Sydney, Dec 28 : Australian main attack bowler Brett Lee, who lacked penetration and was not able to pick wickets at the MCG, will have to perform in the second innings to convince selectors that he has the ability to lead the pace battery for Ashes 2009.

Less than a week after skipper Ricky Ponting publicly aired his concern by refusing to confirm Lee as a starter for the Boxing Day Test, Lee again found himself wicketless and indebted to Australia's younger bowlers for bailing him out.

Sydney, Dec 28 : John Bracewell, who coached New Zealand in the Trans-Tasman Trophy series that began last month, has said that his team is responsible for beginning out of form Australian opener Matthew Hayden's slide this summer by revealing the flaw in his technique that could force him to retire from the game.

Bracewell said his team had identified that Hayden's "lazy" front shoulder, which made him susceptible to nicking the ball early in his innings.

Melbourne, Dec 28 : Australia is almost certain to make history in November 2009 by hosting cricket's first day-night Test match.

Australia and Pakistan will become the first teams to clash in a Test match under lights, the Daily Telegraph reported.

Cricket Australia chose the Adelaide Oval match next November and will seek ICC approval.

The CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) is also being asked to help design a special ball for cricket's most radical move in 30 years.

Cricket Australia has proposed the Test to start from 2 p. m., following the usual timeslot of regular one-day internationals played under lights. Broadcaster Channel Nine has also thrown its support behind the new concept.

London, Dec 27: A video showing football stars speaking out against homophobia will be released next year as part of an unprecedented drive by the sport's governing bodies to tackle a sharp rise in abuse and discrimination.

The video will be shown in cinemas, on TV and in stadiums in an attempt to rid terraces and pitches of homophobic chants and slurs, The Guardian reported.

The Football Association (FA), the Professional Footballers' Association, the players' union, Kick It Out, the sport's diversity and inclusion campaign, and Peter Tatchell, of gay rights group Outrage, began work on plans for the video.