Henin wins title

EASTBOURNE: Defending champion Justine Henin completed her Wimbledon preparations with a 7-5, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (2) win on Saturday over second-seeded Amelie Mauresmo in the final of the Eastbourne International. The match was a repeat of the 2006 Wimbledon final, when Mauresmo beat Henin. Henin remained unbeaten in her eight matches at Eastbourne. This was the top-seeded Belgian’s fifth title this year after victories in Dubai, Doha, Warsaw and Roland Garros. It was also Henin’s third win in four matches over Mauresmo since losing to her at Wimbledon. — AP

ICC drops officials

DUBAI: The four umpires and match referee whose mistake resulted in a farcical end to the World Cup final have been dropped from the inaugural Twenty20 championship in South Africa. Umpires Steve Bucknor, Aleem Dar, Rudi Koertzen and Billy Bowden and match referee Jeff Crowe were blamed for the match between Australia and Sri Lanka effectively finishing twice and in virtual darkness at Bridgetown, Barbados. The five officials won’t take part in the Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa September 11-24. — AP

Pak eager to play India

Karachi: Pakistan’s cricket chief said on Saturday that his country was eager to play one-day matches with arch-rivals India at neutral overseas venues, primarily in North America. “Pakistan are eager to squeeze a one-day event at offshore venue and large number of Pakistani and Indian people in North American countries demand for such events,” the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Nasim Ashraf told reporters. Ashraf said discussions were underway to play at least one event per year at a neutral venue. — AFP