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Like a Clarkework

Michael Clarke got his captaincy off to a terrific start by smashing a century and leading Australia to a 60-run win over Bangladesh in the first one-day international in Dhaka on Saturday. Clarke made 101 off 111 balls as Australia recovered from 90 for three to post a challenging 270 for seven before their bowlers restricted Bangladesh to 210 for five in their 50 overs. Bangladesh started wobbling when they lost their first two wickets for nine runs and could never pose any serious threat to Australia despite opener Tamim Iqbal 62 and captain Shakib Al Hasan 51 each contributing.

Brief scores: Australia 270/7 in 50 overs M. Clarke 101; S Shuvo 3/44 bt Bangladesh 210/5 in 50 overs Tamim Iqbal 62,Shakib Al Hasan 51; Le 1/36,Johnson 1/23 by 60 runs.

Gillespie bowling coach

Kings XI Punjab have roped in former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie as their bowling coach as they prepare to take on new entrants Pune Warriors in their opening IPL match on Sunday. Gillespie8217;s name was recommended by the new captain Adam Gilchrist and coach Michael Bevan,both former Australian cricketers,and he will join the team in Mumbai on Sunday. 8220;Bevo Bevan and Adam Gilchrist as captain have been working hard to have someone work with their bowlers,which is nice of them,8221; Gillespie said.

Afridi rules out Test return

Pakistan8217;s ODI captain Shahid Afridi has ruled out returning to play Test cricket despite being urged to lead the side in all three formats of the game by former skipper Imran Khan. Afridi decided to retire from Test cricket last year although he was named captain for the entire Test and one-day series against Australia and England. He retired from Tests after Pakistan lost to Australia under his captaincy and since then the flamboyant all-rounder has focused on playing just one-dayers and Twenty20 cricket.

United cruise past Fulham

Manchester United enjoyed a stroll in the spring sunshine on Saturday as they eased to a 2-0 home win over Fulham to open a 10-point lead at the top of the Premier League. United,who host Chelsea in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday,rested several first-choice players and had just the sort of undemanding afternoon they wanted as first-half goals by Dimitar Berbatov and Antonio Valencia proved decisive at Old Trafford.

United have 69 points with Arsenal,who visit Blackpool on Sunday,second on 59 with two games in hand. Chelsea moved up to third on 58 points after a 67th-minute Florent Malouda goal was enough to beat bottom club Wigan Athletic 1-0 at Stamford Bridge. Manchester City,who visit Liverpool on Monday,have 56 points,three clear of Tottenham Hotspur who beat Stoke City 3-2.

Kaka scores twice in Real win

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Kaka scored twice from the penalty spot to lead a weakened Real Madrid to a 3-0 victory at Athletic Bilbao that kept their title hopes alive on Saturday. The Brazilian midfielder netted early in each half after Angel Di Maria was twice brought down in the area,and Cristiano Ronaldo came off the bench to seal victory with his 28th league goal of the campaign in the 70th minute. The victory was achieved without a number of first team regulars as Jose Mourinho rested players with Wednesday8217;s Champions League quarter-final second leg at Tottenham Hotspur and next weekend8217;s La Liga clash with Barcelona in mind. Second-placed Real have 76 points with seven games left.

Late strikes send Inter second

Inter Milan kept their Serie A title hopes alive with second-half goals from Esteban Cambiasso and Maicon in a 2-0 win over a battling Chievo Verona at the San Siro on Saturday. The Argentine midfielder fired home in the 65th minute before Brazilian Maicon calmed Inter8217;s nerves six minutes from the end of a feisty encounter to give the out-of-sorts champions a precious three points. Inter now have 63 points,one ahead of Napoli and two behind leaders AC Milan who play in the main programme on Sunday.

Emotional walkout

Brazilian striker Marquinhos has walked out on his J-League club Vegalta Sendai,blaming emotional stress from last month8217;s deadly earthquake and tsunami,the club said. The 35-year-old8217;s contract will be terminated less than three months after he joined Sendai amid fanfare after spells at five other Japanese clubs. Having seen the damage,Marquinhos has suffered psychological shock and has decided it would be difficult to continue playing under these circumstances,Vegalta said.