Skipper Steve Smith scored his 17th Test century to give Australia a 22-run lead over Pakistan as rain again disrupted play in the second Test in Melbourne on Thursday.

Former world No 1 Ana Ivanovic on Wednesday announced her retirement from tennis, admitting that the physical toll of the circuit had proved too much.

Off-spinner Jeetan Patel has been selected in New Zealand's squad for the third One-Day International against Bangladesh, scheduled to be played in Nelson on Saturday.

Mauricio Pochettino is hoping his latest victorious return to Southampton will have a similar effect on Tottenham's season to the previous one.

Bangladesh's leg-spinner Tanbir Hayder has received an official reprimand for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the second ODI against New Zealand on Thursday.

Skipper Steve Smith scored his 17th Test century to give Australia a 22-run lead over Pakistan as rain again disrupted play in the second Test in Melbourne on Thursday.

Manchester City need to be wary of Liverpool's formidable attacking threat when the sides meet in a high-profile Premier League clash at Anfield on Saturday, Reds midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has said.

Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza expressed his disappointment after his team lost the second ODI by 67 runs and the series 2-0 at Saxton Oval, Nelson today.

Bangladesh cricketers Mustafizur Rahman, Al-Amin Hossain and Shakib Al Hasan were included in the Times of India T20I team of the year for their outstanding performances in the shorter format of the game.

Coach Juande Ramos has left Spanish side Malaga after a poor run of recent results, the two parties confirmed on Tuesday.

Olivier Giroud is hoping for a run of starts for Arsenal after the French striker scored the late winner in Monday's 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion at the Emirates Stadium.

Former Hampshire captain and cricket commentator Mark Nicholas has been taken to hospital for a second time in three days after falling ill during the second Test between Australia and Pakistan on Wednesday.

Azhar Ali hit the highest score by a Pakistan batsman in Australia on Wednesday on the third day of the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim has been ruled out of the second ODI against New Zealand and could be sidelined for up to two weeks.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino returns to former club Southampton on Wednesday with a feeling of gratitude, but also a burning desire for a return to form on the road.

The Blackcaps bowlers didn't venture too far into their bag of tricks in Christchurch against Bangladesh on Monday. That is because they didn't need to, as they took five of their nine wickets off short deliveries.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino returns to former club Southampton on Wednesday with a feeling of gratitude, but also a burning desire for a return to form on the road.

Olivier Giroud proved the difference for Arsenal in a typically hard-fought 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion on Monday, again demonstrating his worth to manager Arsene Wenger after spending the majority of the season on the substitutes' bench.

Yaya Toure slammed home a penalty and Kelechi Iheanacho netted a simple goal for Manchester City as they secured a 3-0 win at struggling Hull City who again came up empty-handed despite a battling display on Monday.

Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza said had the bowling been disciplined and the fielding up to the mark the first one-day international against New Zealand could have been a closely-fought game.