CRICKET
England take command
Ben Stokes rushed to his century and Ollie Pope moved within sight of a maiden test ton as England reached 335 for four wickets at lunch on day two of the third test against South Africa on Friday.With South Africa digesting the news that top bowler Kagiso Rabada had been hit with a one-match ban that would rule him out of the fourth and final test, England turned the screw at St George’s Park.Stokes was 108 not out and Pope unbeaten on 75 as England significantly picked up the run rate, adding 111 runs to their overnight score.
LA LIGA
Barca still mum: Nishikawa
Japan youth international Jun Nishikawa yesterday said that he had heard through friends that Barcelona were eager to sign him, but denied that there had been any contact from the Spanish side. The 17-year-old attacking midfielder, who has represented Japan at the under-17 and under-20 World Cup, told local media that his main focus is on nailing down a place at J League club Cerezo Osaka. “I read the news on my phone yesterday morning and my friends told me about it, but I didn’t think anything special,” said Nishikawa, who would be eligible for a possible summer transfer.
FORMULA ONE
Hamilton to be ‘a machine’
Lewis Hamilton has warned rivals that he plans to be better than ever as he chases a record-equaling seventh Formula One championship this season. The 35-year-old Mercedes driver — who has 84 career wins, just seven short of Michael Schumacher’s all-time record of 91 — posted a picture on Instagram of himself at home, hugging a wooden pillar and smiling. “I am at peace when I’m here, can focus and build my mind and body so that I can come back year on year. I’m going to be a machine this year, on another level than ever before,” he wrote. The opening race is in Australia on March 15.
AUSTRALIAN OPEN
Polluted air no snag: chief
The Australian Open is to start and finish on time, even if matches have to be moved from exposed outside courts to under the cover of the three main stadiums to escape the effects of bushfire-polluted air, tournament director Craig Tiley said on Thursday. Responding to concerns raised by players who have experienced respiratory problems this week, Tiley said: “The Australian Open is happening.” One player collapsed on the first day of qualifying and others, including Britain’s Liam Broady, have complained that their health is being compromised. “The more I think about the conditions we played in a few days ago, the more it boils my blood,” Broady wrote on social media.
BASEBALL
Sign-stealing scandal grows
Carlos Beltran, the only player implicated in Major League Baseball’s investigation into a sign-stealing scandal, on Thursday stepped down as manager of the New York Mets after being hired in November last year. Beltran said that on Thursday, he met with Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon and general manager Brodie van Wagenen about his status. “We mutually agreed to part ways,” Beltran said in a statement released by the Mets. “I’m grateful to them for giving me the opportunity, but we agreed this decision is in the best interest of the team.”
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
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely