A round-up of other news stories in brief

Simmons confident Rankin and West will be fit 

CRICKET: Ireland coach Phil Simmons has named a provisional 22-man squad for next year's World Cup and is hopeful two of his bowlers can prove their fitness ahead of the final 15 being announced on January 19th, writes Emmet Riordan.

Opening bowler Boyd Rankin and left-arm spinner Regan West are Simmons’s main concerns for the event, which starts on February 19th in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Warwickshire-seamer Rankin is recovering from a foot injury, while Civil Service North all-rounder West has had surgery on his shoulders and missed all of the 2010 season.

But Simmons was upbeat yesterday. “Boyd is bowling again and on track to be fully fit,” he said. “Regan is working hard after his shoulder operations, and will undergo a final fitness assessment before the final squad is announced. We’re still hopeful he’ll make it.”

Eight of the squad played in the last 50-over World Cup in the West Indies in 2007, while Ed Joyce is named after the Sussex batsman was granted special dispensation by the International Cricket Council to participate ahead of his four-year stand down period elapsing after he represented England last time out.

Ireland will travel to Dubai in January for a training camp ahead of warm-up games against New Zealand and Zimbabwe in Nagpur before their first game in the competition against Bangladesh in Dhaka on February 25th.

IRELAND (Preliminary squad for 2011 World Cup):William Porterfield (Warwickshire, capt), Andre Botha (North County), Alex Cusack (Clontarf), George Dockrell (Leinster/Somerset), Phil Eaglestone (Strabane), Allan Eastwood (Pembroke), James Hall (Waringstown), Trent Johnston (Railway Union), Nigel Jones (Civil Service North), Ed Joyce (Sussex), Rory McCann (Instonians), John Mooney (North County), Kevin O'Brien (Railway Union), Niall O'Brien (Northants), Andrew Poynter (Clontarf), Boyd Rankin (Warwickshire), Paul Stirling (Middlesex), Albert van der Merwe (The Hills), Regan West (Civil Service North), Gary Wilson (Surrey), Andrew White (Instonians), Craig Young (Sussex).

South Africa wrap up first Test win

CRICKET:South Africa claimed India's last two wickets in 35 deliveries to win the first Test by an innings and 25 runs on the final day at Centurion yesterday.

New-ball bowlers Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn took a wicket each as India, resuming on 454 for eight, were bowled out for the addition of only five runs.

Shanthakumaran Sreesanth failed to add to his overnight score of three as he pushed at a delivery from Morkel that was outside off stump and offered AB de Villiers a regulation catch in the slips. Jaidev Unadkat (1) handled his first few short deliveries well but his 10th ball, from Steyn, spat up viciously and the debutant could only fend it to Ashwell Prince at gully.

Sachin Tendulkar ended undefeated on 111, having batted for five hours and 27 minutes. His landmark century, his 50th, was an innings of composure and technique but not enough to save India, who trailed by 484 runs after the first innings.

South Africa called on fast bowlers Steyn and Morkel to clinch victory, as they had in Indias disappointing 136-run first innings when they shared eight wickets.

Steyn finished with four for 105 in 30.1 overs, while Morkel took two for 94 in 31 overs. The duo are likely to be a handful again in the second Test in Durban starting on Sunday.

Left-arm spinner Paul Harris finished with two for 88, Jacques Kallis one for 56 and Lonwabo Tsotsobe claimed one for 98. Kallis scored 201 not out, his maiden Test double century, in South Africa’s innings of 620 for four declared to bat India out of the Test and win the man-of-the-match award.

Open verdict at Newton inquest

RUGBY LEAGUE: Drugs and steroids may have impaired the judgment of rugby league player Terry Newton when he hanged himself, an inquest in England heard yesterday. A coroner ruled she could not be certain the ex-Great Britain international was intent on suicide as she recorded an open verdict.

The hearing was told traces of anabolic steroids, cocaine and amphetamine were found in his system following his death on September 26th.

Murray to start season with Corretja as coach

TENNIS:Andy Murray has confirmed he will stick with Alex Corretja as his main coach for the first part of the 2011 season.

The Spaniard assumed the role after the world number four sacked Miles Maclagan in July, having previously been only a part-time member of “Team Murray”.

Indeed, it was a difference of opinion over Corretja’s ongoing input that let to Murray’s split with Maclagan, and the two-time French Open finalist was at the Scot’s side during the latter part of this season.

Murray has repeatedly said he will not be rushed into appointing a permanent successor to Maclagan, preferring to take his time to ensure he finds the right coach to guide him through what could well be the peak of his career.

The 23 year-old will also continue to be assisted by long-time friend and occasional doubles partner Dani Vallverdu. Murray, Corretja and Venezuelan Vallverdu are in Miami, which the British number one is again using as a base for his pre-season training.