A round-up of today's other stories in brief...
Gayle sacked as Windies captain
CRICKET: Chris Gayle has been sacked as West Indies captain and replaced by Darren Sammy. He remains in the squad as a batsman for the Tests in Sri Lanka.
“We are at the dawn of a new era in West Indies cricket and the selection committee has entrusted the challenging job of captaincy to Darren Sammy,” said Clyde Butts, the selection committee chairman.
Brendan Nash has been named as vice-captain.
Merritt ban will end before 2011 World Championships
ATHLETICS: Olympic and world 400 metres champion LaShawn Merritt has been suspended from running for nearly two years for doping. The 24-year-old American tested positive for testosterone three times between October 2009 and January 2010.
But with the 21-month ban running from October 28th, 2009 – when he first tested positive – he will be eligible for the 2011 World Championships next August.
Merritt, who won the 400 metres Olympic title in Beijing, accepted a provisional suspension earlier this year.
Merritt, who also won the world 400 metres title in Berlin last year, had admitted using an over-the-counter male enhancement product containing DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) and pregnenolone.
“As a result of the arbitration decision, Merritt received a 21-month period of ineligibility, which began October 28th, 2009, the day the first sample was collected,” said the US Anti-Doping Agency.
Roche and Martin in world' top 50
CYCLING: Irish professionals Nicolas Roche and Daniel Martin were confirmed yesterday as finishing inside the top 50 in cycling’s world rankings, showing their development in the sport, reports Shane Stokes.
Spanish rider Joaquim Rodriguez topped the standings ahead of Tour de France winner Alberto Contador, although the latter may be demoted depending on the outcome of his anti-doping hearing.
Roche’s strong season, which included 15th overall in the Tour de France and seventh in the Vuelta a España, led to him ending up 32nd in the standings. The Ag2r la Mondiale rider clocked up 148 points.
His first cousin Martin (Garmin-Transitions) missed out on the chance to pick up last-minute points when he crashed out of the Tour of Lombardy on Saturday. He finished 49th overall with 106 points.
Pakistan must sign conduct code
CRICKET: The Pakistan Cricket Board has introduced a revised code of conduct for its players in line with recommendations made by the International Cricket Council for stricter implementation of anti-corruption laws.
Pakistan’s squad must sign the code before leaving for a Twenty20, one-day and Test series against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates later this month, manager Intikhab Alam said yesterday.
The guidelines also encompass domestic cricket in Pakistan.
Three Pakistan players – test captain Salman Butt and pace duo Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif – have been suspended by the ICC while an investigation takes place into newspaper allegations they had deliberately arranged for no-balls to be delivered at during fourth Test against England at Lord’s in August.
The trio, who have all denied wrongdoing, will attend an appeal hearing in Doha from October 30th.
