Cricketer KEVIN PIETERSEN's England career "is over after he was told he is no longer in their plans." The 33-year-old batsman, England's all-time leading run-scorer across all formats, "was informed this week by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)." ECB Managing Dir PAUL DOWNTON said, "The time is right to rebuild not only the team but also the team ethic." Pietersen said, "I will continue to play but deeply regret that it won't be for England" (BBC, 2/4).
MORE NAMES: Spanish Tennis Federation Sporting Dir ALBERT COSTA has resigned from his position. Costa "is stepping down following Spain's second consecutive first-round elimination from the Davis Cup" (EL PAIS, 2/3). ... Mexican boxer ÓSCAR GONZÁLEZ, 23, died on Monday after cerebral hemorrhaging suffered in a bout against JESÚS GALICIA on Saturday night (LA AFICION, 2/3). ... Retired cricketer SACHIN TENDULKAR and scientist C.N.R. RAO were "conferred with the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award," by Indian President PRANAB MUKHERJEE at a ceremony in the Durbar Hall of the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. Tendulkar, who was nominated to the Rajya Sabha last year, "is the first sportperson and the youngest recipient of the award" (IANS, 2/4).
