Freney wins top female award

Gold star ... Jacqueline Freney has won the the Prime Minister's 2012 female sports award. Source: Paul Ellis / AFP

After carving her place in Paralympic history, swimmer Jacqueline Freney has received the Prime Minister's top award for women in sport.

Freney, one of Australia's most successful Paralympians, was awarded the Prime Minister's women in sport award on Tuesday night at an Australian Women's Health ceremony in Sydney.

The 20-year-old Queenslander's gold medal haul numbered eight, one for every event she competed in London.

Two of the performances were under world record time.

Freney also created Paralympic history beating Siobhan Paton's record of six gold at the Sydney Games. Sports Minister Kate Lundy presented the award to Freney, on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Freney is the first recipient of the award since 1996 after the Gillard government reinstated the award earlier this year.

Last month Freney took out the 2012 Australian Paralympian of the Year Award.

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Your team's BBL signings

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Kieron Pollard ... West Indies star is returning to Adelaide. Source: Aijaz Rahi / AP

Which players have your KFC T20 Big Bash League team signed for the 2012-2013 season?

2012-2013 KFC T20 BIG BASH LEAGUE SQUADS

Adelaide Strikers
Johan Botha, Theo Doropoulos, Callum Ferguson, Jon Holland, Phillip Hughes, Michael Klinger, Nathan Lyon, Andrew McDonald, Michael Neser, Kieron Pollard, Gary Putland, Nathan Reardon, Kane Richardson, Saeed Ajmal, James Smith, Shaun Tait

Brisbane Heat
Joe Burns, Ben Cutting, Daniel Christian, Peter Forrest, Cameron Gannon, Ryan Harris, Chris Hartley, Nathan Hauritz, James Hopes, Mitchell Johnson, Chris Lynn, Alister McDermott, Luke Pomersbach, Kemar Roach, Dale Steyn, Shane Watson, Daniel Vettori

Hobart Hurricanes
George Bailey, Travis Birt, Aiden Blizzard, Doug Bollinger, Xavier Doherty, Ben Dunk, Michael Hogan, Jason Krejza, Ben Laughlin, Tim Paine, Ricky Ponting, Owais Shah, Timm van der Gugten, Jonathan Wells

Melbourne Renegades
Meyrick Buchanan, Tom Cooper, Brendan Drew, Aaron Finch, Daniel Harris, Jayde Herrick, Michael Hill, James Muirhead, Muttiah Muralitharan, Peter Nevill, Aaron O'Brien, Darren Pattinson, Nathan Rimmington, Ben Rohrer, Will Sheridan, Marlon Samuels

Melbourne Stars
Shane Warne, Jackson Bird, James Faulkner, Pete Handscomb, John Hastings, Brad Hodge, David Hussey, Alex Keath, Glenn Maxwell, Clint McKay, James Pattinson, Rob Quiney, Matthew Wade, Cameron White, Luke Wright, Lasith Malinga

Perth Scorchers
Ashton Agar, Tim Armstrong, Michael Beer, Jason Behrendorff, Hilton Cartwright*, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Ben Edmondson, Herschelle Gibbs, Brad Hogg, Michael Hussey, Simon Katich, Shaun Marsh, Joe Mennie, Albie Morkel, Marcus North, Marcus Stoinis*, Tom Triffitt, Adam Voges

Sydney Sixers
Brad Haddin, Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques, Josh Lalor, Brett Lee, Michael Lumb, Nic Maddinson, Jeevan Mendis, Ian Moran, Sunil Narine, Stephen O'Keefe, Kurtis Patterson, Daniel Smith, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Dominic Thornely, David Warner

Sydney Thunder
Sean Abbott, Cameron Borgas, Ryan Carters, Michael Clarke, Mark Cosgrove, Adam Coyte, Scott Coyte, Luke Doran, Jason Floros, Chris Gayle, Rhett Lockyear, Azhar Mahmood, Dirk Nannes, Gurinder Sandhu, Chris Tremain, Usman Khawaja, Chris Rogers, Martin Guptill, Matt Prior, Adam Zampa

* Hilton Cartwright and Marcus Stoinis were late injury replacements for Patrick Cummins and Mitchell Marsh. 

** Shahid Afridi and Umar Akmal were originally signed by Sydney Thunder and Sydney Sixers respectively but have since been withdrawn from the tournament. **

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Aussie pacemen set for bowl-off

Bowl-off ... Mitchell Starc (R), Ben Hilfenhaus (L) and Mitchell Johnson vying for two spots. Source: Adam Head / News Limited

John Hastings faces the prospect of becoming a one-Test wonder, with Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Ben Hilfenhaus set for a selection showdown for the series opener against Sri Lanka next week.

Peter Siddle and Hilfenhaus are both fit to return for the first Test starting on December 14.

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However, Australia coach Mickey Arthur suggested Hilfenhaus isn't assured of a recall on his home deck in Hobart, saying he needs to continue working on his bowling action.

Selectors face a welcome selection headache over the attack, after Johnson and Starc performed well with the ball against South Africa in Perth, albeit in a resounding loss.

Attack leader Siddle is a certainty for Hobart, but Johnson, Starc and Hilfenhaus are all vying for two positions.

Johnson bowled with authority in his first Test in more than 12 months, while Starc overcame an expensive start to bag a career-first six-wicket haul, as well as smashing 68 not out with the bat.

"I thought Starc and Johnson were very good in this game," Arthur said of the left-arm duo.

"Obviously, Peter Siddle comes back in the mix.

"We've got to really discuss our attack as an attack and not in terms of individual bowlers.

"We've got to look at what the best attack is for us to get 20 wickets and we need to sit down again and make those decisions."

Captain Michael Clarke insists Siddle and Hilfenhaus were not fit to be selected in Perth so soon after completing a heavy workload in Adelaide.

Australia struggled with a brand new attack to what had been seen in the first two Tests, with debutant Hastings (0-102) in particular lagging in the second innings.

Arthur said Hilfenhaus was working with bowling coach Ali de Winter to iron out technical flaws in his action.

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Ogle's Australian Open picks

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Winner ... Graeme McDowell snapped a two-year winless drought to take out the World Challenge. Source:AFP

It was great to see Graeme McDowell end a two-year winless drought on the weekend, taking out the 18-man field World Challenge by three shots from Keegan Bradley.

The 32-year-old from Northern Ireland has built an affinity with California since winning the 2010 US Open at Pebble Beach. His record at the Sherwood Country Club now reads two victories and a runner up in three starts.

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Boy, what a record!

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Over in South Africa Martin Kaymer claimed the lucrative Nedbank Challenge by two shots from home town favourite Charl Schwartzel. It was the German's first victory since taking out the WGC-HSBC Champions event last year and like McDowell's victory, the win will give him a boat load of confidence heading into next season.

Peter Fowler took down the best seniors going around with an impressive six-shot win at the Australian Senior Open at Royal Perth Golf Club. His year was plagued with near misses too, including two runner-ups over on the European Senior Tour.

He's like a fine bottle of red Chooky, he's getting better as he's ageing!

21-year-old Matt Steiger from Narrabri took out the NSWPGA Championship at the magnificent Mt Broughton Golf Club which is located in the picturesque Southern Highlands (just near Bowral) on the weekend. Steiger fired an impressive four under-par 68 on the final day to win by three shots from another promising young gun in Queensland's Daniel Nisbett.

It's been an unbelievable past couple of months on our home Tour with a raft of young talent putting their hands up. Also joining Steiger in the winner's circle were amateurs Jake Higginbottom and Oliver Goss.

Gotta love the nerve of the young guys!

Congratulations to Daniel Gaunt and Cronulla Golf Club's Scott Arnold who were successful in gaining their Tour cards for the 2013 European Tour season, while on the US Tour Steven Bowditch and Matt Jones will be heading back for another crack next year.

The Australian Open hits the Lakes Golf Club in Sydney again this week with Greg Chalmers returning to defend his title. It's a crack-hot field led by eight-time Major winner Tom Watson. The veteran, now 63, has proven in recent times he can still mix it with the youngsters, almost winning the British Open.

I like two players this week. The first is Justin Rose; the Englishman has been in irresistible form the past couple of months posting five top-six finishes, including a win at the World Turkish Final.

And I think John Senden can go one better this year after his runner-up performance behind Chalmers twelve months ago. The Lakes Golf Club suits his game to a tee and I expect another bold run.

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Clarke at five is fine: Warne

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Clearly the best ... Shane Warne says Michael Clarke should get to bat wherever he wants. Source: Sarah Reed / News Limited

As Ricky Ponting's retirement leaves a hole in Australia's top order, Test great Shane Warne says skipper Michael Clarke is clearly the best player in the side and should bat wherever he pleases.

Cricket Australia's national talent manager and former skipper Greg Chappell has led calls for the in-form Clarke to promote himself from No.5 to No.4.

The retirement of No.4 Ricky Ponting on Monday has left a vacancy in the top four for the first Test against Sri Lanka in Hobart starting on December 14.

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Australia coach and selector Mickey Arthur has already indicated he wants to move Shane Watson from No.3 to No.4 and bring in a new player for the crucial No.3 role.

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South Australia's Phil Hughes, Queensland's Usman Khawaja and Victoria's Rob Quiney would be the main candidates to fill the slot, leaving Clarke and veteran Michael Hussey to bat in the middle order at No.5 and No.6.

"Out of Perth there's going to be a de-brief about what happened, what went wrong," Warne told reporters on Tuesday night of Australia's massive loss in the third Test to South Africa.

"With the loss of Ricky now, they have to work out what's the best batting order.

"To me it would be up to Michael Clarke what the best batting order is.

"He's the captain of the side (and a selector). He'll work in conjunction with the selectors.

"Michael Clarke's the best player in the side.

"You want your best player wherever he feels comfortable and wherever he feels is the best place to bat for him, that's where he should bat.

"You work your team around that because he's in such great form.

"Michael Clarke can bat anywhere from one to six. He's such a good player of the spinners too.

"Let's just work out who's the player they're going to pick for the next Test match and that will help dictate the side as well."

Warne welcomed the move to slide Watson out of the top three.

"I've always said Shane Watson should be down the order a little bit," Warne said.

"Even though he's done well opening, it suits him in the middle order better."

Warne, 43, will captain Melbourne Stars in the opening match of the BBL season against Melbourne Renegades at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

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Warne leaves door open for Ashes

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Give me a call, Pup ... Warne says he would have to consider a personal request from Clarke. Source:News Limited

Shane Warne would consider answering an Ashes SOS from Australia captain Michael Clarke.

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The legendary leg-spinner, preparing for the Big Bash League opener on Friday night, said he was bowling as well as at any time since retiring from Test cricket in 2007.

Warne, 43, said he had "absolutely no doubt" he could bowl successfully at Test level again.

While he was "very happily" retired from international cricket, in light of Australia's bowling battle in Perth this week, the Victorian said if the call came from his best mate Clarke, he'd have to rethink.

"If your best friend says, 'Mate, I want you to seriously consider making a commitment to Australian cricket and coming back out of retirement', (to) make myself available for selection, that's a different scenario,'' Warne said.

"Especially with back-to-back Ashes coming up next year, it could be a 12-month thing where you take three spinners with you and say, 'Righto, work with these spinners and see how you go for 12 months.' That's a different kettle of fish.

"I'm definitely not asking for Michael Clarke to come out and say that - that's a different scenario.

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"You asked me if I think I could still play international cricket if I wanted to just turn up, do my bowling and if the first Test match was in three weeks, do you think I could play, (then) I'd have no hesitation in saying yes - and I think I'd do pretty well.

"From a purely bowling perspective, I don't think my form would be the concern, it's just the time and actually making that commitment again.

"My kids are turning 16, 14 and 12 next year and we're juggling two continents, (wife-to-be) Elizabeth's (Hurley) work and my work commitments.

"There's travel, sponsors, businesses, there are charities, so much stuff that I'd basically have to put it all on hold to make a commitment to international cricket.

"That's the reason I haven't for a while said I'm gonna make a comeback.

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"For me it's not a matter of whether I could do it or not - I have absolutely no doubt if I wanted to commit to try to make a comeback and go through grade cricket, first-class cricket and try to get selected ... that I could do it."

Warne, who has taken 195 Ashes wickets in 36 Tests at a staggering 23.25, said he felt the urge during the third Test against South Africa in Perth watching the Australia bowling attack hammered around the WACA Ground.

"I felt like I wanted to jump off the couch and grab the ball,'' he said.

"I really felt for Michael Clarke from a captaincy point of view.

"When you've got international bowlers bowling one or two full-tosses an over and half-volleys, I felt for Pup, I really felt for him."

Warne was delighted with his bowling at the MCG yesterday in the Stars' second practice match in as many days.

"The ball's coming out pretty good and I'm looking forward to fizzing them on Friday," he said.

"I think I'm bowling as good as I have for a long time - the best I have since I retired from international cricket in 2007.

"It's because I'm fresh. I don't bowl for 9-10 months of the year and bowl 5000 overs any more.

"My body's feeling fresh and strong and fit. My mind's fresh from it all and off the field is very happy, I'm content and looking forward to playing."

Do you want Warnie back in the Test team? Let us know.

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Aussie MotoGP hopes revived

Dream ... Bryan Staring will ride in the MotoGP with Go and Fun Honda Gresini from 2013. Source: Supplied

Bryan Staring will keep Australia's presence on the MotoGP grid alive in 2013 after signing with the Go and Fun Honda Gresini team.

The 25-year-old has enjoyed sustained success in various categories.

Most recently, Staring competed in the FIM Superstock 1000 Championship for Pedercini Kawasaki and took wins at Aragon, Brno and Portimao. He would finish fourth at season's end.

Staring said a spot in the MotoGP field was a dream come true.

"Racing in the MotoGP class has always seemed a very remote, practically unattainable. Now that I have a real chance to race in this championship with Go & Fun Honda Gresini, it's is almost unbelievable," he told the MotoGP website.

"It's the greatest opportunity of my career and I will be giving it my best. I know I still have a lot to learn and I will put in all the effort it requires.

His seat in MotoGP continues Australia's three decade-long presence in the top echelon of motorcycle racing, a streak that looked dead when Casey Stoner retired at the end of the season.

Staring has previously won three Australian championships in the 125GP, Superbike and Supersport categories.

Go and Fun team manager, Fausto Gresini said Staring was the perfect fit for the new team.

"Bryan made his mark in the Superstock 1000 class winning three races and he certainly has a competitive spirit and lots of important goals to reach with our FTR-Honda," he said.

"I cannot wait to see him on track and working with our boys with whom, I believe, he will integrate very well."

Staring will ride alongside Alvaro Bautista, the Spaniard starting his second season on Gresini's Honda RC213V in 2013.

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Tigers crush Warriors in Shield

Superb spell ... Butterworth was devastating with the second new ball after tea. Source: News Limited

Tasmania have notched their first home win of the season in emphatic style, crushing Sheffield Shield opponents Western Australia by an innings and 118 runs.

SHEF - Blundstone Arena

25 November 2012 - Day 3, Session 3

Western Australia 2nd Innings

Western Australia

67 & 263

A. Voges	94	230	11	0	40.87
M. Hogan	14	24	2	0	58.33

The Tigers had been out of sorts in Shield and one-day losses to South Australia and Queensland at Bellerive, but last season's finalists recorded the third-biggest innings victory in their history on day three.

Tasmania move to third on the Shield ladder with 16 points, and within striking distance of second-placed Victoria (20) who were thrashed by South Australia in their last match.

The Warriors never recovered from their skittling for 67 on day one, when leading wicket-taker Jackson Bird snared a stunning 6-25 on a good batting strip.

Youngster Sam Whiteman (96) and skipper Adam Voges (94no) fought hard and put on 137 for the third wicket on Tuesday.

But WA lost 8-72 after Whiteman fell at 3-191 to be all out for 263 in their second dig.

Tigers paceman Luke Butterworth finished with figures of 5-50 from 25.1 overs, while James Faulkner (2-41) and Bird (2-61) chipped in.

Tasmania had made 448 in their first innings with Ben Dunk (97), James Faulkner (76no) and George Bailey (66) anchoring their total.

The home batsmen withstood a fiery performance from recalled Test quick Mitchell Johnson (4-103) who battered them with a barrage of short balls and verbals before heading home to link with the Australian side.

Bird's failure to be called up to join Johnson and two other pacemen will be a talking point in the island state after he took his Shield tally to 27 wickets at 20.55.

New Warriors coach Justin Langer has his work cut out after his first Shield game at the helm, with his side sitting at the bottom of the ladder on eight points.

Resuming at 1-54, WA lost Marcus North (33) to the second ball of the day from Bird before Whiteman and Voges fought back.

Whiteman was caught behind shortly before tea before Butterworth and Faulkner ripped through the remainder of the Warriors line-up in a devastating spell with the second new ball after tea.

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Blues better Bulls on day one

Finding form ... Bollinger sent a timely reminder to national selectors on Tuesday. Source: News Limited

Former Test paceman Doug Bollinger led a depleted NSW attack to first day honours in their Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland at Manuka Oval on Tuesday.

SHEF - Manuka Oval

27 November 2012 - Day 1, Session 3

Queensland 1st Innings

B. Cutting	23	35	0	2	65.71
C. Gannon	4	8	1	0	50

Bollinger (2-39) owned the opening hour, before twin half-centuries to Queensland pair Nathan Reardon and Chris Hartley helped the Bulls stagger to 7-198 before rain washed away the final hour of play.

Leading a pace attack robbed of Test hopefuls Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Shane Watson and the injured Trent Copeland (ankle), Bollinger bowled with the venom which earned him 12 Test caps and 50 wickets.

It took Bollinger just three deliveries to rip the heart out of the Bulls' top order, trapping both Wade Townsend and former teammate Usman Khawaja lbw for ducks - both so plum they prompted almost instantaneous reactions from umpire, and former Test seamer, Paul Reiffel.

It is a timely reminder to selectors as Bollinger has not featured in the Test side since an Ashes humiliation at the Adelaide Oval in 2010 when his fitness was called into question.

He's fallen so far down the pecking order that even with injuries to young guns James Pattinson and Pat Cummins, Bollinger couldn't jag a spot in the 14-man squad for the WACA Test that featured six fast bowlers.

The Bulls fell further into the mire when Joe Burns (1) and Peter Forrest (17) departed in quick succession at the hands of left-arm quick Josh Lalor to reduce them to 4-18.

But a 117-run partnership between Reardon (71) and captain Hartley (66) dragged the Bulls back into the contest, though Blues all-rounder Steve Smith paid dearly for dropped chances off both batsmen.

Reardon was on two when he chopped a tough, low chance to Smith's left, while Hartley was on just eight when the former Australia representative put down a far more regulation chance at second slip off Bollinger.

Both batsmen made the most of their opportunities, with Hartley taking an aggressive approach to evening the game up by smashing10  boundaries.

In the end it was debutant Adam Zampa (2-30) who chipped in to remove both top-scorers, trapping Hartley lbw before getting Reardon caught behind off a sweep shot.

Ben Cutting is 23 not out, and has already belted two big sixes, while Cameron Gannon is unbeaten on four.

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Australia want Ponting for Ashes

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Still wanted ... selectors are backing Ponting to play through to the Ashes. Source: Sarah Reed / News Limited

Australian coach Mickey Arthur says selectors are unanimous in not wanting Ricky Ponting phased out before next year's Ashes but warns there's mounting pressure on him from beneath.

Arthur couldn't deny that the third Test against South Africa in Perth could be pivotal in the future of Australia's highest-ever run scorer, with Phil Hughes, Usman Khawaja and even Rob Quiney still in the picture.

Ponting has had three successive failures to start the series against South Africa, and in the second Test in Adelaide was bowled twice in a match for only the second time in his career.

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The Tasmanian turns 38 next month, but unfortunately that same number is the former captain's Test batting average for the past three years.

Arthur said Ponting's position was dependent on runs but he made it clear the selectors were keen to avoid losing his experience and presence before Australia head to England.

"All I know is inside that dressing room and privately we've all backed Ricky Ponting. At the moment (he) has the unanimous backing of the selection panel," said Arthur.

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"If he's scoring runs we certainly want Ricky Ponting around for the next six months.

"We want Ricky Ponting to go to the Ashes, there's no doubt about that.

"Like any batsman though you've got to keep scoring runs ... and Perth is a big Test for him, and that's by Ricky's own admission.

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"I'm 100 per cent sure though and confident Ricky will come through in Perth."

Ponting has already thrown himself at the mercy of selectors, conceding a frank chat with the panel probably isn't far away.

But Arthur said there was yet to be any discussion about Ponting's future.

"No, none whatsoever," he said.

Clarke said Ponting's strong Shield form prior to the Test series hadn't been forgotten and his brilliant record for Australia meant he deserved to have faith shown in him.

"Once he gets in I have no doubt at all he'll go on and make a big score," said the skipper.

"He knows how to make big hundreds. He's still as good a player under pressure as anyone in that changeroom."

In the first Test against Sri Lanka next month in Hobart, Ponting would be in line to break Waugh's all-time record and become the second most capped Test cricketer of all time behind Sachin Tendulkar, in front of his home-State fans.

It would be a massive call to drop him before then.

But further failures against South Africa's highly-touted quicks in Perth would raise serious questions about whether he is too far in decline to see out the summer.

A young player like Hughes, Khawaja or Quiney looking for a second chance at Test level, could benefit from making their return against the weaker attack of Sri Lanka.

Hughes, who hasn't played for Australia since being dropped after the New Zealand Test in Hobart last year, is the highest run-scorer in Shield cricket this season and averages 51.8.

"We've got some young players there that have a taste now of international cricket and when called up or when needed are ready to step into the breach," said Arthur.

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