Circket: South Africa’s bowlers backed up a solid batting performance led by captain AB de Villiers’ 99 to ensure they qualified for the knockout phase of the World Cup with a 146-run victory over United Arab Emirates at Wellington Regional Stadium yesterday. De Villiers had been the lynchpin of South Africa’s 341 for six that was boosted by Farhaan Behardien’s 64 from 31 balls to close out the innings, while UAE, who had won the toss and opted to field, never looked like threatening the target. They slumped to 45-3 and then gave up any pretence of chasing the total, just like they had against Pakistan last week in Napier, preferring instead to avoid being embarrassed.
Commonweath Games: Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) President Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja’afar will stand for a second four-year term in September elections against Scotland’s Louise Martin. The Malaysian was elected unopposed in 2011 after succeeding Jamaica’s Michael Fennell and said he needed more time to push though his reforms of the organisation, which has 71 nation and territory members mainly from the former British empire. “Having started the process and completed the first phase of the strategic planning, I’d like to see some of them implemented in the coming term,” he said.
Sailing: Former McLaren Formula One chief Martin Whitmarsh has joined Britain’s bid to return the America’s Cup to its shores for the first time after being named as CEO of Ben Ainslie Racing yesterday. Whitmarsh will work alongside Britain’s most successful Olympic sailor whose team is attempting to earn the right to challenge holders Oracle Team USA at the 35th America’s Cup in 2017. “I’m delighted that Martin is joining us,” four-times Olympic gold medallist Ainslie said in a statement. “When we first started to put together the plan for BAR, McLaren were one of the aspirations. So it’s particularly appropriate to have one of the original architects of that model as our new CEO.”
Basketball, NBA: Guard Chris Paul posted 33 points and nine assists to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a 120-108 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. The Clippers (42-23) increased their lead to one game over the idle San Antonio Spurs for fifth place in the Western Conference standings. The Thunder (35-29) dropped a half-game behind the New Orleans Pelicans for the eighth and final playoff position.