CRICKET - Steve Smith pointed the finger at West Indies counterpart Jason Holder, claiming he was not keen on a contrived result as the SCG dead rubber ended in a disappointing draw.
SOCCER - Michel Platini's dream of becoming the next FIFA president is over, admitting the deadline for the February 26 election is too short and renders his candidacy impossible as he fights to overturn an eight-year ban.
SOCCER - Central Coast will appeal the severity of the eight-match A-League ban handed to striker Roy O'Donovan for his New Year's Eve headbutt on Wellington defender Manny Muscat.
TENNIS - Roger Federer has shrugged off sickness to book his place in the Brisbane International quarter-finals, making light work of German qualifier Tobias Kamke 6-2 6-1, while Victoria Azarenka's impressive Australian Open preparations continued with a dominant straight sets victory over Italy's Roberta Vinci to move through to the last four.
CRICKET - Sydney Thunder have the Big Bash League wobbles after slumping to their third successive loss, a 30-run defeat to Perth Scorchers at Spotless Stadium on Thursday night.
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TENNIS - Lleyton Hewitt's bid to land an elusive Hopman Cup crown is over after Australia Gold crashed out of the race for a finals berth when he failed to beat Ukraine's Alexandr Dolgopolov.
