Simpson under cloud for Storm showdown

NEWCASTLE enforcer Steve Simpson is in doubt for Monday night's crucial clash with Melbourne at EnergyAustralia Stadium as he battles the lingering after-effects of concussion.

A ton of ambition derailed Watson

A RUEFUL Shane Watson concedes he has been distracted by thoughts of carving out a maiden Test hundred in his past three innings, thus falling shortly after scoring half-centuries.

Ball bounced in ATP final but his ranking, confidence hit a high

CARSTEN Ball was born and raised in California, the scene of the ATP breakthrough that has earned the Australian Davis Cup player a career-high ranking of 145th. But despite yesterday's loss to Sam Querrey in the Los Angeles Open final, Ball has been tipped as a future top-50 player by another American, doubles star Bob Bryan.

More concern for Lee, Pietersen in doubt

AUSTRALIA'S reinforcements are looking desperately thin with Brett Lee in doubt for the Northampton tour match that will go a long way towards shaping the team for third Test, while England is expected to be without batting superstar Kevin Pietersen at Edgbaston.

Swift kid a long way from home bringing career up to speed at last

Mentors and family have helped a young Bomber, writes Dan Silkstone. Courtenay Dempsey

Ashes hero thinks Lee will swing momentum

A DEFIANT Brett Lee had no sooner bowled himself into Australia's Ashes attack than he received a further boost from one of the world's finest proponents of reverse swing, injured England paceman Simon Jones.

Koschitzke Cleared, But Saints Wait On Ball Injury

ST KILDA breathed a sigh of relief yesterday when Justin Koschitzke was cleared of unduly rough play by the match review panel but still faces an anxious wait on the fitness of Luke Ball.

Injury Forces Ball To Stand Down As Co-captain

FAMOUSLY brave on the field, Luke Ball has made an off-field call that took some courage as well. Ball, 23, yesterday stepped down as a co-captain of St Kilda after two years, saying that he wanted to focus on regaining his form as a player.

Dokic Has Winning Start On Latest Comeback Trail

JELENA DOKIC has lost her ranking, much of her fitness, and the past few years of a once-glittering career. But comebacks must start somewhere, and Dokic's latest - and, surely, last - brought a straight-sets win at the Australian Open wildcard play-off at Melbourne Park.

Griffiths May Get Time Out To Recuperate

JETS coach Gary van Egmond will consider giving Joel Griffiths a week off in an effort to get his star striker back to peak fitness.

Wests Sweat On Clarke's Fitness

WESTERN Suburbs hooker Matt Clarke remains in doubt for the Illawarra Carlton League first semi-final against Thirroul at WIN Stadium on Saturday night.

Medical Staff Force Eager Buckley To Delay Comeback For One More Week

COLLINGWOOD fans held their breath every time skipper Nathan Buckley looked like breaking into a sprint or dashing at a loose ball during training yesterday.

Eyes On The Ball

The injury and poor form endured by the Saints' captain is indicative of the club's hard season, Caroline Wilson reports.

Umpires Admit Holding Error, But Tigers Left Holding The Bag

THE umpires who awarded West Coast twice as many free kicks as Richmond last Saturday had made an error with the holding-the-ball rule, a review has found.

Saints Seek Clues To Hamstrings

ST KILDA coach Ross Lyon was last night ruing yet another hamstring injury, this time to defender Sam Fisher, and revealed that the club's fitness regime could be to blame.

Hamstrings And Woe For Saints

ST KILDA coach Ross Lyon last night lamented a 31-point loss to Essendon and yet another hamstring injury, this time to defender Sam Fisher, as he said the club's fitness regime could be to blame.

Whole New Ball Game For Rogers

The former Wallaby has been doing the hard yards to get up to league's speed, writes Brad Walter.

Wolves Given Something To Chase

WOLLONGONG Wolves players will see something they are yet to witness this year when they tackle Sydney Olympic in tomorrow's opening round of the pre-season Johnny Warren Cup - a ball.