Sports Briefs

■ Hockey
Morrow put on injured list
Dallas Stars captain Brenden Morrow was placed on injured reserve on Thursday, two days after surgery to repair severed tendons in his right wrist. Morrow, a left wing who is in his first season as captain of the National Hockey League club, had the surgery on Tuesday night at a hospital in Chicago after he was stepped on by a skate in the Stars' 2-1 loss to the Blackhawks that evening. He was to be re-evaluated by Stars medical staff yesterday. Morrow, 27, also missed eight games earlier this month with a groin injury.

■ Hockey
Caron traded to Ducks
The pacesetting Anaheim Ducks have acquired goaltender Sebastien Caron in a multi-player deal with the Chicago Blackhawks, the NHL team said on Thursday. The Ducks, whose first-choice goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere is injured, also gained right wing Matt Keith and left wing Chris Durno from the Blackhawks in exchange for defenseman Bruno St. Jacques and right wing Pierre Parenteau. Giguere is recovering from a groin strain suffered during the second period of the Ducks' 4-3 win against San Jose on Tuesday, their 28th victory this season in 39 games.

■ Basketball
Wade's sprain confirmed
Tests Thursday confirmed that the wrist injury of Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade is a sprain, and he was likely to be a game-time decision for yesterday's National Basketball Association game against New Jersey. Wade, who was named the Most Valuable Player of the NBA finals last June as the Heat downed Dallas to claim the title, was hurt with six minutes left in the opening quarter of Wednesday's 109-103 loss to Chicago. Wade, 24, underwent an MRI on Thursday that confirmed the diagnosis.

■ Basketball
Grizzlies fire Fratello
The struggling Memphis Grizzlies fired head coach Mike Fratello on Thursday, the National Basketball Association team confirmed. The club did not immediately announce a replacement for Fratello, the most successful career coach in the franchise's history, but did schedule a press conference for yesterday in Memphis. "We felt it was time to make a change and move in a different direction based on our record and future goals," Grizzlies president of basketball operations Jerry West said in a statement. Fratello had a 95-83 record and led Memphis to consecutive playoff appearances, but the Grizzlies slipped to an NBA-worst 6-24 after a 112-96 loss at home to Milwaukee on Thursday.

■ Cricket
Craig McMillan called up
New Zealand cricket reject Craig McMillan has been called into the New Zealand one-day squad with batsman Nathan Astle in doubt for the second clash with Sri Lanka in Queenstown, New Zealand, tomorrow. McMillan, who played the last of his 175 one-dayers against Australia early last year, was to join the squad following their seven wicket loss in the first international on Thursday, New Zealand Cricket said yesterday. The 30-year-old has been called in after his brother-in-law Astle suffered bruising to his thigh after being hit three times on the same spot by Sri Lankan pace bowler Chaminda Vaas during his innings of 83.

■ Soccer
Terry has back surgery
Chelsea England captain John Terry has had back surgery, his club said on Thursday. The central defender, who has missed the last four matches for his club, underwent the operation in France following consultation between the Chelsea medical department and a leading neurosurgical specialist, Chelsea said on their Web site (www.chelseafc.com). "The operation to remove a sequestrated lumbar intervertebral disc was successful and everyone at the club wishes John a speedy and full recovery," Chelsea said. The club, four points behind Manchester United at the top of the Premier League, did not say how long they expected Terry to be out of action.

■ Soccer
Vasco hope to sign Romario
Vasco Gama said on Thursday they hoped to find their way around a FIFA ruling and bring back 40-year-old striker Romario for a fourth stint at the club. Romario has already played for two clubs -- Miami FC in the US and Adelaide United in Australia -- since July and FIFA rules prevent him from playing for a third team until the end of June. "We're trying to find a solution as quickly as possible," Vasco's legal vice-president Paulo Reis told Brazilian media. "We've found a path to follow but we're not going to say what it is. I've no doubt that we're going to find a solution to the problem."

■ Tennis
Hingis finds love match
Former No. 1 Martina Hingis is to marry Czech tennis player Radek Stepanek. The 26-year-old Hingis confirmed news of her engagement at a media conference at the Gold Coast yesterday where she is preparing to play the Australian women's hardcourt championships. Hingis said 28-year-old Stepanek, ranked 19 in the world, had proposed to her in Prague last month but it was not until she arrived in Australia that anyone noticed her diamond ring. "I was surprised when it was spotted right away because in Switzerland I've been walking around for a month and no-one's said anything," she told reporters.

■ Sailing
Bullimore raring to go
British Tony Bullimore, who was dramatically rescued by the Australian navy after his yacht capsized in the Southern Ocean, said yesterday he was ready to begin another solo round-the-world attempt. Bullimore, whose unlikely survival story made him a household name in Australia in 1997, plans to break the solo round-the-world record of 70 days when he sails from the southern city of Hobart in the next few days. The veteran yachtsman is scheduled to depart in his 102-foot (31m) catamaran as soon as Sunday.