The finish might have been farcical but the Melbourne Stars bounced back to thrash the Perth Scorchers by 10 wickets under the Duckworth-Lewis system at the WACA Ground.

The Stars completely dominated the Scorchers, bowling them out for just 69 with Lasith Malinga taking an Australian domestic Twenty20 best of 6-7.

The visitors then raced to 0-29 after two overs before heavy rain fell, forcing the players from the field for over an hour.

The game came within 10 minutes of being called off, but the rain eventually eased to allow play to resume.

Well ahead under the Duckworth-Lewis system at 0-29 from two overs chasing just 70 to win, the game bizarrely needed just one more delivery for a result.

The innings had been reduced to six overs but because Melbourne had already passed the reworked target of 0-6 to win, only one more delivery was bowled by Hilton Cartwright before the Stars were declared winners.

Earlier, Malinga bowled an almost unplayable spell of four overs on the lively WACA pitch.

His figures were the second best ever in domestic T20 anywhere in the world, his mark bettered only by Arul Suppiah’s 6-5 for Somerset against Glamorgan in July 2011.

Warne also bowled well, taking 1-9 from his three overs.

James Faulkner took 2-16 for the Stars and Luke Wright 1-7 as they restricted the Scorchers to the lowest Australian T20 score.

Scorchers captain Simon Katich didn’t like the finish to the game at all with the sides coming back out for one ball after over an hour of constant rain, but admitted to not deserving to get a point anyway thanks to Malinga’s 6-7 spell.

“He bowled beautifully. He bowled yorkers that were on the money from the word go, swung the ball and then he had good variations with his slower ball and the odd bumper. Unfortunately we just couldn’t counter it and he won them the game singlehandedly,” Katich said.

“It was farcical, but they deserved to win and we don’t hide away from that. It probably should have been (called off), but that’s the way it goes. It’s never going to be fair because they did deserve to win the game, but at the same time the conditions still have to be playable for both teams and we had a lot of rain in that hour.”

Malinga himself was pleased with the way the Stars bounced back from last Friday’s loss to the Renegades.

“Everyone was waiting for the win after we lost the first game. We know we have a good side and we have a long way to go in the tournament still, but this win is very important to us,” Malinga said.

“Last week was a tough and tight game, but after that everyone did well in this match and we now will try and take that into the future matches.”

Paul Gallen didn’t mince words when asked about the greatest fear heading into his boxing debut on Saturday night.

“Getting knocked out by a 115kg monster,” said the NSW and Cronulla skipper, who will swap footy boots for boxing gloves in the name of charity.

Gallen will go up against Hika Elliott, part of a rugby league versus rugby union `Fight for Life’ event in Auckland that also includes NRL stars Willie Mason, Greg Bird and Manu Vatuvei.

The Sharks hardman admitted the nerves were starting to take hold as he headed into the great unknown.

“I’m nervous, no doubt about it,” Gallen said.

“On the footy field I put myself in this position every week of possibly getting myself knocked out, but I’ve been doing it since I was six years old so I know what to do when I get in certain circumstances, I feel comfortable out there.

“This is an arena where I don’t know what to do.”

Mason, who recently re-signed with Newcastle for two more years, said the boxing ring can feel like a lonely place.

“We all feel safe on the footy field, you’ve got your mates there backing you up,” he said.

“But we’re all well aware that you are by yourself in there.”

Gallen’s fears haven’t been helped by reports Elliott, an All Blacks hooker who plays with Super Rugby champions the Chiefs, is an experienced kick-boxer who also holds a black belt in kung fu.

Still, the prospect of an ugly mismatch hasn’t stopped Gallen getting ribbed by his mates.

“(Sharks teammate) Ben Pomeroy’s come up with the best line so far,” Gallen said.

“We’ve (Gallen and Bird) been known as the `Bruise Brothers’, but if we get knocked out we’ll be the `Snooze Brothers.’

“Let’s hope that doesn’t happen.”

There’ll be a few NRL coaches hoping the same.

“He just said enjoy the experience and come back in one piece,” Mason said of the last words of advice from Knights coach Wayne Bennett.

“He’ll be blaming Flavs (opponent Troy Flavell) if I get knocked out.”

A popular villain across the Tasman, Mason has assumed the role of headline act with his heavyweight bout against 22-Test former All Blacks second-rower Flavell.

Of all the fighters taking to the ring on Saturday night, Mason – who has been training with three-time world champion Jeff Fenech – is seen as the one most likely to make a career as a pugilist.

His desire to box was one of the chief reasons he quit the Bulldogs in 2007, but he said he was taking a wait-and-see approach to any possible career change.

But following the lead of good friend Sonny Bill Williams and mixing boxing with footy wasn’t on the cards.

“I don’t know if I want to keep training this hard,” Mason said of the possibility of turning his hand to boxing fulltime.

“I might think about it after (Saturday night), but I’m dedicated to the Knights for two more years.

“I don’t think I’ll be one of those blokes throwing in a couple of fights every year because I know how hard it is to play at the top of the NRL and to box at a high level – it’s 24-7.”

David Warner failed to deliver any fireworks, but it mattered little as his Sydney Sixers strolled to a seven-wicket win over the Thunder in Saturday night’s Big Bash League Twenty20 derby at the SCG.

Former Thunder captain Warner, who made a cross-city shift to the defending BBL champions during the off-season, was dismissed for a second-ball duck when he chased a wide delivery and was caught behind as the Sixers set their sights on a victory target of 144.

Captain Brad Haddin came to the crease and clubbed 59 from 48 balls to set the Sixers on track for their 12th straight T20 win.

Haddin fell with the scores tied, but Moises Henriques struck a boundary off his first delivery to bring up the winning runs with eight balls to spare.

Haddin paid tribute to Nic Maddinson (39) and Steve Smith (41no), who he formed key partnerships with after Warner’s exit.

“I get a bit of a licence when those guys do their thing at the top, so I’m a pretty lucky guy,” said Haddin, who sent the Thunder in.

“You get nervous first day of the tournament because you want to start well.

“There’s a few things to work on, but we’ve started with a win.”

Haddin said Warner’s downfall was never going to leave any of his teammates flustered.

“That’s the beauty of having someone like Dave in your team. If he gets a duck he gets it quick, and if he gets runs he gets them quick,” Haddin said of Warner’s one-off appearance for the Sixers.

“We’ve spoken a lot about not relying on one player.”

The fixture was played in front of a crowd of just 15,279 – a far cry from the 25,000 that organisers had hoped for during the week.

Cricket Australia can only wonder what star attractions Michael Clarke, denied his one chance to play in the BBL due to a back issue, and Chris Gayle, who was wrapping up his West Indies commitments on their tour of Bangladesh, might have done to that figure.

The Thunder certainly dearly needed their captain and most fluent batsman on the park as they were restricted to 5-143 off their 20 overs.

The western Sydney franchise crashed only four sixes, struggled to rotate the strike regularly and failed to form a partnership of note until No.6 Ryan Carters (33no) and No.7 Sean Abbott (24no) put on an unbeaten 55-run stand off 28 balls.

Paceman Luke Feldman was the best of the Sixers’ bowlers with figures of 2-19, but Mitchell Starc (2-27) sent a timely reminder to Australia’s national selectors.

Fresh from snaring eight wickets in the WACA Test, left-armer Starc swung the ball with venom to snare the scalps of Usman Khawaja (19) and Cameron Borgas (11).

The 22-year-old, who is set to battle it out with Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus for two positions in the Australian side for next week’s first Test against Sri Lanka in Hobart, reduced the Thunder to 4-77 when he rattled the stumps of Borgas.

Big Bash Twenty20 favourites the Melbourne Stars, led by Shane Warne, have been thrashed by eight wickets by the Melbourne Renegades in the season-opener at Etihad Stadium.

The match attracted a crowd of 23,589 on Friday night and the highlight was Renegades skipper Aaron Finch’s unbeaten 111 off just 65 balls to steer his side home with 10 balls to spare.

Legspin great Warne conceded 0-41 from his two overs after stating earlier this week he felt, at the age of 43, he could still baffle the Poms if selected for next year’s Ashes series.

England international Luke Wright top-scored with 53 for the Stars who reached 5-167 from their 20 overs.

The Renegades responded with 2-168 with Ben Rohrer (34 not out) lending solid support to Finch, who blasted 12 fours and four sixes.

Earlier, David Hussey paced the Stars’ innings beautifully at No.4 and was out in the last over for 42.

Test cricket’s leading wicket-taker Muttiah Muralitharan claimed 0-28 for the Renegades from his four overs.

The Sri Lankan spin wizard was taunted by the crowd who chanted “no-ball” during his opening over.

Spinner Aaron O’Brien took 2-27 for the Renegades.

Ex-Renegade Brad Hodge was booed on his way to the crease and scored 28 before the No.3 was run out, becoming the first BBL player to fall victim to the new design of bails which flash red on impact.

Even though it was a Renegades’ home game, the applause was deafening for Warne when the retired Test great brought himself on to bowl.

But the home fans soon got behind their skipper Finch who hit Warne for two successive sixes in his 19-run opening over.

Warne dropped a simple catch at mid-wicket when Faf du Plessis was on 13, although it wasn’t costly as the South Africa international fell in the following over for 14.

Rohrer also feasted on Warne’s bowling with two sixes in the 14th over which cost 22 runs.

Pre-match entertainment included a series of upside-down motorcycle stunts from the Crusty Demons. The innings break was punctuated by more mid-air stunts and fireworks.

Shane Watson farewelled the Champions League T20 cricket tournament in type with a strong all round work in the Sydney Sixers’ five-wicket win more than the Highveld Lions in Cape Town.

Watson, who will miss the rest of the competitors simply because Cricket Australia needs him to rest a tiny prior to the coming residence Test series towards South Africa, delivered with bat and ball.

He took two-25 of his four overs and assisted restrict the Lions to 9-137 immediately after they got off to a flying start.

Watson (47 off 38) essential nine balls to get off to the mark, but then spanked 4 fours and 3 sixes to aid Sydney reach their target with an more than to spare on Thursday (AM Friday AEDT)

The Sixers have a greatest 12 points from their very first three games and look particular to make the semi-finals of the 10-crew tournament, irrespective of what happens in their final group fixture towards India’s Mumbai Indians in Durban on Monday evening (AEDT).

Youthful pacemen Mitchell Starc (3-19 off 4), Josh Hazlewood (two-18 off four) and Watson had been all instrumental in pulling the run rate back.

Guy of the match Starc picked up his third 3-wicket haul in as a lot of games.

The Lions smashed 25 off the first two overs, with the first ball of the match from Pat Cummins (-38 off 4) going for 4 byes and Gulam Bodi (61 off 44) notching legside boundaries of every of the up coming two balls in a 14-run in excess of.

The Lions had been effectively placed at two-77 at the halfway point of their innings, but no one else manufactured much more than 23 and no partnership gleaned more than 32.

The Sixers’ chase started out properly with Watson and Michael Lumb (22 off 22) putting on 60 in 8.3 overs.

Spinner Aaron Phangiso (3-14 off 3) bowled Lumb and, next ball, had Dominic Thornely stumped off a wide.

Watson also grew to become ensnared in Phangiso’s internet, top rated edging a sweep to the wicketkeeper.

Captain Brad Haddin (32 off 21 ) dispelled any nerves or worries the Sixers may possibly have had with a few successive legside sixes in a 21-run more than, which dropped the necessary run fee below a single a ball.

Haddin was caught at long on off veteran Australian paceman Dirk Nannes (one-16 off 4) who bowled splendidly in his two spells.

Moises Henriques (9 off seven) was also dismissed close to the finish, but Steve Smith (25 not out off 25) steered the Sixers to victory.

Allrounder Shane Watson claimed his third successive man-of-the-match award as Australia swept past India by nine wickets in their Globe Twenty20 Super Eights clash on Friday night.

Watson (three-34) and 19-year-outdated paceman Pat Cummins (2-16) aided restrict India to 7-140 prior to Watson (72 off 42 balls) and David Warner (63 not out from 41 deliveries) spanked India’s bowlers all close to Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium.

Openers Warner and Watson shared a national-record partnership of 133 as Australia powered their way to 1-141 with 5.one overs to spare.

Watson hit 7 sixes, equalling a nationwide record set by Warner twice previously.

Irfan Pathan was the largest victim among India’s attack with -19 from one particular in excess of.

But it was India’s selection to perform frontline spinners Ravi Ashwin (-32 off three.five overs), Harbhajan Singh (-20 off four) and Piyush Chawla (-14 off one) that backfired in the wet circumstances.

Australia’s innings was interrupted briefly in the 1st more than of their run chase by rain.

“There was no real grip for them,” India captain MS Dhoni explained of the challenge faced by his slow bowlers.

“That was the principal purpose we have been unable to place pressure on them.”

Watson stated the Aussies had been prepared for India to play three expert spinners plus left-arm slow bowler Yuvraj Singh.

“India did go in with 3 frontline spinners so there is also a likelihood there’s going to be some rain around, particularly here in Colombo,” Watson mentioned.

“You’ve got to make the most of situations that you’ve received.”

Watson mentioned Cricket Australia’s choice to rest him from the one-day series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates in late August left him feeling refreshed mentally.

Watson returned to the national squad for the T20s against Pakistan in Dubai earlier this month, including 111 for the first wicket with Warner in game three of the series.

“I came off a 5-week break. It was a time I was capable to get some physical strength and fitness but also have a bit of a psychological break as well, to be capable to hit this Twenty20 World Cup operating,” Watson said.

“The games in Dubai were a brilliant lead-up for us to be able to modify to the warmth like we have here.

“At the minute a couple of things are falling my way nicely.

“We’ve surely received the top quality of players to be able to have a great deal of accomplishment in this tournament.”

Australia’s second of three video games in the Super Eights phase is against South Africa on Sunday night.

Shane Watson imagined he had price Australia the game but he simply strapped on his superman cape and did the task with bat and ball as Australia scored a essential Planet Twenty20 win in excess of West Indies on Saturday night.

West Indies won the toss in the Group B clash at Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium and chose to bat, posting the massive complete of eight-191 including half-centuries from Chris Gayle (54) and Marlon Samuels (50).

Watson, who grassed a difficult diving opportunity when Gayle was on 4, later on eliminated the master blaster caught and bowled and completed with two-29.

Mitchell Starc claimed three-35 but Australia’s hopes appeared slim chasing such a huge total.

Nonetheless, savage early batting from David Warner (28), Watson (41 not out) and Mike Hussey (28 not out) did the job.

A downpour halted perform about 10pm following Australia had raced to one-a hundred from 9.one overs, 17 runs ahead on the Duckworth/Lewis Technique for rain-affected matches.

Play was referred to as off half an hour later on.

Watson was named guy of the match for the 2nd consecutive game.

Australia, following beating Group B rivals Ireland last Wednesday, will perform 3 matches in the Super Eights stage, beginning against India on Friday.

Watson had his personal slice of luck when he was dropped on 28, heaving a mighty blow to the leg-side boundary in which Dwayne Smith dropped a head-large opportunity.

Watson said he had earlier worried about dropping Gayle for several overs until finally the left-hander was lastly dismissed.

“I was definitely feeling that ache until finally I was in a position to get him out but in the imply time he had accomplished a fair bit of damage and gave a good deal of momentum to the West Indian side,” Watson explained.

“That was extremely disappointing but to be capable to make up for it in some way with the bat specially, it in no way helps make it truly feel any far better but at least we were far more likelihood of winning the game anyway.”

Watson mentioned he was thrilled to see Smith fail to consider the catch and tipping the ball above the rope was a nice reward.

“There are turning moments in a game,” Watson stated.

“My dropped catch of Chris Gayle definitely turned it in the direction of the West Indies’ favour.

“However dropped catches can turn events. I was fortunate it was my turn when I was batting.”

Watson’s massive hitting was perfectly timed just prior to the downpour even though he stated his brisk scoring rate was basically primarily based on trying to hold up with the run-price essential chasing 192 to win.

“Up till it started out drizzling and I noticed all the ground employees operating to the addresses, that was the very first time I had any concept there was rain coming.”

Fremantle captain Matthew Pavlich and Hawthorn onballer Sam Mitchell are stunning non-choices in the AFL All-Australian crew.

Each created the preliminary squad of 40 but are the most notable exclusions from the final group of 22 named on Monday night in Melbourne.

Pavlich was a important to Fremantle’s revival this season, overcoming hip and Achilles tendon difficulties to kick 62 goals in 21 property-and-away games.

The Dockers skipper unveiled earlier on Monday that he had not obtained an invitation for the All-Australian dinner, but stated it did not concern him.

“Person awards aren’t what I perform footy for, it really is about the crew accomplishment,” Pavlich explained.

“I am certain externally there may well be some comments about it, but I’m just searching forward to obtaining a break and finding prepared for following year.”

All-Australian selector Luke Darcy explained one particular situation was that Pavlich spent a good deal of time in the midfield at the start of the season.

Mitchell also played 21 games and was pivotal as the Hawks won the minor premiership.

The selection of West Coast’s Nic Naitanui as the initial ruckman will also increase eyebrows.

His team-mate Dean Cox deservedly made the crew in a forward pocket, but Naitanui was picked ahead of Adelaide ruckman Sam Jacobs and Richmond’s Ivan Maric.

Selector Gerard Healy explained six of the seven judges voted for Naitanui.

Cox and Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett created the group for the sixth time.

They join Pavlich, Carlton captain Chris Judd and newly-retired Geelong star Matthew Scarlett as obtaining the most choices amid existing gamers.

Incredibly, Ablett has created the previous 6 All-Australian teams.

Eagles captain Darren Glass is the captain and Ablett is the vice-captain.

Selectors broke with the unofficial tradition that the Coleman Medallist as the league’s top goalkicker constantly makes the group.

Richmond’s Jack Riewoldt took that honour this season with 65 ambitions, but he was overlooked for the two essential forward positions in favour of Hawthorn star Lance Franklin and Tom Hawkins of Geelong.

The last Coleman Medallist not to make the All-Australian crew was St Kilda’s Fraser Gehrig in 2005.

Franklin kicked 59 targets regardless of missing six games since of injury and Hawkins blossomed this season, finishing with 62 goals.

Adelaide defender Brent Reilly and North Melbourne captain Andrew Swallow are two other gamers who are unlucky not to make the team.

But all the Brownlow Medal favourites – Jobe Watson (Essendon), Trent Cotchin (Richmond), Gary Ablett (Gold Coast), Josh Kennedy (Sydney) and Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide) – had been picked.

West Coast led the choices with four, although Collingwood and Hawthorn had three apiece.

North Melbourne had been the only finalists not to have a player in this year’s group.

There are 15 initial-time selections, the most given that the then-VFL 1st picked an All-Australian crew in 1982.

2012 team:

B: Sean Dempster (StK) Luke McPharlin (Fre) Darren Glass (WC capt)

HB: Beau Waters (WC) Ted Richards (Syd) Grant Birchall (Haw)

C: Trent Cotchin (Wealthy) Jobe Watson (Ess) Dayne Beams (Coll)

R: Nic Naitanui (WC) Scott Thompson (Adel) Gary Ablett (GC v capt)

HF: Patrick Dangerfield (Adel) Lance Franklin (Haw) Cyril Rioli (Haw)

F: Stephen Milne (StK) Tom Hawkins (Geel) Dean Cox (WC)

I: Brett Deledio (Wealthy) Josh Kennedy (Syd) Scott Pendlebury (Coll) Dane Swan (Coll)

Melbourne showcased their premiership credentials with an emphatic 24-6 win more than South Sydney in their NRL qualifying last, which skipper Cameron Smith described as one of their finest performances of the season.

Right after a five-game losing streak and then a patchy run of 4 wins to lead into the AAMI Park clash, the Storm saved their greatest for a crunch match which earned them a week’s break and a preliminary final berth.

The Rabbitohs should now place the result behind them and put together to consider on the winner of the match amongst Canberra and Cronulla in Sydney subsequent week.

While Melbourne did it in style, the Rabbitohs looked caught in a spotlight, shell-shocked by the event immediately after a 5-yr absence from finals football.

The Storm, led by star fullback Billy Slater, efficiently had the game won by halftime as they led 18- with Slater collecting a try and helping set up two other folks.

The efficiency was all the much more extraordinary with large guys Jason Ryles and Sika Manu ruled out with injury late in the week as nicely as veteran winger Anthony Quinn.

Smith mentioned they expected a Souths “ambush” but his side was ready to rumble with the Rabbitohs’ giant pack and he felt, off the back of a excellent start off, his group was often in manage.

“That was the greatest 80 minutes we’ve played in a even though and it needed to be against Souths,” he explained.

“You could inform, they have been down here to do a job on us tonight.

“Our boys did a amazing job by way of the middle to stand up against their pack.”

Slater was back to his devastating finest and showed that Souths fullback Greg Inglis still has plenty of perform to do to take his mantle as the game’s most complete No.one, with the giant Inglis stored comparatively quiet.

The initial attempt was scored in the seventh moment by veteran Ryan Hoffman in a bizarre piece of perform.

Hoffman was dazed when his head hit a teammate’s hip even though creating a tackle and the 2nd-rower stumbled all around the area.

But an Inglis pass went to ground and was scooped up by Slater who dashed 50m and in the following set Hoffman, who had shrugged off any assistance from the trainers, opened the scoring for the home side.

Slater scored following prior to thrilling 19-yr-previous Victorian Mahe Fonua, who replaced Quinn, crossed to push the lead out to 18 points.

Souths coach Michael Maguire felt first-half ill-discipline cost his side, putting them on the back foot and leaving them unable to recover.

“We did not aid ourselves with the penalties we gave away in the very first half, which accumulated a lot of pressure on ourselves and took us away from what we do properly, which is our attack,” stated Maguire.

“There were moments in the game Melbourne took their opportunities and we didn’t.”

In a more blow for Souths, centre Matt King will undergo scans on his forearm on Sunday with a break feared.

For the Storm, forward Kevin Proctor was put on report for a lifting tackle on Sam Burgess late in the game

In spite of finishing very first and 2nd at the finish of the NRL season, Canterbury and Melbourne are not at the prime of everyone’s checklist when it comes to picking the grand final winners.

Some of the code’s biggest names instead see the teams fighting out positions 3 through five as effectively-placed to snatch the premiership.

Cronulla’s star 5-eighth Todd Carney saw initial hand what second-positioned Melbourne have to provide when the Sharks had been run down by the Storm in the dying seconds of Monday night’s match.

And he’s undoubtedly conscious of what Canterbury are capable of following their just lately-ended twelve-game winning streak that has them on the verge of winning the minor premiership.

But he, like retiring Parramatta champion Nathan Hindmarsh, sees fourth-positioned Manly as the group to beat – with fifth-placed North Queensland as their major rival.

Hindmarsh sees the danger worth in 3rd-placed South Sydney.

Carney’s Sharks have defeated the Rabbitohs and Storm this yr and were only beaten by the Bulldogs although without their Origin stars.

But it really is the Cowboys’ a single-two punch of Johnathan Thurston and Matt Bowen, and Manly’s rumbling back into the type which swept them to last year’s premiership, which has piqued the playmaker’s interest.

“If I had to charge two teams (from the leading eight), it would be them and Manly at the minute,” Carney stated on Thursday.

7-time premiership-winning coach Wayne Bennett said last week that the Cowboys would stay a serious threat for as lengthy as they have the Thurston/Bowen partnership.

And ahead of his showdown with the Cowboys on Sunday, Carney could not agree more.

“It’s always a great challenge playing against the ideal and (Thurston) is the best,” Carney explained.

“He’s been exhibiting that along with Matty Bowen. It’s going to be a hard challenge.

“But if you place all your concentrate on JT, other gamers about stand up.

“(Thurston and Bowen have) been taking part in for a extended time. They’ve received a knack of currently being in the proper position at the proper time.

“But the thing with the Cowboys is they don’t always go to JT now.

“And Bowen’s on the opposite side of the area to him.

“You have got to assess it and know where it’s going to go and it is easier stated than carried out. It is going to be a hard process.”

Hindmarsh said the reality that Manly have won two premierships in latest years will serve them properly going into the crunch games.

Even so, the former NSW and Test 2nd-rower believes the Rabbitohs can rise to their first premiership considering that 1971.

“I feel Manly – they’ve just received a great deal of huge names and huge game expertise,” Hindmarsh told AAP.

“They’ve got guys who have won grand finals ahead of so they know what to count on.

“And I believe if Souths can perform as properly … on their day, they can be difficult to beat as properly.”