Mathews ready for captaincy

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Ready ... Angelo Mathews says he would relish captaining Sri Lanka. Source: Rick Rycroft / AP

If Sri Lanka want Angelo Mathews to become their next cricket captain, he is ready.

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The all-rounder goes into the Boxing Day Test - Sri Lanka's first Test at the MCG since the infamous 1995 Muttiah Muralitharan chucking controversy - in run-scoring nick.

The 25-year-old looks certain to take over as skipper once Mahela Jayawardene steps aside at the end of the current series.

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And he is confident that "his own ways'' of approaching captaincy can succeed, though he admits replacing Jayawardene will be difficult.

"I'm pretty much prepared. If they offer me the captain's job, I'll probably take it,'' Mathews said.

"Mahela's done a wonderful job and it's not easy to take those reins and do as well as Mahela. It will be a tough challenge.

"But let's see how it goes.''

Mathews has made 79, 84 and 75 in his past three Tests, but despite 11 half-centuries has only once scored a Test century.

That was against Australia, and Mathews has also shone at the MCG in a one-day international when his 77 not out as part of a 132-run ninth wicket stand gave Sri Lanka an extraordinary one-wicket win over the Aussies in 2010.

With Australia set to hand paceman Jackson Bird a Test debut, Mathews admitted the Sri Lankans knew little about the Tasmanian.

"To play for Australia, he has to be a good bowler - we cannot take him lightly,'' Mathews said.

"We have to try and be careful and take on the challenge. We need to get hold of his videos and analyse him.''

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Milligan banned for two games

Banned ... Victory's Mark Milligan has been outed for two matches after last weekend's Derby. Source: JOE CASTRO / AAP

Melbourne Victory midfielder Mark Milligan has been banned for two A-League matches for a jab to the stomach of Heart rival Jonatan Germano in last weekend's derby.

Milligan's first half hit on Germano was missed by match officials, but was picked up by the match review panel in its deliberations on Monday.

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The Socceroo will miss the Victory's clash with Newcastle at AAMI Park on Friday night, and the New Year's Day match at Western Sydney Wanderers.

"The MRP determined that the player had committed the offence of assault on a player (violent conduct when not challenging for the ball) against Jonatan Germano," the panel said in a statement.

It is a double blow for the Victory, who have already lost skipper Adrian Leijer for the Jets match after his suspension for exceeding the yellow card limit.

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Fischer tips Sydney-Hobart drag race

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Drag race ... Ragamuffin and Wild Oats ready for battle. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

Ragamuffin Loyal skipper Syd Fischer is tipping a drag race between Wild Oats XI and his boat in the battle for line honours in the Sydney to Hobart.

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The two super maxis remain favourites to secure line honours with Wild Oats XI having previously been first to reach Hobart on five occasions and Investec Loyal - as she was known then - claiming the honour last year.

"I think it's going to be a bit of drag race actually, because they are going to be watching us and were going to be watching them,'' Fischer said.

The oldest competitor in the race at 85, Fischer is confident his boat is ready to go after an eventful leadup.

It required repairs to rigging after the mast struck Sydney's Anzac Bridge just under two weeks ago.

"We were struggling, we had a couple of problems that we've had to overcome but we're pretty right,'' Fischer said.

Eternally respectful of the weather's influence on the race, Fischer was cautious about talking up his boat's line honours prospects.

"I think we're confident we've got a good chance, but I don't like overestimating a situation that you can't control,'' Fischer said.

The fleet of 77 is expected to start in south easterly breezes of around 15 knots on Wednesday.

The winds will lighten after a few hours but forecast northerlies will kick the fleet along on Thursday.

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With a westerly change now likely to arrive earlier than expected on Thursday it may be hard for any boat to break the race record.

"The race record to us is a bonus ... it all depends on the conditions,'' Wild Oats XI skipper Mark Richards said.

"It's possible, the nor-easter may stay in for an extra three or four hours and that's a big deal in these boats.''

Richards acknowledged for the record to fall, his boat would have to cover as much of the 628-nautical mile course as possible before the westerly change hits.

"Don't back off, push as fast as you can and hopefully you can sail the shortest course possible and the rest is in the hands of the gods.''

There was nothing in the latest weather forecast to concern Fischer, who will be doing the race for the 44th time.

"I don't think we're going to get knocked around too much,'' Fischer said.

"It will be a race in which attention to detail will be the main thing.''

Richards emphasised it wouldn't be all smooth sailing, especially with southerlies to contend with on the first night.

"It's going to be big and bumpy and uncomfortable,'' Richards said.

The latest forecast still appeared to favour the bigger boats in the battle for overall honours.

"The overall winner is likely to come from a boat 60 foot or larger and it depends on who gets through some of those transition periods the best,'' said Matt Allen skipper of the 70-foot Ichi Ban.

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Pattinson to resume in one-dayers

Return ... James Pattinson is set to play in Australia's one-day series against Sri Lanka. Source: AFP

Pace bowler James Pattinson is set to resume from a rib injury in the one-day series against Sri Lanka in January, Cricket Australia's team physio Alex Kountouris said on Monday.

Pattinson broke down during last month's second Test against South Africa in Adelaide but was able to train with Australia's Test squad at the MCG nets on Monday morning.

"James is making good progress from the rib injury he sustained against South Africa," Kountouris said.

"He has resumed bowling and building up his bowling workloads to be available for the series against Sri Lanka."

The five-match ODI series starts on January 11 at the MCG.

Pattinson has a tremendous record in his seven-Test career of 31 wickets at an average of 22.09 and the 22-year-old is a key part of Australia's plans for the 2013 Ashes tour.

All-rounder John Hastings, who made his Test debut in Perth last month against South Africa before being rested from Big Bash League games for Melbourne Stars because of a back injury, is also returning to full fitness.

"John has recovered from the back injury. He is preparing to play in the BBL for the Melbourne Stars later this week," Kountouris said.

The Stars' next BBL game is in Adelaide against the Strikers on December 27.

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New coach puts Roar on notice

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On notice ... Roar coach says he will be "active" in next month's transfer window. Source: Adam Armstrong / News Limited

Mike Mulvey has put his struggling Brisbane Roar squad on notice, saying he will be "active" in next month's transfer window after a 1-0 home loss to Perth Glory.

Having last week inherited a squad put together by master mentor Ange Postecoglou and failed successor Rado Vidosic, the new Roar coach has acknowledged the need for some fresh faces in all positions.

"I've got some phone calls to make overseas," Mulvey said yesterday less than 24 hours after his first game in charge of the Roar ended in a 1-0 home loss to Perth Glory.

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"We know we need some additions to the squad, and at the same time the players need a bit of a boost.

"We're certainly going to be active in the January transfer window.''

And that potentially means buying and selling players.

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Mulvey had a lengthy discussion at yesterday's recovery session with midfielder Erik Paartalu, who has made no secret of his desire to leave the champions.

Another player likely to be headed for the exit door, either next month or at the end of the season, is disgruntled defender Matt Jurman.

The former Sydney FC centre-back has fallen even further down the Roar pecking order, with Mulvey saying he was going to persevere with youngster James Donachie as skipper Matt Smith's central defensive partner.

Jurman will play in today's National Youth League clash between the Roar and the Glory at Goodwin Park.

"I expect him to be disappointed that he's not in the first team,'' Mulvey said of Jurman.

"It's now up to Matt to put pressure on those guys (Smith and Donachie).''

Certain to miss Brisbane's clash against Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium on Wednesday is fullback Jack Hingert, who suffered a serious hip injury just minutes after coming on as a substitute against the Glory.

Mulvey said he was yet to decide whether Ben Halloran would again be left out of the starting side after he surprisingly watched most of the Perth loss from the bench.

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Ronaldo to United; it could happen

Switch hint ... Cristiano Ronaldo is open to a move back to Manchester United. Source: Andres Kudacki / AP

A move back to Manchester United for Cristiano Ronaldo may not be as far-fetched as first thought.

But it would require paying an incredible €1 billion ($1.27 billion) get-out clause on top of a huge transfer fee.

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The 27-year-old told friends and former teammates he wants to "come home", according to The Sun newspaper.

Ronaldo, who will head to Manchester to face United in the next round of the UEFA Champions League early next year with his Real Madrid teammates, reportedly wants to work with Sir Alex Ferguson again.

The United manager earlier this week spoke of how he would love to have the Portuguese international back at the club. The pair are still on good terms despite the forward's departure from the club three years ago.

But even if Real were willing to let their biggest star leave, United would face a huge financial hurdle to seal the deal. His get-out clause at the Bernabeu is reported to be €1 billion and his current contract has two-and-a-half years to run.

Since his move to Spain in 2009, Ronaldo has bagged 170 goals in 169 games and his performances have seen him shortlisted for this year's Ballon d'Or.

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Strikers demolish Sixers in Adelaide

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Smashing ... Tim Ludeman hit three sixes on his way to 71 not out. Source: Sarah Reed / News Limited

Sydney Sixers' title defence is in tatters after a humiliating nine-wicket loss to the Adelaide Strikers in Sunday night's KFC T20 Big Bash League match in Adelaide.

T20 - Adelaide Oval

23 December 2012 - Day 1, Session 2

Strikers 1st Innings

T. Ludeman	71	43	7	3	165.12
M. Johnston	3	1	0	0	300
S. O'Keefe	2.5	0	24	1	8.47

Chasing 136 to win, the Strikers reached 1-136 with 25 balls remaining, opening batsman Tim Ludeman top-scoring with an unbeaten 71 from just 43 balls.

The Sixers won the inaugural BBL crown last summer and also claimed the worldwide Champions League trophy in October.

But Brad Haddin's outfit have now lost three games in a row and languish in seventh spot at the halfway mark of the tournament.

Adelaide's third win in four matches was built on a miserly bowling performance which restricted the Sixers to 6-135 on the batter-friendly Adelaide Oval.

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Adelaide's opening batsmen Ludeman and Michael Klinger (53) then ensured victory with a brutal 125-run partnership in just 15.2 overs.

Ludeman posted his half-century from just 31 deliveries which featured six fours and two sixes as the Strikers streeted to 0-92 after 11 overs.

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The in-form wicketkeeper-batsman finished with seven fours and three sixes while Klinger was more circumspect but still reached his half-century from only 49 balls before falling soon after.

Earlier, Sydney's batsmen laboured and never recovered despite the best efforts of Steven Smith (58 from 43 balls) and Moises Henriques (32 from 26 balls).

Skipper Haddin (22 from 30 balls) was the only other batsman to pass five runs.

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Strikers paceman Shaun Tait claimed 2-13 from three overs and left-arm spinner Brad Young, making his BBL debut after retiring from first-class cricket in 2003, took 1-11 from three overs - his wicket coming from his second ball.

Adelaide rose to second on the ladder by thumping the Sixers.

"It was a pretty good night. We bowled well and fielded really well to set it up," Adelaide's man-of-the-match Ludeman said.

"And then me and Maxy (Klinger) got off us to a good start which set the tone.

"We're in a good position at the halfway stage but have got a big game coming up against the Melbourne Stars (on December 27).

Sydney's Smith said posting 135 ``wasn't anywhere near enough".

"We were under a bit of pressure early. A couple of early wickets always hurts in this format.

"We had to rebuild a little bit and couldn't really execute at the end."

But Smith said the Sixers won't concede their title defence has ended.

"It is obviously going to be hard work from here on in. We are going to have to play some good cricket and turn it around," he said.

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Lobe blow for Wigan star

Thick ear ... Wigan Athletic striker Franco Di Santo was sent off the pitch for wearing an earring. Source: AAP

Wigan Athletic striker Franco Di Santo was left red-faced, and red-eared, after being sent off the pitch during the club's match against Arsenal - for wearing an earring.

Wearing jewellery during a match is against FA rules, but referee Jonathan Moss only spotted Di Santo's offending earpiece during an argument with the Argentine over a free-kick in the second half.

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Di Santo was immediately sent to the sidelines to have it removed by the club's physio and Arsenal piled on the pressure as Wigan were temporarily reduced to ten men.

Even after having the earring removed, Di Santo had to wait several minutes for the ball to go out of play before he could rejoin his teammates on the pitch, with the Wigan fans loudly booing their displeasure.

With Wigan in the midst of a relegation scrap, manager Roberto Martinez was reportedly fuming at Di Santo and is rumoured to have had a word with the striker after the match.

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Thompson late-show lifts Victory

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Revenge ... Archie Thompson scores the match-winner. Source: Salpigtidis George / News Limited

Melbourne Victory striker Archie Thompson scores the winner deep in injury-time to secure a pulsating 2-1 derby triumph over crosstown rivals Melbourne Heart at AAMI Park.

Thompson netted via the crossbar two minutes into injury time to snatch all three points and sink the Heart, who grabbed an equaliser just minutes earlier.

The win lifts the Victory to third place and leaves the Heart third from bottom.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Central Coast	12	8	3	1	13	27
2	Adelaide	12	8	1	3	5	25
3	Victory	12	6	2	4	-2	20
4	Western Sydney	12	6	1	5	5	19
5	Perth	12	5	2	5	3	17
6	Newcastle	12	5	1	6	-7	16
7	Wellington	12	3	4	5	-1	13
8	Heart	12	3	3	6	-3	12
9	Brisbane	12	3	2	7	-1	11
10	Sydney	12	3	1	8	-12	10

The Victory took the lead with Marco Rojas' 67th-minute goal - a wonderfully-worked move sweeping through Thompson, Gui Finkler and Mark Milligan before the New Zealander finished sweetly.

But the Heart looked to have earned a share of the points when skipper Fred, who missed his side's two best chances of the match earlier, leapt high to meet a superb Michael Marrone cross and finish.

Then the Heart lost possession in the middle of the park in injury time.

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Rojas grabbed the ball and sent a sublime pass to Thompson, whose shot hit the crossbar and crept just inside before Heart defender Aziz Behich thumped it out in vain.

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With more than 26,000 watching on, it was a first half of desperate defence - four shots blocked, cleared off the line or deflected to safety in a spirited opening 45 minutes.

Fred had the Heart's two best chances, squandering a first-half opportunity on 32 minutes when he shot dreadfully from Behich's superb run to the byline and cross.

But he went within a coat of paint of a spectacular goal six minutes after halftime, controlling then thumping a wonderful long-range volley just wide of the top corner.

Heart coach John Aloisi lamented his side's lack of cutting edge having had the better chances in the match, but felt his team at least deserved a draw, if not all three points.

"We were the team that was trying to go for the win, and we lost the ball in a bad area and they caught us on the counter,'' Aloisi said.

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"We felt we could go on and win the game. They showed really good character and spirit.

"They (the players) are distraught. But we've got a game in a few days against Wellington and we've got to pick ourselves up and get on with it.''

The Heart will go into the match without central defenders Simon Colosimo and Patrick Gerhardt, who both picked up yellow cards to exceed their limit and earn automatic one-match bans.

Victory assistant coach Kevin Muscat - deputising post-match for coach Ange Postecoglou, who left immediately after the game because of a family bereavement - felt his side had done enough to deserve the points.

"I thought we showed great belief and we controlled the game for long periods,'' Muscat said.

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Super Cooper gets Renegades home

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Late heroics ... Tom Cooper whacks two big sixes to help get the Renegades home. Source:News Limited

Expensive late overs from Brisbane Heat's import pacemen Kemar Roach and Thisara Perera allowed the unbeaten Melbourne Renegades to surge to another Big Bash League win at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

Set a modest victory target of 134, the Renegades were struggling badly at 3-88 from 16 overs, needing 46 from their final four overs.

T20 - Etihad Stadium

22 December 2012 - Day 1, Session 2

Renegades 1st Innings

B. Rohrer	27	25	1	1	108
W. Sheridan	11	5	2	0	220
K. Roach	3.1	0	29	1	9.16

They notched their fourth win from as many games with five balls to spare and six wickets in hand, after some big hitting from South Australia's Tom Cooper (29 from 15 balls) and NSW's Ben Rohrer (30 not out off 25) steered them home.

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The home side were struggling to find boundaries until Cooper swung the game by helping them take 14 off the 17th over, bowled by Perera.

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He opened the next over, bowled by Roach, with a huge swipe for six over square leg.

While Cooper was out lbw next ball, Rohrer took up the slack, smashing another six later in the over as Roach gave up 18 runs for the over.

Rohrer and new batsman Will Sheridan took 13 more runs off the next Perera over before Rohrer smacked Roach for four to win the game off the first ball of the last, making it 49 runs off the last 19 balls of the match.

Rohrer said the Renegades always felt they could launch a late charge with wickets in hand, but it was getting tight.

"Once it gets over 12 (runs an over), it gets pretty tough, so it was getting to the point where we knew we had to go and Tommy hit some big bombs and the rest is history," Rohrer said.

Earlier, Heat all-rounder Ben Cutting, who missed all of the first BBL season through injury, staged a fine rescue effort with bat and ball to put his side in the game.

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Coming in with his side 6-80 in the 13th over - after losing three wickets in five balls - he belted an unbeaten 33 from 24 balls to help them to a semi-respectable score.

Cutting then took 2-12 from four overs with the ball to put the Renegades on the back foot, before West Indian Roach and Sri Lankan Perera let the game slip.

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