Cricket: The Sydney Cricket Ground is to get a major US$191 million make-over with the demolition of three spectator stands in favour of one huge grandstand. Known as the city’s “grand lady”, the SCG began life as a military cricket ground in the 1850s and hosted its first Test, against England, in 1882. Work is expected to begin in February and the upgrade is scheduled for completion in time for the Ashes series against England in early 2014.

Athletics: World 110m hurdles champion Jason Richardson and Jamaican standout Dwight Thomas will face David Oliver in a 50m hurdles showdown at the US Open. The inaugural edition of the indoor meet is set for Jan. 28. Asafa Powell and Veronica Campbell-Brown are among the other top names set to compete. Richardson won the world crown at last year’s championships and had the second-best time in the world last year in the event, although fellow American Oliver holds the US 110 hurdles record.

Basketball, NBA: Miami and Oklahoma City, the last two undefeated teams in the NBA this season, both lost for the first time on Monday as champions Dallas Mavericks and Atlanta Hawks celebrated triumphs. The Mavericks beat the visiting Thunder 100-87, improving to 2-4, while the Heat fell 100-92 to the Hawks despite a game-high 28 points from LeBron James. Miami and Oklahoma City still share the NBA’s best record at 5-1 after nine days of a season that was shortened to 66 games per club.

Test Cricket: Australia were on top after a remarkable start in the second Test against India yesterday, recovering from a shaky opening to their innings on a day that saw 13 wickets tumble. India were skittled for 191 off 59.3 overs and the hosts lost three early wickets before recovering to 116 for three at the close, to trail by just 75. At stumps, skipper Michael Clarke (47) and former captain Ricky Ponting (44) had restored the Australian innings with an unbroken 79-run stand.