Defending champions St.Joseph College Maradana will go out all guns blazing to win the 2018 ‘Milo’ President trophy schools knock out final against arch rival and underdogs St.Peters College Bambalapitiya today at Race Course grounds due to kick off at 6:30pm under lights.

The Joes head into this championship as slight favourites as they dominated this tournament last year. Peterites has a reputation of giving the Josephians a hard time but the defending champions has the advantage over Peters as they won the league match this year between these two sides when they last met at Longden Place by 10 points to 5

St.Peter’s have shown tremendous improvement under the guidance of veteran Sanath Martis winning seven out of nine matches losing only to league champs Royal College and runners up St.Joseph during their school’s league rugby campaign and eventually finished in third place in the tournament’s standings.

St.Joseph's head coach Nilfer Ibrahim who is a past Kingswood College rugby player expects a tough encounter for his charges and highlighted his opponents’ prowess in defence.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily News he said “They have a very good forward pack and a three quarter line and they are overall a very good team in schools rugby at the moment, So we’ve got a huge challenge on our hands and one that we really wanted to face. It is going to be a close game and we expect a very good fight from them, but we will come out executing our plans l to be victorious in the end” concluded Nilfer. If Peters manage to beat St.Joseph in this match, they will end Joes hopes of winning the knock out cup championship for the second time in succession as they are the defending champions.

The match is a historic one for St.Peters too, as they became the first Peterite side to get in to school knock out championship after 2010. Incidentally they emerged joint champions with Royal that year under Keith Gurusinghe and what a co incident as that year Sanath Martis was the head coach of the victorious Peterite side.

For Peters their nippy scrum-half Jason Karunaratne will be highly motivated to do well against the defending champions. Karunaratne is blessed with a vast array of skills and that along with his crisp service to his outside backs makes him a danger in attack. He’s also a superb reader of the game and will not let his side down if he gets opportunities to score tries.

Also there will be lots of pressure on play maker cum captain fly-half Kenneth Wimaladasa when he takes on his opposition counterpart Santhush Algama in what should be an exciting duel. Although small in stature Wimaladasa has shown flashes of brilliance and his playmaking skills will have to be at their best if he wants to get the better of Algama, who seldom plays a poor game

Wimaladasa is regarded as one of the game’s best attackers and will be hoping to continue where he left off against Wesley College outfit in the Semi final match last week at Sugathadasa Stadium where he dished out a sensational game with his running rugby controlling the game well according to the situation as well as his fabulous kicking boot where he shocked the entire crowd with 100% accuracy.

Speaking to the Daily news Sanath Martis the veteran head coach of St.Peter’s College said “The fact is that rugby is a game in which teams make mistakes, so the team who tends to make less mistakes on that day will ultimately win the game . While wishing both teams for an exciting game of rugby, may the better team win the finals and become schools knock out champions for the 2018 rugby season. ” concluded Martis.

Predicting the outcome of today’s finals, former S.Thomas College Mount Lavinia rugby player, CR & FC rugby captain, Sri Lanka national player cum coach and the Sri Lanka rugby (SLR) president Asanga Seneviratne said “In the league I believe St. Josephs were really unlucky as they have lost only one game to league champs Royal. It’s going to be a close game, but my personal view is that St.Josephs might pull off a win. Any way since it’s going to be Joe-Pete big game and Peters goes as underdogs they can pull off a surprise, as underdogs always do well in international rugby arena as well” concluded Seneviratne.

St. Joseph’s College (Probable Team): Shavon Gregory, Theeraka Santhusa, Sonal Damian, Cheka Jayawardana, Nimesh Kavinda, John Ganegoda, Shehan Kelaniyagoda, Tharindu De Alwis, Rasen Gunawardena, Santhush Algama, Tharindu Maduranga, Sameesha Verangana (Captain), Gamunu Chethiya, K.D.Kavinda, Dulanjana Piyathissa

St. Peter’s College- (Probable Team): Abdulla Faiz, Julian Charles, Javindu Fernando, Nizran Nillar, Lankesh Perera, Yohan Fernando, Dayan Fernando, Billal Hilmy, Jason karunaratne, Kenneth Wimaladasa (Captain), Shenol Silva, Rukshan Madushanka, Dilshan Madushanka, Mark Assau, Shehan Liyanapathirana

Referee: Praneeth Weranga 

For the third consecutive year, BMS and Saegis successfully made it through to the finals of Red Bull Campus Cricket The semifinals of Red Bull Campus Cricket National Finals 2018 were held on the 29th of June at Colts cricket ground from which BMS and Saegis emerged winners.

The highly anticipated finals will take place as an open event on the 30th of June at Colts Cricket Club grounds from 11am onwards. Drop by to experience the excitement first hand!

Morning: At Colts ground: BMS vs Foundation of Goodness BMS won by 8 wickets

BMS won the toss and elected to field first.

Foundation of Goodness 147/9 in 20 overs (Ashen Bandara 37, Pabasara Waduge 21, Mishen Silva 2/06, Pramod Madushan, 2/25)

BMS 152/2 in 18.3 overs

(Kamindu Mendis 60*, Malindu Maduranga 45, Hasitha Boyagoda 34*)

Afternoon:

At Colts ground: Saegis vs KDU Saegis won by 113 runs toss was won by Saegis and elected to bat first Saegis 143 in 19.1 overs (Sahan Arachchige 38, Lasith Abeyratne 28, Dasun Aloka 26, Ashen Bandara 3/18, Sachintha De Silva 2/08, Saranga Fernando 2/22)

KDU 30 in 10.2 overs (Thikshila de Silva 4/06, Udith madushan 2/02, Shiran Fernando 2/05)

The ICC’s latest means to battle corruption in the game is an Integrity app that will be available to players, officials and support staff at all levels of the game and across all formats.

The app will “give anyone in the game easy access to information they need to tackle issues relating to anti-corruption and anti-doping”, the ICC said on Friday. While the app will serve as an information source, it will also provide those in the game a secure platform to report any suspicious incidents or behaviour related to corruption or doping.

Players and officials were first made aware of the app at a soft launch during the Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand in January. India Under-19 coach Rahul Dravid said he found the app useful, and encouraged all those involved with the game to download it.

“It’s fantastic to see that the ICC has come up with an Integrity App,” Dravid said. “It’s got a lot of information on anti-doping and anti-corruption. You can make a report about anything that you notice that is untoward. I think it’s terrific to have easy access to this information on your fingertips. I would encourage all players, and those involved in cricket, to download the app, to use it and to read up on all the information. It’s something that will keep the game clean, fair and something that we are all proud of.”

LONDON, Friday - Roger Federer is already the most prolific and oldest winner of the Wimbledon men’s singles title but when he saunters into the All England Club on Monday he will do so as favourite to lift the trophy for a ninth time.

The seemingly ageless Swiss, who turn 37 in August, has planned his year around defending the title he claimed last year by beating Croatia’s Marin Cilic.

If anything Federer’s 2017 Wimbledon fortnight was the most impressive of his career as he swept through the draw without losing a set for the first time — ending a five year wait to nudge ahead of Pete Sampras on the all-time list.

Nothing that has happened in the past 12 months suggests Federer’s hunger is diminished with victory at this year’s Australian Open taking his Grand Slam title haul to 20. He skipped the claycourt season which was against dominated by his great rival Rafael Nadal who earlier this month won the French Open for an 11th time to move to within three of Federer’s record Grand Slam tally. Federer returned to the grasscourts in Germany, winning the title in Stuttgart before reaching the Halle final this month where he was surprisingly beaten by Croatian Borna Coric.

While Coric’s victory offers some encouragement for the rest of the field, Federer will not have dwelled on it. After all, he lost to veteran German Tommy Haas in the build-up to last year’s Wimbledon but was untouchable once he arrived in his favourite English country garden.- Agencies

Steve Smith, the former Australia skipper, scored a half-century in the Global T20 Canada on Thursday, to mark his return to professional cricket.

Smith was handed a one-year ban from international and domestic cricket by Cricket Australia for his involvement in the ball-tampering scandal that erupted in South Africa in March.

However, he is allowed to play in the low-key Canadian event. The 29-year-old eased his way back by scoring 61 off 41 balls for the Toronto Nationals in a six-wicket victory over the Vancouver Knights at King City.

Smith’s knock included eight boundaries and one six before he was out stumped off the bowling of Fawad Ahmed. - AFP

Nalini Fonseka wife of former Moratuwa SC president and Sri Lanka Cricket ExCo member Chrisantha de Silva passed away yesterday on her 67th birthday following heart failure.

De Silva was president of Moratuwa SC for 20 years from 1982, president of Lions Club of Moratuwa in 1988-89, president of Colombo District CA 1988-2002, served in the SLC ExCo from 1988 to 2002 and is presently Civil Engineering contractor at SLC Admin and Engineering.

Nalini leaves behind her husband and three daughters, son in law and two grand daughters.

Her funeral takes place on July 2 cortege leaving 80, Lady de Soysa Drive, Uyana, Moratuwa at 4.30 pm to St Sebastian’s Church, Moratuwa for service and burial.

LONDON June29: England’s talismanic all-rounder Ben Stokes has been named in the squad for the three-match one-day international series with India after missing the 5-0 whitewash of Australia with a hamstring injury.

Squad: Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, David Willey, Mark Wood - AFP

Colombo City Running (CCR) is hosting a 10km run on Sunday, July 29, 2018, to raise awareness and funds for the Army Para Athletic Association.

Kicking off at 6:30 a.m., on Sunday, July 29, 2018, the route of the run will mirror the running leg of the Colombo Ironman in October 2017, which encompassed a start from Galle Face Green and followed the Port Breakwater with a return along the same path.

Additionally, CCR is providing an option of a much shorter, 5km run for those so inclined.

A community-based recreational running group, CCR aims to promote a healthy lifestyle through running while also helping build a communal spirit and connection through running-related activities. Partners for the event include Asiri Hospitals, Galle Face Hotel, Anim8, Yes FM and RBN and SIS energy drinks. With Vision Care, Zesta Tea, Wurth Sri Lanka and Child Eye Clinic being sponsors. 

wSamara, Monday: Neymar scored a stylish opener and set up substitute Roberto Firmino for a late second as Brazil cruised into the quarter-finals of the World Cup with a 2-0 win over Mexico on Monday.

Bidding for a record-extending sixth title in Russia, Brazil weathered an early storm at Samara Arena before Neymar turned on the style to underline their status as favourites.

Brazil will now meet the winners of Monday's later match between Belgium and Japan, but after seeing Argentina, Spain and Portugal eliminated in the last 16, Tite's men will fancy their chances.

"We have to learn to suffer and we did suffer, it was a tough match," said Neymar. "We knew they were a high-quality opponent."

Mexico made a bright start in their attempt to beat Brazil in a World Cup match for the first time.

But after dominating the first 20 minutes of an entertaining opening period, Brazil came back into the match, bossing the final stages of the half.

The match had been billed as a duel between Neymar and Javier Hernandez, but the West Ham striker was more noticeable for his platinum-dyed blond hair, a choice also made by central defender Carlos Salcedo, before being replaced in the second half.

Brazil awoke from their early slumber late in the opening half, but Neymar's angled drive was blocked by Guillermo Ochoa and striker Gabriel Jesus saw the 'keeper block his drive after a smart one-two.

After the interval Mexico lost drive and focus and Neymar broke the deadlock on 51 minutes.

The Paris Saint-Germain star drew several defenders as he ran across the edge of the area with the ball at his feet.

He laid it off for Willian and darted into the box, stretching to convert the Chelsea midfielder's superb delivery.

Mexico were on the ropes, but Casemiro spurned a great chance to stretch Brazil's lead, seeing his shot blocked by Ochoa. Osorio replaced the ineffective Hernandez with Raul Jimenez on the hour and Alisson dived to tip over Carlos Vela's curling drive.

But Brazil had moved up a gear. Neymar was starting to showcase his talents but he was left writhing in pain after a tussle with second-half replacement Miguel Layun.

Replays appeared to show Layun caught Neymar on his ankle but he escaped sanction.

With 10 minutes remaining, Tite replaced Barcelona midfielder Paulinho with Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho. Brazil secured victory when Neymar turned provider in the 88th minute, finding Firmino in the box and the Liverpool forward made no mistake. AFP

Faf du Plessis, the South Africa captain, has stressed that whatever the conditions, even in Sri Lanka in the upcoming multi-format series, the fast bowlers will always be his team's ‘big strength’.

South Africa will be touring the island nation for a two-Test series, the first starting in Galle on 12 July, followed by five one-day internationals and a lone Twenty20 International.

Despite the Sri Lankan conditions, which are known to assist the spinners, du Plessis expressed confidence in his fast-bowling unit, especially in Kagiso Rabada, Vernon Philander and Dale Steyn, who is set to return after recovering from the heel injury he sustained during the home Test series against India earlier this year.

Lungi Ngidi is the other frontline paceman in the Test squad, which also has three spin options in Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi and Shaun von Berg.

“No matter what the conditions are, a big strength of our team will always be our fast bowlers, especially the personnel we have: Steyn, Kagiso and Vernon are all wicket-taking bowlers,” said du Plessis. “Those three have proven they can do it in any conditions.

“Dale has got a fantastic record in the subcontinent and KG is gold. He will be able to do anything, and we've got Keshav. If we want to and there's an opportunity to, because the conditions are really bad, then we can look at a second spinner.”

Following AB de Villiers’ retirement from international cricket in May, the No.4 position in the batting order has been left vacant and du Plessis feels it will be a great opportunity for someone like Temba Bavuma to step into the gap.

“AB has only played the last one or two series for this Test team, so he has actually not been playing for a while,” the South Africa skipper noted. “It will be a nice opportunity for Temba or somebody else to put his peg in the ground and make the position his own again.”

It won’t be easy in Sri Lanka, and du Plessis knows that. If South Africa can apply the lessons learnt from their last tour to the subcontinent, which was back in 2016 when they were beaten 3-0 by India, it will help.

“I am expecting tough conditions,” said du Plessis. “I think Sri Lanka will look at it on paper and think ‘we've got a better side on paper’, and I think they will try and make it as dry as possible and spin as much as possible.

“It will be a nice opportunity to test ourselves in tough conditions. There were a lot of lessons learnt by us [in India]. You have to go through something like that to pick your game apart, start from scratch and look at how you get better.”

Dialog Inter-club Sevens overall champion CH and FC's dashing centre three quarter cum former St.Peter’s College Bambalapitiya vice-captain Nishon Perera has been selected to represent the Sri Lanka national Sevens squad for the first time.

Nishon’s exceptional performances at the recently-concluded inter-club Rugby Sevens (both legs) saw him obtaining a position in the 15 member Sri Lanka national 7s squad that was picked to represent Sri Lanka

“It's an honour and a privilege to represent my country in rugby 7s. This is an opportunity that I have been waiting for,” Nishon told the Daily News. “First of all I thank God and my family for encouraging me in various ways and all the coaches who have been there from the beginning of my rugby career.

“I don't forget the support of my team mates and friends. I will take this opportunity with both hands and do my best for the country,” he said.

The Sri Lanka national sevens rugby squad left last night to France to participate in the World Games in Paris, which is due to be held on 7 and 8 July. By taking part in this tournament the national sevens rugby team will gain necessary experience for the upcoming Asian Games in Indonesia, which is due to take place in August.

Meanwhile it was shocking to see the selectors overlooking the best player of the ‘Dialog’ inter club 7s second leg former Isipathana College, CR & FC and national sevens granite hardy forward Omalka Gunaratne who had an outstanding tournament both in attack and defence.

The selectors have instead opted for Dinuk Amerasinghe of Havelocks, who captained St. Anthony’s College, Kandy and is also a former national under 18 and 20 sevens rugby player.

Sudharshana Muthuthanthri has been once again selected as captain, while all senior players like Danushka Ranjan, Srinath Sooriyabandara and Jason Dissanayake secured their places.

Due to reasons best known to the selectors, they have not selected CR & FC’s nippy utility national sevens players Kevin Dixon and Rehan Silva in the squad.

****

The Sri Lanka probable National sevens squad is as follows:

Sudarshana Muthuthanthri (S.Thomas’/captain), Nishon Perera (St.Peter’s), Naveen Henakankanamage (S.Thomas’) and Sudam Sooriyarachchi (Isipathana) all from CH and FC, Danushka Ranjan (St.Peter’s), Srinath Sooriyabandara (Isipathana), Gayan Weeraratne (Kingswood), Jason Dissanayake (Vidyartha Kandy) and Danush Dayan (St.Anthony’s - Kandy) all from Kandy SC, Kavindu Perera (Vidyartha Kandy), Tarinda Ratwatte (Trinity Kandy) and Reeza Raffaideen (Kingswood Kandy) all from CR and FC, Buddhima Piyaratane (D.S. Senanayake) and Adeesha Weeratunge (Isipathana) all from Navy SC and Dinuk Amerasinghe (St.Anthony’s Kandy)/(Havelock SC). Head Coach - Peter Woods (New Zealand) and Head Trainer - Nick Groube (New Zealand). 

The knock-out stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup started on Saturday as France overcame Argentina and Uruguay downed Portugal.

It's a do-or-die battle in the knock-outs as there is no possibility of a draw.

So what happens if a knock-out fixture ends as a tie after 90 minutes?

Let's look at the rules regarding tie-breakers.

THE EXTRA-TIME POST THE 90 MINUTES

EXTRA-TIME

In the group game, if two teams draw a fixture, then both sides are awarded equal points (1).

But in the knock-outs post the 90-minute period, the match enters extra-time.

There are two halves in the extra-time period of 15 minutes each.

We see a total of 30 minutes of football and the team which gets the winning goal progresses.

WHAT IF THE SCORE-LINE REMAINS SAME AFTER EXTRA-TIME?

SCENARIO

Even after extra-time, if the two teams remain level in terms of goals scored, then the match enters the penalty shootout phase.

Five players are allowed to take the penalties.

After 5 penalties, if the score-line reads the same for both the teams, then the spot-kick battle continues until a team gets one more than the opponent.

GERMANY THE KING OF PENALTIES

GERMANS

Germans have been the masters of shoot-outs.

They have won four World Cup matches which were determined by the shoot-outs.

They have also scored 15 penalties in a row during the shoot-out in these four campaigns.

Argentina come second aftera claiming four wins from five attempts.

England have a poor record after failing to win even one of their three shoot-outs.

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE PENALTY SHOOT-OUTS

PENALTIES

In 1990, 2006 and 2014, four matches in the knock-out stages were determined by penalty shoot-outs.

Since 1978, a total of 26 matches have been decided by penalty shoot-outs.

In 2014, Argentina beat Netherlands 4-2 via penalties after their semis match ended 0-0 after extra-time.

Italy beat France 5-3 in penalty shoot-outs in the final of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. – Newsbytes

MOSCOW , Monday: FIFA says video reviews are "close to perfection" at the first World Cup to use the system, claiming 99.3 percent of "match-changing" plays were called correctly.

Don't tell that to some of the coaches still angry about a few penalties, fouls or cards that were or weren't handed out.

The system has had a major impact, with seven penalties awarded using the Video Assistant Referee system. Two goals were given after being initially ruled offside, including one by South Korea that helped to eliminate world champion Germ any.

FIFA's referee committee head Pierluigi Collina claimed Friday that 99.3 percent of "match-changing" decisions were called correctly at the World Cup — "very, very close to perfection"— based on assessments by him and other senior ex-referees. Without VAR, the figure would be 95 percent, Collina said.

That missing 0.7 percent in Collina's statistic is still bitterly contentious.

Serbia's coach suggested a referee should be sent to a war-crimes tribunal when his team didn't get a penalty after two Swiss defenders appeared to hold Aleksandar Mitrovic in the penalty area . English media complained about Tunisian defenders grappling with striker Harry Kane .

Collina didn't address those plays directly, but suggested they prompted a warning to referees to be stricter about holding in the penalty area.

"I think you might have appreciated that at a certain point of the group phase there were some incidents which suddenly disappeared," he said.

"We had some holdings and they almost disappeared, but if they continued they were punished with the corresponding decision."

That's an example of the refereeing system being "fine-tuned," Collina said.

VAR means players and viewers expect more from referees. FIFA's head of refereeing Massimo Busacca expressed frustration about the interest in errors. "Today you are asking to be God, perfect," he said. "Who is perfect in this life?"

On the whole, FIFA views VAR's rollout as a success.

Before the World Cup, there were concerns about referees who hadn't used the system before, about slower games and pedantic rulings on minor fouls. However, FIFA says the ball has been in play for longer than at the last World Cup and total fouls are down through 48 games.

The VAR crews, wearing full referee kit in a darkened room on the outskirts of Moscow, are urged to view incidents at normal speed so they aren't too harsh on slight contact between players. They can use slow-motion to find the point of contact, but normal speed to decide how serious it was.

"Everything with slow-mo or super slow-mo seems bigger, seems tougher, seems more deliberate," Collina said. "Football is a sport where contact doesn't mean a foul."

The VAR crews have examined 335 incidents — 6.9 per game — including all the goals, but flagged only 17 for formal review. Fourteen decisions were changed and three were upheld.

Collina said he hopes for VAR discussions between referees and the control room to be part of TV broadcasts in future. However, FIFA's deputy secretary general Zvonimir Boban immediately pushed back against that idea, saying the mix of languages at the World Cup could make it "impossible" for broadcasters.

The more VAR is used, the more players demand it. Players and coaches are constantly drawing a TV screen with their fingers at this World Cup, but Collina said referees should only book players if it's meant to be "disrespectful."

Referees themselves aren't allowed to speak with reporters, but FIFA says they welcome VAR.

"In some situations, I prayed a lot when something occurred. I said 'My God, what happened?' And then, at the end I was lucky in very difficult circumstances. Sometimes I decided without seeing, only made an interpretation from distance," said Busacca, who had a long refereeing career including two World Cups.

"What we want to give to the referees is this big opportunity not to be lucky." - Agencies

US Open champion Sloane Stephens became the biggest casualty on the opening day of the Wimbledon women's singles as she lost to world number 55 Donna Vekic.

The fourth-seeded American, who was beaten by Simona Halep in last month's French Open final, looked out of sorts as she fell to a 6-1 6-3 defeat.

Her Croat opponent came out strongly and looked more confident throughout with her big-hitting causing problems.

Meanwhile Roger Federer began his quest for a record-extending ninth Wimbledon men's singles title with a routine win over Serbia's Dusan Lajovic.

Federer, who is 37 in August, won 6-1 6-3 6-4 against the world number 57.

The Swiss was in imperious form as he continued the tradition of the defending men's champion opening up Monday's play on Centre Court. Federer will play either Slovakia's world number 73 Lukas Lacko or France's Benjamin Bonzi - ranked 284th - next. The 20-time Grand Slam champion needed just 79 minutes to see off Lajovic, who also lost in straight sets to Federer at Wimbledon last year. - BBC

LOS ANGELES, Monday - LeBron James is to join the Los Angeles Lakers in a four-year $154 million deal, his agents said Sunday, ending months of frenzied speculation about the NBA superstar's next career move.

The blockbuster contract sends the 33-year-old four-time NBA Most Valuable Player to one of the league's most iconic clubs, adding to the legacy of such legends as Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson.

"LeBron James, four time NBA MVP, three-time NBA finals MVP, 14-time NBA All-Star, and two-time Olympic gold medallist, has agreed to a four-year $154 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers," James' management company Klutch Sports Group said in a statement.

James is considered a rival of retired Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan for the title of greatest player in NBA history.

However, he had endured frustration with the Cleveland Cavaliers, culminating in last month's clean sweep defeat to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. James and the Cavaliers have been beaten in three out of four NBA Finals against the Warriors since 2015. James had been linked to several franchises, with the Philadelphia 76ers and Houston Rockets reportedly in the running. US media reports said the Lakers move was sealed following a meeting late Saturday between James and the team's president of basketball operations, Magic Johnson.

James, who has a home and production company in Los Angeles, now joins a club with money to spend and a desire to rebuild into a championship team. The Lakers have failed to reach the playoffs for the past five seasons.

News of James' arrival at the Lakers sparked a delighted response on Sunday.

"Welcome to the family @KingJames #lakers4life #striveforgreatness," wrote Lakers legend Kobe Bryant on Twitter.

"I am sure the Lakernation is rejoicing. The acquisition of LeBron James means that the Lakers are just a smidgen away from being real contenders," Lakers icon Kareem Abdul-Jabbar added. James, a two-time Olympic champion, left Cleveland before in 2010 for the Miami Heat, where he reached the NBA Finals four times, going 2-2, before departing for the Cavaliers, vowing to bring a title to Cleveland, his home region having grown up in nearby Akron.

That mission was accomplished when the Cavaliers won the 2016 crown with James in the starring role as Cleveland celebrated a sports champion for the first time in 52 years.

"Thank you Northeast Ohio for an incredible 4 seasons. This will always be home," James posted on Instagram with a photo of the Cavaliers' championship parade.

But the Warriors obtained Kevin Durant after that loss and Golden State has gone 8-1 against the Cavs in the two NBA Finals since.

"To be able to be a part of a championship team two years ago with the team that we had and in the fashion that we had is something I will always remember," James said after the Cavs' last loss of the finals.

James informed the Cavaliers on Friday that he would not exercise his $35.6 million contract option.

And he also snubbed what could have been the most money and longest deal available, the Cavaliers being able to extend James a five-year contract worth $209 million.

But money and years of security were less a concern than being able to play for a title contender.

The Lakers can offer top money plus talent and draft picks in order to surround James with competitive players enough to challenge the Warriors, who suddenly must contend with James as a Pacific division rival rather than a foe to be faced only twice a season and for the NBA title. The Lakers have reportedly been in talks with San Antonio for unhappy star Kawhi Leonard. And while such big names as Chris Paul of Houston and Paul George of Oklahoma City have agreed to terms to stay with their teams, nothing can be signed until Friday -- leaving lots of time for players to consider what sort of situation the Lakers with James could offer.

– AFP

Chicago, Sunday: South Korea's Park Sung-hyun birdied twice in a weather-disrupted playoff Sunday to win the Women's PGA Championship, capturing the second major women's golf title of her career.

The 24-year-old from Seoul, last year's US Women's Open champion, defeated compatriot Ryu So-yeon, denying her bid to reclaim the world number one ranking, and Japanese teen star Nasa Hataoka in the playoff to capture the $547,500 top prize.

"It was a really long round today and I still can't believe I'm sitting next to this trophy," Park said.

Hataoka and the South Koreans each finished 72 holes at Kemper Lakes deadlocked at 10-under par 278.

Fifth-ranked Ryu and sixth-ranked Park each birdied the first playoff hole, the par-4 18th, while Nataoka was eliminated with a par.

The Koreans, who shared LPGA Player of the Year honors in 2017, reached the green at the par-4 16th, the second playoff role, when play was suspended for dangerous weather in the area, halting the drama at its peak for 20 minutes as the tension mounted.

When play resumed, Ryu missed her birdie putt and Park sank hers for the victory then broke into tears.

"I got less nervous during the playoff. I was even joking," Park said.

"I was a little worried, but even though it was a tough week, I feel like I played really well. All the hard work paid off and that's what made me cry."

Park, last year's LPGA Rookie of the Year, won her second title of the year after the LPGA Texas Classic in May. It was her fourth LPGA title overall after last year's US and Canadian Women's Open crowns.

Seeing positives

Ryu, who won last year's ANA Inspiration and the 2011 US Women's Open, took her first title of the year two weeks ago at the LPGA Meijer Classic and hoped to more one step closer to a career Grand Slam.

"I did my best," Ryu said. "If I look back, nothing I can do any better than that. I just did 100 percent effort. Every shot, every putt and still looking at the positive side. This is my best finish for this tournament, so hopefully it's going to keep improving, and one day I want to lift that trophy."

Ryu, who turned 28 on Friday, would have overtaken Park Sung-hyun atop the rankings with a victory after starting the day with a three-stroke lead.

Hataoka, 19, won her first LPGA title last week in Arkansas and with more than $546,000 in the past eight days has eclipsed her prior career earnings. In the final round, Ryu stumbled with a double bogey at the par-4 second and Park birdied the par-3 third and par-5 fourth to seize a share of the lead.

But Ryu birdied the par-3 sixth and par-5 seventh to restore a two-stroke edge at 11-under.

Ryu added a birdie at the par-5 11th but took a bogey at the par-3 13th to stand only one ahead of Nataoka, with Park closing to within one after a birdie at 14.

Ryu responded with a birdie at the 16th, giving her a two-shot lead, but found water at the par-3 17th and made a double bogey, falling back level with Nataoka and Park, who both parred 18 to force extra holes. AFP

JOHANNESBURG, Sunday - South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has called for the International Cricket Council (ICC) to dish out tougher punishments for players found guilty of ball tampering.

“I know they (ICC) met a while ago but it doesn’t look like anything has changed. It’s still the same rules and stuff, so they need to change that,” Du Plessis, who has twice been found guilty of ball tampering, told reporters ahead of South Africa’s tour of Sri Lanka.

“The penalties needs to be harsher for ball tampering.”

Ball tampering incidents have rocked the sport this year, prompting the ICC to contemplate stricter punishments after admitting that fines were not enough to serve as a deterrent.

“I have probably said it too much but there are too many grey areas when it comes to the ICC and the rules,” the 33-year-old right handed batsman added.

“One, you want clarity and, two, you want consistency and that’s definitely something that’s not been part of that body of laws for a while now.” – Agencies

London, Monday: Roger Federer and Serena Williams bring the curtain up on Wimbledon Monday with the All England Club confident their tournament can comfortably capture the imagination of a public distracted by the World Cup.

Federer, the record eight-time champion, opens proceedings on Centre Court against Serbia's Dusan Lajovic.

Williams, meanwhile, has been shunted off to Court One where she tackles Dutch outsider Arantxa Rus.

The American returns to the tournament for the first time since claiming a seventh title in 2016 having missed last year to give birth to her daughter.

"I think it remains a little bit nerve-wracking. It's a big deal," said Federer on returning to Centre Court and who is marking the 15th anniversary of his first Wimbledon title in 2003.

"Besides the history and the mythical place that it is, you cannot also practice on it.

"The entire atmosphere changes at Wimbledon, and you realise the eyes are on you."

World number 57 Lajovic will know what to expect -- the Serb was beaten by Federer in straight sets in the second round of Wimbledon in 2017.

Federer is the overwhelming favourite to lift a ninth title and 21st career major especially with old rival Rafael Nadal, fresh from an 11th French Open, not having played a grass court warm-up event.

The 36-year-old Swiss star's odds also improved when two-time champion Ansy Murray withdrew on Sunday with injury.

Three-time winner Novak Djokovic, meanwhile, is still struggling with form and confidence so badly bruised by the elbow injury he suffered at Wimbledon 12 months ago.

However, even Federer cannot escape the giant shadow cast on the sporting landscape by the ongoing World Cup.

He was even dragged into a discussion on Sunday over whether or not he and Nadal -- 10 years after their epic All England Club final -- could be likened to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

"Sure, yeah. They have a long-standing rivalry. I have the same with Rafa," Federer said.

"They're very different from one another. I guess there's some similarities there as well."

The All England Club will stick to its policy of refusing to show World Cup matches on its giant screen adjacent to Court One.

The men's final, meanwhile, will still start at 2pm local time as scheduled on Sunday, July 15 -- just two hours before the World Cup final kicks off in Moscow.

Williams, seeded 25 this year despite a ranking of 181, has never played Rus, the world 107 who made the third round in 2012 but failed to get out of qualifying on her last three visits.

Monday's other Centre Court matches see Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki face Varvara Lepchenko of the United States.

Bulgarian sixth seed Grigor Dimitrov, a semi-finalist in 2014, completes the programme against three-time major winner Stan Wawrinka.

Also getting their campaigns underway on Monday are five-time women's champion Venus Williams against Johanna Larsson.

Third seeded Marin Cilic, the runner-up to Federer in 2017 and this year's Queen's champion, takes on Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka. AFP

St. Benedict's College, Kotahena beat Piliyandala Central by 10 runs on Parabola system in their inter school under 17 division one tournament cricket match played at Kotahena. Due to rain the game was restricted to 39 overs.

Batting first Bens scored 231 for 9 with Kaviru Perera making the top score of 70 runs. In reply Centralians were all out for 196 runs with Sasanka Lakshan scoring 58 runs and Asindu Kavirathne had a good spell of 5 for 45.

Chief Scores:

St. Benedict's - 231/9 in 50 overs - Sanoj Perera 26, Kaviru Perera 70, Asindu Kavirathne 34, Chamod Dilshan 20, Sasanka lakshan 3/48, Chamod Sandaru 2/40, Sandun Sathsara 2/21

Piliyandala Central - 196 in 38.1 overs - Chamod Sandaru 24, Sasanka Lakshan 58, Jayanka Madushan 23, Akash Akalanka 29, Asindu kavirathna 5/45, Vihanga Ruwarana 2/39 

No decision at Moratuwa

In another game in the inter school under 15 division two cricket match between St. Sebastian’s

College, Moratuwa and Harischandra National School, Negombo ended in a no decision at Moratuwa.

Batting first Sebs declared at 226 for 9 with Sajan Wijerathne scoring 70 runs and Devinda Darshana captured 5 for 42 for the visitors. In reply at the close visitors were 102 for 5 with Muditha Disanayake scoring 38 runs.

Chief Scores

St. Sebastian’s - 226/9 dec. in 50 overs - Sajan Wijerathne 70, Nilash Perera 26, Yenul Hemachandra 24 n/o, Mishen Fernando 22, Tyrell Baskeran 20 n/o, Devinda Darshana 5/42

Harischandra NS - 102/5 in 56 overs - Muditha Disanayake 38, Kashmeera Pavan 21, Thihaisha Mendis 2/23 

Tokyo, Monday: Japan's "Ice Prince" and two-time Olympic figure skating gold medallist Yuzuru Hanyu accepted one of his country's top awards Monday, pledging to be more than an "ordinary skater". The 23-year-old, wearing a sombre, traditional male kimono emblazoned with his family crest -- a far cry from his flamboyant competition wear -- said the award was a tribute to his team and would propel him to new heights.

"An award like this is not something that I could achieve all alone. I received this award representing so many people who have helped me and created the environment for me," he said.

"I cannot be just an ordinary skater or individual, having received this wonderful award." The clean-cut skater, who has legions of adoring fans, also pledged to maintain his squeaky clean image.

"I will pay attention to my private life and other things, so that I will live a life where no one can talk behind my back." Japan's People's Honour Award is one of the country's top prizes, awarded to the likes of film director Akira Kurosawa, and Hanyu is the youngest ever individual recipient. AFP