Sports News in Brief
Finch storms in
SYDNEY - Brett Finch has signed to play for the Melbourne Storm for the 2013 season, the NRL premiers have announced. Finch will return from a two-year stint with Super League side Wigan to join the club he won the 2009 grand final with on a one-season deal. After stints with Canberra, Sydney Roosters and Parramatta the 257-game NRL veteran joined the Storm for the 2009 and 2010 seasons before linking with Wigan.
Del Piero factor
WELLINGTON - Alessandro Del Piero's A-League debut has ended in defeat, as Wellington downed a disappointing Sydney FC 2-0 at Westpac Stadium on Saturday. Goals in either half to Belgian import Stein Huysegems and 19-year-old striker Louis Fenton were just reward for the Phoenix's control and patience in difficult conditions.
Twitter outburst
LONDON - Ashley Cole has been handed an opportunity to pass the 100-cap mark for England and to redeem his reputation over the next 10 days after being assured a controversial outburst on Twitter will not cost him his international future. Chelsea left-back Cole currently has 98 caps and England's World Cup qualifiers against San Marino at Wembley on Friday and Poland away the following Tuesday provide both the player and England with the possibility of a much-needed 'good news' story.
Gunners fire
LONDON - Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal are starting to hit their stride as his new-look side provided fresh evidence they will be in contention for the Premier League title at the end of the season. Arsenal, who last won silverware in 2005, came from behind to record a 3-1 win at London rivals West Ham on Saturday and move into fifth place in the Premier League. It was the perfect response following the setback of losing for the first time this season, against Chelsea last weekend, and Arsenal are showing signs of moving on following the traumatic pre-season sale of Robin van Persie to Manchester United.
Open door
COLOMBO - Australia captain and co-selector George Bailey says if David Hussey can regain form at domestic level this summer he'll keep himself in the frame for the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh in 2014. Hussey was dumped from the side during last month's T20 series against Pakistan in Dubai and was recalled for Friday night's World T20 semi-final against the West Indies in Colombo. The 35-year-old made a second-ball duck after coming to the crease at 4-42 chasing 206 to win.
Grace leads
ST ANDREWS, Scotland - Reigning British Open champion Ernie Els predicts compatriot Branden Grace, the leader by four shots in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, to one day join him in capturing golf's oldest major. Grace, 24 continued his domination of the Scottish event adding a third round 69 at Carnoustie on Saturday to move to 20-under par in the $US5 million event. He heads to the final round, and the chance of securing the $800,000 first prize, four clear of Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen, who carded a 68 to move to 16-under par.