Strikers offer Bailey tougher Test

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ADELAIDE Strikers enforcer Shaun Tait and protégé Kane Richardson have pledged to make life tougher for George Bailey in Hobart on Sunday than England paceman Jimmy Anderson this Ashes summer.

Test No.6 Bailey (39 not out) smashed a record 28 runs off one Anderson (0/105) over in Australia's resounding, 150-run, third-Test win against England in Perth last week.

Tait, 30, laments he can only sling one bouncer an over at Bailey in the Big Bash League opener at Bellerive.

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"He is a great player, we have to play him this week but Twenty20 will be a whole different ball game. It will be a whole lot different to a Test match," said former Test speedster Tait.

Hurricane's skipper Bailey will have less time to set up - and margin for error - against Tait and Richardson's 150km/h missiles.

"We will have to put a bit of heat on him I reckon," said Tait.

Watching Mitchell Johnson devastate England has provided Tait with fresh impetus to press for a berth in Australia's Twenty20 World Cup squad to Bangladesh next April.

"It gives you an inspiration to keep having a crack, I think I am in peak fitness," said Tait, who figured in Australia's 2010 T20 World Cup campaign in the Caribbean and 2011 one-day showpiece in India.

Richardson was signed for a $700,000 debut 2013 season with Indian Premier League franchise Pune Warriors.

Skippers Johan Botha and George Bailey face off ahead of Sunday's BBL clash. Source: News Limited

Tait believes new-ball partner Richardson, 22, will better his 10 wickets at 21 in the BBL last season - starting with an emphatic display against Hobart.

Tait vowed to blow away rivals inside the first six overs this tournament and leave spin twins Johan Botha and Adam Zampa to mop up the rest.

"Kane Richardson is one of the better Twenty20 bowlers going around at the moment in world cricket. There is a reason why he went for $700,000. He is dangerous," said Tait.

"I think we will have a good bowling attack. Michael Neser is in good form for Queensland in the one-day series."

Mumbai based Tait is an IPL stalwart with Rajasthan Royals and took Strikers teammate "Richo" under his wing on the subcontinent.

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"He was playing for Pune and we played against each other a few times. A mate of mine has a restaurant down there in Pune so we got him out of his hotel room and away from the PlayStation a few times," said Tait.

"We got him used to Indian conditions, I think it opened his eyes up a fair bit. I think he got a bit bored there."

Tait recalled the days mentoring Richardson as a junior but has been impressed by the Northern Territory export's rapid progress to an Australian one-day debut against Sri Lanka in Adelaide during January.

"He's getting paid more than all of us now, turned into a big lad, has the tatts," joked Tait.

"He has grown a beard which I have nailed him about but he is a good lad, a talented player."

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Toovey set to re-sign with Manly

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MANLY'S boardroom war has had little impact on Geoff Toovey with the head coach on the verge of extending his future at Brookvale until at least 2016.

The Sea Eagles were hoping to announce the new deal last Friday, but Toovey instead spent this weekend going over the terms of the deal, which will keep him at the club he has already spent a remarkable 24 years with, both as a first grade player and an NRL coach, for at least a further two seasons.

Toovey's new deal will provide the ultimate Christmas cheer for members and fans, who have been stuck in the middle of an ugly boardroom battle for control of the Manly District Football Club.

Coach Geoff Toovey is set to re-sign. Source: News Limited

It was at last Thursday's annual general meeting that Manly chief executive David Perry provided an update on negotiations with Toovey to the football club board, which the members decided to retain at the ballot box.

Despite some discussion within the room that St George Illawarra were interested in Toovey, Perry informed the directors that after two months of negotiations with the head coach, a deal was imminent.

In just his second NRL season at the helm of the Sea Eagles after taking over from Des Hasler, Toovey's nous to steer a battered and bruised Manly side into last year's grand final was respected even by their biggest rivals.

Geoff Toovey holds court at Manly training. Source: News Limited

The performance and character which Toovey drew from his players led rugby league immortal and club legend Bob Fulton to champion the signing of Toovey to an extended deal.

"Everyone is saying that (Michael) Maguire and (Trent) Robinson deserve an upgrade, well, Toovey has had two years at this coaching caper now and Manly have come fourth in his first season, fourth again this year and now they're into the grand final," Fulton said.

"That has to be recognised by keeping him at the club long-term.''

Toovey will head into the 2014 season with a squad not too dissimilar to last season. The biggest challenge facing the Sea Eagles is in the forwards following the departure of Brent Kite, George Rose and Joe Galuvao.

Toovey's new deal will create immediate stability, while also removing him from the pressure-cooker of being one of the few coaches off-contract next season.

Geoff Toovey at the Sydney Academy of Sport, Narrabeen. Source: News Limited

Wests Tigers' Mick Potter, New Zealand Warriors' Matt Elliott, South Sydney's Maguire and Cronulla's Shane Flanagan are all off-contract with their clubs in 2014.

Dragons coach Steve Price is in a unique situation where the club has an option to keep him on board for 2015, or sever ties with the 36-year-old at the end of next season.

A busy and targeted recruitment drive that includes the purchase of England duo Gareth Widdop and Mike Cooper and Canberra pair Joel Thompson and Sam Williams to complement the signing of Josh Dugan last season, has left Price feeling confident his future will be with the Dragons.

Elliott, who in his first season with the Warriors finished 11th, is under immense pressure to make the finals.

New Zealand have not made the finals since the 2011 grand final and a mid-year battle for wins next year could force an early decision on Elliott's ­future from the Warriors' private owners.

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Bell urges calm from selectors

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IAN Bell has urged England's selectors to give the same players a chance to redeem themselves in the final two Tests despite their 3-0 Ashes humiliation.

England are in danger of a 5-0 whitewash after Australia wrapped up the series so emphatically in Perth.

And while Bell admits England have been outplayed in all departments and deserve to be 3-0 down, he has cautioned against making wholesale changes to the long-established team.

"I think the management will be very careful on those decisions," said Bell, who is an ESPNcricinfo columnist.

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"It's very easy to make rash decisions when you're quite emotional and things have happened quickly, but I believe there are some very good players here.

"You don't become a bad player overnight and I believe this team still has a lot of good cricket to play over the years. Things haven't gone right here, but they've been doing a lot of good things for a long time and that doesn't change things.

"We're still a very good Test side and we certainly don't want to lose 5-0."

The result has been a reality check for England. They arrived in Australia on the back of three consecutive Ashes wins and rightfully expected to at least compete for a fourth.

That didn't happen and now, with the urn gone, Bell says England will have to take a tip from the Australians.

"I don't think there's any embarrassment in the fact that we've been outplayed, but now we've got to react in a good way and then try and get better as quick as we can," Bell said.

"We have been a good Test side for a while, but maybe we need to start improving. That's the reality we've been hit with. Yes, we've done well, we've won three Ashes on the bounce, but Australia have come back better and stronger and that's what we have to do now - exactly what Australia has done, we have to react.

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"These two games are important for us as a team going forward."

England will be desperate to avoid a repeat of the 2006-07 Ashes series when they were beaten 5-0.

Bell admits it will be a huge test of their character, but they don't have any other option but to show some fight in Melbourne and Sydney.

"If you can't get yourself up for a Boxing Day Test at the MCG, or a New Year's Test at the SCG, then you're never going to get yourself up for any Test match," he said.

"When you're in this position, for me, there's no alternative. You've got to go out there and fight and scrap and try and do as well as you possibly can.

"You can't run away from these things and sometimes it happens at this level of sport. You want to win every series you're involved in, but the reality is that's not going to happen. We're playing against a very good Australian side and we've been outplayed.

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"The important thing for us now as a group is to show a bit of character. The reality is the series is gone, but we've got two games to play for. The important thing for us is to make sure we do the right things in Melbourne and if we can do that right then we'll do the right things in Sydney."

Australia's turnaround might seem remarkable since the Lord's Test against England when they lost by 347 runs and were themselves expected to lose 5-0, but Bell hasn't been surprised by their response at home.

"They're a very good side with Darren Lehmann and Michael Clarke leading that camp," he said.

"It doesn't surprise me because, to be honest, in England it was a lot closer than what people gave Australia credit for. But the important thing is we won the key sessions in England and unfortunately we haven't even got close to competing in the key sessions here on this tour, so we're going to have to improve."

* Ian Bell will be writing exclusively throughout the Ashes series for the leading cricket website www.espncricinfo.com

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Big George's brutal Storm initiation

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Big George Rose and the rest of the Storm players - minus the big three of Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater and a handful of others - were given a rugged introduction to Boot Camp Craig Bellamy style last week.

George Rose at Melbourne Storm boot camp. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

The players thought they were headed for a relaxing leadership retreat in Nagambie. Maybe a bit of canoeing, some quiet drinks around the fire and a few guest speakers. In big George's case, maybe a few snags on the barbie would have been nice.

But the reality was a much more brutal surprise as George and the boys climbed steps, were pushed to the limits and were even forced to wash cars.

Shattered players during the 44km walk. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

"They got us a beauty," Storm premiership player Ryan Hinchcliffe said. "They went to great lengths to keep us from knowing the real truth."

Before they knew it, the Storm players, who had already trained at Gosch's Paddock on Wednesday morning, were surrendering their wallets, phones and watches to team officials.

Melbourne Storm boot camp. Kenny Bromwich. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

"I'm not going to lie, it was hard to find out," Hinchliffe said. "I've done one of those camps before, so I knew how hard it would be physically and mentally.

"And to think you're going somewhere else and then it is sprung on you, it did take a couple of hours to sort it out."

Players contest in some milling - 60 seconds of boxing with no high shots. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Limited

It was 3pm on Wednesday when the players were marched out of AAMI Park without being told where they would be walking to or how far.

They soon realised this was no leisurely stroll.

The start of the 44km walk. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

In the middle of the night and a staggering 44km later, they arrived at their destination - the base of the dreaded 1000 steps in the Dandenong Ranges.

"It was real hard - I didn't think walking was so hard, but after 30km everything seizes up," Hinchcliffe said.

First bit of sleep for over 24 hours. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

"Your hamstrings, your back goes on you, you can't straighten your legs or walk properly. All the boys were chafing and had blisters."

It then dawned on them that the destination was only the starting point.

The start of the 44km walk. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

"To get to the 1000 steps and realise we had to go up and down it a few times was very hard," Hinchclfife said.

"When we came down the sun was coming up at 5:30 in the morning and we had been walking for 15 hours.

"It was the hardest thing I have ever done."

Justin O'Neill and Ryan Hinchcliffe clear weeds from a dam. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

After walking to the point of exhaustion and through the day and night, the sleep deprived players were given no respite.

The next two days included army-style obstacle courses in 40-degree heat, milling sessions and even an exercise that involved washing cars at a caryard at 6:45am.

Kenny Bromwich in the holding position as punishment for a lack of attention to detail on the carwash. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

There were also peer evaluation sessions and assigned written tasks.

It was all done to tighten the Storm group with mental toughness the overriding theme of the trip.

Melbourne Storm boot camp. Ryan Hoffman. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

Winger Matt Duffie won the prized award of player of the camp. Winger Justin O'Neill and Kenny Bromwich were not far behind. Rose, judging by the pictures, was luckiest to survive.

"The best thing for me was spending time with the young guys and hearing their stories," Hinchcliffe said.

"On the first night we had to do a speech on ourselves and how we had come to where we are. It was very interesting because while you know your teammates, sometimes you don't really know them.

Players clear weeds from a dam. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

"From that I feel a lot closer to those young guys and we now share that bond."

Hinchcliffe said it was an amazing experience.

Jordan McLean during the car wash. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

"Now you look back on it and you can't believe you did all that," he said.

"There are certainly some good lessons to take out of it.

"Things such as team work and attention to detail. If we can do that, we can do anything."

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CA relieved buck stopped with Boof

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AS with any election everything swings on the result. Australian cricket faced the referendum of a home Ashes series and delivered a landslide victory.

All the troubles that had preceded it were instantly muted. Replaced by cheering, victory speeches and the clambering for credit.

The afterglow surrounding Michael Clarke's team has been particularly warm for the improbability of it all. Like Paul Keating's win for the true believers.

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The fault lines in the team are still easily identified but Australia played three superb Test matches that revealed the fundamental difference in nature between the two teams.

England became world-beaters waiting for its opponents to err. The Australian way is to charge and force error.

England trailed in each Test and could never execute its worn strategy. Australia sought to exert scoreboard pressure, relentlessly and furiously, until the English collapsed under the weight.

It was a tactical annihilation playing perfectly to the strengths and obfuscating the weaknesses of the home XI.

In the corridors of power there will have been deep sighs of relief. These past few days have been deliverance. With it comes term and tenure. The catalogue of mistakes left for redundancy rather than retribution.

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On the dramatic day Darren Lehmann was installed as coach, a desperate and bold move in the face of impending wipeout, the jobs of the faceless men were placed in his hands.

Lehmann was fundamentally opposed to the ideology at play in Australian cricket and scrapped the policies those in charge had implemented.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland couldn't help but indulge in the throes of electoral victory the morning after: "It looks like a pretty good decision, doesn't it?" he noted triumphantly.

Indeed it does.

It neatly sheets home all the problems of the past to the previous coach Mickey Arthur. As if he was singularly responsible for the depths to which a dysfunctional setup had sunk.

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Sutherland wasn't replaced when the Argus Report laid bare the shortcomings that had developed on his watch. He was instead entrusted to fix things.

He presided over the hiring of Arthur. The coupling with team performance manager Pat Howard was a flawed union. Two scientifically oriented, process-driven, linear thinkers.

One informed school of thought believes Lehmann was identified as the ideal candidate in the first sweep but declined to participate in what he saw as a beauty pageant for the coaching position.

Cricket Australia didn't persuade or lure him.

But when the emergency chute was pulled three weeks from the northern Ashes, Lehmann was the only consideration because he had been the right man all along.

Lehmann was the complimentary and necessary lateral thinker. The creative force, the visionary, the man who engaged with his players.

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Howard had used Lehmann as a sounding board when both were based in Queensland. The administrator well knew his survival was linked to his capacity to work with the new coach and salvage what they could from the summer.

The old thinking was swept away. Lehmann criticised the rotation policy from the outside and scrapped it without hesitation.

It is hardly a coincidence that fortunes turned in a settled and stable environment.

It neatly mirrors the situation now delivered to Cricket Australia with the core necessity of winning met.

It has breathing space to the business of governing where the challenges are as difficult as they were before. From regenerating the national team to combating the power of India.

It's the beginning of a term that likely stretches beyond the 2015 World Cup and through to the winter Ashes.

The change in circumstance neatly measured through the passage of five months.

The Big Bash League was regrettably launched with a coordinated campaign in the hours following the abject humiliation of a 347-run Lord's defeat. It said everything about CA's skewed priorities and its failure to grasp the collective black mood.

Last night BBL03 commenced as a celebration of cricket rather than the concept responsible for ruining what is held dear. And a nation basks once more in the unifying power of the game.

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Hales hopes to follow Warner's lead

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AS incoming chairman of selectors James Whitaker surveys England's Ashes wreckage there will be a new temptation to fight fire with fire.

Whitaker, from January 1, will be casting an eye not just for express pace offered by project quick Tymal Mills but also for the box office hits offered by Nottinghamshire and Adelaide Strikers opener Alex Hales.

Hales is plotting to emulate David Warner's all-conquering path from Twenty20 hit-man to Test entertainer. Twenty20's No. 1 ranked international batsman wants more.

Warner - who cut his teeth in the cut and thrust of T20 - has become the prototype for success across all forms.

"He is obviously an incredibly talented player and to adapt as he has done is fantastic. I would love to be able to do the same, I have a lot of hard work to do," said Hales of No. 5 ranked T20 hitter Warner, also with 457 Ashes runs at 91.

Hales, 24, is the odd-man out in the world's top 10 Twenty20 batsmen - still to bed down a Test or one-day berth for England.

The strapping opener broke the 1000-run, first-class barrier for Notts. in 2011 and followed up with 857 in 2012. Hales' first-class form fell away this season but maintains he has the proficiency to succeed across the longer forms.

"I have to keep doing well in the T20 side. I feel I have the technical side, definitely. If it goes well in the Big Bash League for the Strikers and the Indian Premier League, I don't see why not," said Hales, who fell one run short of England's inaugural Twenty20 ton against the West Indies in June last year at home ground Trent Bridge.

"I didn't have a particularly good year for Notts. but this is a new season coming up and a lot of cricket coming up in our winter."

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Standing 195cm, Hales is one England batsman to escape the carnage caused by Mitchell Johnson's 150km/h ferocity this summer.

Hales crashed 94 runs off 61 balls in England's 27-run victory over Australia at Chester-le-Street in August. However, he empathised with the plight of Johnson's 23 Ashes victims in three Tests.

"He has some great rhythm going at the moment. I faced a bit of him in the Twenty20 series, he is bowling exceptionally quick and it is not particularly pleasant," said Hales of spearhead Johnson.

"Johnson has been outstanding, I don't think it is anything poor in the English batting but Johnson has been a class above everyone."

Alastair Cook's Ashes unit is reeling from 3-0 scoreline that has shocked the cricket world.

Reputations and the old England order have been scorched in a Test side that held firm through four years of Ashes rule.

Regardless, Hales predicts England can lift from the canvas in Melbourne's Boxing Day Test and avoid the 5-0 whitewash Andrew Flintoff's side experienced seven years ago.

"I didn't expect it to be this one-sided over here but it looks like the squad is going through a bit of rebuilding with younger guys coming through," said Hales, buoyed by the stunning maiden Test ton of all-rounder Ben Stokes in Perth.

"I knew it would be a lot closer than what it was in England, I don't think 3-0 was a fair reflection last series.

'It is going to be tough but I think they can win if they turn it up at the MCG and hopefully it won't be 5-0."

Hales' stint with Adelaide Strikers is the key springboard to the watershed 2014 he covets. Nottinghamshire will not release Hales for the IPL unless he's guaranteed an auction price exceeding $400,000. While Hales should command a lofty IPL price tag, his value will be influenced by BBL performance as Strikers paceman Kane Richardson found with a $700,000 Pune Warriors payday for a breakout 2012-13 BBL.

"The deal is if I go in the auction I have to go in the top bracket," said Hales.

"It is hugely important with the IPL auction coming up in January. It is a very big tournament for me and I think we have the squad that go could go all the way."

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Organised Jets upset Brisbane

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BRISBANE Roar coach Mike Mulvey admitted his table-topping team received a timely wake-up call in losing 2-0 to Newcastle at Suncorp Stadium last night.

The Jets continued their recent dominance over Brisbane and are now unbeaten in their past four matches against the Roar, a run of games that has included three victories.

Despite Brisbane dominating possession, the Jets hung tough and were rewarded for their diligence in recording their fifth A-League win of the season.

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Having grabbed the lead in the 34th minute via an own goal from Roar defender James Donachie, the Jets sealed their win in the dying stages with a goal from substitute Joey Gibbs after some excellent work from the impressive Josh Brillante.

While an ordinary playing surface due to two recent concerts didn't help the Roar's renowned passing game, the hosts lacked composure in front of goal as they lost for the third time this season and for the first time at home since in 11 months.

"I don't think we have to have any losses," Mulvey said.

"What this is, is a wake-up call for us. This is our home ground. We want it to be a fortress. It was up until now."

"We'll take our medicine. We're big enough and ugly enough to deal with that.

"I take full responsibility for the result, and we will fix it on the training paddock, and we will get ready for Sydney on Thursday (at Allianz Stadium)."

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Brisbane had the first chance of the contest in the eighth minute after a brilliant build-up involving more than half of the Roar team.

Working their way from one side of the field to the other, the Roar eventually managed to get behind Brisbane's defence via a Besart Berisha cross which found Ivan Franjic beyond the far post.

Franjic then laid the ball back into the path of midfielder Liam Miller, who seemed certain to score.

But with only Jets goalkeeper Mark Birighitti to beat, Miller failed to hit the target with his shot.

"If that goes in it's a different story because they game with a particular game plan," Mulvey said.

Realising his side's early problems, Jets coach Gary van Egmond changed formation, abandoning his narrow diamond midfield shape and opting for what was in essence a five-man midfield when Brisbane were in possession.

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It worked immediately, with the Roar no longer having space on the flanks to create havoc.

The Jets were able to work their way back into the contest and took the lead in the 34th minute.

Jacob Pepper found Andrew Hoole, who got the better of Brisbane skipper Matt Smith before firing a dangerous low cross across the face of Brisbane's goal.

While the ball didn't reach intended target Adam Taggart, it forced Donachie into an outstretched clearance that ended up in his own net.

It continued Donachie's run of outs against the Jets, with the youngster having gifted Newcastle their winning goal when the two sides met at Hunter Stadium last month.

The Jets continued to absorb pressure before Gibbs ensured the visitors their win with his 87th-minute goal.

"It was a fantastic effort by the players defensively," van Egmond said.

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Bird is the word as Stars shine

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THERE were quicker and cheaper wickets, but the Melbourne Stars knew Aaron Finch was their man.

So despite highlights aplenty from their array of heroes, it was a superb diving catch to remove the Renegades skipper that prompted the biggest Stars celebration as they broke their cross-town rival's Big Bash hold in the season-opener at the MCG.

After Finch - who made 178 unbeaten runs in two winning knocks against the Stars last season - skied man-of-the-match Luke Wright to mid-on and Hussey dived to take a superb running catch, the party was on.

The Stars, having been sent in, posted a club-record 7-208, then immediately had the 'Gades on the ropes with three top-order wickets.

Finch blasted his way to 32 before he fell at 44, then English import Jos Buttler and Peter Nevill put on 67 for the fifth wicket.

Luke Wright raises his bat after reaching his fifty. Source: News Limited

But when Jackson Bird picked them up in consecutive balls with the score on 111, the final score of 132 was only academic in a 76-run hiding.

And capping a bad night for the men in red, fast bowler Jayde Herrick strained a side muscle and left the field midway through his third over.

He'll have scans on Saturday, but will likely miss much of the tournament.

Bird, in his first elite-level match since suffering stress fractures to his back in the fourth Ashes Test at Durham in August, was as impressive as he could have been in the slap-and-dash format.

The angular Tasmanian had great shape and bounce in nabbing 4-31, despite Finch having hit him for six over cover on his first ball of the night.

Bird was clearly delighted by his return on the ground on which he made his Test debut last year before taking 11 wickets in his first two matches in the baggy green.

But the match was set up by Wright, who bludgeoned five sixes in his best MCG score of 70 off just 32 balls on an outfield that might never have played with the rope so far inside the fence.

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The only bright light for the Renegades was the ageless Muthiah Muralidaran, who was the proverbial boy with his finger in the dyke, holding back the tide of Stars runs.

The Sri Lankan legend, as his teammates were plundered by merciless batting from Wright, Cam White and Brad Hodge, was rewarded for both his control and reputation.

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White, after holing out for 53 off 38, said the Stars had planned to keep the off-spinner at bay and plunder his mates.

The second part of that plan was successful, but Wright was unable to fulfill his end of the bargain, becoming Murali's victim.

Remarkably, Murali gave up just one score over two - a six by Hodge that just cleared the fence - in his four overs that went for 1-23.

But all the while, the gluttonous Stars feasted at the other end.

It took a couple of overs for Wright and White to find stride, but they blazed away after that, sharing a 95-run opening stand in just 51 balls to set the winning platform.

Wright's form was so spectacular that it prompted some wags to suggest he was the most in-form English batsman in Australia as his countrymen stumble into town having already lost the Ashes.

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Leapai plans heavyweight belting

Alex Leapai has announced he wants a chance at the World heavyweight title. He will be fighting next at the Broncos Leagues Club this month against Russian Evgeny Orlov (140kg). Source: News Limited

WORLD heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko says he wants to unify the division for the sake of his family but he hasn't figured on being run over by Logan van driver Alex Leapai.

While Klitschko says he wants to add the WBC belt to the IBF, WBO, WBA and IBO world titles he will defend against Queensland's incredible hulk next year, the 111kg Leapai says the Ukrainian giant shouldn't be getting ahead of himself.

Before chasing any more belts, Klitschko first has to fight Leapai in the most important bout to ever feature an Australian.

"Klitschko's a great champion but after I fight him all his belts will be coming home with me to Brisbane,'' Leapai told The Courier-Mail.

"I'm going to bomb him early and put so much pressure on him he'll think he's surrounded.

"He talks about wanting to win another world title belt for his family - well my family aren't multi-millionaires like his - we've done it tough all our lives and now it's time for me to beat him on behalf of Australia and Samoa.''

Wladimir, 37, and his brother Vitali, 42, have dominated the heavyweight division for 15 years but Vitali this week announced he was relinquishing his WBC championship to pursue another of his dreams, the presidency of Ukraine.

He is currently the country's opposition leader and he and Wladimir, along with Wladimir's fiancee the Hollywood actor Hayden Panettiere, have recently been manning the barricades in Kiev leading angry protests against President Viktor Yanukovych.

Now the 198cm Wladimir, an Olympic gold medallist in 1996, has announced he wants Vitali's WBC belt to add to his collection.

Alex Leapai working hard in the gym. Source: News Limited

"Of course, it is my goal to bring the WBC title back into the Klitschko family," Wladimir said yesterday.

The last heavyweight to hold all the major world titles was Britain's Lennox Lewis in 2000.

Canada's Bermane Stiverne and Americans Chris Arreola and Deontay Wilder are the top contenders to fight for the vacant WBC crown with Klitschko eyeing the winner.

But Leapai, who is a delivery driver away from boxing, says the world champ is getting ahead of himself.

"Klitschko can make all the plans he wants,'' Leapai said. "But he better plan on getting hurt against me because I believe I have the style to stop him.

"People have written me off all my life but I am going to shock the world - and Wladimir Klitschko.''

Leapai's trainer/manager Noel Thornberry, who is locked in negotiations with Klitschko's representatives over a purse that will pay Leapai seven figures, says he's happy Klitschko is looking past the Leapai fight that is due to take place next April or May at a venue to be decided.

"If Wladimir dismisses Alex he will pay a very heavy price,'' Thornberry said.

"I've always believed Alex was a good chance to knock out Klitschko. He's been a world champion for a long time and he's hard to dislodge but pure punchers like Alex give him hell. I don't think Wladimir has a great chin and he absolutely hates pressure.

"Lamon Brewster who is 10kg lighter than Alex knocked Wladimir out, Sam Peter had him down and almost out.

"We will be going into this fight very confident.''

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Kewell gives Melbourne their Heart

Melbourne's Harry Kewell battles for possession with Sydney's Joel Chianese. Picture Gregg Porteous Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

LEFT-BACK Aziz Behich has revealed that Harry Kewell's ability on the ball will give him and his Melbourne Heart teammates the confidence to take risks in tomorrow's derby at AAMI Park.

Kewell is set to start his first game since the Round 1 derby having come off the bench in the last two weeks after missing seven games with whiplash and an ankle injury.

Heart is desperate for a win with pressure mounting on coach John Aloisi whose team is winless and bottom of the table with the board expecting the team to play ``deep into the finals''.

But Behich, an attacking left-back who barely got forward in the opening round derby draw at Etihad Stadium and has had an under-par season, said he can be more adventurous when the ball is at his captain's feet.

"When he's got the ball he's capable of producing anything, hopefully on the weekend he can show a lot of that,'' Behich said.

``If he's looking one way without you even realising he knows where you are and can spot you out.

``He gets into good positions, little pockets and the balls he plays forward are very dangerous for the opposition to defend.

``Just with his experience and leadership on the park, when he's got the ball he's confident and obviously we know what he can do.

``I try to pick my times when to get forward, I try to feel the right moments to go forward. As the weeks have gone on, it's been easier with the flow of the game and keeping the ball allows me to get more forward.''

Behich, a former Victory player who joined Heart in season one, said the players are up for tomorrow's game.

He said the return of Kewell and striker Dylan Macallister has added an edge to training.

``The players are pretty confident because we do always perform well in the derby, it's a game our team has always been up for and it won't be any different,'' he said.

``We analysed the Sydney game and what we could do better, it's a different game plan playing Victory and hopefully we can turn it around.

``It is very important (to get some wins on the board over the festive period), we're 10 games in now and it's something we've looked at and what better way to start than derby.

``There's positive signs with Harry back and Dylan back training, bit more competitive at training now for spots.''

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Murali still a star turn at 41

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ONE of cricket's all time greatest double acts, the Murali-Warnie spin bowling masterclass, is over at last - well, half-over.

Shane Warne, 44, has 99 per cent certainly (he is fond of saying "never say never") played his last match at any elite level after declining to return for a third season with the Melbourne Stars in the T20 Big Bash.

But Mutiah Muralidaran, 41, rolls on and on, having - not for the first time - left Warnie in his wake.

Although Warne is most people's choice as the greatest spin bowler ever - and rightly so - the fact remains that the controversial Sri Lankan off-spinner took almost 100 more Test wickets (800 to 708) and almost twice as many in one-day internationals (534 to 293) for a grand total of 1334 to 1001.

And when Murali turned out for the Melbourne Renegades in last summer's Big Bash, he clearly outperformed Warne, taking 11 wickets at an average of 17.36 and economy rate of 5.96 compared to four wickets at 39.75 and 7.93.

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Warne's well-paid stint as the face of the fledgling Big Bash was a mixed blessing.

He was entertaining and engaging and certainly generated a lot of attention, which was the point of the exercise, but his exit was ugly with a suspension for throwing a ball at Renegades player Marlon Samuels, a rebuke for fiddling with the bona fides of the captaincy and a couple of disastrous decisions that cost the Stars their semi-final.

His contribution had run its race and it was time to go, this time permanently - so he did.

In Warne's absence tonight, Murali will be all the more welcome at the MCG, a stadium he has not graced all that often since the traumatic day in 1995 when he was first no-balled for allegedly chucking in Test cricket.

For the Renegades, his modestly-remunerated presence is priceless - and not only for the most obvious reason, that he remains a superb bowler.

Muttiah Muralitharan has been a positive influence on his Renegades teammates. Source: News Limited

His personality, experience and knowledge of the game are huge assets, according to captain Aaron Finch, who admits to being slightly overawed by the prospect of overseeing such a superstar as a rookie leader last year.

He found a simple solution: "I just let him go and he can do what he wants," Finch said yesterday.

"It's generally pretty set when he comes on and he looks to take wickets through the middle stages, which is what you really want. That can stall a lot of momentum.

"He's got a great feel for the game and he loves to impart his knowledge to anyone who will listen to him. Even if an opposition player asks him something he will sit down with them for a chat.

"He does talk a lot and he's a little pest around the dressing room - but it's fantastic.

"The energy and enthusiasm he brings, you'd think he was a 15-year-old kid in his first season."

Finch said the biggest lesson he had learned from the ever-smiling, good-humoured veteran was the importance of staying relaxed and positive even when things aren't going well.

Muttiah Muralitharan demonstrates that infamous bowling action Source: News Limited

"He understands, as we all do, that T20 is a game in which you can't win 'em all," Finch said.

"He says to just not stress and enjoy the game - try hard but at the same time don't get too down when things don't go your way.

"He is a fantastic calming influence."

Murali's other contribution is that he has been known to arrive at recovery sessions the day after a match with 15 or so tupperware containers of very tasty curry, which his mother - who sometimes travels with him and his wife and son - has cooked in their hotel suite.

So one way and another, the boys in red are making a meal of their famous friend's presence.

ron.reed@news.com.au

twitter: @Reedrw

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Laver fires gentle rocket at Tomic

Bernard Tomic's off-court form is not in question but it rapidly heads south once he's holding a racquet. Source: Supplied

ANOTHER coach is in place, but the key to Bernard Tomic's rise to become a Grand Slam champion is held by the man in the mirror.

Tomic finished 2013 with six losses in succession in tournament main draw matches, ending up with a ranking of No.51, one place worse than he was 12 months ago.

A lot else happened in his marking-time year. He turned 21, his family moved home from the Gold Coast to Melbourne and his father John was banned until at least next May for injuring his son's hitting partner Thomas Drouet, breaking the Frenchman's nose.

The 21-year-old will work with former Croatian Olympic team coach Vladimir Zovko at Melbourne Park this month, a time of year when the young Australian historically does his best work in training, judging by his results in his three full years on the pro tour.

Zovko was hired as a coach and John Tomic reckons his own future guidance of his son's career will be in the "background''.

Time will whether Zovko is the authoritative character of substance to challenge the Tomics' way of doing things when the tough issues, like commitment to training, have to be addressed.

The Tomics have to want to make the association work for Bernard's tennis, not for it to be a stopgap role until John's ban by the ATP is lifted.

Rod Laver believes Bernard Tomic needs to push himelf more in training to reap the benefits. Source: News Limited

Rod Laver follows Tomic from a distance, but attends as many Grand Slam tournaments as he can and wonders if he realises how hard he is able to push himself in training.

This is a kind way of saying what Pat Rafter, the Davis Cup captain, has reckoned about Tomic in past observations, such as the one that the effort in a 2011 US Open loss was "disgraceful''.

"Maybe Bernard sometimes feels he doesn't want to put in too much on court because then maybe he won't play his best in a match,'' Laver told The Courier-Mail.

"It's probably (about) preparation, putting in your best effort. You can push yourself a lot more than you think you can. It's possibly one of the things Bernard needs to look at, to force himself into positions on the court.

"It's hard to pinpoint. He played some great matches at Wimbledon this year and hopefully he will start getting some wins which he should get.

"They are the matches when I played, with Hopman and Charlie Hollis as my coaches, they would always put input on the matches that really counted. Maybe that's what Tomic is lacking at this juncture.''

In case you think it is just ex-Australian players and the Australian media growing impatient with Tomic's progress, I can pass on the thoughts of Peter Bodo, one of the most experienced of American tennis reporters.

In an end-of-year awards column, Bodo accorded Tomic his award as "Train Wreck of the Year''.

Tomic is the highest ranked of the four men younger than 22 ranked in the top 100.

I asked Laver who he thought the next Grand Slam men's winner would be aside from Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Andy Murray. He gave one name in reply and it wasn't Tomic's.

Canada's Milos Raonic is Rod Laver's tip to be testing the best players in a few years. Source: AFP

"I think Nadal and Djokovic will have it between them for the next few years, but (Milos) Raonic from Canada is a very important part of things and has improved out of sight since he got a new coach and a new-found game,'' Laver said.

"He's going to be tough to beat. In two or three years he's going to be a force among the very top players.''

Raonic, 22, is ranked No.11 and edged out Tomic for the 2011 ATP rookie of the year award when the Australian was much better performed at the majors that year.

There are two others on the charge and ranked in the twenties - 22-year-old Grigor Dimitrov, a Bulgarian playing the Brisbane International this month, and Polish 23-year-old Jerzy Janowicz.

Nadal was the last of the teen champions of men's tennis.

The game has changed since then, so Tomic deserves our patience.

Even, that is, if some of the things he does, like his penchant for Gold Coast nightlife and his retirement from no fewer than three matches this year, tests it.

WHAT, IF ANYTHING, IS WRONG WITH BERNARD TOMIC? HAVE YOUR SAY BELOW.

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Lowe in box seat for Glory post

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YOUTH guru Kenny Lowe remains favourite to replace sacked Alistair Edwards, with an appointment expected as early as Thursday.

In more positive news, the club have re-signed Brazilian winger Sidnei for a further two A-League seasons.

Sidnei has starred for the Glory this season, and his re-signing is a welcome piece of good news during a tumultuous time at the club.

Former coach Edwards was sensationally dumped just nine months after signing a permanent deal after Glory owner Tony Sage refused his request to remove Jacob Burns as captain after he led a heated team meeting in the bowels of AAMI Park last Friday after the 2-0 loss to Melbourne Victory.

The main issue focused on the selections of Edwards' sons Ryan and former Melbourne Heart youth player Cameron, both midfielders like Burns.

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Chief executive Jason Brewer said Edwards would have remained as coach if he had accepted a series of conditions on his future coaching practices, which are believed to have included Edwards having to front the board every week to justify his team selections.

Brewer said there would be no issues for the Edwards boys going forward.

"Ryan and Cameron are fully supported by the club. They are young professionals that have come in and are looking to make a career in football. I don't see the awkwardness in that," Brewer said.

"They were treated just as much the same as any other player in that club. And they're certainly in contention to play against Adelaide on Sunday.

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"They know how to behave in these situations and they'll continue to compete for spots in the team."

Lowe, who was Glory assistant under Dave Mitchell, has coached all of the talented young WA players in Glory's squad, including the Edwards brothers, through the NTC program.

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Altitude has Will primed for Origin

Will Chambers on St Kilda's pre-season training camp in Colorado. Source: CourierMail

WHILE surrounded with AFL players in Colorado's picturesque Rocky Mountains, Melbourne centre Will Chambers may have found the secret to realising his State of Origin dream.

Altitude training helped Cooper Cronk win a Dally M Medal, and with a Queensland centre position likely vacant this year, Chambers hopes his hard slog will prove the difference next season.

Chambers joined his cross-code rivals St Kilda early this month for a two week block of intense training in snow-bound Colorado, which dropped to minus 20 degrees at times.

It is a far cry from the 30 degree minimum temperatures of Darwin, where Chambers was raised.

The Melbourne star's voice still reeks of exasperation when the word "run" is brought up, as he found a new respect for AFL players during torturous training sessions.

"I struggled at stages. They run … a lot. They don't have as much contact as we do but geez they train hard and run hard," Chambers said.

"They are phenomenal athletes ... I do respect them for the way they train."

Will Chambers on St Kilda's pre-season training camp in Colorado. Source: Supplied

One session, a 32-kilometre snow hike in freezing temperatures, had several players on the verge of quitting.

The group also trained in Colorado University's Bubble facility, an indoor stadium with NFL-sized proportions, and met NFL team Denver Broncos for a tour of their facilities.

Chambers' trip sprouted from Storm teammate Cooper Cronk, who reaped great benefit from training with the Brisbane Lions in Arizona last pre-season.

For Chambers, it was an opportunity to gain a fitness base most NRL players are never pushed to.

Veteran centre Justin Hodges is unlikely to recover from his achilles tendon injury for Origin I, meaning Chambers, who was 18th man for Queensland last series, has a great chance to earn a debut cap.

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"It was good, different, but I enjoyed it. It was something to freshen me up a little bit in some way," Chambers said.

"Cooper did it last year with the Brisbane Lions and I thought it might be beneficial.

"It obviously gave him some benefits last year, ending up going on to win the Dally M.

"I just thought if it is going to give me a little bit of a boost and a good start to the year I thought I'd have a go at it.

"I got to experience what an AFL pre-season is all about - and it was tough.

"Obviously they do a lot more running so I've built a good fitness base going into the season and pre-season. That's an important part, especially at the start of the year."

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Key meeting to decide Sharks coach

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A CRUCIAL Cronulla board meeting tonight will move to resolve who is appointed Sharks head coach for the 2014 NRL season and beyond.

Cronulla's coaching conundrum is the priority item on what is set to be a long and exhausting evening for a Sharks board scheduled to gather for the first time since the NRL's $1m fine and 12-month provisional suspension of head coach Shane Flanagan on Tuesday.

Cronulla train outside Remondis Stadium yesterday. Picture: Brett Costello Source: News Limited

While respectful that Flanagan has until January 15 to appeal his suspension, which he plans to do, the board will meet tonight with a focus on reaching a decision on a head coach in the hope it can temper the hysteria surrounding the embattled club.

Interim coach Peter Sharp (second from left) during training yesterday. Picture: Brett Costello Source: News Limited

The decision could also have a ripple effect among Sharks players, with the future of 14 off-contract players, including Andrew Fifita, Wade Graham, Isaac De Gois, Sosaia Feki and Jonathan Wright, clouded until the coaching situation is sorted.

With the majority of the board believed to be in favour of re-appointing Flanagan, once any suspension is served, the key issue for the club is ensuring that, during the short-term, the football team performs under strong leadership and coaching.

Cronulla train yesterday. Todd Carney kicks. Picture: Brett Costello Source: News Limited

After the most turbulent 12-months in the club's history, the Cronulla board are aware that results on the football field in 2014 have never been more critical.

A string of losses next season and subsequent poor crowds could prove disastrous for the Shire club.

Cronulla train outside Remondis Stadium yesterday. Picture: Brett Costello Source: News Limited

It's anticipated the board members will debate a number of determining factors before reaching a final decision on who will steer the Sharks next season, including the financial burden of still paying Flanagan while promoting current assistant coach Peter Sharp to head coach and bringing in Canberra assistant Brett Kimmorley and also, what impact it will have on the players.

Sharp led the Sharks NRL squad at training yesterday and is an obvious choice to take over the reigns in Flanagan's absence.

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Involved in the NRL as both a head coach and an assistant for the past 15-years, Sharp is a popular figure both within the club and among the playing group.

Any initial reluctance Sharp may have had about taking Flanagan's position has been tempered with the knowledge that the role would only be required up until the point that Flanagan returns.

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Kimmorley, who commutes to Canberra with his family still based in the Shire, remains contracted to the Raiders until the end of next season and would need to seek a release from his deal to join the Sharks.

The former Test halfback is also contracted to Fox Sports for 2014, which unless he quit the commentary role, would make it virtually impossible for him to be considered as a head coach option.

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Back niggle may ground Del Piero

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ALESSANDRO Del Piero is no guarantee to fly to Wellington on Saturday with his Sydney FC teammates, as he continues to manage issues with his back and hamstring.

Though Del Piero Wednesday downplayed concerns over the tightness in his lower back that ended his involvement in last weekend's win over Melbourne Heart at halftime, there are concerns that travelling to New Zealand could be counterproductive given the run of four games in 21 days - including the Boxing Day showdown with leaders Brisbane Roar.

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"It's nothing serious, we're training this week and then we'll see what is the best thing for Sunday," Del Piero said of his back issue. "We don't want to think too much about too far beyond Sunday's game.

"We have to analyse what's best for me and other players, a lot of us play a lot of games - this is a problem for Frank [Farina], not me."

Del Piero warned against resting on the laurels of five wins in six matches, and said any consideration of his future beyond this season would have to wait.

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"We're in a good moment but we don't forget our target," he said. "It doesn't end here, it's day by day we have to improve and think about the next game. For us that's Wellington away, and for sure it will be tough.

"At the moment I'm focused on our season. This is what I wanted to change from last season, the results on the field for the team. I don't want to think anything beyond this for the moment."

Del Piero also wants to be fit for the second derby of the season having missed Western Sydney's 2-0 win at Allianz Stadium in Round 3 through a previous injury.

"It was an amazing atmosphere - I was outside the stadium before the match and at the top of the stands for the second half and it was wonderful," he said.

"We had a great game - unfortunately they beat us but we have two opportunities to take revenge. But the crowd, the atmosphere, everything was perfect."

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Suarez, Fergie for Golden Vettel

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Welcome to the second preliminary final in our search for the Golden Vettel winner of 2013. This end of year award goes to the person who stitched up their teammates, or generally acted like a goose during the season.

Back in March Red Bull F1 superstar Sebastian Vettel ignored team orders and shafted his Australian teammate Mark Webber at the Malaysian Grand Prix. This, in our eyes, was a moment of treachery we could not let pass and so the Vettels were born, living weekly on the Fox Sports Facebook page.

First up we tackled cricket and today it's the football world in the spotlight.

Check out the nominees and leave your vote. The football winner will join luminaries from other sports in the Golden Vettel grand final next week.

1. Luis Suarez. Is he brilliant? Undeniably. So good is the Uruguayan playing right now it seems churlish to talk of the downside. But has there ever been a sportsman which such disparity between his most magical moments and his depths of depravity? Exhibit one: his 10 match ban for the April chomp on Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic (not the first time he has sunk his teeth into an opponent). Then, while serving the ban with the full support of his manager Brendan Rodgers, he agitated for a move away from the Reds, in the process shafting Arsenal by misleading them over his transfer release clause.

Saurez has kept his head down and his scoring boots firmly on since his return - but how long before his next indiscretion - the January transfer window?

Fergie's autobiography launch was not to be missed. Source: Getty Images

2. Sir Alex Ferguson. Football pundits are divided over this, but has Fergie given his anointed David Moyes one of the great all-time hospital passes? Fergie left Moyes a squad that - RVP and Wayne Rooney aside - is ageing or substandard. Fergie can't be blamed for Moyes's chronic failures in his first transfer window in charge but did nothing to help his cause by coming out with an unsettling autobiography when Moyes's reign was in its infancy. That book adds to Fergie's Vettel credentials - he bagged out men who made him such as David Beckham and Roy Keane, and had a substantial swipe at Mark Bosnich.

Manchester United's English midfielder Ashley Young has got some bad habits. Source: AFP

3. Ashley Young. So blatant was his dive against Crystal Palace earlier this season he was publicly ticked off by his Manchester United coach David Moyes. Who knows how it went down behind doors though, as Young was at it again last month, winning a penalty against Real Sociedad with a comical tumble after a slight tug on the sleeve. Moyes refused to condemn him that time, although plenty including Roy Keane did.

Young is unrepentant - so expect more. He says: "I think it's one to ask the referees. They're the ones who are giving free-kicks and penalties.

"It's been talked about obviously by the previous manager and the current manager but that's in house."

Sepp Blatter's nomination should come as no surprise. Source: Getty Images

4. Sepp Blatter. Are words necessary? Well, maybe one word: Qatar. Oh, and Qatar.

Sportsmanship went out the window. Source: Getty Images

5. Leroy Fer. The Norwich player hit the headlines when he rolled the ball into an empty Cardiff City net after it had been kicked out because of an injury. Fer ignored the conventions of fair play that hold that a team will give the ball back to their opposition. Referee Mike Jones disallowed the "goal" - wrongly in the eyes of many, including Fer.

"I just looked at the referee and he did "play on" with his hands so I think the goal had to count," said Fer. "I'm a little bit confused on that one. I meant to put it in because I wanted to win the game."

Which football identity should be in the grand final for the 2013 Golden Vettel?

Who should football's nominee be for the Vettel of The Year award?

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Adelaide thumps Mariners 4-0

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ADELAIDE United defeated Central Coast Mariners 4-0 by mixing its usual tiki-taka game plan which saw the club win just one match this season before Saturday night.

Adelaide steam rolled the reigning champion at Coopers Stadium despite emphatically losing the possession statistic for the first time.

Re-live all the action from Coopers Stadium in our match centre.

Melbourne Victory was the only other club which won the possession stakes just - 51 per cent to 49 per cent - during the round two 2-2 draw in front of a record A-League crowd at Hindmarsh (16,504) this season.

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Mariners had 55 per cent of possession on Saturday but the key to the change of style was Adelaide's use of effective long balls forward to split the Mariners defence.

Adelaide captain Eugene Galekovic was the best long ball example when he claimed an assist for a route one clearance which allowed Sergio Cirio to score Adelaide's third goal when he rounded Mariners keeper Liam Reddy before walking the ball into an empty net.

Out of Adelaide's 457 passes compared to Mariners 554 Adelaide used the long ball 17 per cent of the time while Mariners only tried the long ball six per cent of the time.

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But when Mariners' Mitch Duke got behind the Reds defence's high line after just 45 seconds before his opportunity was lost with a heavy touch Adelaide seemingly defended smarter.

And with the Reds defence seemingly dropping deeper than coach Josep Gombau's previous high line Adelaide took command of the clash.

With Reds forwards also dropping off rather than pressing the Mariners four man defence when the away side had the ball deep, the Reds midfield appeared to be much more compact than its previous nine encounters.

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In essence Mariners had fewer holes to exploit which was symptomatic of Adelaide's previous results barring the opening round 3-1 win over Perth Glory.

"The style we played over the last weeks also we played very well but we didn't get theses results,'' Gombau said.

"We have the style we are playing (Saturday) we don't make mistakes but this is football.

"We know the way that we play and we know what we are doing and we are believing in what we are doing and this is important.

"We have this style and we are playing.

"We are playing the way we want to play and we are creating chances every week more and more."

Re-live all the action from Coopers Stadium in our match centre.

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Live: Clarke puts hapless Poms in

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AUSTRALIA is just five wickets away from regaining the Ashes but England finally put up a bit of resistance on day four of the third Test in Perth.

The Aussies looked to be charging to victory when they reduced England to 4-121 as Kevin Pietersen holed out off Nathan Lyon.

Click here to see a full scoreboard, ball-by-ball commentary, stats and FoxTracker in our Match Centre.

But a fighting partnership between Ian Bell (60) and Ben Stokes (72 n.o.) left England 253 runs shot of a miracle victory.

Each of Australia's bowlers, including all-rounder Shane Watson, picked up a wicket each but the bowling group looked noticably tired late on Monday.

Earlier, the hosts provided some of the best entertainment of the series as they piled on the runs before declaring with a lead of more than 500.

Shane Watson belted a century off just 106 balls and George Bailey hit 28 runs off one James Anderson over to completely demoralise England's bowling attack.

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Follow the action in our live blog below, featuring videos, analysis and reaction from the ground and around the world via social media. Join the conversation by commenting at the top of the blog, or contact us on Twitter @FoxCricketLive.

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Live: Clarke puts hapless Poms in

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AUSTRALIA is just five wickets away from regaining the Ashes but England finally put up a bit of resistance on day four of the third Test in Perth.

The Aussies looked to be charging to victory when they reduced England to 4-121 as Kevin Pietersen holed out off Nathan Lyon.

Click here to see a full scoreboard, ball-by-ball commentary, stats and FoxTracker in our Match Centre.

But a fighting partnership between Ian Bell (60) and Ben Stokes (72 n.o.) left England 253 runs shot of a miracle victory.

Each of Australia's bowlers, including all-rounder Shane Watson, picked up a wicket each but the bowling group looked noticably tired late on Monday.

Earlier, the hosts provided some of the best entertainment of the series as they piled on the runs before declaring with a lead of more than 500.

Shane Watson belted a century off just 106 balls and George Bailey hit 28 runs off one James Anderson over to completely demoralise England's bowling attack.

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

Follow the action in our live blog below, featuring videos, analysis and reaction from the ground and around the world via social media. Join the conversation by commenting at the top of the blog, or contact us on Twitter @FoxCricketLive.

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Bart's primed for Xmas Duet

Bart Cummings and grandson James are hoping Duet wins at Randwick on Friday. Photo: Colleen Petch Source: Colleen Petch / News Limited

JAMES and Bart Cummings celebrated Christmas yesterday - and hopefully they'll be celebrating a win on Friday with the aptly-named Duet.

It has been a whirlwind couple of weeks for the famous racing family, which started with Bart calling time on the five-month training partnership with his grandson James, only to quickly do a backflip and claim it was back on.

James said on Saturday after The Peak won at Flemington the dust-up had been blown out of proportion, and maintained that view yesterday when contacted by The Daily Telegraph.

"It really was a mountain out of a mole hill," Cummings said.

"I couldn't afford to think about (the split) because 'confidence lost, everything lost'.

"We've got the aptly-named Duet going around Friday night (at Kensington), and we've got Blazing Dragon ready to run out of her skin over 2500m at Flemington on Saturday."

One big change that has taken place with the Cummings' set-up is Bart's long-serving Sydney lieutenant Bill Charles is gone.

"Let's just say Cummings and Cummings is under new manageent," James said when asked about Charles's exit.

Cummings also explained the reason for him leaving the country after the Melbourne spring, which was said to have upset several staffers. It was not a simple case of meeting the future "in-laws", he said.

"Monica's (paternal) grandfather passed away 12 months ago, and her grandmother, Lolita Mimi, who is a lovely lady I just met, Monica hadn't seen her in many years," Cummings said.

"We caught up with her in Canada, and you have to make that effort because you never know when the last chance will be (to see them again). There's a never quiet time."

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Jockeys right to be questioned

Ken Callandar rates Brendon Avdulla's ride on Koroibete at Randwick as the best of the weekend. Source: MARK EVANS / News Limited

CLEARLY the biggest racing story of the weekend has been the heavy grilling by stewards of ace jockeys Hugh Bowman on Friday night and Glyn Schofield on Saturday over their rides on Fulminate and The Alfonso.

Congratulations to the stipes, they need to ask hard questions and punters need to know the answers. Both horses were hot favourites and, from the stands, both rides did not look great as the horses steamed home from last on the turn to run second.

The inquiry into Bowman's ride on Fulminate has been adjourned to date to be fixed. A reading of the stewards report after detailing the jockey's explanation made it quite clear that trainer David Vandyke was critical of the ride.

Schofield's explanation was accepted after lengthy questioning. If you saw the first race on Saturday, one thing that cannot be argued, is The Alfonso was a good thing beaten.

***

The Villiers-Summer Cup double, formerly one of the great features of Sydney racing, has been ruined.

Not many years ago the Summer Cup on Boxing Day always attracted one of Randwick's top five attendances of the year, often as high as number three. This year, with a chopped about race shortened to 2000m, plus a raft of restricted events, it will attract a gathering rather than a crowd.

And the Villiers, by tradition Randwick's third biggest Saturday of the year, was a nothing event on Saturday run a week earlier than it should have been. The Villiers has almost always, in its 120-odd year history, been run on the Saturday before Christmas amid great holiday fanfare. Why the change?

The Championships, listed for next Easter, are a fabulous innovation, but everything else does not have to suffer in Sydney. The Golden Slipper programme has been carved up, the city's best long distance race, the BMW, has had its prizemoney slashed and now the big Summer double, the Villiers and Summer Cup, is no more.

Melbourne is Australia's leading racing city and it has built on its reputation by enhancing ready made great races, not wrecking them.

***

If the Villiers did not attract a star studded field it did attract star rides with Peter Robl on Ninth Legion and Kerrin McEvoy on Limes both turning in ace performances.

Another jockey who deserves a pat on the back after the weekend is Jason Collett, who rode a winning treble at Canterbury on Friday night and, although not long out of his apprenticeship, he is making good judges sit up and take notice week after week.

***

Do you know in the 1960s when Randwick held between 30-35 meetings a year, the false rail was only put in place about three times a year?

I realise the advantages of the new easy to erect modern aluminium rails and the advantages of having a fresh pad of grass to race on, but, as a punter, I know the problems associated with some rails movements.

I don't think we should race at Rosehill or Canterbury with the rail six metres out. There is too much bias as was shown once again at Canterbury on Friday night. At Rosehill more often than not such a rail placement produces follow the leader races with horses out wide unable to make ground.

***

While on tracks, before we go overboard about the new Kensington circuit it should be noted that trainers with the credibility of Joe Pride and Chris Waller are worried about the effects on horses who race on the surface, claiming it could be too hard. If there is a problem it should be looked at quickly.

***

The giggle of the week (if it wasn't so serious) is everybody who is trying to distance themselves from Bill Vlahos after the BC3 debacle.

***

RIDE OF THE DAY

Brenton Avdulla on Koroibete. A gem and a top notch jockey despite his youth.

RUN OF THE DAY

Ninth Legion. Burnt the candle at both ends and showed a great willingness to win.

FORGET IT RAN

The Alfonso didn't win, but should have.

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Trainers angry at surface

Brendon Avdulla wins on Koroibete on the much-maligned Randwick track. Photo: Mark Evans Source: MARK EVANS / News Limited

THE honeymoon is offically over for the $1.6 million Kensington track with Saturday's surface labelled "crap" and "rubbish".

Despite being hailed as one of the best tracks in Australia after racing returned there on October 7, the Kensington deck was about as forgiving as nearby Alison Rd.

Trainer Joe Pride was filthy with the surface, and said he would have left his team of horses at home had he known it would be so hard. His veteran stayer Maluckyday was so sore that his summer campaign has now been aborted.

Fellow trainer David Payne also noted his only runner for the afternoon, Dowdstown Charlie, "jarred up".

Pride asked why Kensington wasn't given more watering, and the fact six class records were run on Saturday backed up his argument.

"I would have kept my horses at home had I known that's what I was going to get yesterday," Pride said.

"It was rubbish to turn that out, just crap.

"I had four horses run yesterday, and three times the jockeys came back and said the track was too hard.

"I don't see how it was good for punters. If you weren't on the fence or on the pace you couldn't win. They were running fields of 14, but it might as well have been six because eight horses couldn't win.

"We all know the track can cope with water, so why not give it a good soak during the week?

"They (the Australian Turf Club officials) ask the jockeys what they think of the surface, but they don't ask the trainers because they might hear what they don't necessarily want to hear. They even ask the winning jockey how it feels, but of course they're going to say the track feels right.

"Maluckyday is stiff and sore. I've spent a lot of time getting him into the right frame of mind to win races, but I've done damage to him mentally and physically he's sore. I feel bad for sending him around."

Pride will inform stewards about how his team were worse for wear after Saturday. He said he would have complained even if he had won the feature Villiers Stakes with hard-luck story Destiny's Kiss, or the Christmas Cup with Maluckyday.

Leading trainer Chris Waller said of the Kensington track: "It does look like a firm surface, but it's a track we have to get used to. I'd compare it to Caulfield and Flemington, which can also dry very quickly and also at time be too firm. Maybe we can work with the club about getting more water on it."

Randwick track boss Nevesh Ramdhani was surprised when told about the trainers' gripes, saying: "I spoke to a few jockeys and they told me it felt great. It would have got five or six mils a day of water, and all up 40mls for the week."

The Villiers Stakes meeting was only switched to the Kensington track because the Randwick course proper was deemed not "optimum".

It was the fourth successive week a race meeting was held on the inner track. A fifth meeting will be run Friday.

The Randwck course proper will definitely be ready for a return on Boxing Day.

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Suns deny Hunt will return to NRL

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AUSSIE RULES convert Karmichael Hunt will stay with the Gold Coast Suns next season after the Brisbane Broncos failed to lure him back to rugby league.

Despite intense speculation that he was about to walk away from the final year of his contract, the Suns announced last night Hunt, who was 27 last month, would remain with the club.

His future with the Suns beyond next season is uncertain but he would need to have an injury free run and play more than the nine games he did this year to earn another deal in the AFL.

The Suns, already one player down for next season after sacking Campbell Brown after his fight with teammate Steven May, would not want to go into next season with another vacancy on their list.

After his shock defection to Aussie Rules for $3 million, Hunt silenced his citicis, who labelled his signing by the new AFL club has a publicity stunt, when he made a solid contribution in the club's inaugural season in 2011.

A club spokesman for the Suns said last night the club understood the interest in Hunt's future but there had been no discussions with him or his management about playing beyond 2014

"These discussions will take place in due course," the spokesman said.

Hunt played 16 games in 2011 and earnt himself a contract extension in 2012 when he played 18 games and developed into a midfielder. He was also the hero in 2012 when he delivered the club its first win of the season with an after the siren goal that gave the Suns a two point victory over Richmond in Cairns.

He was troubled with hamstring tendinitis this season and his nine games took his career tally to 43, the 13th most on the club's list.

Hunt signed a three year deal worth $3 million in 2010 when the club allowed him to play with Biarritz Olympique in the Top 14 French Rugby union competition.

Karmichael Hunt and Titan's Nate Myles catch up during a cross-code training session. Source: News Limited

After making his debut with the Suns, he became the first Australian sportsperson to have reached the elite professional level in three different football codes.

Hunt signed a new deal during the 2012 season for 2013 and 2014.

Another rugby league star Israel Folau made headlines when he signed with Greater Western Sydney for the 2011 season but failed to adopt to Aussie Rules and has since become a star for the Wallabies in rugby league.

The Gold Coast Titans had also been in talks with Hunt's management during the year with Titans boss Graham Annesley saying they have room in the salary cap to make a play for Hunt.

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