Maxwell trains with state team, could return soon

Melbourne

Australia’s Glenn Maxwell seems to be moving closer to a comeback from his mental health break after the all-rounder was seen training with his Victoria state team here. Maxwell, who stepped away from cricket to deal with his unspecified problems during Australia’s T20I series against Sri Lanka in October, returned to club cricket recently. He has played three Victorian Premier Cricket matches with club side Fitzroy Doncaster since and has taken part in some aspects of Victoria’s Shield program. The 31-year-old yesterday participated in Victoria’s training session at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. “I think he is doing everything he needs to do... When he is ready to come back (he will),” teammate Marcus Harris said. “I’m not sure if it is this week or Big Bash, but he’s not far away I think,” Harris added.

Karachi

Teen pacer Naseem Shah in Pakistan U-19 WC squad 

Teen pace sensation Naseem Shah was named in the Pakistan’s U-19 World Cup squad after his Test debut in Australia. The Pakistan junior selectors picked the squad for the tournament to be held in South Africa from January 17 to February 9. Pakistan U-19 coach Ejaz Ahmed had requested the chief selector and national bowling coach Waqar Younis to release Naseem from the senior outfit for the youth World Cup. 

Copenhagen

Wozniacki to retire in January

Former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki will retire from tennis after January’s Australian Open, the only Grand Slam title she won (in 2018). The 29-year-old  said her retirement had nothing to do with her health and that she wanted to accomplish more in life off the court with her husband David Lee, a professional basketball player. She had opened up about her battle with rheumatoid arthritis in October last year, saying there were days when she found it hard to get out of bed. “I’ve accomplished everything I could ever dream of on the court,” Wozniacki wrote on the social media today. The Dane has won 30 WTA singles titles.

London

Arsenal’s winless streak up to 9 after loss to Brighton

Caretaker manager Freddie Ljungberg said Arsenal “did not show up” for the first 45 minutes as the Gunners’ winless streak reached nine games in a 1-2 home defeat to Brighton. Brighton’s Neal Maupay headed in a deserved winner for the Seagulls 10 minutes from time after Alexandre Lacazette had cancelled out Adam Webster’s opener for Brighton. Defeat leaves Arsenal in 10th place, 10 points adrift of Chelsea in the hunt for Champions League qualification. 

Turin (Italy)

Pele's last Brazil jersey sells for 30,000 Euros

The jersey worn by Pele during his final match for Brazil has sold for 30,000 Euros ($33,000) in an auction here. The three-time World Cup winner wore the jersey in a friendly against Yugoslavia in Rio de Janeiro in July 1971, the last time he played for Brazil. Also, a shirt worn by Argentine great Diego Maradona while playing for Napoli sold for 7,500 Euros. — Agencies