SPORT | IN BRIEF
Ainslee leads sailing test event
OLYMPICS: Ben Ainslie battled strong winds to take the outright lead in the Finn class at the Olympic sailing test event in Weymouth and Portland. Ainslie pulled three points clear on Monday as the second day of the event was hit with 22-knot winds. But the three-time Olympic gold medallist managed to master the elements and establish a lead.
Essex’s Foster in Hants talks
CRICKET: Essex captain and former England international James Foster has been given permission to hold talks with Hampshire after they made a formal approach for him. Foster, 31, has scored 8,976 first-class runs in his 11-year career. Essex chief executive David East said: “We have offered James an extended contract and very much want him to carry on playing for us. He has been with Essex for his entire professional career. It would be hugely disappointing if he was to leave.”
Mendis takes record T20 haul
CRICKET: Spinner Ajantha Mendis made history as Sri Lanka completed a 2-0 series win over Australia with an exciting eight-run win in their second Twenty20 international in Kandy. Mahela Jayawardene made 86 but a superb spell of three for 14 by John Hastings limited Sri Lanka to 157 for nine in their 20 overs. But Mendis became the first bowler ever to take six wickets in a Twenty20 international as the visitors could only scramble to 149 for nine.