New Zealand legspinner Todd Astle has quit first-class cricket to focus on the limited-overs formats.

Astle, 33, played five Tests over a seven-year period, the most recent of them against Australia at the SCG earlier this month. However, he has started to find the demands of preparing for the red-ball formats a challenge while balancing his family and business life.

"Playing Test cricket was always the dream and I'm so honoured to have represented my country and province in the longest form of the game," Astle said. "Red-ball cricket is the pinnacle, but also requires a huge amount of time and effort. As I've got to the back end of my career I've found it harder to maintain the level of commitment required to be fully invested in this version of the game.

"I'm really proud of what I've been able to achieve with Canterbury and the Blackcaps. To have the opportunity to play a Test against Australia at the SCG was an experience I'll always cherish. I'm excited to now focus all my energy into the white-ball formats, as well as give more time to my young family and new business."

In first-class cricket overall, he played 119 matches scoring 4345 runs at 25.86 and taking 334 wickets at 32.17 having started his career as an opening batsman for Canterbury. He also finishes as Canterbury's highest first-class wicket-taker with 303.

New Zealand selector Gavin Larsen said: "Todd's been an absolute stalwart for Canterbury in the Plunket Shield and his first-class record speaks for itself. To prepare and play four-day cricket at such a level for the best part of 15 seasons is a credit to him and his perseverance.

"His ability to turn the ball both ways and build pressure always made him a threat with the red-ball in hand. We appreciate this would have been a tough call for Todd and we absolutely support his proactive decision. He wants to get the most out of himself at this stage of his career and spend more time with his family, and those are admirable reasons."

Astle would have been in the frame for the two Tests against India next month but the selectors will now have to consider whether they recall Mitchell Santner, who missed the SCG Test due to illness but may have been dropped, retain Will Somerville or bring back left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel if they want a frontline spin option.

Marcus Stoinis believes he can still break into Australia's T20 World Cup team as an allrounder despite being recast as a non-bowling opening batsman for the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League, a role in which he is all but assured of finishing as the tournament's top scorer this season.

In a telling departure from the positions he has occupied for Australia, Stoinis has been used at the top of the order by the Stars, where he gets the advantage of extra time to start his innings, while also not bowling at all.

The result has been a tally of 607 runs from 14 regular season games at an average of 60.70 and a strike rate of 134.29, underlining the wisdom of placing Stoinis at the top, even though he is unlikely to contend for a similar spot for Australia where Aaron Finch and David Warner are locked in as openers.

ALSO READ: Melbourne Stars dealt finals blow with Sandeep Lamichhane unavailable

Asked whether he could command an allrounder's place in the national T20 squad despite the change in role for the Stars, Stoinis noted that the likes of Jon Wells had been adept at the middle order job, but argued he still had the IPL with the Delhi Capitals in which to show his allround abilities.

"I do understand that definitely they're very different and you've had guys like Jon Wells - how well's he done - I mean, he's been a good player for a long time, I've known him from Western Australia. So I'm really happy for him," Stoinis said. "But then also, for me I'm not too worried because I've batted everywhere my whole career.

"I'll go to the IPL in two months and most likely I'll be batting five or six. So to me, I see it as I'm adaptable, I'm trying to do everything I can in the game and if the selectors see it as 'you're an opening batsman' or whatever, that's up to them.

"You've got to be careful with what you feel you deserve and I think I've probably been guilty of having expectations that you think other people should reward you for certain things. So I'm very aware, I'm just enjoying what I'm doing. I understand that the national selectors wanted me to go back to domestic cricket, or Big Bash cricket and dominate, so hopefully I've sent that message."

Numerous opening batsman have occupied the other spot opposite Stoinis for the Stars, and the club still looks to be trying to find their best combination despite qualifying at the top of the table and earning a home final against the Sydney Sixers at the MCG on Friday night.

"We've been adaptable and that's what happens in this competition - whether it's Australian selection or injuries, that sort of stuff," Stoinis said. "But the main thing I'm after, I just want the person at the non-striker's end to feel no pressure and just have fun and we're there to express ourselves, we're playing at the MCG, we've got great opportunities.

"I was talking to Seb [Gotch] before the last game and I was messaging him asking him if there's anything he needs from me and he said 'no, just clap at the other end when I hit a boundary'."

As for the Stars' trailing off in performance after securing top spot - they lost their last three games, including a heavy defeat to the lowly Brisbane Heat in the final fixture - Stoinis said the club had enjoyed the chance to end the treadmill of matches and refocus for the finals. A team outing to the Australian Open tennis on Sunday had afforded the chance to let off some steam.

"I've heard a few people say maybe we got complacent and that sort of stuff but also there's been a few opportunities to, with injury and that sort of stuff, to give people a chance and we're trying to find this opening partnership as well," Stoinis said. "We've had an overseas player left, so there's moving parts. I don't think it was complacency, it's more just the fact you've got to be adaptable and we're heading now to the pointy end and we've got pretty much our full team available.

"I think there's still some positives. Petey Handscomb's played well the last couple of games, we've had a few injuries, Hilton Cartwright's been really good for us but then he's got a crack in his finger…it's just going to give opportunities to other people.

"I guess in big games you either get a bit nervous and you try and stay away from failure or you go for it and you look for success - so that's what we'll be looking for. I'll be charging towards success, hopefully."

One key addition for the Stars will be the return of the Pakistan paceman Haris Rauf from international duty, which will provide something of a counterbalance to the loss off Sandeep Lamichhane's artful wrist spin.

"We've been bowling about 18 overs of spin a game, so we'll still hopefully have enough spinners to cover all those sort of bases," Stoinis said. "We've had Hinchy [Clint Hinchliffe] who's come into his own and done really well for us, we've obviously got Zamps [Adam Zampa] coming back, Maxy's been bowling unbelievably well and then the Mad dog, [Nic Maddinson] has been chipping in with a few wickets and some catches. So I think we've got a lot of spin covered and now we've got big Raufy to come back in and maybe I'll bowl an over."

HARTFORD, Conn. -- The UConn women's basketball program and the U.S. national team honored Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna at the start of their exhibition game Monday at XL Center. The two died Sunday in a helicopter crash in Los Angeles.

Gianna, known as Gigi, was a big fan of the Huskies and went to several of their games with her father. Bryant said the 13-year-old was "hell-bent" on going to UConn to play college basketball. On Monday, UConn placed a No. 2 jersey with flowers on their bench in tribute to Gigi and on social media referred to her as "a Husky forever."

Mambacita is forever a Husky ? pic.twitter.com/3wdAbdK0Ye

— UConn Women's Hoops (@UConnWBB) January 27, 2020

The XL Center jumbotron featured a photo of Bryant and Gigi together at a game. UConn coach Geno Auriemma and members of both teams and coaching staffs were visibly moved by a 24-second moment of silence that was observed in honor of Bryant's No. 24.

The game started with two tributes to Bryant, as Team USA held the ball for an eight-second backcourt violation, in honor of Bryant's first jersey number in the NBA. Then the Huskies held the ball and ran out the 24-second shot clock as a tribute to his second number.

Auriemma talked before the game about Kobe's and Gigi's interest in the Huskies.

"Gigi started to show a tremendous interest in the game," Auriemma told ESPN's Holly Rowe. "[Kobe] said, 'I wanna bring my daughter to a game,' and I said, as a matter of fact, we're coming out to Los Angeles and playing UCLA, and he says, 'All right, I'll be at the game,' and that's kind of how it all started.

"He came up to [UConn], and I don't know, he must have spent thousands of dollars inside the bookstore getting stuff, and he sat behind the bench, and our kids were fascinated by [his daughter].

"I can't put myself in her shoes, but it must have been an unbelievable thrill ... this little girl who's looking up to these players like they're superhuman, and then you've got my players looking to her dad like, 'Oh my god, I can't believe that we're' ... It was really interesting to see that dynamic work itself out."

In the wake of Kobe Bryant's tragic passing, Nike has decided to pull all Kobe-related items from its Nike.com webstore, company sources have confirmed to ESPN. For now, searches for his products provide one result -- a purple and yellow Nike gift card bearing the Los Angeles Lakers logo.

The company is re-evaluating its ongoing strategy for releasing Bryant's beloved signature shoe series, and in the interim, would prefer to limit resellers stockpiling an inventory of existing products, only to sell them on the secondary market at an elevated price.

Throughout the company, Bryant's imprint is being fondly reflected on, with the gravity of his death weighing heavily across its web of global office spaces. He was more than just an endorsing athlete at Nike -- he was a true partner -- working in tandem with executives, designers, developers, and a wide-ranging net of employees throughout the Swoosh's corporate structure since joining the company in 2003.

The Nike Kobe signature series has long been heralded in the industry for its advancements in both design and innovation. His sneakers have already been worn by more than 100 current NBA players this season -- nearly a quarter of the league. Designers would constantly rave about his attention to detail and meticulous approach to improving each shoe from year to year.

"I'm telling you, it was like when Harry Potter landed in Hogwarts," Bryant said several years ago, with a laugh. "He was home. I'm always around a bunch of people who are competitive and just as competitive as I am or just as passionate about the sport as I am."

On Monday at the Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, thousands gathered throughout the day around a 35-foot poster of Bryant that overlooks the south bank of the campus' "Lake Nike." Clad in a variety of Kobe sneakers from his 11-model run during his active playing career and the six-model post-career portion of the series that was eerily named "Kobe AD," employees left flowers and memorabilia in a makeshift vigil.

"We extend our deepest sympathies to those closest to Kobe, especially his family and friends," Nike said in a statement. "He was one of the greatest athletes of his generation and has had an immeasurable impact on the world of sports and the community of basketball. He was a beloved member of the Nike family. We will miss him greatly. Mamba forever."

At the brand's regional "Nike West" office in Los Angeles, visibly overwhelmed employees came in for work Monday morning, before gathering together in the on-site auditorium, the only meeting space big enough to accommodate everyone on hand. Nike has long been known for naming its many corporate buildings, parking spaces and conference rooms after its partner athletes.

The LA office's auditorium is simply called "Kobe."

Hugs were held closely, stories of Bryant were shared and tears among the close group were shed. The Lakers icon was a fixture in working with the Nike West team throughout the LA-area, not only for his many Nike product activations and brand events, but also at community givebacks in attending Drew League games and in promoting access to the sport for people of all backgrounds.

Nike had planned to launch a new celebratory colorway of the Kobe 5 Protro in the coming weeks, with the white, black and trophy gold edition slated for a Feb. 7 release. The colors combined the home white and away black versions of the Kobe 5 originally worn by Bryant in the 2010 NBA Finals, where he collected his 5th and final ring, along with the graphics incorporated into the pair of Kobe 5s he wore during the Lakers' championship parade.

The brand is discussing whether to go forward with the release as planned or postpone the launch for a later date, according to sources.

In addition to Nike's reluctance to profit from Bryant's likeness during the aftermath of his passing, several sneaker consignment stores around the country have taken a similar stance.

"We will not be selling any Kobes till further notice," RIF Los Angeles announced in a statement. "All Kobes have been pulled off the floor and all online orders have been refunded."

Las Vegas-based Urban Necessities sent an email to sellers on Sunday evening, clarifying their approach to Kobe's products and restricting sellers from hiking prices on existing listings. On some secondary marketplaces, prices for Bryant's sneakers and memorabilia have seen a 200-300% spike over the past 24 hours.

"Due to the recent passing of Kobe Bryant and out of respect for his family and legacy, we will not allow price changes on Kobe items that are consigned," the company wrote.

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma City Thunder guard Chris Paul will miss his first game of the season Monday as he mourns the loss of friend Kobe Bryant. The team is officially citing personal reasons for his absence.

Following the Thunder's game Saturday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Paul returned home to Los Angeles for his daughter's dance recital and was there when news broke Sunday of Bryant's death.

"I've had several conversations with him," Thunder coach Billy Donovan said. "I'd like to keep our conversations private. That's kind of between Chris and I, but he's doing fine. It's a personal day for him."

Paul and Bryant grew close while playing on two Olympic teams together, as well as connecting as fathers playing in the NBA. At Bryant's final All-Star Game in 2016, Paul, along with friends Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade, hosted a celebratory dinner for Bryant. They presented Bryant retirement gifts such as a subscription to Netflix, underwear and reading glasses, with Paul giving him a cane.

Bryant and Paul nearly became teammates in 2011, when the then-New Orleans Hornets agreed to a three-team trade with the Lakers and Rockets that would've sent Paul to Los Angeles. The trade was vetoed by Commissioner David Stern for "basketball reasons," as the league owned the Hornets at the time during an ownership transition.

Without Paul, the Thunder will likely move Dennis Schroder into the starting five and rely on second-year guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for playmaking and scoring. Gilgeous-Alexander arrived at the arena on Monday wearing a yellow Bryant No. 8 jersey.

Like many teams around the league Sunday, the Thunder and Mavericks are planning an in-game tribute to Bryant.

Paul, 34, has been an essential part of the Thunder's surprising season, averaging 17.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.4 assists in 47 games. He leads the league in clutch-time scoring, boosting the Thunder as one of the most dangerous fourth-quarter teams in the league. OKC is 28-19, seventh in the West but only a game out of fifth, behind Dallas and Houston.

LeBron James, in his first public reaction to the death of Kobe Bryant, says he will take on the Lakers great's legacy as his own responsibility.

James, in a lengthy post to Instagram, said he was "heartbroken and devastated" by Bryant's and his daughter's death Sunday in a helicopter crash and that he has "much more I want to say but just can't right now because I can't get through it."

"I literally just heard your voice Sunday morning before I left Philly to head back to LA," James wrote. "Didn't think for one bit in a million years that would be the last conversation we'd have."

View this post on Instagram

I'm Not Ready but here I go. Man I sitting here trying to write something for this post but every time I try I begin crying again just thinking about you, niece Gigi and the friendship/bond/brotherhood we had! I literally just heard your voice Sunday morning before I left Philly to head back to LA. Didn't think for one bit in a million years that would be the last conversation we'd have. WTF!! I'm heartbroken and devastated my brother!! ?????. Man I love you big bro. My heart goes to Vanessa and the kids. I promise you I'll continue your legacy man! You mean so much to us all here especially #LakerNation?? and it's my responsibility to put this shit on my back and keep it going!! Please give me the strength from the heavens above and watch over me! I got US here! There's so much more I want to say but just can't right now because I can't get through it! Until we meet again my brother!! #Mamba4Life❤️?? #Gigi4Life❤️??

A post shared by LeBron James (@kingjames) on Jan 27, 2020 at 6:43pm PST

Bryant and his oldest daughter, Gianna, were among nine aboard a helicopter flight Sunday morning that went down in Calabasas, California, west of Los Angeles. There were no survivors. The cause of the crash is unknown, but a federal investigation of the crash is fully underway.

The crash came a day after James passed Bryant for third place on the NBA's all-time scoring list.

As late as 10:39 p.m. ET Saturday, Bryant was active on social media, congratulating James on Twitter during the Lakers' loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

James and his teammates and the Lakers coaching staff found out about Bryant's death while on the team plane flying home from Philadelphia.

In news coverage after the plane landed, a visibly shaken James could be seen wiping his eyes with tissues as he walked alone off the tarmac.

Wales prop Rhodri Jones has signed a new two-year deal with Ospreys.

The 17-times capped player moved from Scarlets to Ospreys in 2016, but has been ruled out of the rest of the 2019-20 season after shoulder surgery.

Jones hopes to return fully fit in time for the 2020-21 campaign.

The 28-year-old, who made his Wales debut in 2012, said: "Prior to my injury I felt I was playing my best rugby and picking up momentum and enjoying playing regularly."

Jones cited having former Wales prop Duncan Jones among the Ospreys coaching staff as one of the reasons for staying.

"I feel I have really developed my game here over the last few seasons, especially with someone like Duncan Jones on the staff at the Ospreys," said Rhodri Jones.

"Being able to tap into his experience and knowledge has been important for my development as a player.

"I will play anywhere for the team, but being allowed to focus on one role has been important for me."

For the latest Welsh rugby union news follow @BBCScrumV on Twitter.

GAS CITY, Ind., Jan. 27 – From sprint cars to monster trucks, tractors and everything in between, a diversified, 21-event schedule is set for Gas City I-69 Speedway’s upcoming season.

It begins Friday night, May 1 and concludes Saturday, Oct. 3.

Anchoring the schedule will be the 410-c.i., non-wing sprint cars, featuring 14 non-sanctioned races and three sanctioned events.

UMP-style modifieds will compete regularly on the quarter-mile, semi-banked clay oval with at least 12 events, along with street stocks (12 races) and hornets (14 races).

USAC’s Indiana Sprint Week returns to Gas City for its opener on Friday night, July 24. The USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car Series visits again on Thursday night, Sept. 24 for the third annual James Dean Classic.

The popular BOSS sprint cars invade Gas City on Friday night, May 29.

Two major winged sprint car programs are scheduled on Saturday nights, with the Ollie’s Bargain Outlet All Star Circuit of Champions returning to Gas City after an absence of approximately two decades on Saturday night, May 16.

After an exciting race in 2019, the Sprints on Dirt series returns on Saturday night, Aug. 8 as part of a winged and non-wing sprint car doubleheader.

Non-wing sprints will also have a doubleheader on Friday night, Aug. 21 in the “Race Odyssey 20/20,” staging twin 20-lap features.

Midget racing is also well represented. The speedway will host round two of the USAC NOS Energy Drink Series’ Indiana Midget Week on Wednesday night, June 3.

The newly-created USAC Midget Cup Series, which features open midgets, USAC Midwest Thunder Speed2 midgets and 1,000cc mini sprints, is set for May 22 and Oct. 2.

USAC Midwest Thunder Speed2 midgets will also compete on June 19, July 10, Aug. 8 and Sept. 11, and the newly branded Tony Stewart’s All Star Circuit of Champions TQ Midgets (formerly UMRA) round out the midgets’ appearances on May 16 and July 17.

New events include the inaugural Gas City Power Pull sanctioned by the Indiana Pulling League on Saturday night, Sept. 19. It features various classes of trucks and tractors.

The popular “Night of Destruction, Thrills and Chills” is set for Saturday night, Aug. 15. It features monster trucks, school bus races, a mini-van demo derby, a rollover contest, trailer races, a hornet feature and more.

The second annual Fall Festival of Speed, featuring 11 divisions, will conclude the season on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 2-3.

Other classes in action during the year include IMCA 305 RaceSaver winged sprint cars and winged and non-wing outlaw 600cc micro sprints. Lightning/mini-sprints (1,000cc) will be allowed to compete with the USAC Midget Cup and USAC Midwest Thunder Speed2 events.

Popular in Western Ohio, the Dirt Track Truck Series featuring four-cylinder Ford and Chevy pickup trucks returns for two events.

“It’s a diverse menu of great racing,” said Jerry Gappens, track promoter.

Gappens will also incorporate his signature intermission entertainment for event nights, including a “Faster Pastor” school bus race, a “Battle of the Badges” featuring first responders racing, plus fun theme nights with human bubble ball, kids’ coin and candy scrambles, toss-the-helmet events, spectator races for “soccer moms” and much more.

“Our goal is to provide fast, fun, family entertainment,” added Gappens. “Once again our team will be vigilant in starting and finishing the programs in a timely fashion.”

To view the complete Gas City schedule, click here.

CONCORD, N.C. — Charlotte Motor Speedway kicked off its 60th anniversary celebration with a press conference Monday afternoon, where officials detailed some of the major attractions for the upcoming season.

The schedule at Charlotte Motor Speedway includes a number of major events, highlighted by the 60th running of the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24. Other events on the schedule include the NASCAR All-Star Race, the World of Outlaws World Finals, two visits by the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and the fall NASCAR weekend on the ROVAL infield road course.

“I’ve had on my desk the last eight months a replica of the first program,” said Greg Walter, executive vice president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway. “There is a letter in the cover from (Bruton Smith) and he talks about all the construction going on. They were right up to the wire getting things ready.

“In that letter, the last phrase of it, he says we have done all of this with this in mind, Charlotte Motor Speedway, it’s for everyone,” Walter continued.

Walter emphasized that the goal of the speedway is to entertain fans and he believes the lineup for the upcoming season will do that in spades.

“Taking care of the fans, working for the fans and most importantly, entertaining them,” Walter said.

With that in mind, Walter and Speedway Motorsports CEO Marcus Smith made a number of small announcements related to the upcoming season.

The biggest of those announcements was that any fan who purchases a ticket for the NASCAR All-Star Race on May 16 will also get access to the pits free of charge. Each ticket will also give fans access to the pre-race concert, which will feature country music artist Chris Janson.

“Every fan who buys a ticket to that race will have a chance to get out on the new synthetic turf, get right up close for the concert, be there for trackside live and enjoy what this day is all about,” Walter said. “We’re going to make this special for the fans with the All-Star Race.”

Another major announcement officials made is related to Pennzoil AutoFair on April 2-5. Elvis Presley’s pink-and-white 1955 Cadillac, the car most associated with the famous musician and actor, will be on display during Pennzoil AutoFair. Other than a trip to London in 2015, it will be the first time the car has been displayed anywhere other than Presley’s Graceland outside of Memphis, Tenn., which opened for tours in 1982.

“In my household there is no greater entertainer in the world than Elvis Presley,” Walter said. “This car has not been outside of Graceland in the United States ever. This will be the first time for fans to be able to see this car. It is the car that he toured around the United States with when he first got started.”

Also announced Monday was that Robert Irvine, a celebrity chef, author, philanthropist and military enthusiast, has increased his investment in motorsports by developing a premier menu for race fans to enjoy during the Coca-Cola 600 on May 24 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Irvine’s food will also be featured on race weekends at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Kentucky Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Sonoma Raceway and Texas Motor Speedway throughout the 2020 NASCAR season.

“I’ve got to tell you, I came here for the Coke 600 and I cried for probably most of it,” said Irvine, who is a major supporter of the armed forces. “The people know me very well, I’m the tough guy on TV, but when you come here and you serve the men and women who wear the cloth of our nation and the gold star families, it’s a testament to what Charlotte Motor Speedway and what SMI are doing to highlight these folks.”

Speaking of the speedway’s dedication to the military, Charlotte Motor Speedway officials will also have the honor of laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider on April 15 in Washington, D.C.

“This year we have been allowed the privilege of laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider. There is no greater place that represents the sacrifices that have been made than Arlington Cemetery. So on April 15 we will be laying a wreath,” Walter said. “We are incredibly humbled that the Department of Defense will allow us to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider.”

Lastly, speedway officials announced they are upgrading the infield go-kart track at the facility.