London, Nov. 25: He may be one of England’s best football players today, but Wayne Rooney recalls a time when police in his hometown of Croxethe, Liverpool, took away his football because he was playing on the street.

“When I was about 16, I got my ball taken off me by the police for playing in the street – which is pathetic really,” The Sun quotes Rooney, as saying.

Asked where he used to play as a youngster, he said: “I was fortunate because at the back of my mum’s house there was a five-a-side tarmac pitch.

Adelaide, Nov. 25 : Australian cricket all-rounder Andrew Symonds, who has attracted attention to his negative off-field activities again, has admitted that he is still being treated for a stress-related ailment.

"I am being treated for a stress related illness and I remain committed to dealing with these issues," Symonds said here last night.

Symonds could face the sack from the Australian cricket team after a drinking session at a Brisbane pub on Sunday turned ugly.

Lahore, Nov 25: Pakistan cricket coach Intikhab Alam has said that India were a better side against Australia, and that it was because India uses the same SG balls in domestic cricket and against touring sides.

Acknowledging India’s splendid success in recent months, including a 2-0 series win at home against Australia, he said that Indian bowlers had mastered the art of using the SG ball effectively in domestic and first-class cricket.

“India have done really well in recent months and they were the better side against Australia. I think one of the reasons for their success is the balls they use in domestic cricket and against touring sides,” the Daily Times quoted him as saying.

Sydney, Nov 25 : Cricket Australia is investigating into a pub brawl on Sunday night involving all-rounder Andrew Symonds, though the latter has denied the blame on him.

The investigation report is expected to come by Wednesday, and might jeopardize Symonds’ chances of paying in Brisbane Test beginning Friday.

CA chief executive James Sutherland said the investigation would not be rushed or compromised.

Melbourne, Nov. 25 : South Africa’s snarling pacer Dale Steyn is expected to give Australian opener Matthew Hayden a torrid time in next month''s marquee Test series.

Pace ace Dale Steyn, 25, has already passed Allan Donald as the quickest South African to 100 Test wickets with an intoxicating blend of pure pace, aggression and swing.

In 26 Tests, he has 135 wickets at a superstar average of 22.08, having claimed nine, five-wicket hauls and twice finished with 10 wickets for a match.

Australia has never had to confront Steyn and his battle with an out-of-form Hayden who has always tried to impose himself on the new-ball bowlers, regardless of reputation.

Vienna - Austria's anti-doping agency NADA on Monday banned Austrian cyclist Bernhard Kohl for two years after he was found to have used blood doping in this year's Tour de France.

The verdict was "disappointing," Austrian news agency APA quoted the 26-year-old as saying.

The NADA hearing came after Kohl was heard by the body earlier in the day. Kohl said he hoped his full disclosure would make him get away with a one-year ban instead of the normal two years.