Smith: I'd consider Wallabies return

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Interested ... Smith says he'd have to consider a return to the Wallabies if approached. Source:AAP

Wallabies great George Smith is open to a return to the national team for the British and Irish Lions series but says his main focus is contributing to the Brumbies' Super Rugby title charge.

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The 110-Test veteran this week signed a short-term deal with the Canberra-based franchise, sparking a string of comments from the likes of Eddie Jones and George Gregan that he should be in the mix for the three-Test series in June.

Speaking exclusively to Rugby HQ's Sean Maloney, Smith said he'd have to consider a shock return to the gold jersey for what would be his second Lions series.

"These are two people that I respect hugely, George Gregan's done it all and Eddie Jones is a mentor of mine," Smith told Rugby HQ.

"Their opinion I do take on board, and if I was considered for the Wallabies I'd definitely think about it because it is such a huge occasion.

"But first and foremost I have to earn my spot within the Brumbies."

Smith will serve as cover for likely Wallabies captain David Pocock in Canberra, although there has been speculation Brumbies coach Jake White may look to play the two in tandem.

Whatever the case, the Brumbies now boast a backrow contingent the envy of many other Super Rugby franchises especially with skipper Ben Mowen also in impressive early-season form.

Smith said he wanted to "test" himself again, after playing in the less-intensive Japanese competition over the past few seasons.

"It was presented to me a little while ago, a few weeks back," Smith said of contract talks.

"I obviously had time to think about it and I thought it would be a good way to test myself in the Super Rugby arena, and I'm excited about the challenge.

"I've had two good seasons at Suntory Sungoliath and I think this will definitely test me."

Smith said he was keen to renew hostilities with New South Wales Waratahs in the Brumbies' Centenary match at Canberra Stadium in round four.

"I'd love to play within that game but first and foremost I have to earn my spot in the Brumbies side," he said.

"And that's why I'm turning up tomorrow (Friday) in Canberra and training well and meeting the guys."

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Aussie prodigy could choose Scots

Big decision ... Bradden Inman wrestles with the decision on his international eligibility. Source: Nigel French / AFP

Newcastle United's Adelaide-born prodigy Bradden Inman is still refusing to commit his national team future to Australia, despite speaking of his excitement at the prospect of pulling on the green and gold.

The 21-year-old is a potential Socceroos bolter as he flourishes on loan at English League One side Crewe, where he's scored six times in 17 appearances in his role as an attacking midfielder with a license to cut in from the left.

But his ties to Scotland, who he is eligible to play for through his mother, remain strong, having represented them regularly at under 19 and 21 levels. Inman is clearly in two minds over his international allegiance but did admit to feeling a sense of national pride when called into an under-age camp by Holger Osieck in March 2011.

"Being born in Australia and playing my juniors there, that's what you want to do, you want to play for Australia. I got to play for them once when we had an Under-23 camp in Germany and that was a great experience, I buzzed off that, representing my country," Inman said.

But when asked what his answer would be if called up by Osieck for either the March 26 FIFA World Cup qualifier with Oman or another camp soon after, he stopped short of a definite yes.

"It would be good to play for Australia and hopefully one day I get the chance but I'd still still have to talk it through with people and my family," he said.

"It's a big decision that I'll have to make very soon, when the time comes hopefully I'll make the right decision," he continued.

His call to go to Crewe after eight years in the Newcastle youth and reserve system has definitely been the correct one though. Signed in a deadline day one-month loan deal that has now been extended until the end of the season, he says there aren't many clubs at that level that could have suited him more.

"I was pleased when I was told I was coming to Crewe, they're one of the few teams that like to play football in League One and that helped me as opposed to a long ball game," he said.

"They call it the Crewe way, they aim to get the ball from the back and play as much as possible. Sometimes it's hard on some of the pitches you come across but we get the ball down and play and the gaffer encourages that."

This stint away from Newcastle - the club he joined as a 14-year-old - will have a big say in whether Inman wins a new contract at St.James Park, with his current deal expiring at the end of the season.

He says manager Alan Pardew wanted him to go out on loan to prove what he can do in a more competitive environment.

"He wanted me to get the first-team experience and you see when you come here there's just such a massive difference between this and reserves and under 18 football at Newcastle," Inman said.

"You're fighting for proper points and league positions, so that's really helped me.

"He (Pardew) told me I would become more of a man from the experience and that it takes courage to go to a new team and try and fit in."

The South Australian has sat on the bench twice for the Newcastle first team and now needs to build on an impressive first three months at Crewe in order to win a new contract and make that long awaited debut.

"I've seen some of the other reserves lads have broken through so that encourages you to push even harder," he said.

"I've just got to continue to do well this season and hopefully go back in the summer and try and do well in the friendlies and prove what I'm able to do."

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Hindy empathises with Barba

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Support ... Nathan Hindmarsh has commended Barba for seeking help. Source:News Limited

Confessed problem gambler Nathan Hindmarsh says Ben Barba has made the first step to overcoming his gambling problem by admitting he has an issue he needs to address.

The former Parramatta great revealed in his autobiography last year he'd lost thousands of dollars gambling on poker machines, before managing to address his addiction with the help of his wife Bonnie.

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The 33-year-old was surprised to hear that Canterbury stood down their star player after he informed club officials he was struggling to deal with issues in his private life.

However, he said the 23-year-old is doing the right thing getting away from spotlight while he sorts his life out.

"It's nice to see Benny realises he has an issue and he's getting it sorted," Hindmarsh said.

"He obviously realises he needs help. It's not social anymore and it's become a bit of an addiction for him."

Hindmarsh said he found it easier to overcome his addiction when he was finally forced to make the people closest to him aware of the situation.

"You get into a bit of a rut. I spent a long time telling myself I didn't have an issue," he said.

"But once I started telling people it made it a lot easier.

"There is not too much advice I can give Benny really. You just have to be willing to change. And this is the first step to doing that.

"He has spoken to the people he needs to speak to and he's making a change."

Hindmarsh said he wasn't aware of a huge gambling problem among NRL players and it was unfair to single them out.

"It's not just footy players it's society," he said.

"There's a lot of players who have a punt socially and then walk away.

"Most people do. Some can stick a 20 or a 50 in a machine and then walk away.

"And there are some that can't."

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Video: Re-live best one-day finishes

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Heartstopping ... Re-live some of the best one-day finishes in our video. Source:FOX SPORTS

After spending an entire day watching high-class players slog it out for their club, state or country, there can be nothing more exhilarating for cricket fans than watching a one-day match that comes down to the last over.

Purists complain that the 50-over game has become too formulaic, but it's hard to argue with the entertainment value provided by a last-over thriller.

The case was put forward again on Wednesday night, as Queensland seemingly came from nowhere to claim a stunning win over Victoria in the Ryobi Cup final courtesy of a great final over from Ryan Harris.

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But you don't have to cast your mind back too far to conjure up similar scenes on the cricket field.

In fact, last year's Ryobi Cup final had just as much theatre, memorably ending in a tie and with Ricky Ponting throwing his pads off so he could run faster for the last ball.

On the international scene, few will ever forget Australia's famous win over South Africa in the 1999 World Cup semi-final, when Lance Klusener smashed two boundaries in the last over before calamitous running with Allan Donald saw the Aussies snare a remarkable tie that put them through to the final.

Seven years later those two sides were at it again, with Mark Boucher hitting the winning runs in a match that is better remembered for both teams setting the world record for most runs in an ODI.

From the immortal image of Michael Bevan hitting a four off the last ball against West Indies at the SCG in 1996 to Ryan McLaren hitting a six off the final delivery of the match against New Zealand just a month ago, we've compiled a video of one-day cricket's great last-over finishes.

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Watch the video at the top of the page to see some classic one-day finishes and let us know the most exciting by leaving a comment below.

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Legal threat looms for The Giz

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About-face ... Shane van Gisbergen faces legal threats around his return to V8 Supercars. Source: Mark Horsburgh / AAP

If Kiwi star Shane van Gisbergen was spooked by the threat of legal action blocking his controversial V8 Supercars return in Adelaide, he hid it well on Thursday.

The budding champion arrived in South Australia appearing unfazed by reports his former Ford team Stone Brothers Racing (SBR) - now owned by Mercedes' Erebus Motorsport - would stop him hitting the infamous Adelaide street circuit in this weekend's V8 season opener.

The 23-year-old driver sensationally broke a recently renewed three-season deal and "retired" from V8s late in 2012 citing lack of motivation, only to again shock the touring car community by signing up for family-run Holden team Tekno Autosports in 2013, much to SBR's dismay.

SBR claimed van Gisbergen's Tekno Autosports deal contravened the terms of his release and it appears the young gun is now bracing for an injunction seeking to enforce a one-year, non-compete clause.

When van Gisbergen's Tekno Autosports deal was announced, SBR team boss Ross Stone said: ``SBR is considering its legal position and whether it is worthwhile holding (van Gisbergen) to his promises.''

In a potential worry for the Kiwi star, since his defection SBR has been taken over by the cashed-up Erebus Motorsport owned by extrovert billionaire Betty Klimenko who is believed to be unhappy with van Gisbergen's about-face.

And Klimenko has made a habit of getting what she wants, as indicated by her team's remarkable achievement of producing a three-car V8 team in barely six months.

Erebus Motorsport has made no official comment.

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Bird ruled out for six weeks

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No return ... Bird will remain in Australia to undergo further tests. Source: William West / AAP

While Australia's selectors agonise over whether to play two spinners or one in the second Test against India on Saturday, their fast-bowling ranks have thinned overnight.

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Reserve paceman Jackson Bird has had a second round of scans in Melbourne which are believed to have ruled the pace bowler out of action for at least six weeks with a back injury.

The tall Tasmania quick, who took 11 wickets in two matches in his debut Test series against Sri Lanka in January, was sent back to Melbourne from Chennai earlier this week after suffering back soreness.

Selectors were hopeful scans would clear the 26-year-old to return to India for the remainder of the four-match series, however those plans have been shelved.

"Initial tests performed in Melbourne have confirmed that Jackson Bird has a bone-stress injury of the low back," Australia team doctor Peter Brukner said.

"He will not be re-joining the team in India."

Bird's absence leaves 50-Test veteran Mitchell Johnson as the only back-up paceman in the 16-man squad.

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A team spokesman said no decision had been made on a possible replacement player.

Australia captain Michael Clarke has turned to close mate and legspin great Shane Warne for advice on how to knock over India's batting lineup cheaply in Hyderabad.

Many would argue playing only one spinner compared to India's three in Chennai was a blunder, as India captain MS Dhoni suggested.

However, the tourists have hinted off-spinner Nathan Lyon (3-215 and 1-29) is not guaranteed a place in the side as yet for the second Test, while back-up spinner Xavier Doherty has been praised by Clarke for his three-wicket performance in the warm-up match against India A.

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Coach Mickey Arthur says ideally he'd like to have left-arm spinner Doherty and right-arm offspinner Lyon in the side for Saturday's second Test.

Left-arm spinner Monty Panesar and offspinner Graeme Swann claimed 37 wickets in England's 2-1 series win in India in December.

Arthur says England's ploy was to use Panesar early and turn to the Swann late in the match.

"Ideally you want both," Arthur says.

Arthur says Warne provided Lyon and Doherty and some batsmen with some valuable tips on Tuesday on how to play spin and bowl it in Indian conditions.

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Sehwag set to wear specs

Shades ... Virender Sehwag will swap his shades for specs against Australia. Source: Theron Kirkman / AP

Underfire Indian opener Virender Sehwag is set to wear spectacles for the first time in his 102-Test career amid fears his deteroriating eyesight could be exposed by Australia's express pace attack.

The 34-year-old is fighting to save his career in the first Test against Australia starting tomorrow after two lean calendar years which have fuelled speculation the master blaster is on the wane.

Sehwag, who has just one ton from his past 16 Tests, averaged 29.54 in the 2011 calendar year and 31.56 last season, figures well shy of his magnificent career mark of 50.05. 

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But Sehwag's eyesight has emerged as a potential problem. The Delhi dasher had been complaining of mild headaches and a recent visit to the optometrist found Sehwag no longer possessed 20-20 vision, although his decline is said to be only minor.

The veteran of 8559 Test runs wore glasses during last weekend's three-day team camp in Bangalore and also road-tested his new look last month in nets sessions in Delhi to feel comfortable while batting.

He has also trialled the spectacles while fielding.

Sehwag may yet decide to face the Australians without them but it would be a dangerous move considering pace trio James Pattinson, Peter Siddle and Mitchell Starc will test his reflexes generating speeds in excess of 140km/h.

The Indian slugger would join a select band of Test cricketers to wear spectacles. West Indian great Clive Lloyd, Pakistan's Zaheer Abbas, Kiwi duo Daniel Vettori and Walter Hadlee and Australian batsman Dirk Wellham all carved out international careers using visual aids.

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Former Indian leggie Anil Kumble also began his career wearing glasses before shifting to contact lenses in his final years.

Sehwag, who relies heavily on his hand-eye co-ordination to bludgeon attacks, has scored just one century from his past 37 Test innings.

He faces Australia coming off a second-ball duck in his last knock against England in December in Nagpur.

But it would be short-sighted of Australia to underestimate Sehwag. 

He has a formidable record at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium, having amassed 708 runs at an average of 101.14, including 155 against Australia in 2004 before thumping 319 off 304 balls against South Africa in 2008.

Indian spin great Bishan Bedi has called for selectors to axe Sehwag, saying he is "past his prime", but it may prove a myopic appraisal if the opener reprises his vintage form against Australia.

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Ponting signs on as Ashes spy

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Ricky Ponting ... on an Ashes spying mission. Source: David Mariuz / AAP

Ricky Ponting will be playing cricket in England this northern summer as Australia battles it out for the Ashes after all.

Former Australian captain Ponting has agreed to a two-month deal to join Surrey this county season, the club has confirmed.

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The 38-year-old has been signed to replace South Africa skipper Graeme Smith while he is expected to play in the Champions Trophy with the Proteas.

Ponting, who retired from international cricket in December, will be available in all formats in June and July.

He made an emotional farewell to Test cricket, as the all-time second-leading runscorer, against Smith's South Africa in Perth in December.

Since then Mike Hussey also called time on his Australia career to leave Michael Clarke's side with an inexperienced batting line-up.

While there has been no indication Ponting would look to reverse his retirement call, he has previously stated his desire to play in one last Ashes series before the end of his career.

Ponting, who surrendered the past two Ashes series in England as captain at the Oval, is the second major coup for the club following Smith's signature.

"I'm really excited to be playing for Surrey this season," Ponting said in a statement on Surrey's official website.

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"They are a forward thinking and historic club - and play at one of the greatest grounds in the world. It hasn't been the friendliest place for me but now it will be my home for two months this summer.

"I'd like to think I can contribute a significant amount to the club - on and off the field - and am looking forward to getting stuck in as soon as I arrive."

The first Ashes Test begins at Trent Bridge, Nottingham on July 10.

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Cornerpost Cam set for Charity Shield

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Amazing ... Cornerpost Cam will make its debut in the Charity Shield clash. Source:Fox Sports

Unique angle ... Cornerpost Cam is sure to capture some classic vision. Source:Fox Sports

Just when Rugby League fans thought the era of the corner post was over, Fox Sports has delivered the ultimate reason for its survival.

Friday night's annual Charity Shield battle between St George Illawarra and South Sydney marks the unofficial start to the 2013 NRL season, but the annual pre-season clash will also be remembered for being the first rugby league match with cameras installed in its corner posts.

Fox Sports latest camera innovation Cornerpost Cam will be unveiled for the first time on Friday night after being trialled with great success during a pre-season rugby trial between the Brumbies and an ACT representative team in Canberra earlier this month.

In an extraordinary weekend of innovation for Australia's leading sports broadcaster, Cornerpost Cam will make its debut on the night before Ref Cam makes its maiden appearance in the round two Super Rugby clash between Queensland Reds and New South Wales Waratahs in Brisbane.

Fox Sports chief executive, Patrick Delany, said the breakthrough innovations are aimed at bring fans closer to the game.

"Ref Cam and Cornerpost Cam produce very different but equally stunning vision," Delany said.

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Watch Cornerpost Cam make its debut from 7.00pm (EDT) Friday on Fox Sports 3HD!

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"They are about giving fans a new perspective, something they've never seen before, and bringing them closer to the sports they love.

"During the summer we rolled out FoxKopter and Helmet Cam and the impact on our Big Bash coverage from an entertainment perspective was really felt by cricket fans.

"We are looking at ways to open up an entirely new experience for fans of every sport and we are only at the tip of the iceberg."

Cornerpost Cam features a GoPro Hero 3 camera imbedded in the lower part of the corner post padding and captures stunning vision of flying wingers leaping over the tryline, or spectacular try-saving tackles by desperate defenders trying to protect their line.

The technology is non-obtrusive and is contained within the corner post padding, making it safe for impact by players or the ball.

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Tassie snare crucial WA wickets

Paceman ... Ben Hilfenhaus helped decimate the WA batting line-up. Source: Daniel Wilkins / News Limited

Tasmania's bowlers chimed in with crucial late innings runs and then ripped the heart out of Western Australia's batting on the opening day of their do-or-die Sheffield Shield game at the WACA Ground.

With both teams needing an outright victory to remain in the hunt for a spot in next month's Shield final, Tasmania amassed a 211-run total then went on a bowling rampage to leave WA at 6-54 at stumps.

SHEF - WACA Ground

21 February 2013 - Day 1, Session 3

Western Australia 1st Innings

R. Duffield	4	8	1	0	50
S. Whiteman	6	15	1	0	40

WA captain Michael Hussey won the toss and elected to field first on a green looking WACA deck.

The move appeared to pay off well with Tasmania slumping to 8-138 just after lunch on the opening day, but the lower order did tremendously well to fight.

James Faulkner did well to steady things with 28 with Jason Krejza then adding 36, Ben Hilfenhaus 23 and Adam Maher a not out 14 to help Tasmania post 211.

WA still appeared on top heading into their second innings, but not for long with Hilfenhaus (2-21), Luke Butterworth (2-14), Maher (1-9) and Faulkner (1-8) bowling outstandingly well on what was still a green top.

Tasmania had WA 4-28 with Liam Davis gone for five, Marcus Harris for seven, Luke Towers for two and John Rogers for 14 before Hussey and the returning Mitch Marsh came together at the wicket.

The pair tried in vain to survive until stumps falling for consecutive deliveries. Hussey was caught by Bailey at fourth slip off Butterworth for three and then Marsh was trapped in front by Maher for 10 to be 6-44 .

At stumps they are 6-54 with Sam Whiteman not out on six and Ryan Duffield four.

Earlier, Tasmania's batsmen Alex Doolan (33), Ricky Ponting (28), George Bailey (18) and Jon Wells (16) all made starts but couldn't go on with it.

Tasmania was 3-68 at lunch, but lost both Ponting and Bailey soon after to be 5-86. That's where the lower innings revival kicked in, though, and the Tigers went from being 8-138 to making a competitive 211.

Teenage spinner Ashton Agar collected 3-47 for WA with the returning Duffield taking 3-61, Burt Cockley 2-47 and Michael Hogan 2-54.

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