SPORT IN BRIEF
Lions reneage Shaw interest
RUGBY UNION: South African side Golden Lions have ended their interest in signing England second row Simon Shaw.
The franchise stepped up their bid to sign the 36-year-old lock after he impressed on the recent British Lions tour, but the Wasps star has since suffered a metatarsal injury.
A Golden Lions statement read: “The Union were intending on signing Shaw for the 2010 Super 14 and Currie Cup, but due to the injuries recently sustained, will thus not be signing Shaw.”
Rocket Ronnie shot down
SNOOKER: Defending champion John Higgins came from 4-3 down to send world No1 Ronnie O’Sullivan crashing out of the Grand Prix in a second-round thriller in Glasgow.
O’Sullivan opened with a 131 break to set up a rollercoaster contest which the Scot ended with a nerveless break of 94 in the deciding frame. Higgins now takes on Mark Allen in the quarter-final after he beat Jamie Cope 5-3.
England handed tough draw
CRICKET: England have been drawn against India, West Indies and South Africa in their group for the 2011 Cricket World Cup on the Indian sub-continent.
The Test nations are joined by Bangladesh, the Netherlands and Ireland in Group B, while world champions Australia occupy Group A alongside New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Zimbabwe, Canada and Kenya are also involved.
India will host 29 of the 49 matches, while Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will share the other 20.
Hampshire complete Jones deal
CRICKET: Hampshire have beaten off competition from Glamorgan to sign England’s injury-plagued seamer Simon Jones.
The 30-year-old missed most of the season for Worcestershire after knee surgery but has managed to land a three-year deal with the south coast club with fitness and appearance-related clauses attached.