‘Fighter' Schumi turns 45 in coma
Grenoble: Michael Schumacher's family hailed the Formula One legend as a fighter "who will not give up", as he spent his 45th birthday on Friday lying in a coma in a French hospital following a skiing accident. The retired seven-time world champion slammed his head against a rock on Sunday while skiing in the French Alps and has had two operations to remove bleeding and pressure on his brain. Prosecutors have opened a probe into the accident, as is common practice in France in such cases, and are exploring the theory that the German was skiing at great speed when he fell. Schumacher's plight has prompted an outpouring of sympathy from fans and in a message coinciding with his birthday, his family said they were touched by the reaction. "Following Michael's skiing accident, we would like to thank the people from all around the world who have expressed their sympathy and sent their best wishes for his recovery," the family said in a statement posted on Schumacher's website. "We all know he is a fighter and will not give up" they added.
Ton-up Mathews helps Sl foil Pak
Abu Dhabi: Sri lankan captain Angelo Mathews hit a pugnacious hundred to pull Sri lanka out of trouble on the fourth day of the first cricket Test against Pakistan in here on Friday. Mathews notched up 116 not out under pressure for his second Test hundred and put on invaluable 138-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Dinesh Chandimal (89) and 99 for the unfinished sixth wicket with Prasanna Jayawardene (48 not out) to take Sri lanka to 420-5 at close at Sheikh Zayed Stadium. Sri lanka resumed the day at 186-4, but Mathews' career-best score and resolute innings by Chandimal and Prasanna helped Sri lanka add 234 runs for the loss of only one wicket. They now lead by 241 runs and with five wickets intact can harbour hopes of an unlikely win on the fifth and final day or at least salvage a draw. Mathews batted with resolve, blunting off-spinner Saeed Ajmal and had the better of Pakistan's three-pronged pace attack, reaching his hundred in the final session, taking two off Bhatti. His hundred came off 239 balls.
Young out with shoulder injury
Manchester: Manchester United manager David Moyes says Ashley Young faces a spell on the sidelines after injuring his shoulder. Young, who plays in the midfield, fell awkwardly in a collision with Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo lloris during a Premier league match on Wednesday. Moyes says "it is a shoulder injury he received in the challenge by the goalkeeper. I am not sure how long it will be." Moyes was unable to give any update on the fitness of striker Robin van Persie, who has missed six matches with a thigh injury. Moyes says "we will let you know when he is ready."
Svendsen wins biathlon WC sprint
Oberhof (Germany): Emil Hegle Svendsen of Norway won the men's 10-kilometer sprint on Friday for his 32nd career biathlon World Cup victory. Svendsen missed two targets and finished in 26 minutes, 44.3 seconds to edge compatriot Ole Einar Bjoerndalen by 0.4 of a second. Six-time Olympic champion Bjoerndalen also missed two targets as wind, rain and fog made conditions difficult. Overall leader Martin Fourcade of France was third, 21.7 seconds behind with three missed targets, ahead of Russia's Evgeny Ustyugov, who missed one. The women's 7.5-kilometer sprint was taking place later Friday. PNS/Agencies