Tigers, Vics to go down to wire

Key man ... Alex Doolan remained not out at stumps on day three. Source: Nikki Davis-jones / News Limited

Tasmania and Victoria will be in a fight to the death when the last day of the Sheffield Shield's regular season gets underway on Sunday.

SHEF - Blundstone Arena

14 March 2013 - Day 3, Session 3

Tasmania 2nd Innings

J. Silk	61	116	4	0	52.59
A. Doolan	23	35	3	0	65.71

Only outright victory at Bellerive can guarantee the Tigers or Bushrangers a place in next week's final, although the Vics may sneak in if Western Australia and Queensland play out a draw.

After New South Wales thrashed South Australia, five sides remain in the running to host the decider.

Tasmania were 1-137 at stumps on a rain-interrupted day three, a lead of 148, and they will chase quick runs on Sunday morning before attempting to bowl the Bushrangers out.

Victoria expect to be chasing a target of around 300 in 70 overs, but Tigers coach Tim Coyle was giving little away.

"(We'll) see what the weather forecast is and just have a look and see what the conditions are like and (go) into the day with a few scenarios in our minds and be pretty flexible with that,'' he said.

Adding to the tension is the X-factor of rain in Hobart, with 48 overs lost on Saturday and showers forecast for day four.

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Watch the thrilling final day of the Sheffield Shield match between Tasmania and Victoria with our LIVE STREAM.

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Century-making Victoria batsman David Hussey said his side, which came into the final round of matches in top spot, would have no choice but to chase the victory after letting the two crucial first-innings points slip.

"It's going to be difficult," said Hussey, who made 112 in Victoria's first dig of 358 in reply to Tasmania's 6(dec)-369.

"It's probably not a new-ball wicket. It's probably more of an old ball wicket with it reversing a little bit.

"We need to really bat well tomorrow and whatever target they set we'll be definitely going for it."

The Tigers began their second innings well with openers Mark Cosgrove (50) and Jordan Silk (61no) putting on 98 before Cosgrove was bowled by Fawad Ahmed (1-30).

Silk will resume with Alex Doolan, who is unbeaten on 23.

The Tigers' destiny is entirely in their own hands, Coyle said.

"We're really worrying about what's going to happen here," he said.

"We know what's gone on up (in Sydney) and we'll keep an eye on what happens over in the west as well.

"All those things impact but at the end of the day this is a six-point game for both teams."

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Storm thunder home on Cronk double

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Cooper Cronk ... stars for Melbourne Storm in their clash with North Queensland Cowboys. Source: BRETT CROCKFORD / AAP

An attacking masterclass by Melbourne halfback Cooper Cronk has led to a 32-10 win over North Queensland on Saturday.

2 Tries 6
Kane Linnett 11'	Ryan Hinchcliffe 3'
Ashley Graham 71'	Cooper Cronk 28'
	Will Chambers 38'
	Cooper Cronk 48'
	Will Chambers 75'
	Ryan Hoffman 78'
1 Conversions 4
Johnathan Thurston 12'	Cameron Smith 5'
	Cameron Smith 29'
	Cameron Smith 76'
	Gareth Widdop 80'

Cronk played a part in five of Melbourne's six tries, scoring two himself, as well as pulling out a dramatic try-saving tackle as the Cowboys threw everything at a second-half comeback.

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The Queensland and Australian No.7 tormented the home team in every department, making sure the Cowboys' first game at the newly named 1300SMILES Stadium was one to forget.

Cronk didn't take long to bring out the magic, passing inside for lock Ryan Hinchcliffe, who showed a clean pair of heals to burn Cowboys fullback Matt Bowen and score in the corner in the fourth minute.

That sparked the Cowboys into life, with five-eighth Johnathan Thurston pulling out two spectacular wide cut-out passes for winger Antonio Winterstein, with the New Zealand international switching inside for Kane Linnett to equalise on 11 minutes.

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But after a sustained period of pressure by the Cowboys, Cronk restored the Storm's advantage by scoring his own try in the 29th minute and sending the last pass to Will Chambers two minutes before halftime to give the Storm a 16-6 lead.

To show he not only can produce in attack, Cronk held up Linnett in the left corner with a crucial try-saving tackle just minutes after the break.

Linnett had received an inside pass from Winterstein in the left corner, and Cronk managed to get a hand under the Cowboys player and ensured he couldn't cleanly get the ball down.

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy said Cronk was outstanding.

"That big play just after halftime where he held Kane Linnett up, that was a real big play in the game," Bellamy said.

After enduring a heavy road schedule over the past month, including the World Club Challenge in England, and two consecutive matches in hot conditions, Bellamy said the performances were exceeding his expectations.

"Our defence was tremendous and to come up here and put that score on the Cowboys, they're in really good form and they've obviously got a really good side there. I'm really proud of the boys to come up here and put that sort of effort in even though some of the execution wasn't where we want it to be," he said.

The Melbourne coach said it appeared O'Neill had lost a wisdom tooth and was hoping the initial diagnosis of a broken jaw was not as serious as first thought.

Cowboys coach Neil Henry said his team had been given a "lesson in footy'' by the reigning premiers.

"It was a lesson in patience and a bit of execution at that end of the field," Henry said.

"Also in scrambling defence and being desperate on your own line and they (Melbourne) probably saved four or five tries."

Henry said they would have a more clear indication of the extent of an ankle injury to Ray Thompson on Sunday, with the halfback on crutches after the game.

Just for good measure, Cronk barged over the Cowboys line on 49 minutes for his second try of the night and pushed the lead out to 14.

The Cowboys eventually hit back with winger Ashley Graham crossing in the corner in the 71st minute to build some hope for the home side after a 10-minute period of sustained pressure.

But Storm fullback Billy Slater ensured the Storm win when he jumped highest and knocked back a Cronk bomb for Chambers to bag his second try of the night on 75 minutes.

Ryan Hoffman put the final nail in the coffin with two minutes to go, Gareth Widdop putting the back-rower into a gap just metres out from the Cowboys line.

Not everything went the Storm's way, however, with Siosaia Vave put on report for a crusher tackle on Cowboys co-captain Matt Scott and centre Justin O'Neill taken off the field with 10 minutes remaining with a lost tooth and suspected broken jaw.

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Force end Brisbane hoodoo

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Jubilation ... Western Force players celebrate Alfi Mafi's try on their way to victory. Source: DAVE HUNT / AAP

A gutsy Western Force produced their best win in 12 months with a huge Super Rugby upset over the Queensland Reds on Saturday night in Brisbane.

While all eyes were on Wallabies halfback Will Genia making his injury comeback, it was another No.9, former All Black Alby Mathewson, who starred in a 19-12 triumph at Suncorp Stadium.

0 Tries 1
	Alfi Mafi 31'
0 Conversions 1
	Sias Ebersohn 32'
4 Penalties 4
Quade Cooper 17'	Sias Ebersohn 3'
Quade Cooper 20'	Sias Ebersohn 23'
Quade Cooper 30'	Sias Ebersohn 57'
Quade Cooper 38'	Sias Ebersohn 70'

Mathewson set up the only try and almost handed another on a plate as the Force celebrated their first win in Brisbane in six attempts.

Australia Conference		W	L	D	PD	BP	Pts
1	Brumbies	3	0	0	64	2	18
2	Reds	3	2	0	-1	1	13
3	Western Force	1	3	0	-22	1	9
4	Melbourne Rebels	1	3	0	-25	1	9
5	Waratahs	1	3	0	-33	1	9
New Zealand Conference		W	L	D	PD	BP	Pts
1	Chiefs	3	1	0	65	5	17
2	Blues	2	1	0	26	3	15
3	Crusaders	1	2	0	2	3	11
4	Hurricanes	2	2	0	-15	1	9
5	Highlanders	0	3	0	-35	1	5
South Africa Conference		W	L	D	PD	BP	Pts
1	Bulls	3	1	0	3	1	13
2	Sharks	3	0	0	22	0	12
3	Cheetahs	2	2	0	-31	1	9
4	Stormers	1	2	0	-12	1	9
5	Southern Kings	1	2	0	-8	0	8

Not since the Perth franchise smashed the Reds 45-19 almost a year ago to the day, has the Force delivered a better 80-minute team performance.

They were $7.50 underdogs but, in the end, deserved to win by more as they were hungrier in defence and more accurate in attack than Queensland, who were shut out in the second half.

Queensland-raised forwards Hugh McMeniman, Angus Cotterell and Richard Brown all played key roles against a tiring Reds pack.

"We're bitterly disappointed with the performance,'' said Genia.

"Too many errors, too many times running into touch and too many poor passes ... it wasn't acceptable.''

Genia's halves partner Quade Cooper was guilty of many of the wayward passes and was fortunate not to have given up a chargedown try to Chris Alcock in the first half.

It was the blistering pace of Chris Feauai-Sautia who saved the day.

Despite that, the Force still took a surprise 13-12 halftime lead but would have been further ahead if not for the goal-kicking of Cooper, who slotted four penalties, and turnovers forced by flanker Liam Gill.

Queensland too often kicked away possession when they had overlaps in their own half and let the visitors make the play.

The visitors took a 13-9 lead in the 32nd minute when Mathewson broke from the fringes of the lineout, brushing off Saia Faingaa on the way, before putting winger Alfi Mafi over in the left corner.

Genia looked sharp for Queensland in his 40-minute comeback from a knee reconstruction and almost ran down Mafi to stop the try.

While the Reds were held try-less for only the third time at Suncorp Stadium, Mathewson almost set up a second try to Junior Rasolea but his long-range break and chip was snuffed by a tiny fumble before the reserve back dived over. 

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Re-live all the action from the Force's triumph at our Super Rugby Match Centre, with video highlights and all the stats.

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Queensland were forced into a late change when Anthony Faingaa succumbed to a back injury and Mike Harris was the surprise starter at outside centre.

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Records tumble as India belt Aussies

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Record breaker ... Dhawan hit the fastest hundred by a Test debutant. Source:Fox Sports

Australia's bowling attack was destroyed again on Saturday as Shikhar Dhawan blazed his way to 185 not out, the highest score by an Indian batsman on Test debut.

3rd Test - Punjab Cricket Association Stadium

14 March 2013 - Day 3, Session 3

India 1st Innings

M. Vijay	83	181	10	2	45.86
S. Dhawan	185	168	33	2	110.12
N. Lyon	15	3	69	0	4.60

India raced to 0-283 from 58 overs at stumps on day three in reply to Australia's first innings of 408.

The day was made even more painful for Australia's Steve Smith (92) and Mitchell Starc (99), who both fell narrowly short of scoring their maiden Test hundreds.

Dhawan reached his century off 85 balls, which is a record for a debutant in all Test matches.

The Delhi-born 27-year-old smashed 33 fours and two sixes from 168 deliveries while Murali Vijay is unbeaten on 83 from 181 balls.

Dhawan's century included an amazing 21 fours.

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The left-hander looked in command from the outset, after coming into the side as a replacement for dumped veteran Virender Sehwag.

Earlier, Australia relied on a lower-order fightback to produce their highest score of the series of 408 after being 7-251.

No.5 batsman Smith and No.9 Starc shared a crucial 97-run stand for Australia's eighth wicket.

The homework affair which sent shockwaves through world cricket on Monday presented Smith with the chance to play his first Test since January 2011.

The energetic 23-year-old grabbed it with both hands with a brilliant knock on a turning pitch.

Starc, also 23, was on 56 when his New South Wales teammate Smith was stumped playing a defensive prod at 8-348.

Starc and Nathan Lyon (nine not out) added 51 for the ninth wicket.

A nervous Starc was caught behind on 99 off the bowling of paceman Ishant Sharma after hitting 14 fours off 144 balls.

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Honours even in breathless Big Blue

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Bewildered ... Alessandro Del Piero missed a second-half penalty against Melbourne Victory. Source:News Limited

Sydney FC salvaged a vital point to keep their A-League finals prospects alive in a 1-1 draw with Melbourne Victory on Saturday at Allianz Stadium.

An 85th-minute equaliser from Sky Blues substitute Yairo Yau cancelled out a Mark Milligan strike in the third minute.

Yau headed into an open goal at the far post after Rhyan Grant had skilfully headed the ball on from the near post from an Alessandro Del Piero corner.

The goal from the Panama international brought the 22,233 crowd to its feet after the Sky Blues had missed a number of chances to level the scores in the second half.

Uncharacteristically, Del Piero was the chief offender when he pushed a penalty kick into the path of a diving Nathan Coe on the hour after a Victory defender handballed in the box.

In a high tempo free-flowing game, Marco Rojas was wasteful at the other end for the visitors but a draw was probably a fair A-League result.

The point moved Sydney to equal fifth with Newcastle but the Sky Blues can still fall out of the top six if Perth and Central Coast each win on Sunday.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Western Sydney	25	17	2	6	17	53
2	Central Coast	24	13	6	5	22	45
3	Victory	25	12	5	8	3	41
4	Adelaide	25	12	4	9	3	40
5	Sydney	25	9	4	12	-8	31
6	Newcastle	26	8	7	11	-12	31
7	Brisbane	24	8	5	11	1	29
8	Perth	24	8	4	12	-2	28
9	Heart	25	8	3	14	-6	27
10	Wellington	25	6	6	13	-18	24

Sydney goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic was benched for arriving to the ground late after getting stuck in the pre-game traffic and he hardly had time to take his seat before the Victory scored through Milligan in the third minute.

A lovely cross from Connor Pain found two Victory forwards free and, at the far post, Milligan duly threaded the ball past Ivan Necevski for the early lead.

Sydney had their chances to hit back but couldn't convert. In the 17th minute, Terry Antonis meekly headed to

Nathan Coe before a poor first touch from Joel Griffiths denied him a golden chance when Del Piero put him one-on-one with the Victory keeper.

Del Piero surprisingly then put two free kicks wide of the net.

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Re-live all the drama from the epic encounter at our A-League Match Centre, with video highlights and all the stats you need.

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Coe was yellow-carded when he collected the ball from outside the area in the 15th minute but Del Piero pushed the attempt wide.

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The Italian World Cup winner then pushed another effort over the bar from a little further back in the 22nd minute.

But Yau's late equaliser ensured the Sky Blues are still well and truly in the finals hunt.

Given the opportunities his side had, Sydney FC coach Frank Farina was unhappy with the result.

"We are a little bit disappointed to be honest," he said.

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"We gave away an early goal which put us behind the eightball but after that we were still well and truly in the game and for a large part we were dominant."

Victory coach Ange Postecoglou bemoaned his side's inability to put the game beyond doubt.

"We needed the second goal to get clear and that was probably the only thing lacking in our game," he said.

"We kept them sort of in the game."

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WA on brink of hosting final

On the brink ... Western Australia can host their first Sheffield Shield final in 15 years. Source: Lincoln Baker / News Limited

Western Australia is within touching distance of hosting their first Sheffield Shield in 15 years after another dominant batting performance from Mike Hussey on Saturday at the WACA Ground.

The third day finished with Queensland at 6-179 with a 115-run lead, with the Warriors looking to end the Bulls' second innings quickly to ensure they would not be chasing a tough total to win.

SHEF - WACA Ground

14 March 2013 - Day 3, Session 3

Queensland 2nd Innings

J. Burns	73	171	10	0	42.69
M. Neser	0	9	0	0	0

The last time the Warriors hosted a Shield final at the WACA, Hussey and coach Justin Langer were playing - back in 1998.

If Western Australia win outright, the only other result which will affect them will be if Victoria manage an outright victory over Tasmania - a very tough ask with a high chance of showers on Sunday at Bellerive.

WA will look to concentrate on the job at hand and not be stressed by other results.

"We are in a position where our destiny is in our own hands,'' Hussey said.

"It depends on how well we play tomorrow and, again, I think it's about disregarding all that's going on around the country and we still need another four wickets.''

Hussey continued Friday's form and was the last man dismissed in the first innings for 96, leaving WA all out for a respectable 228 in reply to to Queensland's first knock of 164.

The veteran was happy where the team was at this point of the game.

"We are in a position where our destiny is in our own hands,'' Hussey said.

"I think we have put in two really good days of cricket and hopefully we can finish the job tomorrow.''

It wasn't entirely a good day for the WA batsmen, losing key wickets early with Ryan Harris in fine form with the ball to collect six wickets.

Harris claimed Sam Whiteman as the first wicket of the day sending him back to the shed with 11 after a spectacular catch by Chris Hartley.

The fast bowler also sent WA teenager Ashton Agar walking (16) with help from a diving catch from Hopes and later dashed Hussey's century hopes.

Minutes out from lunch, the stumps were spread by a lightning quick ball from Ryan Duffield, bowling Luke Pomersbach for a duck.

After the lunch break, Greg Moller was caught superbly by Hussey off Hogan.

The Warriors took their fourth wicket, following a 72-run partnership between Nathan Reardon and Joe Burns, when Adam Voges caught Reardon in slips off Duffield.

Burt Cockley then trapped Hartley lbw for 16.

Burns fought hard for 73 not out as light faded quickly and will carry on with Michael Neser on Sunday.

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Video: fastest century on Test debut

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Standing ovation ... Dhawan was a very popular debutant. Source:Fox Sports

Late on day three in Mohali, the Indian commentators ran out of superlatives for Shikhar Dhawan's innings.

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It was with good reason - it would be hard to describe just how good the 27-year-old's knock was for someone who didn't see it.

The numbers don't tell the whole story, although ending the day unbeaten on 185 off 168 balls, with 33 fours and two sixes to his name does paint a certain type of picture.

But it was the sheer dominance, and utter confidence with which the debutant played that really characterised the innings.

Batsmen are supposed to be nervous in their first Test outing, but from the moment Dhawan faced his first ball, he showed the Australia bowlers who was in charge.

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It could have been so different, as Dhawan was actually technically run out without facing a ball after Mitchell Starc accidentally performed a 'Mankad', but the closest Australia came to appealing was Michael Clarke jokingly calling for the third umpire.

With that heart-in-mouth moment out of the way, Dhawan didn't take long to get going.

His array of strokes were as varied as they were imaginative, highlighted by a couple of unique sweep shots that were described by one punter on Twitter as a "reverse straight bat leg drive".

The natural assumption for many Australian fans would be that Dhawan was merely taking advantage of poor bowling, but that does him a disservice.

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Yes, this is a weakened Australia bowling line-up, but for chunks of the day they really didn't bowl poorly at all, especially the two left-armers Xavier Doherty and Mitchell Starc - even though they ended the day with figures of 0-57 off 10 overs and 0-46 off 11 overs respectively.

Dhawan just didn't allow any of the bowlers to settle into a rhythm, seemingly hitting boundaries at will.

Meanwhile, Murali Vijay was barely being noticed up the other end, even though he also hit 10 fours and two sixes on his way to 83 not out.

It's not easy to replace a man as dynamic and belligerent as Virender Sehwag, but Shikhar Dhawan left many Indian fans asking, "Virender who?"

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