A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Warren feels Khan will have his work cut out in rematch
BOXING:Frank Warren believes Amir Khan will have his work cut out to beat American Lamont Peterson in a rematch.
Khan is lodging a complaint after Peterson snatched his WBA and IBF light-welterweight belts with a split-decision win in Washington DC.
But Warren said: “He was making extremely hard work of what a lot of people felt would be quite comfortable. I think the rematch will be a tougher fight for him because Peterson is holding all the cards now.”
Warren, Khan’s former promoter, also has reservations about the Bolton boxer moving up a weight to take on WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather.
He told BBC Radio 5 live: “All this hysteria about he’s going to be the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet is a bit premature and I really don’t think he should be going up a weight to even think about Mayweather unless he was looking for a big payday.”
Higgins' card bid suffers reverse
GOLF:David Higgins suffered a huge reverse in his bid to win back his tour card when he crashed to a four over 74 in the third round of the European Tour Qualifying School finals at PGA Catalunya Resort, writes Brian Keogh.
The Waterville man never got to grips with the easier Tour Course, falling six strokes outside the crucial top 30 who will earn cards after six rounds and a shot outside the top 70 who will survive today’s 72-hole cut.
The 39-year old will almost certainly have to break par on the tough Stadium Course but his task is still easier than that facing three-time European Tour winner Nick Dougherty, who needs to shoot in the mid-60s at the Tour Course to stay alive.
Ballymena’s Chris Devlin is five shots outside the cut mark on three over after a 73 on the Stadium Course, while Clandeboye’s Jonny Caldwell and Limerick’s Cian McNamara are playing for pride.
England’s Sam Hutsby carded a two under 68 on the Tour Course to lead by a shot from compatriot Andy Sullivan on 15 under.
Rehman pushes Pakistan to victory
CRICKET: Left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman took three wickets early yesterday to help push Pakistan to an innings and 184-run win over Bangladesh in the first Test in Chittagong.
Rehman ended the resistance of Mushfiqur Rahim (49) an hour into the second session on the fourth day, finishing with figures of four for 88 after he had earlier dismissed debutant Nazimuddin and former captain Shakib Al Hasan.
Nazimuddin and Shakib both completed half-centuries before throwing away their wickets, allowing Pakistan to quicken their charge towards victory.
Bracewell inspires New Zealand victory
CRICKET: New Zealand paceman Doug Bracewell took six wickets in a devastating spell of bowling to fire his country to a dramatic first Test victory over Australia since 1993 by just seven runs in Hobart.
Australia, requiring 241 for victory on the fourth day of the second Test, had appeared to be grinding their way to their target on the back of David Warner’s maiden Test century until Bracewell (6-40) helped send them tumbling from 159 for two to 233 all out in a thrillingly tense finish.
The victory was the first on Australian soil for the Black Caps since 1985 and came despite opener Warner’s unbeaten 123, which earned him the man-of-the-match award in his second Test.
Warne confident despite hand burn
CRICKET:The Melbourne Stars are confident Shane Warne will be fit to play in this weekend's Big Bash opener despite burning his bowling hand in a cooking accident.
Former Australia spinner Warne, who has come out of retirement to play in the tournament, posted a picture on Twitter of his hand showing large blisters on three of his fingers with his little finger the worst affected.
IRB heeds Ireland's call
RUGBY: The IRFU threat to withdraw the Ireland under-20s team from the Junior World Cup has been met with appeasement by the International Rugby Board, writes Gavin Cummiskey.
The union voiced their concern after last summer’s tournament only had four-day gaps between matches, which has now been extended to five for the last two rounds (so, five games over 18 days instead of five in 16).
The 2012 tournament takes place in South Africa from June 4th to 22nd.
Not that Ireland coach Mike Ruddock will be overjoyed to have drawn England and South Africa for the second year running. Italy make up Pool B. The union request to increase squads sizes from 26 to 28 has also been granted.
IRB Junior World Championship 2012
Pool A: New Zealand, Fiji, Wales and Samoa. Pool B: England, South Africa, Ireland and Italy.
Pool C: Australia, France, Argentina and Scotland.
