SPORTS BRIEFS

Dowrich hits ton

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

Shane Dowrich staked an early claim to be the Barbados wicketkeeper/batsman for the upcoming WICB regional first-class championship, with 100 on the opening day of a national trial match on Saturday. The 19-year-old Dowrich stroked an undefeated 115 that was the cornerstone of the Jason Holder XI's first innings total of 315 for nine at the close on the first day of the match at the rural St. Catherine Club on Barbados south-east coast. He helped to rescue his side from a wobbly 159 for eight, after they won the toss and chose to bat.

Roddick beaten

BRISBANE, Australia (AP):

Top-seeded Robin Soderling beat defending champion Andy Roddick 6-3, 7-5 yesterday to win the Brisbane International singles title. With torrential rain outside the roofed but outdoor Pat Rafter Arena, Soderling's strong serve and pinpoint return of serve stymied Roddick throughout the match and enabled the Swede to finish the tournament without dropping a set.

India win

Durban:

Late replacement Morne van Wyk upstaged the millionaires of the Indian Premier League, but couldn't stop India beating South Africa by 21 runs in a one-off Twenty20 international at the Moses Mabhida Stadium yesterday. Van Wyk hit the fastest half-century by a South African in a Twenty20, but when he was out for 67 his team-mates subsided on a low, slow pitch. India, spurred by 53 off 34 balls by Rohit Sharma, made 168 for six. South Africa, with black icon Makyaha Ntini playing his last international, could only manage 147 for nine.

Pakistan whip NZ

Hamilton:

Pakistan's left-arm attack of Abdur Rehman (3-24) and Wahad Riaz (3-38) destroyed the New Zealand second innings and set up a 10-wicket win inside three days in the first cricket Test yesterday. New Zealand's second turn at bat lasted less than 39 overs as they were destroyed for 110, leaving Pakistan a mere 19 runs for victory which was achieved in 22 balls. Pakistan, who resumed the day at 235 for four in their first innings, were all out midway through the second session for 367, a 92-run lead.