Sports Digest/SNOOKER:Peter Ebdon last night set up a possible repeat of this year's world title showdown when he reached the UK Championship final in York.
The 36-year-old, now based in Dubai, won 9-7 against John Higgins and could meet his Crucible conqueror Graeme Dott in the battle for the £77,000 first prize tomorrow.
In frame 14 came the pivotal moment as, with Ebdon leading 7-6, Higgins missed a straightforward red on a break of 49 and hung his head. The Englishman stepped in to take a two-frame advantage
In today's second semi-final Dott meets Stephen Hendry, the man Ebdon beat to capture the world crown himself in 2002.
Alonso testing
MOTOR SPORT:Fernando Alonso finally tested with McLaren yesterday to overshadow young team-mate Lewis Hamilton again topping the timesheets. The two-time Formula One world champion was given the chance in the final test day of the year at Jerez after asking Renault boss Flavio Briatore for the opportunity.
As Alonso is contracted to Renault to the end of the month, he was not officially due to commence his duties with McLaren until the start of next year. But given his special bond with the French marque after winning successive drivers' and constructors' titles with the team in the last two years, Briatore agreed to the request.
Mallett no to England
RUGBY:Nick Mallett has reaffirmed he will not make himself available for England's vacant head coaching role. Former Springboks supremo Mallett is one of world rugby's prize catches, and his name was immediately linked with England once Andy Robinson and the RFU parted company. Mallett though, will remain in Cape Town where he is employed by Western Province Rugby.
Western Province spokesman Gavin Lewis said: "Nick has confirmed that he is not making himself available for the position for personal and family reasons." England attack coach Brian Ashton has been tipped to take charge for this season's Six Nations.
Wilkinson training
RUGBY:Jonny Wilkinson has resumed light training as he recovers from his latest injury problem. England's World Cup final matchwinner is recovering after suffering kidney damage during Newcastle's Premiership victory over Bristol six weeks ago.
And while the Falcons will not put a date on his return, they believe it could be some time during this season's Six Nations Championship, which begins in early February.
The Newcastle fly-half has not played for England since the 2003 World Cup final, when his dramatic late drop-goal secured a 20-17 victory against Australia.
His England career has stalled on 52 caps and 817 points.
Regazzoni dies in crash
MOTOR SPORT:The former Formula One driver Gianclaudio 'Clay' Regazzoni was killed in a motoring accident in Italy yesterday. Regazzoni died after his car collided with a lorry on a road west of Parma. He was 67.
The Swiss-born driver raced in 132 grands prix during an 11-year career that was cut short when he was paralysed in an accident in the West Grand Prix in the United States in 1980.
Regazzoni won five races overall, including four for Ferrari, with whom he finished second in the drivers' championship in 1974 behind Emerson Fittipaldi.
Regazzoni also gave Williams their first grand prix victory at Silverstone in 1979.
