Victory sweep Reds in thriller

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AFTER two successive defeats Melbourne Victory secured a much-needed 3-0 win over Adelaide United on Saturday night in yet another drama-packed clash between the pair.

Victory overcame a first half Adrian Leijer red card to secure its third win of the season via Kosta Barbarouses, Archie Thompson and Mitch Nichols goals and importantly stay in touch with the top two.

Barbarouses and Mark Milligan, who both returned from international duty, were instrumental in the win in front of 20,064 at Etihad Stadium.

While Victory created a bundle of chances it could have been a different story had Nathan Coe not blocked Cirio's 67th minute penalty when it was still 1-0.

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The save inspired Victory, who went down the other end and doubled its lead within a minute when Leigh Broxham pick-pocketed Adelaide's Michael Zullo and Barbarouses crossed for Nichols who glanced it to Thompson to finish.

Adelaide coach Josep Gombau then threw on Awer Mabil and Bruce Djite and sacrificed a defender, but the risk backfired as midfielder Isaias miss-timed his header allowing Nichols to pounce and beat the onrushing Eugene Galekovic to score into an empty net.

Melbourne Victory's Archie Thompson in party mode.

Questions will now be asked of Adelaide, who've drawn two and lost four since the convincing Round 1 win at home to Perth Glory.

With former coach Ange Postecoglou watching from the stands, Victory opened the scoring on 14 minutes when James Troisi beat the offside trap and broke down the left before crossing for Barbarouses who was left with a simple tap in.

Steven Lustica, who came on after 13 minutes for Cassio (hamstring), had a golden chance to equalise when he was released by Cirio but his went narrowly wide.

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Thompson then had two chances to double Victory's lead, going just wide from Barbarouses' cross after a textbook move before having his volley swatted away by Reds keeper Galekovic.

Mitch Nichols then had a chance from three metres, albeit a tight angle, but sent his shot skywards.

The final minutes of the first half then descended into farce after Leijer was sent off for a second yellow card for bringing down Cirio and he couldn't have any complaints for that or the first when he cleaned up Marcelo Carrusca.

But a three-minute delay ensued as Victory tried to readjust _ sub Nick Ansell came on but with no-one coming off it appeared as though Victory would again have 11 players.

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Referee Ben Williams sent him back and he returned, coming on for Troisi but earning a yellow card for his premature entrance.

Despite the circumstances Troisi meanwhile didn't take kindly to being withdrawn in the first half and was headed straight for the tunnel before Kevin Muscat instructed him to return to the bench.

The fourth official was having a nightmare, inserting the wrong digits into his board for Adelaide's double second half sub.

And Williams' decision to award a penalty to Adelaide after Jeronimo fell would've been brought into sharper focus had Cirio converted, as Pablo Contreras appeared to make little or no contact.

But Muscat breathed a sigh of relief and recorded his second win since replacing Postecoglou.

Victory midfielder James Troisi rescued Victory's bacon last time the teams met, in what was a pulsating contest.

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Clarke teaches Cook a lesson

A 1-0 Ashes lead is within sight after Australia declared at 7-401 on day three at the Gabba.

IT is never a wise move to treat a champ like a chump.

England captain Alastair Cook found this out when he treated Australian captain Michael Clarke like a tailender when he came in to bat in the first Test at the Gabba on Saturday.

Less than four hours later Clarke had raised his 25th Test century (113 off 130 balls) on the ground on which he averages better than a century per innings.

He had entered the fray in the humid first session with England chirping the field and in the midst of desperate salvage operation.

But by the time he left there was barely a peep to be heard and the vessel they were trying to raise was back on the ocean floor.

Upon arrival at the crease Clarke was several times given a single at the end of the over to a deep-set field to ensure he would face his nemesis Stuart Broad, who had dismissed him six times in his last eight innings, next over.

The move is often used to keep tailenders on strike but not for Australian captains on a mission.

As former Australian captain Mark Taylor said on the commentary "this is having a crack at his strength of character''.

Michael Clarke raises the bat after getting his century. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

The century was a major moment in his career and he celebrated with a mighty raise of both arms and kissing the crest on his helmet.

There have been other Clarke centuries delivered against more buoyant attacks, in tougher match scenarios and on more challenging decks but this was just the scene-setter he and his country needed for what shapes as a turbulent five weeks ahead.

After a humbling dismissal in the first innings when he was caught at short leg to a short ball, Clarke's game purred beautifully yesterday from the very instant he took the crease.

He punched the first ball of his innings, off Chris Tremlett, through the covers for two then was presented with a single by Jimmy Anderson who seemed to sledge Clarke as he jogged past.

With assured footwork, he moved perfectly back and across to the first ball he faced from Broad and three balls later uncorked a smoking pull shot to the fence which was a sign that the battle would be tilted his way throughout.

Michael Clarke celebrates his hundred with teammate George Bailey. Picture: Jono Searle. Source: News Corp Australia

The very next ball produced the same result when he pulled Broad behind square leg to the fence.

Clarke's timing was so sweet that one defensive bunt raced to just inside the mid-on fence for three.

Clarke has been under a lot of pressure lately with a series of former players questioning facets of his game.

But he came to the wicket as if he did not have a single muddling thought in his head.

It was a commanding display of mental strength.

There was no hint of any conservatism against bogey man Broad who conceded 23 runs from the 21 balls he bowled to Clarke.

Clarke had raced to 15 off 17 balls by the time a break was taken for the first rain break and barely lost a sliver of momentum off the ground.

Once spinner Graeme Swann was brought into the attack the battle was effectively over for his plays the slow men better than anyone.

The plan to attack Swann was embraced with gusto and the spinner's first 24 balls to Clarke produced 28 runs including a six over mid-wicket.

Swann eventually got his man when Clarke missed a airy swoosh and was bowled but the damage had long been done.

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Three NRL clubs chasing Ferguson

Blake Ferguson trains at Tony Mundine's Gymnasium in Redfern. Pic Attila Szilvasi Source: Attila Szilvasi / Supplied

Anthony Mundine has revealed at least three NRL clubs are chasing his 'brother' Blake Ferguson for next season.

Denying he has already signed with the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Mundine says the Sharks and Warriors are also interested.

" (Shane) Flanagan has been texting him and I've spoken to Madge (McGuire) a couple of times," Mundine said.

"The Warriors are interested too. There is plenty demand there but our focus is the fight right now.

"After that we'll move forward and get Blake sorted. The kid is an exceptional talent.

"He can be the best centre in the world. He's got all the skills and so much mongrel."

The hottest rumour in rugby league on Friday was that Ferguson was a done deal at Souths.

Mundine insists it's not right.

"Because of my association with Rusty and other at Souths, people think he's going there," he said.

"I want the best for Blake, not me.

"Not just for his footy but to put him into the right environment that's going to be healthy for him."

Ferguson still needs to convince the NRL integrity unit that he can have his contract registered for 2014.

The NRL will monitor his upcoming court case on an indecent assault charge, which he denies, before making a decision.

His registration was cancelled at the end of last season when he was sacked by the Canberra Raiders.

Ferguson, who will fight on the Mundine-Mosley undercard on Wednesday night, is the fittest he's even been.

He has converted to Islam, is off the drink and is training seven days a week.

Mundine has taken over Ferguson's affairs after he recently split with player manager Sam Ayoub.

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Duke goal hands Moss first win

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MITCHELL Duke has struck late against Perth Glory to hand new Central Coast Mariners coach Phill Moss his first win at nib Stadium on Saturday night.

The Glory took the earlier took the lead through Jamie McLaren before Michael McGlinchey pegged one back for the defending champions.

More to come...

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'Perfect time to twist the knife'

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IT'S payback time at the Gabba this weekend.

A Test victory should await rampaging Australia but the home side must try to put a fistful of cherries on top of the pie. This is simply act one of a five-act play.

The next few days are a rare and precious chance for Australia to set themselves up for the summer by trying to break England's four-man attack in the field, getting a previously ropey top order into form and keeping England's key batting weapons pondering where their next run is coming from.

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Winning is the prime goal but keeping as many opposition players as possible out of form is a key subplot because England, fighters that they are, will be back.

Just losing a Test would be a numbing jolt for England given they have been unbeaten for 13 in a row and have not lost in a year. They are not used to getting over losses.

The fascinating thing about playing two Ashes series side-by-side is that there are recurring themes that become recurring nightmares.

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The series is just two days old yet already a host of players have blood dripping from reopened wounds.

Alastair Cook had a stunning series against Australia three years ago but in his two others series, including the recent one in England, he was firmly kept in Australia's pocket with repeated nicks outside off stump.

Ryan Harris found Cook's edge yesterday, so a skeleton is already rattling in his closet.

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Australia have been talking for a month about Jonathan Trott's struggles with the short ball and there they were again.

Cook and Trott, who destroyed Australia here three years ago, now look vulnerable each time they take the crease.

These are huge victories.

CHANGE OF PLAN

WE know England can protect a lead, scrap like junkyard dogs and sandpaper teams to death. But can they chase?

The prospect of Australia winning this Test and taking the lead against England for the first time in four Ashes series throws down a fascinating challenge for English captain Cook, whose naturally defensive mindset is more suited to protecting a lead rather than chasing one.

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THE FORTRESS

IF there was a snapshot of the reason why the Gabba is the greatest fortress in world cricket it was the madhouse English collapse between lunch and tea yesterday.

The biggest single factor behind Australia's 24 years of domination is the bounce of the wicket.

Batsmen going to India might be able to condition themselves for the turning ball and continued exposure to the swinging ball in the nets can enhance a batsman's skill level to that challenge.

Australia's Brad Haddin and captain Michael Clarke (L) react for a successful caught appeal. Source: AFP

But the Gabba continually proves that no amount of practice against ramped-up bowling machines or net bowlers can fully prepare a player for deliveries pounding into their ribs at 145km/h.

England may struggle to train for the Australian pace assault because barely a ball they have bowled in this match has pushed the speedometer past 140km/h.

The next time some AFL voice tries to convince the Gabba to have a drop-in wicket cricket officials should pull out a time capsule containing footage of yesterday's dismissals.

It was epic Test cricket.

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Aloisi can't get Heart out of hole

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MELBOURNE Heart's loss to Sydney last round was arguably the worst performance in A-League history.

Cries of "Aloisi out'' at the final whistle reverberated around Australia with the players producing a substandard performance. Fingers were pointed at the board.

So what is happening at Melbourne Heart? Why? Who's to blame? And how are they going to fix it?

It's a continuation of last season's poor finish but things have gone from bad to worse.

There's always several factors at play but the first thing that strikes you is that the players on the pitch are not playing to their full capacity.

The big names usually play OK but there seems to be too many willing to merely pick up their pay packet without worrying to much about the result or performance.

This is were the lack of a transfer system and incentives, such as promotion and relegation, come into play.

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A column for another day, but right now the performance against Sydney FC showed nothing but a complete disregard for the plight they find themselves in.

Just doing enough to get by is a part-time attitude that needs to change fast.

John Aloisi is a Socceroos legend and he would be doing everything possible to make his team better.

But does he have the experience in management to turn this around? I don't believe so and therein lies the quandary.

Very few succeed immediately after a playing career and the ones that do usually have a good team or a lot of funds to do it with.

Whether it's been Aloisi, chief executive Scott Munn or general manager football Johnny Didulica, the recruiting - including decisions to let players go - has been poor.

The exodus of nearly all their experienced players was ludicrous and the Harry Kewell experiment is turning into a farce.

This is where the board have big decisions to make. Do they persist and risk losing fans or do they bite the bullet?

Results and fan reaction will ultimately determine that, but if Heart continues on this road then something will have to be done to stop the bleeding.

The board must also decide in which direction it's headed.

There's more than one suitor keen to invest in the club and if selling a portion will help the club progress then they should do all they can to get this cash injection.

It's not impossible to turn this around, just look at tomorrow's opponent Newcastle Jets.

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Aussies have the need for speed

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AUSTRALIA without fast bowlers is like Sampson without his hair.

Fast bowling is in Australia's DNA. It has a loud and proud heritage which was enhanced at the Gabba as terrified England batsmen were humiliated.

Mitchell Johnson (4-61) was brutal, Ryan Harris (3-28) relentless and Peter Siddle (1-24) miserly.

It was a bone-rattling, helmet crashing display from Johnson, with his Movember moustache harking back to the raw aggression of Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson in the `70s.

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While Australia's batting depth continues to be exposed, the abundance of fast bowlers must be celebrated, as it was in Brisbane on Friday by a baying crowd which filled the Gabba almost to capacity.

Australia has four frontline fast bowlers out with long term injuries, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Jackson Bird, yet has still managed to assemble a confronting collection of high class pacemen.

On Friday's performance it is remarkable to think that Johnson was not considered among the best five fast bowlers in the country when he was ignored for the Ashes tour.

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Such has been his resurrection, with ball and bat, that he now looks set to be a permanent fixture this summer, raising the delicious prospect of more fireworks on the fast and bouncy Perth wicket for the third Test in a few weeks. The stars align for Johnson in Perth.

There is nothing more exciting than a fast bowler in full flight.

It raises the level of the contest to a more brutal gladiatorial form.

Skill and bravery must be shown in equal measure if a batsman is to survive and thrive. England managed neither.

And this is an era when batsmen have never had it so good.

Kevin Pietersen had no answer to Ryan Harris. Source: News Corp Australia

It highlights the skill and courage of those from eras past who had nothing but a layer of cloth between them and the ball on their head and most of their body.

What a joy to watch a Test match on a fast and bouncy wicket which brings the best out of the finest combatants.

The Gabba is not payback for the dry and doctored wickets England ordered around their country a few months ago to blunt Australia's pacemen and give their star spinner Graeme Swann an armchair ride to becoming the leading wicket-taker in the series.

It is simply the way the Gabba rolls out most of the time.

Mitchell Johnson bowls to Stuart Broad of England during day two of the First Ashes Test. Source: Getty Images

Everyone has the chance to prosper, as sometimes unloved spinner Nathan Lyon proved when he chimed in with the wickets of Bell and Prior to be on a hat trick.

The roaring of the crowd when Johnson was in full flight revived the glory days of Australian fast bowling.

I will never forget sitting in the Great Southern Stand of the MCG on Boxing Day 1975 with 85,000 people chanting Thommo and then Lillee as they demolished the West Indies.

Or the chants of Lillee that continued to rise from the same ground by delirious fans long after he had bowled Viv Richards on the last ball of Boxing Day 1981 to leave the West Indies 4-10 at stumps.

All those at the Gabba on Friday will talk about Johnson for years.

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Ding dong, wicked Mitch is back

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MEMO: Barmy Army. Cop that.

Resurgent Australian quick Mitchell Johnson silenced his fiercest English detractors with a vicious second-session spell that turned the Gabba Test on its head on Friday.

For so long Australian cricket's true enigma, Johnson finally solved his own riddle and rendered England clueless as he honoured his pre-series pledge to be an Ashes force.

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The 32-year-old reprised his role as Australia's fast-bowling bully, taking 4-61 and claiming three wickets in 13 balls as the punchdrunk Poms (136) lost 6-9 in a disastrous middle session.

Johnson's first victim was Jonathan Trott (10) and when he removed Michael Carberry (40), Joe Root (2) and Graeme Swann (0) just before tea, Australia's standover man was re-born.

If cricket has a tale of redemption, this is it.

Exactly two years ago, Johnson lost the plot so dramatically he changed his bowling run-up midway through a Test against South Africa in Johannesburg.

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He finished with 2-168. A mess technically and physically, requiring toe surgery, he considered retirement.

He had already been through the wringer once before, left mentally battered by the Barmy Army brickbats that scorched Johnson's soul during his 2009 Ashes meltdown.

Yet here he is. Better for life's vicissitudes. Just as fast. Just as menacing. And now, alarmingly for England, mentally stronger for the dark days that taught Johnson to grasp every chance and bowl as if he's walking the (Baggy) Green Mile.

Mitchell Johnson lets fly. Source: Getty Images

Entering this Test, Johnson vowed he would no longer be a brain-frying conundrum. If the Barmy Army sledged him, he would give it back. After talking the talk, the left-arm speed merchant was duty-bound to walk the walk.

By stumps, his spikes trampled ruthlessly over an English top-order that surely thought it had seen the last of Johnson after he failed to appear in Australia's recent 3-0 Ashes loss.

Johnson started slowly yesterday and he can continue to tease, enchant, delight and frustrate ... all in the same spell. But it was another gamble, much like the one he took two years ago in Johannesburg, which proved a career-shaping moment.

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This time, the roll of the dice succeeded. Opting to go around the wicket, he rattled Carberry with two 145km/h thunderbolts before the English opener's edge to Shane Watson fuelled Johnson's fire.

The veteran of 209 Test wickets will never possess the metronomic consistency of Glenn McGrath but on his day Johnson sends the Richter scale soaring.

Perhaps he is best left raw and unspoiled.

As Australia's riddle, Mitchell Johnson's unpredictability is havoc enough to wipe out any (Barmy) Army.

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Warner back in good books

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GIVEN the soap opera that has been David Warner's life in recent months, Australian cricket fans could have justifiably hoped the colourful opener would never be seen in the baggy-green again.

But thank goodness for Warner's presence at the Gabba yesterday. Without cricket's human headline, Australia's opening innings of the summer would have resembled an episode of the Benny Hill Show.

Granted, there were still too many moments of local batting vaudeville. But on a day where England followed their script to the letter, Warner provided moments of resistance that suggest he can be the streetfighting nuisance that keeps the old enemy honest this summer.

Entering this first Test, Warner spoke of his aim to win back respect following his bar-room bust-up with Joe Root during his horror tour of England.

Day one at the Gabba represented the first step. His 49 was not the mammoth innings that provides the bedrock for Test triumphs but it was an enterprising, impressive knock and an exhibition of Warner's ability when he is single-minded about cricket.

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To some degree, amid his search for redemption, he would have gleaned the respect of the English attack he briefly dominated yesterday.

While his top-order cohorts wilted in the English furnace, Warner fought fire with fire. His statement was instant, crunching Stuart Broad's first ball of the morning to the boundary with a pull shot over backward square leg.

The following over, Warner went after James Anderson, driving confidently to a ball that was deliciously full and wide.

Nine balls later, he brutally cover drove a Broad half-volley to the fence. And then he produced the most audacious shot of the day, leaping off the ground to cheekily upper-cut a Broad bouncer over the slips cordon. Four boundaries in six overs. Warner was away. Somebody stop him.

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Perhaps the most compelling observation was Warner's control. His knock was a fusion of power and patience. In between the displays of brutality, Warner adopted a sensible mentality, respecting the good balls and keeping his ego in the back pocket.

The bad balls were duly punished. Just ask spinner Graeme Swann, who watched helplessly as Warner thumped his second delivery of the innings to the long-off boundary.

The aggressive left-hander went to lunch unbeaten on 42 with the hosts steady at 2-71. A century beckoned in the second session, but Broad exacted revenge, removing Warner after he slapped an innocuous short ball to Kevin Pietersen at cover.

The Matraville Mauler deserved at least a half-century, but he walked off with perhaps a more precious currency.

Something called respect.

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Sadly missing Tony, Bill, Richie

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Last year, it was all so reassuringly familiar. The Channel Nine cricket commentary had remained pretty much unchanged for decades, with only the occasional newbie blooded to the fray.

In 2013, the game has changed. When we turned on yesterday morning, there was no Richie Benaud (car accident), Bill Lawrie (semi retired) or Tony Greig (sadly departed).

In their place is one inspired choice, several brilliant Poms and an upstart who will never live up to the standards set by the Nine team over so many years.

Mr Cricket, Mike Hussey, might sound like a jockey but his commentary is insightful, technically superb and as enthusiastic as his batting. His English friends, Michael Vaughan and David Lloyd are witty, quick on their feet and passionate about their team.

The only downer is the new co-anchor, James Brayshaw. How this former shield player from Bleak City has managed to hurdle Michael Slater and Ian Healy for the right to anchor the broadcast each day is beyond me.

Brayshaw has been around the edges for years, featuring in the one day commentary and dipping in with the Footy Show in Melbourne. He rarely says anything original and his out and out blokiness is way out of place in the 21st century. Head of Nine sport, Steve Crawley says he will grow on us, but I can already tell you he is no Richie Benaud.

The other game changer is the new television deal recently signed by the Nine Network, which was obviously much more than an exchange of cash.

The first sign of that was during the lunch break when the very first guest of the year was head of high performance at Cricket Australia, Pat Howard.

Aside from the fact that he is not a cricketer, Howard was wheeled out because he is under huge pressure to keep his job. He answered a few Dorothy Dixers from Slater and Brett Lee which were as unconvincing as his performance in the job in recent times.

The second ominous sign was a 'world exclusive' preview of Toyota's new television commercial featuring Steve Waugh. This was not paid commercial time. It was during a 30 minute cricket program. There should be no more of that nonsense for the rest of the summer.

Nine's actual coverage is the best in the world, with camera angles and graphics unmatched anywhere else in the sport.

Bring back Richie for a cameo, ease Brayshaw out, don't panda to CA and Nine's summer of cricket might just become as comfortable and brilliant as it has been for 30 years.

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Aussies need Clarke to bat at No. 5

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IF Australia is to have any hope of competing with England after yet another inept batting performance, Michael Clarke must move back to number five.

His uncomfortable dismissal for just one on the opening day of the first Test at the Gabba, fending a Stuart Broad short ball to short leg, has reinforced why Australia's only world class player is wasted batting any higher.

Enough of the macho argument that your best batsman should bat up the order, he should bat where he performs best.

When Clarke bats at four he is not Australia's best batsman, far from it.

He averaged under 25 in the position and it was under 22 until he scored 187 in the washed out third Test at Old Trafford on a flat pitch.

When Clarke bats at five he is superman. He averages 64 and has scored 20 of his 24 centuries there.

At four he has reached 50 just five times and he does it only once every seven or eight innings in that position.

Stuart Broad celebrates after his short ball forced Michael Clarke to fend a catch to Ian Bell at short leg. Source: Getty Images

At five he has reached 50 39 times, once every two or three innings.

Exposing Clarke to a newish ball he does not platy well is wasting Australia's most precious asset.

The same thing happened in the first innings of the opening Test during the last Ashes series when Clarke was forced to come in at 2-19 and was bowled by an absolute corker of a ball from Jimmy Anderson for 0.

What a waste. Better to sacrifice any other player to the unplayable ball than Clarke.

On the evidence of recent series no one else in the line-up can mount a convincing argument they should be in the team on consistent performances.

If it takes a major reshuffling of the batting order to get Clarke back in his rightful position then so be it.

Michael Clarke trudges off the field after being removed by a well-targeted short ball in what has become a familiar dismissal. Source: Getty Images

On the evidence of his time as captain it has been no Clarke, no Australia.

Tasmania's Alex Doolan is the best batsman in the country without a baggy green cap and given the continued poor showing of the national team it cannot be far away.

Doolan is a natural number three and is in the form of his life.

He could easily slot into that position for Australia given it has been so unproductive since Ricky Ponting began to fade late in his career, with Shane Watson moving to four.

This would leave Clarke at five and Steve Smith at six.

If George Bailey is forced out of the side after one Test so Clarke can be at his most productive then so be it.

Bailey and Australia may make any changes redundant with a spectacular second innings but history tells us that Tests are largely won and lost on first innings runs.

Private murmurings around Australian cricket suggest that Bailey "nicks for fun" and it certainly looked like it yesterday during his brief and unconvincing stay of three.

Whatever happens the status quo is not an option. Too many players have failed too often in the recent past to persist with mediocrity.

And without Clarke making a significant contribution Australia is regularly mediocre.

MICHAEL CLARKE BATTING

No. 4: 889 runs - 25 average - 1 century

No. 5: 5829 runs - 64 average - 20 centuries

Career: 7656 runs - 52 average - 24 centuries

SHOULD GEORGE BAILEY BE DROPPED AFTER ONLY ONE TEST TO ALLOW MICHAEL CLARKE TO BAT AT NUMBER FIVE? HAVE YOUR SAY BELOW.

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Scott is the bogey man

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IT was a dramatic collapse. Five gone in the blink of an eye. The trophy surrendered, perhaps, with the battle still in its first day.

Not Australia, Adam Scott. Not five wickets, five shots.

A horrendous quintuple bogey nine at the par four 12th hole during the first round of the World Cup at Royal Melbourne that was, from Scott, far more shocking than Australia's routine top order collapse.

A tee shot and a provisional ball both carved right into the tea tree. The first ball lost, the second unplayable. So Scott trudged back to the tee where he needed to hole out from 410 metres to salvage bogey. He came up short.

That walk back to the tee is familiar to the club hacker as the Australian batsmen's march back to the pavilion. But for the world No.2 it must have felt as unfamiliar as leaving a nightclub without being offered half a dozen phone numbers.

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Nine is usually the first figure on a prizemoney cheque for Scott, not a golf score. It was the highest number he had pencilled on his scorecard since an unsightly 10 at Doral six years ago.

Inevitably, Scott would sign for a four over 75. Eight more than in his first round on the same course at the Australian Masters one week ago. Only Jason Day's pleasing 68 stopped Australia from slipping lower than eighth in the team event.

''Two lazy swings,'' said Scott of two of three two-irons he hit from the 12th tee. ''Just off with the fairies.''

Perhaps that was a sign of fatigue given Scott's tremendous recent workload. Having won back-to-back tournaments for the first time and shouldered a mountain of media and promotional work, he was entitled to a momentary brain fade. Even if the punishment did not quite fit the crime.

Scott's dramatic blowout was part of an otherwise low key day at Royal Melbourne. An indication the World Cup had not yet captivated even that golf mad part of the planet in Melbourne's famed sand belt region.

Adam Scott emerges from the scrub seemingly without his lost ball during his opening round. Source: Getty Images

Tournament organisers IMG are promoting back-to-back events on the same course, a tough sell even with Scott's quest for a Summer Slam and Day's relatively rare home appearance. But the subdued atmosphere from the modest galleries did not do justice to the excellent golf from some top-line players in conditions far more difficult than last week when the greens were softened by rain.

American Kevin Streelman upstaged his more heralded countryman Matt Kuchar with a sometimes spectacular 66. He matched the mark set by Danish veteran Thomas Bjorn who ensured Denmark had a chance of tightening its traditional grip on world golf.

Not that there was any hint of patriotic fervour. A bone of contention about the new World Cup format was that, as teams events go, this is more like Formula One than Ryder Cup. Every man for himself, then tally the numbers at the end of the day.

Still searching, Adam Scott peers into the undergrowth as he hunts down his lost ball. Source: Getty Images

Scott and Day played two hours and eight minutes and eight holes apart wearing their regular sponsored shirts rather than team uniform. Not an arrangement that allowed for Ryder Cup-style high-fiving or which distinguished the event greatly from last week's Australian Masters.

The added emphasis on the individual prize has been justified by the World Cup's dwindling significance on a crowded calendar. But yesterday that seemed a bit like fighting the market dominance of vanilla ice cream by producing yet more vanilla ice cream.

Surely something could have been done to accentuate the World Cup's point of difference - a team battle for a once prestigious team trophy. Like the Ashes, except with Australia having some chance to win.

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No runs equals Rogers and out

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CHRIS Rogers is one of few colour-blind batsman to play Test cricket but he can see well enough to know his Test career will fade to black if he fails to fire against England this summer.

Rogers learned of his eyesight condition as a child and while he cannot see a pink ball for quids, the traditional red one can also pose problems, particularly at the Gabba.

With its multi-coloured concourse, Rogers has been known to lose the ball in the maroon Gabba seats during his long periods in the middle batting for Victoria.

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The gritty left-hander can only hope a similar fate does not befall him against an England side plotting to terminate his baggy green career.

"I have always known I am colour blind,'' Rogers said. "It's something you have to adapt to as you go along, but there's no pink-ball cricket for me, that's for sure.

"I would never play with a pink ball again. I played one game and didn't see the ball at all so it was a bit pointless.

"Thankfully, I will be long gone before day-night cricket comes along."

For now, Rogers' prime concern is whether he gets his eye in and converts starts into tons.

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At 36, Rogers is playing only his seventh Test. It has been a long road to the baggy green and he is acutely aware that time offers him no latitude for failure.

Former opener Simon Katich was axed from the Test side at 35 after averaging 50 in the previous calendar year. Rogers is averaging 35.09 and admits he must consolidate this summer or risk a permanent return to domestic duties.

"You see the younger guys performing (and) there is always going to be a push for the next big thing," said Rogers, who hit 110, his maiden Test ton, in the recent Ashes in England after making his debut against India in 2008.

"As an older player, your spot is on the line, but that is the challenge I have had to face throughout my whole career.

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"It's nothing different. I will enjoy it for what it is and not worry about it too much."

Rogers, who has plundered 20,795 first-class runs with 63 centuries, says he has come to grips with the dark years when he struggled to appear on the national selection radar.

"When you feel you are outperforming a lot of other guys who were younger, that was hard to take but I'm over that," he said.

"I now enjoy it for what it is and a chance to play for Australia.

"Everything is still quite new for me. There probably won't be too many opportunities for me so I will enjoy the new experience of playing the first Test of an Ashes series at the Gabba.''

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Punter tells Watto time to fire up

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FORMER Test skipper Ricky Ponting has challenged Shane Watson to step up as an Ashes matchwinner, saying he is more important to Australia's batting success than Michael Clarke.

Boasting a Test average of 52.08, Clarke is unquestionably Australia's best batsman and will carry the side's Ashes hopes - starting today in the first Test at the Gabba.

But Ponting instead nominated Watson as the batsman who must deliver for Australia to have any hope of averting the ignominy of a fourth consecutive Ashes series defeat.

The allrounder has pushed Australian selectors' patience to breaking point with form fluctuations that saw him go almost three years without a Test century.

But after he cracked a career-best 176 in his most recent Test against England in August, Australia are hoping it is the career-defining knock that turns Watson into a Test batting force.

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Ponting championed Watson's abilities throughout his tenure as national captain and says it is time the injury-prone allrounder won a series with consistently dominant batting.

"I think Shane Watson is the most important batsman," Ponting said as Australia and England yesterday wrapped-up preparations for the Gabba opener.

"If he can play at (No.3) the way he finished the last series then that will help Australia a lot.

"It's got to be at the start of this series rather than at the end."

While Watson has been a revelation as a one-day batsman, he has struggled to dominate in the longer form, having compiled 2998 Test runs at 36.12 with three tons in 46 Tests.

The 32-year-old has endured the heartbreak of several near misses. He has been dismissed four times in the 90s and admits his Test record could look more ominous had he converted good starts into mammoth scores.

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"You can't change things," he said.

"I've always done my best with the bat. In a perfect world I would have averaged 50 in Test cricket and 40 in one-day cricket, but life has never been perfect.

"I've given 100 per cent. I'm still happy with what I have achieved."

But Ponting has no doubt Watson can produce more this summer. In a further boost for the Australians, Watson is expected to bowl in the first Test after initial fears a hamstring injury would restrict him to batting duties.

Clarke isn't about to bowl Watson into the ground but indicated yesterday the allrounder will be called into the attack to make a difference.

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"I don't think he will be at 100 per cent in bowling 25 overs in the first innings of a Test match, but Watto has improved every single day," he said.

"I'm confident he will be able to bat at his best and do a job with the ball for us," he said.

Ponting, who ascended to greatness in the No.3 slot, says the Australian batting line-up has a solid look with Watson at first drop and Clarke at No.4.

"I'm a big believer that your best batsman should bat as high as possible," he said.

"It's no good Michael coming in at 3-30. He has to be in there stopping them getting to 3-30. You can't expect lesser skilled players to do a harder job than you. I'm glad he's moved up to four."

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Now or never for Pup's players

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Australia must put England to the sword in the first Test at the Gabba, beginning today, or the Ashes will be gone for another series.

Fortress Gabba has been Australia's bastion for most of the past 80 years but failure to strike in Brisbane has usually meant failure around the country.

Even drawn Tests have often meant that Australia has failed to win the series and win it they must if they are to regain the Ashes after losing three series on the trot.

Only once has Australia come back from losing in Brisbane to claim the little urn, during 1936-37 when Don Bradman was captain.

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Captain Michael Clarke knows the size of the task ahead for him and his team. His tense mood yesterday suggested the time for talking was over.

"There's been a lot said about the build-up to this series, speculation about players, how Australia are going to turn it around," he said after training.

"I'm not going to sit here and promise the world, tell you everything is going to be different.

"Our job is to perform at our best, and hope the result will take care of itself.

"I think the belief is there, and I hope we'll show that over the next five Test matches."

England captain Alastair Cook made it clear that his side was acutely aware of Fortress Gabba, although the 235 not out he made there last time turned a certain Australian victory into a draw before England went on to claim the series.

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"We've spoken about their record here, not losing for 25 years is a good achievement," Cook said.

"We spoke about something like this at Lord's 2009, when we played them. We hadn't beaten them for 70-odd years at Lord's and we made a real conscious effort to try to change that.

"This side has done that a number of times, when there have been specific challenges ahead of us, we've delivered.

"Whether we can do that this game will depend on how well we play, but the start of the series, and especially at such a ground where they have a lot of confidence, would do us the world of good."

Clarke appeared to confirm that spinner Nathan Lyon would play ahead of all-rounder James Faulkner, although the team will not be announced until today.

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"The wicket looks fantastic, it will offer pace and bounce for the bowlers and that includes spin," said Clarke.

"Spin has had success at the Gabba because of the bounce more than the spin.

"The Gabba is one of the best Test wickets in the world because it offers good pace and bounce so your bowlers are always interested."

Clarke also confirmed that Shane Watson was likely to bowl after recovering sufficiently from a hamstring strain.

"I don't think he will be at 100 per cent in bowling 25 overs in the first innings of a Test match, but Watto has improved every single day and I'm confident he will be able to bat at his best and do a job with the ball for us," said Clarke.

CAN AUSTRALIA TAKE BACK THE ASHES WITHOUT WINNING IN BRISBANE? HAVE YOUR SAY BELOW.

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Broad targeted for 'cheating' to a T

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ENGLAND paceman Stuart Broad has officially become Public Enemy No. 1 with Australian cricket fans issuing a $10,000 backhander to the "cheating Pom".

Ahead of the first Test starting today at the Gabba, Australian supporters have seized upon T-shirts condemning Broad for refusing to walk during the recent Ashes series in England.

Melbourne academic Googan Djerra has unveiled a range of T-shirts protesting against Broad, accompanied by the slogan: "Never forgive. Never forget."

The English quick stood his ground in the first Test in July despite replays showing he edged an Ashton Agar delivery which deflected off wicketkeeper Brad Haddin to Michael Clarke at first slip.

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Djerra said Broad's actions were a clear breach of the spirit of cricket and his anti-Broad shirts have been snapped up in their hundreds by the Australian public.

"Basically, it's a protest against England and Stuart Broad being the cheating Pom that he is," Djerra said.

"He has openly admitted to cheating, he has been quoted around the globe saying he hit the ball but refused to walk.

"It's meant to be a gentleman's game and Stuart's actions were against the spirit of the game.

"On the internet I'm getting hundreds of hits a day. I actually started out with shirts protesting against Japanese whaling and now I am protesting against Stuart Broad.

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"His abject cheek was so great it inspired me to want to do something.

"I am now selling them in bundles of four because the demand has been so great."

Broad is bracing for brickbats from Australian fans throughout the summer, saying recently: "You don't want the Aussies loving you because it probably means you're rubbish."

In an interview with English media last week, the 27-year-old said he had no regrets over his decision not to walk, taking aim at the actions of Australian rival Haddin.

"I'm not really bothered what people think on that side of things. There were 19 or 20 instances of England or Australia players not walking in the Ashes series," he said.

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"Nobody mentions Brad Haddin not walking at the end of that match with 10 to win. So I think I was made an example of.

"I've never been a walker, 99 per cent of professional cricketers are not walkers.

"It's the umpires' decision. If Wayne Rooney (Manchester United soccer star) jumped into a two-footed tackle in a Premier League game against Liverpool and the ref gave him a yellow card, would he go, 'You know what, ref, we're one-nil down but I'm going to walk off ... come on, send me off'"

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Heavyweight battle Kiwis and Poms

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SUNDAY morning's World Cup semi-final between England and New Zealand is being billed as a battle of the heavyweights and it's an appropriate description when you consider the relative size of the forwards packs each side will put out.

The Kiwis have arguably the most formidable pack in the tournament, with the likes of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Ben Matulino and Sonny Bill Williams.

It's one with power and skill and a large part of New Zealand's game plan is based around forward dominance.

But England won't be intimidated. They have the Burgess clan - Sam and Tom are the lightest of the three at 116kg - and workhorse front-rower James Graham.

In fact, England's starting pack in their quarter-final against France was slightly heavier than New Zealand's at 625kg to the Kiwis' 620kg and they also brought George Burgess and his 120kg frame off the bench.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves of New Zealand during the Rugby League World Cup Quarter Final match between New Zealand and Scotland at Headingley Carnegie Stadium on November 15, 2013 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

England and New Zealand have taken a different approach to Australia, who have opted for a more mobile pack, and it's helped by the slow play-the-balls seen so far at this World Cup and 12 interchanges allowed in the international game.

There will be a number of intriguing match-ups on Sunday, not least of all the one between Williams and Sam Burgess. Williams will play on the right side, Burgess on the left.

Williams leads the tournament in offloads with 13 (Burgess has five) while Burgess is third among forwards for tackle breaks with 16 (Williams has 14).

"They have a lot of big boys but we should be able to match them," Matulino said.

"They are going alright in the tournament and so are we.

"Sam Burgess is in the top three forwards in the game at the moment. You know what he's going to bring because he brings it every week in the NRL. He's going to come out and hit hard and run hard.

"James Graham is a workhorse. He tackles and runs all day. We have a little bit of insight but our track record against them in England isn't too good so we are the underdogs."

Sam Moa (C) of New Zealand acknowledges the crowds applause on a lap of honour after his sides victory during the Rugby League World Cup Quarter Final match between New Zealand and Scotland at Headingley Carnegie Stadium on November 15, 2013 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

The Kiwis haven't beaten England in the UK since 2005 and Matulino has been involved in the last two tours.

He debuted in the unsuccessful 2009 Four Nations, when the Kiwis won only one game against France, and returned for their poor 2011 campaign when their only win was against Wales.

He had a great season in 2012, when he was Warriors' Player of the Year, but his form dipped in 2013.

"I think I'm playing a bit better [at the World Cup] than what I was in the NRL," he said.

"I'm a lot more confident playing alongside these boys.

"Everyone is driving each other in this team. Sonny is probably leading the way. When he does stuff, people tend to copy and it rubs off on the others."

Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney said last week's side against Scotland was close to his favoured 17 but there's still a question mark around the fourth front-rower with Sam Kasiano and Sam Moa going head-to-head.

Moa was preferred last week over Kasiano, who had previously played in all three games on tour and was said to be in need of a rest.

If Kasiano was to play, his 1.96m and 122kg frame - it's closer to 130kg - would only add to what is already a weighty match.

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Rabbitohs and Wanderers unite

Coach Michael Maguire during South Sydney rugby league training at Redfern Oval, Sydney. Pic Brett Costello Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

THEY are successful Sydney sporting clubs with virtually nothing in common.

One has won 20 premierships over 103 years and is run by a glamorous Hollywood actor.

The other is not two years old from battling western Sydney.

Now though, the famous South Sydney Rabbitohs and A-League's Western Sydney Wanderers have united at the highest level.

Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire and Wanderers coach Tony Popovic have struck up an unlikely friendship. They share ideas and ideals.

Maguire was at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday night watching the Wanderrs beat Melbourne Victory 1-0. He ended up in the victorious dressing room.

The Bunnies coach spent a portion of last week with Popovic inside the Wanderers organisation.

Popovic now has plans to visit South Sydney's Redfern headquarters when Maguire returns from a trip to Arizona.

The cross-code relationship just may help the Wanderers to A-League glory and Souths to an elusive NRL premiership.

Coach Michael Maguire and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Sydney Domestic Airport after returning from Townsville Source: News Limited

"He (Popovic) is a great fella," Maguire said from America.

"I can see why they are having success.

"He is a very smart coach."

Asked did they share ideas, Maguire said: "He is very similar to me, always learning."

Maguire was so keen to watch the action on Saturday night he was spotted sitting in the rain.

"The match against Victory was a good opportunity to bring Michael in to see how we do things at the Wanderers," Popovic said.

"I look forward to taking some time to visit Redfern oval in the coming months."

Andy Paschalidis, Sky Sports Radio football commentator and Wanderers ground announcer, watched Maguire and Popvic mingle on Saturday evening.

"I was pleasantly surprised to see Michael at the game. I first noticed him talking to some of the Wanderers backroom staff at the dressing room entrance before the game," Paschalidis said.

Tony Popovic during the Western Sydney Wanderers v Melbourne Victory A League game at Pirtek Stadium, Parramatta. pic mark evans Source: News Limited

"Then I bumped into him in the Premier's Lounge where he would have been the guest of (Wanderers executive chairman) Lyall Gorman. It was an engaging conversation with 'Madge' stating that both he and Tony Popovic are very similar in many ways and that he was very keen to forge a long-term friendship.

"Michael was enthralled by the match day spectacle on the back of spending time with 'Poppa' and the team in midweek.

"Like many who make it to 'Wanderland' for the first time he couldn't believe how such a franchise could have developed so quickly, reached such great heights on the pitch and drawn a strong supporter base.

"Despite the rain he decided to head outside and take in the atmosphere during the second half; no doubt impressed that the majority of the Wanderers fans didn't move from their seats for the entire match."

Maguire's Rabbioths fell one game short of the 2013 grand final, Popovic's Wanderers were beaten in the A-League grand final earlier this year.

Popovic visited Wayne Bennett several years ago when he coached the St George Illawarra Dragons.

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Dogs pounce on fullback Hoffman

Ben Barba and Josh Hoffman. . The Brisbane Broncos vs the Canterbury Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Pic Peter Wallis Source: Peter Wallis / News Limited

THE Bulldogs are preparing to pounce on disgruntled Broncos fullback Josh Hoffman as payback for stealing their Dally M superstar Ben Barba.

Bulldogs coach Des Hasler is aware the Kiwi World Cup star is unhappy in Brisbane and is working feverishly behind the scenes to get him to Belmore.

Canterbury has four players in the New Zealand tour party - Sam Kasiano, Frank Pritchard, Krisnan Inu and Greg Eastwood - who are quietly encouraging the blockbusting fullback to move to Sydney.

Hoffman has been out of sorts since Barba signed at the Broncos amid speculation he would be shunted to the wing.

"We're aware of Canterbury's interest," said one senior Broncos official.

"They're all over him.

"When you're on tour in another country for so long you build a bond with your team mates and the Canterbury boys have been working on him.

"But at this stage we don't want to release him."

Broncos Training at Red Hill. Justin Hoffman. Pic Mark Calleja Source: News Limited

Still, the Broncos based their entire campaign to sign Barba on the fact he was unhappy in Sydney and wanted out from Canterbury.

It would be hard for them to stand in the way of one of their own players who clearly doesn't want to be there, just like Barba at the Bulldogs.

Since the end of the season, the Dogs have tried but failed to lure Parramatta's Jarryd Hayne and William Hopoate to Belmore to replace Barba.

They even went big-time for Wallaby star Israel Folau who eventually decided to stay with the Waratahs.

When those negotiations fell over, Hasler turned his attention to the blockbusting Broncos player.

Working in Canterbury's favour is the fact the Broncos need to free up cash to finalise their record bid for Australia's Test captain Cameron Smith.

Paying Hoffman $400,000-a-season to play on the wing is seen as too much money spread across the salary cap.

Josh Hoffman after Brisbane's loss during the round 24 rugby league game between Penrith and Brisbane at Centrebet Stadium in Penrith, Sydney. Source: News Limited

Aside from the Bulldogs, other NRL clubs are aware of Hoffman's situation and have spoken to his agent in recent weeks.

However they don't have as much money as Canterbury have to play with under the salary cap.

Before Barba signed in Brisbane, 25-year-old Hoffman was just beginning talks with the Broncos about extending his contract.

But he has made it clear he wants to wear the No 1 jersey.

Barba can play in the halves but has made his home at fullback in recent seasons from where he became the 2012 Dally M champion.

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Socceroos Report Card

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"It's a starting point and we want to get better".

Ange Postecoglou might not have been doing cartwheels, but he was certainly a satisfied man after the Socceroos opened his account as coach with a 1-0 win over Costa Rica.

There was evidence of what the side worked on at training, signs of a renewed spirit and energy, the return of a structure and organised set-up and glimpses in attack to bury the memories of a torrid few months for the green and gold.

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It's only a step forward and the 1-0 win against an underwhelming Costa Rica is nothing to get carried away over. As Mark Bosnich noted on Fox Sports after the match, there's a long way to go just to be competitive in Brazil next year, but it's a hell of an improvement.

We run the rule over the first performance in the Postecoglou era.

OVERALL/TACTICS

The pride in the green and gold returned, and they are starting to remember what it's like to play with the ball again.

It was fascinating hearing veteran Mark Bresciano elaborate on the difference over the past week: "(It was) different (under Ange). I think you can see the boys are enjoying their football again, we showed that tonight - keeping possession, looking to play ... We got our enthusiasm back."

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The Socceroos pressed the Costa Rican midfield well for the majority of the 90 minutes, which went a long way to winning the midfield battle, and retrieving the ball promptly if we did happen to turn it over.

If that high tempo, energised style is to become a hallmark under Postecoglou, then we're going to see a return to a type of character that once again befits our national side.

Postecoglou is making no secrets of his approach. Mat Ryan was preferred because of his comfort with the ball at his feet; the coach singled out his full-backs for their energetic performances, and even in the dying moments of the match, you could hear the coach barking "keep the ball, keep the ball".

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A confidence returned to the side on the ball and there were more forward passes played than in a long time. Sure, the opponents didn't put a great deal of pressure on the Socceroos this time around, but the signs of the work in progress are promising.

There was always pace available in midfield - and in stark contrast to some of the recent performances under Holger Osieck, there was mobility and structure that helped support Bresciano, Neill and co, and build towards the clean sheet.

Was there cohesion for 90 minutes? Not at all; even Postecoglou said it was far from the fluency he would like. But it was certainly a step in the right direction - in attitude, demeanour and performance.

Mark : B+

MATCH REPORT: ANGE ERA OFF TO WINNING START

ANALYSIS: PLENTY OF POSITIVES FOR ANGE

TIRADE: NEILL: 'WHY ARE YOU F***IN BOOING?'

AS IT HAPPENED: RE-LIVE OUR INTERACTIVE BLOG

PLAYER RATING: WHO SHONE FOR THE SOCCEROOS?

DEFENCE

All the talk in the days leading into the game were that Mitchell Langerak would get the nod between the sticks, but game time for Club Brugge and his ability to sweep off his line and distribute saw Ryan get the nod. Barring two nervous miscommunications with Jason Davidson and Lucas Neill in the first-half, the former Central Coast Mariners stopper had little to worry about.

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That had a lot to do with a terrific performance from the back-four. Ivan Franjic is arguably the epitome of the type of player Postecoglou wants in his side, and he did not look out of place at this level, feeding Kruse cleanly all night, was on the money defensively at right back and often the man scrambling back to defuse dangerous situations.

Davidson, playing with Hercules in the Dutch first division, enjoyed his best 90 minute display for the Socceroos - recovering well after almost enduring a horror start when he headed past Ryan and scoring another international own goal. With the country craving a genuine left-back to step up to the plate, he now finds himself in the box seat, and was lavished with praise from Postecoglou after the match.

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A lot of focus was on captain Lucas Neill at the back, but alongside Rhys Williams, then Ryan McGowan, they were hardly troubled. Australia drifted a bit too deep midway through the first-half, but the back-four returned to squeezing further up the field in the second term, and Neill was quick to pressure Joel Campbell or Jonathan McDonald when they had their back to goal.

It's hard to remember Ryan having to make a save of note, so it was a job well done by the back-four.

"I thought he (Neill) marshalled the defence really well," Postecoglou said. "He kept us nice and compact.

"Rhys has been fantastic all week - he tweaked his groin yesterday, so to get through 60 minutes was (great)."

Mark: B

MIDFIELD

What an encouraging performance from Mark Milligan and Mile Jedinak playing alongside each other as the screening 'two' in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

"It's the first time I've played with him (Mile) at international level ... and when one was going, one was sitting," Milligan said after the game.

Indeed, the balance was solid as Australia dominated midfield and possession. Jedinak's work-rate was outstanding, but what was particularly impressive was his distribution - after a wobbly start, it was one of his sharpest displays in green and gold. Alongside Milligan, they consistently broke down Costa Rica's attack and it's a combination that looks promising going forward.

Further down the pitch, the more we see Robbie Kruse on the ball, the better. The Bayer Leverkusen man is a menace and a vital outlet. He almost put one on a platter for Matthew Leckie in the first-half, and his pace, movement and footwork are a treat to watch. He lures an incredible amount of fouls on him, which can put Australia into valuable set-piece territory, and also makes some incisive darts through the heart of the defence.

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It makes such a difference to Milligan and Jedinak to have pace to hit out wide, and if need be, a shrewd ballplayer in front of them. To start with, it was Mark Bresciano. It wasn't his most dangerous or consistent display in green and gold, but he put a tough week behind him to show signs of his importance - although it must be said, Costa Rica weren't putting a great deal of pressure on the Aussies on the ball.

The veteran, though, was arguably upstaged by Tom Rogic's cameo. In his stint, we saw glimpses of his surreal talent as he burst through the heart of midfield. The Celtic man needs more game time at club level, and if he develops that killer instinct, he will be the vital cog in the Roos XI.

Tommy Oar added another dimension when he replaced Dario Vidosic, who was involved in some nice interplay but probably didn't grab his opening with both hands. Oar was a slippery customer on the left.

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Can the midfield move the ball quicker, press more consistently and provide more incisive goal scoring opportunities? Of course. But as flat as Costa Rica were, a lot of it had a to do with the energy resonating from the Socceroos' engine room.

It was a hell of an improvement on recent outings and the intent was there.

Mark: B

UP FRONT

The more things change, the more they stay the same. You can throw all the analysis out the window, because at the end of the day, it was Australia's talisman who scored the way he has so many times for the national side - soaring above the pack with his head off a set piece.

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Cahill certainly provided an excellent focal point when he came on, but credit has to go to Mathew Leckie for his first big outing at international level. Alone up front, he drifted into space, was able to hold the ball up and link with the oncoming midfielders. On another day, would have had a goal.

We didn't see a lot of Cahill and Kennedy together, but there mere fact they were on together is another sign that there is a new coach in charge, prepared to try things.

Mark: B

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