SPORTS DIGEST CricketIreland 'A' will have to put up a rearguard action in their second innings if they are to avoid defeat against Durham seconds on the final day of their game at Darlington today.
A deeply frustrating day in the field saw Ireland’s bowlers toil for little reward as Durham racked up a first-innings score of 531 for six, with South African Keaton Jennings making 201 before falling to Ben Ackland, the 10th Irish bowler used.
Jennings shared an opening stand of 280 with Rammy Singh (139), with spinner Albert van der Merwe claiming his wicket and that of Durham’s third century-maker, Michael Richardson.
Facing a first-innings deficit of 196, Ireland then lost Ackland for 16 in the 16 overs they faced before the close of play.
– EMMET RIORDAN
Jogia banned after investigation into suspicious betting patterns
SnookerJoe Jogia has been banned from snooker until the end of the 2014 World Championship after an investigation into suspicious betting patterns ahead of a Snooker Shoot-out match.
Jogia’s game against Matthew Selt at January’s event was investigated by the sport’s governing body, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), and betting was suspended after a bookmaker reported it had been the subject of unusual betting patterns.
The 36-year-old was provisionally suspended and the WPBSA confirmed in a statement last night: “Joe Jogia was today banned from involvement in the game of snooker and billiards until the conclusion of the 2014 World Championship and ordered to pay £2,000 as a contribution towards the cost of the hearing and investigation of the case.”
Jogia was found to have breached section 2.1.4.1 of the WPBSA members’ rules, which states “it shall be a breach of these rules for a member to . . . engage in any conduct . . . that is corrupt or fraudulent, or creates an actual or apparent conflict of interest for the member, or otherwise risks impairing public confidence in the integrity and/or the honest and orderly conduct of the tour and/or any tournament or match.”
WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson said: “In protecting the public image of our sport, the WPBSA has strong links with the gambling commission and the betting industry. The integrity of our sport is of paramount importance and today’s outcome highlights how seriously the WPBSA will treat such matters.”
McGee gets bye into semis after overcoming King
TennisJames McGee is through to the semi-finals of the FBD Irish Open after New Zealander Ben McLachlan was forced to pull out of today's scheduled quarter-final due to injury.
The defending champion McGee, the sole Irish survivor, overcame Barry King in the all-Irish clash, winning 6-2 6-3.
McGee took the first set comfortably after numerous errors from King. The second set, however, was much tighter as King broke McGee’s serve early on.
However, the Castleknock man, ranked 356 in the world, upped his game, with some powerful groundstrokes helping him win the set 6-3.
The unfortunate McLachlan defeated fifth seed and current British Davis Cup player Daniel Evans.
Elsewhere, Ireland’s John Morrissey lost to second seed Albano Olivetti 6-3 6-3, with the French player’s serve again proving to be the difference.
Morrissey became the first player in the tournament to manage to break Olivetti, doing so early on before his opponent reeled off five games in a row to win the set 6-3.
Olivetti, who beat Daniel Glancy on Tuesday, volleyed well throughout the match and won the second set 6-3.
The fourth Irish player in action, Sam Barry, had a disappointing loss to fourth seed Michael Look of Australia 6-1 6-2. The Limerick man made numerous unforced errors while Look was very consistent and accurate in his play.
Elsewhere, there were wins for top seed Josh Goodall, Daniel Cox, Rudy Coco and Alexandros Jakupovic.
