Maria Sharapova will be "awarded a wild card by the Lawn Tennis Association to play this summer at the Aegon Classic in Birmingham." Having returned from a 15-month doping suspension last month, Sharapova’s ranking of 258 was "too low to gain direct entry" for the event in time for Monday’s deadline. Awarding a slot in the main draw to a player who is still working her way back up the rankings after failing a drugs test "is a move that will court controversy," but LTA CEO Michael Downey, who will leave his role at the end of June, "gave his seal of approval" (LONDON TIMES, 5/9).
The Ashes build-up has "started in earnest" but construction work in Perth is yet to finish, with Cricket Australia "still mulling the venue for this summer’s third Test." The third match in the five-Test series between Australia and England will be in Perth "but the venue is yet to be finalised." CA CEO James Sutherland "remains upbeat it will be the first major event at Perth’s new 60,000-capacity stadium." A conflicting report claimed last month the WACA Ground "will host the much-anticipated contest" because the A$1.2B ($880M) ground at Burswood "will not be ready in time" (AAP, 5/8).
New Zealand Rugby announced the All Blacks will "prepare for the first test against the British & Irish Lions with a game against Samoa in Auckland on June 16 as part of a Pasifika doubleheader" after Wales faces Tonga. The All Blacks play the Lions in the first test at Eden Park on June 24 and the Samoa match had "long been discussed" as a chance for Steve Hansen's side to work on its combinations "before the series begins" (REUTERS, 5/9).
