Madrid (Spain), Nov.19 (ANI): Spanish golfer Seve Ballesteros has been moved out of intensive care, weeks after undergoing a successful operation to remove a tumor from his brain. The Spanish five-time Major winner, 51, was diagnosed with a brain tumor at La Paz hospital, after losing consciousness at Madrid Airport early last month.

He has since undergone three operations to reduce pressure on his brain and remove remaining tumor tissues.

A spokesman for the hospital said: "Severiano Ballesteros has left the intensive care unit and has now changed ward. "Although this is good news, indeed, I would like to ask for everyone's patience - because the process is a lengthy one and there is still a long way to go. He is continuing his recovery and is receiving visits," The Sun quoted the spokesman as saying further. (ANI)

London, Nov.19 (ANI): If Grand Prix chief Bernie Ecclestone has his way, Formula One champion racer Lewis Hamilton could be racing for gold medals next season.

According to The Sun, Ecclestone is planning to spice up Formula One radically, and reckons an Olympic style medal system for the top three finishers will pep up the event from a speactator point of view.

Ecclestone said: "I'm 100 per cent certain it's the right way to go. It'll get the drivers overtaking. Everybody is happy with the idea. The teams are all very supportive."

Hamilton, 23, became the youngest champ by just one point after finishing fifth in a thrilling finale in Brazil earlier this month.

But under Ecclestone's system, Ferrari's Felipe Massa's victory would have clinched him the title as he won six races compared to Hamilton's five. (ANI)

Indore, Nov.19 (ANI): Former Sri Lankan Test player and match referee for the ongoing one-day series between India and England, Roshan Mahanama has let off England pacer Stuart Broad with a warning, after the latter escaped a fine for losing his cool in England's second one-day defeat here. Mahanama summoned Broad after the umpires reported him for "borderline dissent" during Monday's 54-run loss in Indore.

Broad, 22, escaped a fine because Mahanama decided a firm word would suffice. The England star reacted angrily when umpire Russell Tiffin turned down an lbw appeal against Rohit Sharma.

The Sun quoted Mahanama as saying: "As he is a young lad, I felt it best to speak to him and nip it in the bud. We encourage players to work with the umpires and ask them to explain decisions rather than have them react that way." Broad admitted: "It was just a talking to, nothing more than that

Ironically, Broad's dad, Chris, an ex-England opening batsman, is one of the ICC's hardest-line referees.

And, asked what percentage of his match fee dad would have docked, Stuart replied: "Probably the whole lot!" (ANI)

Melbourne, Nov 19 (ANI): All rounder Andrew Symonds will make his first Test appearance against New Zealand in Brisbane from Thursday since he was sent home after the infamous "gone fishing incident".

Symonds, who was sent home by the Australian team management before the one-day series against Bangaldesh in August, will definitely start the first test against New Zealand.

Shane Watson or Jason Krejza, who made an impressive Test debut for Australia against India in Nagpur recently, will be 12th man, Fox Sports reported.

Victoria paceman Peter Siddle has been released from the 13-man squad, and the selection decision regarding the final starting berth, between Watson and Krejza, will be made on Thursday morning.

The pitch is well grassed, and home-town opener Matthew Hayden expects it to be spicy but sunshine on Wednesday had hardened the surface.

The more it rains before Thursday morning's scheduled start it is more likely that Watson will play.

But Australia are also keen to retain Krejza to ensure they maintain their over rate, which was dreadfully slow in the 2-0 series loss in India.

"We'll wait and see what happens this afternoon and tonight. I believe there's a fair bit more rain around that's forecast. We'll finalise (the team) tomorrow morning," Australia captain Ricky Ponting said.

Ponting, who had two long discussions with chief selector Andrew Hilditch at the Gabba on Wednesday morning, admitted it would be an extremely tough call on either all-rounder Watson or off-spinner Krejza to be made 12th man. (ANI)