Henriques out of Windies ODI opener

Setback ... Moises Henriques' return to international cricket had been going well. Source: AAP

Moises Henriques has been ruled out of Australia's series-opening one day international with the West Indies, and remains in doubt for the second clash, after having surgery on his injured right index finger on Saturday.

Henriques underwent a minor surgical procedure on Saturday afternoon to alleviate concerns over increased swelling around the finger.

The 25-year-old will not be able to train for at least a week, certainly ruling him out of the opening clash against the West Indies at the WACA on Friday, and leaving him extreme doubt for game two at the same venue on Sunday.

It is a devastating blow for the talented allrounder, who ended a three-year exile from the international scene with his ODI call-up this month and is pushing his case for selection in next month's four-Test tour of India.

Henriques had his best performance in Australia colours in the fifth ODI against Sri Lanka in Hobart on Wednesday, taking three valuable wickets in the 32-run victory.

''Due to concern over increasing swelling and infection Moises was reviewed by a Sydney hand specialist this afternoon and has undergone a minor surgical procedure,'' NSW team physiotherapist Murray Ryan said.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

''Moises will be unable to play or train for at least one week. His availability for state and international cricket will be determined as the injury heals.''

Henriques sustained the injury initially when he was hit on the hand while training with the Australia team in the lead-up to last week's ODI against Sri Lanka at the Gabba.

He then aggravated it while batting for NSW in the Sheffield Shield clash with Western Australia at Blacktown International Sportspark.

Henriques was struck on the hand during a brutal spell from Nathan Coulter-Nile on Friday, twice receiving treatment on the field while wincing in pain.

But he played through battering to score a crucial 71 and give NSW a 102-run first innings lead.

He will also miss the Blues domestic one day game on Wednesday against Western Australia.

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Victory win drama-filled Big Blue

Battle ... Melbourne Victory's Archie Thompson (R) takes on Thyan Grant. Source: AAP

They may have come to see Alessandro Del Piero, but they left talking about Marco Rojas as Melbourne Victory put the rest of the A-League on notice with a 3-1 mauling of Sydney FC on Saturday evening.

The Victory bossed and battered a Sky Blues team which finished the match with nine men in a compelling display at a sold-out AAMI Park.

Second-half efforts from Archie Thompson and Rojas, following a 24th-minute deflected own goal from Sydney defender Seb Ryall, capped a dominant performance from the hosts.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Central Coast	18	11	5	2	17	38
2	Victory	18	10	3	5	3	33
3	Adelaide	18	10	2	6	4	32
4	Western Sydney	17	9	2	6	7	29
5	Heart	17	6	3	8	-1	21
6	Newcastle	17	6	3	8	-8	21
7	Sydney	18	6	2	10	-9	20
8	Perth	17	5	4	8	0	19
9	Brisbane	17	5	2	10	-2	17
10	Wellington	17	4	4	9	-11	16

Not helped by Tiago Calvano's sending off on the hour for flinging an outstretched arm to block Leigh Broxham, the Sky Blues were mainly undone by a committed Victory midfield display with Broxham, Billy Celeski and Mark Milligan outstanding.

But the silk came from Rojas, who would have impressed scouts from English Premier League club Liverpool and Italian giants Juventus in attendance with a magnificent display in the front third.

He scored a beautifully crafted goal in the 72nd minute - that was aided by heavy deflections off Sydney FC defenders - and was the architect of the opener.

The 21-year-old New Zealand international intercepted a Rhyan Grant backpass and his goal-bound effort cannoned off Ryall, wrong-footing keeper Vedran Janjetovic.

Del Piero was well held for most of the evening as Victory's midfield invaded his aura and bit around his ankles effectively.

The first half hour was all Victory.

The Victory had the majority of the best chances - coming closest to a second when Broxham forced a great diving save from Janjetovic on 28 minutes.

Sydney FC also lost Socceroo Brett Emerton midway through the half with a hamstring injury.

Once Calvano was sent off, all Sydney's hope looked gone - though their best chances and only goal came when they were down to 10 men.

They could have even equalised had Joel Griffiths not fluffed a great chance - from a Del Piero through ball - in the 66th minute as he shot across goal when it beckoned.

Thirty seconds later, the Victory were 2-0 up as Thompson found the net.

It was party time in the 72nd minute as Rojas scored a classy second, holding off a defender, turning and shooting off Adam Griffiths to make it 3-0.

Joel Griffiths grabbed a consolation on 75 minutes, but Sydney's night turned even worse when fullback Fabio was marched in stoppage time for a second yellow card.

---

Re-live the drama, including highlights of both reds and all four goals, in our A-League Match Centre.

 

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hughes key to SA chase against Vics

Chief destroyer ... South Australia's Joe Mennie rips through Victoria's top order. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

South Australia's lucky charm Phil Hughes will spearhead a chase for 155 more runs to snatch a comeback triumph against Victoria in the Sheffield Shield match in Adelaide.

Chasing 189 to win, the Redbacks will resume on Sunday's final day at 2-34 with Hughes not out 17.

SHEF - Adelaide Oval

24 January 2013 - Day 3, Session 3

South Australia 2nd Innings

P. Hughes	17	15	2	0	113.33
N. Lyon	0	4	0	0	0

After a stunning six wicket haul from speedster Joe Mennie dragged SA back into the match, the in-form Hughes rode his luck late on Saturday's third day.

Hughes, on 10, survived a caught behind appeal from Will Sheridan's bowling which, when refused, left the Victorians gobsmacked.

In Sheridan's next over, Hughes, still on 10, was dropped at second slip by David Hussey.

And an over later, the Bushrangers were again bewildered when Hughes, on 13, survived a confident lbw appeal from James Pattinson's bowling.pePattinson's fury at the verdict was evident two balls later when he delivered a fierce bouncer which felled Redback opener Sam Raphael.

The fourth-gamer ducked into the ball and turned his head at last moment, suffering a frightful blow on the back of the helmet - he retired hurt, staggering from the ground with suspected concussion.

With SA veteran Michael Klinger already dismissed for two when trapped lbw by Pattinson, the Redbacks sent Nathan Lyon to the crease as nightwatchman - but he was dismissed for a duck in the final over.

"It's never nice losing two (batsmen) close to stumps," Mennie said.

"We have still got 150-odd runs to chase on a last day wicket, it's going to be a tough chase, both teams are still right in it."

On a topsy turvy Saturday, the Bushrangers collected innings points by bowling SA out for 267, some 52 runs behind.

But Victoria then crashed to 136 all out in their second innings with Mennie taking a superb 6-43 from 21 overs.

Mennie ripped through the Victorians, who were forced to rely on number nine James Pattinson top-scoring with 33 to stretch their victory target.

The next best Bushranger was Chris Rogers, who made 25 and featured in a 43 run opening partnership with Rob Quiney.

But Quiney (14) was the first man dismissed in a dramatic slide as the Victorians lost 8-50, before Pattinson helped the Bushrangers to eek out a valuable 43 runs for the final two wickets.

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Aussie pair into Open mixed final

Surprise packets ... Matthew Ebden and Jarmila Gajdosova. Source: Michael Klein / Herald Sun

Australians Jarmila Gajdosova and Matthew Ebden are through to Sunday's Australian Open mixed doubles final after clinching a tight two-set semi-final on their fourth match point.

The Australians beat Kazakhstan's Yaroslava Shvedova and Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin 7-5 7-6(7-5), coming from a break down in the second set to win it.

Ebden and Gajdosova grabbed the ascendancy late in each set.

In the first set, they broke Shvedova's serve in the last game.

In the second, they were down 2-4, but fought back by again breaking Shvedova's serve to level at 4-4.

Upon reaching the tiebreaker, they raced ahead 6-2 to give themselves four match points, but then faced some nervous moments.

An unfortunate deviation off the net cord caught Ebden off guard at the net on the first match point.

Unforced errors off groundstrokes from first Ebden, then Gajdosova, off the next two points left the Australians with just one match point up their sleeve.

But Gajdosova clinched the match by passing Istomin at the net with a well-hit backhand down the line.

Australian tennis legend Margaret Court was cheering the Australians on and Ebden said she had been a big help in his career.

"I want to thank her for helping me out and being a bit of a mentor to me," he said.

Gajdosova said Ebden had guided her through the tournament.

"He tells me what to do. I just make it happen. He's a good coach," she said.

The other semi-final, between Czech pair Lucie Hradecka and Frantisek Cermak and another Czech player Kveta Peschke, partnering Poland's Marcin Matkowski, was to be played later on Friday.

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Smith gives NSW first-innings lead

In the spotlight ... Steve Smith scores a timely half-century against WA. Source: Phil Hillyard / News Limited

A timely half century on a batting minefield should help thrust Steve Smith into the front of Test selectors thoughts as he and Moises Henriques gave NSW a 21-run first-innings lead in their Sheffield Shield clash with Western Australia on Friday.

Prior to Smith (72) notching his fourth first-class half century of the summer, eight batsman from both teams at Blacktown International Sportspark had reached 20 but fallen short of 50.

SHEF - Blacktown International Sportspark

24 January 2013 - Day 2, Session 3

New South Wales 1st Innings

M. Henriques	62	105	5	1	59.05
S. O'Keefe	16	38	3	0	42.11

Smith and fellow Test hopeful Henriques (62 not out) combined to carry the Blues to 6-263, past WA's first innings total of 242 as they strengthened their cases for call-ups to the national team.

Smith showed tremendous patience in his 194-minute innings but also some spirited counter attacking which included nine boundaries, both qualities which will have the 23-year-old in contention for a spot on Australia's four-Test tour of India next month.

"It was nice to get 70 today and it was a little bit disappointing to get out when I did," Smith said.

"But we're in a good position so hopefully we can kick on.

"... I feel like I'm hitting them probably as well as I have this year, this season.

"It's obviously disappointing not to get a hundred yet, but I feel as if I'm hitting the ball really well. I don't think (a hundred) is too far away.''

That squad, expected to be announced on Thursday, will need to include a replacement for the retired Michael Hussey and a back-up batsman - roles for which Smith is being strongly considered, alongside the likes of Usman Khawaja, Glenn Maxwell, David Hussey and George Bailey.

Henriques also did his Test ambitions no harm by passing 50, also withstanding a bruising spell from Nathan Coulter-Nile (2-58) to close out the day.

While Smith's innings was chanceless, Henriques' was more aggressive and he was afforded a life on 14 when dropped by Liam Davis off offspinner Ashton Agar, who claimed 2-82 on debut on a deck that always offered something for the bowlers.

Smith put that down to the wicket being slightly two-paced with variable bounce, and offering plenty of turn.

"It's one of those wickets (where) it's hard to get used to the pace of it," Smith said.

"You never actually feel in.

"... The spin was quite hard. Ashton Agar was bowling a few arm balls and they were turning quite sharply.

"I thought he bowled really well in his first game, he's one to look out for."

With Henriques on 17 he sent a scare through the Blues camp when he was thumped on the thumb by a Coulter-Nile short ball and tossed his gloves and helmet to the ground.

It was the same thumb which Henriques injured last week while in camp with the Australian ODI side, and the blow left him wincing in pain.

Coulter-Nile was the pick of the WA quicks, while Jason Behrendorff finished with 2-39.

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Aussies lose women's doubles final

Bridesmaids ... Barty and Dellacqua lost their Australian Open doubles final. Source: Joe Castro / AAP

Australian underdogs Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua have gone down fighting as Italian top seeds Roberta Vinci and Sara Errani clinched the Australian Open women's doubles title.

The Italians added the championship to last year's French Open and US Open trophies with their 6-2 3-6 6-2 win.

Barty and Dellacqua had been bidding to become the first all-Australian women's pair to win their home major since 1977, with no local duo having even reached the final since that year.

They were combatting an extreme experience gulf compared to the Italians, particularly 16-year-old Barty, who had played just one grand slam doubles match before this tournament and had never won a main draw match in a major in either singles or doubles.

It seemed set to be smooth sailing for the world's top-ranked doubles players when they raced through the first set and even moreso when Dellacqua's serve was broken for the third time in the match to give the top seeds a 2-1 lead in the second.

But the Australians grabbed their first break of the match next game then broke Errani again for a 5-3 lead, with Barty playing the leading role in gaining that advantage, before serving out the set.

The Australians further bolstered hopes of an unlikely victory, when they claimed another break of serve to open the third set.

But the favourites stepped up the pressure, breaking back immediately, then after the set was squared at 2-2, ripping through the last four games for the loss of just six points.

Barty and Dellacqua were the first all-Australian pair to reach the final since 1977, with Dianne Fromholtz and Helen Gourlay taking the title in January of that year while Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Gourlay reached the final in December of that year but it was washed out.

Earlier on Friday, Australians Jarmila Gajdosova and Matthew Ebden booked a place in Sunday's mixed doubles final with a 7-5 7-6(7-5) sem-final win over Kazakhstan's Yaroslava Shvedova and Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin.

They will play Czech pair Lucie Hradecka and Frantisek Cermak in the final.

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Judd seeks compromise on sponsor deal

Third-party deal ... Judd remains hopeful of a compromise with the AFL. Source: Julian Smith / AAP

Chris Judd's manager remains hopeful he can negotiate a compromise with the AFL over the dual Brownlow Medallist's third-party deal with Carlton's club sponsor Visy.

Judd's manager Paul Connors confirmed on Wednesday he'd had fresh talks with the AFL over the matter.

Connors is believed to be keen to avoid a formal grievance tribunal hearing that could result in a straight win-or-loss scenario.

---

Missed something? Catch all the latest AFL news at Fox Sports!

---

AFL operations manager Adrian Anderson informed Carlton in November that Judd's deal with Visy, which is estimated at $250,000 per season, would have to be included in the salary cap from 2013.

However, Anderson's departure from AFL ranks last month has prompted new discussions and a negotiated deal is now a likely outcome, the afl.com.au website reported.

Carlton chief executive Greg Swann was also part of the talks, the website added.

The 29-year-old Judd's six-year deal expires at the end of the 2013 season.

"I can confirm that I met with the AFL yesterday,'' Connors said on Wednesday.

The Blues had a scare on the training track on Wednesday when injury-prone key forward Jarrad Waite dislocated a finger, although a club spokesman claimed the injury wouldn't derail the 29-year-old's pre-season campaign.

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

No way Jose: ABL laugh at rumours

Major Tweet League ... Jose Canseco wants to play Down Under. Source: Susan Walsh / AAP

Did you hear the one about fallen Major League star Jose Canseco joining the Australian Baseball League?

Leaders Canberra Cavalry general manager Tom Carter has - and he isn't laughing.

It pays to read disgraced two-time World Series winner Canseco's tweets with a grain of salt.

This is a man who listed 11 New Year resolutions for 2013 - including two numbered five.

They included "fighting Shaq (O'Neal) in a cage match'' and "get elected to a important political office in the US or canada to help all people and governments with there (sic) problems''.

Still, he managed to raise eyebrows in Canberra when it was revealed he had tweeted former teammate - Cavalry second-base Adam Buschini - that he was interested in playing in Australia.

Alarm bells should have started ringing when the ex-MLB slugger issued follow-up tweets listing his demands for an ABL move.

Apparently, the ideal club would have on offer a beach, a casino, money, fans and a chance to play cricket.

"Thinking about going down under,'' he tweeted.

"Is cricket hard to hit? Doesnt look too hard the bat is so big.

"And there are no foul balls!

"Can you play both pro cricket and pro baseball in Australia? I do like to wear white.''

ABL operations manager Ben Foster reportedly claimed he was flattered by the tweets and believed it showed the credibility the young league was starting to develop.

But Cavalry boss Carter was more blunt.

"He is an unapologetic steroid user. He calls himself the Godfather of Steroids - that is not the message we are trying to send,'' he told AAP.

"He wrote a book called 'Juiced' on how he used steroids to get a competitive edge.

"We certainly don't want to bring anyone here that is known for cheating.

"We are interested in bringing high-profile athletes out here but only ones who can be role models and play the right way.''

Not that the 48-year-old Canseco will be short of things to do if his unlikely ABL recruitment campaign falls flat.

After dabbling in life as a reality show actor and celebrity boxer, he has tried to make good on his New Year resolutions.

The former American League MVP aimed to run for mayor of Toronto.

Despite an alarming support base in Toronto, he had to abandon his plan - because he was not a Canadian citizen.

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

'If it goes the distance, Geale wins'

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Rivals ... the Real Deal and The Man are set to fight it out once and for all. Source:AAP

"I've been around the block man. I've got nothing else to prove.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

"But I tell you what, once I win this, no critic, no knocker, no man can say, that I am not the man. That's what I'm gonna do; I'm gonna prove that I'm the best.''

These are the words of three-time world champion Anthony "The Man" Mundine, spoken just over a week out from his highly anticipated rematch with compatriot Daniel "The Real Deal" Geale, to be held on January 30, at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.

The pair first met centre ring back in 2009, when Mundine claimed a controversial split decision win over Geale, taking his IBO middleweight world title in the process.

Four years on, and much has changed in the careers of both fighters – the one constant, however, has been their overwhelming dislike for each other.

Over a career spanning 29 fights, Geale's only loss has been suffered at Mundine's hands. Since then, he's gone on to win both the WBA and IBF middleweight world titles on foreign soil, beating Sebastian Sylvester and Felix Sturm in their own backyards.

During that same time, Mundine has gone on to achieve, well, not a whole lot. After dropping down to junior middleweight, he pursued an at times laughable bid to land a shot at pound for pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. - culminating in a seventh round stoppage of 41-year old Bronco McKart, a guy whose best years were left well and truly back in the 90s.

"You ask the other guy, he thinks he's the favourite. I'm going in there with a level head, I know what I need to do. I'm not worried about bookies or anything like that," Mundine says.

"I'm in control, and I've just got to go in there with my plan and make it come through."

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Geale is happy to let Mundine do all the talking outside of the ring – an attitude that has seen him win over the Australian public in spades.

"I love fighting in Australia, I love fighting in front of a home crowd, and I'm going to have plenty of support at this one,'' he points out.

And he will. No Australian sportsman has ever divided his country the way Mundine has. While his talent, footwork and speed speak for themselves, the quality of opponent he has chosen to fight in recent years, perhaps speaks louder.

---

Watch the bout LIVE on Main Event from 8pm (EDT) on Wednesday, January 30.

---

In 2012, Mundine backed out of a deal to fight undefeated WBA champ Austin Trout – a fight which, had we won, would have seen him propelled back onto the world stage.

Now 37, Mundine has been gifted another chance to take a world title from Geale. "He's done great things," Mundine acknowledges. "But when he steps in that ring with me, I'm the best fighter he's ever been in with.

"I hurt him more times in our first fight than in both his world title fights … I told you, him at his best, mentally and physically, and me at my best? I'll beat him one hundred times out of one hundred.

"Geale can't beat me. I'm faster than him. I'm stronger than him. The only thing he does consistently and probably better than me is work rate.

"But this ain't the amateurs baby, this is the pros. So you judges and you people out there – when he's hittin' air and gloves, and I'm hittin' face and ribs, score that."

Geale's long time promoter is American Gary Shaw, a man who has well documented connections with the International Boxing Federation. From the moment this rematch was agreed to, Mundine has questioned Shaw's relationship with the IBF, suggesting the only way he will lose a decision to Geale is if the judges are in Shaw's pocket.

"It's just another tactic to try and throw me off," argues Geale. "You know what he's like, he's going to make up all the excuses under the sun.

"And you know what? That's fine. That's the way he goes about things, and once he gets beat, then guess what, there's gonna be another excuse there too."

For his part, Geale just wants to avenge the only loss in an otherwise solid career. It's why he's prepared to risk it all for a fight that could very well go either way.

Both men possess hand speed in buckets, but the advantage there would have to go to Mundine. Both men are defensively brilliant, but again, Mundine may be slightly slicker.

Neither guy is known for their power though, so you get the feeling Geale v Mundine II is once again going the distance. And that is where Geale has the advantage; he's six years younger than Mundine, and unlike many boxers, he doesn't take time off during rounds.

Geale's fitness is such that he is able to keep coming forward, and keep working for every minute of every round. Mundine, on the other hand fights in patches.

Mundine has fought just once in the past 15 months, while Geale fought twice in 2012, beating Sturm for the WBA middleweight title in his most recent outing.

So not only does Geale have age and work rate on his side, he also knows Mundine hasn't really been tested since their first fight in '09 – a mental edge that may be enough to get him home come Wednesday.

In any case, this was not a fight Geale needed, it was a fight he wanted: "Everything has gone to plan. We've been working very, very hard in the gym. Everyone knows we're not taking this fight lightly … But we're very confident, and I can't wait to get in there."

And we can't wait to see it.

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rafter, Tomic bury the hatchet

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Stern ... Pat Rafter expects Bernard Tomic to move on from their feud. Source: Ibrahim Ot / AAP

Davis Cup captain Pat Rafter says he and Bernard Tomic have buried the hatchet and is hopeful of having the resurgent youngster back for Australia's second-round qualifying tie in April - if his weakened line-up makes it.

Tomic remains suspended from Australia's qualifying tie in Taiwan from February 1-3 after Rafter disciplined the 20-year-old last month for his poor attitude and dreadful end to 2012.

In a seemingly tit-for-tat response, Tomic earlier this month said he had no interest in speaking with Rafter until September, when Australia are hoping to contest another World Group playoff.

But after announcing his line-up for Taiwan on Monday, Rafter said Tomic had since recommitted to the Cup cause after the pair cleared the air following Tomic's third-round Australian Open loss to Roger Federer.

"It's the first time I made contact with him since early November. We had a great conversation," Rafter said.

"Obviously I spoke to him about just going forward, what he thinks about Davis Cup in the future, if he wants to be part of the team.

"It was really important for us to have contact straightaway ... obviously he's playing great tennis and it's a shame not to have him available for the first one in some ways.

"But in other ways we have to stand firm on our decision not to have him in this team.

"When the April tie comes around, providing we win, mind you, I hope he'll be available. He'll be part of the selection team like everyone else.

"But obviously if he's playing like he was at the back end of last year it would be hard to put him in.

"If he's playing like he is now, obviously he'll be a starter for sure."

Rafter admitted Tomic "didn't jump out of his skin" in putting his hand up.

"The proviso I put on to it was obviously we need to work things out," he said.

"Hopefully we're still on, not great terms, but good terms. I think our last conversation was that.

"He needs to respect me and I need to respect him in that manner. If we have a breakdown, then obviously that's not a good thing."

With Tomic out, Rafter named Lleyton Hewitt, Marinko Matosevic, Matt Ebden and doubles specialist Chris Guccione to face Taiwan, while Luke Saville will also travel as a hitting partner and standby player.

Rafter has no regrets about suspending Tomic, who bounced back to record 10 straight wins before Federer ended his summer campaign at Melbourne Park.

"The reason we left him out was hopefully to teach him a lesson," Rafter said.

"He came back at us pretty well. I think he used that anger, channelled it and played some great tennis here.

"I don't mind how he gets up to playing great tennis ... whatever spurs him on."

New Cup coach Josh Eagle, who has replaced Tony Roche - who will stay on as a team mentor - said Tomic's suspension was not dissimilar to Matosevic's for Australia's World Group playoff in Germany last September.

"The great thing about Marinko, that really hurt him last year," Eagle said.

"He thought just by winning matches and getting his ranking to 60 around the US Open, he thought he was a walk-up starter for the Davis Cup tie in Hamburg.

"Pat made it very clear to him due to his poor behaviour when he was representing Australia that he wouldn't be selected.

"That sends a great message to these guys. He went away, responded magnificently and finished the year top 50.

"Ultimately, what we want is people to be proud to represent Australia." 

16.42 | 0 komentar | Read More