CRICKET
Sri Lanka win fifth ODI
Kumar Sangakkara compiled a well-paced century to help Sri Lanka to a two-wicket win over South Africa off the penultimate ball in the fifth one-day international at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Sunday. Sangakkara scored 102 from 97 balls as Sri Lanka, chasing South Africa’s 312 for four, reached 307 for five with only six runs needed off seven balls, but they contrived to lose three wickets in the space of four deliveries, before Sachithra Senanayake struck left-arm spinner Robin Peterson high over mid-wicket for six.
RUGBY UNION
Edinburgh make quarters
Edinburgh advanced to the Heineken Cup knockout stages for the first time in eight years when they beat London Irish 34-11 on Sunday, while English champions Saracens battled past Treviso 26-20 to secure their quarter-final spot. Edinburgh’s reward was a home quarter-final against Toulouse. Saracens, England’s only representatives in the last eight, will host French side Clermont Auvergne. Zimbabwe-born US international Takudzwa Ngwenya scored a hat-trick in Biarritz’s 36-5 win over Ospreys, while the other Welsh club, Cardiff Blues, fared better, booking their quarter-final away to Leinster with a 36-30 victory over Racing Metro 92.
ALPINE SKIING
Deville snatches first win
Italy’s Cristian Deville snatched his first World Cup slalom victory in Kitzbuehel, Austria, on Sunday. The 31-year-old skied two solid runs on the Ganslern course to win in a combined time of 1 minute, 39.19 seconds. Deville, who had never made it onto a World Cup podium before this season, beat veteran Austrian Mario Matt by 0.72 seconds. Croatia’s Ivica Kostelic was a safe third, a further 0.06 seconds adrift, and he returned to the top of the overall standings. Kostelic, the World Cup defending champion, made two big mistakes, but he secured victory in the super-combined event, which took into account Saturday’s downhill.
ALPINE SKIING
Kirchgasser triumphs
Michaela Kirchgasser of Austria won a World Cup slalom in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, on Sunday after pre-race favorites Marlies Schild and Maria Hoefl-Riesch skied out on the first run. Kirchgasser finished in a time of 1 minute, 47.25 seconds, more than 0.6 seconds faster than Finland’s Tanja Poutiainen. Veronika Zuzulova of Slovakia was third, 1.34 seconds off the pace. World Cup leader Lindsey Vonn struggled at the bottom of the course, as she did in Saturday’s giant slalom, but managed a seventh-placed finish.
GOLF
Wilson claims fifth title
Mark Wilson clinched his fifth USPGA Tour title by two shots at the Humana Challenge in La Quinta, California, on Sunday, finishing in style with a 10-foot birdie putt at the last. The 37-year-old American, three strokes clear when the weather-delayed third round was completed earlier in the day, signed off with a three-under 69 on the Palmer Private course at PGA West.
GOLF
Grace wins playoff
South Africa’s Branden Grace beat his more experienced countrymen Ernie Els and Retief Goosen in a playoff to win the Volvo Golf Champions in George, South Africa, on Sunday. Grace birdied the first playoff hole at The Links at Fancourt to claim his second consecutive victory on the European Tour, having won last week’s Joburg Open. Both Els and Goosen parred the hole.
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
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely