Hussey backs Watson as batsman

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"First class" ... Hussey backs Watson to concentrate on being a batsman. Source:AAP

As perennially injured all-rounder Shane Watson considers giving up bowling in a desperate bid to revive his constantly stalling Test career, Mike Hussey says Watson's batting record is "first class".

Hussey has backed Watson to concentrate on batting to preserve his body.

After missing the first two Tests of the summer due to a calf injury, Watson was ruled out of the Sydney Test after re-injuring the same leg.

It's understood Watson is considering giving up bowling to prolong his Test career, a move that Hussey fully supports.

"I think it's a bit of a weight of his shoulders actually, just to maybe take the bowling out of his game and just concentrate on his batting," Hussey told Channel 9 on Saturday morning.

"He's got a great record at first-class level with his batting so let's hope he can perform very, very well as a batsman and can still play some great innings for Australia."

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Watson has been replaced by Victoria's off-spinning all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, while Usman Khawaja is again on standby for Michael Clarke, who continues to feel his dodgy hamstring following Australia's crushing innings and 201-run victory at the MCG on Friday.

As well as the first two Tests against South Africa, Watson also missed all of the last Test summer with hamstring and calf problems.

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"It's been frustrating," said Watson.

"It's been something that's been hanging around for the last six months, it was good after Hobart and leading into this Test it started to play up a little bit and unfortunately didn't hold together throughout this Test match.

"I am certainly doing some thinking about what my prospects are moving forward with my bowling especially.

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"I have to sit down with the hierarchy and work out the best way to manage things so I can put some cricket together for a period of time.

"(I) especially want to get some continuity together with my batting.

"When you get injured it makes it difficult to build some momentum. It was nice to score some runs in this innings, but it means I am going to be out for a couple of weeks.

"At the moment I am trying to do the best job I can with bat and ball, but my batting is being affected in certain ways and obviously I can't stay on the park consistently and that's where we have to sit down and try to work through it."

Watson's second thoughts about his dual role will be news to his captain.

"That's really decided by Watto," Clarke said.

"He wants to be an all-rounder.

"If you're an all-rounder, you've got to be able to bat and bowl. Unless that changes in his mind, it won't change in mine.

"We speak about it often. We're very lucky to have such a good player who can do both. He could be in the team as a bowler, he could be in the team as a batter."

Jackson Bird is likely to carry the drinks in Sydney despite a successful first Test, claiming two early wickets in each innings, making way for Mitchell Starc, who is a definite starter.

Promoting wicketkeeper Matthew Wade to No.6 in the batting order and playing Maxwell as the all-rounder is a bold gamble, but one worth taking.

It also means Clarke will move up to four, a position he should now consider filling permanently given his record-breaking year of phenomenal batting performances.

If Watson does make it back into the Test side for India and there is no room for him at the top of the order he should move down to No.6 and let Clarke keep the game moving at four, a position Clarke has struggled with in the past.

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Rogic hit with three-match ban

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Banned ... Tom Rogic cops a three-match suspension for his horror tackle. Source: Liam Driver / News Limited

Rising Central Coast star Tomas Rogic has been given a three-game A-League suspension for his rash challenge on Sydney midfielder Rhyan Grant in Thursday night's loss to the Sky Blues.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Central Coast	13	8	3	2	12	27
2	Adelaide	13	8	1	4	4	25
3	Victory	13	7	2	4	-1	23
4	Western Sydney	13	6	2	5	5	20
5	Perth	13	5	3	5	3	18
6	Wellington	13	4	4	5	0	16
7	Newcastle	13	5	1	7	-8	16
8	Brisbane	13	4	2	7	0	14
9	Sydney	13	4	1	8	-11	13
10	Heart	13	3	3	7	-4	12

Rogic was red-carded for the wild tackle which occurred in the 95th minute of the spiteful fixture, prompting an automatic one-game ban, but the independent match review panel advised of the additional two-match ban on Saturday.

The Mariners have decided not to fight the ban.

Rogic is understood to be disappointed by the ban, which will force him out of clashes with Perth, Western Sydney Wanderers and a highly-anticipated A-League showdown with heavyweights Melbourne Victory.

The 20-year-old has enjoyed a significant rise in 2012, taking a bigger role at the table-topping Mariners while also making his Socceroos debut in a 2-1 victory over South Korea in November.

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Must back up Mariners win: Emerton

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Maiden home win ... Brett Emerton thanks the fans after Sydney's win. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

Sydney FC might have won the David versus Goliath battle against A-League frontrunners Central Coast but stand-in skipper Brett Emerton says it will count for nothing if they can't back it up.

The Sky Blues posted the biggest upset of the season, stunning the Mariners 1-0 at Allianz Stadium with Emerton sealing the victory with his 89th-minute header.

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The sustained pressure from the cellar-dwellers made for a dramatic finish to the match as tensions boiled over for the Mariners in the dying minutes with skipper John Hutchinson and playmaker Tomas Rogic sent off for dodgy tackles.

Emerton says getting under the Mariners' skin was all part of the plan.

"From minute one, that's what we set out to do,'' he said.

"We were in their faces and maybe it's something they're not completely used to.

"No one likes to be put under intense pressure all the time and we need to do that to teams throughout the rest of the season.''

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The win lifted Sydney off the bottom into ninth place on the ladder and they appeared miles apart from the side that was thrashed 7-2 by the Mariners in their last encounter.

"It was a massive win for us and was a little bit of revenge taken after a disappointing result a few weeks ago,'' Emerton said.

"It's definitely a different mood today than it was this time a week ago and we want to feel this way a few more times this season.''

New Sky Blues coach Frank Farina was scathing in his assessment of his side after they suffered their eighth loss this season going down 2-1 to Newcastle last week.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Central Coast	13	8	3	2	12	27
2	Adelaide	13	8	1	4	4	25
3	Western Sydney	13	6	2	5	5	20
4	Victory	12	6	2	4	-2	20
5	Perth	13	5	3	5	3	18
6	Wellington	13	4	4	5	0	16
7	Newcastle	12	5	1	6	-7	16
8	Brisbane	13	4	2	7	0	14
9	Sydney	13	4	1	8	-11	13
10	Heart	13	3	3	7	-4	12

Farina said in no uncertain terms if his players didn't show the fighting quality he desired, they wouldn't be playing.

"He's made that very clear from the start and that's how it should be,'' Emerton said.

"Everyone should fear that if they're not doing the right thing on the park that next week they won't be playing.

"That especially showed last night because we received some harsh words after the Newcastle game and I think everyone stepped up.''

Match report: Sydney FC win drama-filled thriller against Central Coast Mariners

Things don't get any easier for Sydney with a very quick turnaround ahead of facing second-placed Adelaide on New Year's Eve before taking on Perth five days later.

And while some think Thursday's victory might have woken the sleeping giants, Emerton says the real test will be maintaining the intensity in coming fixtures.

"Let's not get carried away,'' he said.

"If we don't continue to back that up, then that one result on its own means nothing.

"Once we put consistent performances together, then we can start to consider ourselves a serious threat.

"These next games are a great opportunity to stamp our mark.

"If we can get a positive result out of these three games, anything's possible.''

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Lankans to fight back in Sydney

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Character ... Sri Lanka will hope to bounce back in Sydney. Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Limited

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene has demanded his team show much more character in the third Test against Australia after they were smashed inside two and a half days at the MCG.

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The tourists will likely have to make three forced changes.

Star batsman Kumar Sangakkara (broken finger) and paceman Chanaka Welegedera (hamstring) are definitely out, while wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene is also unlikely to recover from a fractured thumb in time for the January 3-7 Test at the SCG.

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But even more important than finding fit players is the need to show some fight after a Mitchell Johnson-led pace barrage condemned Sri Lanka to defeat by an innings and 201 runs on Friday.

"I thought we needed to buckle down and bat well,'' said Mahela Jayawardene.

"We lost two wickets in no time in the first over which gave them a lot of momentum and then we just kept losing wickets.

"You can't pinpoint one thing and say that's where we went wrong.

"There were loose shots and a loss of concentration.

"At the same time, the Australians played some really good cricket as well. You can't take that away from them.

"We need to step up to the plate, we need to show character and really dig deep.''

There was no way back for Sri Lanka after they were reduced to 3-3 in their second dig - equalling their worst start to a Test innings.

The procession began when Dimuth Karunaratne was senselessly run out in the first over.

And it didn't get any better, with the skipper extending his sorry run outside his home country to 26 Test innings without reaching 50.

Once again, it was first innings top-scorer Sangakkara who provided the most resistance - until he was forced to retire hurt for 27 after having his left index finger broken by a rampaging Johnson.

"We played a really bad game of cricket,'' said Jayawardene.

"The Boxing Day Test match is always a big occasion but I don't think that alone is an excuse.

"We went out and didn't play good cricket. We need to put our hand up and accept that.''

Looking beyond the Sydney Test - when Sri Lanka will be at long odds to avoid a series whitewash - is the fact that their best batsmen are in their mid 30s.

Jayawardene said the one-day team had experienced a major overhaul in the past 18 months and the same process needed to be managed with the Test side as he, Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Thilan

Samaraweera near the end of distinguished careers.

"But the transition has to be smooth,'' he said.

"We might have some wobbles down the line but we must have faith in the system and have faith in the team.''

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As it happened: AUS v SRI T2 D2

Big hitter ... Johnson showed plenty of prowess with the bat. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

Australia head into day three with a commanding 284-run lead over Sri Lanka in the second Test at the MCG.

We brought you all the action in our fresh new take on the live match blog format.

And as Mitchell Johnson eyes his second Test century on Friday morning, we plan to continue to capture the colour and excitement of the battle with a blog that allows you more say while also bringing in news, knowledge and insight from all corners of the cricket world.

2nd Test - Melbourne Cricket Ground

26 December 2012 - Day 2, Session 3

Australia 1st Innings

M. Johnson	73	133	6	0	54.89
N. Lyon	0	8	0	0	0
S. Eranga	26.2	2	106	2	4.03

We will have regular score and wicket updates here along with commentary, images and interaction with experts and fans.

If, however, it's a ball-by-ball description and up to the second scoreboard you want, along with wagon wheels and ball tracking technology, we have that covered in our MATCH CENTRE, right here.

Please get involved with the live blog in one of three ways.

Send us an email using the form on this page (on the right), leave a comment on the story or contact us via twitter at @FoxCricketLive.

If you are at the ground we'd love to see your images and will use as many as possible during the day.

We hope you enjoy this new approach to the live experience online – do tell us what you think. 

Join us again from 1030am (EDT) on Friday for all the day three action.

[View the story "LIVE: AUSvSL - 2nd Test, Day 2 MCG" on Storify]

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Clarke, Watson, Johnson build big lead

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What a year ... Michael Clarke celebrates his first MCG century. Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Limited

Michael Clarke's fifth century of 2012 was the high point of day two of the second Test as Australia reached 8-440 to stretch their first-innings lead over Sri Lanka to 284.

2nd Test - Melbourne Cricket Ground

26 December 2012 - Day 2, Session 3

Australia 1st Innings

M. Johnson	73	133	6	0	54.89
N. Lyon	0	8	0	0	0
S. Eranga	26.2	2	106	2	4.03

Sri Lanka reduced Australia to 6-315 with a burst of three quick wickets before tea on Thursday, however No.8 Mitchell Johnson (73 not out) ensured the home side's tail wagged in front of 39,486 fans at the MCG.

Johnson is chasing his second Test hundred when play resumes on Friday with Nathan Lyon yet to score.

Clarke hit 106 to become Australia's highest Test runscorer in a calendar year with 1595 runs at a Bradmanesque average of 106.33.

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Re-live the day's play as it happened in our new-look live and interactive blog. Join us again from 1030am (EDT) Friday for day three.

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The Australian captain, who batted superbly despite suffering a hamstring strain in last week's first Test win in Hobart, struck 14 boundaries off 187 deliveries.

Shane Watson (83) and Clarke added 194 for the fourth wicket before falling in consecutive overs.

Clarke was caught at third slip at 4-311 and Watson holed out to the leg-side boundary two runs later.

It was yet another near-miss for Watson whose 38-Test career has included two hundreds and 19 half-centuries.

Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade (one) also holed out with a hook shot as Australia lost 3-4.

The short, stocky spinner Rangana Herath took a spectacular diving catch in his left thumb and forefinger at long-on to dismiss Mike Hussey for 34 at 7-376 after adding 61 with Johnson.

Peter Siddle (13) shared a valuable stand of 58 with Johnson.

Herath, the leading wicket-taker in Tests in 2012, bowled without luck and conceded 0-95 runs from his 39 overs. Pacemen Dhammika Prasad (3-102) Shaminda Eranga (2-106) worked hard on a flat track.

Clarke was dropped on five, missed at first slip on 83 and also gave a stumping chance on 54, while Watson was dropped on five and 58.

Sri Lanka's fielding errors make a tough situation even worse, given their injury problems.

Opening bowler Chanaka Welegedara left the field with a right-hamstring injury during the pre-lunch session on day two and their regular wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene suffered a fractured thumb while batting on day one.

Australia, who lead the three-match series one-nil, had resumed on 3-150 after bowling Sri Lanka out for 156.

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Skipper fury at Wild Thing axe

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Anger ... The skipper of Wild Thing is furious at the boat's booting from the race. Source: DANIEL FORSTER / AAP

The skipper of one of the favourites for the Rolex Sydney Hobart, Wild Thing, is furious at the decision to kick the boat out of the race due to a failure to submit some race documents.

The decision was made three hours before the start of the race after the race committee had not received some documentation.

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The lack of documentation relates to modifications made to the yacht.

Wild Thing skipper Grant Wharington said he felt blindsided by the decision.

"We are absolutely devastated to be told at the 11th hour that we are unable to race to Hobart,'' Wharington said.

"Would you believe we have been offered to sail down the course and we can go on into the radio skeds and leave the tracker on (and not compete for line honours) which is an insult.

"We're a bit stuck for words as to why it happened, the situation, we provided the documentation - I've got it in my hand.

"We were given approval on Wednesday that we were able to go and then subsequently (it was) withdrawn, so we're obviously devastated.''

Cruising Yacht Club of Australia commodore Howard Piggott delivered the news while Wharington had his phone switched off, the skipper giving his crew a pre-race briefing at the time.

"As everybody turned their phones back on just before 11 o'clock, hundreds of messages from everybody saying 'it's all over the press, we've been knocked out' - and we were absolutely dumbfounded,'' Wharington said.

Piggott said the boat's owners had failed to provide the necessary statements that Wild Thing was designed and built in accordance with the American Bureau of Shipping guide.

"The race committee has worked with the owner of the boat Grant Wharington to allow him up to three hours prior to the start of race to provide the documentation required,'' Piggott said.

"However, this has not been forthcoming - the race committee has no option but to not accept the entry of Wild Thing.''

Wild Thing had undergone a number of changes and been lengthened to the permitted maximum of 100 foot.

Piggott said the race committee's decision was final.

"We made every effort I assure you, we want to see boats racing,'' Piggott said.

"However it's out of our hands, we must comply with the notice of race and ensure that our safety standards are maintained.''

He said Wild Thing would be marked as a non-starter and a message would be sent to Wharington that he should not interfere with the race.

"He will be in the vicinity but he will be spoken to by the authorities not to permit him into the race area," Piggott said.

"Every effort has been made to give him notice.''

Most betting agencies had Wild Thing as third favourite for the race after Wild Oats XI and Ragamuffin Loyal.

Wild Thing had not raced since being modified.

Wharington has had a sometimes strained relationship with the bluewater classic.

In 2004 Wharington and his crew were forced to pull the pin on the race due to a keel problems and in 2009 the skipper had to race the clock to replace a mast broken during the yacht's delivery from Melbourne to Sydney.

Two years ago Wild Thing, the 2003 line honours winner, was involved in a collision with a media boat.

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Live blog: Boxing Day Test

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Fightback ... Dhammika Prasad celebrates the dismissal of Ed Cowan. Source: Hamish Blair / AAP

Welcome to the Boxing Day Test match between Australia and Sri Lanka at the MCG and welcome to our fresh new take on the live match blog.

We hope to capture the colour and excitement of the battle with blog that allows you more say while also bringing in news, knowledge and insight from all corners of the cricket world.

2nd Test - Melbourne Cricket Ground

26 December 2012 - Day 1, Session 3

Australia 1st Innings

S. Watson	13	44	2	0	29.55
M. Clarke	20	46	3	0	43.48
S. Eranga	10	2	53	0	5.30

We will have regular score and wicket updates here along with commentary, images and interaction with experts and fans.

If, however, it's a ball-by-ball description and up to the second scoreboard you want, along with wagon wheels and ball tracking technology, we have that covered in our MATCH CENTRE, right here.

Please get involved with the live blog in one of three ways.

Send us an email using the form on this page (on the right), leave a comment on the story or contact us via twitter at @FoxCricketLive.

If you are at the ground we'd love to see your images and will use as many as possible during the day.
We hope you enjoy this new approach to the live experience online – do tell us what you think. 

[View the story "LIVE: AUSvSL - 2nd Test, Day 1 MCG" on Storify]

14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

AFL's biggest moment in 2012

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Another huge year ... what was sport's biggest moment in 2012? Source:FOX SPORTS

Foxsports.com.au has gathered the five moments that defined AFL in 2012 and it's up to you to decide which was the biggest.

Check out our highlights video of the five big moments before heading to the bottom of the page to tell us if the deicision was right or wrong.

Have we missed any of AFL's defining moments for 2012? Leave a comment with your most memorable moments at the bottom of the page!

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GIANTS JOIN THE PARTY
The AFL's newest franchise, led by the competition's oldest coach, stepped out for the very first time in 2012. Kevin Sheedy guided the young Giants to two victories but couldn't avoid the wooden spoon. A number of exciting youngsters, headed by Toby Greene, Jeremy Cameron and Stephen Coniglio, looked at home in the big time. Israel Folau, however, didn't. The big-money former NRL star turned his back on the code after a trying year.

BUDDY BOOTS A BAKER'S DOZEN
AFL crowds are used to Lance Frankling doing the seemingly undoable, but the game's most mercurial player took it to another level in round 10 against North Melbourne. Heading into the match with just 21.36 from the opening nine rounds, the Hawthorn hero slotted home 13 majors in a career-best performance. Buddy's performance helped his side crush the Kangaroos by 115 points, a record for the Hawks against the Kangaroos. Are you really surprised that, according to IMG Sports Technology Group, Franklin is the AFL's most popular player and more than twice as popular than the second-ranked player, teammate Cyril Rioli? Didn't think so.

Swans ... flew to the flag in 2012. Source: AAP

RATTEN OUT, MALTHOUSE IN
Carlton great Brett Ratten never really won over Blues fans as coach. The likeable Ratten helped the club return to the finals after a seven-year drought in 2009. They were bundled out by a kick, then again in 2010, before thumping the Bombers in an elimination final in 2011. Big things were expected in 2012 - a premiership, perhaps - but when Gold Coast rolled them in round 22, that was it for 'Ratts'. Mick Malthouse got the nod in no time and the former Footscray, West Coast and Collingwood coach will be paid handsomely to do so.

THE TIPPETT SAGA
He's not the biggest name in the game but Kurt Tippett has commanded more column inches than anyone in 2012. The off-season - and much of the season itself - was dominated by the former Adelaide Crows big man. Would he stay or would he go? Then, where would he go? And, then, what would the AFL commission decide. Collingwood superstar Travis Cloke did his best to keep pace with the Tippett for headlines before opting to sign a new deal with the Magpies.

SUPER SWANS
Hands up if you tipped the Swans to make the top four? Didn't think so. And forget it if you claim you had them as your pick for the flag. Sydney, powered by a blue-collar midfield, a dependable defence, and honest attack, upset the more-fancied Hawks in a classic grand final. Lewis Jetta's run down the wing with Cyril Rioli in pursit, Nick Malcesski's stunning goals, and Lance Franklin's third quarter were memorable.

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Sixers need some Lumb luck

Call up ... Batsman Michael Lumb will play for Sydney Sixers on Boxing Day. Source: Stephane de Sakutin / AFP

Sydney Sixers have called upon star batsman Michael Lumb in a bid to revive a flagging KFC T20 Big Bash League title defence ahead of their Boxing Day clash with the Hobart Hurricanes at the SCG.

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Sydney suffered a heavy nine-wicket loss to the Adelaide Strikers on Sunday and with just one win from the opening four games sit in second-last place, ahead of only winless rivals the Sydney Thunder.

The Sixers lost just two games on their way to winning last year's title, and have so far come up with few solutions as to how they halt their current three-game skid.

They've already fallen three games behind competition leaders the Melbourne Renegades, and have just four games left to improve their position to fourth to secure a finals berth.

But star allrounder Steve Smith insists they haven't given up hope yet.

"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.

Helping matters significantly will be the return of English batsman Lumb, who arrived on Christmas Eve after missing the start of the tournament and has been named in a 13-man Sixers squad.

Lumb starred for the Sixers in their triumphant Champions League campaign, finishing as the tournament's leading scorer with 226 runs and a top score of 82 not out.

Much of the Sixers' troubles this summer have stemmed from a lack of runs at the top of the order, highlighted by their scores of 113 and 135 in losses to Perth Scorchers and the Strikers.

Young pair Kurtis Patterson and Daniel Hughes have also been added to the Sixers' squad after missing the first half of the season through injury.

Hobart enter the clash in strong form having belted the Thunder by 30 runs for their second win of the season, leaving them in fourth spot on the ladder.

Sydney Sixers: Brad Haddin (capt), Luke Feldman, Moises Henriques, Daniel Hughes, Josh Lalor, Brett Lee, Michael Lumb, Sunil Narine, Stephen O'Keefe, Kurtis Patterson, Dan Smith, Steve Smith, Dominic Thornely (12th man to be named, one to be omitted)
Hobart Hurricanes: George Bailey (capt), Tim Paine, Aiden Blizzard, Scott Boland, Doug Bollinger, Travis Birt, Xavier Doherty, Michael Hogan, Jason Krejza, Ben Laughlin, Ricky Ponting, Owais Shah, Jon Wells (12th man to be named, one to be omitted)

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Arthur defends Lyon's bowling

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Critics ... Mickey Arthur defends Australia Test spinner Nathan Lyon. Source: William West / AFP

Australia Test offspinner Nathan Lyon he couldn't care less about accusations he bowls too fast.

Age: 25

State team: South Australia

Bowls: right-arm offspin

Test debut: Aug 31 2011 v Sri Lanka, Galle

Matches: 17

Test record: 56 wickets at 31.92

This Test summer: 2-136 and 2-41 v S.Africa in Brisbane, 2-91 and 3-49 v S.Africa in Adelaide, 3-41 and 0-128 v S.Africa in Perth, 2-76 and 0-57 v Sri Lanka in Hobart.

"I'm definitely not afraid of tossing it up and seeing if they want to take me on and really explore and get in that contest and try and get some wickets,'' Lyon said.

"I'm not really fazed about what people are coming out and saying.

"We're out there in the middle. We know what pace we have to bowl on that pitch.

"It's easy sitting at home. I'm communicating with 'Pup' (Michael Clarke) and 'Wadey' (wicketkeeper Matthew Wade) every over about my pace.''

Lyon attracted more criticism following his 0-57 in Sri Lanka's second innings in last week's first Test in Hobart.

Former Test legspinner Stuart MacGill said not only was Lyon rushing through his overs too quickly but he was bowling too fast.

"People are going to have their own opinion but I'm really confident in my own skill set,'' said Lyon, 25.

"I have the full confidence of (coach and selector) Mickey Arthur and (captain and selector) Michael Clarke.

"Whatever people are saying outside the Australian cricket room doesn't really affect me.

"I'm learning every time I go out to bowl,'' the 17-Test player added.

"There have been a couple of day-five pitches but in Adelaide South Africa batted fantastic and in Hobart we got the result (with pacemen Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc and Shane Watson sharing the 10 wickets between them).

"There are a lot of expectations on the spinner but I'm not worried about that.

"I'm worried about doing the right thing for the team and working well with 'Pup' and all the other bowlers.''

Arthur took a swipe on at Lyon's critics.

"I've read a lot about Nathan Lyon over the last couple of weeks. He's still the quickest offspinner to 50 wickets,'' Arthur said.

"He's young. He's still finding out about his bowling.

The special guest on Inside Cricket this week is West Indian great, Sir Viv Richards.

Widely regarded as one of the best batsmen of all time, Viv Richards' powerful, swashbuckling style and record-breaking career saw him named as one of the five Cricketers of the Century in 2000.

Viv joins old sparring partner Allan Border on the panel, alongside Mark Waugh and host Brendon Julian as they relive his stellar career.

Viv will also discuss his new coaching role with the Melbourne Stars, after linking up with fellow cricket legend Shane Warne in the BBL.
 

Watch Inside Cricket - Monday night at 8.30pm (EDT) on Fox Sports 2 and 2HD.

"He has immense potential though. Spinners only reach their peak at 28 or 29.

"Nathan's doing everything right.''

Lyon said the Australians had backed their quicks to do the damage on a Hobart pitch that offered variable bounce.

"Hopefully here or even the SCG might be a bit more friendly to spin bowling,'' Lyon said.

"It comes down to the different conditions and the different roles you have to play.''

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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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Lehmann charged for outburst

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Trouble ... Lehmann's comments about Samuels landed him in hot water. Source: Mark Calleja / News Limited

Cricket Australia has charged Brisbane Heat coach Darren Lehmann with breaching its code of behaviour following his criticism of the bowling action of Melbourne Renegades import Marlon Samuels.

In a post-match interview, Lehmann queried how an offspin bowler with a short run-up could legally produce faster balls of about 120km/h following the Renegades' victory over his side.

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"I just want something done," Lehmann said. "He (Samuels) couldn't bowl in the IPL last year, yet he can bowl in the BBL. We've got to seriously look at what we're doing."

According to the code of behaviour, players and officials must not "denigrate or criticise another player or denigrate or criticise an official, umpire, referee or team against which they have played or will play ... by inappropriately commenting on any aspect of his or her performance, abilities or characteristics."

CA said it would not make any comment on the charge. The date and time of the hearing is yet to be determined.

In January 2008, Samuels was reported for a suspect bowling action while playing a Test match for the West Indies against South Africa. He was subsequently banned from bowling in international matches, a suspension lifted in 2011 after Samuels underwent biomechanical testing in Perth.

But in April this year, Samuels again was reported for a suspect action while bowling for the Pune Warriors. He was banned from the IPL.

CA has a Doubtful Bowling Action Procedure through which any bowler mentioned by three different umpires in the same season is reported. Umpires also have the option to lodge a report directly if they feel it is warranted.

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Clarke no certainty for Boxing Day

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Race against time ... Clarke has three days to prove his fitness for the Boxing Day Test. Source: Phil Hillyard / News Limited

Australia Chairman of selectors John Inverarity has declared Michael Clarke just a "50-50 chance" of being fit for the Boxing Day Test as the skipper hit the MCG in a bid to prove his fitness.

Australia captain Michael Clarke is no certainty to play in the Boxing Day Test, with chairman of selectors John Inverarity rating him just a "50-50 chance" of being fit.

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Clarke, who suffered a hamstring strain during the dramatic first Test win over Sri Lanka in Hobart last weekend, only trained for the first time on Sunday in a bid to prove his fitness.

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Just three days out from the big match, Clarke trained separately from the main group, giving his hamstring a short workout with some light running before engaging in conversation with Inverarity.

Usman Khawaja is on stand-by should Clarke be ruled out, but with the skipper clearly Australia's most in-form batsman; the side's new-look top order will need to step up if their captain is absent.

"Look, he's travelling optimistically and well, but he's 50-50 as to whether he'll be fit enough to play on Boxing Day," Inverarity said.

Inverarity and vice-captain Shane Watson both expect the world's No.1-ranked batsman to do everything possible to prove his fitness over the next couple of days.

"He's a very precious asset and I would go low risk," Inverarity said.

"He's always upbeat, he desperately wants to play, but we certainly don't want to push him especially hard in a Test and for him to break down."

Watson said if Clarke isn't fit, he will be ready to take on the captaincy, although he isn't thinking about it just yet.

The all-rounder has never led Australia in a Test, although he did the job with some distinction in the limited-overs series in the West Indies earlier in the year.

"It's just about as big as it gets for an Australian cricketer," said Watson of the prospect of leading Australia in a Boxing Day Test.

"There's no doubt if that opportunity arises it certainly will be like it was when I had the opportunity to be captain in the one-dayers; it's an amazing opportunity to think that something like that has come along in your life.

"But as I said, I'm trying not to get too far in front of myself at the moment.

"In the end I know Michael will be doing everything he possibly can to be able to get right for this Test match and everyone's got their fingers crossed that he'll be right but if the opportunity does arise then I'll re-focus then."

Watson said recently-retired former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting had taught him a lot about leadership and captaincy with Watson ready to trust his instincts if he is called on to lead the team.

"Ricky has always been an amazing influence on my career and there's no doubt he's taught me a lot of very good lessons about the game of cricket, but also leadership as well," Watson said.

"There's no doubt a lot of those things he's always talked to me about, when I did lead the team last summer, about just not thinking about things too much and just letting your gut instinct make the decisions for you.

"I'll make sure I'm nice and planned if that opportunity does come around but as I said, Ricky Ponting has given me a lot of very good advice in the past so I'm sure that will come out if the opportunity arises."

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