BRIEFS - Rain, no play
Published:Tuesday | July 20, 2010 | 12:00 AM
GALLE, Sri Lanka (AP):
The second day's play of the first cricket Test between Sri Lanka and India was called off without a ball being bowled because of persistent rain at Galle International Stadium.
Almost four sessions of the match have been lost because of rain and a wet ground.
Weather cleared briefly in the afternoon session yesterday and the ground staff attempted to dry the surface, but another shower in the evening forced match referee Andy Pycroft to abandon the day's play.
Sri Lanka, batting first, were on 256-2 at the end of the first day's play.
Cole a Red
LIVERPOOL, England (AP):
Liverpool has given Joe Cole a four-year contract to make the England midfielder Roy Hodgson's first signing as manager.
The Premier League club said yesterday that the 28-year-old Cole, who won three Premier League titles in a seven-year spell with Chelsea, will complete the move if he passes a medical "in the next 48 hours".
Cole is Hodgson's first signing since becoming manager on July 1 and arrived on a free transfer after his Chelsea contract ended.
Swann charged
NOTTINGHAM, England (AP):
England bowler Graeme Swann has been charged with drink-driving.
Nottinghamshire police say the offspinner was stopped and tested on April 2 and charged last month.
Police said the 31-year-old Swann will appear in court in Nottingham on August 16.
Swann is ranked third in the International Cricket Council world rankings. He was voted England's Cricketer of the Year in May for 2009-10 by the country's written media.
Serena's surgery
NEW YORK (AP):
Serena Williams needs surgery on her right foot after cutting it on a broken glass at a restaurant.
The top-ranked women's player was injured last week and will miss three tournaments leading to the US Open, the WTA Tour said Saturday.
Williams has withdrawn from tournaments in Istanbul, Cincinnati and Montreal. The tour website offered no details about what happened at the restaurant.
World TeamTennis said last Monday that Williams would miss the entire season. Her Washington Kastles team said she cut the bottom of her foot and needed stitches.