Fresh start by Power

SPORTS DIGEST: Seamus Power has pronounced himself confident of defending his Rás na hEireann cross-country title in Dunleer tomorrow. The twice winner, who pulled off a memorable victory last year over Mark Carroll, will use the race to kick-start his preparations for the World Championships in Leopardstown next March.

"I always seem to run well up there," said the Clare athlete. "And I hope to do the same this year. I have trained hard coming into this race but I still feel fresh and I'm confident now of having a good race.

"I was a little disappointed after the European championships last month and took it easy for a while before Christmas. But I sort of see this as the start of a new season now in the run-up to Leopardstown."

Power won't have it all his own way, however, with Dublin training partner Peter Mathews among those looking to take his title. Ethiopia's Alemu Dagne provides the only African challenge but there is also a strong trio of English runners, led by Sam Haughian.

Definitely out of the Louth event will be local runner Keith Kelly, who has lost his battle with injury and is getting treatment from Gerard Hartmann in Limerick. Dublin's Vinny Mulvey has also pulled out because of bronchitis. The senior women's race starts at 2.15, with the men's at 2.45.

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming called on Australian supporters to "change their attitude" after scenes of crowd disturbance marred the Black Caps' victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground yesterday.

As Australia vainly chased the Kiwis' total of 200 in the opening VB series clash, lemons and bottles were thrown on to the outfield from members of the crowd in the notorious Bay 13 section.

Mark Richardson, the New Zealand fielder on the boundary, jokily donned a batting helmet in an attempt to defuse the situation. However, a police spokeswoman revealed that 22 people were arrested at the game, 19 of them for drink-related offences, and more than 250 were ejected from the ground.

Fans also risked a fine of 1,000 Australian dollars (€400) for encroaching on the playing surface, forcing play to be suspended for about 15 minutes.

Umpires Daryll Hare and Robert Parry conferred with police, who were forced to increase their presence in front of the stand before a semblance of order was restored.

To make matters worse for Australia, who fell 23-runs short of victory as Shane Bond and Chris Cairns claimed three wickets apiece, Glenn McGrath was charged with misconduct by match referee Hanumant Singh under a clause which states: "Players and/or team officials must at all times accept the umpire's decision and not show dissent at the umpire's decision."

New Zealand's Chris Harris won the Man of the Match award for an unbeaten 63 to guide his side out of trouble at 94 for seven and on to 199 for eight. Harris put on what proved to be a match-winning stand of 62 with Daniel Vettori.

Britain's Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski are in line to meet in the third round of the Australian Open. But Rusedski will have to be at his best next week to reach that stage of the season's first Grand Slam event, having been handed a tough draw in Melbourne.

Sixth seed Henman opens against Australian Todd Larkham who has not made it past the second round in five attempts. If he advances Henman will be strong favourite against either Belarus' Vladimir Voltchkov, a first-round loser twice, or an as yet unknown qualifier.

Rusedski, who defeated Jiri Novak of the Czech Republic 6-7 6-4 7-6 yesterday to set up a New Zealand Heineken Open final against Frenchman Jerome Golmard in Auckland, has a far more difficult start.

The British number two, seeded 28, opens against Australian Scott Draper, a quarter-finalist in 1996, and if successful another home favourite, Mark Philippoussis, could deny him a meeting with Henman.

Lleyton Hewitt, the world's top-ranked player and first Australian seeded number one at the tournament since Ken Rosewall in 1976, faces a draw that includes two-time defending champion Andre Agassi and two-time winner Pete Sampras.

Jennifer Capriati, the defending women's champion and top seed, kicks off her tournament against Silvija Talaja of Croatia. She has the Belgian duo of Kim Clijsters (seeded fourth) and Justine Henin (sixth) in her half of the draw.

Henin drew possibly the toughest opening-round assignment and must face Russia's Anna Kournikova, who is unseeded after missing most of 2001 due to a stress fracture in her left foot.

The bottom half of the women's bracket is loaded with second-seeded Venus Williams, her sister Serena, three-time champion and former world number one Martina Hingis and Monica Seles, a four-time champion.

Hingis and Serena Williams both suffered injury scares at the Sydney International tournament yesterday. Hingis hurt her left leg during her 7-5 4-6 6-2 semi-final win over Kim Clijsters while Williams retired near the end of the first set of her semi-final against fellow American Meghann Shaughnessy.

Williams rolled her right ankle in the fourth game of the match and continued playing after having the injury strapped. But the world number six decided not to continue after the score reached 5-4 in Shaughnessy's favour.