SPORTS DIGEST: CRICKET: Sachin Tendulkar was dismissed 14 runs short of equalling Brian Lara's world runs record as India clung on for a draw in the first test against Australia yesterday.
Tendulkar (49) and Vangipurappu Laxman (42 not out) had added a dogged 61 for the fourth wicket before bad light halted play with the hosts on 177 for four after Australia had declared their second innings on 228 for six to set an unlikely victory target of 299 in Bangalore.
Tendulkar's resistance lasted a shade under three hours before he was caught driving into the covers with his career total of runs on 11,939, just short of the mark set by West Indian Lara.
The second test in the four-match series starts in Mohali on Friday.
Australia gained the early initiative with two quick wickets after they declared having added 35 runs to their overnight score for the loss of Shane Watson for 41.
Frustrated Australia captain Ricky Ponting took a swipe at India's negativity after the game.
"We were the only ones in the game trying to take the game forward. We played aggressive cricket. I am not surprised by the way they played, the Indian team do play a lot of drawn games," said Ponting.
Best climber failed dope test on Tour de France
CYCLING: Austrian Bernhard Kohl, who finished as best climber and third overall on the Tour de France in July, failed a dope test during the race, his team manager said yesterday.
"I had a phone call from Bernhard Kohl and he admitted he was notified with the news of a positive test. The substance is EPO CERA," said his Gerolsteiner team manager Hans-Michael Holczer.
Kohl is the second Gerolsteiner rider to fail a dope test on the 2008 Tour de France after German Stefan Schumacher, who won the two time trials in the race, also tested positive for CERA (Continuous Erythropoiesis Receptor Activator).
Gerolsteiner, a mineral water distribution company based in Germany, had already said they were leaving the sport at the end of the season, with Kohl moving to Belgian team Silence-Lotto.
Recently the International Olympic Committee announced they will retest doping samples from the Beijing Games to check for traces of EPO CERA.
Armstrong to race in Giro d'Italia
CYCLING: Lance Armstrong will race in next year's Giro d'Italia for the first time as part of his cycling comeback, the seven-times Tour de France winner said yesterday.
The 37-year-old, who retired in 2005, will compete in the May 9th-31th race before challenging for an eighth Tour title in July.
"I will give my utmost, and not only to prepare for the Tour," said. Armstrong. "Not having taken part in the Giro was one of my biggest regrets as a rider.
"Finally I will be able to do it. For five years I lived in Como and I am very excited to return to Italy," added Armstrong.
Alonso says he will help Massa
MOTOR SPORT: Fernando Alonso has said he will do what he can to help Ferrari's Felipe Massa beat Lewis Hamilton to the Formula One title after winning the last two grands prix for Renault.
"Yes, without doubt. If I can help, I will help Massa," said the Spaniard after Sunday's victory in Japan. Alonso, who has been linked with a move to Ferrari, fell out with championship leader Hamilton in an ill-fated 2007 season alongside the Briton at McLaren.
