Today's sports news: What you need to know

Latest - Cronulla sweating on Johnson

Cronulla coach John Morris says he won't rush back star playmaker Shaun Johnson in an effort to clear him for next week's New Zealand Test against Tonga.

Johnson could return from a hamstring injury in Thursday's NRL clash against Canberra and must pass one final fitness test on Thursday.

Johnson is hoping to play in next Saturday's Test for the Kiwis at Mt Smart Stadium but Morris says that wouldn't factor into his decision.

Messi tops Forbes' list of the world's highest-paid athletes

The Barcelona forward earned $193 million this past year in a combination of his salary and endorsements - $27 million more than second-place Cristiano Ronaldo, who pocketed a total of $166m.

Neymar was the third-highest on the list, having earned $159 this past year. The Brazil international took in $114m in salary, which was $15m more than Ronaldo, while Messi's income of $140m dwarfed both.

Messi saw his earnings increase by $24m over the past 12 months.

Mexican boxer Saul "Canelo" Alvarez was the highest-earning non-footballer on the 2019 list, with $142m in total.

Tennis player Roger Federer was the fifth highest-earner, at $141m. He was No. 1 in terms of endorsements, though, with $130m.

New Zealand basketballer Steven Adams is number 78 with $41m.

Manufacturer defends Zing bails

The manufacture of Zing bails admits he's "stumped" by the spate of non- dismissals at this year's World Cup, but insists his product can't solely be blamed.

Five separate batsmen have survived the ball clattering into their stumps at the England tournament, prompting captains to ask questions over the situation.

David Warner became the latest not to have his bails removed against India on Sunday, despite the ball firmly hitting the bottom half of the stumps after rebounding off his bat and foot.

The weight of the Zing product has largely been blamed by critics, despite the ICC claiming they are no heavier than the wooden ones used in strong winds.

And the director of the Adelaide-based Zing David Ligertwood said there were a number of other factors likely at play.

"The bails, stumps, stump grooves depth and shape, pitch conditions, stump cam etc. all affect it.

Zing have been used in both the Big Bash and Indian Premier League for a number of years, with small modifications made only a few years ago to make the removal of them easier.

-AAP

More Cricket World Cup news:

• ICC defends decision to have no reserve days at world cup
• Black Caps in top spot after win over Afghanistan
• India hand Australia first cup loss
• Roy's 'luxury runs' secure win for England.
• India win opener, consign Proteas to third loss
• Black Caps make hard work of victory

Weber and ALB take top Chiefs awards

Halfback Brad Weber and centre Anton Lienert-Brown have been named the Chiefs Super Rugby Players' of the year.

Weber was named Coaches' Player of the Year and Fans' Player of the Year.

Lienert-Brown was awarded the Chiefs Players' Player of the Year award.

19-year-old Etene Nanai-Seturo was named Rookie of the Year following an outstanding debut season for the Club, which included scoring 25 points in his eleven appearances.

Versatile prop Angus Ta'avao was named Personality of the Year for the second year in a row. Following an impressive season, Canadian International lock Tyler Ardron was named Gallagher Chiefs Mana Kotiate.

New Zealand Under 20's loose forward Kaylum Boshier was awarded the Under 20's Player of the Year.

Stoinis to miss Pakistan game

Marcus Stoinis has been ruled out of Australia's World Cup match against Pakistan with Mitch Marsh on a flight to England as back up for the tournament.

Australia revealed that Stoinis suffered a side strain while bowling in their loss to India on Sunday, taking him off the field briefly.

The Australians are at this stage unsure how long he will be out for.

The allrounder can only be replaced by Marsh if he is ruled out for the entire six-week tournament.

-AAP

Ortiz on the mend

Former Red Sox star David Ortiz is in stable condition after a second surgery in Boston.

Authorities said a man got off a motorcycle and shot Ortiz in the back Sunday night at a club in Santo Domingo in his native Dominican Republic.

Surgeons there operated for six hours to repair damage to his intestines and liver, also removing his gallbladder.

Once his condition stabilized, Ortiz was flown to Boston on Monday and taken by ambulance to Massachusetts General Hospital.

According to ESPN, police have the suspected gunman and the suspected driver of the motorcycle in custody.

Ortiz, known to fans and teammates as "Big Papi," played the last 14 years of his career in Boston and won the World Series twice.

-Reuters

Stanaway to miss Darwin Triple Crown

New Zealand Supercars driver Richie Stanaway has been ruled out of this weekend's Darwin Triple Crown, with the New Zealander battling a recurring neck injury.

Stanaway was a late withdrawal at the most recent round in Winton last month and has been replaced by his enduro co-driver Chris Pither.

The injury stems from a high-speed accident seven years ago when Stanaway broke his back. Scans after Winton revealed he had a bulging disc in his neck.

Stanaway will not travel to Darwin and prepare for the Townsville 400 on July 5-7.

-AAP

Gagai may quit Souths

Queensland State of Origin hero Dane Gagai is reportedly considering quitting South Sydney because of his long-term desire to play centre.

Gagai is frustrated at being pushed out to the wing following James Roberts' recruitment from NRL rivals Brisbane, according to News Corp.

It comes just a week after Gagai put in one of the most memorable performances of the year in the Maroons' State of Origin I victory over NSW, scoring two tries in a man-of-the-match effort.

Gagai is contracted at Redfern until the end of 2021, but could seek an early return to Queensland.

Gagai began his career at Brisbane in 2011, but was sacked by then coach Anthony Griffin after just six appearances for disciplinary issues.

The 28-year-old spent six years at Newcastle before shifting to Redfern last year and has played 170 first-grade games, 11 Origins and seven Tests for Australia.

-AAP

Olympic medalists to stand on rubbish

Medallists at next year's Summer Olympics will stand on podiums made from recycled plastic waste collected from local households or the ocean, Tokyo 2020 organisers said.

From 13 June, collection boxes will be set up at more than 2,000 outlets of local supermarket chain AEON for residents to deposit any unwanted plastic items for the podiums project, organisers said.

They are looking to collect as much as 45 tonnes of plastic to make the approximately 100 podiums needed for next summer's showpiece, they said. It would be the first time Olympic podiums were made from recycled material.

Organisers have sought to frame the Games as environmentally friendly and a mechanism to bring about sustainable change in Japan, which, along with the United States, did not sign on to the G7's ocean plastics charter in 2018.

The medals for the Games are being forged from recycled metal collected from old mobile phones and other electronic devices, while the uniforms to be worn by runners in the torch relay will be partially made from recycled plastic bottles.

-Reuters