Second place
CARLSBAD, California - Australian Karrie Webb remains one shot off the pace after the second round of the Kia Classic LPGA event in Carlsbad, California. Webb returned a two-under-par 70 to move to seven-under for the tournament, trailing Spanish leader Beatriz Recari and sharing second with American Paula Creamer (68). Recari shot a bogey-free 67 on the hilly Aviara course designed by Arnold Palmer. First-round leader Jane Park shot a 69 and was tied at six-under with Cristie Kerr, I.K. Kim, Inbee Park and Haeji Kang. Stacy Lewis, playing her first tournament as the world's top-ranked player, carded her second straight 70 and was four strokes off the lead.
Messi scores
BUENOS AIRES - Lionel Messi scored once and set up two goals as Argentina beat Venezuela 3-0 to remain in control of the South American qualifying race for the 2014 World Cup. The Argentinian skipper was the architect of two Gonzalo Higuain strikes which came either side of an emphatic Messi penalty on the stroke of half-time at the Monumental Stadium. The Barcelona superstar was Argentina's best player throughout, twice forcing Daniel Hernandez into scrambled saves early on before producing the pass which enabled Higuain to break the deadlock on 29 minutes.
Azarenka out
MIAMI - World No.3 Victoria Azarenka withdrew with a right ankle injury while Spanish men's third seed David Ferrer advanced by walkover Friday at the WTA and ATP Miami Masters hardcourt event. Reigning Australian Open champion Azarenka complained of ankle pain after a 6-3 6-1 fourth-round victory over Urszula Radwanska in the Indian Wells quarter-finals last week before withdrawing. "The last two days I tried to practice, which did not get better so it's just obvious that it's not possible for me to play."
England back
AUCKLAND - England came back into the deciding third Test as New Zealand got stuck in mud on the second morning at Eden Park. New Zealand began the day in charge at 1-250 but an improved England bowling effort was rewarded with the wickets of Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor and Peter Fulton, and the home team ended the session at 4-312. Williamson began the morning 17 runs short of his fourth Test century but he could only score eight before he edged behind after James Anderson got a ball to move away from him off the seam, ending his partnership with Fulton at 181.
On course
MONTEVIDEO - Colombia remained on course to end their 16-year World Cup finals exile on Friday after sweeping aside Bolivia 5-0 in South American qualifiers. Goals from Macnelly Torres, Carlos Valdez, Teofilo Gutierrez, Radamel Falcao and Pablo Armero secured an easy win as Colombia moved to within one point of leaders Argentina, who play Venezuela in Buenos Aires later Friday. Colombia, who are revelling under the guidance of former Argentina coach Jose Pekerman, now look perfectly poised to reach next year's finals in Brazil.