SYDNEY - Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting and off-spinner Nathan Hauritz remain on a collision course after the latter declared he would be sticking to his tried-and-true formula leading into the Ashes series this summer.

PERTH - England are hoping to disprove the old saw that nice guys finish last during this Ashes series by winning the intimidation war not by sledging, but by bringing their skills to bear on Ricky Ponting's side, writes former fast bowler Derek Pringle in The Telegraph.

PERTH - Wicketkeeper-batsman Matt Prior has said that England would focus on building intensity through its skills, bowling and fielding.

MELBOURNE - Dropped Australian all-rounder James Hopes has received support from captain Rick Ponting ahead of next February's cricket World Cup.

BERLIN - Olympique Lyon and Inter Milan Tuesday failed to secure their early progress in Champions League football as they slumped to defeats, while Barcelona drew in Copenhagen to be denied an early place in the knock-out stage.