A roundup of today's other sports news in brief
Formula One driver Alonso in private plane mishap
MOTOR SPORT:Renault's double Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso has had to delay his return from holidays in Kenya after being involved in a minor plane incident, the team said yesterday.
A spokeswoman said the Spaniard and his family were preparing to fly to Nairobi from team boss Flavio Briatore's vacation home in Malindi on Sunday when their private plane touched an airport building and damaged a wing.
"Its not as serious as it appears on the Internet," added the spokeswoman. "But Fernando's had to postpone his return and will fly back later"
Italys Corriere della Sera newspaper reported that the private plane had clipped a wing on the terminal building as it was preparing to take off. Alonso won the 2005 and 2006 titles with Renault. He won two races for the team last year.
It was reported last week that Alonso had a secret deal to join champions Ferrari from 2011.
USA beaten in opening game
TENNIS:Defending champions the USA and hosts Australia lost their opening Hopman Cup ties in Perth yesterday. World number 10 James Blake and Meghann Shaughnessy had been expected to get the top-seeded Americans off to a flying start. However, Dominika Cibulkova eased past Shaughnessy 6-2, 6-2, while Dominik Hrbaty tamed Blake, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6. The Slovakian duo completed a 3-0 rout with a 6-4, 7-6 win over Shaughnessy and Blake in the doubles.
Wilson suspended for five weeks
RUGBY:Northampton number eight Roger Wilson was suspended last night for five weeks for a dangerous tackle on Harlequins flanker Will Skinner.
The Ireland A international made the tackle in the seventh minute of Saints' 23-13 win at Franklin's Gardens on December 20th and was called to appear before an RFU disciplinary panel after video evidence was reviewed by an independent citing officer. Wilson, who pleaded guilty, will not be able to play again until February 10th.
Sale flanker Luke Abraham was banned for two weeks for striking Bath centre Alex Crockett with his head. Abraham also pleaded guilty after being cited for the offence during the English Premiership match at the Recreation Ground on December 20th and is suspended from December 24th, 2008 — when the citing was issued — until January 7th.
Beijing Olympic venues will be razed
BASEBALL:Hopes that Beijing's Olympic baseball venue would be preserved for the future development of the sport in China have been dashed as the stadium's developer revealed it would be dismantled and replaced by a shopping centre.
The 15,000-seat Wukesong Sports Center baseball field, listed by Olympic organisers as a temporary venue even before the Games were held last August, has become the first venue slated for the wrecking ball.
The €21 million stadium has not delivered any income since the Olympic Games.
Baseball remains a fringe sport in China, and the six-team professional league set up in 2002 struggles to attract more than a few dozen spectators to regular matches.
Concern over Cipriani's kicking
RUGBY:England kicking coach Jon Callard believes Danny Cipriani needs to look towards American Football in a bid to eradicate the charge-downs which are blighting his game.
Cipriani (21) had two attempted clearances blocked against Harlequins yesterday, the second of which was charged down by Nick Evans and led to Wasps conceding a five metre-scrum and ultimately a penalty try.
Wasps won the game 24-18 but coach Shaun Edwards described it as a "real issue" and the trend is a growing concern for both club and country.
In seven England Tests, Cipriani has seen Italy, the Pacific Islanders and South Africa all score tries after successfully charging down his kicks.
England manager Martin Johnson warned after the November internationals that Cipriani will start being targeted unless the fault is rectified.
Sri Lanka take full control
CRICKET:Impressive half-centuries from Tillakaratne Dilshan and Thilan Samaraweera helped put Sri Lanka firmly in control against Bangladesh on day three of the second Test in Chittagong.
The pair enjoyed an unbeaten fifth-wicket stand of 131 as the tourists reached 296 for four at stumps to take a commanding lead of 472.
Kumar Sangakkara also posted a patient 54 earlier in the day and Sri Lanka will now be confident of claiming a series whitewash after winning the opening Test by 107 runs in Dhaka last week.
Having bowled out the home side for 208, the tourists resumed day three on 13 without loss in their second innings.
Dilshan, who had rescued Sri Lanka with a stunning 162 in the opening innings, had reached 81 at stumps with Samaraweera on 72 to leave Bangladesh needing a small miracle if they are to claim something from the Test.
