SPORT IN BRIEF
Del Potro first up for Murray
TENNIS: Britain’s No1 Andy Murray will kick off the ATP World Tour Finals in London on Sunday with an opening clash against US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro.
Murray, the world No4, is also pooled with world No1 Roger Federer and Fernando Verdasco in Group A at the O2 Arena.
In Group B, Rafael Nadal takes on late entrant Robin Soderling first, while Novak Djokovic opens his title defence against Nikolay Davydenko.
Second gold for Houvenaghel
CYCLING: Wendy Houvenaghel claimed her second successive World Cup individual pursuit title for Great Britain in the Melbourne leg of the track series.
Houvenaghel overcame New Zealand’s Alison Shanks in the final – exacting revenge for her world title defeat in Poland in March.
Chris Newton still leads the men’s event overall despite finishing fifth in the points race.
Middlesex on a Crusade
CRICKET: Middlesex are halfway to landing a double coup after signing ex-Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist for their Twenty20 Cup campaign.
Gilchrist, 38, retired from international cricket in 2008, but captained the Deccan Chargers to the Indian Premier League title this year.
The Crusaders are also hopeful of signing legendary India batsman Sachin Tendulkar to play alongside him, but first, the 36-year-old needs the green light from the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
Record stand boosts Sri Lanka
CRICKET: Sri Lanka smashed all records as they raced into a strong position in the first Test against India in Ahmedabad.
Mahela Jayawardene eventually fell for 275 – including a world record sixth-wicket stand of 351 with keeper and namesake Prasanna Jayawardene (154no) – as Sri Lanka racked up a massive 760-7, a first innings lead of 334.
Gautam Gambhir’s unbeaten 74 helped India to 190-2 in reply at the close.