Cricket/Harmison ruled out:England fast bowler Steve Harmison has been ruled out of this week's first Test against India because of a hernia. His place in the 13-man squad for the match starting on Thursday at Lord's goes to Hampshire seamer Chris Tremlett.
Harmison will find out today if he needs surgery.
In an ECB statement, the chairman of selectors, David Graveney, said: "We have taken the precaution of adding Chris Tremlett to the squad following confirmation this morning that Stephen Harmison will not be available.
"Chris performed well in the recent England Lions tour match against India and his inclusion will give us additional options when we come to decide on our starting XI."
Cricket/Pakistan name coach :The former Pakistan captains Javed Miandad, Intikhab Alam and Zaheer Abbas have criticised the national board for choosing another foreign coach in Geoff Lawson.
"How can you expect a foreigner to have the same feeling of patriotism or nationalism that a Pakistani does? Instead of bringing in foreigners the board should first try to improve the grass-root cricket level," Miandad told reporters.
The Australian Lawson was confirmed as the new coach by the Pakistan Cricket Board yesterday, succeeding the former England international Bob Woolmer, who died of suspected heart failure during the World Cup finals in the West Indies in March.
Rugby/Boost for Wales :Wales's preparations for September's Rugby World Cup received a boost with the news that forward Jonathan Thomas will not require surgery or plaster on his broken hand.
Thomas, who sustained an injury to the metatarsal on the ring finger of his left hand during a training session, is able to take some part in training and will be back to full fitness within two or three weeks.
"I'm relieved and really pleased to be able to get stuck back into training," Thomas said in a statement.
His Ospreys team-mate Shane Williams is also progressing well after planned surgery on his elbow. Wales physio Mark Davies said the back should be fully recovered by August.
Motor sport/McLaren respond:No one at McLaren knew before July 3rd that one of the team's employees had confidential Ferrari information in his possession, the Formula One championship leaders have said.
McLaren were responding in a statement to media speculation after a High Court hearing last week led to their suspended chief designer, Mike Coughlan, providing Ferrari with an affidavit.
The team have been summoned by the governing FIA to a hearing in Paris on July 26th.
"McLaren can confirm from its own investigation that no Ferrari materials or data are or have ever been in the possession of any McLaren employee other than the individual sued by Ferrari," the statement said.
