We’re coming up to the time of Samhein, All Hallows’ Eve, or just plain Halloween to you: October 31. Therefore, you need a big pumpkin, a sharp knife (no, don’t get the wrong idea) and a couple of hours to settle in, get comfy and make yourself the mother of all cool-looking Jack O’Lanterns, to put in your window to freak out the neighbours. Ian Fraser has some tricks and treats in his goodie bag this week.

Skipper Stephen Fleming marked his record-breaking Test appearance on Tuesday with a solid unbeaten 87 that put New Zealand in command on the first day of the second cricket Test against Bangladesh. At tea, New Zealand was 234 for two with Fleming sharing an unbroken third-wicket stand of 173 with Scott Styris.

The prosecutor has declined to proceed with a charge of intimidation against Albert Mokoena, former acting head of the South African Football Association (Safa), Johannesburg police said on Tuesday. The acting president of Safa, Reuben Mahlalela, announced Mokoena’s resignation on Monday.

A senior Greek prosecutor on Tuesday postponed announcing the results of a two-month investigation into disgraced Greek sprinters Kostas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou. The pair withdrew from the Athens Olympics after missing a doping test and being involved in a suspicious motorcycle accident.

Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan was charged by the Football Association (FA) on Tuesday with verbally abusing the referee following his side’s 4-3 defeat to Newcastle. Keegan was charged with violating the FA rule on ”abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour” to referee Steve Dunn.

Ruud van Nistelrooy says he is innocent of charges he tried deliberately to hurt Arsenal fullback Ashley Cole during Manchester United’s controversial 2-0 win at Old Trafford on Sunday. The Netherlands international has been charged with serious foul play by the Football Association for kicking the England defender on the knee.

Springbok rugby faced another scrumhalf injury crisis after Fourie du Preez, along with Blue Bulls teammate Bakkies Botha, was taken to hospital on Monday afternoon for X-rays on an injured foot. Botha, who also has a foot injury, and Du Preez, did not take part in the Springbok training session at St John’s College in Johannesburg.

Danny Williams used to put so much pressure on himself that he would cry in his dressing room before a fight. That might make some wonder how Williams will react when he challenges Vitali Klitschko for a piece of the heavyweight title. Not to worry, says Williams. His problem ended a few months ago when he rose to the occasion and knocked out Mike Tyson.