Today's other sports stories in brief

Yuvraj hammers England in first ODI

CRICKET:Kevin Pietersen shrugged off the controversy surrounding the legitimacy of Yuvraj Singh's runner after his brilliant century condemned England to an emphatic defeat against India in Rajkot.

The England captain agreed to allow Yuvraj a runner after he complained of a back strain midway through his innings in the first of the seven-match series.

That helped Yuvraj to hammer an unbeaten 138 off 78 balls, including 15 fours and six sixes, to propel India to a daunting 387 for five before completing their 158-run victory by dismissing England for 229.

Woods used in golf's Olympic bid

OLYMPIC GAMES:Seven sports, bidding for two places on the Olympic Games programme, made their pitch to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) yesterday hoping to make the cut next year.

Karate, golf, squash, rugby, roller sports, baseball and softball are battling it out for two spots on the programme, starting from the 2016 Olympic Games.

"It is crucial that the top organisations in golf are behind our effort and the commitment of top players is equally important," Peter Dawson, chief executive of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, said after his presentation in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Golf's pitch included videos featuring, among others, Tiger Woods and Lorena Ochoa backing the sport's Olympic aspirations.

The IOC, which will vote on the issue at their session in Copenhagen next October, has said top players' Olympic participation was a prerequisite for consideration.

Murray downs Federer in Shanghai marathon

TENNIS: Roger Federer failed to reach the semi-finals of the Masters Cup for the first time after losing an extraordinary final group match 4-6 7-6 7-5 to Scotland's Andy Murray in Shanghai.

The 27-year-old Swiss, who was chasing a record-equalling fifth title, needed to win his final round-robin match to progress to the knock-out stage, but succumbed to Murray's eighth match point after an enthralling, three-hour contest.

"I don't quit once I step on court," said Federer, who had a stomach bug earlier this week and treatment to his back before the deciding set.

Murray, the only unbeaten player in the €4 million event, had already qualified for the last four and will meet Russian Nikolay Davydenko today for a place in the final.

Good day for Irish at tour school

GOLF: Three of Ireland's four competitors at the European Tour's qualifying school final at PGA Catalunya in Girona are in an excellent position after day two of the gruelling, six-round battle.

Jonathan Caldwell, with a two-under 70, and Michael Hoey, after a 69, both playing the Green course, are in a share of sixth place on six under.

And Michael McGeady is just a shot back after a 69 on the same course.

Simon Thornton, playing the Red course, shot a one-over 72 to share 43rd place.

Sweden's Oskar Henningsson continues to lead by three shots after a second 66.

Seve continues to recover

GOLF:Seve Ballesteros is recovering well from surgery on a brain tumour and will probably leave intensive care next week, the Madrid hospital treating him has said.

The 51-year-old Spaniard was taken to hospital at the start of October after suffering from dizziness and briefly losing consciousness. He was diagnosed with a brain tumour and underwent the last of three operations last month.

"The neurological evolution of the patient remains favourable," Madrid's La Paz hospital said in a statement. "He continues to receive rehabilitative treatment and it's likely that next week he will leave the intensive care unit and be placed in a ward," it added.

Ballesteros is suffering from an oligoastrocytoma, a tumour that affects two types of brain cell, and spreads diffusely inside the brain cavity.

Hanratty makes an impact

RUGBY:Shane Hanratty made a resounding impact by setting up a late try for fellow replacement John Byrne with his first touch in Dublin University's 20-18 win over UCD in the 57th Colours Match at Donnybrook last night.

Scorers: Dublin University 20 (S Young, J Byrne try each; C Jebb 2 pens, 2 cons); UCD 18 (V Artemiev, B Cawley try each; K Lett 2 pens, con).