Schumacher rolls back years in F1 testing

VALENCIA, Spain - Excited as a little boy with a new toy, seven times world champion Michael Schumacher rolled back the years in his first Formula One test with Mercedes on Monday. "In a way, it's like 1991," the former Ferrari ace told reporters after coming out of retirement at the age of 41, and after a three-year absence, with 40 laps of Valencia's Ricardo Tormo circuit.

Grand slam possible for thrill-seeking Federer

LONDON - Roger Federer described his performance against Andy Murray to win the Australian Open title as possibly the best of his career and his words were not intended just to make the tearful Scot feel better. Improbably the 28-year-old Swiss, who notched a 16th grand slam title with his 6-3 6-4 7-6 victory, appears to be still improving, which for the players hoping to garnish their own CV's with majors is a frightening prospect.

Murray needs new help to take the final step, says Becker

LONDON - Andy Murray needs to tap into the knowledge of some of the "icons of the game" if he is to move from grand slam contender to champion, according to six-time major winner Boris Becker. Murray was in tears after Sunday's 6-3 6-4 7-6 defeat by Roger Federer in the Australian Open final, his second grand slam final defeat after he was swept aside by Federer in the 2008 US Open.

South Africa striker McCarthy joins West Ham

LONDON - South Africa striker Benni McCarthy joined West Ham United from Premier League rivals Blackburn Rovers on Monday, five years after a planned move to the London club fell through. McCarthy was set to join West Ham from Porto in 2005 but the deal fell through and a year later he joined Blackburn.

Pakistan to investigate dismal tour of Australia

KARACHI - Pakistan have launched an investigation into their team's dismal recent performance in Australia following reports of disputes among the players. Pakistan were swamped 3-0 and 5-0 in the test and one-day series, with captain Mohammad Yousuf not playing the final limited-overs match and stand-in skipper Shahid Afridi getting a two-match ban for ball-tampering.

Smith asks team to pull together on difficult India tour

NAGPUR, India - South Africa captain Graeme Smith urged his side Monday to make the most of their five days' preparation before the first test against India after a tumultuous week for himself and his side. South Africa have only five days to prepare for the two-test tour against the world number one side after coach Mickey Arthur resigned and the entire selection panel were sacked following the drawn series with England,

Bayern Munich defender Braafheid joins Celtic on loan

BERLIN .

Italian Di Luca banned two years for doping

ROME anti-doping tribunal ruled on Monday. "We will go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. I'm convinced I'll be able to return earlier than in two years," Di Luca, who has argued his innocence, told reporters after a hearing.

Chabal out of Scotland game through injury

PARIS through injury, a French team spokesman said Monday. The spokesman did not specify the nature of the injury but Chabal, who will be replaced by Toulouse's Yoann Maestri, has been suffering from back pain.

London 2012 signs up John Lewis as sponsor

LONDON - London 2012 Olympic organisers edged nearer to their 700 million pound sponsorship target on Monday after signing up department store John Lewis. The store is one of the main retailers in the Westfield Stratford City, which will be the gateway to London's Olympic Park in east London and largest urban shopping centre in Europe when it opens.