SYDNEY: Uncapped New South Wales pace bowler Simon Cook was included today in a 12-man Australia squad to face New Zealand in the second cricket Test starting in Perth on Thursday.

The 25-year-old replaces the injured Glenn McGrath -- the only change to the side which thrashed New Zealand in the first Test.

Australia: Mark Taylor (captain), Matthew Elliott, Greg Blewett, Mark Waugh, Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Ian Healy, Paul Reiffel, Shane Warne, Michael Kasprowicz, Andrew Bichel, Simon Cook.

Maradona plans sixth comeback

BUENOS AIRES: Just six weeks after quitting soccer for the fifth time, former Argentine soccer star, Diego Maradona has said he would accept an offer by an unnamed Mexican club as long as doctors reassured him he could endure match without dropping dead.

``I'm going to visit my father this week with Dr Lentini and if he assures him that I won't collapse dead on the pitch, then I'll decide to play again but not in Argentina, the 37-year-old midfielder told a local radio. Maradona has publicly admitted to being a cocaine addict.Bangkok Asiad organisers slash budget

BANGKOK: The organisers of the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok will cut their budget by a quarter because of Thailand's economic slowdown, a report said today.

The Bangkok Asian Games Organising Committee (BAGOC) is slashing its organising budget by 26 percent, The Bangkok Post said.

Bernard Hopkins to defend IBF crown

UPPER MARLBORO: Bernard Hopkins will be looking for his sixth straight knock-out victory when he stakes his International Boxing Federation (IBF) middleweight title here today against fellow-american Andrew Council.

Hopkins, who has won 32 and drawn one of his 35 fights, has held the title since stopping Secundo Mercado of Ecuador in 1995 and has won all five of his title defences by knock-out, his last victim being Jamaican Glen Johnson in July.

Chinese swimmers drug free: FINA

KUALA LUMPUR: The World swimming body FINA has again leaped to the defence of China's swimmers over their new record breaking performances which have raised new drug allegations.

``Until one swimmer is caught using the banned substance, we can't say they are on drugs. All I can say now is to congratulate them for a fine performance,'' Eldon Godfrey, FINA bureau member said at the World Junior diving championships.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.