Sports Digest

ATHLETICS: World 100 metres record holder Tim Montgomery has become the latest American sprint star to come under the scrutiny of US anti-doping officials.

Montgomery's attorney, Cristina Arguedas, met US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) officials on Wednesday as part of their investigation into the Balco doping scandal, the San Jose Mercury News reported.

"I didn't see anything that looked to me like it could disqualify someone from running in the Olympics," Arguedas told the newspaper after reviewing documents obtained by USADA from the Balco investigation.

Montgomery's partner, triple Olympic champion Marion Jones, and her attorneys held a similar meeting with USADA officials in Colorado Springs last month to discuss documents in the investigation, which earlier led to the two-year suspension of sprinter Kelli White.

Montgomery and Jones are being investigated over alleged links with the California Balco laboratory whose owner, Victor Conte, has been indicted on suspicion of developing the new steroid THG and distributing it and other drugs to athletes.

CRICKET: Martin Saggers, called in for the injured Simon Jones, lifted England's depression over the Headingley weather, restricting New Zealand to 41 for one off 19 overs on a rain-hit opening day to the second Test yesterday.

Kent seamer Saggers made the most of his call-up in the little time available and struck with his first ball to end 15 overs of frustration for England.

Saggers was brought on for the 16th over of the innings after Mark Richardson and Michael Papps had forged a 33-run partnership. Papps profited early on after a wayward initial spell from Yorkshire seamer Matthew Hoggard on his home ground.

Saggers was given the ball and struck immediately, swinging the ball into Richardson - whose defiant defence was breached via an inside edge onto his stumps.

There was just time for Hoggard to cap his frustrating morning with Papps edging a regulation catch to Graham Thorpe at third slip on 20 - only for England to miss out again, leaving Papps to bat on until rain halted play.

RUGBY: Western Province wing Breyton Paulse was called into the Springbok squad yesterday as a replacement for the injured Ashwin Willemse.

Paulse, a 40-Test veteran, received the call after Willemse sprained ligaments in his right knee during a warm-up game between the Springboks and a Central Unions XV on Wednesday. Paulse (28) last played for South Africa against Georgia at last year's World Cup.

RUGBY: Leinster strength coach Dave Fagan will remain at the province for five more years.

He joined Mike Ruddock's Leinster in 1996 after a successful stint as national coach for Ireland in shot putt and discus.

Fagan steered the Ireland team in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, was Victor Costello's personal coach and has worked with a number of Gaelic football and soccer teams.