Cricket: Australia put down their marker for the forthcoming Ashes series in ruthless and emphatic style by brushing England aside in their final match of the NatWest Triangular Series.

So comprehensive was their eight-wicket victory at The Oval, the world champions sentenced England to their 11th successive defeat with 19.5 overs to spare despite leaving Shane Warne and Damien Martyn on the sidelines.

England were in trouble from the moment Marcus Trescothick chopped the sixth delivery of the day onto his stumps from Glenn McGrath. Australia lost only two wickets in chasing their total of 176, with Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist hitting 70 and 80 runs respectively.

Sailing: Mark Mansfield's International Star keelboat moved into seventh overall after three races in the 50boat fleet at Kiel Week 2001 on the Baltic sea yesterday.

Laura Dillon, Gillian Guinness and Katie Dwyer were eighth in a fleet of 17 boats following 13th- and fourth-placed finishes in the women's race.