Australia's ODI Top Three All Debutants - Melbourne One Day Match

Australia may have made a clean sweep of the recent Test series against Sri Lanka, but the one-dayers are almost certain to be close contests.

The first match of the five-game one-day series is at the MCG on Friday and you can be assured the Sri Lankans will put up a better fight than they displayed during the Test match at the same ground last month.

Australia triumphed by an innings and 201 runs on that occasion, but the Sri Lankans take the ODIs very seriously and should not be underestimated even though star batsmen Kumar Sangakkara is sidelined by injury.

Not only do Sri Lanka have the services of arguably the best limited overs paceman in the world in Lasith Malinga, but they also have an underrated array of spinners with which to test the Australians.

Malinga's form during the current KFC T20 Big Bash League has been first class and if he can replicate that in the one-dayers then he is sure to have the Australian openers on their toes.

We saw glimpses of Rangana Herath's best during the Test series, but he won't be the only spinner that Sri Lanka will unleash on the Australian team.

Keep a close eye on the unorthodox Ajantha Mendis as he bowls both leggies and offies with aplomb, while all-rounder Jeevan Mendis - who bowls some good leg breaks himself - is another Sri Lankan to watch.

Australia's squad for Melbourne looks rather inexperienced, with the names of Ricky Ponting, Mike Hussey, Shane Watson and Michael Clarke all missing through injury or retirement.
Clarke's absence paves the way for regular Twenty20 captain George Bailey to skipper the Australian side and he will need to rely on a group of players that are mainly yet to prove themselves in one-day cricket at international level.

There is no David Warner at the top of the order - he is being rested from the opening two matches of the series - with the in-form, but inexperienced trio of Aaron Finch, Phil Hughes and Usman Khawaja likely to spearhead Australia's top order.

Brad Haddin and David Hussey will add that bit of experience to the batting line-up, so there are certainly enough class players in the Australian side to make up for the absence of Clarke, Warner and Co.

It will be interesting to see if Australia opt for two left-arm quicks in their final XI for the opening match, with Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson both having performed admirably in the recent Test series.

Clint McKay and Ben Cutting are the other pace options Bailey has at his disposal, while Tasmanian Xavier Doherty looks certain to feature as he is the only specialist spinner in the squad.

Only one of Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell look likely to play, with the duo battling it out for the same spot seemingly and the Victorian in the box seat given the match is at the MCG.

Expect both sides to include plenty of bowling options in the final XI given the new one-day rules that Australia will see for the first time this summer.

Australia squad: George Bailey (c), Ben Cutting, Xavier Doherty, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin, Phil Hughes, David Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Usman Khawaja, Glenn Maxwell, Clint Mckay, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc

Sri Lanka squad: Mahela Jayawardene (c), Angelo Mathews (vc), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Thisara Perera, Kushal Janith Perera, Jeevan Mendis, Nuwan Kulasekara, Ajantha Mendis, Lasith Malinga, Akila Dananjaya, Suranga Lakmal, Rangana Herath, Shaminda Eranga.

Melbourne Abuzz With Tennis Elite Ahead of Australian Open

SPOTTING a tennis star in Melbourne is about to get a lot easier.

With the start of the Australian Open just days away, some of the biggest names in the game are already lapping up life in Melbourne.

But Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga wasn't as easy to pick out yesterday surrounded by all 380 Australian Open ball kids.

The world No.8 may be one of the best in the business on court, but still needs a few lessons when it comes to being a top-notch ball retriever.

Tsonga will be in good hands with the throng of junior officials ready to make their mark.

Ned Wellington, 12, of Essendon was among them. "You always have to concentrate and the players have to come first," he said.

Meanwhile, organisers have hailed the early arrival of players into Melbourne as a striking salute to the tournament and the city.

"Players are arriving earlier and earlier every year," tournament director Craig Tiley said.

"The Open has become a critical part of the season for the best players in the world and I think that's great for us."

Favourite to take out the women's title, American Serena Williams, last night unveiled her new Nike purple and orange pleated knit dress she will wear through the tournament before debuting her bespoke Nike training club workout for 60 fans at the Melbourne Central clock tower.

Record crowds could also be on the cards for the tournament, with ticket sales tracking ahead of the same time last year.

Mr Tiley said demand had increased from the moment tickets went online late last year.
"The event is in great shape and we will continue to manage its growth."

He said Victorians remained the most loyal spectators, with huge local demand, but conceded good weather was the linchpin to a successful event.

"In order to break records you need good weather for 25 sessions over 14 days," he said.
Scattered showers are forecast next week before warmer weather in the latter half of event.

Organisers were also considering ways to support those affected by the latest Tasmanian bushfire.

Melbourne to Host Nuclear Medicine and Biology Congress

 Melbourne has reaffirmed its strength in the fields of medicine and biology with the city set to host the 2018 World Congress of the World Federation of Nuclear Medicine and Biology (WFNMB), Victorian Minister for Health David Davis has announced.

Mr Davis said that hosting the Congress, to be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), was an important achievement for Melbourne and would provide a global arena for the exchange of knowledge in this highly specialised field.

“Nuclear medicine is used to detect and treat cancer, cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative diseases to name just a few, and Australia is a world leader in this area,” Mr Davis said.

“The aim of this Congress is to promote and encourage the advancement of nuclear medicine worldwide and it will provide the perfect platform to showcase the outstanding research and diagnostic and therapeutic services undertaken in Australia and most importantly, in our state.”

Victorian Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher said that in addition to the medical and scientific benefits of the Congress, holding the event in Melbourne would also generate significant wealth for the local economy.

“The World Congress of the WFNMB will attract more than 2,500 delegates, generating an estimated AUD $14.3 million for the state economy,” Ms Asher said.

“This event has not been held in Australia for 24 years so it is the perfect opportunity to promote Melbourne and regional Victoria from both a knowledge perspective and a tourism perspective to the world.”

The win also brings the leadership of the World Federation to Australia from 2014 to 2018, with Professor Andrew Scott, Director of Positron Emission Tomography at Austin Health, and Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research in Melbourne, now President-Elect of the WFNMB.

“Part of the WFNMB’s charter is to integrate clinical care and research between developed and developing countries, which importantly will create opportunities for shared activities and performing research on unique disease profiles in the developing world,” Professor Scott said.

“The Australian and New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine (ANZSNM) represents all disciplines in nuclear medicine, and was very pleased to partner with the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB) to create the successful bid.

“This win is a very important step forward for the organisation, and will bring nuclear medicine specialists from all disciplines within the profession and other medical specialists from all over the world together to collaborate in this specialised field of medicine,” Professor Scott said.

Chief Executive Officer of MCVB, Karen Bolinger, said winning this Congress was yet another nod to the city’s intellectual capabilities.

“The strength of the science and medical sectors in Victoria is a major drawcard for international associations looking for a destination to host their next major conference, which is evident from the calibre of events we have coming to our city over the next eight years,” Ms Bolinger said.

“I would particularly like to thank Minister Davis for his contribution to the successful bid for the World Congress of the WFNMB and the Victorian Coalition Government for their ongoing support of the business events industry.”

Chief Executive of the MCEC Peter King said MCEC was delighted to have been chosen as the host venue for 2018.

“The Congress will provide Victorians with an invaluable opportunity to meet and share knowledge with global experts in their field and we look forward to welcoming all delegates to Melbourne and Victoria,” Mr King said.

Disney Live! Mickey’s Rockin Road Show

These summer holidays, hit the road with Mickey Mouse and your favourite Disney friends for a hilarious talent search in the all-new Disney Live! Mickey’s Rockin’ Road Show!

Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy set out on a zany road trip where audiences join in and help find the coolest acts around.

Along the way, hit a high note with Cinderella; get your bounce on with Tigger; and shout out your loudest “yee-haw” at a hoedown with Woody, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear from Disney Pixar’s Toy Story!

Grab your family for a fun-filled getaway at this live, show-stopping adventure jam-packed with unexpected twists, turns and hijinks.

For more information visit www.disneylive.com.au.

Show Dates and Times:

Sydney 11th-13th January

Sydney Entertainment Centre

Melbourne 24th-25th January

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre - The Plenary

Rare and Smelly Titan Arum Blooms at Melbourne Botanic Gardens

THIS rare 2m bloom smells like death, flowers for only a few days each decade - and has green thumbs rushing to the Royal Botanic Gardens. 

Hordes of horticultural enthusiasts waited in line yesterday to glimpse the exotic titan arum - or corpse flower - which emits the stench of rotting flesh.

Nursery co-ordinator David Robbins said experiencing the potent waft was a once-in-a-lifetime event.

"In my 26 years at the gardens, it's the most exciting thing that has happened," Mr Robbins said.
He said the plant's smell - often described as a combination of blue cheese, fresh manure and rotting flesh - attracted flies, which brought pollen from other flowers and promoted genetic diversity.
Mr Robbins said the plant, which had been painstakingly cultivated, started to flower on Christmas Day.

"This one has taken seven years to flower," he said.
"We're not sure when it will flower again. It depends on how much energy is left in the tuber after this flowering."

Mr Robbins said one underground tuber, which weighed 1kg in 2006 when it arrived at the gardens, now weighed 34kg.

He said seeds of the scarce plant were collected from Sumatra, its native home, by Sir David Attenborough in 1993 while he was there filming the documentary The Private Life of Plants.
Mr Robbins and his team planned to collect pollen from the endangered species to aid its conservation by enabling the pollination of future flowers.

He said thousands of people had come to see the bloom, which was expected to wither and close today or tomorrow, and he expected many more flower fanatics would stop by.

The Tropical Glasshouse is open from 10am to 6pm today.

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Australian Hotels Prepare for Boom in Bookings in Lead Up To Ashes - Metro Hotels

With an estimated 37,000 international visitors heading to Australia for the Ashes test series this time next year, tickets to the matches aren't the only things in high demand.

Australia is set to battle England on home soil for the Ashes, with the first Test starting at The Gabba in Brisbane on November 21, 2013 and the 5^th Test finishing in Sydney on January 7, 2014. The five Test series is expected to be a boom for local tourism operators. 

According to Metro Hotels' Chief Operating Officer, George Bedwani, the Group has already experienced a huge demand for hotel accommodation in all cities where the tests are being held.

"Metro Hotels' in Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney started receiving bookings from both agents and individuals as early as the day after England regained the Ashes in the 2010/2011 series," he said.
"Bookings are already extremely strong, especially group bookings, despite the series not commencing for another 12 months."

The Ashes is one of the most famous sporting rivalries in the history of the sport, and certainly cricket's oldest and most fiercely fought competition.

After England's 3-1 win in the 2010-11 Ashes Series, the 2013-14 Tour is already setting itself up to be another historic showdown, with England looking to continue their winning streak and the Aussies fired up to win back the urn.

In addition to the test matches, there will also be five one-day internationals and three Twenty20 matches between Australia and England.

With 13 properties across Australia, Metro Hospitality Group is the country's oldest Australian owned hotel chain. The Group offers a range of 4-star hotels and apartments in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Gladstone, with the same affordable, quality, centrally located accommodation and friendly service common to all Metro properties Australia-wide.

*2013-14 Ashes series

• 1^st Test - Thursday 21 to 25 November 2013, The Gabba - Brisbane
• 2^nd Test - Thursday 5 to 9 December 2013, Adelaide Oval - Adelaide
• 3^rd Test - Friday 13 to 17 December 2013, WACA Ground - Perth
• 4^th Test - Thursday 26 to 30 December 2013, MCG - Melbourne
• 5^th Test - Friday 3 to 7 January 2014, SCG - Sydney

Guests are able to book at all Metro Hotels properties by calling the toll free Central Reservations line on 1800 004 321. Alternatively bookings can be made online at www.metrohotels.com.au.

Incoming Passenger Changes into Australia

A quicker and more convenient quarantine, biosecurity clearance is assured when you arrive in Australia now that low-risk products such as commercially prepared and packaged lollies, chips and chocolates need not be declared.

The changes, which have been made on the Incoming Passenger Card, are a result of the latest scientific advice that shows such food poses a lower risk.

Biosecurity officers will now focus on goods such as raw meats, live plants, seeds and fresh fruit and vegetables, which have a “much greater potential to bring diseases and pests to Australia,” Chapman said.