A lifeless wicket and resolute batting by India continued to frustrate Sri Lanka's bid to win the first cricket Test here on Friday.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy apologized to Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen for France's controversial victory over Ireland in their World Cup play-off on Wednesday, but would not agree to a replay.

Australia's Anna Meares won the women's sprint to open the Melbourne round of the cycling World Cup series on Thursday, beating China's Guo Shuang by 2-0 in the best-of-three gold medal ride off.

Michelle Wie withdrew from the season-ending LPGA Tour Championship because of a sprained left ankle on Thursday, a few hours after Lorena Ochoa shot a 6-under 66 to take a one-shot lead over Reilley Rankin.

Police in Germany and abroad have made several arrests and conducted searches on suspicion of an international illegal betting ring allegedly fixing matches in top European leagues, Bochum prosecutors said on Thursday.

United States and L.A. Galaxy striker Landon Donovan has been named Most Valuable Player in Major League Soccer, the league said on Thursday.

Sprinters Tyson Gay and Sanya Richards earned their second Jesse Owens Awards on Thursday as USA Track & Field's athletes of the year.

Ireland appealed to France and football authorities Thursday to replay their World Cup playoff in Paris after an obvious handball by Thierry Henry produced the winning goal.

The Atlanta Hawks reclaimed a share of the lead in the NBA standings with a 105-90 win over the Miami Heat on Wednesday. Joe Johnson made it two straight 30-point games, and Josh Smith dominated during a decisive first-half run as Atlanta won its sixth in a row.

France qualified for its fourth consecutive World Cup when officials missed a double handball by captain Thierry Henry that led to the extra-time goal in a 1-1 draw with Ireland on Wednesday.