Melbourne Renegades hold onto big-hitting Englishman Jos Buttler for one more ... - Herald Sun

Aaron Finch has praised his aggressive top order after they put the Melbourne Renegades in what proved to be an unbeatable position against Brisbane Heat.

Jos Buttler of the Renegades bats against the Heat. Pic: Scott Barbour Source: Getty Images

THE Melbourne Renegades have held on to big-hitting Englishman Jos Buttler for one more outing and he'll line up in Wednesday's clash with the Hurricanes in Hobart.

Buttler cracked a stunning 61 off just 36 balls against the Brisbane Heat at Etihad Stadium on Monday night, including three fours and four massive sixes.

It was meant to be his last game but the Renegades lost Pakistani all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez, who was called in to his country's Test squad, allowing Buttler to play another game before linking with the English one-day team.

The combination of Buttler, skipper Aaron Finch and middle-order slugger Ben Rohrer added a massive 178 off just 98 balls on Monday night, with Rohrer hitting four sixes off his 11 balls faced.

Captain Aaron Finch hit 81 off 51 balls to lead the Melbourne Renegades to a 57-run win over Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League on Monday night.

"I've been feeling good the past few months, and it was good to finally put some runs on the board," he said.

"Hopefully it's just the start of things to come."

And after spending Christmas together brothers David and Mike Hussey will turn combatant when David's Stars clash with Mike's Thunder in Sydney tonight.

"He's just another opposing player, it's just he's a bit better than most," David said.

"We obviously want to get him out cheaply, but no extra words are ever spoken, he's just another player."

The Melbourne outfit has lost all-rounder James Faulkner to the Test squad, but recalled batsman Rob Quniey in a bid to maintain it's unbeaten start to the Big Bash.

Melbourne welcomes 2014, Edinburgh Gardens a mess - 3AW (blog)

Two police officers have been attacked during New Years Eve celebrations.

One officer was punched while patrolling in the CBD after a scuffle.

A female officer was also punched during celebrations at the Edinburgh Gardens, which at one stage threatened to get out of control.

The Public Order Response Unit had to be called to the North Fitzroy park where 10,000-15,000 people attended a number of illegal dance parties.

"Where to begin the clean up in Edinburgh Gardens this morn?" Yarra councillor Robert Colanzi tweeted this morning.

"We had so many patients in a very short space of time, we didn't the resources to move them," Paul Holman of Ambulance Victoria said.

"We couldn't get paramedics into the park, there was no lighting in there.

"It was extremely dangerous so we set up a triage facility on the side of the park."

In all, 14 people were arrested overnight.

Ambulance crews attended about 200 incidents, mostly for drunkenness and lacerations from broken glass.

WATCH: Melbourne welcomes 2014

More than half a million people packed into Melbourne's CBD, including four live sites to watch Melbourne's skyline light up from 22 firework points across the city.

There was a rainbow of colours, with flashing balls of light that looked like falling stars delighting the crowds.

It followed a family friendly fireworks display at Yarra Park.

LISTEN: Yarra City mayor Jacky Fristacky with Justin Smith

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Australia leads world in New Year's Eve party with Sydney and Melbourne ... - NEWS.com.au (blog)

A cloudy Sydney sky has come to life as the city's New Year's Eve spectacular kicked off.

SYDNEY and Melbourne have kicked off the party that starts the world's new year by painting the night sky.

A kaleidoscope of colourful fireworks were launched into the skies of both cities before an estimated 1.5 million revellers on Tuesday.

Exploding fireworks sprayed from Sydney's iconic opera house and harbour bridge at midnight as the world began ushering in a new year.

More than 1 million people crammed the Sydney Harbour foreshore on a warm summer night to watch Sydney's renowned annual pyrotechnics show. Fireworks launched from four sails of the Sydney Opera House for the first time in more than a decade.

Stunning...The midnight fireworks light up the sky over the Opera House as Sydney welcomed in 2014. Picture: James Croucher

The show marked the third pyrotechnic spectacular on Sydney Harbour this New Year's Eve, with city skies also lighting up at for eight minutes 9pm (AEST) and a one-off 60 second show at 10pm.

In the 12-minute midnight show of red, gold, blue, and green fireworks morphed into swirls, wheels and comets as they launched off the the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Sydney announced 2014 with a synchronised explosion across the harbour, including 1000 fireworks shot from the Opera House sails, as well as glittering waterfalls of fire that cascaded over the harbour.

Great view...New Year's Eve fireworks erupt over Sydney's iconic Harbour Bridge. Picture: AFP

For a moment the seven tonnes of coloured fireworks seemed to turn the city's cloudy night into bright day.

Swedish tourist Malin Schumacher, 19, said the midnight display was worth the 10-hour wait.

"You think I'm joking, but I did start to cry. I was overwhelmed.

Celebration...Fireworks light up the sky from The Sydney Harbour Bridge at midnight. Picture: Getty

"You have fireworks in Sweden, but there's nothing compared to this - the view, the energy, the people."

Boliver Warner, 21, said the fireworks got better every year.

"The older I get, the more I enjoy it," the Darlinghurst resident said.

New year fireworks...Fireworks explode over the Melbourne skyline and Yarra River during New Years Eve celebrations. Picture: Getty

"There's always something to look forward to."

This year's top secret bridge effect, a highlight of the midnight display, was a 12 storey high, 72 metre wide neon eye that seemed to peer around the harbour.

Had the eye opened just a couple of hours earlier, it may have spotted the more than 100 seafairing revellers who had to be helped to safety when their boats began sinking in the harbour.

Welcome 2014...New Years Eve 2013 midnight fireworks seen from Mrs Macquarie's Chair in Sydney. Picture: James Croucher

GALLERY: Sydney's spectacular fireworks

GALLERY: Sydney gets ready to celebrate

Earlier, thousands of onlookers at Mrs Macquarie's chair were treated to an aerobatic show with a stunt plane doing loop-de-loops and mid air stalls, and some hair-raising low flying just metres from the water.

Place to be...New Year's Eve revellers party in Federation Square during New Years Eve in Melbourne. Picture: Getty

The true cost of NYE fireworks

For the first time in a decade, 1000 fireworks were also be shot from the top of the Opera House, as well as from the Harbour Bridge and jet skis stationed in the harbour.

Police were out in force on the night at celebration hot spots.

Early start in Melbourne... The 9.30pm fireworks over The Melbourne Cricket Ground and the Yarra River.

MELBOURNE

In Victoria, up to 600,000 revellers packed Melbourne's city centre to catch a glimpse of some of the 7.5 tonnes of fireworks launched from 22 locations, including city rooftops, by a team of 44 pyrotechnists.

Crowds gathered mainly at four live sites - Treasury Gardens, Flagstaff Gardens, Docklands and a new site at Kings Domain - to watch the city skyline pop with light.

New Year...Fireworks light up the sky from The Sydney Harbour Bridge at midnight during New Years Eve celebrations. Picture: Getty

IN PICTURES: How Victoria celebrated the New Year

On a mild and pleasant evening, Melbourne's skyline was lit up from 22 locations across the city.

The 7.5-tonne fireworks display transformed the night sky into a rainbow of colours, from green, gold, blue, pink and red.

Spectacular...Fireworks light up the skyline over Sydney Harbour during the 9pm family fireworks session. Picture: Getty

Flashing balls of light and fireworks that looked like falling stars delighted the crowds, and none more than the finale of a rapid-fire display of light.

Earlier in the night, thousands of families flocked to Yarra Park for fireworks at the family friendly time of 9.30pm (AEDT).

The mood at the family event was relaxed, with lots of kids, babies, mums and dads stretched on blankets with picnics waiting for the fireworks to begin.

Party time...New Years Eve festivities at Mrs Macquaries Chair in Sydney. Dorien Pecinovsky (25) from Belgium, Rick Zalentein (22) from Holland and Bart Gijsbers (22) from Belgium turned out for the festivities. Picture:James Croucher

New mum Nicola Sutcliffe said she was enjoying the music, but not the long queues for food ahead of the 9.30pm fireworks.

"This is the first time we have been out with a child for New Year's Eve and it's good that there is something like this event," she said.

CANBERRA

Background...A general view of action as fireworks are set off in the background during the Big Bash League match between the Adelaide Strikers and the Perth Scorchers at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Getty

In Canberra, thousands of people braved cold weather iN Civic Square to hail the New Year with music and fireworks launched form City Hill and the roof of the Canberra Theatre Centre.

BRISBANE

Brisbanites were treated to the state's largest fireworks show yet. Thousands of people enjoying the fireworks in the CBD breathed a sigh of relief as the rain threat stayed away.

Welcome 2014...New Year's Eve revellers gather on Princes Bridge in Melbourne. Picture: Getty

The skies above the river city were lit up at 8.30pm with some of the 30,000 pyrotechnic effects that will be fired from three barges and three city rooftops at 8.30pm and midnight.

Secret spots to watch the Brisbane fireworks.

HOBART

Worldwide party...An Indian reveller poses on New Year's Eve in Amritsar. Picture: AFP

In Tasmania, tens of thousands converged on the Hobart waterfront and Salamanca market, where the state's biggest food festival, Taste, combined with the finish of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race. Police have warned revellers they will be out in force, cracking down on booze-related offences and antisocial behaviour.

Partygoers looking up from their plates were treated to fireworks exploding over the docks at 9.30pm and midnight.

ADELAIDE

Auckland's night not all black... Fireworks are let off from the Auckland Sky Tower to celebrate the new year.

South Australia sang in the new year with live music in Adelaide's Elder Park, where local bands provided the entertainment on top of fireworks.

The new year will prove dangerous for some, with residents in parts of regional SA urged by authorities to leave their homes and seek safety as "catastrophic" fire danger conditions are predicted for January 1.

IN PICTURES: South Australia welcomes 2014

PERTH

Western Australia will largely leave its patch of sky alone on the night, with Perth saving up its pyrotechnics display for Australia Day.

There are still a few places to ring in 2014 with a bang, including Rockingham and the Shelley foreshore.

A key draw promises to be the headline act for the Salt on the Beach NYE party at North Fremantle, New York hip-hop trio De La Soul.

NEW YEAR'S EVE AROUND THE WORLD

New Zealand rang in the New Year with multicoloured fireworks erupting from Auckland's Sky Tower at midnight Tuesday as thousands of cheering revelers danced in the streets.

In Dubai, organisers hope to break a world record by creating the largest fireworks show ever. They plan to light up the city's coastline with a flying falcon made out of fireworks that moves across a massive man-made palm-shaped island alongside a countdown in fireworks. The 6-minute extravaganza will include 500,000 fireworks from 400 firing locations, all synchronised by 100 computers from stations across the city.

The world's strangest NYE traditions

In the Philippines, more than 260 people had been injured by firecracker blasts and celebratory gunfire ahead of New Year's Eve celebrations, one of Asia's most violent revelries.

Officials expecte the number of injuries to rise sharply as Filipinos ignite powerful firecrackers to end a year marked by tragic disasters, including the November 8 typhoon that left more than 6100 dead and nearly 1800 others missing.

"Many here are welcoming the new year after losing their mothers, fathers, siblings and children so you can imagine how it feels,'' said village chief Maria Rosario Bactol of Anibong community in Tacloban, the city worst hit by Typhoon Haiyan.

China was planning to count down to the New Year with light shows at two spectacular and historic locations - part of the Great Wall near Beijing and at the Bund waterfront in Shanghai.

In Japan, thousands of visitors, some donning kimono, will pray, ring a bell and toss coins as offerings at shrines, wishing for health, wealth and happiness. Temple bells will ring the customary 108 times, for the 108 causes of suffering according to Buddhism, and welcome in the Year of the Horse.

In Indonesia, New Year's celebrations are widespread except in the city of Banda Aceh where Islamic clerics prohibit Muslims from celebrating New Year's Eve.

In the capital, Jakarta, tourism authorities estimate 2 million people will take part in street parties in 162 locations.

Thousands flock to Melbourne fireworks - Ninemsn

More than 500,000 partygoers were expected to make their way into the city on Tuesday evening, where a 7.5-tonne, 10-minute fireworks display was set to be blasted from 22 locations at midnight (AEDT).

An early, family-orientated fireworks display was set for 9.30pm at Yarra Park, enabling families to enjoy the celebrations early.

Thousands of families packed the park to enjoy entertainment and a carnival atmosphere ahead of the family friendly fireworks.

On a mild Melbourne night, the mood at the family event was relaxed, with lots of kids, babies, mums and dads stretched on blankets with picnics waiting for the fireworks to begin.

New mum Nicola Sutcliffe said she was enjoying the music, but not the long queues for food.

"This is the first time we have been out with a child for New Year's Eve and it's good that there is something like this event," she said.

Melanie Barclay was also enjoying the night with her family that included three sons, aged three to six.

"It's lovely weather and lots of people enjoying themselves," she said.

Police have warned they would be out in force on the night at celebration hot spots.

Those found drunk in a public place face a $577 fine and $722 for drunk and disorderly behaviour.

Melbourne Star Observation Wheel pod fails to keep level, says family - Herald Sun

Cabin eight on the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel. Source: News Limited

A POD on the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel was repeatedly allowed to swing on its moorings after a mechanical levelling system used to keep cabins parallel to the ground failed, a passenger has claimed.

The wheel's operators have repeatedly refused to say what caused two incidents last week where frightened passengers reported their cabins tilted and swung, but the Herald Sun can reveal both incidents involved a similar problem with the same pod - cabin eight.

A second traumatised family came forward to describe their horror as their cabin "jolted and jerked" 100m up as gravity was used to bring it back parallel to the ground after it began tilting when the levelling system apparently failed.

BIRD STRIKE CLAIMS PUZZLE PASSENGER

WHEEL SPINS INTO TROUBLE

Aaron, who asked not to be further identified, contacted the Herald Sun after the operators' denials that pods could tilt, rock or swing as described.

The family were in pod eight when the wheel stopped for about 15 minutes at 3.30pm on Saturday.

"We had been on the wheel for perhaps 16 minutes when the problem became frightfully apparent and the wheel was stopped, with us on an angle, situated at 10 or 2 if you look at the face of a clock."

Aaron, who has a background in mechanical engineering and occupational health and safety, said the operators had told them what was happening on the emergency intercom, although that was difficult to hear above the loud commentary about Melbourne that continued to play.

Sandringham mother Janine was also incensed when the operators said her claim that pod eight had "rocked and tilted" about five minutes into their family's ride on Christmas Day was not possible.

"They're lying, it did occur," she told the Herald Sun.

The operators yesterday refused to say if cabin eight remained in service, or whether it had been serviced between the two incidents.

Wheel chief executive Chris Kelly would say only: "Melbourne Star has welcomed in excess of 12,000 visitors since opening on December 23, 2013 and of the approximately 4030 individual cabin flights taken since opening, early warning alerts have been received on only two individual cabin flights."

peter.mickelburough@news.com.au

Melbourne Heart appoints John van't Schip as head coach - ABC Online

Updated December 30, 2013 18:01:36

Melbourne Heart has appointed it's inaugural coach John van't Schip as the man to replace John Aloisi for the remainder of the Hyundai A-League 2013-14 season.

The club sacked Aloisi on Sunday, a day after the team lost 1-0 to Wellington Phoenix, taking the number of games the Heart has gone without a win to 17.

Van't Schip, who turns 50 today, was head coach in the club's first two seasons and will assume the role ahead of Sunday's Round 13 clash against Central Coast Mariners.

In a statement issued by Melbourne Heart on Monday afternoon, the club said van't Schip was set to arrive in Australia on Thursday evening and will take team training on Friday and Saturday, before Sunday's match at Bluetongue Stadium.

"We made contact with John on Sunday and he was immediately receptive to the proposal of returning as interim coach," Melbourne Heart FC CEO Scott Munn said.

"John knows our players, understands the club and has been following the team very closely this season, given his role as Technical Manager. We have no doubt he is the best person to take assume the day to day coaching of the team and take the Club forward."

Van't Schip joined Melbourne Heart as inaugural its Head Coach from AFC Ajax in late 2009, before leading the Club to its first finals appearance in season 2011-12.

The former Chivas manager said he was excited by the assignment and is committed to changing the team's fortunes.

"Melbourne Heart is a club that means a lot to me and deserves to be challenging for the finals," van't Schip said.

"I firmly believe we can turn the current situation around and produce some good results. There is still a lot of time left this season to change things and I am confident that we have a squad that can do that."

Topics: a-league, soccer, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted December 30, 2013 17:53:17

Melbourne Renegades clinch their first win of the BBL season with a thumping ... - Herald Sun

Captain Aaron Finch hit 81 off 51 balls to lead the Melbourne Renegades to a 57-run win over Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League on Monday night.

James Pattinson celebrates with Renegades teammates after dismissing Craig Kieswetter. Pic: Scott Barbour Source: Getty Images

AN impromptu Major League Baseball tryout from Ben Rohrer revived the Melbourne Renegades' season at Etihad Stadium on Monday night.

CLICK HERE FOR A BETTER EXPERIENCE IF USING AN APPLE MOBILE DEVICE

It was going to take something special to upstage the earlier batting heroics of Aaron Finch (81 off 51 balls) and Jos Buttler (61 off 36) as the home team batted first and posted an equal Big Bash League record 3-210.

Aaron Finch has praised his aggressive top order after they put the Melbourne Renegades in what proved to be an unbeatable position against Brisbane Heat.

But Rohrer, who played an equally dazzling innings in the club's first home game last season, obliterated 36 runs off just 11 balls to set up a dominant 57-run victory over the strangely lacklustre Brisbane Heat.

The win couldn't avenge the Gades' semi-final loss to the same opponent last season, but was critical after the team lost its opening two matches of BBL03.

Rohrer took singles off his first two balls in the 18th over, providing no hint of the fireworks ahead for the Renegades' non-derby record crowd of 19,832.

He took a hip-high full-toss off Alister McDermott over the square-leg fence for six on his third ball, then took an even higher delivery into the second deck in the same direction.

McDermott was replaced because of the "intimidatory bowling" rule, but the only people in danger were those in the cheap seats.

Brisbane Heat batsman Peter Forrest took a superb catch to send Jos Buttler on his way in the Big Bash League clash with Melbourne Renegades.

Amazingly, replacement Ben Cutting then served up three more full-tosses in a row, two of which went for doubles and the final one another "home run".

A boundary midway through the final over was the precursor to another full-toss six on the second last delivery to smash the ground record score and doubtless whet the appetite of any baseball scouts on hand.

In reply, the Heat stumbled out of the blocks and never got going, eventually all out for 153 two balls into the 20th over.

James Pattinson (3-36) impressed early and looked fluent in his return from stress fractures of his back, but was clobbered in a late Ben Cutting onslaught.

The Australian Test paceman edged into the low 140km/h range, bowled some nice out-swingers and took the key wicket of English opener Craig Kieswetter.

But Cutting twice smashed him into the city side crowd as two of his five sixes in a 19-ball, 40-run cameo that gave the Heat's score some respectability.

Renegades' Test call-up Alex Doolan earlier made a run-a-ball 13 before a soft dismissal playing a half-baked hook shot.

But he had a strange reprieve on just one when he was run out but remained because nobody appealed.

The Tasmanian looked well home after a comfortable single, but his bat dug in short of the crease and his feet were in the air when the return hit the stumps with his score on one.

Re-live the Renegades' thumping victory right here with our live blog, featuring social media updates and commentary on all the big moments!

NYE in Melbourne: Parliament and Flagstaff stations to close near midnight - The Age

Where to spend your New Year's Eve.

Just as Melbourne opens up its parks to New Year's Eve midnight fireworks displays it will close nearby loop stations, Public Transport Victoria has said.

Flagstaff and Parliament railway stations will shut at 11.45pm just before the midnight fireworks display kicks off at Treasury and Flagstaff gardens.

After the display passengers taking advantage of the free public transport will need to be funnelled through to Southern Cross and Flinders Street stations.

New Year's Eve fireworks at Birrarung Marr. Photo: Craig Sillitoe

Alan Fedda, Public Transport Victoria director of customer service, said the move was designed to allow quicker access out of the city and avoid the crush between midnight and 1am when public transport was at its busiest.

''So customers will be able to be marshalled onto the trains quickly and efficiently,'' Mr Fedda said.

''We have done that now for a number of years. It is an effective way of ensuring customers can safely board trains and it can get them home quickly and effectively,'' he said.

But the Public Transport Users Association's president Tony Morton said the decision was part of a long-held resistance by bureaucrats to opening up Flagstaff station.

He said the station was not opened at weekends even though it has many residents living nearby.

He said the Flagstaff precinct was seen as a business hours-only area when the loop first opened but that was decades ago.

''It is anachronistic not to operate Flagstaff, especially at a peak time when you are inviting people into the city,'' he said.

Other disruptions include coaches instead of trains on the Ballarat, Sunbury, Bendigo and Seymour lines due to Regional Rail Link works.

For the first time, the Melbourne Star observation wheel will be a location to see the city's fireworks display as they rocket from 22 sites around the city. But a Star spokeswoman Sally Abbott said passengers would need to fluke the right time for their flight as there were no timed tickets.

Ms Abbott said 10,000 people had been in the Melbourne Star in its first week, although it had a 15-minute ''safety precaution'' closure on Saturday after an ''incident''. Melbourne lord mayor Robert Doyle described the incident as ''a bird strike''.

For the first time this year, Melbourne's fireworks display has been specifically designed to be best enjoyed at four live sites - Kings Domain, Flagstaff Gardens, Treasury Gardens and Docklands.

But the best seat in the house will probably belong to display director Andrew Howard, who will preside over the 10-minute extravaganza from his Eureka Tower control centre.

Mr Howard is preparing to explode 7.5 tonnes of fireworks over the city, making this year's show the biggest.

He has promised an ''extremely loud'' finale and the unveiling of a new shade of firework. ''It is a beautiful gold colour that we have manufactured … It almost looks like fairy dust,'' he said.

Interim Melbourne Heart coach John van 't Schip targets A-League finals - Sydney Morning Herald

A mountain to climb: Interim Heart coach John van 't Schip. Photo: Getty Images

New Melbourne Heart coach John van 't Schip is returning to lift the A-League's worst side to the finals.

Formally announced as John Aloisi's successor for the rest of the season on Monday afternoon, van 't Schip made the lofty declaration of ambition in conversations with the club at the weekend. The foundation Heart coach has form - he led the club to its only finals appearance in his second season in charge.

Walking away from the role for ''personal and professional'' reasons after that game - a loss to Perth Glory in April 2012 - van 't Schip has since managed leading Mexican club Chivas and returned to Heart as a part-time technical manager in August.

Club chief executive Scott Munn said van 't Schip was hungrier than ever following his spell with Chivas.

''John made it clear to me he was coming here to make the finals,'' he said. ''He's coming here thinking he's got the talent to do it.''

Echoing a call from club chairman Peter Sidwell that the winless Heart had not given up on playing finals this season, van 't Schip confirmed as much.

''Melbourne Heart is a club that means a lot to me and deserves to be challenging for the finals,'' he said.

''I firmly believe we can turn the current situation around and produce some good results. There is still a lot of time left this season to change things and I am confident we have a squad that can do that.''

Heart sits at the bottom of the ladder with just four draws from 12 games - six points from second-last Wellington Phoenix and 12 points from a finals berth.

Van 't Schip's return to the top job was confirmed two days after the axing of Aloisi.

With Heart football operations boss John Didulica, Munn prepared a number of options for the board's consideration, including alternative choices of interim coach.

Munn said van 't Schip's strengths were the stability he offered, his existing knowledge of the club and his tactical ability.

Van 't Schip will arrive in Melbourne in time for the club's Friday training session and will travel with the squad for its match against Central Coast Mariners on Sunday.

The Heart will now begin a search for a long-term coach.

■ Melbourne Victory is demanding a swift and stern reaction from soccer authorities after its clash with Western Sydney Wanderers was marred by a series of ugly incidents in and around AAMI Park on Saturday.

A brawl between rival fans broke out before the game and a number of Wanderers fans ignited flares and explosive devices within AAMI Park.

With the two sides scheduled to meet again at AAMI Park in a fortnight, Victory has implored the FFA to act urgently against the hooliganism.

AAP

Live Big Bash League: Follow the blog as Melbourne Renegades take on ... - Herald Sun (blog)

Captain Aaron Finch hit 81 off 51 balls to lead the Melbourne Renegades to a 57-run win over Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League on Monday night.

James Pattinson celebrates with Renegades teammates after dismissing Craig Kieswetter. Pic: Scott Barbour Source: Getty Images

AN impromptu Major League Baseball tryout from Ben Rohrer revived the Melbourne Renegades' season at Etihad Stadium on Monday night.

CLICK HERE FOR A BETTER EXPERIENCE IF USING AN APPLE MOBILE DEVICE

It was going to take something special to upstage the earlier batting heroics of Aaron Finch (81 off 51 balls) and Jos Buttler (61 off 36) as the home team batted first and posted an equal Big Bash League record 3-210.

Aaron Finch has praised his aggressive top order after they put the Melbourne Renegades in what proved to be an unbeatable position against Brisbane Heat.

But Rohrer, who played an equally dazzling innings in the club's first home game last season, obliterated 36 runs off just 11 balls to set up a dominant 57-run victory over the strangely lacklustre Brisbane Heat.

The win couldn't avenge the Gades' semi-final loss to the same opponent last season, but was critical after the team lost its opening two matches of BBL03.

Rohrer took singles off his first two balls in the 18th over, providing no hint of the fireworks ahead for the Renegades' non-derby record crowd of 19,832.

He took a hip-high full-toss off Alister McDermott over the square-leg fence for six on his third ball, then took an even higher delivery into the second deck in the same direction.

McDermott was replaced because of the "intimidatory bowling" rule, but the only people in danger were those in the cheap seats.

Brisbane Heat batsman Peter Forrest took a superb catch to send Jos Buttler on his way in the Big Bash League clash with Melbourne Renegades.

Amazingly, replacement Ben Cutting then served up three more full-tosses in a row, two of which went for doubles and the final one another "home run".

A boundary midway through the final over was the precursor to another full-toss six on the second last delivery to smash the ground record score and doubtless whet the appetite of any baseball scouts on hand.

In reply, the Heat stumbled out of the blocks and never got going, eventually all out for 153 two balls into the 20th over.

James Pattinson (3-36) impressed early and looked fluent in his return from stress fractures of his back, but was clobbered in a late Ben Cutting onslaught.

The Australian Test paceman edged into the low 140km/h range, bowled some nice out-swingers and took the key wicket of English opener Craig Kieswetter.

But Cutting twice smashed him into the city side crowd as two of his five sixes in a 19-ball, 40-run cameo that gave the Heat's score some respectability.

Renegades' Test call-up Alex Doolan earlier made a run-a-ball 13 before a soft dismissal playing a half-baked hook shot.

But he had a strange reprieve on just one when he was run out but remained because nobody appealed.

The Tasmanian looked well home after a comfortable single, but his bat dug in short of the crease and his feet were in the air when the return hit the stumps with his score on one.

Re-live the Renegades' thumping victory right here with our live blog, featuring social media updates and commentary on all the big moments!

Five hurt in car crash following police pursuit in Northcote, Melbourne - ABC Online

Posted December 30, 2013 15:15:37

Five people have been injured in a car crash following a police pursuit in Melbourne's inner north.

Police say they began to follow a black BMW that was speeding on Heidelberg Road at Northcote around 11.25am AEDT today.

"While police were following the BMW, a motorcyclist has ridden in between the two cars and continued to separate them," a police statement said.

"The BMW then did a U-turn near the intersection with Panther Street and headed back along Heidelberg Road."

Police launched a pursuit after the BMW drove through a red light at Jeffrey Street.

They say the BMW collided with a silver car after driving through a second red light at Yarra Bend Road.

One occupant of the BMW jumped from the black car and onto the back of the motorcycle.

"[He] then left the scene west along Heidelberg Road with the male rider. He has then jumped off the motorcycle and run off south into parkland," the police statement said.

The men are yet to be found by police.

The four other occupants of the BMW were treated at the scene before being taken to hospital.

The driver of the BMW was seriously injured and is in a critical condition, along with the driver of the silver car.

A handgun was allegedly found in the BMW by police, who have closed the intersection as investigations continue.

Topics: road, disasters-and-accidents, accidents, northcote-3070, vic, australia

Melbourne to host 500000 for NYE - NEWS.com.au (blog)

MORE than half-a-million revellers are expected to party out the end of 2013 in central Melbourne.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle says more than 500,000 partygoers will make their way into the city on Tuesday evening, where a 7.5-tonne, 10-minute fireworks display will be blasted from 22 locations at midnight.

There will be four official live sites at Flagstaff Gardens, Treasury Gardens, Docklands and Kings Domain.

An early, family-oriented fireworks display will kick off at 9:30pm (AEDT) at Yarra Park, enabling families to enjoy the celebrations early and beat the midnight rush.

Police will be out in force to ensure flare-ups stay in the sky and off the streets.

Assistant Commissioner Andrew Crisp said the 300 officers on patrol in the city would be fair, but would not tolerate obnoxious behaviour.

"If people are not doing the right thing, if they are causing a nuisance to others, I expect officers to be firm," Mr Crisp said on Monday.

Police will issue on-the-spot fines up to $722 for loutish behaviour, while Ambulance Victoria is putting on extra paramedics and bikes units in anticipation of big crowds.

Despite live sites near Flagstaff and Parliament, city loop stations will close at 11:45pm, leaving Flinders Street and Southern Cross stations to handle city departures.

Public Transport Victoria customer service director Alan Fedda said this would ease congestion as crowds thinned during the walk to the open train stations.

Additional trams, trains and buses will be run from 6pm on Tuesday, and will be free for commuters until normal service resumes on Wednesday morning,

Two critical after Melbourne car crash - NEWS.com.au

FIVE people have been injured, two critically, in a car crash in Melbourne.

Paramedics treated and sent five people to hospital after the collision in Northcote at about 11.40am (AEDT) on Monday.

But a police spokeswoman said the exact circumstances of the crash were not yet known and she could not confirm reports that the incident happened after a police pursuit.

Brother pleads for justice over Melbourne CBD attack - The Age

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CCTV: man assaulted in Birrarung Marr

Police release video after a 20-year-old man from Reservoir was assaulted and robbed by a group of men at Birrarung Marr on Sunday morning. Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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The brother of a 20-year-old overseas student who was placed in an induced coma after he was brutally bashed and robbed in an inner-city park is pleading for justice.

Yadwinder Singh says he wants the thugs who beat his younger brother, Manriajwinder Singh, of Reservoir, nearly to death, to be "caught and punished so innocent people like my brother and his friend don't get bashed like this".

CCTV footage released by police shows Mr Singh, 20, standing near the footpath with another friend at Birrarung Marr park, about 50 metres from St Kilda Road, when the trio were approached by eight men of African appearance and one fair-skinned woman about 4.15am on Sunday.

Victim: Manrajwinder Singh

Detective Senior Constable Adam Foley said that after a brief conversation between the group and the two victims, one of the offenders kicked Mr Singh in the jaw, causing him to fall, unconscious, to the ground.

Meanwhile, the others "set upon the other victim, punching and kicking him" before knocking him to the ground.

"While this was occurring, another man picked up a stick and beat the unconscious victim with it," Senior Constable Foley said.

The attackers, aged in their late teens to early 20s, then robbed the two victims of their phones and ran away through Federation Square.

A third man, a friend of Mr Singh and the Springvale victim, who was talking on the phone to a relative at the time of the attack, managed to run away and alert the police.

Mr Singh was taken to The Alfred hospital with life-threatening injuries, and has since been transferred to the Intensive Care Unit after being placed in an induced coma, Senior Constable Foley said. His injuries are no longer life-threatening.

The other victim, a 23-year-old Springvale man, suffered swelling and abrasions to his face. He was treated by paramedics at the scene.

Police have not been able to track down the stolen phones, and are appealing to the public for information on the assault.

"Obliviously, this was an opportunistic crime," Senior Constable Foley said.

"They saw two vulnerable victims minding their own business, and targeted them.

"It's just disgusting what they did: they're just cowards."

Mr Singh's brother said he was studying a Bachelor of Commerce at a Melbourne university, and had only been in Australia for a year.

He and his two friends had planned a trip into the city to "see a bit of Melbourne", as they had studied and worked hard for a year and were yet to experience a night out in the CBD.

Mr Singh, who has lived in Australia for about seven years, said he received a call from his uncle in India on Saturday morning while he was at work. He said his uncle was alerted by the Indian Consulate about his nephew's attack.

"I didn't know how to react. I didn't know what to do," he said. "I didn't want to tell my mother, as she's not really strong of heart. I just couldn't believe it – it was really terrible".

"My brother is only 20 years old, and he's very innocent and doesn't speak much.

"He told me he wanted to go out that night, but I said no, not today, maybe another day. But he said he really wanted to see the city."

Mr Singh said he could not look at his brother while he was in such a state.

"My cousin was in the hospital yesterday for two hours.

"I couldn't even sit down for two minutes. I can't see my brother like that ... it was too upsetting," he said.

John van 't Schip ready to take charge of Melbourne Heart again - Sydney Morning Herald

John Van 't Schip. Photo: Wayne Taylor

Melbourne Heart will go back to the future and appoint John Van 't Schip, its inaugural coach, as its temporary boss to the end of the season following its sacking of John Aloisi.

Hayden Foxe, Aloisi's assistant, has also parted company with the club.

Chairman Peter Sidwell on Sunday morning said negotiations were going on with the Dutchman for him to take charge once again, and he was optimistic that the former Netherlands international would be in charge for the visit to Central Coast Mariners next weekend.

Sacked Heart coach John Aloisi.

Van 't Schip has been involved on the fringes of team matters this season as he holds a technical advisory role with the club, although he has not been based full time in Melbourne.

''The Melbourne Heart board met on Saturday afternoon and decided we would terminate John Aloisi's tenure here at the club,'' Sidwell said.

''Scott (CEO Scott Munn) and I then met with John at about 6pm. It's a difficult decision to terminate one of our favourite sons, but it was done with the best interests of the club going forward.

''Ultimately success on the park is the major measure of a club. We are very clearly not having that.

''We have had discussions with JVS. We are yet to confirm his availablity and the timing of that availability. He is the number one choice subject to his availability,'' Sidwell told reporters.

The chairman said he hoped that agreement with Van 't Schip could be struck ''within 48 hours''.

Sidwell was adamant that Van 't Schip's presence in the background had not been a hindrance to Aloisi and affected his performance in the job.

''We all bear responsibility top to bottom. We have all got some blood on our hands regarding this,'' said Sidwell, suggesting that all involved with the club had to ask themselves did they give Aloisi sufficient support and do enough in all facets of the game to give him a chance to succeed.

Sidwell said it had only been on Saturday that the board sat down as a group to ask itself whether the poor run of results and damage it was going to the club necessitated a change of direction at the top.

They contacted the coach between 3.30 and 4pm on Saturday afternoon and called him to a 5.30 meeting at which they delivered the bad news, he explained.

Heart is negotiating with a handful of potential investors for a sale of the club, but that had no bearing on the decision to axe the coach, Sidwell said, and none of the potential buyers was involved in the decision.

The chairman said he had been happy Heart had made the right decision to appoint such an inexperienced coach as Aloisi at the time they did even though there were other, more experienced candidates around.

''We took a judgment at the time on the best advice we had at the time. ''

Sidwell confirmed once again that negotiations for a sale were taking place, but also said that the club did not have to be sold.

''Our board and shareholders can continue to support this club forever. We have absolute commitment from two or three of our wealthy shareholders, and we have had more than one offer (to buy). ''