■ CRICKET
Bracewell to quit Black Caps
New Zealand coach John Bracewell will step down when his contract expires in April next year, New Zealand Cricket said yesterday. “John has informed me that he will not be looking to extend his contract for another term and will instead pursue other coaching opportunities in cricket,” New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan said. Bracewell, a former off-spinner who took 102 wickets in 41 Tests for New Zealand, has previously said he is interested in returning to coaching English county cricket. The 50-year-old coached Gloucestershire for five years before taking up the top New Zealand post in 2003.
■ SOCCER
Eriksson offered Benfica job
Sven-Goran Eriksson, expected to be ousted as Manchester City manager after just one season in charge, has been offered a three-year contract to manage his former club Benfica, local media reported on Thursday. Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira traveled to Manchester on Wednesday to hold talks with Eriksson and “formalize” an agreement, the A Bola newspaper said. But sports daily Record insisted that the deal “had still to be concluded.” On his return to Lisbon on Wednesday night Vieira declined to comment on Erikkson’s possible arrival at the club next season, Maisfutebol.com. Reported. A Bola suggested Benfica had targeted Eriksson after being turned down by Manchester United assistant coach Carlos Queiroz.
■ CRICKET
Clarke's departure delayed
Australian vice captain Michael Clarke has delayed his departure for the West Indies because of family reasons and his participation in the tour remains in doubt, officials said yesterday. Cricket Australia (CA) said Clarke had been given compassionate leave to remain in Sydney for “private family reasons” and would not leave for the Caribbean with his teammates today. “Clarke’s arrival date in the West Indies is currently unclear,” CA said in a statement. Michael Hussey would assume the role of vice captain until Clarke arrived, CA said.
■ SOCCER
Sterchele dies in car crash
FC Bruges' Belgian international Francois Sterchele was killed in a car accident on Wednesday night, Belgian media reported on Thursday. The 26-year-old was traveling between Antwerp and Knokke in the north of the country when his Porsche left the road and smashed into a tree. The car was traveling at “an unsuitable speed” at the time of the crash, a judicial expert told Belga news agency. Sterchele was the Belgian league’s top scorer last season, when he played for Antwerp club Germinal Beerschot.
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