Rumour Mill: back to future edition

On the road again... Kenwyne Jones, David De Gea and Carlos Tevez. Source: FOX SPORTS

It's back to future for this edition of the Rumour Mill, which features a host of players stating their desire to return home, and a couple of very persistent managers who'll stop at nothing to get the player they want.

Tevez to Boca Juniors

The 28-year-old has previously stated he would like to end his career at former club Boca Juniors, telling Fox Sports US: "My biggest wish is to finish my career in the Boca shirt". Cashed-up City are certainly in the hunt for a possible replacement.

Richard Dunne to QPR

Harry Redknapp will have to compete with MLS super clubs LA Galaxy and New York Red Bulls for the signature of the highly-regarded Aston Villa defender. The Republic of Ireland international has been a Redknapp target ever since the manager was at Tottenham Hotspur – proof that when Harry wants his man, he doesn't stop.

Ben Arfa to PSG

We all aim to fulfil our childhood dreams. For Hatem Ben Arfa, that dream is a contract with PSG. Speaking to French newspaper Le Parisien, Ben Arfa said: "to sign for PSG would be my childhood dream." A return to his home city and to play for the team he supported as a boy appears imminent.

M'Vila to QPR

Although overshadowed by Harry Redknapp's reported poaching of Loic Remy from the grasps of Newcastle United, QPR are also chasing fellow Frenchman Yann M'Vila. M'Vila is the bad boy of French football – the 22-year-old, who has been capped 22 times for Les Bleus, is currently serving a two-year ban for breaking a curfew and going out clubbing while on international duty.

Vegard Forren to Liverpool

Currently on trial at Liverpool, the Norwegian central defender looks to have done enough to earn a contract at Anfield. Despite being pursued by Southampton, Everton and Fulham, The Guardian is reporting that manager Brendan Rodgers is drawing up a longer-term deal expected to be valued at about £4m ($A6m).

Mohamed Diame to Arsenal

The Gunners are the favourites to land the Senegal international, with The Sun reporting that Arsene Wenger has offered £3.5m ($A5.3m). His current club, West Ham United, are reportedly reluctant to offload a player who provides a great portion of the steel in their midfield. However, that is also the reason Wenger wants him. Let the games begin.

Joao Moutinho to Tottenham Hotspur

The Mirror is reporting that Spurs will have another crack at the Porto star in January, only four months after being originally knocked back. Porto, who are reluctant to part with the let go of their exciting midfielder, may not be able to hold on to the 26-year-old as the big guns in the EPL circle. Tottenham are reportedly desperate to recruit Moutinho as they push for a permanent position in the top four.

Kenwyne Jones to Swansea City

The Swans have named the tall Stoke City striker as their number one target in January. Jones is in exceptional form, taking full advantage of an injury to Peter Crouch to prove his credentials. With manager Michael Laudrup looking to bolster his forward line, a move to Swansea is certainly on the cards for Jones.

Carlton Cole to MLS

After losing major marquee signing David Beckham, the LA Galaxy and the rest of the MLS teams are on the hunt for some big-name English signings to boost the profile of the game on the domestic front. TalkSport is reporting that the west Ham United striker would rather a move to the US rather than down the nPower Championship.

Mats Hummels to Manchester City

With defender Vincent Kompany facing a suspension if he loses his red-card appeal, Roberto Mancini has stepped up the search for a quick buy. Borussia Dortmund and regular German international Mats Hummels is firmly in City's sights. However, Hummels is also being watched by cross-town rivals Manchester United, so City must act quickly. 

David De Gea to Barca

With the future of Victor Valdes at Barcelona unstable at best, the Spanish giants have begun the search for possible replacements. De Gea is the first on a shortlist of goalkeeping replacements, featuring Vincente Guaita (Valencia), Marc Ter Stegen (Borussia Moenchengladbach) and Maarten Stekelenburg (Roma).

08.57 | 0 komentar | Read More

Warne lashes Aussie selection policies

No common sense ... Warne can't understand Australia's selection policies. Source: News Limited

Test legend Shane Warne has blasted Australia's selection policies, labelling them as garbage, ridiculous and mind-boggling.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Warne was left fuming after being told fit-again paceman James Pattinson was off-limits for Melbourne Stars KFC T20 Big Bash League semi-final showdown against Perth Scorchers on Wednesday night.

Pattinson made a successful return from a side strain last Saturday in the Victorian Premier League, snaring 2-21 off eight overs.

But Cricket Australia has deemed the 22-year-old is not yet ready for the helter-skelter nature of T20 cricket so early in his comeback.

A fired-up Warne, who was already unimpressed by CA's controversial rotation policy, said there was no logic in keeping Pattinson out of T20 ranks for such a big match.

"Everyone told us we couldn't have him,'' Warne said in Perth on Tuesday.

"We were just trying to find some logical answer or some common sense in between the absolute garbage we were given.

"Anyone with half a brain or common sense will know that playing a semi-final against good opposition where your get four overs is actually better for you than playing eight overs of grade cricket and standing out there for seven hours.

"I mean, hello? Am I the only one who thinks that? Or has common sense gone out the window?

"He's two weeks ahead of schedule, steaming in in the nets and bowling beautifully.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

"To me it's a joke that we haven't got him.

"It's just mind boggling how ridiculous that decision is."

Warne also hit out at Australia's recent practice of rotating players, despite national coach Mickey Arthur launching a passionate defence of the policy.

"I know there has been some injuries, but it looks like strength and conditioning are picking the team, not the selectors,'' Warne said.

"To me the captain should always pick the team, in conjunction (with) the selectors to try and get the best team out on the park for Australia.

"Playing cricket for Australia is something special.

"It's not just rotate around and give a guy a game and see how you go.

"What sort of pressure is that on a particular player knowing he's got one game?

"There's nothing like knowing you've performed well enough that you're going to play the next game. That's when you start performing at your best."

The Stars will be without a host of key players against the Scorchers, with Sri Lankan paceman Lasith Malinga and Australian quartet Clint McKay, David Hussey, Glenn Maxwell and Matthew Wade all on international duties.

Malinga snared 6-7 when the teams met last month to help skittle the Scorchers for a record-low 69.

Warne will not be miked up for the re-match at the WACA Ground after his recent expletive-laden altercation with West Indies all-rounder Marlon Samuels, which earned the Australian spinner a one-match ban.

08.57 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tomic trounces Mayer in straight sets

Cruise control ... Tomic completely outclassed Mayer in the straight-sets romp. Source: News Limited

Bernard Tomic has cruised into the second round of the Australian Open with a straight-sets victory over Argentine Leonardo Mayer on Rod Laver Arena.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Already nursing a burnt hand from a fireworks accident, Mayer copped a few more welts as the Australian moved him around court with deft shot placement and all aspects of his game firing.

Tomic was irresistible in his 6-3 6-2 6-3 victory as he continued his extraordinary Australian summer and further built his imposing record on home soil.

A service break midway through the first set allowed Tomic to blow through it in 26 minutes, before again taking less than half an hour to seal the second set.

Mayer, the world No.72, offered slightly more resistance in the third before the 20-year-old Gold Coast player broke in the seventh game.

Then he closed it out with a minimum of fuss in one hour and 32 minutes.

Tomic will play German qualifier Daniel Brands in the second round on Thursday, with a likely third round match-up against four-time Australian Open winner Roger Federer should he win there.

"Everyone keeps asking me about playing against Roger," Tomic said.

"I've got to win and he's got to win again and if we do, it will be an interesting match. But it's very difficult. Every player here can play."

Tomic is in rare form, already improving his world ranking to 43 with his maiden tour title victory in the Sydney International last week.

08.57 | 0 komentar | Read More

Heat stun Renegades in semi-final

Stunned ... Tom Cooper inspects his bat after being dismissed. Source: Stuart Walmsley / News Limited

Comeback kid Luke Pomersbach's unbeaten 112 helped steer Brisbane Heat to a 15-run upset victory over Melbourne Renegades in Tuesday's KFC T20 Big Bash League semi-final at Etihad Stadium.

T20 - Etihad Stadium

15 January 2013 - Day 1, Session 2

Renegades 1st Innings

A. O'Brien	14	7	1	1	200
M. Muralidara...	0	0	0	0	0
A. McDermott	4	0	31	2	7.75

The Heat compiled a formidable total of 3-183 before paceman Ben Cutting claimed 3-24 as the Renegades scored 9-168 in reply.

The Renegades drew a crowd of over 16,000 but, despite finishing on top of the table with a 7-1 win-loss record, they were unable to overcome the fourth-placed Heat.

Captain Aaron Finch admitted Pomersbach's performance had left his bowlers feeling rattled.

Punishing left-hander Pomersbach, who was handed a lifeline at Brisbane by coach Darren Lehmann after a series of alcohol-related incidents in Western Australia, crunched 15 fours and two sixes in his 70-ball knock.

The Heat will not only advance to Saturday's BBL final against Perth Scorchers or Melbourne Stars but they've also qualified for the lucrative T20 Champions League in India in October.

The Renegades began their run-chase well as Finch and Alex Hales smashed 34 from the first three overs. But Cutting claimed 1-1 from the fourth over to apply the brakes, bowling Hales for 20.

Spinner Nathan Hauritz took his first wicket of the tournament when Alex Doolan fell for 13 at 2-63 and the key breakthrough came two deliveries later when Renegades' leading runscorer Finch (23) holed out to deep cover to part-time spinner Chris Lynn (2-15).

Cutting also bowled Tom Cooper (14) while the home side's other main batting hope Ben Rohrer fell to Lynn's bowling at 5-131 after smashing 42 off 22 balls.

Pomersbach's century was only the second by any player this season in the BBL and he's the leading runscorer with 360 runs.

Sri Lanka's spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan conceded 1-35, his most expensive effort this summer for the Renegades, while medium-pacer Sheridan's 0-41 included a 20-run final over of the innings.

After the loss of Peter Forrest (three) in the third over, Pomersbach added 80 for the second wicket with Joe Burns (33) while Dan Christian (11) and Chris Lynn (20 not out) also played handy supporting roles.

Lynn and Pomersbach shared a 45-run stand for the fourth wicket.

"'Pomers' played out of his skin tonight," Finch told Fox Sports. "We had no real answers for him. One guy can beat you.

"It really rattled the team I suppose when someone's going like that."

Pomersbach praised Lehmann for his mentoring role.

"They've shown a lot of faith in me to get me over. Darren Lehmann's been excellent," Pomersbach said.

"They've taken a bit of a risk but I know where I'm at in my career now and my life and everything's going well."

Cutting, who made his ODI debut last week for Australia, said the Brisbane side had relied on a backs-to-the-wall approach.

"That's the Queensland way. That's when we play our best in any sport," he said.

---

Relive all the action with our Match Centre!

08.57 | 0 komentar | Read More

Gajdosova joins Open exodus

Campaign over ... Gajdosova failed to take her opportunities against Wickmayer. Source: AP

Just three Australians remain in the Australian Open after Jarmila Gajdosova joined the ranks of the fallen with a first-round loss to No.20 seed Yanina Wickmayer at Melbourne Park.

Gajdosova was defeated comfortably 6-1 7-5 in one hour and 20 minutes on Rod Laver Arena, failing to take several opportunities in the second set to climb back into the match.

The 26-year-old Australian had a set point in the second set to take the match to a decider, but couldn't convert it.

Wickmayer then broke serve immediately afterwards and closed out the set with little fuss.

Gajdosova had twice broken Wickmayer's serve in the second set, but was unable to take advantage as the Belgian bounced back each time.

Wickmayer, 23, will play Slovakia's Jana Cepelova in the second round.

Gajdosova's exit means that of the 16 Australians in the main draw of men's and women's singles, only three remain.

Samantha Stosur is the sole survivor in the women's draw, while Bernard Tomic and James Duckworth remain in the men's singles.

08.57 | 0 komentar | Read More

Pomersbach on track for Australia?

Sensational ... Pomersbach was unstoppable at Etihad Stadium. Source: Stuart Walmsley / News Limited

Luke Pomersbach played the innings of a lifetime at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night to put Brisbane Heat into the KFC T20 Big Bash League final and himself into contention for a national call-up.

T20 - Etihad Stadium

15 January 2013 - Day 1, Session 2

Renegades 1st Innings

A. O'Brien	14	7	1	1	200
M. Muralidara...	0	0	0	0	0
A. McDermott	4	0	31	2	7.75

Up against the heavily-favoured Melbourne Renegades, Pomersbach smashed an incredible 112 off just 70 balls, including 15 fours and two sixes, to help the Heat post 3-183. The Renegades fell 15 runs short in their run chase.

Pomersbach was handed a lifeline by Brisbane coach Darren Lehmann after a series of off-field indiscretions with Western Australia, and a much-publicised arrest in India while playing in the IPL.

The talented 28-year-old has taken the opportunity with both hands, and is now the leading run-scorer in the competition with 360 runs at an average of 45 and strike-rate of 146.34.

With three Twenty20 games coming up for Australia this summer - two against Sri Lanka and one against West Indies - Pomersbach's name is likely to come up in national selection discussions.

---

Should Luke Pomersbach be rewarded with a call-up to Australia's T20 side? Have your say by leaving a comment at the bottom of the page.

---

Australia's selectors have already shown a desire to reward BBL form, having called-up in-form players Aaron Finch, Ben Cutting and Kane Richardson for the start of the one-day series against Sri Lanka.

Pomersbach has put forward a strong case for his selection, especially with his last two innings' - last weekend he hit 82 off 42 balls in the do-or-die clash with Hobart Hurricanes.

The left-hander famously made his one - and so far, only - international appearance in a T20 game in Perth, when he was plucked from the crowd and thrust into the team at the last minute after Brad Hodge pulled out with injury.

If Pomersbach makes a second appearance for Australia, it's likely to be a much more conventiontional call-up.

08.57 | 0 komentar | Read More