Danish Kaneria, the Pakistani leggie, has said it was “not a good decision” by Indian selectors to ignore Harbhajan for their team’s on-going tour of England. “During this time of the season, the pitches start to dry and spin comes into play. So I think it wasn’t a good decision of not picking him.”

James Blake, the American tennis player, is title-hungry as he prepares for next week’s Los Angeles Open on his favourite surface.“Being back on the hard court gives me the same feeling as last year coming in to Indianapolis. It’s clearly my favourite time of year, my favourite events and favourite surface.”