AAP

Australian captain Ricky Ponting will gamble on the sore knee of all-rounder Andrew Symonds in the crucial second test against South Africa, beginning today.

A defiant Matthew Hayden says his future in test cricket is up to him and not Australia's selectors, as long as he keeps making runs.

Tensions at the Western Force have reached boiling point, with the Super 14 franchise setting up an independent inquiry into complaints from players and staff about head coach John Mitchell.

Six people have been taken to hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation after a Christmas tree caught fire in Sydney's south-west.

A New Zealand man nabbed at Sydney airport has been charged over an international music piracy ring.

Melbourne Victory midfielder Grant Brebner admits betting against his own club was the biggest mistake of his career.

South Africa have scored one of their greatest cricketing triumphs, overpowering Australia by six wickets in the first test at the WACA after an unbeaten century from AB De Villiers.

South Africa captain Graeme Smith's breakthrough century on Saturday in the first test against Australia has given the Proteas a slim chance of claiming a memorable victory.

A heavy downpour in Perth has delayed the start of the fourth day of the first Test between Australia and South Africa at the WACA Ground.

Police used Taser stun guns to subdue a man who barricaded himself inside a house in Sydney's south after attacking a woman with a tomahawk.

A fighting knock of 39 not out from wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has put Australia back in control against South Africa after a see-sawing day three of the first test.

Australia's Mitchell Johnson was shocked after producing one of the greatest spells in cricket history, taking five wickets for two runs in 21 balls to reduce South Africa to 243 for eight on day two of the first test.

A visit to Santa Claus has saved the lives of a mother and her very young baby whose house was hit by a light plane in Sydney's south-west, the woman's father says.

Sydney International tournament director Craig Watson says Australian tennis is still strong despite being required to hand wildcards to the country's top-ranked players for next month's event.

Two people are dead after two planes collided over Sydney's south-west, authorities say.

Simon Katich has thrown his support behind besieged opener Matthew Hayden after the veteran's lean spell with the bat continued here yesterday.