Sports

MELBOURNE, (Reuters) – Roger Federer traded shots with his hero Rod Laver yesterday in the stadium that bears the Australian great’s name before promising that his hunger for grand slam titles remains as strong as ever.

MADRID,  (Reuters) – Lionel Messi came off the bench and scored twice on his return from injury and Cesc Fabregas also netted a double as Barcelona strolled to a 4-0 win at home to Getafe in their King’s Cup last 16, first leg yesterday.

(Reuters) – The National Basketball Association (NBA) has fined New York Knicks guard J.R.

Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) president David Patterson said yesterday that he will not be seeking re-election at the upcoming Annual General Meeting to be held on Saturday at the Olympic House, Kingston, from 15:00hrs.

Former Guyana Basketball Officials Council (GBOC) president Cecil Chin said yesterday that former basketball player Nigel Hinds, is the better option ahead of Georgetown Amateur Basketball Federation (GABA) President Michael Singh for the post of GABF president at the upcoming GABF elections on Saturday.

(The Sports Xchange) – The San Antonio Spurs squandered a 12-point lead with 1:59 left in regulation before they recovered to hold off Memphis  110-108 in overtime.

(Reuters) – England cricketers Matt Prior and Stuart Broad turned Good Samaritans after talking a man out of jumping off a bridge in Darling Harbour, Sydney, media reports said  yesterday.

(Reuters) – Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews was vindicated for surprisingly deciding to field after winning the toss when his fast bowlers skittled Pakistan for 165 in the first innings of the second test in Dubai yesterday.

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad,  CMC-Trinidad and Tobago top cyclist Njisane Phillip is showing signs of improvement in California, USA, after being hospitalised on Friday with stomach pains, his step father Phillip Whiteman has said.

Former captains to the fore! Former  West Indies captains shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan lead the way during the team’s lap sessions yesterday at  the Everest Cricket Club ground.

(Reuters) – England coach Andy Flower and senior batsman Kevin Pietersen moved quickly yesterday to dampen media speculation of a rift in the dressing room in the wake of the 5-0 Ashes humiliation in Australia.

HAMILTON, New Zealand, CMC- Kirk Edwards hit his maiden One Day international (ODI) hundred and Dwayne Bravo his second as West Indies crushed New Zealand by 203 runs in the fifth and final ODI to draw the series two games each.

Skipper Leon Johnson scored a half century to inspire his side record a six-wicket win over Christopher Barnwell’s XI yesterday in the first practice match at the Everest ground.

HAMILTON, New Zealand, CMC- A hamstring injury has ruled West Indies T20 captain Darren Sammy out of the two T20 matches against New Zealand later this month.

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad ,  CMC– West Indies One Day International (ODI) captain Dwayne Bravo is set to become the new skipper of Trinidad and Tobago for the upcoming Super 50 tournament.

Guyana Football Federation (GFF) president Christopher Matthias said yesterday that the Golden Jaguars head coaching vacancy and the complete roster for the national U-23 unit will be identified before the conclusion of the current week.

The Mayor’s 79th birth anniversary seven-a-side inter-ward knockout tournament will recommence on Sunday with the final round of matches at the Den Amstel Community ground, West Coast Demerara.

SYDNEY, (Reuters) – Australia’s triumphant cricket team were feted by thousands of fans and the country’s Prime Minister at Sydney Opera House yesterday after winning back the Ashes with a thumping 5-0 series sweep over England at the weekend.

WELLINGTON, (Reuters) – New Zealand’s planning for next year’s World Cup further crystallised yesterday with the decision to maintain 12 of their one-day side for their two Twenty20 matches against West Indies.

SYDNEY, (Reuters) – The presence of his banned father watching from courtside boosted Bernard Tomic’s game as he opened the defence of his Sydney International title with a 6-3 6-0 demolition of eighth seed Marcel Granollers yesterday.