Sports digest

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

Khan switches fight from Sky

BOXING: Amir Khan's preparations for Saturday's world title defence against Paul McCloskey have been overshadowed by television coverage issues.

Sky last week decided to downgrade the WBA light welterweight title bout from a Sky Box Office event to their regular Sky Sports channels. However, it was confirmed yesterday Khan’s fight will now instead be screened by the low-profile Primetime TV pay-per-view outfit after Sky planned to show the Manchester event on Sky Sports 3, which is only accessible to some audiences.

Khan’s first fight in England since 2009 will therefore by shown on a channel which has previously supported another British world champion, Carl Froch, despite the company being a relatively minor player in the industry.

Kiwi Tuitupou leaves Munster for Sale

RUGBY:Sale Sharks have signed New Zealand inside centre Sam Tuitupou from Munster on a two-year contract.

The 29-year-old had made 20 appearances for the Magners League champions after joining them from Worcester Warriors last summer.

The Auckland-born centre won the Under-21 World Cup and also has nine All Blacks caps, picking up the Air New Zealand Cup with Auckland and a Super 14s title with the Blues.

Tuitupou joined Worcester in 2007 and scored 13 tries in 54 games.

Sharks executive director of rugby Steve Diamond said: “Sam is a fantastic signing for Sale Sharks.

“He has a great work-rate, is very strong in the contact area and will boost our back line in both attack and defence.

“The experience that he has gained from playing in some great teams throughout his career will benefit our squad tremendously next season.”

Watson whacks his way to record

CRICKET: Shane Watson struck a world record 15 sixes in an unbeaten innings of 185 from only 96 balls to take Australia to a crushing, nine-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the second one-day international in Dhak yesterday.

Watson, who also cracked 15 boundaries, broke the record of 12 set by Xavier Marshal of West Indies against Canada at King City in 2008.

Watson’s innings is also the highest one-day innings by an Australian, surpassing Matthew Hayden’s 181 against New Zealand in 2007. It took Australia to 232 for one from just 26 overs after their bowlers had restricted Bangladesh to 229 for seven.

Watson was particularly harsh on left-arm spinner Suhrawadi Shuvo, striking him for four sixes off consecutive deliveries in the 22nd over shortly after he had been dropped twice.

Watson completed his century in just 69 balls with a boundary through extra cover off Shafiul and was dropped by Abdur Razzak off the next ball at long-on.

Ding withheld fact he was unwell

SNOOKER:Ding Junhui has been fined €3,000 for failing to reveal he was too unwell to compete at his best prior to a match which he lost 4-0. China's world number four did not disclose his illness to organisers of a Euro Players Tour Championship event in Germany, in October.

Ding was beaten by his compatriot Liang Wenbo on October 23rd, and tournament officials reported him to the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), which launched an investigation.

Although Ding told organisers after the match he was unwell, the WPBSA yesterday said the 24-year-old played “in circumstances where he may otherwise have properly withdrawn”.

Ireland 11th in UCI rankings

CYCLING: Ireland remains a strong 11th in the UCI's World Tour nations ranking, as updated yesterday, writes Shane Stokes.

The recalculated table sees the country sit just behind Britain in the standings, thanks to the points total amassed by Dan Martin in the recent Volta a Catalunya.

Martin sits a fine 23rd overall in the individual rankings, which have been re-totalled following Paris-Roubaix and the Volta al Pais Vasco. Fabian Cancellara’s strong second place in Sunday’s Paris-Roubaix Classic has elevated him from third to first in the standings. The Leopard Trek rider holds a 33-point lead over the previous world number one Matt Goss (HTC Highroad).

Philip Deignan’s RadioShack squad has moved to first in the team rankings, while Irish road race champion Matt Brammeier’s HTC Highroad squad is second.

Foden accepts fine and warning

RUGBY: England international Ben Foden has been warned about his future conduct by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) after he received a police caution for causing criminal damage.

Foden met RFU disciplinary chief Jeff Blackett at his chambers yesterday to explain the incident, which occured in the early hours of March 28th.

The 25-year-old was arrested following an altercation with a taxi driver while celebrating Northampton’s English Premiership win over Wasps in central London.

Foden accepted the police caution and Judge Blackett was satisfied the case did not warrant a full RFU disciplinary hearing.

“Ben Foden and I met this afternoon. I accepted his explanation of what occurred on the night of Sunday, March 27th, and I warned him as to his future conduct,” Blackett said.

“He accepted that warning and he has agreed to pay an undisclosed sum to a rugby related charity of his choosing.”