Bates gives over reins
TENNIS: Jeremy Bates's reign as Britain's Davis Cup captain came to a predictable end yesterday in the wake of his team's slump to their lowest position for almost a decade.
Bates tendered his resignation after the 3-2 defeat to Israel at Eastbourne, which leaves them facing a September relegation play-off in Ukraine.
Bates, whose three-year reign yielded just two victories from six matches, will stay on as the interim performance director.
The Lawn Tennis Association must now look to replace Bates before September's trip to Kiev, which could send Britain into Euro-African Zone Group II for the first time since 1996.
Former Davis Cup captain David Lloyd is one early favourite for the post.
FA adopt Wada code
DOPING: The next footballer to test positive for performance-enhancing drugs in England faces the prospect of a mandatory two-year ban after the English FA yesterday signed up to the world anti-doping code.
The FA were joined in their commitment to clean sport by the Rugby Football Union, the England and Wales Cricket Board and the Lawn Tennis Association.
All four organisations signed the National Governing Body agreement, which ties them to the British anti-doping policy and, in turn, the world code.
The agreement brings the FA into line with Fifa and is a big step toward British sport - which has long been disorganised on the issue - taking a uniform approach to anti-doping.
Plunkett ruled out
CRICKET: Liam Plunkett will today be ruled out of England's next two Tests against Pakistan because of the side strain that he sustained while bowling for Durham against West Indies A at Chester-le-Street last week.
Durham regard Plunkett's absence as inevitable, but the final assessment must come from the England medical staff and the decision will be made only after the squad report to Old Trafford this morning for the second Test, which begins on Thursday.
With wicketkeeper Geraint Jones's form with the bat also absent, England's coach Duncan Fletcher will present evidence for the inclusion of Jamie Dalrymple, the Middlesex all-rounder, ahead of Northamptonshire's specialist slow left-armer Monty Panesar.
Rossi yields title hopes
MOTOR CYCLING: Italy's Valentino Rossi has all but written off the MotoGP world title after failing to finish the American Grand Prix in scorching heat at Laguna Seca.
Rossi's Camel Yamaha's water-cooling system gave out with just one lap of the 32-lap race remaining as the world champion saw home hero Nicky Hayden pull 51 points ahead of him in the championship.
As Hayden survived track temperatures of 56 degrees at the California circuit, Rossi suffered his third no score of the season.
With Hayden leading the title race and Rossi down in fourth, the seven-time champion is resigned to losing the crown. "I will race for the rest of the season without thinking about the pressure of the championship," he said.
