London, Nov 7: LA Galaxy star David Beckham is likely to be axed for England’s clash with Germany on November 19.

The former skipper, one cap short of Bobby Moore’s outfield player record of 108, is about to pay the price for LA Galaxy’s failure to reach the MSL play-offs.

It is believed that Becks, 33, will lack match fitness for the prestigious friendly in Berlin, as he will not have played a serious game for three weeks, The Sun reported.

Sydney, Nov 7 : Former Australian leg spinner Stuart MacGill has denied making a turnaround on his decision to retire from international cricket, but revealed he was working overtime to play for New South Wales again.

The injured leg spinner did not categorically rule out attempting a return to the Test arena, but said the travel schedule might be too taxing.

London, Nov 7: Fallen England soccer idol Paul Gascoigne has been given a nine-week breathing space to file his late tax returns and fend off a bankruptcy petition by Revenue and Customs.

Gascoigne has not filed any returns for the past two years. The taxman is petitioning on the basis of an estimated 200,000-pound liability, The Sun reported.

At the London Bankruptcy Court, the case was adjourned until January 9 with the Revenue’s agreement.

Gascoigne’s solicitor Craig Montgomery told Deputy Registrar Kyriakides that his financial affairs were complex, involving interests overseas, and time was needed to submit returns and liquidate assets to meet his liabilities.

Sydney, Nov 7 : India must use its growing power in world cricket to keep the game on the right path rather than becoming obsessed with short-term issues like code-of-conduct hearings, Cricket Australia’s chief executive James Sutherland has said.

He said there was little the rest of the cricketing world could do to match India’s power, so Indian administrators needed to take greater responsibility for the game''s welfare.

Los Angeles - In a matter of less than two seconds, Brandon Roy rode an emotional coaster before finishing on a high.

Roy nailed a 30-foot 3-pointer jumper to beat the overtime buzzer, and give the Portland Trail Blazers a dramatic 101-99 victory over the visiting Houston Rockets on Thursday night.

"In this building we're never out of it," said Roy, who finished with 17 points on just six-of-18 shooting from the field.

Shanghai - Roger Federer went through what has become his annual sponsor obligation as he taught a group of Chinese teenagers how to shave at a public relations event as the countdown continued on Friday to the Masters Cup.

The Swiss top seed - number one Rafael Nadal is missing with right knee tendinitis - will open his title defence on Monday against France's Gilles Simon.

Federer showed quick hands off the court as he brandished a microphone in one fist and a razor in the other during the "first shave" with a group of local 18-year-olds.