The Int'l Cricket Council will "not send umpires to Pakistan to officiate in their upcoming limited-overs series against Zimbabwe because of security concerns." The world governing body said local officials "could instead be appointed by the Pakistan Cricket Board" (BBC, 5/17). ... When the NSW Blues run onto ANZ Stadium on May 27 "they will see 20,000 empty seats." The ticketing campaign for this game "has been an absolute farce." The National Rugby League "is now in a position" where its showpiece game of the year will attract fewer fans than two football games at the same ground in the same week (Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH, 5/17). ... Novak Djokovic was among three Italian Open finalists to hit out at organizers after a “dangerous” semifinal win in which he escaped twisting his ankle in holes that appeared on court. Several times during his match, Djokovic "called officials to fill in holes which began appearing near the baseline." Afterward, he admitted his frustration and criticized organizers "for failing to have the court properly prepared in time" (AFP, 5/17). ... The women's Qualifying Series is headed back to South Africa for the first time in six years. The QS 1,000 Ballito Women's Pro will run at Willard Beach in KwaDukuza on June 28 (World Surf League).
