Vaughan in doubt

Sports Digest: England cricket captain Michael Vaughan's chances of playing in the one-day series against Pakistan are in the balance, chairman of selectors David Graveney said yesterday.

Vaughan, who flew home for the birth of his second child, has been consulting specialists about the knee injury that kept him out of the first Test that Pakistan won by 22 runs.

"Michael is due to see a specialist about how bad his knee is and I'll touch base with him once he's had that and we'll go from there," Graveney said in a statement. "His availability is very much in the balance.

"You would like to be optimistic because the last thing you need is to lose your captain, but we'll follow the medical advice recommended."

Gene doping latest worry

International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge has called for new regulations against changing genes to increase athletic performance, so-called gene doping.

Rogge said progress in the field of genetics now made it possible for the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) - which held a conference in Stockholm yesterday on gene therapy and doping with around 50 scientists and sports officials - to start formulating rules.

"I am getting more and more anxious that this (gene doping) may be misused by athletes and coaches," he told reporters yesterday.

"I think there is now enough scientific data to begin drafting rules."

Jauzion tops in France

Toulouse centre Yannick Jauzion scored a double when he was named France's rugby player of the year and also French international of 2005 yesterday.

The newcomer of the year award went to his partner in the Toulouse and France backline Florian Fritz during the "Night of Rugby" organised by the National Rugby League, the players' union and the coaches' association.

Patrice Lagisquet was named coach of the year after leading Biarritz Olympique to the French title.

At 27 and with 32 caps to his name, Jauzion is now regarded as the undisputed backline leader in the French team who came through their November series unbeaten.

Award for Raikkonen

McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen has been crowned international racing driver of the year by Britain's Autosport magazine despite being beaten to the Formula One title by Renault's Fernando Alonso.

The Finn was presented with his trophy at an awards ceremony in London on Sunday night by Britain's 1992 world champion Nigel Mansell.

"I think it is just a question of time. He is a future world champion," said Mansell.

Raikkonen has finished overall runner-up twice since his debut in 2001 - to Ferrari's Michael Schumacher in 2003 and this year to 24-year-old Spaniard Alonso.

He and the Renault driver won seven races each during the season.