UPDATE 1-Cricket-New Zealand recall Guptill, Vettori for England tour

* Vettori recalled for one-day matches

* Gillespie added to test squad (Adds details, quotes)

WELLINGTON, April 5 (Reuters) - Former test captain Daniel Vettori and top order batsman Martin Guptill have been recalled for New Zealand's tour of England in May and June after recovering from injury.

Vettori, who has been battling a long-term Achilles injury, was included in the one-day squad that will also contest the one-day Champions Trophy in June but not the test side.

The 34-year-old retired from limited-overs cricket following the 2011 World Cup in a bid to prolong his test career but subsequently made himself available for the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka last year, having not played the shortest form of the game at international level for more than two years.

Vettori's last one-day international was against Sri Lanka in the semi-final of the 2011 World Cup.

He will play in the lucrative Twenty20 competition in India before joining the New Zealand one-day side, who will assemble for three matches against England beginning on May 31 and then play the Champions Trophy from June 9.

Guptill is recalled to the test and one-day squads after recovering from the thumb injury that forced him to miss the recent three-test series against England, which finished 0-0 after a thrilling final day last week.

An aggressive opening batsman, Guptill has performed well in limited-overs cricket but struggled at the top of the order in the longer form against the major nations.

With the emergence of Hamish Rutherford and resurgence of Peter Fulton in the England test series, Guptill could be forced to re-establish his test career from the middle order, possibly battling with Dean Brownlie for the role at number five.

"Martin has proven himself to be a world-class performer before, and were thrilled to have back in the side," New Zealand coach Mike Hesson said in a statement.

"He's worked hard on his rehab to make sure he's fit and we know he's eager to get out and represent his country again."

Wicketkeeper-batsman Luke Ronchi, who was born in New Zealand but raised in Australia, has been included in the one-day side.

Ronchi played four one-day internationals for Australia in 2008 but returned to his place of birth in 2012 to try to make the New Zealand team.

Wellington pace bowler Mark Gillespie, who was not considered for the recent England series, was recalled to the test squad after a strong first-class season for Wellington.

"Mark has been dominant in the domestic competitions this season and fully deserves his spot in the test side," Hesson added.

"He finished the equal top wicket-taker in the Plunket Shield this season and knows the international scene well, so we know he has the ability."

Left-arm pace bowler Mitchell McClenaghan, who impressed in the limited-over games against England before being ruled out with a side strain, has recovered to be included in the one-day squad.

(Reporting by Greg Stutchbury; Editing by Nick Mulvenney/Peter Rutherford)

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UPDATE 8-Tennis-Family Circle Cup women's singles round 2 results

April 3 (Infostrada Sports) - Results from the Family Circle Cup Women's Singles Round 2 matches on Wednesday

3-Samantha Stosur (Australia) beat Marina Erakovic (New Zealand) 6-1 6-2

Mallory Burdette (U.S.) beat 15-Sabine Lisicki (Germany) 3-6 7-6(5) 7-5

2-Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark) beat Silvia Soler Espinosa (Spain) 6-1 6-1

Eugenie Bouchard (Canada) beat 16-Laura Robson (Britain) 6-4 3-6 6-1

10-Julia Goerges (Germany) beat Olga Govortsova (Belarus) 6-2 0-6 6-3

Madison Keys (U.S.) beat Grace Min (U.S.) 6-4 6-3

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UPDATE 2-Cricket-Ryder responding, second man arrested - police

(Updates after media conference)

By Greg Stutchbury

WELLINGTON, March 29 (Reuters) - New Zealand cricketer Jesse Ryder's condition was improving and he was responding to medical staff and his family on Friday as police said they had arrested a 20-year-old man in connection with the alleged assault.

New Zealand Police (NZP) said the man had been charged with assault on Thursday and would appear in court on April 4.

They were also speaking to a 37-year-old man, a relative of the man charged, in relation to the incidents, Detective Senior Sergeant Brian Archer told reporters on Friday.

Ryder, 28, was rushed to hospital early on Thursday with serious head injuries after being involved in two altercations outside a bar and fast food restaurant in Merivale, a suburb of Christchurch.

Police said on Friday it now appeared that only two men were involved in the first altercation with Ryder, and one in the second.

Local media reported Ryder, who was in a critical condition on Thursday, had sustained a fractured skull and a collapsed lung in the alleged assault.

New Zealand Cricket Players Association chief executive Heath Mills said that Ryder's condition had improved on Friday.

"He has been responsive and has been interacting with his family and his medical team, Jesse is still in an induced coma and is still needing support with breathing following an injury to his lungs," Mills told the TVNZ website.

"In terms of a head injury it cannot be fully determined at this stage what the effects of a knock to Jesse's head are, we will know more once he comes out of the coma."

Ryder had been expected to travel to India for the lucrative Twenty20 tournament with the Delhi Daredevils this week, but had been in a self-imposed exile from international cricket after a series of alcohol-related incidents.

Despite publicly swearing off alcohol, Ryder had begun drinking again in recent weeks, Mills said on Thursday.

Police, however, told reporters on Thursday that they did not think alcohol was a factor in the alleged assault.

Ryder was not expected to return to international cricket for New Zealand's tour of England in May-June, following their 0-0 draw in the recently completed home test series.

An aggressive batsman with a superb eye and delicate touch, Ryder has made 1,269 runs in 18 tests at an average of 40.93 with a highest score of 201 and 1,100 runs in 39 one-day internationals at 34.37. (Editing by Ian Ransom)

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UPDATE 1-Cricket-NZ's Ryder in hospital with serious head injuries

(Adds more details, fresh quotes)

WELLINGTON, March 28 (Reuters) - New Zealand batsman Jesse Ryder is in hospital with serious head injuries after being involved in a fight in Christchurch.

A Christchurch Hospital spokesperson told local media that Ryder was in intensive care with a fractured skull. Calls to the hospital were not immediately returned.

New Zealand Police said they were investigating an incident at a bar in Merivale, a suburb of Christchurch, early on Thursday and that Ryder had been involved.

An eye witness told New Zealand's Fairfax Media that Ryder had been punched and kicked by at least four men.

"We are all shocked by what has occurred and extremely concerned for Jesse," New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White said in a statement. "New Zealand Cricket's thoughts are with him and his family."

Ryder's manager Aaron Klee, Cricket Wellington chief executive Peter Clinton and New Zealand Cricket Players' Association head Heath Mills were all travelling to Christchurch, NZC said.

Klee did not immediately return calls, but he wrote on his Twitter page: "thanks for the calls and msgs of support for Jesse. Just heading to Chch to see him".

ALCOHOL INCIDENTS

The 28-year-old Ryder, one of the most gifted batsmen in New Zealand, has been in a self-imposed exile from international cricket after a series of alcohol-related incidents.

In 2008, he needed stitches in his hand after he punched a window in a Christchurch bar, an injury that kept him out of the game for several months.

He has also been in trouble several times for other incidents, one of which involved him turning up to training still affected after a heavy drinking session.

Ryder was reprimanded by NZC last year after he and fellow New Zealand international Doug Bracewell were involved in a verbal altercation with bar patrons in Napier.

Both had missed a match while injured and breached team protocols about abstaining from alcohol.

Ryder has voluntarily stood down from international selection since as he sought to address his issues with alcohol.

He had been expected to travel to India for the lucrative Twenty20 tournament with the Pune Warriors on Friday.

He was in Christchurch playing for Wellington against Canterbury in the semi-final of New Zealand's domestic one-day competition on Wednesday.

An aggressive batsmen with a superb eye and delicate touch, Ryder has made 1,269 runs in 18 tests at an average of 40.93 with a highest score of 201 and 1,100 runs in 39 one-day internationals at 34.37.

(Reporting by Greg Stutchbury in Wellington; Editing by Ed Osmond)

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UPDATE 3-Cricket-NZ's Ryder in critical condition with head injuries

* Batsman involved in fight near Christchurch bar

* Rushed to hospital, being treated in intensive care

* Police call for witnesses to come forward (Adds police statement, details)

WELLINGTON, March 28 (Reuters) - New Zealand batsman Jesse Ryder is in hospital with serious head injuries after being involved in a fight in Christchurch.

A Christchurch Hospital spokesperson told local media that Ryder was in intensive care with a fractured skull. Calls to the hospital were not immediately returned.

New Zealand Police said they were investigating an incident at a bar in Merivale, a suburb of Christchurch, early on Thursday and that Ryder had been involved.

Ryder, 28, had left the bar with a group of people when he became involved in the incident, police said in a statement.

Police were called at 12:44 a.m. local time (1144 GMT) and Ryder was rushed to hospital by ambulance.

"We are piecing together what took place and speaking to witnesses to understand how this incident unfolded," Detective Senior Sergeant Brian Archer said in the statement.

"I would ask anyone who witnessed the incident or were part of the group involved with Mr Ryder to contact police."

Ryder was in Christchurch playing for Wellington against Canterbury in the semi-final of New Zealand's domestic one-day competition on Wednesday.

An eye witness told New Zealand's Fairfax Media that the cricketer had been punched and kicked by at least four men.

"We are all shocked by what has occurred and extremely concerned for Jesse," New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White said in a statement. "New Zealand Cricket's thoughts are with him and his family."

Ryder's manager Aaron Klee, Cricket Wellington chief executive Peter Clinton and New Zealand Cricket Players' Association head Heath Mills were all travelling to Christchurch, NZC said.

Radio New Zealand reported on its website (www.radionz.co.nz) that Ryder was in a coma and had a collapsed lung, without naming sources.

The bar's manager said Ryder had been at the venue with his Wellington team mates, the report added.

Wellington Cricket CEO Peter Clinton declined to comment on the incident or Ryder's condition when contacted by phone by Reuters, but said police and cricket officials would hold a media conference later on Thursday.

Klee did not immediately return calls, but he wrote on his Twitter page: "thanks for the calls and msgs of support for Jesse. Just heading to Chch to see him".

ALCOHOL INCIDENTS

Ryder, one of the most gifted batsmen in New Zealand, has been in a self-imposed exile from international cricket after a series of alcohol-related incidents.

In 2008, he needed stitches in his hand after he punched a window in a Christchurch bar, an injury that kept him out of the game for several months.

He has also been in trouble several times for other incidents, one of which involved him turning up to training still affected after a heavy drinking session.

Ryder was reprimanded by NZC last year after he and fellow New Zealand international Doug Bracewell were involved in a verbal altercation with bar patrons in Napier.

Both had missed a match while injured and breached team protocols about abstaining from alcohol.

Ryder has voluntarily stood down from international selection since as he sought to address his issues with alcohol.

He had been expected to travel to India for the lucrative Twenty20 tournament with the Pune Warriors on Friday, but was not expected to return to international cricket on New Zealand's tour of England in May-June.

New Zealand was within one wicket of beating England in their test series that ended in Auckland on Tuesday, with the visitors finishing the match at 315 for nine, chasing 481 for victory. The series ended 0-0.

An aggressive batsmen with a superb eye and delicate touch, Ryder has made 1,269 runs in 18 tests at an average of 40.93 with a highest score of 201 and 1,100 runs in 39 one-day internationals at 34.37.

(Reporting by Greg Stutchbury in Wellington and Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Ed Osmond/Greg Stutchbury)

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UPDATE 2-Soccer-Australia fight back for 2-2 draw with Oman

(Adds detail)

* Oman lose 2-0 lead

* Holman scores late equaliser

By Nick Mulvenney

SYDNEY, March 26 (Reuters) - Australia were forced to come from two goals down to keep their bid to reach a third successive World Cup finals just about on track with a 2-2 draw against Oman in an Asian qualifier on Tuesday.

The visitors stunned the 34,603 crowd at Sydney's Olympic stadium by taking a 1-0 lead through Abdul Aziz Mubarak in the sixth minute and doubling it courtesy of a Mile Jedinak own goal four minutes after the break.

Tim Cahill cut the deficit with a trademark header on 51 minutes, however, and midfielder Brett Holman equalised with a 25-metre strike five minutes from time.

The draw means Australia and Oman are locked together on six points, seven behind runaway Group B leaders Japan, one ahead of Iraq and two clear of Jordan, who meet the Japanese later on Tuesday. The top two qualify for Brazil in 2014.

Cahill was named man-of-the-match for what sometimes looked like a solo effort to get his side back into the match but Oman goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi might feel aggrieved having denied the New York Red Bulls forward with a string of fine saves.

Australia coach Holger Osieck was tactically outwitted by Oman's Paul Le Guen in the first half, the visitors showing far more adventure than anyone had expected and getting an early reward.

Mubarak got in behind defender Michael Thwaite and latched onto a hopeful lobbed pass before turning and drilling the ball low under the legs of Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer from the corner of the six-yard area.

Going behind failed to galvanise the home side and they continued to labour in attack.

The boos started as early as the 36th minute, shortly after Holman had headed the ball into the arms of Al-Habsi for Australia's first attempt on target.

Australia's hole got deeper five minutes into the second half when the Omani forward Raed Saleh rounded Matt McKay on the right flank and his cross was turned into his own net by Jedinak.

That finally provoked a response from the Socceroos and two minutes later Cahill rose to steer a header into the far corner of the Oman goal from a Luke Wilkshire corner for his 27th international goal.

Australia were now playing at the sort of tempo Cahill had said would be required and the former Everton forward was three times brilliantly denied by saves from Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Al-Habsi.

A deflected Wilkshire shot beat Al-Habsi on the hour mark but came off the bar and post and bounced awkwardly for Cahill following up.

Just when it looked like Oman might just claim a famous victory, Holman found some space coming in from the left flank and unleashed a powerful drive into the far corner. (Editing by Patrick Johnston)

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UPDATE 3-Cricket-Cook's exit leaves England battling to save test

* Fulton scores second century

* England in trouble seeking record score (Updates at tea)

By Greg Stutchbury

AUCKLAND, March 25 (Reuters) - Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott guided England to 45 for one at tea on the fourth day of the series-deciding third test against New Zealand on Monday as the tourists lost an early wicket in their chase for an improbable 481 runs for victory.

England captain Cook was on 19, having been dropped on one, and Trott was on 24 at the break after paceman Tim Southee struck early to have opener Nick Compton caught behind the wicket for two.

New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum declared the hosts' second innings closed about 45 minutes after lunch on 241 for six, after Peter Fulton became the fourth New Zealand batsman to score a century in each innings of a test.

McCullum finished unbeaten on 67, his third half-century of the series, when he declared after BJ Watling was well caught in the deep for 18.

The declaration ensured England would need to break the world record for the highest successful run chase to win the match and the series after the first two games ended in rain-affected draws.

The highest fourth innings score to win a game was the 418 for seven that West Indies compiled against Australia in 2003.

Only one side has scored more than 300 to win a test at Eden Park.

England's chase began terribly when Compton was caught low by Watling, leaving the tourists 2-1, and could have been in dire straits had the wicketkeeper held a chance from Cook with the score on 10-1.

Cook and Trott, the two batsmen most able to bat five sessions to save the match, then consolidated and took the visitors through to tea.

FULTON INNINGS

The 34-year-old Fulton earlier steadied New Zealand after they wobbled with three wickets late on Sunday. He hit out against the left-arm spin of Monty Panesar, dispatching him with contemptuous ease.

Fulton moved from 46 to 60 in the morning session with two fours and a six in four balls, and after resuming after lunch with McCullum on 91, brought up his century with a glorious straight six into the northern stand off Stuart Broad.

Fulton was eventually caught on the boundary by Joe Root for 110, and following his 136 in the first innings, he joined Glenn Turner, Geoff Howarth and Andrew Jones as New Zealand batsmen to have scored a century in each innings of a test.

McCullum then attacked England's bowlers to the point that Cook positioned every fielder on the boundary.

Dean Brownlie was the only wicket to fall in the first session when he was brilliantly caught by Ian Bell for 28 in the deep during Panesar's first over.

(Editing by Ian Ransom)

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UPDATE 3-Cricket-NZ's Fulton hits maiden ton as England thwarted

(Updates at tea)

By Greg Stutchbury

AUCKLAND, March 22 (Reuters) - Peter Fulton and Kane Williamson continued to build a solid foundation for New Zealand in the third and final test against England as they guided the hosts to 173 for one at tea on the first day at Eden Park on Friday.

Fulton was in sight of his first test century on 95 not out, having already passed his highest test score, while Williamson was on 39, having resumed on nought when he came to the wicket shortly before lunch.

Williamson had replaced Hamish Rutherford, who was dismissed for 37 when he wafted at a wide Steven Finn delivery and nicked the ball to Alastair Cook at first slip.

England captain Cook won his first toss of the test series and chose to bowl on a drop-in pitch that showed green tinges and promised more bounce than the wickets in Dunedin and Wellington.

Cook's fast-bowling trio of James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Finn produced some anxious moments for Fulton and Rutherford in the morning session but once the sun emerged and flattened out the pitch, New Zealand were barely troubled.

England were also culpable for bowling a little too straight, and Fulton exploited that to the fullest, whipping the ball off middle and leg through the leg side for 74 of his runs.

The 34-year-old Fulton was particularly aggressive against left-arm spinner Monty Panesar, who bowled too short and allowed the tall righthander to rock back and belt him to the fence four times and over it twice.

Fulton's previous best test score was 75 against West Indies in 2006 and prior to the first match in Dunedin had not played a test since 2009.

He remade himself as an opener in the interim period and was recalled on the back of a strong first class season.

England batsman Kevin Pietersen was ruled out of the match on Wednesday with a knee injury that had bothered him before the first test, allowing Jonny Bairstow to come in at number six and Ian Bell and Joe Root to move up a spot in the order.

New Zealand named an unchanged side for the third consecutive test, however, meaning no place for pace bowler Doug Bracewell who had recovered from a cut foot sustained when clearing up after a house party.

The first two tests in Dunedin and Wellington were plagued by rain and ended in draws.

(Editing by Ian Ransom)

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UPDATE 1-Swimming-Australia Olympic coach Nugent quits

March 20 (Reuters) - Leigh Nugent has offered his resignation as Swimming Australia head coach, paying the price for a disastrous Olympic campaign where a poor medal return was compounded by allegations of ill-discipline in the team.

In a brief statement on Wednesday, Swimming Australia said that Nugent had told them last week he wanted to step down from the post and that his resignation was 'still a matter of negotiation'.

"Leigh actually approached us to discuss his future and where he would best fit into the new structure of the High Performance Unit," Swimming Australia president Barclay Nettlefold said in the statement.

"In those discussions it soon became very clear that while he still wanted to remain involved in the sport, he didn't want to continue in the position of head coach."

Nettlefold said that an interim head coach would be appointed in coming weeks ahead of the April 26-May 3 Australian Championships in Adelaide.

Nugent, who oversaw Australia's second-best Olympic medals haul at the 2004 Athens Games, was named head coach in 2009, but after Australia brought home only one gold medal from the London Games pool, their worst tally in 20 years, his position became vulnerable.

Recent reviews painted the picture of a "toxic" team environment where five Australian swimmers took Stilnox in a 'bonding session' in the leadup to London despite the sedative being banned by the Australian Olympic Committee.

A number of female team members, including Olympic backstroke silver medallist Emily Seebohm, told local media they had complained to Nugent of harassment by their male counterparts at a pre-games training camp, but their complaints were not taken seriously.

Nugent's contract was to run until the end of the year with an option of a further three years to take in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Australia's Olympic chief John Coates said earlier this month that the swimming scandal could lead to parents blocking their children from taking up the sport, while also turning off sponsors.

In the wake of a highly critical review into the governance of the sport, Swimming Australia will also bring in a new CEO and high performance director.

"There will be a new leadership structure for the organisation for the Australian Championships and the aim of that structure is to provide our elite and up-and-coming athletes and coaches with the best environment to succeed," Nettlefold said.

"We have a preferred candidate for the CEO position in Mark Anderson from Hockey Australia, and will look to finalise his appointment next week.

"Similarly we have narrowed the Director of High Performance down to a preference of two candidates and will consult with the new CEO and High Performance Committee before finalising that appointment."

(Reporting by Patrick Johnston in Singapore; Editing by Ian Ransom)

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UPDATE 9-Tennis-Miami women's singles round 1 results

March 19 (Infostrada Sports) - Results from the Miami Women's Singles Round 1 matches on Tuesday

Peng Shuai (China) beat Sofia Arvidsson (Sweden) 6-3 6-2

Kiki Bertens (Netherlands) beat Anna Tatishvili (Georgia) 6-0 1-0 RET

Flavia Pennetta (Italy) beat Johanna Larsson (Sweden) 6-4 6-1

Irina Begu (Romania) beat Marina Erakovic (New Zealand) 6-1 4-6 6-4

Kristina Mladenovic (France) beat Aleksandra Wozniak (Canada) 7-5 6-2

Ayumi Morita (Japan) beat Heather Watson (Britain) 1-6 7-5 6-4

Hsieh Su-Wei (Taiwan) beat Lesia Tsurenko (Ukraine) 6-4 7-6(15)

Ajla Tomljanovic (Croatia) beat Ksenia Pervak (Kazakhstan) 6-2 6-2

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UPDATE 1-Cycling-Road-Volta a Catalunya stage 2 results

March 19 (Infostrada Sports) - Results from Volta a Catalunya (Girona - Banyoles, 160.7 km) on Tuesday

1. Gianni Meersman (Belgium / Omega Pharma - Quick-Step) 3:48:10"

2. Daniele Ratto (Italy / Cannondale) ST

3. Brett Lancaster (Australia / Orica)

4. Samuel Dumoulin (France / AG2R)

5. Robert Wagner (Germany / Blanco)

6. Julien Simon (France / Sojasun)

7. Maurits Lammertink (Netherlands / Vacansoleil)

8. Laurent Pichon (France / FDJ)

9. Danilo Wyss (Switzerland / BMC Racing)

10. Manuele Mori (Italy / Lampre)

11. Sam Bewley (New Zealand / Orica)

12. Stephane Poulhies (France / Cofidis)

13. Tiziano Dall'Antonia (Italy / Cannondale)

14. Nicolas Roche (Ireland / Saxo - Tinkoff)

15. Andrew Fenn (Britain / Omega Pharma - Quick-Step)

16. Cristiano Salerno (Italy / Cannondale)

17. Jon Aberasturi (Spain / Euskaltel)

18. Robert Gesink (Netherlands / Blanco)

19. Jurgen Van den Broeck (Belgium / Lotto)

20. Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark / Astana)

21. Pim Ligthart (Netherlands / Vacansoleil)

22. Alejandro Valverde (Spain / Movistar)

23. Rudy Molard (France / Cofidis)

24. Sebastian Haedo (Argentina / Cannondale)

25. Mickael Cherel (France / AG2R)

26. Luis Angel Mate (Spain / Cofidis)

27. Manuel Cardoso (Portugal / Caja Rural)

28. Alberto Losada (Spain / Katusha)

29. Georg Preidler (Austria / Argos)

30. Steven Kruijswijk (Netherlands / Blanco)

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UPDATE 1-Cricket-Prior shuts door on fightback, England reach 465

(Updates at tea)

By Greg Stutchbury

WELLINGTON, March 15 (Reuters) - England wicketkeeper Matt Prior fell short of a century but did enough to put the brakes on a New Zealand fightback and help steer the visitors to 465 all out at tea on the second day of the second test on Friday.

Prior scored 82 from 99 balls to stall the attack of New Zealand's bowlers, who looked set to seize the initiative by taking three wickets in the first session then two more shortly after lunch.

The aggressive Prior, however, took up the challenge and punished anything outside off-stump, punching the ball in the arc between backward point and extra cover for 40 of his runs.

Steven Finn, who batted as nightwatchman for almost five hours in the drawn first test in Dunedin, shared in an 83-run partnership with Prior before he was caught by Brendon McCullum at short extra cover off Neil Wagner for 24 with less than 10 minutes to go before the tea break.

Prior fell minutes later to part-time spinner Kane Williamson, who also dismissed Monty Panesar in the same over to wrap up the innings and bring an early tea.

James Anderson was eight not out for the visitors, who had looked in danger of losing their advantage at one point when New Zealand captured Kevin Pietersen for 73 and Stuart Broad for six shortly after lunch.

STRONG POSITION

England started the day in a strong position on 267 for two, with Jonathan Trott on 121 and Kevin Pietersen on 18 and looking to consolidate in the first hour of play and lay the foundation for a possible declaration.

After Pietersen safely negotiated the first over of the day, Trott was dismissed on the first delivery he faced from left arm pace bowler Trent Boult when he pushed away from his body and feathered a catch to wicketkeeper BJ Watling.

Pietersen, who made just 12 runs in the drawn first test, seemed anxious to get into his naturally attacking game but he was lucky to still be at the crease at the break.

The tall right hander got a thick top edge to a Tim Southee bouncer on 40 and while Watling got a hand to it, he was able only to parry it away, with the visitors on 300 for three.

The hosts, however, did not have to wait long before they managed to make another breakthrough when Ian Bell, who had looked comfortable in making 11, charged Martin and only succeeded in lofting the ball to Peter Fulton, leaving the visitors on 302 for four.

Joe Root then continued his poor run in the tests in New Zealand after a superb one-day series when Martin managed to get some bounce and turn that will pique the interest of England's Monty Panesar and Watling took the catch to dismiss the 22-year-old for 10.

Nick Compton and Trott had exploited a good batting surface on a sun-drenched first day at the Basin Reserve to combine for a 210-run second wicket partnership.

(Editing by Peter Rutherford)

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UPDATE 1-Cycling-Road-Tirreno - Adriatico stage 7 results

March 12 (Infostrada Sports) - Results from Tirreno - Adriatico (San Benedetto del Tronto - San Benedetto del Tronto, 9.2 km) on Tuesday

1. Tony Martin (Germany / Omega Pharma - Quick-Step) 10:25"

2. Adriano Malori (Italy / Lampre) +6"

3. Andrey Amador (Costa Rica / Movistar) +10"

4. Fabian Cancellara (Switzerland / RadioShack) +12"

5. Jonathan Castroviejo (Spain / Movistar) +14"

6. Chris Froome (Britain / Team Sky) +15"

7. Hayden Roulston (New Zealand / RadioShack) +20"

8. Michal Kwiatkowski (Poland / Omega Pharma - Quick-Step) +21"

9. Dario Cataldo (Italy / Team Sky) +23"

10. Alex Dowsett (Britain / Movistar)

11. Tom Dumoulin (Netherlands / Argos) +24"

12. Vincenzo Nibali (Italy / Astana) +26"

13. Jens Mouris (Netherlands / Orica) +27"

14. Stijn Devolder (Belgium / RadioShack) +29"

15. Kristjan Koren (Slovenia / Cannondale)

16. Rohan Dennis (Australia / Garmin) +30"

17. Alberto Contador (Spain / Saxo - Tinkoff)

18. Benat Intxausti (Spain / Movistar) +31"

19. Jan Barta (Czech Republic / NetApp)

20. Manuel Quinziato (Italy / BMC Racing) +32"

21. Peter Sagan (Slovakia / Cannondale) +33"

22. Simon Geschke (Germany / Argos) +36"

23. Tyler Farrar (U.S. / Garmin) +39"

24. Matteo Rabottini (Italy / Vini Fantini)

25. Danilo Hondo (Germany / RadioShack)

26. Anthony Roux (France / FDJ) +40"

27. Maciej Bodnar (Poland / Cannondale)

28. Chris Horner (U.S. / RadioShack) +42"

29. Rigoberto Uran (Colombia / Team Sky)

30. Daniel Moreno (Spain / Katusha)

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UPDATE 1-Cricket-NZ name uncapped trio for first England test

* Rutherford, Latham to battle for opening spot

* Uncapped Martin likely to make debut at 32 (Adds details, quotes)

WELLINGTON, Feb 24 (Reuters) - New Zealand will head into their first test against England on March 6 with an new opening partnership after the recall of Peter Fulton and inclusion of the uncapped Hamish Rutherford and Tom Latham in their squad on Sunday.

New Zealand's opening batsmen have struggled against the England new ball attack of James Anderson and Steve Finn in the lost limited over series and the selection panel were forced to look elsewhere after a thumb injury to Martin Guptill.

Fulton, who has played 10 tests as a top or middle order batsmen but averaged just 20.93 with one half century, went to South Africa last year before a knee injury forced him home, though a strong first class season where he has averaged more than 50 had prompted his recall.

"We picked Peter to tour South Africa and he would have played there if he hadn't been injured," New Zealand coach Mike Hesson said.

Rutherford, the son of former New Zealand captain Ken, is expected to join Fulton for his debut on his home ground at Dunedin's University Oval, though Latham is also in contention for the spot, Hesson said.

Rutherford and Latham have both played limited overs cricket for New Zealand but never played a test match.

Left arm spinner Bruce Martin is also expected to make his debut after the 32-year-old toured South Africa late last year but did not play in the test series.

Martin, who replaces the dropped Jeetan Patel in the squad, is likely to play due to an Achilles' injury to Daniel Vettori that is expected to keep him out of action until the tour of England in May.

Tim Southee, who missed the South African tour due to a thumb injury but was recalled to play the final two one-day internationals against England after a side strain to Mitchell McClenaghan, will again link up with Trent Boult and Doug Bracewell in a young pace attack.

Captain Brendon McCullum, who suffered a side strain in the final one-day match in Auckland on Saturday, will bat at number five with BJ Watling to resume the wicketkeeping role in the longer form of the game and bat at seven.

A fast bowler will be added to the squad after the match in Queenstown between a New Zealand XI and England, which starts on Wednesday.

Squad: Brendon McCullum (captain), Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Dean Brownlie, Peter Fulton, Tom Latham, Bruce Martin, Hamish Rutherford, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson. (Reporting by Greg Stutchbury; Editing by Mark Meadows)

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UPDATE 1-Tennis-Memphis International women's singles semifinal results

Feb 22 (Reuters) - Like a sporting Cinderella, Sauber Formula One driver Nico Hulkenberg has been given the shoe that fits. Whether his season turns out to be a fairytale with a happy ending remains to be seen but the tall German was content on Friday to have swept away at least one of his problems. Hulkenberg, who has moved to the Swiss team from Force India, had trouble getting comfortable in his new cockpit at the first pre-season test in Jerez this month with talk of it being too tight for him. "The media has blown up all these stories. ...

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UPDATE 2-Olympics-Aussie swimmers admit using sedative

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SYDNEY, Feb 22 (Reuters) - James Magnussen and his team mates from the Australian men's 4x100m freestyle relay squad have admitted using a sedative banned by their national Olympic committee in a bonding session before the London Games.

The prescription drug Stilnox was banned by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) just before the 2012 Games and the athletes now face sanctions from the governing body for breaching their Olympic team membership agreement.

"We stand here today to admit that we took Stilnox following a day of bonding for the relay team at the training camp in Manchester," the six swimmers said in a statement read out at a news conference in Sydney on Friday.

The Olympic silver medallist and his team mates Matt Targett, Eamon Sullivan, James Roberts, Cameron McEvoy and Tommaso D'Orsogna apologised for their actions, which they said followed a "tradition" in the Australian relay team.

The statement said the drug had been prescribed before the AOC ban and the swimmers had then indulged in "childish" and "stupid" pranks such as knocking on the doors of other athletes.

"I think one of the reasons I agreed to go along with it was all the pressure I was under," said Magnussen. "Completely inappropriate in hindsight."

Misuse of prescription drugs along with allegations of drunkenness, breaching curfews, deceit and bullying were highlighted in a review published on Tuesday, which said slack management had allowed a "toxic" culture to develop in the team.

The relay squad arrived in London confident of winning gold but ended up fourth in the final as the swimming team produced Australia's worst results in the Olympic pool for two decades.

"If I thought it would affect our performance, there's no way we would have taken it," said Sullivan. "I believe there's no way it affected our performance." (Editing by Peter Rutherford)

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