Grand Prix cuts costs by axeing lavish ball

THE lavish annual Australian Grand Prix ball has been dumped and replaced with a more austere reception after a demand by Premier Ted Baillieu to cut costs.

Grand prix ball axed as . . .

THE Australian Grand Prix's lavish annual ball has been dumped and replaced with a more austere reception after a demand by Premier Ted Baillieu to cut costs.

Ball agrees with book

LUKE Ball says claims he was axed by St Kilda because of a lack of speed was "probably fair enough".

Victoria bows to rampant Tigers

VICTORIA's one-day title drought has extended to 11 years after a ruthless performance from Tasmania last night handed it a 110-run thrashing in the Ford Ranger Cup final.

Warner hits top gear after reverse fling

DAVID WARNER was warned his reverse batting stance was not in the spirit of the game - but clearly his innings of 67 runs from 29 balls last night was not in the spirit of competition as the West Indies limped out of Australia winless and clueless.

Bravo for Hussey, says coach

TWO wins from two is a good start, especially when the two teams you have beaten €” Queensland and NSW €” were either side of you in the top three of the Big Bash ladder last year.

Second Test

WEST INDIES - 1st Innings

Ball breakthrough boosts night Tests

DAY-NIGHT Test cricket could be played in Australia as early as 2011 after successful trials of a revolutionary new finish that allows the white leather ball to keep its colour.

Australia hangs on for tight win

AUSTRALIA has survived a ferocious 84-run, eighth-wicket partnership between Indian tailenders Harbhajan Singh and Praveen Kumar to claim a four-run win in the opening match of the team's seven-match series.

Cassell returns from injury in a blaze of glory for Dees

THE fairytale return for former Australian under-19 bowler Rob Cassell continues.

White is the man to lead Australia in Twenty20

RICKY Ponting recently announced his retirement from international Twenty20 cricket with the intention of prolonging his Test and one-day careers. Most people believe that his successor as captain will be Michael Clarke.

Australia needs something special

"SOMETHING special" is needed, Australia conceded, but it retained enduring hope as the Ashes slipped from its grasp at the Oval.

Decision A Poor Omen For Series

THE International Cricket Council was too late to stop Virender Sehwag mouthing off on the eve of the series and it would have hoped for a more distinguished start from its officials than the controversial decision that which handed Matthew Hayden his first duck in India three balls into the series yesterday.

Suspect Decision A Poor Omen For Series

THE International Cricket Council was too late to stop Virender Sehwag mouthing off on the eve of the series and it would have hoped for a more distinguished start from its officials than the controversial decision that handed Matthew Hayden his first duck in India three balls into the series yesterday.

Sehwag Sledge Slips In Before Teams Told To Behave

THE International Cricket Council was too late to stop Virender Sehwag mouthing off on the eve of the series and it would have hoped for a more distinguished start from its officials than the controversial decision that delivered Matthew Hayden his first duck in India three balls into the series yesterday.

Fernhill Fairytale Ends

PORT Kembla produced a stirring second-half fightback to end Fernhill's dream Illawarra Premier League finals run at Balls Paddock on Saturday.

Fernhill Given Lift By A 'new Mineo'

FERNHILL coach Alan Paine has labelled Ben Chapman "the new Mineo Bonetig" in the lead-up to today's grand final qualifier against Bonetig's old club, Port Kembla, at Balls Paddock.

Having A Ball Having A Bet On Something Purple

Betting has been added to kicking, hitting and chasing balls.

For A Delightful Tale, Just Follow The Bouncing Balls

REVIEW EMILY LOVES TO BOUNCE Presented by: Patch Theatre Company Venue: Civic Theatre, Newcastle (phone 4929 1977) Season: Daily at 10am and 11.45am until Friday

Lions Foxed By Fernhill

FERNHILL, the Illawarra Premier League's great entertainers, got down and dirty to eliminate Cringila 3-1 from the title race at Balls Paddock on Saturday.