Today's other stories in brief
Silverstone return set for new date
MOTOR SPORT: MotoGP's governing body issued a revised provisional 2010 calendar on Tuesday with the British Grand Prix's return to Silverstone for the first time in 24 years pushed back two weeks to June 20th.
The International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) said Italy’s Mugello circuit would now take the June 6th slot originally handed to Britain.
Races in France and Czech Republic were also pushed back a week while San Marino moves forward. Silverstone has replaced Donington Park as host of the British race and will be the sixth round of the 18-race calendar. The circuit could also host the Formula One Grand Prix on July 11th.
Duminy leads South Africa to crushing over Zimbabwe
CRICKET: JP Duminy struck his maiden one-day international century to lead South Africa to a crushing 212-run victory over Zimbabwe yesterday.
The home team took the series 2-0, representing the perfect fillip ahead of Friday’s opening Twenty20 against England in Johannesburg.
Duminy, in his 51st ODI, thumped 111 not out in 87 balls as South Africa amassed 331 for five after being sent in to bat. Zimbabwe were then bundled out for 119 in 34.3 overs.
Jacques Kallis scored a classy 81 for the hosts while captain Graeme Smith made 53 in an opening stand of 108 with the all-rounder.
Mark Boucher, with 31 not out in 19 balls, helped Duminy provide a strong finish to the innings as the pair smashed an unbroken 58 for the sixth wicket in 33 balls.
Duminy collected nine fours and two sixes with textbook strokes and clever innovations.
Zimbabwes spinners were the biggest threat with Ray Price claiming three for 55 and skipper Prosper Utseya picking up two for 53.
The gutsy Tatenda Taibu (52) was the best of the visiting batsmen after openers Hamilton Masakadza and Brendan Taylor were dismissed for ducks.
South Africa paceman Charl Langeveldt (34) took three for 36 on his international return after an 18-month absence.
All-rounder Albie Morkel and spinner Roelof van der Merwe also claimed three wickets apiece.
Davydenko looks good for London
TENNIS: Nikolay Davydenko and Fernando Verdasco closed in on spots at the ATP World Tour Finals in contrasting fashion at the Paris Masters yesterday.
As the sixth and seventh seeds, respectively, the pair received byes into the second round, and Davydenko wasted little time in trouncing German Benjamin Becker 6-2, 6-1.
A tense-looking Verdasco had a much tougher time against Italy’s Andreas Seppi, though, losing the first set having been a break up before recovering to win 6-7 (3/7), 6-4, 6-4.
Davydenko went into the final event of the regular season in pole position to secure one of the two remaining places for the prestigious eight-man tournament at the O2 in London.
And Verdasco’s victory means Radek Stepanek and Marin Cilic cannot now qualify, with Robin Soderling, Fernando Gonzalez and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga the only men in with a chance of overhauling the pair.
Cody returns for the drive for five
GAA:As expected, Brian Cody will continue as Kilkenny hurling manager for another year.
The re-appointment of the most successful county hurling manager ever – along with selectors Martin Fogarty and Michael Dempsey – was ratified at a county board meeting.
Meanwhile, Pat Bennett and Páraic Fanning have been confirmed as part of Davy Fitzgerald’s Waterford hurling backroom team. The pair replace the outgoing Peter Queally and Maurice Geary.
Rory Gallagher is expected to return to Fermanagh colours next year. The 31-year-old Belleek native has not played for the Erne County since 2005, having lined out for Cavan in the meantime.
Gallagher, who has recently started a new job in Killybegs, was linked with Antrim where he plays club football with St Gall’s.
“There’s no doubt he’ll definitely be in the frame” said Fermanagh manager Malachy O’Rourke.
Isinbayeva shortlisted
ATHLETICS:Russian pole- vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva is among five candidates short- listed for the IAAF's Female Athlete of the Year award.
Also nominated are Jamaica’s Sanya Richards (400 metres), New Zealand’s Valeri Vili (shot-put), Croatia’s Blanka Vlasic (high-jump) and Poland’s Anita Wlodarczyk (hammer).
The ceremony will take place at the World Athletics Gala in Monte Carlo on November 22nd.
Phelps struggles to third place
SWIMMING: Michael Phelps said he was "not in the best shape" after finishing third in the short course 100 metres medley final at a World Cup meeting in the Swedish capital last night.
The American – who won a record eight Olympic gold medals last year – ended a disappointing day by clocking 52.14 seconds, 0.37 behind South African winner Gerhard Zandberg. A bearded Phelps was disqualified in the 100 metres backstroke and failed to progress in the 100 metres freestyle during the morning heats.
“I’m just happy to get a second swim, the first two races this morning were a little quick, he said. “I’m not in the best of shapes. I should be in better shape.”
Phelps, who only just reached the medley final by clocking the seventh best time in the heats, has chosen not to wear he high-tech bodysuit which will be banned from January.
Prior to that date, swimmers are free to race in the bodysuits that produced a frenzy of world records at the world championships in Rome in July. All swimmers in the final wore bodysuits except Phelps, who was taking part in his first short course event since 2006.
