After marking his 100th Test with a brilliant first-day century, Joe Root has challenged his England team to build on a golden opportunity in the first Test in Chennai, and target a score of "600-700" to really turn the screw on India.

Speaking at the close of an emotional day, Root admitted he had felt the significance of his personal milestone more than he had anticipated; thanks in part to a surprise tribute from his team-mates, including a video of good wishes from every living England cricketer to have reached 100 Tests, as well as what he described as "some really kind words" from his vice-captain, Ben Stokes.

But by the close, Root had brushed aside such sentiment to rack up an unbeaten 128 - his third century in as many Tests following two in Sri Lanka last month - to lay England's platform in a 200-run partnership with the steadfast Dom Sibley, who was pinned lbw for 87 from what turned out to be the final ball of the day.

"Yeah, it's very special," Root said. "Last night the guys put a little surprise together for me - some videos from some past players, and friends and family. And Ben, in particular, stood up and said some really kind words.

"What he said should stay between the two of us and the group, but Ben's a fine human being and it was really nice of him to go out of his way to say some very special things that I will hold dear forever. The guys have made it very special for me and I really appreciate it. It's been an amazing two days.

"I was a little bit emotional [at the toss]," Root added. "I couldn't even remember our team when they asked me about it. I was a little bit all over the place, but thankfully when I got out there, I knew it was business as normal and I had a job to do.

"For us to start this series in the way that we have, it couldn't have gone any better, bar a little blip at the end there. So I really hope that we can build on that tomorrow and I'm obviously delighted with how things have gone personally."

Root, however, was not about to get carried away by either his or England's start, and he had two very good prior reasons to remain cautious. On England's last tour of India in 2016-17, he posted a near-identical score on the first day of the series - 124 in Rajkot - only for India to hold out for a draw, and on their most recent visit to Chennai - the last Test of that same series - their first-innings 477 proved powerless to prevent an innings defeat, as India responded with a massive 759 for 7 declared.

"We've got to look to try and get as many as we can - 600, 700 if we can, really try and make the most of the first innings while it's good," Root said. "Those footholes are starting to wear quite quickly. So, if we can bat the whole of tomorrow and maybe into day three, then things could speed up quite quickly for us and you never know what can happen from that point onwards.

"But ultimately we've got to try and back up today," he added. "It's been a really impressive start to things. But we've got to make it count and that's going to be the challenge for this team. We've said we need to make first-innings runs, we've said we need to bat long periods of time in these conditions. Can we go and do it? That's all the focus will be on going into tomorrow."

Root himself could scarcely be in a better frame of mind for going big. His 20th Test century followed on from two massive scores of 228 and 186 in Galle, and took his runs tally for 2021 to an imposing 554. The only factor that has consistently challenged him in the heat and humidity of South Asia has been cramp towards the end of his lengthy stays, and that was the case once again in this innings, as Virat Kohli stepped forward to help him stretch it off in the closing overs of the day.

"I'll be ready for more tomorrow," Root insisted. "It was a bit frustrating, but it was very kind of Virat to help me out, good sportsmanship from him as you'd expect. It was just quite a long day. I'm going to have to fuel up well tonight, get some fluids and food on board and sleep well."

Nevertheless, Root's serenity - particularly once he had gauged the steeper bounce being extracted by India's bowlers, compared to the lateral threat posed by those in Sri Lanka - was a tribute to the work he has put in during lockdown. This, he said, had included technical tweaks in the nets, as well as a heightened focus on fitness, with his investment in a Peleton exercise bike designed to strengthen his legs and backside, alongside a training regime to support his occasionally troublesome back.

"I certainly feel like I'm in some good form and I need to make sure I cash in on it," Root said. "Over the course of my career, I've not always gone on and made really big scores, so to be doing that currently is really pleasing. If I keep getting myself in positions to make big hundreds, then I've got to keep taking them and we're going to win more games.

"I've worked on a few technical things in a few areas of my game," he added. "I've looked at certain trends of how I was getting out at certain times of my innings and tried to eradicate it. I've tried to improve things and evolve as a player, and it seems to be working nicely. The challenge will be, can I continue to keep trying to get better all the time?"

Though he claimed the limelight, it was far from a one-man show from Root - and he rightly paid tribute to the efforts of Sibley alongside him, who had already overcome a horror start to his tour in Sri Lanka with a match-and-series-sealing half-century in Galle, and today had to be extracted with a pinpoint reverse-swinging yorker from Jasprit Bumrah after six-and-a-half more hours of stoical resistance.

"That was a fantastic innings today," Root said. "To come out with maybe a few question marks in his own mind about his game against spin, for him to go and put a performance early on in this series like that, against a high quality attack delivering reverse swing as well, was really impressive.

"He should take a lot of heart and confidence from that into the rest of the series. I really did feel for him - he deserved a hundred - but that's what happens when you play against good players. They can take wickets later on in the day and the challenge will be to try and better that partnership that we got together, try and better that tomorrow."

British number one Dan Evans continued his preparation for the Australian Open by reaching the Murray River Open semi-finals with two victories on Friday.

Australian Kyrgios struggled with a knee injury during his 6-3 6-4 defeat and smashed his racquet in frustration before throwing it into the stands.

Kyrgios then said there is a "massive question mark" over him in Melbourne.

The 25-year-old was also handed a points penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct after using an expletive in an outburst.

"There's a massive question mark for me, even if I was completely healthy, not playing in a year," he said. "It's not easy to just turn around and prepare for an event just like that. It's not like a tap.

"I thought I did everything I could this week. I won a couple of matches, I had a lot of court time and practised every day.

"I think I'm ticking the boxes, I think I'm giving myself a chance. If I'm positive and motivated, I'm sure I'll play some good tennis."

Kyrgios, who missed most of 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic, had already caused controversy on Wednesday when he stopped play for almost five minutes and called the umpires "peanuts" after being given a time violation.

Evans beat American Giron 6-4 7-6 (7-5) at Melbourne Park, with the Briton coming out strongly after play was suspended in the second set because of rain.

The 30-year-old returned later in the day to face Croatia's Coric and took the first set 7-5 before winning the second 7-6 (7-1), serving 14 aces in total and winning 84% of his first-serve points.

He will play Jeremy Chardy of France in Saturday's semi-finals, who recorded a walkover against Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka.

Top seed Wawrinka had battled through against Australian Alex Bolt with a 6-4 4-6 7-6 (7-5) victory in two hours and 23 minutes, before withdrawing from the tournament.

Nadal misses Spain's ATP Cup matches

World number two Rafael Nadal did not feature because of a minor back problem as Spain progressed to the ATP Cup semi-finals on Friday.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion, who also missed the 3-0 win over Australia on Tuesday, said he has been suffering with stiffness and is not ready to play a match at the highest intensity.

Spain topped Group B, despite losing 2-1 to Greece on Friday.

Pablo Carreno Busta saw off Michail Pervolarakis 6-3 6-4 to seal them a spot in the semi-finals on matches won.

Germany secured top spot in Group A, beating Serbia 2-1, as they recovered after Novak Djokovic won his match with Alexander Zverev 6-7 (3-7) 6-2 7-5.

Jan-Lennard Struff beat Dusan Lajovic 3-6 6-3 6-4 and Germany then won the doubles 7-6 (7-5) 5-7 10-7 to progress.

A crucial decision on whether to scrap relegation from the Premiership this season has been delayed.

However the Premiership clubs have requested more time "to conclude consultation with stakeholders".

Top-flight English clubs hope to scrap relegation for the season in light of the Covid crisis.

An RFU spokesperson confirmed: "The vote will now be delayed."

With five matches this season already cancelled following coronavirus outbreaks, and points allocated to the teams involved, the clubs have argued that relegating a side in these circumstances would be unfair, especially given the parlous state of club finances during the pandemic.

If ring-fencing is approved by the RFU council, it would mean expanding the league next season to 13 or 14 teams, with 2019 Premiership champions Saracens currently among the clubs waiting for the second-tier Championship to restart.

However it is thought leading partners - such as broadcaster BT Sport - would prefer to retain the jeopardy of relegation.

Meanwhile sources insist a vote on ring-fencing would only apply for the current season, and would not mean the Premiership becomes a permanently closed league.

"The RFU council were due to table a vote today on proposals from the RFU around no relegation for the 2020-21 season from the Gallagher Premiership," added an RFU spokesperson.

"The vote would also pave the way for a wider review of future seasons' structures, including increased preparation time for the England senior men's team ahead of Rugby World Cup 2023.

"Late last night Premiership Rugby requested more time to conclude its consultation with stakeholders therefore the vote will now be delayed."

Tadhg Beirne and Josh van der Flier will both start in the pack for Ireland's opening Six Nations match away to Wales on Sunday.

James Lowe has been selected by Ireland head coach Andy Farrell on the wing ahead of Jordan Larmour.

Fit-again Tadhg Furlong and Iain Henderson are on the bench.

Ulster captain Henderson has been suffering from a knee problem while Leinster tighthead Furlong returned from almost a year out through injury by playing for Leinster last weekend.

Munster lock Beirne will win his 18th international cap and will play behind a front row of Cian Healy, Rob Herring and Andrew Porter, with CJ Stander at number eight completing the back row with Van der Flier and O'Mahony.

New Zealand-born wing Lowe made his first two Ireland appearances in last year's Autumn Nations Cup but has not played since the defeat by England in that tournament after picking up a groin injury.

As expected, captain Johnny Sexton is fit enough after a knock to take his place at fly-half, with regular partner Conor Murray at scrum-half.

Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose link up again in the centre for the first time since the 2019 World Cup, with Hugo Keenan starting at full-back and Keith Earls on the opposite wing to Lowe.

Sunday's match in Cardiff will be Farrell's 10th game in charge of Ireland, having taken over from Joe Schmidt after the 2019 World Cup.

Ireland: Keenan, Earls, Ringrose; Henshaw, Lowe; Sexton, Murray; Healy, Herring, Porter, Beirne, Ryan, O'Mahony, Van der Flier, Stander.

Replacements: Kelleher, Kilcoyne, Furlong, Henderson, Connors, Gibson Park, Burns, Larmour.

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny; Louis Rees-Zammit, George North, Jonathan Davies, Hallam Amos; Dan Biggar, Tomos Williams; Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Dan Lydiate, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Rhodri Jones, Leon Brown, Will Rowlands, Josh Navidi, Gareth Davies, Callum Sheedy, Nick Tompkins.

Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones has been passed fit to lead his side into the Six Nations opener against Ireland.

Gloucester wing Louis Rees-Zammit will make his tournament debut with Hallam Amos also recalled.

George North will continue in the centre and win his 99th Wales cap with fellow British and Irish Lion Jonathan Davies missing.

Cardiff Blues scrum-half Tomos Williams starts ahead of Gareth Davies after missing the autumn campaign through injury and partners Dan Biggar. Josh Navidi is on the bench after recovering from concussion.

World record cap holder Jones damaged his knee against Italy on 5 December in the Autumn Nations Cup and was initially expected to miss the start of the Six Nations.

The 35-year-old has recovered and will pack down alongside fellow Ospreys lock Beard, who was left out of the autumn squad.

Scarlets captain Ken Owens also returns at hooker after missing the autumn campaign because of a shoulder injury.

Lydiate, 33, will play his 65th Wales test and make his first international appearance since November 2018 by linking up with Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau in the back-row.

Pivac was forced into a backline selection change after wing Josh Adams was suspended for the first two matches because of a Covid-19 breach.

North started at 13 in the Autumn Nations Cup win against Italy where he played alongside Jonathan Davies, who was a late starting replacement for calf injury victim Johnny Williams.

Davies is himself injured now with an ankle problem so North and Williams form the partnership.

With Liam Williams also banned, 20-year-old Rees-Zammit will make his Six Nations debut after winning his first cap against France in a friendly in October 2020 and starting against England, Georgia and Italy in the Autumn Nations Cup.

Amos, 26, last played for Wales in the World Cup bronze medal match defeat by New Zealand in November 2019.

"We are looking forward to kicking off our campaign this weekend and putting into action two really good training weeks," said Wales head coach Wayne Pivac.

"We made strides forward through the autumn and we are looking to take that into Sunday and into this tournament.

"The Six Nations is a fantastic tournament and is important for us rugby wise, but it is important for so much more this year.

"It is important for communities across the country and we want to play our part and give everyone something to look forward to and to get excited about on the weekend."

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny; Louis Rees-Zammit, George North, Johnny Williams, Hallam Amos; Dan Biggar, Tomos Williams; Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Dan Lydiate, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Rhodri Jones, Leon Brown, Will Rowlands, Josh Navidi, Gareth Davies, Callum Sheedy, Nick Tompkins.

GIBSONTON, Fla. — The Crate Racin’ USAC Dirt Late Model Series kicked off three nights of racing at East Bay Raceway Park on Thursday night with Florida ace Mark Whitener in victory lane.

Whitener started on the pole and got the jump on Joseph Joiner to take the early lead and he was never headed during the 30-lap run on the historic third-mile dirt track.

While Whitener banked $2,500 for the victory, Kyle Lukon finished second.

Cory Hedgecock, Ashton Winger and Kyle Hardy rounded out the top five.

Seventy-eight cars signed in for the event.

The finish:

Mark Whitener, Kyle Lukon, Cory Hedgecock, Ashton Winger, Kyle Hardy, Frankie Lloyd, Jake Rainey, Dylan Knowles, Jake Knowles, Jeremy Shaw, Logan Roberson, Jason Welshan, Chris Bragg, Garrett Mosley, Drew Kennedy, Joseph Joiner, Richie Stephens, Kerry King, Phillip Cobb, Keith Nosbisch, Nevin Gainey, Colton Leyendecker, Mack McCarter, Todd Cooney, Tyler Riggs.

BARBERVILLE, Fla. — A single-day record car count of 96 DIRTcar UMP Modifieds signed in to compete in round three of the 50th DIRTcar Nationals Thursday night at Volusia Speedway Park.

Oklahoma veteran Jason Hughes made the move early on Wednesday night winner Tyler Nicely to hoist the gator trophy as a first-time DIRTcar Nationals winner in the first feature. Kyle Strickler, with a bandaged-up finger and all, caught David Stremme in lapped traffic and made the move to win the nightcap.

First Feature

Dirt modified racing and chassis-building veteran Hughes had made multiple DIRTcar Nationals appearances with the UMP Modifieds in his career but had never been able to reach victory lane until Thursday night.

“I’m pretty happy, we finally got us a gator,” Hughes said. “I felt like we got one stolen from us last year, and to come back and get one this year is pretty good.”

Hughes started fourth and wasted no time going forward, reaching the runner-up spot inside of the first five laps. Nicely led the opening laps and looked to be the one to beat until an early caution flag stacked up the field with Hughes right on his tail.

The green flag waved and Nicely got a solid start, as did Hughes. They raced close for three corners before Nicely made a rare slip-up out of the groove in turn four, opening the door for Hughes down low to take the spot.

“[Nicely] got in there tight and shoved across the corner and I got turned underneath him, and that was what got us out front,” Hughes said.

Nicely came back at Hughes to his inside just a few laps later but was unsuccessful. Hughes put it on cruise control after a few more restarts and took the checkered flag for his first time at Volusia, Nicely coming in right behind.

Steve Arpin bagged his first podium finish of the week and his first at DIRTcar Nationals since his championship year in 2007 with a third-place run.

Second Feature

Kyle Strickler went from the hospital, back to the track, from the Last Chance Showdown to the feature and from 23rd to third in the feature on Wednesday for one of the wildest nights in DIRTcar Nationals history. He backed that up Thursday night with his ninth career feature win in the event, holding off longtime competitor Nick Hoffman.

Fellow notable DIRTcar Nationals frontrunner David Stremme brought it home right behind them. Stremme, Hoffman and Strickler have become among the brightest faces of the UMP Modified division over the past few years, which Strickler made it a point to acknowledge.

“These three cars here on the front-stretch here, we come down here and this Speedweeks means so much to us. We know who we’ve gotta outrun when we get here, and we all work really hard,” Strickler said.

Stremme kicked off the 20-lap feature by jumping out to the lead in the opening laps, looking very strong and keeping Strickler and Hoffman at bay behind him. That was, until he hit lapped traffic.

Just past the halfway point, Stremme dove deep into a field of slower traffic, which gave Strickler and Hoffman the opportunity they needed to slip by. Which, they did, when Stremme got pinched a bit by a lapped car out of turn two on lap 13. Strickler got a great run out of the corner and drove firmly into turns three and four, sliding up in front of Stremme to complete the pass as they crossed the stripe.

“I was adjusting my driving style, and when we caught lapped traffic, it’s so tough when you’re the leader. So, that helped us out a bunch, and I think the track started coming our way too,” Strickler said.

Hoffman went with him one lap later to secure the second spot. A final restart appeared with five laps remaining but did not affect the running order; Strickler was just too smooth for anyone to catch.

The finishes:

First Feature (20 Laps) 1. 12H-Jason Hughes [4]; 2. 25-Tyler Nicely [1]; 3. OOEH-Steve Arpin [7]; 4. 21A-Nick Allen [2]; 5. 11J-Justin Haley [6]; 6. 77-Ray Bollinger [14]; 7. K19-Will Krup [10]; 8. 96M-Mike McKinney [3]; 9. 45H-Kyle Hammer [11]; 10. 88-Matt Crafton [25]; 11. 80-Rich Dawson [20]; 12. 7D-Brad DeYoung [17]; 13. 4T-Zeke McKenzie [12]; 14. 45-Johnny Broking [15]; 15. 15B-Dave Baker [23]; 16. 9-Ken Schrader [18]; 17. 21D-Danny Schwartz [19]; 18. 8A-Austin Holcombe [9]; 19. 2A-Matt Altiers [13]; 20. 72-Todd Neiheiser [24]; 21. 176-Scotty Owens [21]; 22. 24-Travis Dickson [22]; 23. 23-Ryan Cripe [16]; 24. 22K-Dale Kelley [5]; 25. 31G-Stephen Pedulla [8] Hard Charger: 88-Matt Crafton[+15]

Second Feature (20 Laps) 1. 8S-Kyle Strickler [1]; 2. 2-Nick Hoffman [4]; 3. 35-David Stremme [2]; 4. 18L-Michael Long [8]; 5. 7-Justin Allgaier [6]; 6. 5S-Curt Spalding [12]; 7. 11H-Spencer Hughes [10]; 8. 17X-Richard Michael [16]; 9. T9-Ryan Thomas [14]; 10. 7T-Drake Troutman [7]; 11. 51-Brandon Green [5]; 12. O5-Dave Wietholder [22]; 13. 99-Hunt Gossum [21]; 14. 36-Kenny Wallace [3]; 15. 67-Garret Stewart [19]; 16. 17T-Tyler Evans [15]; 17. 49-Brian Ruhlman [11]; 18. 25W-Allen Weisser [23]; 19. 21H-Clay Harris [13]; 20. 22T-Tony Anderson [17]; 21. 95-Michael Altobelli [9]; 22. 44-KC Burdette [20]; 23. OOD-David Reutimann [18]; 24. 12L-Lucas Lee [24] Hard Charger: O5-Dave Wietholder[+10]

UEFA has banned Ajax Amsterdam goalkeeper Andre Onana for 12 months for a doping violation, just days after the club's record signing Sebastien Haller was mistakenly left off their Europa League list.

Following a drugs test on Oct. 30 last year, the substance Furosemide was found in Onana's urine. The suspension is effective immediately and applies to all footballing activities, both national and international.

- Eredivisie on ESPN+: Stream LIVE games and replays (U.S. only)

Onana has said that he mistakenly took a Lasimac tablet prescribed to his wife after feeling unwell.

UEFA has said that Onana had no intention of cheating. However, the European Football Association states that an athlete has a duty to ensure that no prohibited substances enter their body.

"We explicitly renounce performance-enhancing drugs, we obviously stand for a clean sport," Ajax managing director Edwin van der Sar said. "This is a terrible setback, for Andre himself, but certainly also for us as a club. Andre is a top goalkeeper, who has proven his worth for Ajax for years and is very popular with the fans.

"We had hoped for a conditional suspension or for a suspension much shorter than these twelve months, because it was arguably not intended to strengthen his body and thus improve his performance."

Onana and Ajax will appeal against the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The news comes just days after Haller, a January signing from West Ham, was not included in Ajax's list for the knockout stages of the Europa League.

It is not clear whether the error was caused by Ajax, the Dutch FA or UEFA but if the club are at fault, they will not be able to amend the situation.

Coach Erik ten Hag said: "[It is] nothing to laugh about. Very disappointing, also for the player. It's a mistake in the administration by someone. We will do everything to get him on the list. In the end [club director of football] Marc Overmars and I are responsible."

Meanwhile, Ajax also confirmed exciting teenager Brian Brobbey will leave the club when his contract runs out at the end of the campaign.

Marcos Rojo found out his Manchester United career was over on social media after reading that his contract would not be extended, sources have told ESPN.

Rojo was still waiting to hear from United officials about whether they would take up their option to extend his deal by another 12 months to 2022 when manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer announced at a news conference in January that the club had decided to allow the 30-year-old to leave.

- Stream LIVE games and replays on ESPN+ (U.S. only)

The defender ended his six-and-a-half year stay at Old Trafford on Tuesday after signing a permanent deal with Boca Juniors.

United said in a statement announcing his departure that they had received an "undisclosed fee" for Rojo, signed by Louis van Gaal, for £16 million in 2014, but sources have told ESPN that his contract was ended by mutual consent before signing for Boca as a free agent.

United handed the Argentina international a three-year contract -- with the option of another year -- in March 2018 but after penning the deal the former Sporting Club man started just 12 games for the club. He leaves having made 122 appearances, including in both the 2016 FA Cup final and 2017 League Cup final.

Meanwhile, Solskjaer rewarded his players for their 9-0 thrashing of Southampton with an extra day off.

The United squad were due in on Wednesday to begin preparations for Everton's visit to Old Trafford on Saturday but instead the Norwegian told his players to spend the day at home after being so impressed with their performance in equalling the Premier League's biggest win.

The club will mark the 63rd anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster on Saturday. A fan service will be held online and United are asking supporters to avoid attending the stadium to pay their respects in line with coronavirus protocols.

Will Sutherland, the Melbourne Renegades allrounder, has been find A$5000 after breaching biosecure regulations during the BBL by playing a round of golf and having a meal with people outside of the competition's bubble.

Sutherland accepted the charge but challenged the original sanction of a $10,000 fine with $4000 suspended at a hearing before commissioner Adrian Anderson on February 1. The sanction was subsequently downgraded to a $5000 fine.

Sutherland's was the second breach of BBL protocols after Chris Lynn and Dan Lawrence of Brisbane Heat. The pair and the club were fined in December after they had contact with members of the public in Canberra early on in the competition.

The BBL, which concludes with the final at the SCG on Saturday, has been able to be played in full while navigating ongoing and fresh border restrictions during the tournament due to Covid-19.

"The bio-security protocols have not only kept players, staff, officials and cricket fans safe, but have also ensured it has been possible to travel across borders and take the BBL to seven different states and territories by reducing instances of close contact with COVID in the community," Alistair Dobson, the head of the Big Bash, said.

Earlier on Friday Sutherland, who represented Australia A against India, was named the men's young player of the year at the Cricket Australia awards.