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The opening day of the first Test between New Zealand and Pakistan was abandoned without a ball being bowled. Persistent rain in the Christchurch area meant the umpires called play off around 4pm local time.Consequently, play will begin half an hour earlier on each of the remaining four days of the Test match (9.30pm GMT). The covers remained on the pitch for almost the entire day meaning the toss will take place before the start of play on day two.The weather forecast is set to improve over the weekend and the umpires are confident they will be able to make up much of the time lost on day one.The loss of play adds to the frustration of Misbah-ul-Haqs squad who have yet to take to the middle on the tour after their only warm-up match was also washed out.Pakistan can return to the top of the ICC Test rankings with a series win in New Zealand and if results go their way by England doing them a favour in India.After Christchurch the teams go to Hamilton for the Second Test next Friday.Watch day two of the first Test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka live on Sky Sports 3 from 9.30pm on Thursday. Also See: Scorecard Commentary Live cricket on Sky Get Sky Sports Cheap Jerseys . Colin Wilson had two goals and an assist, and Mike Fisher scored a goal and helped set up two others in the Predators 6-4 victory over the Red Wings on Monday night. Wholesale Jerseys .C. - The Carolina Hurricanes have placed backup goalie Anton Khudobin on injured reserve with an unspecified lower-body injury. MIAMI -- Washington Wizards guard John Wall didnt even need to see the details of the tentative collective bargaining agreement between the NBA and its players before drawing his conclusion.Its a lot better than having a lockout, Wall said.Such was the sentiment around much of the NBA on Wednesday night, when it was announced that the sides reached an agreement in principle on a new labor deal. All that remains before at least six more years of guaranteed NBA labor peace are ratification votes by owners and players, which are likely to be no more than formalities.Basic details include increases in values of rookie-scale contracts and exceptions, with a 45 percent increase in minimum salaries across the board in the first year of the new agreement. The rookie deals will be proportionate to the salary cap, either rising or falling as that does. The average salary is expected to hit $8.5 million next season and rise to $10 million by 2020-21.Theres never been more money in basketball, and neither side wanted that disrupted. So on Wednesday, one day before the deadline for either side to opt out of the current deal, negotiations were wrapped up and the sort of strife that caused some seasons to be shortened in the past was avoided without drama or fanfare.It was announced simply, in a short statement. And then 10 games went on as scheduled, just as they will now for years to come.The game is going great for both the owners and players, Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade said. We talked about having a real partnership in the last labor negotiations. These are definitely signs that things are going in the right direction.Three people briefed on the terms said the proposed deal is for seven seasons, with an opt-out possible after six. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because neither side released specific details.If the deal is ratified, the season will start a week earlier, preseason games would be capped at six and one of the most dreaded elements of the schedule -- the four-games-in-five-days stretches -- may be eliminated. The deadline for opting out is now Jan. 13, with the NBA saying thats in order to give both sides enough time to review the terms of the agreement and vote to ratify.ddddddddddddI think all players wanted to shorten the preseason, Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry said.Most players who were in games on Wednesday didnt find out until afterward about the announcement from the NBA and National Basketball Players Association. Many were not surprised that an arrangement was reached, although some said they expected the sides might have to extend the opt-out deadline to continue working toward a deal.Thats not necessary now.The last major hurdle was a group licensing agreement. Among the four major U.S. pro sports leagues, the NBA was the only one that controlled its players marketing rights for sponsorships and media. Upon approval of this deal, that control will now shift to the players.Great for the league, Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. You kind of felt it was going that way. Everyone is doing well. The league is doing well. That is just absolutely wonderful news.Even while the news was widely perceived as good, the deal isnt done.Theres been no vote, nothings been signed, and that left some not wanting to celebrate quite yet. San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich declined to comment on the proposed deal, and Spurs guard Danny Green kept his reaction on the cautious side.Were all hoping for the best, Green said, and I think a good outcome is coming.Both sides expressed optimism throughout this process, pointing to the leagues skyrocketing revenue and salaries -- thanks to a massive new television deal -- and rising TV ratings. The last lockout lasted 161 days and shortened the 2011-12 season.Its good, Oklahoma City Thunder star Russell Westbrook said. Better than last time.---Krawczynski reported from Minneapolis. AP Sports Writers Dan Gelston in Philadelphia, Howard Fendrich in Washington, Kristie Rieken in Houston and Kareem Copeland in Salt Lake City, and Associated Press Writers Terrance Harris in Orlando and Raul Dominguez in San Antonio contributed. ' ' '