■ CricketBangladesh ready to play
Bangladesh was in a strong position to win its first cricket tour match in Australia following a good performance on the second day Saturday of a three-day match against the Queensland Academy of Sport. The local side was struggling at 153-7 in its second innings at stumps, a lead of just 151 at Allan Border Field. Earlier, Bangladesh squeezed out a two-run first-innings lead as it reached 203-9 before declaring. Young allrounder Alok Kapali shone with the bat and ball, top-scoring with 55 runs and taking part in an important seventh-wicket stand of 70 with wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud (38). The 19-year-old leg spinner then started an Academy collapse, taking 4-24 off nine overs as the Brisbane side lost 6-51 after looking well placed at 89-1. Opening batsman Daniel Payne scored 52 for the Academy while earlier opening bowler James Hopes took 4-35 for the home team.
■ Auto racing
Capirossi takes in pole
Loris Capirossi took pole position in qualifying for MotoGP's Assen Grand Prix Friday, ahead of countrymen Max Biaggi and defending champion Valentino Rossi. After winning for the first time this season at Catalunya, Capirossi rode his Ducati to a best lap time of 1 minute, 59.770 seconds Friday, the fastest ever seen at the Assen Circuit, although the track was modified and shortened to 6.03km just last year. The Italians became the first to complete the circuit in less than two minutes. Spaniard Carlos Checa will round out the front line in Saturday's race. In the 250cc qualifying, rivals Manuel Poggiali of San Marino and Randy De Puniet of France finished first and second, with Poggiali's fastest lap a half-second ahead of De Puniet.
RSS