MELBOURNE City have snatched a dramatic 1-0 win in the Victorian derby over the Victory with a late Erik Paartalu header.

This summer the tumult in the Australian cricket team — and the enthralling series against India — has sucked what media oxygen remains for non-pigskin matters, making the arrival of the Australian Open this year seem abrupt.

DAVE Warner is out for 145 after Michael Clarke retired hurt. LIVE UPDATES

BRISBANE has claimed its biggest win under interim coach Frans Thijssen, while Perth beat Newcastle to continue its great start to the season.

It will be 48 hours late but Randwick will get the green light to host the 10-race card featuring the Doncaster Mile this morning.

BIG Bash. Brought to you by Benjamin Button. Look at ’em. Magnificent old codgers.

WESTERN Sydney players insist they’re united and focused despite their threat of a boycott just days out from their FIFA Club World Cup opener.

CHRIS Harold has scored a brace and rising star Danny De Silva nailed a wonder goal to lift Perth Glory to a 4-1 win.

IF Brett Rumford could give expectant father Adam Scott one piece of advice, it is this.

A curtain fell over the Test careers of Benn Robinson and Ben Alexander as the Rugby Championship squad was named.

GANDHI’S grandson Ramchandra, a philosopher, once posited that cricket was a distinctively Indian game.

RAISE the bar higher and you can knock yourself out going underneath. A year ago Mitchell Johnson began setting it as high as a bowler can.

Manly have produced an early second-half blitz to down the Warriors and keep their playoff hopes alive. The Storm and Souths were other winners.

AUSTRALIAN captain Michael Clarke has admitted it is possible he has played his last game of cricket.

STEVE Smith was the Sydney Sixers’ captain for the corresponding match last year. Time flies, huh?

Socceroos defender Trent Sainsbury is confident the Socceroos can handle UAE wizard Omar Abdulrahman.

THE cold-shooting NZ Breakers have crashed to their heaviest loss of the NBL season in Cairns but cling to the top of the standings.

Stewards have passed the Randwick surface fit for racing.

WITH Mitchell Marsh hobbling, selectors might struggle to replace him for the Boxing Day Test. If it comes to that.

You can never be too sure who has the job captaining the Australian cricket team these days.

THE Perth Scorchers’ remarkable defensive bowling has seen them qualify for a fourth straight Big Bash League final.

Grant Hackett cements sporting comeback by winning his way on to the Australian team after a six-year retirement.

Adelaide has struck out boldly down its new path under coach Phil Walsh by franking the pre-season hype with substance.

AUSTRALIA have overcome emotion, a determined Indian team and doubts about Nathan Lyon’s fourth-innings bowling to win the Test at Adelaide.

BOO Weekley shot to the lead in the opening round of the Australian PGA Championship yesterday.