Reuters Sports Schedule at 0001 GMT on Friday, March 10

Reuters sports schedule at 0001 GMT on Friday:

CRICKET

India withdraw Smith protest as boards make peace in DRS row

BENGALURU - India have withdrawn an official protest about the actions of Australia captain Steve Smith in the second test as the governing bodies of both countries moved to bring an end to the acrimony surrounding the ongoing four-match series. (CRICKET-INDIA/DRS, moved, 463 words)

New Zealand v South Africa (to 12)

First test evenly poised as Williamson seeks century

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson returns to the crease on 78 not out against South Africa seeking his 16th test century as his side resumes on 177 for three having dismissed the tourists for 308 in their first innings at University Oval in Dunedin. (CRICKET-NEWZEALAND/, expect throughout from 0015 GMT/7:15 PM ET, 400 words)

Sri Lanka v Bangladesh, 1st test, Galle (to 11)

Sri Lanka look to bat Bangladesh out of contest

Sri Lanka, having already secured a substantial 182-run first innings lead, will look to bat Bangladesh out of contention when the hosts begin their second innings at the Galle International Stadium. (CRICKET-SRI LANKA/, expect by 1330 GMT/8:30 AM ET, 250 words)

TENNIS

ATP/WTA: Indian Wells (Copy on merit)

(TENNIS-INDIANWELLS/MEN, TENNIS-INDIANWELLS/WOMEN)

RUGBY

Six Nations

Wales v Ireland (2005)

Irish look to keep title hopes on track against Wales

CARDIFF - Ireland are still in the hunt for the title and face a Wales side seeking to put two successive defeats behind them when the teams clash at the Principality Stadium. (RUGBY UNION-NATIONS/WALES (PIX), expect by 2200 GMT/5PM ET, 400 words)

BASEBALL

World Baseball Classic (to 22)

Dominican Republic begin WBC title defence

The Dominican Republic open the defence of their World Baseball Classic title when they play Canada to begin Pool C play in Miami, while Mexico hosts Italy to launch Pool D action in Guadalajara. In Seoul, the Netherlands and Israel, both 2-0 in Pool A, play for seeding in the second round, and Australia and China meet in a pivotal contest in Tokyo's Pool B. (BASEBALL-CLASSIC/, expect by 0500 GMT/12:00 AM ET, 375 words)

CYCLING

Paris-Nice (to 12)

Alaphilippe under threat in hilly sixth stage

Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe (Quick Step Floors) has the yellow jersey but his overall lead will be under threat in the sixth stage, a hilly 193.5-km from Aubagne to Fayence. (CYCLING-NICE/, expect end of day lead, by Julien Pretot, 300 words)

Tirreno-Adriatico (to 12)

Belgian Avermaet leads going into third stage

TIRRENO-ADRIATICO, ITALY - Olympic champion Greg van Avermaet (BMC) of Belgium has the overall leader's blue jersey heading into the third stage, a fast and wavy 204-km from Monterotondo Marittimo to Montalto Di Castro, in the week-long race. (CYCLING-TIRRENO/ (TV), expect end of day lead, 300 words)

GOLF

PGA Tour: Valspar Championship, , Palm Harbor (to 12)

Thomas eyes season's four win

American Justin Thomas seeks his fourth win of the season when he sets off in the opening round at Palm Harbor in a field that includes world number six Henrik Stenson and defending champion Charl Schwartzel. (GOLF-PGA/, expect by 0030 GMT/7:30 PM ET, 400 words)

NBA

Cavs visit Pistons; Grizzlies try to snap skid

LeBron James and the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers visit the Detroit Pistons while Memphis Grizzlies try to snap a three-game skid in two of the five games on the National Basketball Association schedule. (NBA-HIGHLIGHTS/, expect by 0630 GMT/1:30 AM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 800 words)

NHL

Canadiens, Blackhawks try to keep win streak alive

The red-hot Montreal Canadiens try to stretch their win streak to seven games when they visit the Calgary Flames while the Chicago Blackhawks seek an eight consecutive victory when they host the Anaheim Ducks in two of the 10 games on the National Hockey League schedule. (ICEHOCKEY-NHL-HIGHLIGHTS/, expect by 0630 GMT/1:30 AM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 400 words)

SOCCER

Serie A

Juventus v AC Milan (1945)

Serie A leaders Juventus host Milan

MILAN - Juventus, eight points clear at the top of Serie A and winners of their last 30 home league games, host seventh-placed Milan who are trying to secure a European spot. (SOCCER-ITALY-JUV-MIL/ (PIX), expect by 2200 GMT/5 PM ET, 300 words)

Ligue 1

Nice v Caen (1800)

Olympique Marseille v Angers SCO (1945)

Nice aim to catch Monaco, Marseille eye European spot

PARIS - Nice can move level on points with leaders Monaco, who play on Saturday, with a win over lowly Caen while Olympique Marseille need to beat mid-table Angers as they chase a European place. (SOCCE-FRANCE/, expect from 2000 GMT/5 PM ET, 300 words)

Bundesliga

Bayer Leverkusen v Werder Bremen (1930)

Struggling Leverkusen host improving Bremen

BERLIN - Bayer Leverkusen, under mounting pressure after losing four of their last six Bundesliga games, face struggling Werder Bremen, who have turned their season around in recent weeks and moved out of the bottom spots. (SOCCER-GERMANY/, expect by 2130 GMT/5:30 PM ET, 300 words)

Premier League/FA Cup

We'll bring you all the latest news ahead of this weekend's Premier League and FA Cup games, which build up to a mouth-watering quarter-final clash between Chelsea and Manchester United on Monday. (SOCCER-ENGLAND/, expect throughout) (Asia desk editor: Nick Mulvenney)

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)