Live: third Ashes Test, day three

Shane Watson laughs with Kevin Pietersen after a controversial LBW appeal. Source: Getty Images

AFTER two days of dominance with the bat, it's time for Australia to try ram home their advantage with the ball on day three of the third Ashes Test.

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Rockliff, Rich power Lions past Saints

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Fly ... Daniel Merrett spills what could have been a terrific mark. Source: Chris Hyde / Getty Images

LIONS great Jonathan Brown may have played his last game of AFL after suffering a serious foot injury in Brisbane's 31-point win over St Kilda on Saturday night.

Brown cut a forlorn figure as he was subbed out in the first quarter after tearing the plantar fascia in his left foot just 14 minutes into play at the Gabba.

The injury makes it near impossible for the Brisbane co-captain to play again this season, with just four rounds left.

Off-contract at the end of the year and already wary about to committing to a 15th season, Brown's future is now under a murky cloud.

It would be a sad way for the 31-year-old power forward's glittering career to end after 245 games, 573 goals, three premierships and two All-Australian selections.

"Hopefully it's not too bad,'' coach Michael Voss said at three-quarter time. "We'll assess it Monday.''

Brisbane (8-10) did their best to keep their remote finals hopes alive by out-pointing the outgunned Saints 16.12 (108) to 11.11 (77) in a match they controlled throughout.

Tom Rockliff was a dominant presence with a match-high 39 disposals while ruckman Matthew Leuenberger also starred and Joel Patfull tormented Nick Riewoldt.

Down by four goals at halftime, the Saints made a third-quarter revival to get within 13 points just before the last change as Leigh Montagna and Nick Dal Santo came to the fore.

But the home side kicked clear in the final term with former Saint Matt Maguire relishing a move up forward to slot his first goal in seven years to the delight of the 19,856-strong crowd.

There was controversy before the first siren with Saints forward Ahmed Saad, only added as an emergency on Friday afternoon, named as a late inclusion.

Under investigation by the AFL after providing an irregular drug sample last month, Saad had two goals from his first two kicks but only had one more kick for the match.

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The 23-year old came in as an emergency after Trent Dennis-Lane was mysteriously scratched and then included in the Saints' final team when Jack Newnes was ruled out by illness.

Lions midfielder Daniel Rich kicked three 60m-plus goals in the first half in a fine response to his quiet game in last week's loss to Port Adelaide, while Brent Staker also finished with three majors in his 150th match.

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KP, Cook are England's 'odd couple'

Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen do just about everything differently. Source: Getty Images

IT TOOK just two deliveries during Kevin Pietersen's innings on day three to highlight why he and his captain, Alastair Cook, are England's odd couple.

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Pietersen was just 11 when he played an audacious pull shot off Mitchell Starc, dragging a short delivery angling away outside off stump from the left-armer through mid-wicket to the boundary.

The next ball was fuller and wider yet Pietersen went further back and across to slap it wide of mid-on for another boundary.

This was a shot only the very finest batsmen can play, picking the length up early and getting so quickly into position he appeared to be waiting for the ball before despatching it.

It was the most memorable shot of a morning session which was built largely around Cook blunting the Australians.

There is very little that is pretty about the way Cook bats but he is omnipresent so it came as a great surprise when, shortly before lunch, he tickled a ball from Mitchell Starc sliding down the leg side to be brilliantly caught by a diving Brad Haddin.

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Even so, Cook had soaked up almost four hours and 177 balls making 62, his highest score in what has been a personally disappointing but collectively imposing series.

No one playing in this Ashes series has spent more time obstinately defying bowlers during their careers than the tall left-hander.

Cook and Michael Clarke are both playing their 95th Test while Pietersen is in his 97th. They have more than 7500 runs each at similar averages ranging from 48 (Cook and Pietersen) to 52 (Clarke).

Yet Cook has faced 16,234 balls during his career, almost 3000 more than Clarke and over 4000 ahead of Pietersen.

This means the Essex boy has batted 667 more overs than the former South African or more than two full Tests.

Cook is cricket's equivalent of a hoarder. Only five other Englishmen have faced more deliveries during their career - Mike Atherton, Geoff Boycott, Graham Gooch, Alex Stewart and David Gower, and they all played many more Tests.

Too many times in the last Ashes series the Australians became sick of the sight of Cook.

He began during the first Test at the Gabba when he made an unbeaten 235 to force a draw during a Test which appeared to be charging headlong towards an Australian victory.

That 10 and a half hour epic changed the momentum of the series and propelled Cook from a battler in the eyes of the Australians to a world class performer. He kept performing, making 766 runs for the series at an average of 128 with three centuries.

By the time he had finished tormenting Australia, Cook had made more runs than any other countryman in an Ashes series apart from Wally Hammond more than 80 years earlier.

So his departure on day three at Old Trafford was a welcome relief for the Australians as they kept pushing for the victory they desperately need to keep alive any hope of regaining the Ashes.

Only a few days into this Test the memories of the Lord's debacle are fading quickly.

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Mitcham slams Russia's anti-gay law

Olympic gold medallist Matthew Mitcham. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: DailyTelegraph

OLYMPIAN Matthew Mitcham says new Russian laws, which would see athletes at next year's Sochi Winter Olympics jailed if they are involved in any type of gay pride activities, are "horrific".

The Russian government has warned those who wear a rainbow pin or T-shirt or wave the gay pride flag face jail terms under laws signed off by President Vladimir Putin in June. Even gay couples holding hands is illegal.

The gold medal-winning diver from the 2008 Beijing Games said the laws were in violation of basic human rights.

"It's really sad," Mitcham said.

"The way they are persecuting people in Russia is quite horrific."

Mitcham said Russia's stance would hinder performances and take away the joy of the Games experience.

"The Olympics is the best experience you will ever have as an athlete," he said.

"Their whole memory and experience is going to be marred by this stuff. They are going to be made to feel unacceptable, inappropriate, and it is a really awful, awful feeling.

"The Olympics are supposed to be somewhere where they can go to be relieved of that feeling.

"A place where you can compete and feel that gender and sexuality is not an issue."

The International Olympic Committee said it had "received assurances from the highest level of government in Russia that the legislation will not affect those attending or taking part in the Games".

But Russia's Sports Minister Vitaly L. Mutko said Olympic athletes travelling to Russia would be expected to obey the new law.

Australian Olympic Committee spokesman Mike Tancred said they supported the IOC's statement but would encourage their athletes to respect Russian law.

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Stars will land on the cap-heap

Anthony Minichiello, captain of the Sydney Roosters. Source: Matt King / Getty Images

IF ever there was a reason for an urgent inquest into the NRL salary cap, this is it.

While the rich get richer, rugby league's foot soldiers - made up of more than 60 NRL players - have just five weeks to save their careers.

The list ranges from former Test stars, premiership-winners, 200-plus game performers and players on less than $80,000.

The brutal truth of the situation is that more than half will end up on rugby league's scrapheap.

The NRL have been harassed in recent weeks to loosen the cap in order to lure rugby union's Israel Folau, Kurtley Beale and Quade Cooper to the game, but this story is about the players that prop the entire game up week-in and week-out.

Despite Newcastle's Craig Gower proving at 35 in his comeback to the NRL that age is just a number, the likes of Anthony Minichiello, David Stagg, Matt Bowen, Luke O'Donnell, Ben Ross and Willie Tonga head a long list of players who could be forced into retirement.

An unprecedented number of elite players signing with clubs in 2013 is one of the major reasons for the talent overflow this year.

Sixty per cent of every club's $5.15 million salary cap goes to top 10 players from each team. The top three players of every club's roster suck up 25 per cent of the cap. That leaves just 15 per cent of the cap for the rest of every club's top-25 roster.

It has been a seller's market for next season with the likes of representative stars Johnathan Thurston ($1 million), Robbie Farah ($850,000), Jarryd Hayne ($800,000), Todd Carney ($700,000), Gareth Widdop ($620,000) and Josh Reynolds ($600,000) in a position to nominate the biggest salaries of their careers.

A percentage increase of the recent $1 billion TV deal which was also written into the majority of elite players' contracts has also impacted how much money is remaining in every club's salary cap while the depreciating UK Super League competition and the poor English pound is no longer considered a last chance saloon for players.

After canvassing opinion from NRL club chief executives, coaches and player agents, The Sunday Telegraph can reveal the faces the NRL should remember when they conduct an "extensive review" of the cap during the off season.

Steve Gillis, a player agent with over 30 years experience in the game who has managed the careers of Laurie Daley, Petero Civoniceva, John Sutton and Brett Finch, described the situation as tragic.

"It's a tragedy that these guys have contributed over many years to build the product and the value of the game for the gain of the new TV deal, but then they face getting squeezed as a result of the elite players getting a larger slice of the pie," Gillis said.

"It's something that the RLPA need to urgently address with Jim Doyle.

"I think we need to urgently investigate making allowances for bottom-tier players to earn match payments irrespective of the implications they have on the cap.

"These are the guys that have spilt blood, sweat and tears to encapsulate the new TV deal yet they're getting funnelled to the bottom.

"The game is rewarding the elite."

For the many players that are refusing to believe the dream is over, the next six weeks represents everything as they attempt to prove they are worth another shot.

Manly's David Williams is one player who looks set to continue his career in NRL despite still being without a deal for 2014. Manly are eager to keep the former Test winger, but attention from Craig Bellamy at the Melbourne Storm could draw him away from the club.

The Broncos have also told Scott Prince and Peter Wallace they are free to negotiate with other clubs for next season while Souths' Andrew Everingham is weighing up an offer from Japanese Rugby union.

Players off contract for 2014:

KNIGHTS

Zane Tetevano, Matt Hilder, Chris Adams, Neville Costigan, Timana Tahu, Siuatonga Likiliki, Peter Mata'utia, Anthony Quinn, Ryan Stig, Josh Mantellato, Craig Gower

COWBOYS

Anthony Mitchell, Antonio Winterstein, Clint Greenshields, Scott Bolton, Glenn Hall, Blake Leary

PANTHERS

Nathan Smith, Ryan Simpkins, Cameron Ciraldo, Geoff Daniela, Danny Galea, Clint Newton, Travis Robinson

DRAGONS

Bronx Goodwin, Matt Cooper, Junior Vaivai, Leeson Ah Mau, Nathan Fien, Will Matthews, Matt Prior, Chase Stanley, Charly Runciman

SHARKS

Nathan Gardner, John Morris, Ben Pomeroy, Ben Ross, Jon Green, Stewart Mills, Mark Taufua, Matt Wright, Nathan Stapleton

RABBITOHS

Shaun Corrigan, Matt King, Thomas Burgess, Michael Crocker, Andrew Everingham

EELS

Ben Roberts, Matt Keating, Taniela Lasalo, Willie Tonga, Nathan Smith, Jake Mullaney, Pat O'Hanlon, Api Pewhairangi, Brayden Williame, Cheyse Blair, Vai Toutai

TIGERS

Marika Koriobete, Matt Groat, Joel Reddy, Matt Utai, Lote Tuqiri, Sean Meaney, Matt Bell, Masada Iosefa

ROOSTERS

Anthony Minichello, Sonny Bill Williams, Jack Bosden, Nafe Seluini

WARRIORS

Nathan Friend, Steve Rapira,Jerome Ropati

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Big changes considered for 2014

Ben Barba playing for the indigenous all stars against the NRL all stars. Source: AAP

CHIEF executives from all 16 NRL clubs will converge in Sydney on Monday to decide on a major overhaul of the 2014 pre-season, which could include the scrapping of the annual NRL and Indigenous All Stars concept and the introduction of a Super Nines tournament in New Zealand.

This year's World Cup, which will feature the game's elite, is placing pressure on the All Stars match which will be played just over two months after the World Cup final on November 30. 

The serious concern for player burnout following the World Cup features heavily throughout a 14-page document sent to all 16 clubs, which The Sunday Telegraph has obtained ahead of Monday's CEO conference at League Central.

The document explains how the NRL has agreed with the players association to undertake research into the possible impact of the World Cup on the 2014 pre-season "with a focus on the All Stars match".

The Sunday Telegraph has been told that the NRL will discuss three options surrounding the All Stars with all 16 CEO's Monday including:

* Postponing the 2014 All Stars for one year;

* Gaining a commitment to the All Stars from the game's best players, including Johnathan Thurston, Cameron Smith and Greg Inglis;

* Sacrificing the credibility of the concept by keeping the All Stars concept, but without the game's best players involved.

The CEO conference will almost certainly see all 16 clubs show a vote of confidence in the lucrative Nines tournament, which will see the winner pocket $2.2 million - more than what the NRL premiers receive.

Former Test forward Gorden Tallis, who in 2008 was named in an Indigenous Australian rugby league team of the century, said any decision to rest the All Stars match should be made for the right reasons.

"The All Stars has made some wonderful traction," Tallis said. "It's shown that it is bigger than race. It's a celebration of the game.

"The work the players do with the NRL and the Earn, Learn, Legend programs during the All Stars week has a greater impact on society than any other game that is played.

"It's a game I would have loved to have played in. Has it run its race? I don't think so."

THE NINES 

ONCE approved, the Auckland Nines will be held on February 15 and 16 at Eden Park, the home of rugby union in New Zealand. Make no mistake, the decision to stage the Nines at Eden Park is a deliberate and direct attack on rugby union's hugely popular Wellington Sevens held the weekend prior.

The Nines will allow rugby league to eat into the pie that rugby union has enjoyed for more than a decade with the Sevens. South Sydney chief executive Shane Richardson is right when he suggests that if the NRL was to reject the Nines proposal, "We'd be only handing over an advantage to another code."

Under the tournament structure, every NRL club will be randomly divided into four pools. Matches will be played in nine-minute halves. Teams will play two matches on February 15, with the next day featuring a final pool game, followed by the knock-out finals. Teams that compete in the final will play a total of six matches.

THE NUMBERS 

THE sheer logistics of transporting and accommodating16 professional NRL teams, 28 individuals (16 players and 12 staff) for up to four nights in another country is like nothing the game has confronted in its 108-year history.

The six-figure cost of 28 return economy airfares to Auckland, 15 rooms (13 twin share and two single rooms), including all meals at either the hotel or Eden Park, all transport transfers, use of training fields, gym facilities, pool and recovery facilities will be covered by Lonergan and his company.

There will even be a player's lounge, complete with Playstation, table tennis, pool tables and coffee bar.

THE PLAYERS 

TO compete in the Nine's, every club must follow a strict set of requirements when it comes to fielding a team and being eligible for the rich purse.

All 16 players selected in the Nine's squad must participate in a match during the tournament. At least 75 per cent of every Nine's squad (12 players) must be made up of players from the club's 'top 25 squad list' (based on the salary cap for 2014).

At least one player from each club's top five list (based on the salary cap for 2014) must also be included in the Nine's squad.

There will also be an expectation on every player to commit to promotional activity during the tournament.

THE RISKS 

RARELY does a week pass in rugby league that player behaviour doesn't rear its ugly head. So imagine the concern for the NRL in February when a gathering of around 260 NRL and Holden Cup players converge for up to four nights in the one city, just prior to the beginning of the 2014 season.

Some would call it a recipe for disaster.

In a bid to combat the threat of a scandal overshadowing the tournament, the NRL has negotiated to have all teams stay at different hotels in Auckland.

Every player will also have to sign a code of conduct before competing in the event.

The inclusion of the Nines into the pre-season calendar also raises concerns over player workload and the perception the season is increased.

However, with consultation of the rugby league player welfare association (RLPA), the NRL has agreed that the Nine's will replace one weekend of official trials. The fact that only one top-five player will be asked to participate will also negate the amount of World Cup and Origin players actually being involved.

THE BENEFITS 

THE list is long. Aside from every club receiving an all-expenses paid pre-season training camp, the Nines will undoubtedly increase awareness and exposure of rugby league in New Zealand. It will allow the game to grow its fan base and increase participation levels. And it's a win-win for clubs who rely more than ever on driving up their club merchandise and membership numbers.

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KP lifts England out of the mire

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Kevin Pietersen had the full range of strokes on show on day three. Source:Getty Images

KEVIN Pietersen and Ian Bell mounted an aggressive counterattack as England looked to fight back from what had seemed a hopeless position on the third day of the third Test at Old Trafford.

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Australia had tightened its stranglehold by seizing the vital wickets of Jonathan Trott and Jonathan Cook, as England went to lunch at 4-114.

But Pietersen (78 not out) and Bell (51 not out), took the attack to the Australian bowlers after lunch, and were particularly punishing on the spin of Nathan Lyon, as the put on a century stand for the fifth wicket and took the score to 4-211 at tea.

Pietersen smashed two sixes off one Lyon over, and Bell followed with another in the next, with the England batsmen clearly eager to dent the spinner's confidence in what should be increasingly suitable conditions. Lyon had 0-58 from 19 overs.

Shane Watson might have had Pietersen out when he struck him on the pads, and asked captain  Michael Clarke to review the not out decision. Clarke declined, but replays showed the ball would have hit leg stump.

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Although Australia still enjoyed a strong advantage, Pietersen and the in-form Bell, who has scored two centuries in this series, presented a substantial danger to Australia's hopes of keeping the series alive as they rapidly increased the run rate.

After their much improved first innings of 7-527 declared, Australians had given them a wonderful chance of a rare victory. A dramatic turnaround for a team pilloried, quite rightly, after losing its past six Test matches.

Both in the way they batted, and the manner the Australian bowlers broke the usually stubborn resistance of the England top order, the tourists seemed a team transformed.

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While Peter Siddle had led the way on the second day with two wickets, fellow pacemen Ryan Harris and Mitchell Starc did the damage early on day three.

With England resuming on 2-52, Trott had ambled to 5 from 32 balls, and looked set for a typically long stay. But Harris found the edge with a lifting ball and Michael Clarke completed the dismissal with a neat catch at second slip.

Cook then looked set to build a big stand with Pietersen, as the pair put on 46. But the England captain's 234 minute stay ended when he popped up a short ball from Starc and was brilliantly caught by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin for 62.

That effort was symbolic of the Australian's improvement here, given the veteran gloveman had been harshly criticised for some missed chances at Lord's.

The brown pitch was slowly crumbling, but still providing some bounce. For Lyon, that means conditions were likely to become even more inviting than they had been for England's Graeme Swann, who took his 17th five wicket haul - 5-157.

The weather, as much as England's resistance, could prove troublesome for Australia with rain forecast for the last two days.

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