A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Armstrong second in half ironman
TRIATHLON:Lance Armstrong marked his return to competitive sport by finishing second in a half ironman event in Panama.
The seven-time Tour de France winner, who retired from professional cycling last year, clocked three hours, 50 minutes and 55 seconds.
The triathlon in Panama City comprised a 1.9km swim, 90km cycle and 21km run. Armstrong wants to qualify for October’s world championships.
“I need a challenge in my life,” he said. “I need some stuff to do.”
The 40-year-old American, who has battled against testicular, brain and lung cancer, was leading the event going into the final leg.
He eventually finished 32 seconds behind New Zealander Bevan Docherty, who won triathlon gold at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.
Armstrong plans to compete in June’s Ironman in Nice, France.
Captain Cook is England's star
CRICKET:Captain Alastair Cook's superb century and four wickets for Steve Finn lifted England to a crushing 130-run victory over Pakistan in the first one-day international in Abu Dhabi yesterday.
Cook made 137 to lead England to a competitive total of 260 for seven in the day-night match and fast bowler Finn struck four times in a rapid opening spell as Pakistan crumbled to 130 all out in 35 overs.
It was an excellent start to the four-match series for England, who lost all three Tests to Pakistan and were beaten 5-0 in their last one-day series in India.
Cook won the toss and batted confidently from the start, striking 14 fours in his third ODI century. The left-hander shared an opening partnership of 57 with Kevin Pietersen to give England a solid foundation before Cook and Ravi Bopara smoothly added 131 for the third wicket. Saeed Ajmal bowled Cook on the way to figures of five for 43 as England faltered in the closing overs.
Wales give Gatland Lions green light
RUGBY:Warren Gatland is in pole position to coach the British and Irish Lions on the 2013 tour to Australia after the Welsh Rugby Union gave its approval.
It is understood that Welsh rugby’s chiefs are happy for Gatland to succeed Ian McGeechan having been his assistant on the 2009 tour.
Gatland’s Wales deal has a five-month break clause but it is thought the WRU will allow a six-month sabbatical.
That would rule Gatland out of coaching Wales in the 2013 Six Nations.
It is likely that one of Gatland’s back-room assistants – Rob Howley, Robin McBryde, Shaun Edwards and Neil Jenkins – or a combination of them would take over the Wales reins temporarily.
A motion put before the WRU board is understood to have been passed unanimously to allow Gatland to fulfil his ambitions and enhance the reputation of Welsh rugby.
Lomu needs new kidney transplant
RUGBY:Former All Blacks great Jonah Lomu needs a new kidney transplant and has lost 30kg in weight since last September, the 36-year-old has told a New Zealand magazine in an interview. Lomu had a first organ transplant eight years ago but that kidney stopped functioning in October last year.
“We were hoping to see some improvement but nothing has made any difference, so the next step is to try to find a donor,” Lomu said.
Van der Merwe and Dockrell spin Ireland to thrilling win
CRICKET: Ireland kept up their unbeaten run in the Intercontinental Cup in dramatic fashion with a 10-run victory over Kenya in Mombasa yesterday, writes Emmet Riordan.
Ireland’s spin duo of Albert van der Merwe and George Dockrell were again the heroes, taking all 10 wickets in Kenya’s second innings, just as they had in the first, as the African side were bowled out for 108 chasing 119 for victory.
Off-spinner Van der Merwe finished with figures of six for 27 in the second innings, including the vital last two wickets after Kenya looked like staging a remarkable fight back after being reduced to 36 for eight at one stage before a 58-run stand for the eight wicket.
It gave Van der Merwe match figures of 11 for 68, tieing for seventh place on the all-time Irish list with Ireland’s greatest off-spinner, Jimmy Boucher.
Dockrell, who along with Ed Joyce was struggling with an upset stomach, braved the tough humid conditions to finish with second-innings figures of four for 50 and nine for 87 for the match.
After the game Cricket Ireland confirmed that they were monitoring the situation regarding illness amongst the squad and will decide today if Van Der Merwe should stay in Kenya for the rest of the tour. The YMCA player was originally not included in the squad for the World Cup qualifiers on Saturday and Monday, with all-rounder Nigel Jones due to arrive today to take his place .
