Latest - Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been ruled out of the first test against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui starting Dec. 26 due to a fractured thumb.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Babar, 26, sustained the injury during a practice session in Queenstown last week and was ruled out of the ongoing three-match Twenty20 series.
Opening batsman Imam-Ul-Haq will also miss the game after fracturing his left thumb during a net session.
Both players are yet to return to the nets with the team's medical staff closely monitoring their progress.
Mohammad Rizwan will become Pakistan's 33rd test captain when he leads the side in Babar's absence.
"Although it will be nearly two weeks since Babar's injury when the first test starts, it will be hard on him and the team to play him without any net sessions," Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq said.
"I remain confident and optimistic that other players will rise to the occasion in Mount Maunganui."
- Reuters
Setback for Six Nations champs
Saracens' England internationals will not play a competitive game before the Six Nations after the new Championship season was delayed until March.
England captain Owen Farrell Photo: PHOTOSPORT
It leaves players including captain Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje and the Vunipola brothers without a game before England face Scotland on 6 February.
Saracens were relegated from the Premiership earlier this year after breaching salary cap rules.
English rugby's second tier has not had a game since March due to Covid-19.
To counter the lack of preparation, Saracens have confirmed they are negotiating with fellow clubs to establish a separate cup competition format as part of the pre-season build up, sanctioned by the Rugby Football Union.
"These continue to be extremely difficult times for professional sports clubs and we are sensitive to the different positions that Championship clubs find themselves in," the Sarries statement said.
"We will continue to work hard with other Championship clubs and the RFU to deliver this proposed season which guarantees a competition and the opportunity to earn promotion into the Premiership."
- BBC
League Cup final to be held in April
The League Cup final has been put back by two months and will be held on April 25, in the hope that a later date will allow fans to attend.
Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The final of the competition, known by its sponsored name as the Carabao Cup, was due to be held on Feb. 28 at Wembley Stadium.
"It is the objective of the League to stage the final with as many supporters in attendance as possible and the decision has therefore been taken to move the final to... later in the year," the EFL said in a statement.
"The number of fans permitted will be dependent on Government guidance in place at the time and it is hoped that moving the date to later in the year will give clubs and their fans the best opportunity to attend in person," the EFL added.
The quarter-finals of the competition get under way on Wednesday morning (NZT) with Brentford hosting Newcastle United and holders Manchester City at Arsenal.
Thursday's games include Championship side Stoke City at home to Tottenham Hotspur while Everton host Manchester United at Goodison Park.
- Reuters
Hamilton reveals Covid-19 weight loss
Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton says he lost 4kg after contracting coronavirus.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Hamilton had to miss the Sakir Grand Prix in Bahrain this month after testing positive for Covid-19.
He posted pictures of himself at the gym on Instagram, hours after being named 2020 BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
"I've lost 6kg over the past two months - four of which when I got Covid," the 35-year-old said.
"I've lost so much muscle. I'm starting from a low point in strength now, not fun but I'm determined to get my strength back and to be 100% again.
"No pain, no gain."
- BBC
Double Olympic champion sent to prison
Norwegian double Olympic champion Petter Northug has been sentenced to seven months in prison and banned from driving for life after being found guilty of serious traffic offences and possession of narcotics by an Oslo court.
Petter Northug gives a press conference after he was charged with driving at high speed under the influence of drugs. Photo: AFP
The 34-year-old, who won two gold medals at the Vancouver Games in 2010 and is one of Norway's best-known and most popular athletes, was arrested in August after driving his F-type Jaguar car at speeds of over 200km per hour.
Police found other videos in Northug's mobile phone of him speeding that he had filmed while driving.
He passed a drugs test following his arrest but during a subsequent search of his home police discovered six grams of cocaine and small amounts of other controlled substances.
Northug, who was convicted of drink-driving in 2014 and admitted to having problems with drugs and alcohol in a news conference following his arrest in August, said that he accepts the verdict of the court and will not appeal.
- Reuters