Al-Ahram Weekly | Sports

		31 Oct. - 6 Nov. 2002 Issue No. 610 Sports	Current issue Previous issue Site map
Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875		Recommend this page

Cricket legend bows out

AUSTRALIA'S Mark Waugh has called time on his international cricket career after being dropped for the Ashes opener against England.
"Having been left out of the current Test team and the one-day team earlier this year, I feel my chances of playing for Australia at age 37 have led me to this decision," he said. "While I feel very disappointed not to be playing for Australia again, I've been extremely lucky to have played for so long in such a great era of Australian cricket."
He added that he would still be available for first- class cricket. Waugh has scored 8029 runs in a 128- Test career stretching over 12 years.
Bergkamp faces possible ban

ARSENAL'S Dennis Bergkamp may face a ban as the FA prepares to study video evidence of his stamp on Blackburn defender Nils-Eric Johansson. Bergkamp was caught on camera during Arsenal's 2-1 defeat against Blackburn at Highbury -- but referee Graham Barber admitted he had not seen the incident.
It now clears the way for the FA's video review panel to study the footage -- and Dutchman Bergkamp is threatened by a three-match suspension.
Bergkamp missed three games last season when he was sent off for a similar offence involving Liverpool's Jamie Carragher in an FA Cup tie at Highbury. And Bergkamp faces further frustration after Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger revealed he would not be playing in the Champions League game against Borussia Dortmund.
Bergkamp had indicated his willingness to play, but Wenger appears happy to do without the striker.
Boxed into the top spot

WALES'S Jason Cook made a successful first defence of his European lightweight title with a fifth round stoppage of Nasser Lakrib.
Fighting in front of his local crowd at the Maesteg Sports Centre, Cook was always firmly in control against a French opponent who did not punch hard enough to discourage the champion. After landing punishing body shots in the first four rounds, Cook pinned his man into a neutral corner during the early stages of the fifth round.
A series of hooks -- one which hit Lakrib high on the forehead -- made the Frenchman slowly sink to his knees. The referee called a halt at that stage and the beaten man showed his disapproval at the decision, suggesting he could have continued.
It was Lakrib's fourth defeat in 17 fights, while Cook, who beat Italian Sandro Casamonica in San Mango d'Aquino, improves to 19 wins from 20 fights.
Memorable 2003 Tour de France unveiled

RIDERS in the 2003 Tour de France race will embark on a three-week trip down memory lane to celebrate its centenary next July. "The 2003 Tour will be a rare and considerable event," said Tour director Jean-Marie Leblanc when he unveiled the route for July 5-27 race on Thursday.

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