■ Cricket
Aussies in gambling deal
Australian cricket officials have introduced new measures to protect the game from corruption. Cricket Australia said yesterday they had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a British-based betting exchange to help investigate suspicious gambling. Under the agreement, the betting exchange will provide the identities of individuals betting on matches considered suspicious. The betting exchange already has similar agreements with the International Cricket Council, the Football Association, the Association of Tennis Professionals and the British Jockey Club. The betting exchange offers a worldwide internet exchange to registered users, who use the service to bet on a wide range of sports, including cricket.
■ Soccer
Maradona discharged
Diego Maradona left hospital on Thursday, eluding media who had kept a permanent vigil since the Argentine soccer great was rushed to intensive care with lung and heart trouble 12 days ago. Maradona's covert departure sparked a manhunt by the waiting press pack, which has given blanket coverage to the national hero since he was taken ill with a swollen heart on April 18 after watching his beloved Boca Juniors play. "Diego Armando Maradona has left the clinic," the Suizo-Argentina clinic said in a statement, adding that his doctors were satisfied with his recovery. It was not immediately clear where the 43-year-old, regarded as one of the greatest players in soccer history, was headed. He has been living in Cuba for much of the past four years being treated for cocaine addiction. Maradona was back on his feet on Wednesday, walking around his room and watched the Argentine national side play against Morocco in a friendly international.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care