Cricket: Police are investigating claims that an Asian betting syndicate offered almost Stg£1 million for players in the England cricket team to throw a Test match against New Zealand last month.

The inquiry follows allegations that Chris Lewis, the former England player, was asked to act as a middle man in a conspiracy to fix the third game of the four-match series.

According to the News of the World, a syndicate representative, a businessman known only as Mr Patel, approached Lewis and offered to pay Alan Mullally and Alec Stewart Stg£300,000 each to under-perform against New Zealand. A spokesman for the Metropolitan police said "The board passed the information on to the police and an investigation by the organised crime group is under way.

Athletics: The Irish team returns home today from the European Athletics Championships for Blind and Partially Sighted in Lisbon after their most successful participation to date. Catherine Walsh from Dublin yesterday took silver in the 800 metres B3 class to add to her similar placing in the pentathlon, where the gold medal went to Bridie Lynch.

Earlier in the week, Roland Kennedy took bronze in 100 metres and fourth in the 200 metres (B3 class) while Michael Delaney also claimed a bronze medal in the high jump (B2 class). Ireland placed 11th on the overall medals table.

Boxing: Francis Maughan started Ireland's participation at the European Junior Boxing Championships in Croatia this weekend by winning his opening featherweight featherweight bout inside the distance over Sebastian Pavalovski of Poland. The Dubliner had built a three-point lead before forcing a stoppage midway through the fourth. Ger McAuley from Belfast also moved into the next round at featherweight after claiming a 4-3 victory over Christian Morini of Switzerland.