England retain squad for Oval
England will bid to salvage their series against India with an unchanged squad when they go for victory in the third Test at The Oval starting on Thursday, reports Reuters from London.
India lead the three-match series 1-0 after winning the second Test at Trent Bridge at the end of last month. The first Test at Lord's ended in a draw.
Squad: Michael Vaughan (capt), Alastair Cook, Andrew Strauss, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Ian Bell, Matt Prior, Stuart Broad, Chris Tremlett, Monty Panesar, Ryan Sidebottom, James Anderson.
Iran book Olympic berth
Iran won a spot in the basketball tournament at next year’s Beijing Olympics when they defeated Lebanon 74-69 to win the Asian men’s championship on Sunday, reports AFP from Tokushima. It was the first time that Iran won the continental title since the inaugural 1960 championship.
Earlier in the day, two-time former champions South Korea kept their Olympic hopes alive when they defeated Kazakhstan 80-76 in a keen contest to finish in third place.
Gebrselassie wins NY half-marathon
Haile Gebrselassie won the New York City Half Mara-thon in 59 minutes, 24 seconds on Sunday, cruising away two-thirds through the race to win his eighth half marathon in eight attempts, reports AP from New York. Hilda Kibet of Kenya won the women’s race in one hour, 10 minutes and 32 seconds, outkicking defending champion Catherine Ndereba by 1.15 seconds.
Aravind pockets chess title
CJ Aravind emerged champion in the Adyar Times FIDE-rated Open chess tournament, outwitting R Balasubramanian of ICF in 48 moves in the 10th and final round on Sunday, reports PTI from Chennai.
Jeev moves up to 34th spot
Jeev Milkha Singh was let down by four bogeys in six holes on the front nine as he ended with a two-over 72 and moved up seven notches to be at 34th spot after the third round of the WGC Bridgestone Invitational golf tournament at Firestone Country Club, reports PTI from Akron.
World number one Woods played returned 69 in pursuit of his third successive victory on one of his favourite lay-outs.
Meanwhile, at Wichita, Arjun Atwal played a modest round of one-over 72 and dropped to 36th from overnight 20th at the $500,000 Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open golf tournament, adds PTI.
Michael Walton shot his second consecutive 66 on a windy third round to take a one-stroke lead.
Beckham makes a confession
England midfielder David Beckham admitted playing injured in his final games for Real Madrid aggravated the ankle injury now delaying his Major League Soccer career, but said he had no regrets.
“I played the last game of the season for Real with three injections to numb my ankle. I ripped the ligaments in that last game, so it was a bit of a mess,” Beckham said.
