Rome - Dark clouds hung over Brazilian striker Adriano as he headed back to his home country for an anticipated winter break that may not be followed by a return to Inter Milan.

The Emperor, as he was dubbed in the days when he wreaked havoc among defences, was to land in Brazil on Monday after leaving the Italian champions a week ahead of schedule with the official explanation of a muscular injury.

As virtually no commentator bought the excuse, coach Jose Mourinho said he expects the 26-year-old forward to rejoin the team when training resumes on January 2.

Rome - AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso underwent surgery in Antwerp,

Dubai, Dec. 15 : The International Cricket Council has announced it is seeking requests for proposals (RFPs) from qualified companies interested in providing specialist audio-visual archive management services.

The successful company will work closely with the ICC to market and manage footage from various cricket events, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the ICC Champions Trophy and the ICC World Twenty20.

Perth, Dec. 15 : WACA Ground curator Cameron Sutherland has pledged to create a pitch with far more life than the one encountered in Perth last January.

"It has a lot more life in it at the moment, a lot greener surface at the moment," said Sutherland said of the wicket today.

"Last year we had a Twenty20 final (right before the Test) ... and we were worried about damage to it so we actually got the Test wicket reasonably hard on the Sunday night and it was a longer preparation.

Melbourne - Jelena Dokic on Monday began the quest for an Australian Open wild card with an opening victory in the playoff event for the Grand Slam entry spot.

Dokic defeated teenager Sophie Letcher 6-3 6-0 as a long-awaited comeback looks like getting serious for former world number four Dokic.

Dokic, 25 and ranked 179, has still made only the first step during this week's competition at Melbourne Park for hopefuls seeking a place at the Grand Slam from next January 19.

The winner, a teenaged Wimbledon semi-finalist, credited her renewed fitness with seeing her through on a chilly spring day.