Dubai/ Cape Town, Dec. 10 : The International Cricket Council (ICC) has sent out a clear signal to sledgers by indicating that it is seriously considering the imposition of harsher penalties for verbal abuse.

"There was also a feeling among CEC members that a stronger stance needed to be taken against players guilty of verbal abuse," The Age quoted an ICC statement, as saying.

Harsher interpretations and penalties for players would be a bitter pill for the Australian players to swallow, given their tradition of "mental disintegration" to unsettle opponents.

Manila  - Hundreds of fans packed a local church in the Philippine capital on Wednesday when boxing icon Manny Pacquiao heard a thanksgiving mass after an upset win against Mexican-American legend Oscar De la Hoya on the weekend.

Pacquiao arrived in Manila before dawn on Wednesday, four days after forcing to submission the 35-year-old De la Hoya, known as the Golden Boy of American boxing, to quit in the eighth of their 12-round fight in Las Vegas on Saturday.

"I hope Manny would give us a few hundred pesos," said 17-year-old Marlon Tapia, who was among hundreds who trooped to Quiapo Church in downtown Manila to welcome Pacquiao. "He is my idol. He is the greatest."

Mohali/Chandigarh, Dec 10: Security has been beefed up in Mohali ahead of the second cricket Test match between India and England, as six persons were arrested with explosives in nearby Chandigarh city.

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Security Advisor Reg Dickason, who assessed the security arrangements at the Stadium with the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) officials and security agencies, said that a a detailed meeting would take place on Wednesday.

PCA President I S Bindra asserted that ECB had suggested Mohali as the venue for the second Test match and there was no doubt about hosting the match there.

Sydney  - Australia's bid to host the 2018 World Cup looked better Wednesday with the government putting up 45 million Australian dollars (28 million US dollars) to pay for campaigning.

"This announcement today shows to the entire football world we are very serious in our commitment," Sports Minister Kate Ellis said.

Football Federation of Australia chairman Frank Lowy is spearheading a bid that many say is doomed to fail.

London, Dec. 10: Soccer prodigy Josh Clancy has been dubbed the "keepy uppy king" after learning how to do 4,000 continuous kick-ups at the age of ten.

Pint-sized Josh is aiming to win a national 'freestyle' competition fronted by Liverpool and England legend Steven Gerrard, reports The Sun.

The talented four feet ten inch youngster is already over 1,000 votes ahead in the online contest despite being pitted against youngsters twice his age.

He has wowed crowds with his ball-control skills, including testing signature moves like 'Round the World' and 'Enigma', as well as a series of complex ball-balancing tricks.

Chennai, Dec 10 : The England cricket teams will donate half of their match fees from the first Test against India starting on Thursday to victims of last month''s attacks in Mumbai, opening batsman Alastair Cook said.

"To extend our sympathies to the families of those who have lost their loved ones in the Mumbai attacks and as a cricketer, we are here to win a Test match series in India. The England players will pay half their match fees from the first Test match to the families of the victims of the Mumbai attacks," said Cook.