Murphy comes out of retirement

Greg Murphy, with his Holden back in 2011, has come out of retirement. Source: Supplied

GREG Murphy will have a shot at becoming a five-time Bathurst champion this year with the V8 legend coming out of retirement to partner James Courtney at Mount Panorama in a Holden super-team.

Forced to end his illustrious V8 Supercar career at the end of last season when he could not find a team, Murphy was the hottest property on the endurance market before being snared by the Holden Racing Team (HRT).

The Daily Telegraph can exclusively reveal Murphy will partner former champion James Courtney at the Sandown 500, the Bathurst 1000 and the Gold Coast 600 in a formidable combination that could see the man that snared the "Lap of the Gods'' win another Bathurst trophy.

Murphy last night said he was looking forward to buckling down with Courtney and the powerful HRT, who broke a long drought last round in Townsville to win and announce themselves as an endurance force.

"Winning Bathurst is the epitome of what we're all here for,'' Murphy said.

"Things have changed in the championship but Bathurst has retained its place as the absolute pinnacle of V8 Supercars and racing in Australia.

"The 'Lap of the Gods' was an incredible moment in my career, and fantastic that so many people have enjoyed and relived it.

"In 2003 the confidence was enormous and everything just played out. To do it again would be special but we'll wait until that moment to fight over who's going to drive.

Courtney was equally enthusiastic at winning the right to partner a Bathurst legend at Mount Panorama. 

"I'm the only driver out of our team that hasn't won Bathurst,'' Courtney said. 

"I've been close a few times but haven't stood on the top step yet.

"It would be great to do it with Murph; he really lifts to another level at Bathurst.

"I said I would get the car into the Top 10 Shootout and then hand it over to Murph to do another 'Lap of the Gods.'"

Fellow HRT driver Garth Tander will team up with Nick Percat. The duo won Bathurst in 2011.  

"It's fantastic to have Nick back in the car again,'' Tander said. 

"We've shared the car for the last two years, obviously with success in 2011.

"Nick did a lot of the pre-testing for Car of the Future and knows the car really well.

"You always enjoy the highs – and we did that straight-up in 2011 – but it's what you learn from the lows that moulds you and Nick won't make the same mistake twice."

HRT Managing Director Steve Hallam said his team at two shots at winning Bathurst this year.

"Garth and Nick have won Bathurst together before, while James has scored three podium finishes in the biggest race of the year and Greg's record at Mount Panorama is undisputable." Hallam said.

"We head to the enduros with two cars genuinely capable of outright victory.

"We thank Tony D'Alberto Racing for their co-operation and understanding which has enabled us to present two very strong driver combinations for the endurance races."

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Warner's absence makes no sense

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David Warner watches from the sidelines during the first Ashes Test. Source:Getty Images

IT defies belief David Warner is about to leave the Ashes tour for an Australia A tour of Africa.

I get the thinking, send him to South Africa and Zimbabwe to find form and bring him back later in the series, but I strongly disagree with it.

Unless Jimmy Anderson bobs up in the Zimbabwe side, Warner scoring runs won't count for anything. He would be far better served facing James Pattinson in the nets.The standard of bowling he will face in Africa and the conditions will be chalk and cheese to the challenges that await him in England.

Apart from the practice issue there is the question of Australia being caught short of batsmen if something happens on match morning.

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It's true Warner has not played for a month but he has been practising in the nets every day and, to me, the whole match practice thing is overrated. Sometimes you have to take the plunge

By practising in the nets Warner would be no lesser prepared than a batsman starting a new season, and plenty of batsmen have started summers with a century in their first match.

I would promote Usman Khawaja in place of Ed Cowan for the second Test.

I love Cowan's work ethic but he does not look comfortable at the crease.

The choice of Australia's bowling attack for Lord's is interesting with speculation suggesting tall seamer Jackson Bird is putting pressure on Mitchell Starc.

My go-to man for this tour was always going to be Ryan Harris, but maybe Bird has outbowled him.

I can understand the push for more control but no matter what attack Australia chooses the most obvious improvement must be in the collective run scoring of the top order.

There is no faulting Australia's effort or commitment. But we need more runs.

It really is that simple.

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Ed's head on the chopping block (F)

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Ed Cowan walks from the pitch after losing his wicket to part-time bowler Joe Root. Source:AP

THE excitement and disappointment of a dramatic 14-run loss in the first Test have disguised the depth of Australia's batting woes.

That a 19-year-old batting at No.11 on debut can be Australia's highest scorer for the match is an indictment on many of those batting above him.

Likewise, wicketkeeper Brad Haddin was the second-innings hero with a bold 71 when he almost snatched victory at Trent Bridge.

Australia has little time to regroup, with the second Test starting at Lord's on Thursday.

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The spirit and intent Australia has shown to regroup after such a terrible year on and off the field is a credit to the players and support staff, led by new coach Darren Lehmann, but the figures are stark.

Of the six batsmen in the first Test, only Phil Hughes should be satisfied with his performance, scoring a mature and measured 81 not out in the first innings batting as a foil to the free spirit of Ashton Agar.

Just how much Australia has relied on its bowlers to do the batting recently is highlighted by some staggering statistics.

This is just the third time in Test history that a team has managed last-wicket partnerships of more than 50 in both innings. The other occasions were also by Australia, in 1895 and 1924.

The aggregate of 228 for the 10th wicket in the match is a Test record and in 17 Tests since the start of last year, Australia's 10th wicket has added 686 runs at an average of 40.35.

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Ed Cowan is under the most pressure. He played two poor shots in his new No.3 position to be out for a golden duck and 14.

"He had a tough game," Lehmann, who is also a selector, said yesterday.

"Like everyone's position, you've got to make runs and perform. We'll sit down as a selection panel over the next couple of days and work out what we think is the best XI to play the next Test match.

"Like everyone, you've got to make runs."

Lehmann said Cowan had been given clear instructions on his role.

"We've told Ed how we want him to play and how we want him to bat," he said. "That hasn't changed from when he first came into the side, I would think.

"Having not known what's happened or what's been said before, we picked him to do a role.

"He'll be disappointed with the shots. So are we.

"That's just part and parcel of what we're about, we're trying to learn and get better. I'm sure he'll get better at that as well."

Cowan's logical replacement is Usman Khawaja.

Lehmann admitted Cowan wasn't the only concern for Australia's batting.

"We've got a lot of work to do, full stop. The thing for us is getting our batting right, our top order right and making runs.

"Our tail has done really well over a long period of time now but it's time for the batters to make sure they're making the runs and giving the tail a bit more time."

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Chief denies soft serve

Talkback ... AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou hits out at critics suggesting he will go soft on the Bombers. Source: LUKAS COCH / AAP

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou says people should not assume he has set the scene for a soft landing for Essendon in the drugs scandal.

Demetriou said his comments about the "classification issue" of anti-obesity drug AOD-9604 should not be construed as a sign the league was pre-empting the outcome of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority inquiry into the club's supplements program.

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Hawthorn	15	13	0	2	141.97	52
2	Geelong	15	13	0	2	132.74	52
3	Essendon	15	12	0	3	130.19	48
4	Sydney	15	11	1	3	142.20	46
5	Fremantle	15	11	1	3	126.27	46
6	Richmond	15	10	0	5	116.69	40
7	Collingwood	15	10	0	5	109.40	40
8	Port Adelaide	15	8	0	7	108.89	32
9	Carlton	15	7	0	8	111.45	28
10	West Coast	15	7	0	8	107.08	28
11	North Melbourne	15	6	0	9	116.05	24
12	Adelaide	15	6	0	9	102.46	24
13	Brisbane	15	6	0	9	80.33	24
14	Gold Coast	15	5	0	10	89.02	20
15	Bulldogs	15	4	0	11	76.71	16
16	St Kilda	15	3	0	12	83.14	12
17	Melbourne	15	2	0	13	53.98	8
18	Greater Western Sydney	15	0	0	15	49.95	0

He said he was answering a question about the drug that the World Anti-Doping Agency says is banned, but an Australian Crime Commission report said was not on the prohibited list.

"I wasn't pre-empting or softening ... it was one of the more nonsensical things I've heard," Demetriou said.

"I was asked, 'Does the AFL believe AOD-9604 was a banned substance?' I said I'm not giving a running commentary but I will say there is some uncertainty about the status of AOD-9604.

"Why don't people listen to the whole interview (with 3AW's Neil Mitchell).

"We have not got the final report ... and once we get the report, we'll know."

The AFL Commission briefly discussed the drugs saga on Monday night. Demetriou said possible penalties were not raised.

"Because it may or may not come before the commission, we don't discuss much because the report is not finished," he said.

The report is expected next month but will not have any input from the man at the centre of the scandal, sports scientist Stephen Dank.

Despite recently urging Dank to talk to ASADA, Demetriou said Dank had spoken to the ACC.

Meanwhile, Melbourne's financial rescue package, reputed to be $2.7 million, is yet to be finalised.

"We've got a bit more work to do on it ... but we have given them an approval in principle to support them," Demetriou said.

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Reds' semi a Bledisloe trial for Quade

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Cooper will need to improve on his patchy effort against the Waratahs. Source:Getty Images

QUADE Cooper has been thrown a playoff duel against Kiwi kingpin Dan Carter that will be an all-instincts gauge of his readiness for a pressured Bledisloe Cup rematch.

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Reds playmaker Cooper insisted there was no chance he would be distracted by the Carter head-to-head when this Saturday night's sudden-death final in Christchurch had to be won.

Playing a Crusaders side laced with up to a dozen All Blacks on hostile turf in a Super Rugby playoff is the best examination possible for Cooper's game with so much riding on his steadiness, his decisions and his risk-taking.

It is also exactly what the rugby public need to witness to work out how wholeheartedly they will trust the fly half to steer the Wallabies against the All Blacks in Sydney on August 17.

"The Crusaders have a lot of All Blacks and put pressure on like the All Blacks but no way am I looking at this as a rehearsal for anything," Cooper said.

"I don't let my mind wander to down the track.

"This is solely about the Reds, going to Christchurch to beat them and our whole campaign which is built around winning the Super Rugby final."

Cooper admitted the Reds would have to find "a 20 per cent improvement'' on their 14-12 display to beat the NSW Waratahs for a fifth consecutive time on Saturday night in Sydney.

"After a month since our last game, it felt like a trial match at the end of preseason in some ways with guys coming back from different teams, the break and working on combos again," Cooper said.

"There was a lot of blowing off rust and ticking over kilometres in the legs so even though it was scrappy, it was a very good hit-out to get back a rhythm and build for a playoff."

No team has won more often over the Crusaders than the Reds (three times) over the past four seasons and that is a tangible weapon for the Queenslanders.

"The Crusaders are an excellent team but we are not frightened of playing our natural game against them, which is very important," Cooper said.

"To scramble in defence and stick with teams really shows our attitude. Like against NSW, we have been able to come out on the right side of tight results even without always playing our best footy."

Cooper has just two Test wins over Carter-led All Blacks sides to show for plenty of trying moments between 2010-12, but is 3-0 for his last three starts when up against Carter and the Crusaders.

"Dan Carter is a class act. He wins games by doing the things he does very well without trying to be too flashy," Cooper warned.

"Whenever he is in a Crusaders team, they pick up a gear purely because of the mindset and confidence he creates. We know how tough that makes them this weekend."

No Queensland side has won in Christchurch since 1999, which is history that Cooper welcomes rather than shies away from.

"Nothing good comes easy, as they say. There's a lot of history there and it would be great to rectify that record," Cooper said.

"It has been motivation all through these last few seasons to knock off teams we have never beaten or win at stadiums where we haven't won.

"I doubt there will be much love for the Reds in Christchurch but it will be a packed house and all the boys want to get that win for the Reds."

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Beale arrival to lift Foley's game

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Bernard Foley ... vows to lift his game with the impending arrival of Kurtley Beale. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

BERNARD Foley has vowed to lift his game with the impending arrival of Wallaby star Kurtley Beale to the Waratahs for next season, but will happily play off the bench for the good of the team.

Foley was a revelation as the Waratahs' playmaker this year and should be persisted with, but the expected signing of Beale and re-signing of fullback Israel Folau will create enormous competition in an all-international backline.

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Beale is primarily used at five-eighth or fullback, and was NSW's No.10 before he left for Melbourne in 2012, but seems certain to return home.

"It's exciting, for me personally it means I've got to lift my game," Foley told the Telegraph.

"You've got that competition – like I had this year with Ben Volavola nipping at my heels the whole time, and Berrick Barnes coming back.

"If Kurtley comes back it will be beneficial for the entire squad.

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"Maybe it means I'm on the bench. Whatever happens it's better for Waratahs rugby going forward."

Also joining the Tahs is Rebels and Wallabies halfback Nick Phipps, who has developed a strong combination with Beale, although Foley has also spent time playing with the No.9 in Sevens and for Sydney University.

Foley is confident that with a second pre-season of refining coach Michael Cheika's game-plan the Waratahs will be a finals threat in 2014.

"We were changing mentalities and old habits, for us to have a second year, three or four months of pre-season as well, Cheik came in late last pre-season, we hit the ground running but it's not ideal for preparation," Foley said.

"This time we've got five or six months preparation before the first game, hopefully we can play a style that entertains and gets results.

"It's exciting how we've tried to play the game, a lot more running, a lot more ball in hand, and that's proven by the statistics.

"It's just lapses in games that have let us down in games this year.

"Once we rectify that and put it together for 80 minutes on the park consistently we will win more games.

"I think the squad's mentality has changed, this is the first year we've tried this style and it has had a lot of benefits, but we're still ironing it out. There is a lot to improve on."

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No regrets against Man Utd: Ange

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No regrets ... Ange Postecoglou's message to the A-League All-Stars. Source: Matt King / Getty Images

ALL-STARS coach Ange Postecoglou will drum home a single message to his patchwork squad this week, that they must leave "no regrets on the pitch" by the close of Saturday's showpiece encounter with Manchester United.

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Conceding that there is limited tactical effect to be had on such a disparate group, Postecoglou will emphasise the need to make the most of the experience of facing the Premier League champions in only their second game under new manager David Moyes.

The All-Stars had their first serious training session on Sunday under Postecoglou's tutelage, with the seconded Victory boss "pleasantly surprised" at the levels of fitness among a group still in the early stages of a lengthy pre-season.

"To be honest, the key message is about making the most of the experience," Postecoglou said. "It's a consistent theme I want the players to take on board, not to reach the final whistle on Saturday night and have wasted a second of what is a unique occasion.

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"Really, if you get sidetracked from the football by the atmosphere or who it is you're playing then you won't be likely to create the sort of moments that hopefully will live with you forever, and that would be a huge regret.

"So far the players are in good spirits and in decent shape too. If I had one concern in advance, it was how the players would shape up given the different stages of their pre-seasons they're all at, but I'm happy with where they're at."

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Postecoglou insisted that having such a short time to work with a collegiate squad "is part of the challenge and the excitement. If I could make a huge difference in a week, it would kind of make a mockery of what I've done in the rest of my career.

"What's in our favour is there are some excellent footballers in the group, and a lot of good experience, so they tend to pick things up a bit quicker."

With his opposite number arriving in Sydney yesterday under a little extra pressure in the wake of a defeat in Thailand, Postecoglou warned that David Moyes's ascension to the post held for so long by Sir Alex Ferguson could present a unique challenge.

"Certainly Sir Alex had the highest standards and there wouldn't have been any risk of complacency.

"There's no doubt Moyes and the players are under a high level of scrutiny with the change of manager and the whole world watching to see how they go. I have no doubt their motivation will be huge."

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Live: First Ashes Test, day five

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James Anderson leads the celebrations as England go 1-0 up in the Ashes. Source: Gareth Copley / Getty Images

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CAN Australia pull off a miraculous win, or will England do the business?

Either way, the first Ashes Test is set for a thrilling finish, so make sure you follow all the action and get the best reaction, opinion and analysis with our live blog!

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JOIN US FOR LIVE COVERAGE OF EVERY MOMENT OF THE ASHES SERIES FROM THE FIRST BALL, INCLUDING A LIVE MATCH CENTRE WITH SCORES, STATS, HAWKEYE DISPLAY OF EVERY DELIVERY AND VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS THROUGHOUT EACH SESSION

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Carlton keeps finals hopes alive

Kruez-control ... Matthew Kreuzer clears the ball during Carlton's big victory. Source: JOE CASTRO / AAP

STEPHEN Milne's return to AFL was marked by a chorus of boos, two goals and a 36-point defeat by Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

Playing his first match since being charged with rape last month, St Kilda forward Milne kicked two third-quarter goals in his side's 16.14 (110) to 10.14 (74) loss.

2.2 (14)	Q1	5.1 (31)
5.5 (35)	Q2	10.1 (61)
11.6 (72)	Q3	14.3 (87)
18.9 (117)	Q4	17.3 (105)

Jonathan Brown 3	Drew Petrie 5
Pearce Hanley 3	Aaron Black 3
Sam Mayes 3	Robbie Tarrant 3
Ashley McGrath 3	Ben Cunnington 2
Brent Staker 2	Ryan Bastinac 1
Joshua Green 1	Brent Harvey 1
Ryan Lester 1	Aaron Mullett 1
Daniel Merrett 1	Daniel Wells 1
Dayne Zorko 1

His every touch was booed loudly.

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Hawthorn	15	13	0	2	141.97	52
2	Geelong	15	13	0	2	132.74	52
3	Essendon	14	11	0	3	129.86	44
4	Sydney	14	10	1	3	131.58	42
5	Fremantle	14	10	1	3	125.89	42
6	Richmond	15	10	0	5	116.69	40
7	Collingwood	15	10	0	5	109.40	40
8	Port Adelaide	15	8	0	7	108.89	32
9	Carlton	15	7	0	8	111.45	28
10	West Coast	14	7	0	7	109.95	28
11	North Melbourne	15	6	0	9	116.05	24
12	Adelaide	15	6	0	9	102.46	24
13	Brisbane	15	6	0	9	80.33	24
14	Gold Coast	15	5	0	10	89.02	20
15	Bulldogs	14	4	0	10	76.90	16
16	St Kilda	15	3	0	12	83.14	12
17	Melbourne	15	2	0	13	53.98	8
18	Greater Western Sydney	14	0	0	14	52.21	0

Blues forward Lachie Henderson starred with four goals, Sam Rowe and Jeff Garlett booted three each, while Carlton midfielders Kade Simpson and Chris Judd were outstanding.

Young forward Tom Lee booted three goals for the Saints.

In a feisty, physical contest which started with a melee in the centre of the ground and featured regular spotfires throughout, both teams swapped the lead throughout the first and second terms.

The Blues took a nine-point lead to halftime.

But Milne's two goals were vital in keeping his side in the contest as the Blues threatened to take control of the game at times in the third term.

The teams traded goals for the rest of the quarter, and Carlton held an 11-point advantage at three-quarter time.

Substitute Eddie Betts added plenty of life for Carlton when he came on and created an early final term goal for Judd which gave the Blues the breathing space they needed.

Then Henderson added his fourth soon after to send the Blues on their way to a comfortable victory.

Carlton move to a 7-8 win-loss record, boosting their finals hopes.

The Saints are 3-12.

Click here to view all of the stats and scores in the FOX FOOTY Match Centre.

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Video: Bell gets ton but Poms all out

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Ian Bell celebrates after reaching his century during day four of the first Ashes Test. Source: Ryan Pierse / Getty Images

THE fight appeared to be draining from Australia as Ian Bell scored the most substantial century of his career.

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Already behind in the first Test at Trent Bridge, Australia had such a modest start to the fourth day that it was suddenly faced with an uncomfortable piece of history.

England set Australia 311 to win, a formidable target with no team chasing more for victory at the ground than the 284 England made against New Zealand in 2004.

By lunch Australia was 0-28.

Resuming at 6-326, 261 in front, England extended the lead to 291 before the villain of day three, Stuart Broad, was caught behind for 65 pushing at James Pattinson once too often.

If Steve Harmison set the tone for 2006-07 with his famously wayward opening ball that flew to Andrew Flintoff at second slip then Mitchell Starc appeared to set the tone with his first ball on day four.

A shoulder high full toss wide of Bell almost skittled captain Michael Clarke at slip on the way to the boundary for five no balls.

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Get ball-by-ball commentary, video of every wicket and boundary, and pitch maps and Hawkeye in our Ashes Match Centre.

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Two deliveries later a lower full toss was guided by Bell between slip and gully to the boundary and he moved to 99 with Australia recklessly conceding runs that will be so hard to come by batting last.

More wasteful runs came three deliveries into the second over when Broad edged a ball from James Pattinson between Michael Clarke at first slip and Shane Watson at second.

It was catchable height but sailed unimpeded to the boundary as the fieldsmen looked at each other, giving Broad his 10th Test half-century.

In the following over Bell pushed a ball from Starc to point and a diving Ashton Agar could not gather it cleanly, offering the single that brought up three figures.

It gave Bell his 18th Test century but none have been more significant. He came to the wicket with England just 66 ahead and guided his side into a strong position at the start of an Ashes series.

Broad went for 65 caught behind off Pattinson pushing outside the off stump once too often, and Bell was caught behind for 109 after spending almost six and a half hours at the creased batting Australia out of the match.

The tail feel quickly, with Graeme Swann (9) edging a ball from Peter Siddle into the slips.

This time Clarke and Watson both want for the catch, with Clarke taking the ball in front of his former vice-captain.

Jimmy Anderson bunted a simple catch to Phil Hughes at short mid-wicket, giving Siddle three wickets for the innings and eight for the match.

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