Centuries for Smith,Voges as declaration looms
Jesse Hogan 9:27 PM The trickle of wickets in Perth across the first four days of the Perth Test has left the chance of a result resting on the instructions and actions of the Australia and New Zealand captains.
Top Stories
An idiot's guide to new AFL bidding system
![GWS academy player Matthew Kennedy is one of the best midfielders in the draft.](/web/20151116125240im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/r/b/2/s/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gkxg8b.100177.png/1447677728729.jpg)
Emma Quayle 9:00 PM AFL Have you struggled through many sleepless nights trying to work out how the AFL's new bidding system works? Don't worry, your questions, concerns and 'what ifs' are all answered here.
Taylor bats away criticism of sportsmanship
![Taylor walks back to the pavilion after losing his wicket for 290.](/web/20151116125240im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/0/g/u/e/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gl0fxp.100177.png/1447674956277.jpg)
Jon Pierik 10:25 PM CRICKET New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor insists he had not felt slighted despite the Australians failing to shake his hand after his brilliant innings of 290.
'No favours' for NZ in chase on final day
![PERTH, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 16: Adam Voges of Australia celebrates after reaching his century during day four of the second Test match between Australia and New Zealand at the WACA on November 16, 2015 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)](/web/20151116125240im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/0/g/v/u/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gl0grj.100177.png/1447674956277.jpg)
Jesse Hogan 10:29 PM CRICKET Australia are unlike to do New Zealand "any favours" in deciding how long to bat for, and how big a lead they accumulate, on the final day of the Perth Test.
Djokovic, Federer next
![LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 15: Novak Djokovic of Serbia receives the ATP World Number 1 Award after his match against Kei Nishikori of Japan during day one of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena on November 15, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)](/web/20151116125240im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/0/1/s/s/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gkzrc0.100177.png/1447674956277.jpg)
Linda Pearce 3:20 PM TENNIS Only four players have beaten Novak Djokovic during his exceptional season.
Could this be the end for Mitchell Johnson?
![PERTH, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 16: Mitchell Johnson of Australia hands Peter Nevill his glove during day four of the second Test match between Australia and New Zealand at WACA on November 16, 2015 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)](/web/20151116125240im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/0/d/w/c/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gkzxbc.100177.png/1447674956277.jpg)
Jon Pierik 8:00 PM CRICKET Mitchell Johnson's reign as Australia's spearhead and "go-to" man appears over, as speculation intensifies the veteran fast bowler is on the cusp of retirement.
AFL Draft: Who are the academy kids?
![Draft prospects Callum Mills and Jacob Hopper at Punt Road Oval on Tuesday.](/web/20151116125240im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/m/g/8/r/7/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gkyzl7.100177.png/1447674956277.jpg)
Emma Quayle 4:38 PM AFL A number of northern academy kids should become high picks at next week's draft, as the AFL's live bidding system is used for the first time. We examine the scenarios.
AFL Draft: 30 years of the best picks 20 to 16
![Pick No.20: this year's Brownlow medallist, Nat Fyfe.](/web/20151116125240im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/5/w/i/7/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gl09yk.100177.png/1447674956277.jpg)
Matt Murnane 5:46 PM AFL To mark the 30th year of the national draft, Fairfax Media has compiled an all-time draft list by the numbers.
Tallent backs Russian ban
![BEIJING, CHINA - AUGUST 29: Jared Tallent of Australia celebrates after crossing the finish line to win silver in the Men's 50km Race Walk final during day eight of the 15th IAAF World Athletics Championships Beijing 2015 at Beijing National Stadium on August 29, 2015 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)](/web/20151116125240im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/z/v/k/2/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gkzrzc.100177.png/1447674956277.jpg)
Jon Tuxworth 8:43 PM ATHLETICS Jared Tallent insists Russia doesn't have enough time to sort out their doping issues and they "deserve to miss at least one Olympics".
Taylor moves mountains, raises Test
![: Ross Taylor of New Zealand bats during day four of the second Test match between Australia and New Zealand at the WACA on November 16, 2015 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)](/web/20151116125240im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/0/6/1/d/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gl0ecp.100177.png/1447674956277.jpg)
Greg Baum 9:41 PM COMMENT The moral of this series to date is that at Test level, any old duffer can get bat to a straight ball. Heaven knows, there have been enough of them.
Socceroos focused despite security threats
![CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 12: Tim Cahill and Mile Jedinak of the Socceroos embrace after Tim Cahill scored a goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualification match between the Australian Socceroos and Kyrgyzstan at GIO Stadium on November 12, 2015 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)](/web/20151116125240im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/0/b/o/r/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gl0ats.100177.png/1447674956277.jpg)
Dominic Bossi 5:47 PM SOCCER Australia will spend as little time as possible in Dhaka to limit the threat of attacks but the players remain focused on the World Cup qualifier.
Rousey will bounce back: trainer
![Her trainer says Ronda Rousey will bounce back.](/web/20151116125240im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/z/i/3/9/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gkzz0h.100177.png/1447674956277.jpg)
2:08 PM UFC Ronda Rousey's trainer Mike Dolce has declared the defeated UFC world bantamweight champion will bounce back from her upset loss to Holly Holm, as she has done before.
Cricket
Five things we learnt from day four
![PERTH, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 16: Ross Taylor of New Zealand raises his bat after reaching 250 runs during day four of the second Test match between Australia and New Zealand at the WACA on November 16, 2015 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)](/web/20151116125240im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/0/6/i/p/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gkzxki.1000zr.png/1447674991404.jpg)
Jon Pierik 7:47 PM New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor posted the highest score by a touring batsman on Monday as the Black Caps turned the spotlight on to Australia on day four of the second Test at the WACA. Here are five things we learnt.
MORE CRICKET NEWS
AFL
No quick announcement for WADA appeal
![Back in court: The case involving the AFL and Essendon is due to begin in the CAS on November 16.](/web/20151116125240im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/k/f/1/z/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gl0emv.106eai.png/1447671118549.jpg)
6:55 PM AFL The Court of Arbitration for Sport will have a better idea by the end of this week when the result of WADA'S anti-doping appeal against Essendon will be announced.
MORE AFL NEWS
Soccer
Broich, Bowles in doubt for Roar against City
![Thomas Broich of the Roar and Aryn Williams of the Glory compete for the ball.](/web/20151116125240im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/z/i/u/a/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gl02xz.1000zw.png/1447660125372.jpg)
2:47 PM Brisbane Roar marquee man Thomas Broich and defender Daniel Bowles are both in doubt for Friday's A-League clash against Melbourne City.
MORE SOCCER NEWS
Rugby Union
Aussie sevens stars book ticket to Rio
![AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - NOVEMBER 14: Tom Cusack of Australia in action during the World Sevens Oceania Olympic Qualification match between Australia and Nauru on November 14, 2015 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Simon Watts/Getty Images)](/web/20151116125240im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/z/j/8/w/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gkzbyj.zzkcg.png/1447622478945.jpg)
Chris Dutton Canberra duo Tom Cusack and Lewis Holland can finally start dreaming about the Olympic Games after the Australian sevens team booked its ticket to Rio in emphatic fashion on Sunday.
MORE RUGBY UNION NEWS
Rugby League
Williams urges Raiders to encourage Whitehead's bag of tricks
![Sam Williams during his stint with Catalans Dragons last year.](/web/20151116125240im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/z/j/s/8/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gkzfzq.png/1447657484423.jpg)
Jon Tuxworth 6:04 PM Sam Williams hopes the Paris terrorist attacks won't deter players from following his lead and playing in France.
MORE RUGBY LEAGUE NEWS
Cycling
Paris attacks could 'kill' TDF, cycling: Rogers
![michael rogers](/web/20151116125240im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/z/l/c/4/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gkzb9c.13hkhn.png/1447621881975.jpg)
David Polkinghorne Cyclists already concerned after German race called off earlier this year.
MORE CYCLING NEWS
Tennis
Djokovic opens with emphatic win
![Novak Djokovic plays a forehand against Kei Nishikori.](/web/20151116125240im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/z/n/h/q/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gkzmts.119zdz.png/1447628285726.jpg)
Linda Pearce 6:47 AM Novak Djokovic has taken the first emphatic step towards a record fourth consecutive ATP World Tour Finals success through a crushing 6-1, 6-1 defeat of eighth seed Kei Nishikori
MORE TENNIS NEWS
Athletics
Russian athletics suspended from competition
![MALAGA, SPAIN - JUNE 29: Liliya Shobukhova of Russia celebrates winning the Women's 800 Metres during the Spar European Cup 2006 at the Ciudad de Malaga Athletics Stadium on June 29, 2006 in Malaga, Spain. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images) MALAGA, SPAIN - JUNE 29: Liliya Shobukhova of Russia celebrates winning the Women's 800 Metres during the Spar European Cup 2006 at the Ciudad de Malaga Athletics Stadium on June 29, 2006 in Malaga, Spain. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images)](/web/20151116125240im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/y/c/p/4/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gkyw3e.ghk9mq.png/1447483030338.jpg)
Mitch Phillips The move follows a breathtaking independent report this week which uncovered systematic state-sponsored doping.
MORE ATHLETICS NEWS
Horse Racing
O'Keefe scoffs idea of special allowance
![Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne/](/web/20151116125240im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/t/b/2/k/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gkzdrk.11a1oq.png/1447623443989.jpg)
Michael Lynch 8:36 AM Michelle Payne's groundbreaking win in Melbourne Cup stirred up a hornet's nest of debate about gender equity in horse racing – and other sports – not just in Australia but all over the world.
MORE HORSE RACING NEWS
Basketball
Spirit fall short after early Perth flurry
![Bendigo Spirit's Belinda Snell.](/web/20151116125240im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/z/j/4/n/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gkzhq9.12e3uq.png/1447622397727.jpg)
Roy Ward Perth Lynx took down Bendigo Spirit 86-73 at Bendigo Stadium on Sunday.
MORE BASKETBALL NEWS
Golf
Victoria loses Women's Australian Open
![Lydia Ko lifts the Patricia Bridges Bowl trophy after winning the Australian Open at Royal Melbourne](/web/20151116125240im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/p/a/p/e/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gl0ems.138xjd.png/1447668568154.jpg)
Matt Murnane 7:58 PM The women's Australian Open, a tournament which has brought the world's best female golfers to Melbourne for the past two years, will move away from Victoria's renowned sandbelt courses.
MORE GOLF NEWS
More Sport
Fans to sing La Marseillaise at Wembley
![University of Houston student Clow Vo holds up a sign in support of France while cheering during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game between Memphis and Houston, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, in Houston. Multiple attacks across Paris on Friday night left scores dead and hundreds injured. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)](/web/20151116125240im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/z/k/b/e/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gkzu8p.zzax1.png/1447660082849.jpg)
Jason Burt 11:45 AM English football fans will be asked to join in singing the French national anthem before the friendly match against France at Wembley.
Holm intellectually superior, says coach
![Her trainer says Ronda Rousey will bounce back.](/web/20151116125240im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/z/i/3/9/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gkzmyj.zzax1.png/1447660082849.jpg)
Paul Johnson 4:47 AM UFC Holly Holm's coach Mike Winkeljohn says Ronda Rousey didn't necessarily err by rushing his charge in their UFC world title fight, but was simply beaten by an intellectually superior fighter.
How has it come to this?
![Ronda Rousey receives medical treatment after her loss.](/web/20151116125240im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/z/i/1/i/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gkzpqe.zzax1.png/1447660082849.jpg)
Peter FitzSimons 9:12 AM COMMENT The Rousey knockout? It was nothing more than appalling brutality and I simply don't understand how we have come to this.
Rosberg on a roll with Brazilian win
![Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg, of Germany, celebrates at the podium after winning the Formula One Brazilian Grand Prix at the Interlagos race track in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)](/web/20151116125240im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/z/n/k/0/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gkzni4.zzax1.png/1447660082849.jpg)
MOTOR SPORT Nico Rosberg won the Brazilian Grand Prix for the second year in a row on Sunday and denied Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton a first success in Brazil.
Rousey knocked out in shock UFC loss
![Failed defence: Favourite Ronda Rousey (right) had no answers for Holly Holm (left), losing her UFC world bantamweight title.](/web/20151116125240im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/z/h/j/q/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gkzhj6.zzax1.png/1447660082849.jpg)
Matt Murnane 7:02 AM UFC Holly Holm caused a massive upset by knocking out reigning bantamweight title holder Ronda Rousey early in the second round.
Rousey has earned right to rematch with Holm
![UFC 193 at Etihad Stadium Melbourne. 15th November 2015 Ronda Rousey v Holly Holm Picture Chris Lane](/web/20151116125240im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/z/m/n/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gkzqb7.zzax1.png/1447660082849.jpg)
Lance Pugmire 11:12 AM UFC By producing the remarkable upset of Ronda Rousey, Holly Holm has earned the opportunity to duplicate it.
Holm and hosed in UFC boilover
![Failed defence: Favourite Ronda Rousey (right) had no answers for Holly Holm (left), losing her UFC world bantamweight title.](/web/20151116125240im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/z/h/j/q/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gkzldi.zzax1.png/1447660082849.jpg)
Leaping Larry 8:27 AM UFC Right up to the main event, the story of the day at UFC 193 was the crowd of 56,214 in Etihad Stadium.
Holm keen to stay out of celebrity spotlight
![Holly Holm holds the champion belt after defeating Ronda Rousey.](/web/20151116125240im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/z/o/j/y/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gkzog6.zzax1.png/1447660082849.jpg)
Martin Rogers 8:53 AM UFC Holly Holm might have taken Ronda Rousey's crown as the queen of mixed martial arts but she has no plans to follow in her beaten rival's celebrity footsteps.