Afghan cricketer Mohammad Nabi during the Twenty20 World Cup match against England at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, on September 21, 2012. Unknown gunmen have dragged Nabi’s father from his car on the outskirts of Jalalabad city and have taken him hostage, officials told AFP.

Unknown gunmen dragged the father of Afghanistan’s cricket captain from his car on the outskirts of Jalalabad city and have taken him hostage, officials said on Wednesday.

Mohammad Nabi, who took over the captaincy of the team in March, confirmed that his father, Khobai Isakhel, had been kidnapped in the eastern province of Nangarhar on Tuesday.

“I have no idea who the kidnappers might be, they have not contacted me,” Nabi told AFP, declining to give any more details.

Ahmad Zia Abdulzai, spokesman for the Nangarhar provincial government, said: “Yesterday at around 10:00 am, unknown armed man seized him from his car. No trace of him has yet been found.”

Kidnapping is rife in Afghanistan’s major cities, with criminal gangs demanding large ransoms for the release of hostages.

Nabi, 28, an all-rounder who took up the game while living in a refugee camp in Pakistan, became captain of Afghanistan in March before the Intercontinental Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

Cricket has become one of the most popular sports in Afghanistan since it was introduced by refugees returning after the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001.

Afghanistan became an affiliate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2001 and in 2009 it attained one-day status. Its ambition now is to qualify for the 2015 World Cup.

Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels (left) and Mario Goetze take part in a training session with the German national sqaud on the eve of their World Cup 2014 qualifier against Sweden at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium, on October 15, 2012. Goetze and Hummels both remain doubtful for the Champions League final against Bayern Munich at Wembley Stadium on May 25, as they struggle to recover from leg injuries.

Borussia Dortmund’s international stars Mario Goetze and Mats Hummels both remain doubtful for Saturday’s Champions League final against Bayern Munich at Wembley, as they struggle to recover from leg injuries.

Germany’s Goezte, 20, tore his hamstring in Dortmund’s semi-final return leg at Real Madrid on April 30 and after three weeks of rehab training, the attacking midfielder could only train for an hour with the team on Tuesday before suffering a reaction.

“Mario felt something in the muscle and had to break off training, we aren’t sure how bad it is,” Dortmund’s director of sport Michael Zorc told sports daily Bild after Goezte’s first team training session since the injury.

If he is fit to play, the Champions League final will be Goetze’s final appearance in a Dortmund shirt having actioned a clause in his contract to join German champions Bayern next month.

Compatriot and centre-back Hummels, 24, who damaged his ankle in Saturday’s shock 2-1 league defeat at home to Hoffenheim, sat out Tuesday’s training completely to allow the swelling to subside and is receiving intense treatment.

Liverpool’s Luis Suarez controls the ball during an English Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield, on March 10, 2013. Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says Suarez will not be sold, as the Merseyside club target Champions League qualification next season.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says controversial striker Luis Suarez will not be sold, as the Merseyside club target Champions League qualification next season.

The Uruguayan missed the last four games of Liverpool’s season after being banned for 10 matches for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic, but finished the campaign as the club’s top scorer with 23 league goals.

Liverpool have not qualified for the Champions League since 2009, but despite likely interest in Suarez from some of Europe’s top clubs, Rodgers is confident he will still be at Anfield next season.

“Listen, every player has their price, but there’s certainly no pressure for the club to sell him. We’re trying to build that bit of quality so he’s not for sale,” Rodgers said.

“I don’t have any doubts there will be interest in him this summer, because he’s up there.

“There’s a small percentage of players who are world class and he’s in that bracket, so I don’t think it will be too dissimilar to when I first came in last summer, with clubs making their interest known.

“People will want to take him, but I think we all recognise how integral he is. The owners have been absolutely unequivocal in their resolve in terms of wanting to keep him.”

Japan’s Koji Murofushi in action during the men’s hammer-throw during the London Olympics on August 3, 2012. The Court of Arbitration for Sport says it has rejected an appeal by Murofushi against his exclusion as a candidate for election to the IOC Athletes’ Commission on the grounds of unfair campaigning at the 2012 London Olympics.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport on Wednesday said it had rejected an appeal by Japanese hammer-thrower Koji Murofushi against his exclusion as a candidate for election to the IOC Athletes’ Commission on the grounds of unfair campaigning at the 2012 London Olympics.

The Swiss-based tribunal said it had upheld last August’s decision by the International Olympic Committee to bar the 2004 Athens gold medallist and London bronze winner from the election race.

Murofushi’s appeal had led to a nine-month freeze in the election procedure.

His lawsuit’s failure means that French triple canoe slalom champion Tony Estanguet, Slovakian shooting star Danka Bartekova, Zimbabwean swimmer Kirsty Coventry and Australian rower James Tomkins are set to take their place on the Athletes’ Commission.

Commission membership is considered an honour in the sporting world, notably because it conveys the right to be part of the IOC itself.

“The IOC welcomes the CAS decision and looks forward to working with Danka Bartekova, James Tomkins, Kirsty Coventry and Tony Estanguet, who are expected to be proposed by the IOC Executive Board for election at the July 2013 extraordinary session in Lausanne,” the Olympic body said in a statement.

The CAS did not give details of the ruling by its three-member appeals panel — which sat on April 10-11 — saying that it would be issued in coming days.

But it underlined that the “main reason” for the panel’s decision was that Murofushi and the Japanese Olympic Committee “did not comply with the applicable rules and regulations”.

The panel “also stressed that Mr. Murofushi’s reputation and sportsmanship were intact”, the CAS said.

Murofushi was not the only athlete to fall foul of the campaigning rules.

In March, the CAS rejected an appeal by Taiwan’s Chu Mu-yen, who won the taekwondo gold in Athens and bronze at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

Chu was accused of handing out name cards and showing documents on a tablet computer in an authorised area during the London Games, actions which were deemed to have given him an advantage over candidates who toed the line.

While noting that the IOC’s sanction was not disproportionate, the CAS said Chu’s actions were more due to excessive zeal than a desire to get the upper hand, and that his reputation and integrity were unaffected.

Andy Carroll in action during West Ham United’s English Premier League match against Wigan Athletic at The DW Stadium, on October 27, 2012.

Liverpool striker Andy Carroll has withdrawn from the England squad for the friendly games against the Republic of Ireland and Brazil because of a foot injury, the Football Association have announced.

The FA revealed the news in a statement late on Tuesday, and said that manager Roy Hodgson had not called up a replacement.

“Andy Carroll has been ruled out of the England squad for the upcoming internationals with Republic of Ireland and Brazil,” said the FA.

“Carroll had been named in Roy Hodgson’s squad that will take on Ireland at Wembley on Wednesday, May 29, and then travel to Rio to face Brazil on June 2, but has now been forced to withdraw through injury.

“No replacement will be made at this time.”

Carroll spent the season on loan at West Ham United and ended the season with a strong burst of form that drew warm praise from Hodgson.

His withdrawal leaves Hodgson with four strikers at his disposal in Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge, Jermain Defoe of Tottenham Hotspur, and the Manchester United pair of Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck.

England’s players are due to convene at their St George’s Park training base on Sunday.

Wallaby winger Digby Ioane is pictured during a rugby union test match in England on November 17, 2012. Ioane could miss the opening Test against the British and Irish Lions after undergoing a knee operation on Wednesday, rugby officials said.

Wallaby winger Digby Ioane could miss the opening Test against the British and Irish Lions after undergoing a knee operation on Wednesday, rugby officials said.

Ioane, who was chosen in Australia’s 25-man preliminary squad for next month’s three-Test series, was sent home from Queensland Reds’ tour of South Africa over the weekend for scans.

He underwent surgery in Brisbane to clean up articular cartilage on his troublesome left knee, the Australian Rugby Union said on Twitter.

It said it was “touch and go” for the opening Test in Brisbane on June 22.

The 27-year-old is seen as a certain selection on the left wing if fit and his omission would be a major blow for the Wallabies.

His surgery follows Tatafu Polota-Nau (broken forearm) being ruled out of the Lions series while George Smith (knee) is unlikely to recover in time and Pat McCabe (knee) is also in doubt.

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs (C) attempts a shot next to the Memphis Grizzlies’ Zach Randolph (L) and Marc Gasol on May 21, 2013. The Spurs held off the late-charging Grizzlies to triumph 93-89 in overtime and stretch their lead in the NBA Western Conference finals to 2-0.

The San Antonio Spurs held off  late-charging Memphis Grizzlies to triumph 93-89 in overtime and stretch their lead in the NBA Western Conference finals to 2-0.

Tim Duncan’s 17 points Tuesday included six of the Spurs’ eight points in overtime, when he also delivered a key block to help San Antonio hang on.

Tony Parker scored 15 points and handed out a career-high 18 assists for the Spurs, who emerged with the win despite seeing a 13-point lead evaporate with seven and a half minutes left in regulation.

The Spurs, who thumped the Grizzlies 105-83 in game one on Sunday, will try to extend their dominance as the series shifts to Memphis for games three and four on Saturday and Monday.

The winner of the series will advance to the NBA finals and battle the Eastern Conference champions for the league crown.

Reigning NBA champs Miami host Indiana in the opening game of the Eastern Conference finals on Wednesday.

Memphis again struggled offensively, connecting on just 34 percent of their shots from the field.

But the Grizzlies displayed their dominant defense late in regulation, producing a 15-2 scoring run that forced overtime.

Mike Conley and Jerryd Bayless scored 18 points apiece. Conley’s jump shot with 18.2 seconds left in the fourth quarter knotted the contest at 85-85 and forced overtime.

Zach Randolph shook off a sluggish start to score 15 points and pulled down 18 rebounds for Memphis.

World champion Philippe Gilbert (R) chats with a teammate prior to the Amgen Tour of California on May 11, 2013. Gilbert chases his first victory of the season as a strong field gets set to begin the five stage Tour of Belgium on Wednesday.

BRUSSELS - World champion Philippe Gilbert chases his first victory of the season as a strong field gets set to begin the five stage Tour of Belgium on Wednesday.

The BMC team leader pulled out of last week’s Tour of California to attend the birth of his second child but will line up for his home race in optimistic mood with the final stage suited to his climbing skills over the route used for the one day Liege-Bastogne-Liege classic.

“I hope to do something special on this stage which passes through my hometown. I know the roads by heart and the course is perfectly suited for me,” said the 30-year-old who is still shaking off jet lag after his trip back from the American west coast.

The riders will cover the La Redoute climb three times on the final day where Gilbert won the Liege-Bastogne-Liege in 2011 after finishing third on the same roads one year earlier.

Should Gilbert falter, BMC can also count on his compatriot Greg van Avermaet to challenge for the overall title while former world champion Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland is always a threat and Germany’s Tony Martin and Dutchman Lieuwe Westra are also tipped for the podium.

Sprint finishes are also likely to feature with Belgium’s best known racer Tom Boonen set to take on Germany’s Andre Greipel in what should be some gripping battles amongst the peloton speedsters.

Thomas Voeckler is arguably the best hope amongst the French contingent although the former yellow jersey holder is likely to use the race as preparation for this year’s Tour de France after fracturing his collarbone in mid-April and only returning to action last week.

Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers is pictured during a game as part of the NBA All-Star Weekend on February 15, 2013. The Cavaliers have nabbed the number one selection in next month’s NBA draft, winning the draft lottery for the second time in three years.

NEW YORK - The Cleveland Cavaliers nabbed the number one selection in next month’s NBA draft, winning the draft lottery for the second time in three years.

Cleveland’s lottery jackpot comes 10 years after they landed superstar LeBron James with the top selection in 2003.

In 2011, rebuilding after James’ departure in 2010 for Miami, they gained the top pick via the lottery and selected current All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving.

The Cavaliers, coming off a 24-58 season in which Irving missed 23 games because of injuries, had the third-best odds to win the top choice.

They had a 15.6 percent chance of gaining the top selection in a lottery that gives the best odds to the team with the worst record in the league.

This year that was the Orlando Magic, who had a 25 percent chance of claiming the top selection after finishing a league-worst 20-62.

But after Tuesday’s draw, Orlando ended up with the second choice in the draft, which will be held on June 27.

The Washington Wizards will have the third selection while Charlotte, which had the second-best odds for the top choice at 19.9 percent, will have the fourth selection, followed by Phoenix, New Orleans, Sacrament, Detroit, Minnesota and Portland.

Philadelphia, Toronto, Dallas and Utah were slotted into spots 11-14, though Oklahoma City owns the Toronto Raptors’ pick as part of last October’s blockbuster trade with Houston involving James Harden.

Michael Jordan, owner of the Charlotte Bobcats watches during their game against the Indiana Pacers on January 15, 2013 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Jordan wants to get Charlotte buzzing again, applying to the NBA to re-name his Charlotte Bobcats the Hornets

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina - NBA great Michael Jordan wants to get Charlotte buzzing again, applying to the NBA to re-name his Charlotte Bobcats the Hornets.

If approved, the switch would take effect for the 2014-15 season.

The first NBA club in Charlotte was named the Hornets, and played in the city from 1988 until they moved to New Orleans in 2002.

In 2004, the league awarded the expansion Bobcats franchise to Charlotte.

Now that the New Orleans club has re-named itself the Pelicans, a switch that became official last month, Jordan wants to bring the Hornets name back to Charlotte.

“This is a monumental moment for our organization,” Jordan said. “After undergoing an elaborate research process, we recognize that this is what our fans want.

“We believe that making this change would not only re-establish one of the most recognized brands in sports, but would also unify our fan base by bringing together our loyal Bobcats fans with those who have fond memories of our city’s NBA predecessor. Our fans spoke and we listened.”

The Hornets made the playoffs in seven of their 14 seasons in Charlotte. They led the NBA in attendance eight times in that span.

The Bobcats, meanwhile, have made the playoffs in only one of nine seasons.

Jordan, a five-time NBA Most Valuable Player and winner of six NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s, was the first former player to become a majority owner in the NBA, spending $275 million for the Bobcats in 2010.

Vinny Del Negro talks to Los Angeles Clippers players during a game against the Indiana Pacers in Los Angeles on April 1, 2013. The Clippers, ousted in the first round of the NBA playoffs, have said they won’t bring back head coach Del Negro.

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Clippers, ousted in the first round of the NBA playoffs, said they won’t bring back head coach Vinny Del Negro.

“We would like to thank Vinny for everything he did during his three years with the organization,” Clippers Vice President of Basketball Operations Gary Sacks said on Tuesday.

“Vinny helped this team win a Pacific Division title and we greatly appreciate all that he and his staff helped us accomplish. This was a difficult decision, but we feel this is the best decision for our franchise moving forward.”

Del Negro’s contract expired at the conclusion of the season.

The Clippers were 56-26 this season and won the Pacific Division for the first time in club history.

But they fell in the first round of the playoffs to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Del Negro’s teams improved during each of his three seasons in charge. They were 32-50 in his first year and 40-26 during the lockout-shortened 2011-12 campaign.

Last season, the Clippers reached the second round of the playoffs, beating Memphis in the first round before they were swept by San Antonio.

Del Negro, who played 14 NBA seasons from 1988-2002, also coached the Chicago Bulls for two seasons.

Australian Test cricket captain Michael Clarke speaks to the media following the announcement of the Australian squad for the upcoming Ashes cricket tour to England in Sydney on April 24, 2013. Brad Haddin, who has played only one Test in the past 14 months and turns 35 next week, replaces Shane Watson as Michael Clarke’s deputy in a 16-man squad for the five Test series starting in England in July. AFP PHOTO / Greg WOOD

SYDNEY - Captain Michael Clarke and his deputy Brad Haddin on Wednesday insisted Australia’s disastrous series in India was history with the team fired up to win back the Ashes from England.

Australia play five Tests against their arch-rivals starting in Nottingham on July 10, and several of the team are leaving this weekend ahead of the June 6-23 Champions Trophy in England.

At a farewell event in Sydney, Clarke said the side’s excitement was palpable.

“We have probably the most exciting 12 months of our careers ahead of us,” he said, referring to back-to-back Ashes campaigns with Australia hosting England during the 2013/2014 southern hemisphere summer.

“We have been working extremely hard. We know that we go to England and we will be up against very good opposition. At this stage, they are certainly the favourites, but we look forward to that challenge.

“There is not one cricket game where I’ve walked out onto the field with the Australian team and not expected to win, and this series will be no different,” Clarke added.

Australian batsman Brad Haddin is pictured during a international T20 cricket match at the Gabba in Brisbane on February 13, 2013. Selectors hope Braddin’s presence will help bring some authority to a side dogged by in-fighting and poor discipline in India, where the team was thrashed 4-0.

To prepare, the team have spent the past four weeks at Cricket Australia’s Centre of Excellence in Brisbane and Clarke said winning the Ashes would not be about individual performances, but a team effort.

“There’s a lot of talk about our fast bowlers and we have plenty of talent,” he said.

“But I think it will come down to the batters making runs, the spin department doing their role and our fast bowlers maximising conditions.

“Without doubt the Ashes tour is the most special, but it does take a whole squad of 16 players to have success.”

With Shane Watson standing down from his vice-captain role after his controversial axing on disciplinary grounds in India, the experienced Haddin has been recalled to add stability.

Selectors hope his presence will help bring some authority to a side dogged by in-fighting and poor discipline in India, where the team was thrashed 4-0.

The veteran wicketkeeper, who has played only one Test since January 2012, said the team had moved on and morale was good.

“The way we are going to win this campaign is to come together as a group of 16, keep challenging ourselves to become better cricketers, move forward and be accountable for our actions,” he said.

“It is not hard at all to motivate a team coming into an Ashes campaign,” he added when asked how the team could lift itself after the India series in March.

“This is the ultimate for us to be involved in. If you’re not motivated for this and you’re not ready you’re never going to be.

“From that point of view we are in a pretty good space as a team. India has gone and it’s now all about getting that urn back.”

(L-R) Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery, Philipp Lahm and Dante celebrate during a match on May 18, 2013. Bayern are out to exorcise the ghosts of losing the 2012 Champions League final at home to Chelsea when they take on Borussia Dortmund on Saturday for the European title.

Bayern Munich are out to exorcise the ghosts of losing the 2012 Champions League final at home to Chelsea when they take on Borussia Dortmund on Saturday at Wembley for the European title.

This will be Bayern’s third European final in four years after the 2-0 defeat in 2010 to Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan in Madrid, then the acute disappointment of losing last May’s penalty shoot-out in Munich.

Ever since it was announced in January 2010 that the 2012 final would be held at Bayern’s Allianz Arena, the Bavarians had targeted lifting the cup ‘dahoam’ — ‘at home’ in the local dialect.

Having beaten Basel, Marseille and Real Madrid to reach the final, Germany star Thomas Mueller gave the hosts an 83rd-minute lead, putting Bayern on course for their fifth European title.

Until Chelsea ruined Munich’s party.

Graphic presentation of Saturday’s Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.

Ivory Coast star Didier Drogba — on his last appearance in a Blues shirt — equalised from his team’s only corner of the game on 88 minutes, then converted the final penalty as the Londoners won the shoot-out 4-3 to break Bayern’s hearts.

“I experienced the 1999 final, when we lost so dramatically to Manchester United in Barcelona,” said Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in the wake of the Chelsea defeat.

“That was also unbelievably brutal, but I have the impression that this is even more bitter, brutal and has superseded that.”

The Bavarians came back stronger, adding centre-back Dante and striker Mario Mandzukic to their squad, and brushed aside all-comers to win this season’s Bundesliga with a 25-point margin.

They claimed more than two dozen records, including most points (91), most wins (29 of 34 games), biggest goal difference (80+) and fewest goals conceded (18).

They are bidding to become the first German team to win the treble of European, league and cup crowns, but insist the 2012 final disappointment is just a distant memory.

“This is an incredibly stable squad, in its mentality and psychologically,” said coach Jupp Heynckes, who will bow out to be replaced by Pep Guardiola after the German Cup final on June 1 against VfB Stuttgart.

“We don’t let anything upset us and we have a very clear goal to win the European cup. Nothing will dissuade us from that.

Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes reacts during a Bundesliga match in Germany on May 18, 2013. “We don’t let anything upset us and we have a very clear goal to win the European cup. Nothing will dissuade us from that,” Heynckes has said.

“I have never experienced such a focused team, as a coach or as a player.”

“After last season, after such a disappointment, when we were the better team over the 90 minutes, games like that carve out exceptional people and that is what my players are.”

Heynckes said losing a second consecutive Champions League final has not entered his head, while Mueller said dealing with pressure is just part of being a Bayern player.

“The pressure is always there at FC Bayern, regardless of which game, except maybe for our second-leg at Barcelona,” he said after Bayern won the return semi-final 3-0 in Spain, after their 4-0 home leg victory.

“Last season, we seldom turned things around when we went behind, but on the few occasions it has happened this year we have reacted well.”

Bayern showed their mettle last Saturday when they ran out 4-3 winners having found themselves 3-1 down at Moenchengladbach in the first ten minutes.

Likewise, two goals in the last 17 minutes at home to Fortuna Duesseldorf in March rescued a 3-2 league victory.

Midfield star Bastian Schweinsteiger, who hit the post with Bayern’s fifth and final penalty in the 2012 final, said strength in depth is the key difference this time around.

And should he be called up to take another penalty in a possible shoot-out?

“If the coach wants me to, I’ll take one,” said the 28-year-old, who Heynckes has described as the “best midfielder in the world”.

“It’s always difficult talking about it and we want to decide the game over 90 minutes, and carry out our plan as well as possible, but if it comes to it, I’m ready.”

Britain’s Andy Murray lies on the court as he receives treatment during the ATP Rome Open tennis tournament in the Foro Italico on May 15, 2013, in Rome. Murray will miss the French Open with the back injury he picked up at the Rome Masters, the world number two announced on Tuesday.

Andy Murray will miss the French Open with the back injury he picked up at the Rome Masters, the world number two announced on Tuesday.

After meeting with medical specialists Murray has decided to skip the second Grand Slam of the year at Roland Garros to ensure he is fully fit for Wimbledon.

“It’s a really tough decision and I love playing in Paris, but after seeking medical advice, I am not fit to compete,” Murray explained in a statement to Britain’s Press Association.

David Warner is pictured during a Twenty20 International match against Sri Lanka in Sydney on January 26, 2013. Skipper Michael Clarke has thrown his support behind Warner, saying Wednesday he could still captain Australia despite facing a disciplinary hearing over a Twitter rant.

SYDNEY - Skipper Michael Clarke has thrown his support behind embattled opener David Warner, saying on Wednesday he could still captain Australia despite facing a disciplinary hearing over a Twitter rant.

Warner is due to appear at Cricket Australia later on Wednesday over an alleged code of conduct breach after a heated social media tirade at two of the country’s top cricket writers.

He faces sanctions ranging from a fine to suspension or counselling.

Clarke said Warner, who launched his rant while playing for the Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League tournament, had apologised and learned from the incident.

“He’s apologised and made it very clear it was unacceptable,” the skipper said ahead of his weekend departure to England for the Champions Trophy and the Ashes series.

“I look forward to having Davey home and having him around the Australian cricket team,” he added.

“He’s a great man and I love playing cricket with him and I’m really confident that if he continues to grow as he has done over the past four or five years there’s no reason, in my opinion, why he hasn’t got the potential to captain Australia one day.”

The IPL tournament was rocked last week by accusations of spot-fixing against three players, including Indian Test paceman Shanthakumaran Sreesanth.

Warner took exception to a story in Sydney’s Daily Telegraph critical of the tournament and which used his picture.

After posting a tweet with expletives aimed at journalist Robert Craddock, urging him to “get a real job”, Warner then took issue with Craddock’s News Ltd colleague Malcolm Conn in abusive tweets that sparked a back-and-forth exchange.

On Tuesday, Cricket Australia said it had no immediate plan to curb the use of social media by players, but suggested it could happen in the future.

Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder smiles as he walks up court at Chesapeake Energy Arena on April 21, 2013 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Durant pledged $1 million through his charitable foundation toward Tornado relief efforts on Tuesday, as the NBA team also vowed to aid its stricken city.

Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant pledged $1 million through his charitable foundation toward Tornado relief efforts on Tuesday, as the NBA team also vowed to aid its stricken city.

The announcement of Durant’s donation by the American Red Cross came as rescue teams were still combing through the Oklahoma City suburb where a massive storm left 24 people dead.

“Mr. Durant’s gift and support to Oklahoma comes at a time of great need and we’re forever thankful for his generosity,” the Red Cross said in a statement.

Durant has been based in Oklahoma City with the Thunder since the team was moved from Seattle in 2008, changing its name from the SuperSonics to the Thunder.

The Thunder announced a joint donation of $1 million by the team and its charitable Thunder Cares Foundation to benefit the local chapters of the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and other disaster relief organizations.

“The funds will be used to give direct and immediate support for those in need, covering essentials such as food, water and shelter in the days and weeks to come,” the team said.

Li Jinzhe of China makes the winning jump in the men’s long jump event at the Diamond League athletics meeting in Shanghai on May 18, 2013. Long-jumper Li boosted his reputation as one of China’s greatest track and field hopes with his second victory over a strong field in three days at the IAAF World Challenge in Beijing Tuesday.

BEIJING  - Long-jumper Li Jinzhe boosted his reputation as one of China’s greatest track and field hopes with his second victory over a strong field in three days at the IAAF World Challenge in Beijing Tuesday.

Li beat 2008 Olympic Champion Irving Saladino at the scene of the Panamanian’s greatest triumph, leading the field with a jump of 8.31 at China’s iconic National Stadium, which is also known as the ‘Bird’s Nest’.

Saladino could only manage a jump of 7.44m, which left him nine places behind Li, with Ghanaian Ignisious Gaisah in second and Zimbabwe’s Ngonidzashe Makusha third.

Three of the last four IAAF World Indoor Championships gold medallists were also competing against 23-year-old Li, including Gaisah (2006).

Victory for the Beijing-born jumper came after he claimed another Olympic scalp, when he won at the Shanghai Diamond Athletics meet on Saturday, pushing London 2012 gold medalist Greg Rutherford into third place.

Saladino finished eighth in Shanghai, while 2004 champion, the USA’s Dwight Phillips came 10th, after Li jumped a season’s best 8.34m.

But there was success for another Beijing Olympic champion, with 400m gold medalist LaShawn Merritt winning on his return to the Bird’s Nest in the 200m event.

He finished ahead of compatriot Jeremy Dodson and Chinese star Xie Zhenye.

In the 110m hurdles, the USA’s David Oliver claimed victory after the 2008 bronze medallist could only manage fourth in Shanghai.

“China has great fans and great atmosphere,” Oliver told Xinhua news agency, moments after he won the race ahead of Jamaica’s Dwight Thomas and the USA’s Jason Richardson.

In the men’s 100m, the USA’s Justin Gatlin crossed the line first in 9.91secs, ahead of compatriot Michael Rodgers and China’s Su Bingtian.

Su finished on 10.06secs, marginally off the 10.04secs national record set last month by Zhang Peimeng, who came fifth in Beijing.

In the women’s events, reigning Olympic champion Allyson Felix won the 200m with ease.

The USA sprint star pushed her compatriots LaShauntea Moore and Ebonie Floyd into second and third with a time of 22.36secs.

Also Olympic hammer throw champion Tatyana Lysenko of Russia claimed victory with a throw of 73.12m.

Italian Vincenzo Nibali of Astana team celebrates the pink jersey on the podium of the 16th stage of the 96th Giro d’Italia cycling race from Valloire in France to Ivrea in Italy on May 21, 2013 in Ivrea.

IVREA, Italy  - Astana’s Vincenzo Nibali kept possession of the Giro d’Italia race leader’s pink jersey for another night after a strong showing in Tuesday’s 16th stage.

Benat Intxausti of Spain, riding for the Movistar team, won the stage, a 238km ride from the French resort of Valloire, in 5hr 52.48min.

Intxausti beat Estonian Tanel Kangert into second in a sprint finish, with Nibali and his rivals in the general classification, Australian Cadel Evans and Colombian Rigoberto Uran, coming in as part of the same peloton 14sec behind.

Evans stands 1min 26sec off Nibali, with Uran 2.46 off the Italian’s pace.

“You might have thought the stage would be easy, but it wasn’t the case,” Nibali said.

“A lot of riders from Monday’s day off. The Giro, the Tour, they’re raced like that. In the final descent, I didn’t try to gain time, I only sought to control. It’s been a good day, I can only be happy.”

The big loser of the day’s racing was Mauro Santambrogi, the Vcini Fantini rider starting in fourth overall but losing more than two minutes.

“Over three weeks, a bad day can happen to anyone,” said Santambrogio in reference to Bradley Wiggins and Michele Scarponi.

“Today was my turn. Tomorrow, I’ll ride out calmly with the goal of doing well at each occasion that presents itself.

“Even if it didn’t happen today as I had hoped, I can’t complain about my Giro.”

A 22-rider breakaway formed several times in the ascent of Mont-Cenis mountain frontier between France and Italy, Nibali and his team content to hand them a lead that once stretched to almost five minutes.

But they were eventually reeled back in with 20km to race, with Astana taking up the lead.

Evans and Uran reeled in Nibali’s group 11.5km from the finish after the Italian had gone on the attack down a spectacular descent that featured a series of hairpin turns.

Kangert then attacked and at the 6km mark took with him Intxausti, Lampre’s Polish rider Przemyslaw Niemiec and Dutchman Robert Gesink, who was later knocked out of the equation with a flat tyre.

Intxausti, competing in the Giro for a third time, took his moment perfectly for the a first-ever stage win on a Grand Tour.

“It wasn’t an easy sprint. At 3km, Kangert got on my wheel and I knew he was my opponent,” said the 27-year-old Intxausti.

“At 700 metres, I was able to keep my head and stay in the saddle, and at 300 metres, with a tailwind, I attacked on the outside.”

The 17th stage on Wednesday sees the riders tackle a 214km course between Caravaggio and Vincenza, before three testing stages.

Tiger Woods (R) of the USA and Sergio Garcia of Spain stand on the 11th tee during round three of The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida on May 11, 2013. Garcia insists he has got over his collapse at Sawgrass but his row with Woods rumbles on.

WENTWORTH, United Kingdom - Sergio Garcia insists he has got over his collapse at Sawgrass but his row with Tiger Woods rumbles on.

Garcia threw away his chances of winning the Players’ Championship when he found water three times in the final two holes at Sawgrass and plummeted down the leader board to eighth place.

The week was marred by Garcia’s spat with Woods – the eventual winner – on the third day when the world number one disturbed the Spaniard as he was hitting a shot.

The pair have been engaged in a war of words ever since but Garcia was in an optimistic mood ahead of Thursday’s start to the PGA Championship at Wentworth his first appearance here for 13 years.

Garcia told reporters: “There is no doubt I had a great possibility of winning there for a second time so I was disappointed about that but I was happy knowing the way I played and the way I handled myself.

“I was trying to win the tournament but it was a great week. I felt like I played well over the whole week and that is what I tried to take away from it.”

Earlier this week Woods said he had not made up with Garcia over their row and world number 14 is not giving ground in the dispute either.

Garcia added: “You can’t like everybody. There are people you connect with and people that you don’t – it is as simple as that.

“He doesn’t need me in his life and I don’t need him in mine so let’s move on and keep doing what we are doing.

“It doesn’t mean I can’t play with him. It is just another player – obviously a good player. When I enjoy playing with someone there is a bit more talking going on and when you are playing with someone you don’t fancy as much you are a little bit quiet.

“All I can do is move on and forget. It is difficult to forget – life goes on. It is one of those things that is unfortunate but it happened.”

Garcia is back at Wentworth for the first time since 2000 and although he splits his time between Europe and the United States he is glad to be back on the eastern side of the Atlantic.

“I love coming back here and disconnecting a little bit from the US,” added Garcia. “To see my Spanish friends and my Italian friends and my Argentinian friends.

“I have always loved the European Tour. I love what the European Tour stands for and the feeling you get. It feels a little bit closer and more like a family.”

Luke Donald is the defending champion here and is aiming to join Colin Montgomerie as the only player to win the European Tour’s flagship tournament three years in succession. Scotland’s Montgomerie won in 1998, 1999 and 2000.

There are ten previous winners in the field including Paul Casey, David Howell and Jose Maria Olazabal whilst Spain Miguel Angel Jimenez – winner in 2008 – will be making his 600th start on the European Tour.

File picture shows Italian rider Vincenzo Nibali before the start of the 180-km 14th stage of the 96th Giro d’Italia from Cervere to Bardonecchia-Jafferau in southern Italy on May 18, 2013. Astana’s Vincenzo Nibali kept possession of the Giro d’Italia race leader’s pink jersey for another night after a strong showing in Tuesday’s 16th stage.

IVREA, Italy  - Astana’s Vincenzo Nibali kept possession of the Giro d’Italia race leader’s pink jersey for another night after a strong showing in Tuesday’s 16th stage.

Benat Intxausti of Spain, riding for the Movistar team, won the stage, a 238km ride from the French resort of Valloire, in 5hr 52.48min.

Intxausti beat Estonian Tanel Kangert into second in a sprint finish, with Nibali and his rivals in the general classification, Australian Cadel Evans and Colombian Rigoberto Uran, coming in as part of the same peloton 14sec behind.

Evans stands 1min 26sec off Nibali, with Uran 2.46 off the Italian’s pace.

The big loser of the day’s racing was Mauro Santambrogi, the Vcini Fantini rider starting in fourth overall but losing more than two minutes.

A 22-rider breakaway formed several times in the ascent of Mont-Cenis mountain frontier between France and Italy, Nibali and his team content to hand them a lead that once stretched to almost five minutes.

But they were eventually reeled back in with 20km to race, with Astana taking up the lead.

Evans and Uran reeled in Nibali’s group 11.5km from the finish after the Italian had gone on the attack down a spectacular descent that featured a series of hairpin turns.

Kangert then attacked and at the 6km mark took with him Intxausti, Lampre’s Polish rider Przemyslaw Niemiec and Dutchman Robert Gesink, who was later knocked out of the equation with a flat tyre.

Intxausti, competing in the Giro for a third time, took his moment perfectly for the a first-ever stage win on a Grand Tour.

The 17th stage on Wednesday sees the riders tackle a 214km course between Caravaggio and Vincenza, before three testing stages.