Messi cleared to play

Barcelona says Messi has recovered from a strained muscle in his left leg.

Barcelonas team doctors have cleared Lionel Messi to play in the clubs Spanish league opener against Levante. Barcelona says Messi has recovered from a strained muscle in his left leg from last weekend and will take the field on Sunday. The Argentina forward missed several games at the end of last season due to a nagging right hamstring injury.

Mauri to miss game

Lazio captain Stefano Mauri will miss Sundays Italian Super Cup against Juventus after a court delayed a ruling on his appeal against a six-month ban for failing to report match-fixing in 2011. Late on Friday,a panel of nine judges said further investigation was necessary before it could make a final decision on the midfielders appeal,a statement read.

Rory to play in Sydney

Double major winner and world number three Rory McIlroy will tee off alongside US Masters champion Adam Scott at this years Australian Open in Sydney,organisers said on Saturday. The 24-year-old Briton,who followed up his 2011 US Open triumph with a victory at last years US PGA Championship,will return to play the tournament held at the Royal Sydney Golf Club from November 28-December 1 after a seven-year absence.

Stosur,coach split

Australias Samantha Stosur has split with her long-time coach David Taylor,the former US Open champion said on Saturday. Stosur,29,currently the world No. 11,said Australia Fed Cup captain Alicia Molik would fill in for Taylor in an interim role at the US Open,starting in New York on August 25,before she considered her long-term options. After six years working together my coach David Taylor and I have decided to part ways, Stosur said in a statement.

Coentrao wants out

Real Madrid8217;s new coach Carlo Ancelotti says defender Fabio Coentrao has asked for a transfer. Ancelotti says that he left Coentrao off his squad for Sunday8217;s Spanish league opener against Real Betis because the Portugal international 8220;has asked to leave8221;. Madrid paid euro 30 million then 43 million in 2011 to acquire Coentrao from Benfica. Ancelotti says that he is happy with his squad but that Tottenham forward Gareth Bale would be a welcome addition.

All blacks beat Aussies

Winger Ben Smith scored a hat-trick as a ruthless New Zealand opened their Rugby Championship title defence with a six-try 47-29 victory over Australia on Saturday to ruin Ewen McKenzie8217;s first match as Wallabies coach. The world champions scored three tries either side of halftime at the Olympic Stadium with flyhalf Aaron Cruden,captain Richie McCaw returning after a sabbatical and center Conrad Smith supplementing Ben Smith8217;s triple score.