New York, February 16 : Alex Rodriguez is hitting the headlines yet again after reportedly getting cosy with a stunning model on Valentine Day.

The baseball''s biggest superstar was said to be dating the beautiful Melissa Britos, despite previous rumours linking the power-hitting player to Madonna, who was reportedly blamed for his broken marriage.

The Yankee slugger was seen fixing his gaze on Britos during a romantic dinner at the Scarpetta restaurant in the Fontainebleau resort in Miami.

Sydney, Feb. 16 : The Australian cricket team flew to South Africa today with captain Ricky Ponting claiming that the South Africans would be under more pressure than his side.

Ponting wasted no time in trying to turn pressure on to the hosts before the three-Test series that will determine the official No. 1 team in the Test rankings.

"There won''t be any added pressure on us, maybe on South Africa with that at the back of their minds," he said at Sydney airport.

Sydney, Feb. 16: Having beaten Australia in Australia, the South Africans would naturally be cocksure about using their home advantage to challenge Ricky Ponting's team and dislodge it from its championship pedestal, feels cricket columnist Peter Roebuck.

In a column for the Sydney Morning Herald, Roebuck predicts a compelling series in South Africa.

While stating that the Australians ought to enjoy themselves in South Africa, Roebuck said that they could take a leaf out of Graeme Smith and company's book on exhibiting joviality.

Phoenix, Arizona  - They argue and snub each other, and for years, there has been no love lost between the former Los Angeles Lakers teammates Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal. But one thing is certain: When the two play together, good things happen.

The occasional friends and adversaries shared the most valuable player trophy Sunday night after their West squad clobbered the East 146-119 to win the National Basketball Association's annual All-Star Game at the US Airways Center.

Washington, Feb 16: Olympic swimmer Amanda Beard has revealed that she's got engaged to photographer Sasha Brown.

"We got engaged on Christmas day. It was really simple. We decided to do Christmas by ourselves in our house in Tuscon. He had a little Tiffany''s box, and it was hidden in this Santa statue that we had -- his little sack -- and it was perfect," Usmagazine. com quoted Beard, as saying.

She said that a simple proposal was much better than an over-the-top alternative.

Melbourne, Feb 16 : Australian all rounder Andrew Symonds failed again with the bat as Queensland struggled to avoid outright defeat in the Sheffield Shield match at the Adelaide Oval.

South Australia reduced Queensland chasing 333 for victory to 3-88 to take control of the match at lunch on the final day.

The Redbacks dismissed Ryan Broad, Martin Love and Symonds. Young quicks Peter George (1-12) and Jake Haberfield (2-11) both enjoyed fruitful spells.