Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne has become the first replacement in a cricket test

Steve Smith's concussion in the second match of the Ashes series against England at Lord's has seen the right-hander get the call-up as a like-for-like switch as part of the International Cricket Council's new law.

He's made 59 as part of the drawn second test.

Smith's an uncertain starter for the third test in Leeds starting Thursday.



New Zealand captain Kane Williamson admits his side misjudged how little the Galle pitch would deteriorate in the opening cricket test loss to Sri Lanka.

The Black Caps have been defeated by six wickets with the hosts securing a record chase of 268 at the ground.



Nine All Blacks have been released back into their provinces for the upcoming round of the Mitre 10 Cup.

Brad Weber, Liam Coltman and Josh Ioane will be available for Thursday's match between Hawke's Bay and Otago.

Vaea Fifita and Braydon Ennor can play in the Wellington-Canterbury game on Friday.

Atu Moli, Jackson Hemopo, Rieko Ioane and Luke Jacobson are available on Saturday for Tasman, Manawatu, Auckland and Waikato respectively.



Karl Tu'inukuafe's avoided major damage to his knee after his Mitre 10 Cup outing for North Harbour.

The prop hobbled off the field during the loss to Counties-Manukau, but his left knee injury's been diagnosed as a haematoma with no apparent structural damage.

He's expected to be available when Harbour meet Southland on Sunday.



The Warriors have a struggle ahead to slip into the NRL's top eight after their 42-6 defeat to the Roosters.

They sit 12th, three points outside the eight with three games remaining.

Meanwhile centre Gerard Beale's out for the season with a broken knee cap.

The Sharks have beaten the Dragons 18-12 to jump back into the top eight.



Chelsea have secured their first point of football's English Premier League season, drawing 1-all with Leicester at Stamford Bridge.

Sheffield United have claimed their first win of the season, 1-nil over Crystal Palace.



The men's Black Sticks have made it two wins from two games at hockey's Ready, Steady, Tokyo series.

New Zealand have beaten India 2-1 after Sam Lane scored in the final minute of the match, which is part of the Olympic test event.



Pole vaulter Eliza McCartney has confirmed she'll participate at this weekend's Diamond League event in Paris, having not competed since February with ongoing hamstring troubles.



Sam Meech remains first in the Laser class at the Tokyo Olympics test event in Enoshima.

Peter Burling and Blair Tuke are second in the 49er and Alex Maloney and Molly Meech climbed to fourth in the 49erFX.