Canterbury all-rounder Daryl Mitchell and Auckland batsman Glenn Phillips have been granted centralised cricket contracts for the first time after break-out international seasons

Spinner Ajaz Patel has been omitted from last year's list, as has wicketkeeper BJ Watling after announcing his retirement this week.



Luuka Jones is about to have a burden lifted.

The canoe slalomist will receive her second Covid-19 vaccine this morning, ahead of competitions in Europe next month, and the Tokyo Olympics in July.

Jones accepts she could still get the virus - and it would compromise her Olympic campaign - but says it's worth the risk.



The English Champions League football final on May 29 has been moved to Porto.

The Chelsea-Manchester City fixture had been due to take place in Istanbul.

European governing body UEFA was forced to consider other options after the British government placed Turkey on its red list for international travel amid the coronavirus pandemic.

That would have denied fans the chance to attend.



Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed the Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury heavyweight unification bout is set for August 14 in Saudi Arabia.



Melbourne City have moved closer to a debut A-League football premiership with a 4-1 win over Adelaide.



Another damp day for the Kiwis at cycling's Giro D'Italia.

George Bennett and Patrick Bevin ground their way to the finish in 42nd and 44th places respectively across the mountainous 160-kilometre stage six.



Michael Venus and his Australian tennis doubles partner John Peers are through to the quarter-finals at the Rome Masters after beating the Australian Open champions in the second round.



England rugby coach Eddie Jones has joined league side Hull FC for a couple of days to help in an advisory role.