Sports digest

Todays other stories in brief

Jawardene tops Bradman mark in Sri Lanka run fest 

CRICKET:Kumar Sangakkara smashed his seventh test double hundred and Mahela Jayawardene broke Don Bradman's record for the most test centuries at one venue as a rampant Sri Lanka tormented India in the second test in Colombo yesterday.

The hosts piled up a massive 642-4 declared on the second day of the match as India’s bowling attack could do little to stop the flow of runs.

India replied strongly to reach 95 without loss at the close with Murali Vijay unbeaten on 22 and Virender Sehwag 64 not out.

Sangakkara and Jayawardene pounded the hapless Indian bowlers on a placid batting pitch at the SSC, putting together a third wicket partnership of 193 runs.

Sangakkara went on to score a chanceless 219, while Jayawardene made 174. It was his 10th test century at the SSC ground and it surpassed Australian legend Bradman’s nine hundreds at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Phelan to make Ireland debut

GOLF:Irish Close champion Dara Lernihan and Irish Amateur Open champion Alan Dunbar lead the Irish team for the forthcoming Home Internationals.

Also included in the team is Kevin Phelan who is originally from Waterford but now resides in the USA. The 19-year-old qualified as an amateur for the 2010 US Open Championship at Pebble Beach, shooting rounds 73 and 65 to make the field. He went on to shoot rounds of 83 and 75 in the event proper. Making his international debut alongside Phelan will be Co Sligo’s Barry Anderson.

IRELAND TEAM (for Home Internationals, Ashburnham GC, August 11th-13th): Barry Anderson (Co Sligo), Paul Cutler (Portstewart), Connor Doran (Banbridge), Alan Dunbar (Rathmore), Paul Dunne (Greystones), Luke Lennox (Moyola Park), Rory Leonard (Banbridge), Dara Lernihan (Castle), Eddie McCormack (Galway), Pat Murray (Limerick), Kevin Phelan (University of North Florida). Team captain: Dr Kevin Flanagan.

Cowan and Rokocoko in for All Blacks

RUGBY: New Zealand have recalled scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan to replace new father Piri Weepu and welcome back winger Joe Rokocoko from a hamstring injury for the Tri-Nations game against Australia in Melbourne on Saturday.

Weepu, who replaced Cowan for the All Blacks’ 31-17 win over the Springboks earlier this month, was named on the bench.

Rokocoko returns in place of Rene Ranger, and will play his 64th Test, moving ahead of John Kirwan and Jonah Lomu as the All Blacks most capped winger.

Australia coach Robbie Deans has switched Matt Giteau to outhalf and recalled Berrick Barnes to cover in midfield for the suspended Quade Cooper.

Cooper will learn today if his appeal against a two-week suspension after being cited for lifting Morne Steyn in a tackle last weekend was successful.

AUSTRALIA: A Ashley Cooper; J OConnor, R Horne, B Barnes, D Mitchell; M Giteau, W Genia; B Robinson. S Moore, Si Maafu, D Mumm, N Sharpe, R Elsom (capt), D Pocock, R Brown.

NEW ZEALAND: M Muliaina; C Jane, C Smith, M Nonu, J Rokocoko; D Carter, J Cowan; T Woodcock. K Mealamu, O Franks, B Thorn, T Donnelly, J Kaino, R McCaw (capt), K Read.

Yamamoto keeps seat for Hungary

FORMULA ONE: Sakon Yamamoto will replace Karun Chandok for the second race in a row as Hispania continue rotating drivers.

Yamamoto replaced Chandhok in Germany and retired with mechanical problems but will replace the Indian driver again in Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix.

Hispania have four drivers – Yamamoto, Chandhok, Bruno Senna and Christian Klien – under contract and will continue to choose them race-by-race. Senna, who lost his seat to Yamamoto at Silverstone, also drives in Hungary.

Hispania are known to be struggling financially but it is believed they want to evaluate all their drivers before establishing a line-up for 2011.

It is likely that Klien will be given a run in at least one race as well.

After losing his race seat for the German GP Chandok, 26, said he expected to be back for races later in the season.

Gatlin comeback set for Estonia

ATHLETICS: American sprinter Justin Gatlin will return from a four-year doping ban with two races in Estonia next month.

“It’s a relief and I just want to have a good show,” said the 28-year-old, who won the 100 metres final at the 2004 Olympics. “It definitely comes earlier than I thought it would.”

Gatlin regained his eligibility last Sunday after serving a four-year ban for a 2006 positive test for testosterone and its precursors.

Irish trio named on Rest of World side

BOXING:Three Irish boxers, Jason Quigley, Ross Hickey and Seán Turner, have been selected on a Rest of the World Team to face Team Great Britain in Cardiff on Friday, reports Bernard O'Neill.

European Youth champion Quigley, from the Finn Valley BC in Donegal, will meet Anthony Ogogo at middleweight.

The Irish trio join boxers from China, Sweden and the USA on the Rest of the World squad for the three-day festival.

Grangecon clubman Hickey, a bronze medal winner at the 2008 European Championships, meets Scott Cardle at 64kg, while Irish under-21 champion Turner, of the Drimnagh BC, faces Amin Isa at super-heavyweight.

Irish head coach Billy Walsh believes the event will be very useful for the fighters.

“It will be a great experience for them as it will give them an ideal opportunity to shine and to put what they have learned into practice in an international tournament,” said Walsh.

Mini announce phased rally return

RALLYING: Mini will compete in selected rounds of the World Rally Championship next season and the entire series in 2012, owners BMW said yesterday.

The Munich car maker, who pulled out of Formula One last year, said the involvement was planned for several years.

The Mini Countryman WRC will be developed by British-based Prodrive, who previously ran Subarus world championship-winning team.

The announcement marks a return for the brand that chalked up several wins in the prestigious Monte Carlo Rally, including Paddy Hopkirk’s battle through snow and ice in 1964.