Hayden steps down

An emotional Hayden revealed his decision at his home ground, the Gabba, in Brisbane.

The 37-year-old was set to take a lap of honour in front of his home crowd before Tuesday evening's Twenty20 match between Australia and South Africa.

He averaged less than 20 in Australia's 2-1 test series loss to South Africa, its first home series loss in 16 years.
Having scored 8,625 runs at an average of 50.73 during his Test career, the powerful left-hander was dropped for the current Twenty20 games and one-dayers against the Proteas.

He has played in 103 Test matches during a 17-year career.
He averaged 43.8 in the format with a top score of 181 not out.

"I have loved so much playing cricket, and I count it as so much of an honour to have represented my country," Hayden said.

One of his former team-mates, the retired fast bowler Glenn McGrath, praised a "legend of the game" who, he said, had "nothing left to prove".

"It's been an absolute honour and a privilege to play with him and even more so to call him a mate," said McGrath.

"His career stands alone. He's an amazing person and an amazing player, I was just very lucky to be a part of it."

Hayden, a veteran of 103 Tests, struggled in the five-day version of the sport this summer against New Zealand and South Africa, scoring just 149 runs at 16.55 from five matches.

Edge Returned

in front of a capacity crowd in the TD Banknorth Garden, edge stunned the WWE Universe by returning from Hell to become the new WWE Champion, defeating former champion as a late entrant in the Triple Threat Match.

With out of action after being found unconscious in the stairwell of his Boston hotel earlier in the morning, Kozlov and Triple H battled each other one-on-one. Just when it looked like the champion had Kozlov where he wanted him with a hard-hitting Pedigree, General Manager interrupted the match to announce that it would indeed be Triple Threat – with Edge as the third competitor.

The WWE Universe had not seen any sign of life from Edge since sent him to Hell at in a Hell in a Cell Match. But on this night, he was full of energy and unleashed on The Game with a vicious spear. Next, Hardy shocked the WWE Universe by running into the ring and attacking Edge. Then, Hardy jumped out of the ring to get a steel chair. He returned, knocking both Triple H and Kozlov to the canvas with angst-ridden chair shots to the head. A fired-up Edge took down Hardy with a spear. After the carnage, the Ultimate Opportunist capitalized, covering Triple H for the win.

Coincidently, the last time Edge won the was in a Triple Threat Match on in July 2006, when he defeated Rob Van Dam.

Edge’s victory ended the 12th reign of The King of Kings, who has held the WWE Championship since April.

The stunning course of events leaves the WWE Universe asking some compelling questions.

Exactly what happened to Hardy in his hotel? What will Triple H do to try and regain the gold? And what is the state of the relationship between SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero and her husband, Edge? Finally, how will Kozlov react to not winning the coveted gold he has been seeking?

Things are sure to be very interesting on Friday Night SmackDown.