Reuters Sports Schedule at 0600 GMT on Thursday, March 28

Reuters sports schedule at 0001 GMT on Wednesday:

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CRICKET

New Zealand batsman Ryder in critical condition in hospital

WELLINGTON - New Zealand batsman Jesse Ryder is in hospital with serious head injuries after being involved in a fight in Christchurch. (CRICKET-ZEALAND/RYDER, moved, 400 words)

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TENNIS

Sony Open (to March 31)

Maria Sharapova was shaky from the service line but the world number two beat seventh seed Sara Errani 7-5 7-5 to reach the semi-finals of the Sony Open in Miami on Wednesday. (TENNIS-MIAMI/, moved, update to follow, 350 words)

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NBA

Heat visit Bulls as win streak nears unprecedented mark

The reigning NBA champion Miami Heat look to move within five games of the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers record of 33 consecutive victories when they visit the Chicago Bulls. (NBA-HEAT/, expect by 0300 GMT/11 PM ET, 250 words)

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Clippers look to take sting out of Hornets

The Los Angeles Clippers will try to pad their lead atop the Pacific division when they visit the New Orleans Hornets in one of 14 games on the National Basketball Association schedule. (NBA-HIGHLIGHTS/, expect by 0300 GMT/11 PM ET, by Sports Xchange, 600 words)

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NHL

Canadiens visit Bruins in Original Six matchup

The Northeast Division's top two teams clash when the Montreal Canadiens visit the Boston Bruins in one of four games on the National Hockey League schedule. (NHL-HIGHLIGHTS/, expect by 0300 GMT/11 PM ET, by Sports Xchange, 600 words)

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BASEBALL

Yankees face new obstacle in once-familiar path to playoffs

NEW YORK - They have won a record 27 World Series and been to the playoffs in 17 of the last 18 years, but the 2013 edition has New York Yankees fans worried about aging stars, a locker room resembling a MASH unit and a new dread - fiscal responsibility. (BASEBALL-YANKEES/, expect by 1800 GMT/2 PM ET, by Larry Fine, 700 words)

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Roundup of pre-season action in Major League Baseball. (BASEBALL-HIGHLIGHTS/, expect by 2300 GMT/7 PM ET, by Sports Xchange, 600 words)

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NFL

Roundup of off-field developments in the National Football League. (NFL-HIGHLIGHTS/, expect by 2300 GMT/7 PM ET, by Sports Xchange, 600 words)

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SOCCER

Reuters will be moving an in-depth package examining the academy system in soccer at 0200 GMT/10 PM ET on March 28 and 29.

On March 28 we shall move the following from our special report:

SOCCER-ACADEMIES/ENGLAND-EDUCATION (PIX), SOCCER-ACADEMIES/ENGLAND (PIX), SOCCER-ACADEMIES/ENGLAND-BURNOUT (INTERVIEW), SOCCER-ACADEMIES/ENGLAND-MANCITY (INTERVIEW, TV, PIX), SOCCER-ACADEMIES/SPAIN (PIX,TV) SOCCER-ACADEMIES/SPAIN-BARCELONA (INTERVIEW, PIX, TV), SOCCER-ACADEMIES/GERMANY-FA (INTERVIEW, PIX, TV), SOCCER-ACADEMIES/SWISS (INTERVIEW, PIX), SOCCER-ACADEMIES/STATISTICS

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Weekend European league previews

LONDON - With a 20th league title virtually in the bag and no more European distractions, Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is challenging his side to push for a Premier League points record. They travel to struggling on Saturday. (SOCCER-ENGLAND/ (PREVIEW), moving at 0300 GMT/11 PM ET, 500 words)

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PARIS - A match against the domestic champions would usually be a big occasion but Ligue 1 leaders Paris St Germain have barely even noticed Friday's visitors are Montpellier. (SOCCER-FRANCE/ (PREVIEW), moving at 0300 GMT/11 PM ET, by Julien Pretot, 400 words)

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MADRID - Leaders Barcelona visit Celta Vigo and chasing Real Madrid travel to play Real Zaragoza on Saturday, with Champions League quarter-final first-legs looming next week.(SOCCER-SPAIN/ (PREVIEW) expect by 1200 GMT/7 AM ET, by Mark Elkington, 500 words)

(Duty editor: Ian Ransom, Asia Sports Desk; +61 466 151 684)

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