London,

Wellington (New Zealand), Apr. 1 : India''s cricketers, it seems, will have a wicket of their choice when they meet New Zealand in the third and final cricket Test at the Basin Reserve ground here from Friday.

Any prospect of New Zealand pressurizing a pitch to deliberately favour seam bowlers was ruled out after the Indians praised Australian Brett Sipthorpe''s work.

Durban (South Africa), Apr. 1 : Australia's cricketers undertook a fishing trip in the South African coastal city of Durban ahead of their first one-day international against the Proteas here.

Victorian skipper Cameron White was among those on the fishing trip, while some members of the 14-man squad, including national captain Ricky Ponting and West Australian skipper Marcus North, decided to play golf instead.

London, Apr. 1 : England striker Wayne Rooney has said that he would love to be tied to his club Manchester United for life.

The striker, 23, has admitted that he looks up to his pals Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville, who have remained with the club for nearly two decades.

The former Everton ace told Inside United: "I've always said that as long as United want me I'm happy to stay at the club. I don't want to leave. I love United and I have no reason to think about moving. I'm sure I'll be here for a long time."

Lahore, Apr. 1 : Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar's troubled past on and off the cricket field has come to haunt him, for now a reputed surgeon has refused to operate upon him because of it.

According to The Daily Times, a famous knee specialist has refused to treat Akhtar, saying it might affect his career adversely.

Madrid - Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini could be targeted by Spanish champions Real Madrid for the next season, the AS sports daily said on its website on Wednesday.

According to AS, Pellegrini is one of the coaches preferred by Jorge Valdano, the man tipped to return as Real sporting director if Florentino Perez, as expected, wins the upcoming presidential elections.

The elections will likely take place on June 14, and Perez, who has still not officially announced his candidature, is the clear favourite to win them.