Frankfurt - The German Bundesliga had its most successful financial year ever in the 2007-08 season and is well prepared to handle the current global economic slowdown, the German Football League (DFL) said Thursday.

The presentation by the DFL board showed that the 36 first and second division clubs registered a record turnover of 1.93 billion euros (2.45 billion dollars) and reduced their combined liabilities to just under 470 million euros.

London, Mar. 12 : The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Chairman, Giles Clarke, has outlined a series of reforms that aim to alter the way the game is governed.

The moves represent an attempt by the ECB to get back on to the front foot in the wake of the divisive Pietersen-Moores affair and the damaging Stanford episode.

Melbourne, Mar 12 : Australian pace bowler Peter Siddle has said that a sore foot won't stop him from playing against South Africa next week, dashing hopes of Doug Bollinger to make a Test recall.

Siddle produced a heroic performance in second Test in Durban, taking match figures of 5-81 from 41.3 overs despite going into the game with a foot injury.

Skipper Ricky Ponting praised the heroic efforts of Siddle, and said the Victorian will be rested from next month's one-day series in South Africa.

Melbourne, Mar 12 : Injured fast bowler Brett Lee's place in the Ashes 2009 squad is under serious threat after the unexpected success of Australia's pace attack against South Africa.

Lee is slipping further down the queue with each impressive performance from the trio of Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus in the on going series against the Proteas.

Only five months ago, Lee was Australia's main attack bowler, but at present he is arguably the fourth or fifth best fast bowling option, The Herald Sun reported.

Melbourne, Mar 12 : Australia's two most exciting prospects for Ashes 2009 series, Mitchell Johnson and Phillip Hughes, have made big impressions in the latest ICC player rankings.

Johnson, the new pace spearhead in the absence of injured duo Stuart Clark and Brett Lee, has climbed to the second spot in the bowling rankings alongside South African rival Dale Steyn on 811 points.

London, Mar. 12 : Footballer Didier Drogba's claim that he was subjected to racist abuse in Turin, is to be probed by his club Chelsea.

Drogba has claimed that he was subjected to `monkey chants' from a small section of the home crowd that was supporting Juventus.

UEFA has said that it is ready to throw the book at Juventus if the case is proven.