Simon Taufel, the Australian who has been voted Umpire of the Year three times in a row, has called for greater accountability from his colleagues and for under-performing umpires to be axed from the ICC Elite Panel. Taufel said if umpires made several incorrect decisions, they should not be retained.

Hidetoshi Nakata, the former Japan captain, could still make a comeback to international football, team coach Ivica Osim has said. Nakata retired following the 2006 World Cup, but the 30-year-old is set to play for a World XI against China in Hong Kong on July 1, his second game in quick succession.