'Bash me' instead of Test team, Gayle tells critics
Jesse Hogan 5:05 PM The key absentee from the West Indies' Test team says he would rather critics of the team "bash" him instead of current players, declaring he wants to return to Tests once he is fit enough.
Top Stories
Valeri out with condition affecting brain
![Sidelined: Carl Valeri will have further tests.](/web/20151215100857im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/l/w/r/y/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glnke7.100177.png/1450170165229.jpg)
Michael Lynch 9:52 AM SOCCER Melbourne skipper Carl Valeri will be sidelined for an indeterminate period after tests revealed he is suffering an inflammatory condition affecting part of his brain.
T20 big hitter back for a test, but not a Test
![Melbourne Renegades international signing Chris Gayle poses for a photo at Junction Oval on Tuesday.](/web/20151215100857im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/o/c/i/1/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glo84z.100177.png/1450170165229.jpg)
Greg Baum 6:45 PM CRICKET Chris Gayle's back. On any given day, that could be an announcement, an injury update or an image complete with winking diamond earrings and flying dreadlocks.
Why Hodge kept the captaincy
![Luke Hodge](/web/20151215100857im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/j/f/k/0/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glnup0.100177.png/1450170165229.jpg)
Jake Niall and Ronny Lerner 7:02 PM AFL After weeks of uncertainty and speculation, the reigning triple premiers have decided to retain Luke Hodge as their skipper for season 2016.
Footy will move on, but will fans?
![James Hird has gone after a disastrous on-field year and having extracted another small fortune from the club.](/web/20151215100857im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/5/4/2/a/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glo4e7.100177.png/1450170165229.jpg)
Rohan Connolly 6:46 PM AFL As another spirited debate flares in the football world about the fall-out from the Essendon supplements saga, it seems like many footy fans might have a harder time moving on than will the club itself.
Windies' showing should surprise no one
![Glory days: Viv Richards was driven to change the perception of West Indies cricketers.](/web/20151215100857im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/5/v/h/d/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glo58t.100177.png/1450170165229.jpg)
Sam Varghese 5:09 PM CRICKET Long before the West Indies landed in Australia, there were warnings the Test series would be a terrible mismatch.
Heat may force change in Flemington timings
![Damien Oliver guides Lucia Valentina to victory in the Matriarch Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.](/web/20151215100857im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/t/e/l/0/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glo54p.100177.png/1450170165229.jpg)
Patrick Bartley 6:14 PM HORSE RACING Senior Racing Victoria officials are closely monitoring weather patterns for later in the week following the prospect of stifling heat conditions.
Gabba firms as second night venue
![An Australian coaching staff member holds a pink ball during training at the Adelaide Oval ahead of their cricket test against New Zealand in Adelaide, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2015. The test starting Friday will be the first ever day/night cricket test match and will use a new developed pink ball. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)](/web/20151215100857im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/o/9/g/9/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glnl6c.100177.png/1450170165229.jpg)
Andrew Wu 6:34 PM CRICKET Addition of another round of Shield cricket under lights this season a sign of things to come.
Cricket
Smith, Faulkner earn new $1.1m IPL deals
![James Faulkner is heading to new IPL team Rajkot.](/web/20151215100857im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/i/5/0/9/a/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gloc4u.1000zr.png/1450173472534.jpg)
Jesse Hogan 8:57 PM Steve Smith and James Faulkner have each secured million-dollar IPL deals to make up for the suspension of their IPL teams, but Shane Watson will have to enter the player auction.
MORE CRICKET NEWS
AFL
Essendon to dump maligned clash jumper
![Bombers Patrick Ambrose, Jobe Watson and Michael Hibberd celebrate the win over St Kilda this year wearing the grey jumper.](/web/20151215100857im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/m/z/1/g/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glnkkt.106eai.png/1450169718422.jpg)
Daniel Cherny 10:20 AM Grey is going away, with chief executive Xavier Campbell announcing the club was reverting to a red and black clash jumper.
MORE AFL NEWS
Soccer
Muscat, Victory focused on Perth
![Kevin Muscat at training ahead of their encounter with Perth.](/web/20151215100857im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/n/u/j/a/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glnrls.1000zw.png/1450163833422.jpg)
Michael Lynch 1:53 PM The second Melbourne derby of the A-League season might be occupying the minds of the Melbourne media and public but it's far from front and square for Melbourne Victory.
MORE SOCCER NEWS
Rugby Union
Eddie Jones wields axe in new dawn for England
![Stamping his mark: Eddie Jones.](/web/20151215100857im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/n/m/h/d/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glnlpb.png/1450136571523.jpg)
Mick Cleary 10:46 AM ​The Eddie Jones era has begun. New broom, different bristles, ready to clear out the Twickenham dressing-room for a fresh start in the new year.
MORE RUGBY UNION NEWS
Rugby League
''Platinum League'' plan met with mixed response from clubs
![Open to input: NRL head of game strategy and development released plans for a new competition.](/web/20151215100857im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/o/d/y/1/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glocp2.png/1450172426079.jpg)
Michael Carayannis 8:40 PM The NRL yesterday confirmed its controversial plan to set up a new feeder league as it released its highly anticipated blueprint for player development.
MORE RUGBY LEAGUE NEWS
Motor Sport
Alfa Romeo could make F1 return
![The new Alfa Romeo logo](/web/20151215100857im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/h/x/3/v/d/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glni22.11q817.png/1450131644699.jpg)
9:20 AM Fiat Chrysler could bring the Alfa Romeo brand back to Formula One as a competitor to Ferrari, chief executive Sergio Marchionne said on Monday.
MORE MOTOR SPORT NEWS
Tennis
Shock loss for Rogowska in wildcard play-offs
![Olivia Rogowska has lost in the Australian Open wildcard play-offs.](/web/20151215100857im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/n/z/l/u/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glnziv.119zdz.png/1450167815301.jpg)
5:53 PM Top seed Olivia Rogowska has made a shock straight-sets exit from the Australian Open wildcard play-offs at the hands of unranked teenager Kaylah McPhee.
MORE TENNIS NEWS
Golf
Spieth nails a perfect Happy Gilmore
![Here we go: Spieth takes a run-up.](/web/20151215100857im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/n/k/h/u/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glnk1f.138xjd.png/1450142971132.jpg)
Danielle Rendina 10:52 AM World No. 1 golfer Jordan Spieth put on a show for fans at the Grapefruit Pro-Am in Vero Beach, Florida on Sunday, hitting a Happy Gilmore-style drive off the first tee.
MORE GOLF NEWS
Horse Racing
Can Dylan Dunn take top honours?
![In dad's footsteps: Dylan Dunn, son of leading jockey Dwayne, waits in the starting gates.](/web/20151215100857im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/o/4/c/x/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glo0il.11a1oq.png/1450163374166.jpg)
Michael Lynch 4:59 PM Could lightning strike twice for the same stable?Â
MORE HORSE RACING NEWS
Basketball
United ready as Kings come to town
![New challenge: Sydney's Damion James will pose a different test for Melbourne United.](/web/20151215100857im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/n/x/b/6/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glnw3a.12e3uq.png/1450170210898.jpg)
Roy Ward 3:09 PM Melbourne United to expect the unexpected from the wayward Sydney Kings.
MORE BASKETBALL NEWS
Sailing
Wild Oats XI wins Big Boat Challenge
![Supermaxi Wild Oats XI' races during the Big Boat Challenge on Tuesday.](/web/20151215100857im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/o/d/m/h/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glodlq.gljsvi.png/1450171115693.jpg)
8:18 PM The prime movers behind vastly modified supermaxi Wild Oats XI drew plenty of encouragement as their 10-year old yacht cruised to a convicting line honours win in the Big Boat Challenge on Sydney Harbour on Tuesday.
MORE SAILING NEWS
More Sport
Another lay day at Pipeline Masters
![Mick Fanning is shotting for his fourth world title.](/web/20151215100857im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/f/q/f/4/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glnhzs.zzax1.png/1450170339577.jpg)
8:01 AM SURFING Small surf has once again prevented any action at the Pipeline Masters in Hawaii with organisers forced to call a fourth successive lay day on Monday.
Five-point protocol to decide Hayne's fate
![SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 19: Jarrtd Hayne flies to the USA to begin training for his bid to make it in the NFL. on October 19, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Michele Mossop/Fairfax Media)](/web/20151215100857im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/2/b/2/0/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glnuv1.zzax1.png/1450170339577.jpg)
3:16 PM AMERICAN FOOTBALL After suffering a concussion in the disastrous loss to Cleveland, the man standing in Jarryd Hayne's way could find he has no choice but to sit out the 49ers next match.