Hall of Fame
NEWPORT, Rhode Island – Justine Henin and Marat Safin and long-time doubles standout Helena Sukova were among five nominees to the International Tennis Hall of Fame announced yesterday. The only other nominations for the Class of 2016 were Yvon Petra, a 1940s French standout, and 1930s British champion Margaret Scriven.
Low profile
SYDNEY – Newcastle coach Scott Miller is keeping his team firmly grounded despite their audacious start to the A-League season. The Jets are second on the ladder and on equal points with leaders Brisbane after David Carney netted to defeat champions Melbourne Victory at Hunter Stadium on Friday night.
Straight defeat
SYDNEY – It’s been more than six years since Melbourne Victory have beaten Newcastle at Hunter Stadium, but Kevin Muscat still baulks at any suggestions of a hoodoo. A 75th-minute David Carney strike consigned the A-League champions to their eighth straight defeat at the venue.
Glory changes
ADELAIDE – Perth Glory coach Kenny Lowe is juggling long-term ambitions with short-term needs entering today’s A-League fixture against Adelaide United. Lowe admits he’ll need to make some changes for the home match, with several Glory players sore after their midweek FFA Cup semi-final triumph against Melbourne City.
Give away tickets
WELLINGTON – Sonny Bill Williams is looking to give away two tickets to the RWC semi-final between New Zealand and South Africa to a Syrian refugee. Williams posted a message on Twitter saying: “any agency in London with a Syrian refugee that wants 2go to the game 2mrw I have two tickets to give you. Let me know”.
Game cancelled
AUSTIN – Torrential rain and electrical storms led to the cancellation of yesterday afternoon’s second free practice session for this weekend’s United States Grand Prix. The session was initially postponed indefinitely because marshals at the Circuit of the Americas were unable to work due to the close proximity of the lightning.
Root’s guidance
DUBAI, UAE – Joe Root took the attack to the Pakistan bowlers with an enterprising half-century to guide England to 3-182 on the second day of the second Test in Dubai yesterday. Root built the innings after England lost the key wicket of skipper Alastair Cook as the tourists fought hard against a Pakistan attack.
Pink ball critics
CANBERRA – The pink ball has found another critic in Adam Voges, with the veteran batsman saying it looked 40 overs older than it should’ve during the Prime Minister’s XI clash with New Zealand on Friday. The match in Canberra was being used as somewhat a dress rehearsal for next month’s inaugural day-night pink-ball Test in Adelaide.
