A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Rankin returns for Bangladesh series
CRICKET:Ireland have been given a significant boost ahead of next week's three-match RSA Twenty20 series against Bangladesh in Belfast with news that opening bowler Boyd Rankin is fit again following injury.
The 6ft 8in Warwickshire player has been out of action since picking up a stress fracture in his right foot while helping Ireland qualify for the World Twenty20 in Dubai back in March but bowled seven overs in a second team game against Northamptonshire on Thursday.
Ranking, 28, is looking forward to returning to competitive action as Ireland continue their build-up to September’s finals in Sri Lanka. “The T20s come at the right time for me as they are ideal in that they are just four over spells as I continue to build up my fitness and strength.”
Ireland coach Phil Simmons has included all his county-based players in a strong 15-man squad for the games at Stormont, while Clontarf’s Andrew Poynter, who hit the winning runs in the T20 qualifier final against Afghanistan, also returning.
- EMMET RIORDAN
Manchester City set for Limerick friendly
SOCCER:Manchester City are expected to confirm on Monday a pre-season friendly against Limerick FC at Thomond Park next month. The Airtricity League Division One club announced the August 5th game with the English Premier League champions yesterday as the first of a possible 10 "marque" fixtures to take place at the ground over the next decade. The games are part of a legally-binding agreement with the FAI, say the club, following dispute resolution with the association after it blocked a similar fixture with Barcelona two years ago.
The proceeds will go into Limerick FC’s football project in the city and will bring “massive social and economic benefits to the region”, according to chairman Pat O’Sullivan. Limerick are promising City will travel with a full first-team squad, despite the game being scheduled for the day after Roberto Mancini’s side take on Wolfsburg in Germany.
City suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Saudi Arabian outfit Al Hilal in their first pre-season outing in Austria last night.
CARL O’MALLEY
Lee bows out of international scene citing lack of desire
CRICKET:Australia's Brett Lee retired from international cricket yesterday, claiming he woke up and decided "enough is enough".
Lee says he can no longer offer the required commitment to succeed at the highest level after almost 12½ years. The 35-year-old was expected to stand down following the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka, where Australia have been drawn in the same group as Ireland, but decided to bring it forward after questioning his appetite for battle.
Lee said: “I woke up this morning and just felt like I was ready. I think personally in a team environment you have to have 100 per cent commitment – mentally and physically. And I guess looking at the next few months I just didn’t have that desire any more.”
Lee, who played in the recent ODI against Ireland in Belfast, retired from the Test arena in February 2010 after claiming 310 scalps at an average of 30.81 in 76 matches.
He finished his one-day career with 380 wickets – one short of Glenn McGrath’s Australian record haul of 381 – from 221 matches at an average of 23.36.
Irish squad in Italy for final camp before Games
BOXING:The Irish Olympic boxing squad arrived in Assisi, Italy last night to take part in their final training camp before London 2012. The six-strong squad of Katie Taylor, Paddy Barnes, Michael Conlan, John Joe Nevin, Adam Nolan and captain Darren O'Neill will begin training and sparring with Italy and Azerbaijan today. The Ukraine has also sent a team. The Irish will travel straight to London from Assisi on July 24th.
Meanwhile, Cork middleweight Gary O’Sullivan clashes with Matthew Hall for the vacant WBO International belt at Upton Park, London tonight. They share top billing on a card which will see Dereck Chisora and David Haye meet in one of the most controversial fights of the year. Former Irish Elite champion Karl Brabazon is on the undercard.
Tyson wins despite clumsy start in testing conditions
ATHLETICS:Tyson Gay got a taste of the tough conditions the world's best sprinters may face at the Olympics next month while winning the 100 metres in 10.03 seconds at the London Diamond League meeting last night.
The American’s planned showdown with former world record-holder Asafa Powell failed to materialise when the Jamaican decided not to risk aggravating a groin injury.
With the rain lashing the track and the temperature plummeting to almost winter levels, it began to look a sensible move with the Olympic 100 metres heats only three weeks away. So Gay, whose 9.69 personal best makes him the second-fastest man ever over the distance behind Usain Bolt had to content himself with beating a field still packed with US and Jamaican sub-10 second talent.
Gay was clumsy out of the blocks but smoother into his pickup. He had to work hard on his concentration running in the shadow of giant compatriot Ryan Bailey but forced his way through for a satisfying victory into a 1.3 metres headwind ahead of Bailey (10.09) and Jamaican Nesta Carter (10.13).
