Bell lands writers’ honour
Cricket: Ian Bell has been named the Cricket Writers’ Club Young Cricketer of the Year a day after missing out on a place in England’s squad for the winter tour of South Africa. The Warwickshire batsman fought off challenges from David Harrison, of Glamorgan, and Alastair Cook, of Essex, and will be given the award at the annual dinner in London today. Bell has scored more than 1,500 championship for Warwickshire, form that earned him a Test debut against West Indies at the Oval when he scored 70.
Foster wins title
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Swimming: Mark Foster, who did not make the Britain team for Athens, qualified for the World Short-Course Championships in the United States in October by winning the British title in 21.35sec last night in Manchester. Foster has won the world short-course title four times.
Higgins sidelined
Rugby union: Andrew Higgins, the Bath centre, could be sidelined for two months after suffering an ankle injury. Higgins was hurt during Bath’s opening pre-season tour match against Berea Rovers in South Africa last week.
Final threat
Cricket: Organisers are hoping that the weather will spare tomorrow’s final of the triangular tournament in Holland, in which Australia, the world champions, are scheduled to play Pakistan. Rain has marred this warm-up event for next month’s ICC Champions Trophy in England.
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Wheldon focus
Motor racing: Dan Wheldon has insisted that he will not let thoughts of winning this year’s IndyCar Championship get in the way of his preparations for Sunday’s Indy 225 at Nazareth, Pennsylvania. The Briton, 26, is chasing Buddy Rice and Tony Kanaan for the title.
Davies record
Swimming: David Davies, who won a bronze medal in the 1,500 metres freestyle at the Olympic Games, broke the Welsh 400 metres record last night at the British Short-Course Championships in Manchester, but finished third behind Graeme Smith and David Carry.
Leigh recruit
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Rugby league: Leigh Centurions have signed Luke Isakka, 23, a second-row forward from Wests Tigers, in Sydney, until the end of the National League season, with an option for next year if the Centurions win promotion to Super League.
Wharf called up
Cricket: Alex Wharf, 29, was last night called in to a senior England party for the first time when Kabir Ali withdrew from the squad for the NatWest Challenge against India starting on Wednesday because of a torn abdominal muscle. Ali is unlikely to recover in time for the ICC Champions Trophy, leaving Wharf, of Glamorgan, to fill the No 8 position.