■SOCCER
World Cup amateur retires
Andy Barron, the New Zealand investment banker who was the only amateur player to take the field at the World Cup, has retired from all soccer. Midfielder Barron played the last four minutes of New Zealand’s 1-1 draw with Italy, receiving international attention as an odd man out among the world’s highest-paid players. Barron, 30, said he had always intended to retire after the World Cup and to concentrate on his full-time banking job. His retirement was from all levels of soccer, including weekly matches for the amateur Petone club on a muddy field in suburban Wellington. Barron said he had always taken vacation to play for New Zealand and owed it to his employers to concentrate on his career.
■RUGBY UNION
Back injury rules out Bekker
South Africa lock Andries Bekker will miss Saturday’s Tri-Nations Test against Australia due to a back injury. The South African Rugby Union said yesterday that Bekker suffered an acute disc injury towards the end of South Africa’s 31-17 loss to New Zealand at Wellington on Saturday. Bekker underwent an MRI scan in Brisbane yesterday morning, and was later withdrawn by the medical team and will see a specialist for treatment on his return to South Africa. Springbok coach Peter de Villiers said the injury to Bekker was unfortunate. “It is a setback but we will have to deal with it,” he said. “That is part of the game. We have to rely on the strength within our squad for the Test. It is a blow for Andries too as he was just coming back from a previous injury.” The remainder of the Springbok squad was cleared for selection for Saturday’s match. The defending champion Springboks will be attempting to break a two-match losing streak to start the Tri-Nations. “As expected there are a few niggles but it is good news for us that we came away from Wellington with just a single serious injury, and can assemble a strong lineup for the Brisbane Test,” de Villiers said.
■CRICKET
Affair costs Jones award
Dean Jones, a former Australian Test player, has had a father-of-the-year award revoked after admitting to having a lengthy affair and a child with another woman. Jones, 49, said on the weekend that he had a nine-year affair with a Sydney flight attendant that produced a child which he has never seen but has supported financially. The married father of two teenage daughters played 52 Tests for Australia but was primarily known as a one-day batsman. Don Parsons, president of Victoria state’s Father of the Year Council, said yesterday his group was “rocked” by Jones’ admission and that the award listing for 2007 will “simply show as blank — that’s our attitude.” Jones did not return calls to local media asking for comment.
■CRICKET
No play possible in Galle
The second day’s play in the first Test between India and Sri Lanka yesterday was abandoned without a ball being bowled because of bad weather. The morning start had already been delayed by a wet outfield at the Galle International Stadium when a thunderstorm soon after ensured there would be no play before lunch. The umpires scheduled an inspection at 2.30pm as the skies cleared briefly, but another spell of heavy rain in the afternoon wiped out any hope of play. Twenty-two overs were lost due to rain on the first day on which Sri Lanka, electing to bat after winning the toss, made 256-2 with Tharanga Paranavitana on 110 and Mahela Jayawardene on eight.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and