Adelaide - South Australia

A world Test championship aimed at protecting the future of the five-day game will be discussed at a meeting of cricket's law-makers in November, according to a report in England on Wednesday.

English Premier League champions Manchester United will start the new season without Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, who faces an eight-week layoff with a broken finger.

West Coast midfielder Daniel Kerr will not play again in 2009 after failing to overcome an abdominal problem.

Brisbane defender Daniel Merrett says it is vital the Lions bounce back to form against Essendon at the MCG on Saturday night after last weekend's loss to Collingwood.

The Australian Rugby Union has confirmed it is releasing former league star Timana Tahu from his contract immediately.

Sydney Swans veteran Michael O'Loughlin says he never expected to become the first footballer to play 300 AFL games for the club.

Melbourne captain Kevin Muscat is pleased the start of the Victory's title defence has been overshadowed by the A-League's two new teams.

Richmond veteran Matthew Richardson will miss the rest of the AFL season with a hamstring injury.

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey says he will not let accusations of tanking change his approach to the rest of the AFL season.

Australia's Jessicah Schipper has played down the controversy surrounding the performance-enhancing suits worn by swimmers at the World Championships.

Collingwood has re-signed in-form forward Leon Davis for the next two AFL seasons.

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon says he is confident his defenders can contain Hawthorn forward Lance Franklin in Launceston on Saturday.

Marcus North insists Australia wants England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff fit for the final two Tests of the Ashes series, so the tourist can say they beat the best their old foes had to offer.

Geelong star Paul Chapman is expected to miss the AFL club's next two games with a hamstring injury.

Departing Roosters coach Brad Fittler has produced one of the selection surprises of the season, naming full-back Anthony Minichiello at five-eighth for Sunday's clash with West Tigers at the Sydney Football Stadium.

Wallabies lock Nathan Sharpe has dismissed suggestions from South Africa coach Peter de Villiers that Australia tries to con referees into awarding it penalties at scrum time.

Geoff Ogilvy and Adam Scott have confirmed they will join Greg Norman in the field for the Australian Open in Sydney.

Vice-captain Michael Clarke will miss training today after suffering an abdominal strain while making the century that saved the third Ashes Test for Australia.

French Top 14 rugby union side Bayonne has confirmed it has been in contact with sacked Wallabies winger Lote Tuqiri.

Brisbane Broncos great Steve Renouf says there is still time for the club to turn its flailing NRL season around.