Other sport

Stirling Mortlock has been dumped as Australia captain and replaced by Rocky Elsom in a 35-man squad named by coach Robbie Deans yesterday for the Wallabies' season-ending Grand Slam tour. Media speculation surrounding Mortlock's captaincy had grown since the 80-cap veteran sustained a serious knee injury during a Tri-Nations test against South Africa in August.

Snooker

Ding Junhui moved within three more wins of a first world ranking title in three years with a 5-1 rout of Stephen Maguire in the Last 16 of the Grand Prix. The 22-year-old Chinese made light of some patchy form this season to race into a 4-0 lead and despite failing to clinch a whitewash he was assured of a last-eight meeting with Peter Ebdon. Robert Milkins became the final quarter-finalist with an equally comprehensive 5-1 win over Mark King. Milkins will now face Mark Williams.

Cricket

Somerset opener Marcus Trescothick was named English cricket's player of the year by his fellow professionals after another prolific batting season. The former England batsman scored 2,934 runs in all cricket, including 1,817 first-class runs at an average of 75.70.

Figure skating

Kimmie Meissner, the 2006 world champion and 2007 US champion, will miss her Grand Prix dates due to a knee injury putting her hopes of competing in next year's Vancouver Olympics in doubt. Meissner had been assigned to the Cup of Russia from Oct. 22 and the NHK Trophy from Nov. 5 in Japan.

Swimming

Multiple Olympic medallist Dara Torres will have left knee surgery on Oct. 20 that will sideline her for 12-18 months. The 42-year-old Torres, who has won medals in five different Olympics, has not yet decided if she will try to compete at the London Games in 2012.