■ 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.
MEDVEDEV AWAITS: The world No. 1 Spainiard said that he is ‘finding the right shots’ as he pushed his record so far this year to 16 victories and no losses Carlos Alcaraz on Thursday extended his unbeaten season and got revenge over Cameron Norrie to reach the semi-finals at Indian Wells for a fifth straight year. The world No. 1 from Spain emerged from a see-saw battle with 29th-ranked Norrie with a 6-3, 6-4 victory. In the semis tomorrow, he faces Russian Daniil Medvedev, who pushed his own ATP winning streak to eight matches with a 6-1, 7-5 victory over defending champion Jack Draper. World No. 2 Jannik Sinner powered past Learner Tien 6-1, 6-2 to line up a semi-final with fourth-ranked Alexander Zverev, a 6-2, 6-3 winner over Arthur Fils. Alcaraz, 22, became
West Ham United on Monday advanced to the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 5-3 penalty shoot-out win against Brentford, who paid the price for Dango Ouattara’s spot-kick blunder. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side twice blew the lead as Jarrod Bowen’s double was canceled out by an Igor Thiago brace to force extra-time in the 2-2 draw at the London Stadium, but in the shoot-out, Brentford winger Ouattara attempted a chipped Panenka penalty, but his woeful effort was straight at West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola. It was an awful mistake by the Burkina Faso international and West Ham took full advantage. Bowen, Valentin Castellanos, Callum
Thanks to Italy beating Mexico on Wednesday, the US get another chance in the World Baseball Classic (WBC). What looked like a potentially disastrous early exit for US manager Mark DeRosa and his team turned out to be nothing more than substantial worry and significant embarrassment for about 24 hours. It remains to be seen whether the US really want to win badly enough for the reprieve to matter, as if it is just a switch they can flick, but there is little reason for their fans to be optimistic. The team’s attitude and behavior have been all over the place when
Ollie Watkins’ second-half header on Thursday gave Aston Villa a 1-0 win over Lille OSC in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League round-of-16 tie. Just past the hour mark, Ezri Konsa sent a deep pass that Emi Buendia headed to Watkins in the home team’s box. The England forward noticed goalkeeper Berke Ozer was off his line before sending a looping header over him and into the net. Minutes later, Watkins wasted a chance to double the advantage when he failed to score in a one-on-one with the ’keeper. Nottingham Forest were stunned 1-0 by Danish club Midtjylland, with substitute Cho
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