Florida (US), Mar. 25 : The game of cricket is getting serious attention again in the United States these days, more than a century after it first made its presence felt in the region.

Players taking part in the recently held American College Spring Break Cricket Championship in Florida feel they have brought the sport one step closer into the American mainstream.

Though cricket counts its fans by the billion worldwide, the sport does not register a pulse in the United States.

London, Mar. 25: England football star Steven Gerrard is ready to commit himself to a new long-term contract at Liverpool, saying he has never been happier in his career.

Captain Gerrard believes Rafa Benitez can restore the Reds to the pinnacle of English football and wants to see out his playing days at the club he has idolised since boyhood.

Liverpool will approach Gerrard, 28, in the summer about extending his 110,000-pounds-a-week deal, which has two years left to run.

London, Mar. 25 : England football star David Beckham gasped in horror yesterday as he shook an injured Royal Marine's hand - and it came off.

Becks went ghostly pale as he clutched the limb while Commando Ben McBean screamed: "My arm! My arm!"

But the star's shock turned to relief as onlookers howled with laughter and he realised he was holding Ben's prosthetic arm rather than a real one.

He chuckled, "You b******s!" before cracking up and adding: "I wasn't expecting that."

London, Mar. 25 : Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton is aware about his challengers, but believes he can relax with the public pressure now off.

Speaking on the Vodafone McLaren-Mercedes Teamcast, the 24-year old said: "I feel less pressure this season. All my life I've had pressure from myself to be the best. I still have that- but I'm able to handle it better."

Sydney, Mar. 25 (ANI): Former Australian leg spinner Stuart MacGill has endorsed off-spinner Marcus North as the first-choice spinner against England and said specialist tweaker Bryce McGain was never in contention for the Ashes, even before his horrific debut against South Africa.

MacGill, who took 208 Test wickets for Australia, said he would stick with North given there was enough grunt in the pace attack.

Cape Town (South Africa), Mar. 25 : Australian middle order batsman Michael Hussey is hoping that the selectors will not cast him aside for the upcoming Ashes series because of his current poor form.

Hussey''s disappointing performances across the entire summer, at home and in South Africa, have left room for questions about whether he remains an automatic choice.