Formula One: Marussia have signed Venezuelan Rodolfo Gonzalez as reserve driver for the 2013 season to back up rookies Jules Bianchi and Max Chilton. Starting at this weekend’s season-opening Australian GP, the 26-year-old will be on standby in case a substitute driver is needed at late notice and may drive in some practice sessions. “I am very excited to be joining the Marussia F1 Team and at such an exciting time in their development,” said Gonzalez.

Basket, NBA: Kobe Bryant has been ruled out indefinitely after he sprained his left ankle in the final seconds of the Los Angeles Lakers’ 96-92 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Wed-nesday. With his team trailing 94-92, Bryant misfired on a potential game-tying jump shot along the baseline and came down on the foot of Hawks defender Dahntay Jones. Bryant remained on the floor for several moments before limping off.

Crcket: England’s Nick Compton and Jonathan Trott punctured New Zealand’s growing bubble of self-belief yesterday as they both scored centuries to guide their side to an imposing 267 for two at the close of play on the first day of the second test. The hosts had entered the match with a burgeoning sense of confidence after a creditable performance in the drawn first test in Dunedin.

Athletics: Ethiopia’s Olympic 10,000m champion Tirunesh Dibaba has withdrawn from next month’s London Marathon with a shin injury. Dibaba had been set for her debut over the 42.195-km distance but an old lower leg problem has flared up during training for the race. “Due to injury, I won’t be able to compete in this year’s London Marathon but I look forward to making my marathon debut there next year,” she said.