Portsmouth triumph

LONDON: Niko Kranjcar scored the lone goal to lead Portsmouth over West Ham 1-0 in the Premier League on Tuesday. Kranjcar scored in the 61st minute with a low shot to ensure that Portsmouth remains unbeaten against West Ham since it was promoted to the Premier League in 2002. The win by Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp against the club he used to manage also comes three days after Pompey beat West Bromwich Albion 1-0 to reach the FA Cup final. Portsmouth now has 56 points in sixth place. — AP

Security to be upped

NEW DELHI: Security will be increased for the third Test between India and South Africa in Kanpur, police said on Wednesday after reports that militants planned to target the game. The CNN-IBN news channel quoted unnamed police sources in New Delhi as saying they had information that Islamic militants may try to carry out an attack in Kanpur. — AP

CA awards contracts

SYDNEY: Cricket Australia (CA) opened the door for a new generation of cricketers on Wednesday when it named the 25 players awarded contracts for the 2008-09 season. Selectors opted for four new faces in the pool of players who will form the core of Australia’s Test, one-day and Twenty20 sides for the upcoming season. David Hussey, Shaun Marsh, Doug Bollinger and Beau Casson were among those handed a contract for the first time.— AFP

Maradona invited

BUENOS AIRES: Organizers of the Buenos Aires Olympic torch relay have invited soccer hero Diego Maradona to be one of 80 runners on a route across the Argentine capital. The organizers say Maradona indicates he wants to take part, but is traveling outside the country. He hopes to return from Mexico in time for Friday’s relay, where he has been listed as the starting torchbearer. Organizers say they plan an 14-kilometre route through Buenos Aires. — AP