Ponting says he’s ready to play under Michael Clarke

SYDNEY - Australian cricket skipper Ricky Ponting has returned home and declared he would not walk away from international cricket even if he was stripped of his captaincy. He said he would be happy to play under deputy Michael Clarke.

Molina leads Giants past the Diamondbacks

SAN FRANCISCO — Pinch-hitter Bengie Molina hit a three-run home run in the eighth inning and the San Francisco Giants rallied for a 4-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday night.

Has Martina Navratilova got engaged to Julia Lemigova?

LONDON - Tennis legend Martina Navratilova is said to be engaged to former beauty queen Julia Lemigova.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona: El Clasico Revamped!

MADRID — Real Madrid’s ambitious plan to dislodge Barcelona from the perch of world soccer begins with the start of the La Liga season, where an exciting title contest between classic rivals is likely to have all eyes focused on the Spanish league this year.

Austrian skiing great Toni Sailer, who won 3 golds at 1956 Winter Olympics, dies at 73

VIENNA — Austrian skiing great Toni Sailer, who in 1956 became the first athlete to win all three alpine ski events at a Winter Olympics, has died. He was 73.

Baker, Twins hold Baltimore to four hits in 2-1 victory.

MINNEAPOLIS — Scott Baker allowed a run and four hits over seven innings Monday night, leading the Minnesota Twins to their fourth straight win, 2-1 over the Baltimore Orioles.

Kuznetsova wins, Mauresmo triumphs, Baghdatis beaten at Pilot Pen

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Top-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova needed three sets Monday to overcome China’s Zheng Jie 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-4 in the first round of the Pilot Pen tennis tournament, the final tuneup before the U.S. Open.

Return of The Ashes feels like a dream, says Flintoff

LONDON - England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff says winning the Ashes is “like a dream” after the Aussies were sent packing in dramatic fashion.

Yankees hit 5 homers in 8-4 win over Red Sox

BOSTON — Derek Jeter needed one pitch to reach a milestone and get the Yankees going again.

England Ashes win: A Different take!

LONDON — It is fitting that actor Daniel Radcliffe, best known for playing Harry Potter, should be among the cheering crowds at The Oval to see England win the Ashes.

Dementieva beats Sharapova; clinches Rogers Cup

TORONTO — Elena Dementieva’s U.S. Open tuneup was an overwhelming success.

Roger Federer ousts Djokovic to win Cincinati Masters

MASON, Ohio — Roger Federer is back in top-of-the-world form heading into the U.S. Open.

US earns 3 more golds on last day of worlds, with Merritt, Felix and Richards each getting 2nd

BERLIN — Americans LaShawn Merritt, Kerron Clement, Allyson Felix and Sanya Richards each won a second title at the world championships in the 1,600-meter relays Sunday. While the Jamaicans ruled the sprints, it was all U.S. in the longer relays, with the Americans winning by huge margins in both.

6 athletes from world championships arrested after early-morning scuffle at Berlin disco

BERLIN — Six track and field athletes from the world championships were arrested after a scuffle at a Berlin disco early Sunday.

Ronaldo may surpass Becks in battle of brands

LONDON - Football ace Cristiano Ronaldo, 24, may soon outstrip ageing England hero David Beckham, 34, for the number of commercial deals to his name, says a report.

Sharapova, Serena Williams reach quarters in Toronto

TORONTO — Maria Sharapova beat Vera Zvonareva 6-2, 7-6 (3) Thursday to join Serena Williams in the quarterfinals of the Rogers Cup.

Usain Bolt blazes to another world record in the 200m at worlds

BERLIN — Teeth clenched, Usain Bolt grimaced as he churned toward the finish line, hoping to coax a fraction more out of his 6-foot-5 frame.

Caster Semenya Photos: Does Caster Semenya have ambiguous genitalia?

BERLIN — The South African teenager caught up in the gender-test flap bowed her head to receive the gold medal for winning the 800-meter win at the world championships on Thursday, while officials and family came to her defense.

Arsenal’s Fabregas at center of Barcelona power struggle

LONDON - Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas is at the centre of a power struggle at Barcelona.

Lampard promises Chelsea fans more than EPL or FA cup this year

LONDON - Chelsea midfielder frank Lampard has promised his Chelsea fans that he will keep scoring goals after he equalled Jimmy Greaves record in the club’s all time goal charts.

Clarke backs Ponting to show his class at The Oval

SURREY - Australia vice-captain Michael Clarke has warned England that they should fear the Australian captain Ricky Ponting as he plays the fifth and final Ashes Test match at The Oval that will determine his legacy.

Usain Bolt all set and at ease for 200m World championship

Bolt goes for gold medal No. 2 at worlds

BERLIN — Usain Bolt seems to have a lock on his second sprint title at the world championships even before running Thursday’s 200-meter final.

Sparks win 78-63 over Lynx; Leslie scores season-high 28

LOS ANGELES — Lisa Leslie scored a season-high 28 points to lead the Los Angeles Sparks to a 78-63 victory over the Minnesota Lynx on Wednesday night.

Federer, Murray cruise to decisive Cincinnati wins

CINCINNATI - Roger Federer and Andy Murray led an all-star field Wednesday at the Cincinnati Masters with wins into the third round as Rafael Nadal aimed to join his rivals with an opening victory on the fast hard-court.

United crash at Burnley; Liverpool sweep past Hull city

LONDON - Manchester United slumped to a shock 1-0 defeat Wednesday at newly promoted Burnley, while Liverpool got their season back on track with a 4-0 victory over Stoke City.

Muhammad Ali beats Bradman!

MELBOURNE - Former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Muhammad Ali, 67, has been named the greatest sports star by Australia’s No. 1 sporting magazine Alpha.

Australia will not settle for a draw in Oval Test, says Clarke

LONDON - Australian vice captain Michael Clarke has said that his side has no intention of chasing a draw in the decisive Ashes Test that starts tomorrow at The Oval.

World athletics News: Gold at last for Richards, Kemboi, Nerius

BERLIN - Sanya Richards, Steffi Nerius and Ezekiel Kemboi shook off the ghosts of the past with gold medal performances at the world athletics championships.

Scorecard: Dodgers 7, Cardinals 3

NY Knicks Nate Robinson arrested in Bronx for driving with suspended license

NEW YORK — New York Knicks player Nate Robinson was arrested Tuesday for driving without a license.

Tyson Gay pulls out of 200m

BERLIN - Holder Tyson Gay has pulled out of the 200 metres race at the world championships, United States athletics officials said Monday night. A sore groin made it impossible for Gay to race four rounds in the 200m Tuesday, but he hoped to be back for the weekend’s sprint relay races.

Stephen Strasburg agreed $15.1 million deal

Stephen Strasburg the rocking San Diego pitcher agreed to a record $15.1-million deal with the Washington Nationals.

Woods shocks golfing world with foul-mouthed swears at USPGA

CHASKA - American golfer Tiger Woods shocked TV viewers when he let out a foul-mouthed rant during the final round of the US PGA. The world No.1 missed seven putts from inside 10 feet to finish three strokes back after a final-round 75 to lose to an unheard of South Korean golfer Y E Yang.

Pak team manager shattered after disastrous performance in Lanka

ISLAMABAD - Disappointed over the disastrous tour of Sri Lanka, Pakistan cricket team’s manager Yawar Saeed has admitted that the team under-performed during the recently concluded series.

‘European Super League will be reality in 10 years,’ says Wenger

LONDON - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes that the idea of a European Super League could be a reality in 10 years’ time, as he felt that the growing number of clubs could not be accomodated by the Champions League alone.