SNAP SHOT

Six questions for ... Michelle Sindler, chief executive Australian International Disputes Centre

Ponting blames poor crowds on glut of matches, not one-sided contests

AUSTRALIAN captain Ricky Ponting's theory that the summer's meagre one-day crowds are due to a glut of matches, rather than the poor performances of Pakistan and the West Indies, has been given short shrift by Cricket Australia.

Manly target own internationals as Orford decides to run with the Bulls

MATT ORFORD'S decision to turn down an offer from Manly for a lucrative Super League deal with Bradford has boosted the club's chances of keeping the five internationals off contract at the club next season.

Orford could be lured to England

MANLY chairman Scott Penn has admitted that if the club's halfback and captain, Matt Orford, has received a big offer from a Super League team, the Sea Eagles wouldn't be able to compete financially for his signature.

Alcopop owners won't cash in before Cup

A LAST-DITCH attempt to buy Melbourne Cup contender Alcopop by Sportingbet Australia bookmaker Michael Sullivan failed last night as he braced himself for a betting frenzy on today's Caulfield Cup.

Strauss baffled by one-day decision

BANISHING 50-over cricket from England's domestic schedule could have dire consequences for the team's World Cup campaigns, national captain Andrew Strauss has conceded.

Ambitious Spirit Still Drives Fishlock At 81

VETERAN Bob Fishlock is looking forward to returning to the Newcastle District No.1 grade pennant competition this season.

Hayden Quits With Record That Rates With The Best

RETIRED batsman Matthew Hayden is convinced he would have toured England for the Ashes had he continued his career, but in the end the desire had left him.

Rookie Sets Up Easy Victory

AUSTRALIA'S beleaguered national selectors finally got their "we-told-you-so" moment of the summer when unheralded rookie David Warner inspired his team to a 52-run Twenty20 win over South Africa.

This One's For You, Shane

Australia's captain-in-waiting has learnt from Shane Warne's very colourful mistakes, writes David Sygall.

The Quiz

1. Who are the only two Australian wicketkeepers to play more than 10 tests without making a stumping?

Rural Appeal

In the country, great tales are revived, writes Peter Hanlon.

Hayden Takes Walk In The Wilderness

THE selectors have gone cold on Matthew Hayden, who has indicated he might pre-empt them by retiring from Test cricket in the coming weeks.

Michaael Sharkie Assesses The Internationals

ALESSANDRO VOLTA

Internationals Have Cup At Their Mercy As Efficient Drops Out

AUSTRALIAN racing's defence of the Melbourne Cup from a European blitz took a battering yesterday when last year's winner, Efficient, succumbed to a leg injury.

Rush Of World Is At The Door

With David Hayes losing a couple of possible Melbourne Cup contenders, Mad Rush - even more so than yesterday's Caulfield Cup winner, All The Good - tightened the grip of the internationals on the big one at Flemington on November 4. Only Efficient stands between the coveted prize and the foreign hordes.

Internationals Heading For A Record Tilt At The Melbourne Cup

NEXT month's Melbourne Cup may boast the biggest international contingent to contest the race, with six more European gallopers expected to be on a plane scheduled to arrive in Melbourne tomorrow morning.

Talent Lifts Taren Point For Semi-final

TAREN Point will boast seven internationals when they meet St Johns Park in the NSW Premier League major semi-final at Toronto Workers on Saturday morning.

Cricket Was The Winner

AUSTRALIA'S match against New Zealand yesterday was the first of Cricket NSW's internationals at the Sydney Cricket Ground this summer, representing the halfway mark of the five-year contract between the state body and the Trust.

20 Years Of The Knights

Everything you ever wanted to know about the Knights WHO is the Knights' all-time top try-scorer? What is the club's biggest win? And biggest loss? How many internationals has the club produced?