Reuters Sports Schedule at 0600 GMT on Friday, March 29

Reuters sports schedule at 0600 GMT on Friday:

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CRICKET

Two arrested in alleged assault of Jesse Ryder

WELINGTON - New Zealand cricketer Jesse Ryder's condition was improving and he was responding to medical staff and his family as police said they had arrested two men in connection with the alleged assault. (CRICKET-ZEALAND/RYDER (UPDATE 2), moved, by Greg Stutchbury, 600 words)

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NBA

Lakers slump to Milwaukee defeat

Larry Sanders scored a career-high 21 points to go along with 13 rebounds and two blocked shots as the Bucks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 113-103. (NBA-HIGHLIGHTS/, moved, by Sports Xchange, 600 words)

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NHL

Penguins blank Jets to stretch winning streak to 14

The Pittsburgh Penguins won their 14th game in a row on Thursday, 4-0 over the Winnipeg Jets, hours after making their third trade in five days. (NHL-HIGHLIGHTS/, moved, by Sports Xchange, 600 words)

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TENNIS

Sony Open (to March 31)

Sharapova sets up Serena final, Murray reaches semis

MIAMI - Maria Sharapova will face Serena Williams in the final of the Sony Open while Britain's Andy Murray will take on France's Richard Gasquet in the men's semi-finals after grinding down Croatian Marin Cilic. (TENNIS-MIAMI/, moved, 550 words)

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GOLF

Houston Open (to March 31)

Points leads as McIlroy struggles at Houston Open

American D.A. Points shot a sparkling eight-under 64 to take a one-shot lead after the opening round of the Houston Open, while Rory McIlroy continued his underwhelming start to the year at Redstone Golf Club. (GOLF-PGA/, moved, 450 words)

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European Tour: Hassan II Trophy, Morocco

Copy on merit

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RUGBY

Super Rugby round seven (to 31)

Highlanders v Reds, Dunedin (0635)

Highlanders captain Andrew Hore returns from injury against the Reds as one of three changes by coach Jamie Joseph from the side that lost to the Chiefs. (RUGBY-SUPER/ (PIX), 300 words)

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SOCCER

Ligue 1

Paris St Germain v Montpellier HSC (1930)

PSG face Montpellier before Barca Champions League clash

PARIS - Ligue 1 leaders Paris St Germain host last season's champions Montpellier with one eye on their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Barcelona at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday. (SOCCER-FRANCE/ (PIX), by Julien Pretot, expect by 2130 GMT/5:30 PM ET, 400 words)

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SOCCER ACADEMIES

Reuters is moving an in-depth package examining the academy system in soccer.

Our reporters have produced a series of multi-media stories, interviews and features which examine the differing approaches and trends among countries and clubs and address some of the issues and concerns.

On Friday the following stories moved at 0200 GMT: SOCCER-ACADEMIES/GERMANY (PIX, TV), SOCCER-ACADEMIES/ITALY (PIX), SOCCER-ACADEMIES/ITALY-MILAN (INTERVIEW), SOCCER-ACADEMIES/FRANCE (PIX), SOCCER-ACADEMIES/FRANCE-INF (INTERVIEW, PIX, TV), SOCCER-ACADEMIES/FRANCE-TOULOUSE (PIX), SOCCER-ACADEMIES/NETHERLANDS (PIX), SOCCER-ACADEMIES/NETHERLANDS-FEYENOORD (INTERVIEW), SOCCER-ACADEMIES/SWEDEN (INTERVIEW), SOCCER-ACADEMIES/BRAZIL-BOTAFOGO (TV, PIX)

A previous series of academy-related stories moved at 0200 GMT on Thursday

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DOPING

LONDON - Unprecedented levels of skill, intensity and endurance have transformed global sport into spectacular mass entertainment and handsomely rewarded its leading exponents. Now the euphoria of last year's acclaimed London Olympics has dissipated, however, a spate of troubling stories show an altogether darker and more disturbing side to a glamorous, multi-billion-dollar industry. (DOPING/ (FEATURE, PIX), plus FACTBOX, moved, by John Mehaffey, 1,000 words)

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View the original article here

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)

View the original article here

Reuters Sports Schedule at 0600 GMT on Monday, March 25

Reuters sports schedule at 0600 GMT on Monday:

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CRICKET

New Zealand v England, third test (to 26)

Cook's exit leaves England battling to save test

AUCKLAND - Part-time spinner Kane Williamson took two wickets, including that of Alastair Cook, just before stumps to put New Zealand firmly in charge of the series-deciding third test against England at the end of the fourth day at Eden Park on Monday. (CRICKET-ENGLAND/ (PIX), moved, by Greg Stutchbury, 600 words)

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GOLF

Arnold Palmer Invitiational (to 25)

Woods's bid for world number one delayed until Monday

ORLANDO, Florida - Tiger Woods's bid to regain the world number one ranking will have to wait a day after violent thunderstorms hit the Bay Hill Club, halting the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Sunday. (GOLF-PGA/ (PIX), moved, by Steve Keating, 550 words)

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TENNIS

Djokovic and Sharapova win at windy Miami

World number one Novak Djokovic and Russian Maria Sharapova shook off windy conditions to move into the fourth round of the Sony Open at Miami on Sunday. (TENNIS-MIAMI/ (PIX), moved, 450 words)

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NBA

Miami, without Wade, win 26th game in a row

Thanks to LeBron James, Miami Heat had more than enough to subdue the Bobcats 109-77 on Sunday night to extend the second-longest winning streak in NBA history to 26 games. (NBA-HEAT/, moved, by Sports Xchange, 350 words)

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Rockets subdue Spurs 96-95

Rockets guard James Harden drilled a 16-foot jumper with 4.5 seconds left, lifting Houston to a 96-95 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in one of eight games on the National Basketball Association schedule. (NBA-HIGHLIGHTS/, moved, by Sports Xchange, 550 words)

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NHL

Penguins beat Flyers for 12th consecutive victory

Tyler Kennedy's goal with 2:27 left in the overtime enabled the Penguins to rally for their 12th consecutive victory, 2-1 over the Philadelphia Flyers in one of the seven games on the National Hockey League schedule. (NHL-HIGHLIGHTS/, moved, by Sports Xchange, 600 words)

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BASEBALL

Roundup of pre-season action in Major League Baseball. (BASEBALL-HIGHLIGHTS/, moved, by Sports Xchange, 600 words)

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NFL

Roundup of off-field developments in the National Football League. (NFL-HIGHLIGHTS/, moved, by Sports Xchange, 600 words)

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SOCCER

Brazil v Russia

Brazil play Russia in London friendly

LONDON - Five-times world champions Brazil take on Russia in a friendly international at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge. (SOCCER-FRIENDLY/BRAZIL, expect by 2200 GMT/6 PM ET, 500 words)

European World Cup qualifying preview

Nervy night in store for Spain and England

LONDON - Having waltzed through the qualifying process for their last two major tournaments Spain find themselves in an undignified tangle at the halfway point on the road to the World Cup in Brazil. While most of the fancied nations appear well-placed to qualify for next year's finals automatically, world champions Spain head to Paris to play Group I leaders France on Tuesday knowing defeat would leave them five points adrift. (SOCCER-WORLD/PRREVIEW, moved, 700 words, by Martyn Herman)

We continue the buildup to Tuesday's World Cup qualifiers,

(SOCCER-WORLD/)

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PARIS - Spain coach Vicente del Bosque speaks on Monday ahead of their Group I World Cup qualifier against leaders France. (SOCCER-WORLD/SPAIN (PIX), expect by 1600 GMT/11 AM ET,by Iain Rogers, 500 words) (Duty editor: Amlan Chakraborty; Asia Sports Desk; +911141781022)

View the original article here

Rugby-Rugby Championship schedule

CAPE TOWN, March 19 (Reuters) - Full schedule of matches for this year's Rugby Championship, released by Sanzar on Tuesday (kick off times GMT):

Aug. 17 At Sydney - Australia v New Zealand (1005) At Bloemfontein - South Africa v Argentina (1300)

Aug. 24 At Wellington - New Zealand v Australia (0735) At Mendoza - Argentina v South Africa (1910)

Sept. 7 At Hamilton - New Zealand v Argentina (0735) At Brisbane - Australia v South Africa (1005)

Sept. 14 At Auckland - New Zealand v South Africa (0735) At Perth - Australia v Argentina (1005)

Sept. 28 At Cape Town - South Africa v Australia (1500) At La Plata - Argentina v New Zealand (2240)

Oct. 5 At Johannesburg - South Africa v New Zealand (1500) At Rosario - Argentina v Australia (2240). (Compiled by Mark Gleeson; mark.gleeson@thomsonreuters.com +27828257807 Messaging mark.gleeson.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)

View the original article here