A round-up of today's other news in brief
Sri Lanka in lowest one-day score of 43
CRICKET: Sri Lanka collapsed to their lowest one-day score of 43 yesterday when they lost by 258 runs to South Africa in the first one-day international at Boland Park. Their total equalled the fourth previous lowest score ever in 50-overs internationals and the victory margin was the third largest. The Sri Lankans' previous lowest score was 55 against West Indies in Sharjah in 1986.
Morne Morkel and Lonwabo Tsotsobe claimed seven wickets between them as Sri Lanka, chasing 302 for victory, were shot out in 20.1 overs. Hashim Amla earlier scored a century before Morkel destroyed the Sri Lankan top order to claim four for 10 off six overs. Tsotsobe took three for 19 in six overs. Kosala Kulasekara was the only Sri Lankan batsman to reach double figures, 19, and was the ninth man out.
Mayweather taunts Manny
BOXING: Floyd Mayweather has challenged Manny Pacquiao to "give the world what they want to see" and fight him on May 5th. Last week, five-weight world champion Mayweather had a 90-day jail term deferred so that he could fulfil a date at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
The 34-year-old used Twitter to challenge his Philippine rival and current WBO welterweight champion. “Step up Punk,” said the undefeated American, but Pacquiao has yet to respond.
IBF clarify Ameen's status
BOXING: The International Boxing Federation has confirmed the "mystery man" accused by Amir Khan of interfering with judges scorecards in his defeat against Lamont Peterson is not an official of the organisation.
The boxing authority said Mustafa Ameen is neither employed nor a sanctioning official, as had been previously claimed by one of the promoters of the fight.
“Mr Ameen does outreach work for the IBF’s Sarb (Special Assistance for Retired Boxers) Education Fund,” the organisation said in a statement.
The admission by the IBF confirms the claims of Khan’s trainer, Freddie Roach, that Ameen is not a boxing official. The organisation said Ameen is not paid for his work with Sarb, which was created to financially assist retired professional boxers. The IBF decided to break its silence and provide clarification on Ameen’s ringside presence during Khan’s controversial split decision defeat to Peterson in Washington.
Gordon takes ninth Dakar stage
DAKAR RALLY: Robby Gordon won the ninth stage of the Dakar Rally to close the gap on the leader Stéphane Peterhansel, who clocked the second fastest time to stay out in front among the cars.
Gordon, who drives in the Nascar series in the US, completed the 345-mile stage to Iquique, Chile, in his Hummer in a time of four hours, 35 minutes and 21 seconds, 1:38 minutes ahead of Peterhansel to cut the gap to 5:58 minutes.
On the bikes, Cyril Despres moved back into the lead with a stage victory, finishing in a time of 5:04:33, 3:54 minutes ahead of the defending champion and main rival, Marc Coma. That result gives Despres a lead of 2:28 minutes, while the nearest challenger, Portugals Hélder Rodrigues, is further back.
Macklin seeking Martinez's title
BOXING: New York fight promoter Lou Dibella believes that Ireland's Matthew Macklin and Sergio Martinez won't have to go looking for each other at Madison Square Garden on March 17th, reports Bernard O'Neill.
Argentina-born Martinez, a veteran of 52 fights, 48 of which he has won, puts his WBC Diamond belt on the line against Macklin. Speaking at yesterday’s press conference to confirm the fight, DiBella reckoned the top rated middleweights will “try to take each others heads off.” Limerick southpaw Andy Lee will be trading leather on the undercard against an opponent to be confirmed and looks primed to get a shot at the victor from the main event of the evening.
Lee is vowing to show what he’s got on the March 17th, with DiBella adding that the 2004 Irish Olympian was on his case for a world title shot and would soon have his “day in the sun”. Meanwhile, a number of other Irish fighters are expected to be added to the March 17th card in what what the promoters are promising will be a “gala night” of Irish boxing.
Wozniacki faces battle to be fit for Australian Open
TENNIS: Caroline Wozniacki faces a battle to be fit for the Australian Open after being reduced to tears during a dramatic defeat by Agnieszka Radwanska at the Sydney International yesterday.
Wozniacki lost 3-6 7-5 6-2 in a late-night quarter-final thriller, which could signal the end of her reign as world number one with Czech Republic’s Petra Kvitova in position to take top spot within 48 hours.
The Dane’s left wrist was strapped when trailing 1-2 in the deciding set, just five days before the start of the years first grand slam. “I hope it’s not serious,” she said. “I could feel it today, especially in the third set. I’m going to go get it checked out tomorrow and hopefully it’s okay. Let’s just hope for the best. I should be completely fine for Australian Open. I started feeling it more during the match.”
Wozniacki served for the match at 5-4 in the second set before Poland’s Radwanska hit a purple patch to run away with victory.
Niland's game against Bohli delayed
TENNIS: Conor Niland has had to wait an additional 24 hours to get to grips with Switzerland's Stephane Bohli in the first round of the Australian Open qualifying.
The two players were due to face off yesterday but their showdown has been postponed until today because of rain in Melbourne.
The Irish number one’s match was the sixth and last scheduled to take place on court number three, but only three matches were completed, and the fourth, between the Czech Republic’s Ivo Minar and Australia’s Luke Saville, was suspended at 3-3 in the first set.
Niland faces a stiff task to make the second round, as at 286 he is 68 places adrift of 218-placed Bohli in the world rankings. On top of that the Limerick man suffered a crushing 6-2 6-1 defeat to the Swiss Davis Cup player in their only previous meeting in Germany in 2010.
