Fishing time over as Cup bids enter final stretch

As the World Cup bidding process reaches the endgame, there's little left to pick up on the campaign trail, writes Dan Silkstone.

Finn tips scales England's way but lets hosts off hook

STANDING at just over two metres tall and playing for the first time on a pitch known as one of the liveliest in Australia, the obvious trap for Steve Finn would have been to bowl short.

Forward-thinking Cole keen to take chances after being pushed up park

AFTER scoring the goal that set Sydney FC on their way to victory last Sunday against Perth, Shannon Cole is keen to repeat the dose against Melbourne Heart tonight as the Sky Blues look to grab consecutive victories for the first time this season.

Forward-thinking Cole out to take chances after being pushed up park

AFTER scoring the goal that set Sydney FC on their way to victory last Sunday against Perth, Shannon Cole is keen to repeat the dose against Melbourne Heart tonight as the Sky Blues look to grab consecutive victories for the first time this season.

Push for Afghanistan to gain Test status

AUSTRALIA taking on Afghanistan in an SCG Test? It could be a possibility in three years' time if their coach, Rashid Latif, has his way. The former Pakistan wicketkeeper said Test status would be vital in developing the game in the war-torn nation, and went as far as saying his team, which qualified for the World Twenty20 earlier this year, was already better than Test strugglers Bangladesh. "I'm not interested in Twenty20 cricket or 50-overs cricket. We need to compete in Test cricket. If a country has Test cricket you can improve your cricket at the grassroots level," he said. "Bangladesh had Test cricket [from 2001] and after that they greatly improved but I think this Afghanistan side is better than their current team." Against Afghanistan are their lack of facilities and the absence of a first-class competition. But work began on a 6000-seat stadium earlier this week, officials said. "In two or three years we should be ready to apply for Test status," Latif said.

Newsmaker GINA RINEHART

A TV network is the ideal gift for a woman with nearly everything, writes Damien Murphy.

QUIZ ANSWERS

1. Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix