Reuters Sports Schedule at 1600 GMT on Friday
LONDON, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Reuters sports schedule at 1600 GMT on Friday:
OLYMPICS
Olympics-IOC bans Russian bobsledders, speed skaters for Sochi doping
Two Russian bobsledders, including double gold medallist Alexander Zubkov, and two speed skaters have been banned for life from the Olympics over doping violations at the 2014 Sochi Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said. (SPORT-DOPING/RUSSIA 270 words). Moved.
CRICKET
Australia v England, first test, Brisbane
BRISBANE - Captain Steve Smith frustrated England with a fighting half-century and pushed Australia to 165 for four at the close of a see-sawing day two, rescuing the hosts after a top order collapse in the series-opening Ashes test. (CRICKET-ASHES-AUS-ENG/ (PIX, TV) 600 words)
India v Sri Lanka, second test, Nagpur
Ravichandran Ashwin spearheaded a dominant bowling display by India, taking four wickets as they dismissed Sri Lanka for 205 after the visitors had won the toss and opted to bat on the first day of the second test in Nagpur.(CRICKET-TEST-IND-LKA/ 400 words)
SOCCER
Mourinho fears Fellaini departure
LONDON - Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho fears that midfielder Marouane Fellaini will leave the Premier League club at the end of the season. (SOCCER-ENGLAND-MUN-BRH/MOURINHO 330 words)
We bring you all the news from the managerial news conferences ahead of the weekend's Premier League fixtures. (SOCCER-ENGLAND/-TEAM)
Clubs looking to Virtual Reality to get an edge
The latest, groundbreaking developments in Virtual Reality are allowing clubs to run simulations of match situations and get players recovering from injury 'match fit'. (SOCCER-TECH-VIRTUALREALITY/ 400 words)
Messi says he's happy to take occasional rests
BARCELONA - Lionel Messi, who was used a rare substitute in Barcelona's midweek Champions League match with Juventus, said he understood the importance of resting occasionally in order to stay ripe for the end of the season as he accepted the European Golden Shoe award on Friday. (SOCCER-SPAIN/MESSI (PIX, TV) 350 words)
GOLF
Australian Open (to 26)
SYDNEY - Lucas Herbert outshone major winners Jordan Spieth and Jason Day with a sparkling 66 to take the lead at the Australian Open. (GOLF-AUSTRALIA/ 500 words)
Hong Kong Open (to 26)
HONG KONG - India's SSP Chawrasia forged a two-shot lead at the Hong Kong Open, overcoming buffeting winds to card a four-under-par 66 in the second round at Fanling. (GOLF-EUROPEAN-HONG KONG/, 200 words)
MOTOR RACING
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
ABU DHABI - Four times world champion Lewis Hamilton kept Mercedes on top in the last Friday practice of the Formula One season with Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel close behind. (MOTOR-F1-ABUDHABI/ (PIX, TV) 350 words)
RUGBY UNION
We will bring you all the news from the various camps ahead of this weekend's November internationals. (RUGBY-UNION-TEAM/)
NORTH AMERICAN SPORTS
Roundups of off-field developments in the major North American professional sports leagues. (Expect by 0000 GMT/7 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 500 words)
RUGBY LEAGUE
Holmes scores six tries as Kangaroos roar into final
BRISBANE - Australia winger Valentine Holmes kept up his record-breaking exploits with six tries as the Kangaroos blew away Fiji 54-6 on Friday to set up a Rugby League World Cup final against England or Tonga. (RUGBY LEAGUE-WORLDCUP-AUS-FJI/ (PIX) 250 words)
FIGURE SKATING
Top skaters vie for spot in Japan final
The last spots for December’s Grand Prix Final in Japan are on the line this week in Lake Placid starting with the pairs and men’s program. (FIGURESKATING-ISU/LAKEPLACID, expect by 0415 GMT/11:15 PM ET, 300 words)
MIXED MARTIAL ARTS
UFC makes debut in mainland China
Fight fans in mainland China get their first taste of UFC action as the mixed martial arts organisation stages a card in Shanghai on Saturday. (MMA-UFC/SHANGHAI (PREVIEW) 400 words)
NBA
Streaking Cavs host Hornets, Warriors face Bulls
The Cleveland Cavaliers seek a seventh consecutive victory when they return from the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday to host the Charlotte Hornets in one of 10 games on the schedule. (BASKETBALL-NBA/HIGHLIGHTS, expect by 0430 GMT/11:30 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 600 words)
NHL
Lightning clash with Rangers
NHL scoring leader Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning visit the Washington Capitals in one of 14 games on the schedule. (ICEHOCKEY-NHL/HIGHLIGHTS, expect by 0430 GMT/11:30 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 800 words)
TENNIS
Goffin strikes early blow for Belgium in Davis Cup final
David Goffin stayed cool to give visitors Belgium a 1-0 lead in the Davis Cup final against France when he crushed Lucas Pouille 7-5 6-3 6-1 in the opening singles match on Friday. (TENNIS-DAVISCUP-FINAL/ (PIX, TV) 350 words)
ATHLETICS
IAAF announce award winners
The IAAF announces its male and female athletes of the year.
(ATHLETICS-IAAF/AWARDS Expect by 2200GMT (Reporting by Ian Chadband)