CRICKET: Ireland got off to a good start in the first of their three Plate Championship Group Two matches in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 World Cup when they overpowered Uganda by 123 runs at the M. A. Aziz Stadium in Chittagon, Bangladesh, yesterday writes Karl Johnston.
Ireland's skipper William Porterfield won the toss and opted to bat first and man-of-the-match Eoin Morgan, batting at number three, top scored with 117 and put on a match-winning 166 with Kevin O'Brien, the second highest scorer with 70.
Andrew Riddles (23 runs off 15 balls) and Simon Wells (33 runs, 11 deliveries) also made useful contributions.
To add to his batting prowess Morgan opened the bowling with Andrew Riddles and took two for 26 off seven overs. Boyd Rankin also picked up a brace of wickets.
"I'm very happy for Eoin, since this was his best performance for Ireland so far", said national coach Adrian Birrell. "This was a good all-round performance, and I want us to go on and win this group, then win the semi-final to make it to the final of the Plate Championship," he added.
Meanwhile, Scotland, who Ireland defeated in last summer's Under-19 European Championship, were routed by Australia by 10 wickets in their Plate Championship Group One match. The Scots were skittled all out for 22 runs, a record low team score for the Under-19 World Cup in the most one-sided game in the competition's history. Ireland's next match is against Canada tomorrow.
TENNIS: Jennifer Capriati said yesterday she feared a back injury suffered at the end of last season could have ended her career.
The former world number one opens her season this week at the Dubai Open, her first tournament since the WTA Championships in November.
"It was kind of serious there for a while," she said of her injury. "I thought a couple of times maybe if it's not getting any better, what if I can't come back and play?
"That thought scared me, but it's a good thing to feel that way, that I still wanted it. I want to decide when it's going to be over, and I wasn't ready for that."
Capriati is seeded third in Dubai behind Justine Henin-Hardenne and Venus Williams.
MOTOR SPORT: Kimi Raikkonen fears his McLaren will be unable to finish next month's opening Formula One grand prix in Melbourne.
The Finn has long voiced his concerns over problems encountered in testing.
Last week he called for more power from the Mercedes engine - but now his main concern is reaching the finish line at the first race in Melbourne in two weeks.
He told Gazzetta dello Sport: "I don't have big expectations for the start of the season, but only in Melbourne we'll know where we are. At the moment it seems unlikely we'll be able to finish the race.
"Melbourne is a track I like, but the result will depend on the car. If it gets to the finish I think I can get a good result. If it doesn't finish I'll get zero points and a big disappointment."
