CRICKET
Sangakkara exits on high
Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara said he is retiring from first-class cricket at the perfect time after a remarkable English county championship season with Surrey. The 39-year-old left-handed batsman made an unbeaten 35 in his final first-class innings against Lancashire to finish the campaign with eight centuries and 1,491 runs at an average of 106.50. “I’ll miss it terribly, without a doubt, but that’s a good thing,” he told the BBC on Wednesday. “A lot of players walk away bitter and upset and regretting a lot of the things that might have been. I walk away with a few regrets, like anyone would, but I’m absolutely happy with the way I played the game and what I’ve achieved. Sometimes you hold on a bit too long and I always think it’s better to let go a bit sooner than later,” he said. Sangakkara, who quit Test cricket in 2015, is fifth in the list of all-time run scorers.
GOLF
Ko off the pace in N Zealand
Hometown favorite Lydia Ko yesterday finished five off the pace at the LPGA’s New Zealand Women’s Open, as England’s Jodie Ewart Shadoff and Canda’s Brooke Henderson made the most of calm conditions. Ewart Shadoff and Henderson both capitalized on early starts to finish seven-under-par on 65, setting a joint course record at Auckland’s Windross Farm. Ko, 20, the world No. 8, faced more blustery conditions late in the day and carded 70 for a share of 20th. She said her putting let her down, but the defending champion and former world No. 1 remained optimistic about winning the first LPGA event staged in New Zealand.
BASEBALL
Collins faces final games
Terry Collins was a winner in perhaps his final home game as manager of the New York Mets, who on Wednesday beat the Atlanta Braves 7-1, behind rookie pitcher Robert Gsellman. Travis d’Arnaud drove in three runs and pinch-hitter Dominic Smith launched a three-run homer for the Mets, who won their third straight and finished 37-44 at Citi Field in New York this year. They wrap up the season with three games in Philadelphia this weekend. Before the game, Collins joked that this night would feel like any ordinary one in July because of all the unavailable relievers in his banged-up bullpen. The 68-year-old Collins, oldest manager in the majors, has said he has no plans to retire and would like to keep working until age 70.
OLYMPICS
Organizers fix omitted Japan
South Korean organizers of next year’s Pyeongchang Winter Olympics corrected a map on their official Web site after Japanese sports officials complained that Japan was missing. The Japan Sports Agency said officials discovered the omission on Wednesday, after receiving a number of calls from the public. The agency demanded a correction via the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Tokyo, agency official Masahide Katsumata said. Katsumata said Japan was not on the map when he checked early on Wednesday. The world map on the “Dream Program” section of the Web site for the next year’s Games has since been corrected. An official from the Pyeongchang organizing committee said Japan’s omission was a “simple mistake” caused by changes in image files when organizers updated the Olympic Web site in February.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and