Sauber to use Ferrari V6 next year in "Formula One"

Yeongam (South Korea): The Sauber Formula One team will continue to be powered by Ferrari next season after announcing an extension of their technical partnership on Friday.

The Swiss-based team said in a statement at the Korean Grand Prix that they would use the complete Ferrari powertrain, which includes engine and gearbox and energy recovery system, as part of a multi-year agreement.

Sauber have a long-standing relationship with the Italian manufacturer and have used their engines since they split with BMW at the end of 2009. They were also powered by Ferrari between 1997 and 2005.

The engine rules are going through major change next season with the current V8 being replaced by a turbocharged V6 with energy recovery systems.

Ferrari are also powering the Russian-licensed Marussia team as well as their own works outfit, the most successful in the history of the sport and the only ones to have competed since the championship started in 1950.

Afghan diplomat says qualifying for 2015 Cricket World Cup could `reunite nation`

Afghanistan`s ambassador to Australia, Nasir Andisha has said that if the nation can qualify for its first Cricket World Cup, it will play a similar role to the South African rugby team at the 1995 World Cup and `reunite` the war-torn country.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Afghanistan needs only a win against Kenya in the United Arab Emirates on Friday night to qualify for the 2015 Cup, to be played in Australia and New Zealand.If it wins it will play Bangladesh in Canberra in 502 days.

Andisha said that in a country, which is coming out of decades of war and destruction and ethnic segregation, sport could play a very important role and reunite people, also making an analogy to rugby.

China Open: Sania Mirza-Cara Black duo stuns top seeds to enter finals

New Delhi: Sania Mirza along with her Zimbabwean partner Cara Black defeated the top seed pair of Roberta Vinci and Sara Errani 6-4 6-4, in the semifinals of China Open.

Sania Mirza`s continued her astonishing doubles form as she and her partner entered the summit clash of the China Open WTA event on Friday.

In the semis the eighth-seeded Indo-Zimbabwean pair had put up a good show and eventually beaten the Italian duo in just an hour and 12 minutes in straight sets.

Now Sania and Black will face the winners of the second women`s semifinal, which is between Vera Dushevina-Arantxa Parra Santonja and second seeds Su-Wei Hsieh-Shuai Peng.

Clarke says `no idea` when he will play again

London: Australian captain Michael Clarke has said that is not sure when he will be fit to play cricket again, and although he is positive he would be fit for the return Ashes, there is no guarantee at this stage.

According to the Mirror, Clarke was speaking after it was revealed he would miss Australia`s tour of India due to a long-standing back problem.

The Baggy Greens` physio Alex Kountouris had earlier said Clarke would need an `extensive` rehabilitation period before returning to competitive cricket, the report said.

Clarke said that he was always positive and just needs to make sure he does everything to give himself the best chance.

Australia will be looking for revenge after losing this summer`s Ashes series in England 3-0, the report added.

The first Ashes Test starts in Brisbane on November 21, according to the report.

Qatar faces no threat to its right to host 2022 World Cup

Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa, president of the Asian Football Confederation, is being considered to head a task-force.

He will examine the issues entailed in moving the World Cup to a date outside summer, including competition dates.

The task-force will engage with all the significant stakeholders.

Leagues will be consulted, with the task-force reporting back to Fifa within a short space of time with a plan of action for dates and a schedule for the tournament.

Fifa are also believed to be preparing a statement which will outline how it will "observe" events relating to workers' rights within Qatar following allegations over the country's labour laws and the plight of migrant workers.

The governing body is expected to agree to move the 2022 World Cup from its traditional slot on the football calendar after proper talks have happened.

Fifa boss Sepp Blatter wanted the world governing body to vote on a switch at this week's two-day meeting in Zurich.

But with opposition to such a plan gathering momentum, it seems a decision on a move will be delayed.

Fears about the impact Qatar's summer heat could have on players and fans has prompted the scheduling re-think.

Lalit Modi banned for life by BCCI

The BCCI in its Special General Meeting in Chennai slapped the former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi with a lifetime ban, barring him from holding any position in Indian cricket. Modi was found guilty on eight charges of "indiscipline and misconduct". Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court had dismissed Modi's plea for stay on the BCCI meet. 

A bench headed by Justice G S Singhvi, before whom the matter was mentioned for urgent hearing, dismissed Modi's plea. Modi had approached the apex court challenging the order of the Delhi high court which had on Tuesday allowed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to hold the meeting.

West Indies squad to tour India

The West Indies Cricket Board on Thursday announced a 15-man Test squad for the tour of India, starting later this month.

West Indies will play two Tests, from Nov 6-10 and Nov 14-18 as well as three one-dayers on Nov 21, 24 and 27 at venues to be announced.

A spokesman for the West Indies Cricket Board said that the participation of left-arm fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell is subject to him being passed as fit by the WICB's medical panel.

Squad

Darren Sammy (captain), Tino Best, Darren Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sheldon Cottrell, Narsingh Deonarine, Kirk Edwards, Chris Gayle, Veersammy Permaul, Kieron Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Shane Shillingford, Chadwick Walton