SPORTS DIGEST

Today's other sports stories in brief

Young cyclist dies suddenly

CYCLING:Young Belgian rider Frederiek Nolf (21), died overnight on the Tour of Qatar, his Topsport team said yesterday.

“We are very saddened by the unexpected death of a friend and colleague,” the team said. “Frederiek died Wednesday night in his sleep. It was his first race of the season in his second year as a professional within the team.”

Race director Eddy Merckx said: “We are all in a state of shock, but this is specially difficult for his friends and family.”

DCU take on Neptune

BASKETBALL:DCU Saints take on Neptune this weekend in the Men's Superleague with both still in the shake-up to reach the latter stages of the season, while UCD/Marian can cement their place with wins away to Ulster Elks and home to Hoops.

Northern Conference leaders Dart Killester and Southern Conference leaders UCC Demons are all but assured of a place in the semi-finals.

DCU Saints’ hopes of making the play-offs have been dented with a run of three defeats on the trot. It’s a sharp contrast to their excellent run of three consecutive wins towards the final stages of 2008.

Murali adds ODI record to haul

CRICKET: The off-spinner with the unorthodox action and the wide smile has confirmed his status as the games's most successful bowler yesterday.

Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralitharan claimed his 503rd one-day victim in their match with India in Colombo, making him the leading wicket-taker in both main forms of the game.

Nevertheless, India beat the home side by 67 runs.

“He is a living legend and we are all really proud of him,” said Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene.

Irish trio in Walker Cup squad

GOLF: Shane Lowry, Niall Kearney and Paul Cutler, members of the Ireland team that successfully defended their European Amateur Team Championship in Turin last year, have been named in this year's Walker Cup squad, writes Paul Gallagher.

Cutler made a huge impression at the team championships in Italy when the young Portstewart golfer won all six of his matches, including a 3 and 2 win in the final over England’s Chris Wood, winner of the silver medal in last year’s British Open at Birkdale.

Lowry is the highest ranked Irishman at 13th in the RA’s amateur world standings. Last year the Esker Hills member claimed the Irish Amateur Open and the North of Ireland Championship.

Kearney broke his championship duck by claiming the South of Ireland title.

Calzaghe retires undefeated

BOXING:Britain's undefeated world super-middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe has announced his retirement.

“It was a difficult decision but I have achieved everything I wanted to achieve in boxing,” said Calzaghe, whose unbeaten record was 46-0.

“I’ve been world champion for 11 years. I’ve got no other goals to go for. That’s why I am calling it a day,” the 36-year-old said.