Briefs

A round-up of today's other stories in brief

Brownlie offers stronger resistance on day two

CRICKET:An unbeaten 69 from Dean Brownlie helped New Zealand reach 169 for four in their second innings on day two of the first Test against South Africa yesterday.

The Proteas, who dismissed the touring side for just 45 on day one, declared their first innings on 347 for eight shortly after lunch with a lead of 302 and they were still 133 runs ahead at the close.

But New Zealand, largely through Brownlie and captain Brendon McCullum who made 51, offered much stronger resistance second time round, reponding well to widespread condemnation of their woeful performance on Wednesday. New Zealand also bowled better in the morning session and made the ideal start when Trent Boult forced Alviro Petersen to play on after adding just three runs to his overnight score of 103.

Ominous grey skies remained for much of the morning and AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis had to survive an awkward period in which the pitch offered the seamers lateral movement.

Brownlie survived a review for a caught behind off Steyn and he and Watling negotiated the remaining overs of the day and will resume on scores of 69 and 10 not out respectively.

Australia's pace attack overcomes spirited resistance

CRICKET:Australia’s four-pronged pace attack overcame spirited resistance from Lahiru Thirimanne and Mahela Jayawardene before dismissing Sri Lanka for 294 to end the opening day of the third Test.

Both Thirimanne, who scored a career best 91 just three days after joining the Sri Lanka squad as an emergency replacement, and Jayawardene, who hit 72 in his penultimate innings as captain, threatened to make a sunny day in Sydney their own.

Ultimately though, Australia captain Michael Clarkes decision on winning the toss to send his pacemen out to bowl first was all but vindicated and the hosts will have finished the day confident they can wrap up the series 3-0.

Jackson Bird, the least experienced of the quartet, took 4-41.

Lauda to concentrate on Mercedes role

FORMULA ONE:Retired triple Formula One champion Niki Lauda has left the board of Air Berlin so he can devote more time to his new role with Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes Formula One team, the airline said yesterday.

Austrian Lauda was named as non-executive chairman of the British-based team's board when 2008 champion Hamilton was signed from McLaren last September.

Since then, Mercedes have announced the departure of motorsport chief Norbert Haug after more than 20 years in the high-profile job.

Lauda (63) and a former Jaguar team principal, is expected to play a link role between the team and Stuttgart car manufacturer.

The Austrian retired from Formula One racing in 1985.