SPORTS | STATS

SYDNEY (AP) The Australians are getting the civil formalities out of the way early ahead of the Ashes, starting with Wednesday's very cordial morning tea in a jet aircraft hangar to formally farewell the team - several days before they leave for England.

Because the minute Michael Clarke and his lineup board the plane on the weekend, it'll be all business. The Australians go into the series as rank underdogs after a 4-0 series defeat in India and back-to-back Ashes series losses to England. (MORE)

NEW DELHI (AP) India test cricketer Shantakumaran Sreesanth has denied spot-fixing after being arrested in a scandal in the cash-rich Indian Premier League, while he and two teammates from his Rajasthan-based team remain in police custody.

"I'm innocent and have done no wrong," Sreesanth said in a statement released through his lawyer. "I've never indulged in any spot-fixing." (MORE)

SYDNEY (AP) David Warner has pleaded guilty and been fined $5,750 for breaching Cricket Australia's code of conduct after his expletive-laden outbursts against two journalists on Twitter.

Cricket Australia issued a statement late Wednesday saying its code of conduct commissioner, Gordon Lewis, imposed the maximum financial penalty for a first offense under Rule 6 of the code relating to "unbecoming behavior." (MORE)

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) New Zealand cricket fans reacted with mild surprise on Tuesday to news that veteran left-arm spinner and former captain Dan Vettori may be rushed into the lineup for the second test against England at Headingley.

News of 34-year-old Vettori's likely recall did little to lift the spirits of fans still digesting New Zealand's dismissal for 68 in the second innings of first test at Lord's which resulted in their defeat by 170 runs. (MORE)

LEEDS, England (AP) Ian Bell and Graeme Swann were included on Tuesday in England's unchanged 12-man squad for the second and final test against New Zealand at Headingley after recovering from illness.

Bell spent substantial time off the field during the 170-run win over the Kiwis at Lord's in the first test because of effects from a flu. Swann also felt ill during that test but both have been passed fit. (MORE)

SYDNEY (AP) Chief executive James Sutherland says Cricket Australia may consider implementing a social media policy after opening batsman David Warner became embroiled in an expletive-laden Twitter exchange with two journalists.

Warner is reportedly expected to plead guilty at a hearing on Wednesday to breaching Cricket Australia's Code of Conduct after expressing anger in a series of tweets at newspaper articles. The 26-year-old opening batsman could be fined, suspended or ordered to undergo counseling as a result of his social media outbursts. (MORE)

NEW DELHI (AP) India's top court asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India on Tuesday to wrap up in two weeks its investigation into alleged spot-fixing in the ongoing domestic Twenty20 league.

Three players were arrested last week by Delhi police in the case and suspended by the BCCI. (MORE)

LONDON (AP) England finally put New Zealand in its place by defeating the Kiwis by 170 runs with more than a day to spare in the first test at Lord's on Sunday.

The English were ordered by selector Geoff Miller to atone for being humbled in the drawn three-test series in New Zealand in March, and they answered emphatically on a surprisingly manic fourth day when 14 wickets fell in under two sessions. (MORE)

LONDON (AP) After two days of being oppressed by New Zealand, England broke the stranglehold in impressive style to take charge halfway through the first test at Lord's on Saturday.

First, New Zealand was dismissed for 207 to give England a first-innings lead of 25, a significant amount on a tricky, soft pitch. (MORE)