THE Australian Grand Prix's lavish annual ball has been dumped and replaced with a more austere reception after a demand by Premier Ted Baillieu to cut costs.

THE lavish annual Australian Grand Prix ball has been dumped and replaced with a more austere reception after a demand by Premier Ted Baillieu to cut costs.

LUKE Ball says claims he was axed by St Kilda because of a lack of speed was "probably fair enough".

VICTORIA's one-day title drought has extended to 11 years after a ruthless performance from Tasmania last night handed it a 110-run thrashing in the Ford Ranger Cup final.

DAVID WARNER was warned his reverse batting stance was not in the spirit of the game - but clearly his innings of 67 runs from 29 balls last night was not in the spirit of competition as the West Indies limped out of Australia winless and clueless.