Reuters Sports Schedule at 0600 GMT on Wednesday, Nov 19
Reuters sports schedule at 0600 GMT on Wednesday: - - - - MOTOR RACING Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix Hamilton and Rosberg in last race title showdown ABU DHABI - Lewis Hamilton could be only days away from his second Formula One world title but, with double points on offer for the first time, the Mercedes driver is not taking any comfort from his championship lead. (MOTOR RACING-PRIX/ (PREVIEW, PIX), expect by 1100 GMT/6 AM ET, by Alan Baldwin, 500 words) - - - - BASEBALL Otani cuts his teeth in Japan but MLB beckons SAPPORO, Japan - Shohei Otani has made waves in Japan by throwing strikes and smashing home runs for the Nippon Ham Fighters, but the 'Double Sworded Samurai' may have to give up one of his weapons if he is to realise his dream of making it big in Major League Baseball. (BASEBALL-JAPAN/OTANI (PIX) moved, by Junko Fujita, 800 words) - - - - CRICKET Australia v South Africa, third ODI, Canberra Cummins expected to return for Australia With the five-match series nicely poised at 1-1, Australia quick Pat Cummins is expected to play his first ODI for more than two years when the Proteas make their debut at Manuka Oval. (CRICKET-AUSTRALIA/, expect by 1200 GMT/7 AM ET, 350 words) - - Pakistan v New Zealand, Dubai, second test (to 21) DUBAI - Pakistan, resuming on 34 for two, bank on their in-form batsmen to erase a 369-run deficit on day three of the second test. (CRICKET-PAKISTAN/, expect by 0930 GMT/4:30 AM ET, 350 words) - - - - GOLF Australian Masters, Melbourne (to 23) Home hero Scott aiming for triple treat at Royal Melbourne MELBOURNE - Adam Scott will bid for a third successive Australian Masters trophy as he warms up for a much anticipated head-to-head with world number one Rory McIlroy. (GOLF-AUSTRALIA/SCOTT, moved, by Ian Ransom, 400 words) - - DP World Tour Championship Stenson, Poulter, Koepka discuss Dubai plans DUBAI - World number four Henrik Stenson, Ryder Cup talisman Ian Poulter and last week's Turkish Open winner Brooks Koepka host news conferences on the eve of the final event of the European Tour season. (GOLF-EUROPEAN/, expect by 1300 GMT/8 AM ET, by Matt Smith, 400 words) - - - - SOCCER Dunga trying to repair World Cup damage - Ronaldo LONDON - Dunga faces an uphill battle to repair the scars of Brazil's World Cup campaign, but was at least looking like he might be on the right path, according to former striker Ronaldo. (SOCCER-RONALDO/ (INTERVIEW, TV), moving at 1000 GMT/5 AM ET, by Michael Hann, 480 words) - - African Nations Cup qualifiers Group A Nigeria v South Africa (1700) Sudan v Congo (1700) Group B Ethiopia v Malawi (1600) Mali v Algeria (1600) Group C Burkina Faso v Angola (1800) Gabon v Lesotho (1800) Group D DR Congo v Sierra Leone (1400) Ivory Coast v Cameroon (1400) Group E Ghana v Togo (1600) Guinea v Uganda (1600) Group F Niger v Mozambique (1600) Zambia v Cape Verde Islands (1600) Group G Senegal v Botswana (1900) Tunisia v Egypt (1900) D-day for Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast CAPE TOWN - The last six slots in the 2015 Nations Cup finals will be determined as the qualifying process comes to a close with champions Nigeria plus heavyweights Ghana and Ivory Coast yet to seal their places. (SOCCER-AFRICA/NATIONS, expect by 2130 GMT/4:30 PM ET, by Mark Gleeson, 400 words) - - - - TENNIS Returning Rafa ready to roll once again LONDON - As years go 2014 has not been a good one for Rafa Nadal but with his injury troubles seemingly behind him, the Spaniard is confident he will be back to his best next season. (TENNIS-NADAL/ (INTERVIEW, TV), moving at 1000 GMT/5 AM ET, by Michael Hann, 430 words) - - - - RUGBY France announce team to meet Argentina PARIS - France coach Philippe Saint-Andre names his side to face Argentina on Saturday as Les Bleus look to achieve a hat- trick of victories following wins against Fiji and Australia. (RUGBY-FRANCE/, expect by 1215 GMT/7:15 AM ET, by Julien Pretot, 300 words) - - South Africa unveil lineup to face Italy PADOVA, Italy - South Africa name their team for the test against Italy on Saturday as they play the third of four internationals in Europe this month. (RUGBY-SAFRICA/, expect by 1230 GMT/7:30 AM ET, 300 words) - - - - BADMINTON BWF Yonex-Sunrise Hong Kong Open Super Series, (to 23) Copy on merit - - - - NBA Struggling Lakers visit Hawks Kobe Bryant and the struggling Los Angeles Lakers try to snap a four-game skid and begin a climb out of the Western Conference cellar when they visit the Atlanta Hawks in one of four games on the schedule. (NBA-HIGHLIGHTS/ (PIX), expect by 0430 GMT/11:30 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 450 words) - - - - NHL Streaking Canadiens host Crosby's Penguins Two division leaders clash when the Montreal Canadiens put a six-game winning streak on the line versus Sidney Crosby and the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins in one of 11 games on the National Hockey League schedule. (NHL-HIGHLIGHTS/ (PIX), expect by 0430 GMT/11:30 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 800 words) - - - - (Asia desk editor: Peter Rutherford)
