Melbourne Victoria

The Australian Cricket team has touched down in Darwin ahead of its three one-day matches against Bangladesh.

Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek has recalled a host of players to the 27-man squad for Australia's next World Cup qualifier, including regulars Harry Kewell, Brett Emerton and Michael Beauchamp.

Western Bulldogs defender Tom Williams will miss the remainder of the 2008 AFL season with a shoulder injury.

Roger Federer began his quest for his fifth consecutive US Open title in stunning fashion with a dominating 6-3, 6-0, 6-3 win over Maximo Gonzalez in New York on Wednesday.

The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and Rowing Australia (RA) have appointed New Zealand's Andrew Matheson as the new head of high performance.

Parramatta half-back Brett Finch will miss the Eels' must-win round 25 NRL match against St George Illawarra at Sydney's Olympic stadium on Saturday evening.

Former champion Marat Safin laid into the "stupid rules" of tennis after a controversial foot-fault call almost derailed his progress into the second round of the US Open this morning.

Kate Beveridge, Kimberlee Green and Laura Geitz have been included in a 12-member Australian netball squad to take on England and New Zealand.

Adelaide Crows defender Nathan Bassett has announced he will retire at the end of the 2008 AFL season.

A portrait of cricket legend Sir Donald Bradman is now a permanent exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra.

Twice champion Venus Williams charged past Australia's Samantha Stosur 6-2, 6-3 at the US Open to join her sister Serena in the second round at Flushing Meadows.

Swimming sensation Michael Phelps told an Italian magazine that he may challenge French Olympic champion Alain Bernard in the 100 metres freestyle at next year's World Championships.

Australia midfielder Vince Grella joined English Premier League club Blackburn for a fee of around four million pounds ($8.6 million) from Torino this morning (AEST).

Australia's highest ranked tennis player Casey Dellacqua is out of the US Open in New York after losing to Frenchwoman Julie Coin in straight sets.

New Zealand international back rower Greg Eastwood agreed to join English Super League club Leeds overnight, signing a three-year contract from 2009.

The future of injured Western Bulldogs star Scott West will be decided at the end of the season, coach Rodney Eade said yesterday.

The 1930 Melbourne Cup trophy won by Phar Lap, Sir Donald Bradman's only real rival for the pinnacle of sporting fame in Australia, might have been found.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting vows to emulate the great cricketer by "leaving the game in better shape" for future generations.

Pim Verbeek admits Uzbekistan will still be a dangerous "dark horse" when the World Cup qualifying campaign resumes in a fortnight.

The player is 30 metres out, facing the other way. Goal! That's beach soccer.