Justin Langer, the former Australian opener, announced his retirement from state cricket on Wednesday. “It is a really sad thing for me to say, and probably a tougher decision than retiring from Test cricket, because that is the end of my career,” he said. “The fire has gone out,” he added.

Liu Xiang, the Olympic 110M hurdles champion, has come under fire for missing a meeting of the advisory body to China's parliament. He was appointed to the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.  “The session must not be attended only when the stars have time,” said a commentary.