ICC elevates Davis

DUBAI: Asoka de Silva returned to cricket’s elite panel of umpires on Wednesday and Steve Davis has also been promoted to an expanded list of 12. De Silva, former Sri Lankan Test player, was on the elite list between 2002-04. He has officiated in 33 Tests and 76 one-day internationals. Davis, a 56-year-old Australian, is on the list for the first time having umpired in 10 Tests and 28 one-dayers. He had been on the ICC’s lower-ranked international panel since 2003. — AP

Hleb to miss 3 games

LONDON: Alexander Hleb was suspended for Arsenal’s final three games of the season. The Belarus midfielder admitted a charge of violent conduct on Wednesday, after slapping Reading captain Graeme Murty in the face in an off-the-ball incident during the Gunners’ 2-0 Premier League win on Saturday. The Football Association said referee Peter Walton didn’t see the incident but, having watched video footage, said he would have sent the Hleb off. Hleb will miss the Gunners games against Derby, Everton and Sunderland. — AP