brain haemorrhage in a skiing accident.

The 44-year-old German is in a critical condition in a French hospital with a brain haemorrhage after a skiing accident.

According to French media reports, neurosurgeons performed a second operation on Schumacher's brain.

A press conference on the champion's condition will be held at 9pm AEDT.

Schumacher was "suffering a serious brain trauma with coma on his arrival, which required an immediate neurosurgical operation," the hospital in the southeast French city of Grenoble said in a statement.

"He remains in a critical condition."

Michael Schumacher pictures while announcing his retirement from Formula 1 at the end of the 2012 season.

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The hospital statement was signed by the facility's neurosurgeon, the professor in charge of its anaesthesia/revival unit, and the hospital's deputy director. It was issued jointly with the ex-racer's press team in Germany.

Schumacher had been skiing off-piste in the upmarket Meribel resort when he fell and hit his head on a rock, mountain police who gave him first aid said.

Schumacher, who lives with his family in Switzerland, was on a private stay in Meribel, according to his spokeswoman.

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Meribel is part of an extensive ski region with about 180 lifts connecting three alpine valleys.

Schumacher was reportedly skiing with his 14-year-old son at the time of the accident.

He was airlifted to a local hospital, then to the Grenoble facility. A specialist neurosurgeon from Paris was rushed in to oversee his treatment.

The director of the Meribel resort, Christophe Gernigon-Lecomte, had said just after the accident that Schumacher had been wearing a helmet and was "conscious but a little agitated'' just after the accident, with early reports suggesting there was no cause for alarm.

But when Schumacher then fell into coma, doctors realised the damage was worse than initially feared.

Jean Marc Grenier, the deputy director of the hospital, speaks to the press.

The two mountain police officers who gave first aid said Schumacher was suffering "severe cranial trauma'' when they got to him and a helicopter was brought in to evacuate him within 10 minutes.

A renowned Paris surgeon, Dr Gerard Saillant - who also operated on Schumacher when he broke his calf and shinbone during his most serious racing crash at the 1999 British Grand Prix - was brought to the Grenoble hospital in a police car to take charge of the famous patient.

A hospital spokesman said the next update on Schumacher's condition would be given at 10am GMT (9pm AEDT).

Police officers have been stationed to guard the hospital's entrances.

Dr Gary Hartstein, former Medical Delegate for the Formula 1 World Championship, took to Twitter to attempt to explain the medical situation Schumacher finds himself in.

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"It's quite well known that extradural hematomas, a kind of cerebral hemorrhage, can leave a lucid interval after injury," he wrote, referring to reports that Schumacher was conscious when he was attended to after the accident.

"Then as the hematoma forms, the sudden increase in pressure causes sudden and dramatic symptoms. Pressure must be relieved rapidly.

"This is done with a neurosurgical intervention. Then the victim is observed in an ICU environment.

"Quality of recovery depends on: 1) severity of initial injury, 2) acuteness and amplitude of pressure rise when hematoma forms, 3) rapidity with which it is drained, 4) quality of neuro intensive care and rehab."

Dr Hartstein said that the long wait for the next update on Schumacher's condition is no surprise.

A helicopter in front of the Grenoble hospital, French Alps, where Michael Schumacher is being treated after he sustained a head injury during a skiing accident in Meribel, France.

"Gives docs a chance to do rounds, see new CT scans, check blood results. That is perfectly fine.

"What we want to hear is: 1) off or starting to come off the respirator. 2) intracranial pressure staying normal. If we hear this, we're ok.

"And obviously anything better is, well, better."

Schumacher retired from Formula 1 for a second time at the end of the 2012 season. He won two world titles with Benetton and five in a row with Ferrari.

Schumacher has had accidents before, including a motorcycle crash in February 2009 in Cartagena, Spain, where he damaged a vertebra, a rib and the bottom of his skull.

A file photo shows Michael Schumacher skiing in the Italian Alps in 2006. Schumacher is in a critical condition after hitting his head in a fall while skiing.

At the time, his doctor, Johannes Peil, said it had caused the racer the most serious long-term harm of his career.

That accident prevented him taking the place of Felipe Massa at Ferrari after the Brazilian suffered severe head injuries in a crash at the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2009.

He recovered from the injuries to make a shock return in 2010 at Mercedes alongside Nico Rosberg.

Though his countryman largely outshone the former champion in their three seasons together, we did see flashes of the old Schumacher.

At Monaco in 2012, the then 43-year-old five-time winner at the principality scored a popular pole position, although he would not start there on race day thanks to a 10-spot grid penalty earnt at the previous race.

A file pitcure of Michael Schumacher from his Ferrari days, Schumacher is in a critical condition after hitting his head in a fall while skiing.

That lap, along with a podium finish at Valencia the same year, were the high watermarks of his otherwise ill-fated comeback.

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How far can England sink?

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AUSTRALIA marches towards a second Ashes whitewash in five series in Melbourne and England's press were not impressed with their team's showing.

Here's a general consensus of the feeling in the Old Dart.

"With the urn already lost, the tourists suffered perhaps their worst defeat of the series," wrote Tom Collomosse in The Independent.

"This was the worst yet. A wretched, gruesome numbing defeat that not only leaves an Australian Ashes whitewash very much on but also signals, more than the other three emphatic thrashings, the end of a great era for this England team," said Paul Newman in The Daily Mail.

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See what else the Pommy press had to say in the UK View.

HOW LOW CAN ENGLAND FALL?

The Mirror's Dean Wilson feared for England in Sydney with a five-nil whitewash very much on the cards.

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"England's funereal march towards a second 5-0 whitewash out of three Ashes tours gathered pace following a four day humiliation at the MCG," he wrote.

"England's cricketers are so devoid of form, confidence, fight and hunger that even games they are in control of end up going Australia's way."

Derek Pringle, writing for The Telegraph, was also doubtful of England's ability to hold off Australia at the SCG.

"Suddenly, from their three-nil win in the summer, a buffer that was meant to comfort them from the harsher realities of Ashes cricket in Australia, they have been plunged into regime-changing chaos of a potential whitewash in Sydney, something that looks almost certain following this dispiriting defeat," he said.

"From the moment England landed in Perth, this tour has been a litany of failings.

"From the selection of three giant fast bowlers, who have become little more than excess baggage, to the unexpected departure of two senior players during the series, one to stress the other to a sobering decline in form, their defence of the urn has unravelled with alarming ease and speed.

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In signing off in his blog on The Telegraph website, Rob Smyth highlighted the irony of England's change in fortune from 2010-11 to 2013-14

"It's difficult to know what to say. Three years ago, on this ground, England retained the Ashes; this time they have barely retained their sanity. It's all terribly sad. They are 4-0 down after four Tests, and the scoreline flatters them," he said.

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CATCHING CALAMITY

Newman asked how different day four at the MCG may have finished if the tourists had have held their catches.

"How different this Test might still have been had Jonny Bairstow gone for the regulation chance to his left offered by Chris Rogers on 19 and then had Cook, perhaps still fazed by his keeper's poor judgment, not dropped an absolute dolly to reprieve David Warner when he was on 22," he said.

"It was a passage of play that highlighted England's muddled selectorial thinking in bringing Bairstow here as back-up keeper when there are not many who view him as Matt Prior's successor and then the captain's scrambled brain."

The Daily Mail's Lawrence Booth awarded Bairstow his Villian of the Day.

"It's hardly his fault he's not a Test-class keeper, but Jonny Bairstow should have gone for the catch offered by Rogers when he had 19, and he ought to have done better with the low chance Rogers gave on 81. Right now, Bairstow looks like the shortest-term of stopgaps for Matt Prior," he said.

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Live BBL: Sixers v Stars

Nic Maddinson hits a six during the Sixers clash with the Thunder. Pic: Mark Evans Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

THE Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Stars are two of the marquee teams of the Big Bash League, and after both won their respective opening round one derbies, the scene has been set for a mouthwatering round two clash at the SCG.

CLICK HERE FOR A BETTER EXPERIENCE IF USING AN APPLE MOBILE DEVICE

The Stars posted 200-plus to get the job done over the Renegades in round one, while the Stars showed tremendous discipline with the ball to pull back the Thunder after the Green Machine had made a flying start.

Will it again be a chess match between a blockbusting batting side, and a team featuring great variety with the ball?

Find out by following all th e action right here with our live blog, featuring social media updates and commentary on all the big moments!

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Reds defeat Jets in spicy clash

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ADELAIDE United can start thinking about finals football after marking its final game of the year with a timely 1-0 victory over Newcastle Jets at Coopers Stadium on Sunday.

The win saw Adelaide take seven points from its last three games with United now three points adrift of sixth placed Central Coast before the Mariners complete the round at home on New Year's Eve against Perth Glory.

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Another win at home - Adelaide faces Sydney FC at Coopers Stadium on Friday - will see the Reds edge closer to the top six.

It was by far Adelaide's best opening 45 minutes of the season as the partisan holiday crowd - 10,778 - enjoyed every second of the opening stanza.

But in the second half Adelaide was pegged back in its own half as Jets prodded for an equaliser which never eventuated.

Our Match Centre features video, stats, polls and play-by-play commentary.

Victory, however, was deserved as man-of-the-match Sergio Cirio ran rampant in midfield.

The Jets failed to control the Spaniard's surging forward runs and it was only a matter of time before the Reds broke Newcastle's last lines.

Cirio started the move in the 25th minute when he found Jeronimo Neumann with a perfect 25m diagonal ball.

Marcelo Carrusca protests to referee Chris Beath on another incident with Ruben Zadkovich. Source: News Limited

The Argentine's attempted cross was intercepted by former Adelaide gloveman Mark Birighitti before a desperate Jets clearance fell to the feet of Bruce Djite.

The striker was beneficiary of all the good work built by Cirio when he slammed a 6m loose ball into the back of the net.

It was Djite's ninth goal in 40 appearances since re-signing for the Reds in 2011.

Cirio should have then made it 2-0 and rightfully ending the game as a hero four minutes from time.

When substitute Awer Mabil's spectacular step overs allowed the teenager room to provide a neat cross the Spanish pocket rocket's first half V8 engine was spent with his meek shot an easy save for Birighitti.

United coach Josep Gombau gives instructions from the sidelines. Source: News Limited

But a second Adelaide goal nearly arrived when Steven Lusctica's 25m effort then rattled both posts after Birighitti's got a finger tip onto the pile driver.

With Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou in the stands scouting for potential FIFA World Cup talent for the June tournament in Brazil next year he wouldn't have been disappointed with a few international hopefuls performing well at Hindmarsh yesterday.

ndrew Hoole on the attack with Michael Zullo coming in. Source: News Limited

And with Adelaide again showing no signs of playing the strict 'Barcelona style' for the third week in succession the Reds found holes in the Jets defence with surging long balls through

Gombau lambasted the Jets for being too physical at Coopers Stadium.

Adelaide lost Marcelo Carrusca to heavy bruising during the clash after the Argentine was first battered by a clumsy Taylor Regan challenge in the 36th minute of the clash.

Carrusca was forced off in the 69th minute.

Marcelo Carrusca goes down again in a clash with Ruben Zadkovich. Source: News Limited

"We need to protect the players we need to protect the football people,'' Gombau said.

"They make a lot of fouls and they make one foul in the first half that can be red (card).

"The referee must protect the players if not they make fouls, fouls, fouls."

Jets coach Gary van Egmond claimed Regan was lucky to survive with just a yellow card but said Adelaide gave as good as it got during the clash.

Referee Chris Beath issue 16 free kicks to United and 13 to Jets in a game which produced seven yellow cards.

"I think there were some poor challenges from both sides,'' van Egmond said.

"The one that Carrusca did on Ruben (Zadkovich), although he (Zadkovich) didn't roll around 15 times, was a poor challenge.

"So I think it's fair to say that both sides were very physical out there and it I remember rightly last time we played (round 5) it was one of the Adelaide players that got sent off.

"It's a physical game it's the nature of the sport."

The Jets emerged from the break revitalised as Adelaide was dropping deeper and using counter attacking football to try and bust Newcastle's defenders.

But despite the Reds sitting on the edge of its own box a route one Jets ball from stopper Regan nearly paid dividends.

Prolific Jets goalscorer Adam Taggart tried flicking the bouncing ball past the advancing Galekovic but the gloveman expertly read the move and averted the danger with a timely interception.

Marcelo Carrusca of Adelaide United lies injured after a tackle while Josep Gombau fumes. Source: Getty Images

But as the Reds legs were tiring Jets coach Gary van Egmond sent on his big striker Emile Heskey in the 66th minute, three minutes before a battered Carrusca ended his shift.

As Jets found some holes in Adelaide's tiring defence poor finishing cost the away side dearly.

A lack of composure in front of goal allowed Adelaide off the hook.

Josh Brillante spurned an opportunity in the 75th minute when he found space on the left before Taggart smacked a loose ball over the bar from 10m after Adelaide couldn't clear a corner.

Osama Malik was then forced to the bench 14 minutes before time when failed to recover from a clash of heads with Regan just four minutes earlier inside the Jets penalty box.

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