Sports digest

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

West Indies may add some mystery

CRICKET:West Indies will unleash a unique talent on England if, as expected, mystery spinner Sunil Narine makes his Test debut at Edgbaston today.

Captain Darren Sammy confirmed Narine is likely to be selected as the Windies bid to avoid a 3-0 series whitewash.

Expectations are great for the impact the 24-year-old may make at the highest level, thanks to his exploits so far in just a handful of first-class matches and in the Indian Premier League. His ability to complement conventional off-spin with a disguised delivery which turns away from the right-hander is just the kind of bowling England struggled with against Pakistan in the shape of Saeed Ajmal.

“He has got every chance of playing,” said Sammy. “Everyone is calling him the mystery spinner, and he could come in and make an impact for us. It’s a difficult place for spinners to make their debut. But he has a lot up his sleeve, and we’re backing him to make an impact.

Hughton to have talks with Norwich over manager's job

SOCCER:Birmingham manager Chris Hughton has been granted permission to speak to Norwich as they try and fill their vacant position following Paul Lambert's switch to Aston Villa.

Former Republic of Ireland full back Hughton has been heavily linked to the managerial vacancy at Birmingham’s neighbours West Brom, but the 53-year-old is now set for talks at Carrow Road.

Speculation linked both Malky Mackay and Neil Lennon to the vacancy, but the Canaries have confirmed their move for Hughton.

A club statement read: “Norwich City can confirm that Birmingham City have granted the club permission to speak to Chris Hughton about the vacant managerial position at Carrow Road. The club will be making no further comment at this stage.”

Hughton, on a one-year rolling contract, has spent little under 12 months at St Andrew’s, having replaced Alex McLeish following his controversial move to fierce rivals Villa.

Bluebirds now red in new Cardiff deal

SOCCER:Cardiff City have confirmed the club will now play in red after the Bluebirds' Malaysian owners formally unveiled a new image for the Welsh side.

The switch – which also includes a new club crest and takes effect immediately – comes after the club’s hierarchy approved the decision at a board meeting.

The club have unveiled three new strips – a red home shirt, a blue away strip, and a third kit, which is mainly black.

All new kits bear a redesigned badge, incorporating a main image of a dragon, with a small bluebird inserted underneath, and carrying the slogan “Fire and Passion”.

In addition to the new kit, the club have announced plans to build a brand-new training ground, pay off the historical Langston debt, provide manager Malky Mackay with a substantial transfer kitty.

However, despite the investment plans, the colour change has angered many Cardiff fans, who have accused the club of putting money ahead of history and tradition.

O'Sullivan holds off on signing contract as he plans time off

SNOOKER:World champion Ronnie O'Sullivan has refused to sign the contract binding tour players as he backs up his promise to take a break from snooker.

O’Sullivan said after winning his fourth Crucible title last month that he would “have four, five, six months off and assess the situation”.

True to his word, he has not signed the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association agreement ahead of the entry deadline for the first two ranking events of the season.

He will miss one early trip to China, for the Wuxi Classic, as well as the subsequent Australian Goldfields Open in Bendigo.

He has also declined to enter the Premier League, but the development does not amount to the retirement he has often hinted at as he will have the opportunity to sign the contract at any time and compete in ranking events later in the season.

Haye and Chisora gets green light from Luxembourg

BOXING:The controversial bout between David Haye and Dereck Chisora will definitely go ahead, according to organisers, after the Luxembourg Boxing Federation reiterated its support for the fight despite a threat of expulsion from the European Boxing Union.

Haye’s heavyweight bout against Chisora at Upton Park next month has had to be sanctioned by the LBF as both fighters do not hold a British licence.

Last weekend the EBU passed a motion that decreed the LBF would be thrown out of the organisation if they continued to back the fight. But despite this threat, the LBF last night voted in favour of backing the bout at a special general meeting.