Cricket great calls time on stellar career

Rising star Mitchell Swepson has become the first Queensland spin bowler to claim a ten-wicket haul in the Sheffield Shield in 42 years.

Swepson claimed five wickets in both innings of Queensland's narrow one-wicket loss to the New South Wales Blues in Adelaide, which ended in nail-biting circumstances on Monday afternoon.

Ironically, the previous Queensland tweaker to achieve the feat was chief selector Trevor Hohns, who was watching on from the boundary.

Swepson is yet to make his Test debut, but has been touted as Nathan Lyon's understudy.

The 27-year-old has played one T20 international for Australia, claiming 2/37 against England in June 2018.

The trial of St George Illawarra Dragons player Jack de Belin will commence in Wollongong District Court on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old was stood down by his NRL club in February 2019 after he was accused of five serious sexual assault offences.

He is accused of sexually assaulting a woman in the company of another man in the bedroom of a unit in North Wollongong in December 2018.

The hearing is expected to last up to three weeks, with teammates Euan Aitken and Adam Clunes set to serve as witnesses.

De Belin played 157 games for the Dragons after making his NRL debut in 2011.

The Toronto Wolfpack have confirmed the powerhouse club will not return in the 2021 season.

On Tuesday morning AEDT, the Super League club confirmed their application to re-enter the competition next year had not been approved.

"The club shares the obvious disappointment of our players, staff, sponsor and partners, as well as incredible fans, at today’s decision," the clubs said in a statement.

Meanwhile, former Parramatta Eels fullback Bevan French will remain staying in the Super League after signing a new deal with the Wigan Warriors.

The Geelong Cats are considering backing down on their hunt for GWS forward Jeremy Cameron after the Giants opted to match their offer, according to Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph.

Speaking on Fox Footy’s Trading Day, Ralph explained why Geelong were eager to snare the 27-year-old.

“Right now they’re in the middle of thinking to themselves, ‘Do we just walk away from this? Or do we give up multiple first-round picks for this player?’” Ralph said.

“Their real issue is their list is so old right now – the oldest list in the competition. They were going to bring in the likes of Isaac Smith and Shaun Higgins and Jeremy Cameron while bringing in those three first-round picks and keeping their young players. Now they’re realising they probably can’t do both.

“They are so aware of that list demographic that they could potentially walk away – that’s the threat right now. I think it’s probably rash, I think they’ll probably get a deal done, but maybe they’re going to have to give up two of those first-round (picks) – and then it’s very hard to bring young kids in.”

The Giants became the first club in AFL history to officially match an offer on a restricted agent.

Formula 1 superstar Lewis Hamilton has offered some heartfelt words of encouragement for English young gun George Russell.

Russell suffered a humiliating exit from Sunday's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, crashing into the barriers during yellow flags.

The blunder denied the 22-year-old a chance to snare his maiden points in the F1.

Russell posted to Instagram: "I'll never forget this day, this mistake. I'll learn from it, be stronger for it. I'm so sorry, to the whole team. No excuses."

But in response, Hamilton reassured the English rival his time would come: "George, you were giving it your all. It's ok to make mistakes and it's of to feel pain. I've made more than I can remember. You're great bud. Keep your head up and keep pushing, on to the next one!"

Hamilton snared his 93rd F1 win on Sunday, as Mercedes secured their seventh-consecutive Constructors' Championship.