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#Bestbets: R3-7; R4-8; R5-6 #Eachway: R7-4 #Roughy: R1-8 IMAGE: BettingPro

Western Australian Men's Cricket Team fast bowler David Moody says his side was satisfied that the right decision was made to abandon the Sheffield Shield match against Victoria at the MCG, citing player safety as paramount. Play was abandoned after 39.4 overs on the opening day after several batsmen including Western Australia captain Shaun Marsh were struck by balls that reared up off a full length, match officials reaching the decision that the wicket was unfit for play the following morning. “We noted that we hadn’t seen many wickets quite as green. Moody told SportsDrive on Monday. Having said that it was pretty hard underfoot and we definitely thought the pitch would be lively, but we didn’t expect anything like that.” Marsh, Marcus Stoinis and Cameron Green all sustained blows during time at the batting crease, with the WA hierarchy alerting the match officials as early as lunch on the opening day of the treacherous batting conditions. “There was a lot happening in the first session. In the first few overs after the break it got even worse." Moody said. “The conversation was had at lunch (with the umpires), we were well aware it wasn’t going to get any better. We were prepared at lunchtime that if this doesn’t change we will come off and won’t come back on until something happens. “ Concern remains around the MCG pitch ahead of the Boxing Day Test match between Australia and New Zealand, to be played in under three weeks time. The teams are likely to share three points each from the abandoned fixture, as talks continue around the match being rescheduled after this year's Big Bash League. IMAGE: Cricket Australia

The Illawarra Hawks have confirmed Lamelo Ball will be on the sidelines for four weeks with a foot injury. Ball suffered a bruised foot and rest has been prescribed by a specialist. He is expected to complete his rehab in Australia and return to play out the remainder of the season with the Hawks. IMAGE: Fox Sports

Western Australia and Victoria are set to share points after their abandoned Sheffield Shield match. Cricket Australia have proposed dates in early March to replay the fixture but it remains unlikely due to the jam-packed schedule. WACA General Manager of High Performance Kade Harvey said the WACA were still looking at the proposed dates. "I can't see the game being re-scheduled to be honest." Harvey told SportsLine. "The schedule is tight enough as it is without lobbing another four-day game in, I'm not sure how that will come about." "It would be played in Perth, it's something that we are open to, but just looking at the way the schedule is, I can imagine that it is going to be a challenge." The WACA will wait for more information on dates from Cricket Australia Head of Operations Manager Peter Roach before making a final decision. "My gut feel is splitting the points, taking some bonus points and we just move on." IMAGE: FILE

Retired Fremantle Docker Hayden Ballantyne is going back to his roots, signing with the Peel Thunder Football Club for the 2020 season. The former All-Australian forward played 59 games for the Thunder before being drafted by the Fremantle Dockers in 2008 after winning the Sandover Medal. Speaking with SportsLine, Ballantyne said "[...Peel] gave me a lot of support coming through the system and helped me get drafted . So it's the easiest thing to give a little bit back and hopefully improve our side into playing finals next year." Ballantyne is excited about the prospect of playing for Peel in 2020 and is set to play a forward/midfield role. You can catch SportsLine with Jack Crawshaw from 9am weekdays. IMAGE: FILE

Australian golfer Matt Jones has won the Australian Open golf tournament for a second time, winning by one shot to stave off a fast finishing Louis Oosthiuzen. Jones becomes the 19th player to win the Stonehaven Cup on two occasions, his first triumph coming in 2015. The 39 year old held a three shot advantage heading in to the final round and didn't concede the lead during Sunday's play, but an eagle on the last hole from South African Oosthiuzen meant that Jones would have to make par on the 18th to secure the title. He held his nerve despite making a hash of his drive off the tee, making a five foot putt to secure the win with a score of 15 under. Aaron Pike finished in third place to secure the final spot in the 2020 British Open that was up for grabs at the tournament. Jones joins illustrious company in becoming a two time Australian Open champion, including Jack Nickalus and Greg Norman. Attention now turns to the Presidents Cup in Melbourne, Tiger Woods' Team USA playing Ernie Els' International team at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club from Thursday. IMAGE: The Australian Website.

The Perth Wildcats made it two wins for the weekend as part of round 10 of the 2019-20 NBL season, defeating South East Melbourne Phoenix 108-98 at Melbourne Arena. Having shocked ladder leaders Sydney on Friday night, the Wildcats started well with a 30-28 opening quarter before the home side hit back with a 23-16 point second term to lead by 5 at the half. The game broke open in the third quarter as Perth made their move on the road, Clint Steindl continuing his purple patch from beyond the arc with support from Bryce Cotton and Terrico White, Nick Kay again dominant off the boards. Leading by 3 at the final break the Wildcats blew the game wide open early in the last, putting up 31 points in the final quarter on their way to a 10 point win. Having only scored eight points in the first half Bryce Cotton finished with 26 points for the winners, while White put up 19 points of his own after a purple patch in the last quarter. Kay produced his second double double of the weekend with 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Steindl posted 15 points and made five of his eight shots from beyond the arc. Phoenix captain Mitch Creek led all comers with 31 points, Ben Magden with 20 and John Roberson 19, quiet until late in the match. Tai Wesley returned for his first match since round one and posted 15 points, getting through unscathed. Perth remain in second on the table, the Phoenix dropping to fourth with a 6-6 win-loss record. Round 10 concludes with matches between Sydney and Cairns (tonight) and New Zealand and Brisbane (tomorrow night). PHOTO CREDIT: NBL website.

Sunday: WA and Victoria will not resume play on the second day or the remainder of the game with the captains still not satisfied with visible divots in the pitch. Curators worked into the early hours of the evening on Saturday to try to prepare the wicket for a resumption of play on Sunday morning. Cricket Australia will look to re-fixture the match however if that cannot be achieved then the teams will receive three-points each. Saturday: Western Australia's Shield game with Victoria at the MCG was put on halt on Saturday due to concern over the pitch they were playing on. WA were 3-89 at the time of stoppage with Marcus Stoinis (2) and Cameron Green (7) at the crease with just 40-overs bowled. Several deliveries reared up off a good length striking batsman Shaun Marsh and Stoinis in the upper body with the catalyst to bring the captains and umpires together a delivery that jumped off a length and struck Stoinis in the ribs. Play was initially suspended for a period of time whilst the curator rolled the wicket for 30-minutes but it was eventually decided to suspend play for the day. Day two will resume 30-minutes early with a possible 112-overs to be bowled in the day. SportFM's coverage will begin from 6:55AM with the first ball due to be bowled at 7AM. IMAGE: cricket.com.au

Ex-Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou has achieved arguably the greatest individual football coaching achievement by claiming the J-League title with Yokohama F. Marinos. The win broke Yokohama's 15-year title drought after comfortably beating Tokyo FC 3-0. "We played fantastic football, the players deserve this as they have played fantastic football all year," Postecoglou said after the match. "I'm very proud of the players, the staff and we have fantastic supporters so I am very happy for everyone." Postecoglou has been linked to a potential move to Europe however he squashed those rumours. "I'm definitely going to be around next year for sure," "There's still stuff I want to do around here, I think we can get better." IMAGE: The Daily Mail

Kingstown Town Classic Day R1: 1/9value R2: 5 & 9 ew R3: 3/4/1v R4: 3/2 & 1ewv/5/7mad R5: 8v/2/1ew/4m R6: 2/1ewv/10/7v R7: 7ewxx/12/8/6 R8: 16/15v/5/12 & 14ewv R9: 8/2/11/9 & 13m IMAGE: Racenet

Perth Glory have recorded a comprehensive 3-0 win over A-League ladder leaders Melbourne City. Bruno Fornaroli scored against his old side while Tomislav Mrcela recorded his first A-League goal. Fornaroli headed home the opener before Glory's lead was doubled in the second half when Harrison Delbridge diverted Greg Wuthrich's shot into his own net. Mrcela's strike was the third of the evening. Post-match Fornaroli said it was good to kick start the season with the victory. "We controlled the game. We believe in our football. We change nothing." Fornaroli said. "We know we need a little bit of luck. "We needed to score goals and tonight we did. "The last couple of games we controlled the game but they (opposition) scored the first goal. "Tonight we scored the first goal and we relaxed and make it easier and we controlled the game." It's the Glory's second win on the road this season and shoots them back into the top six. IMAGE: Herald Sun, Melbourne

Reigning champions Perth Wildcats have shown their elite bounce back qualities once again, putting up a stunning 70 point opening half against ladder leaders Sydney Kings on their way to a 96-77 win at RAC Arena on Friday night. Having lost their past two matches the pressure was on Trevor Gleeson's men leading in to the clash against the Kings, who had lost just one of their opening 12 games to sit four games clear on top of the table. Bryce Cotton and Casper Ware traded early baskets at opposite ends of the floor, before Andrew Bogut produced some fine work under the bucket to fire up the locals and give his team an early lead. What followed was one of the most breathtaking quarters in Wildcats history, as the home side scored a whopping 40 points to open up a gap between the teams that was never overhauled. Nick Kay was dynamic at both ends of the floor, while Cotton and fellow import Terrico White couldn't miss from anywhere, Bogut and Ware's impact completely stymied by an improved Wildcats defensive effort. The Wildcats put up 70 points in the first half alone, the highest score by any NBL side this season and the best by any NBL side since 40 minute halves have been implemented, the margin 25 points at half time. The second half was a more scrappy affair, the Kings narrowly winning the half 32-26 but it mattered little, the Wildcats recording their ninth win of the season and handing the Kings their second loss. Cotton (27 points) was in stunning form, while Nick Kay recorded a double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds. Terrico White shrugged off recent injury concerns with 20 points, Dario Hunt with 11 boards as the Wildcats won the rebound count overall 58-32. The Kings had few winners on a tough night, Bogut with just two points after quarter time to finish with 12, captain Kevin Lisch getting through his return unscathed but failing to hit the scoreboard in 17 minutes on court. Both teams are back in action Sunday as Round 10 continues, the Wildcats on the road to play the South East Melbourne Phoenix at Melbourne Arena and the Kings at home to the Cairns Taipans, who won earlier on Friday 108-90 over the New Zealand Breakers. PHOTO CREDIT: NBL Website.