Swimming: After a year to forget, Swimming Australia tapped into one of the sport-obsessed nation’s greatest triumphs by appointing America’s Cup-winning sailor John Bertrand as its new president yesterday. The dual Olympian replaces Barclay Nettlefold, who resigned in June after just eight months in the job when he was accused of making an inappropriate remark to a female team consultant. Bertrand was skipper of Australia II when it won the America’s Cup in 1983.

Cricket: Australia will trial day-night matches in the domestic Sheffield Shield competition later this year with a view to playing tests against New Zealand under lights in 2015-16, Cricket Australia (CA) said. The three four-day matches will be played using a pink ball with further trials to take place in the 2014-15 season as CA looks to maximise exposure of long-form cricket to television audiences.

Cycling: Australian mountain bike rider Daniel McConnell’s dreams of winning a world title today were almost shattered in extraordinary fashion last week when he collided with a troop of monkeys while training in South Africa. McConnell was surprised by the local fauna while training near the Pietermaritzburg course where the world championships take place this weekend. The tumble left the 28-year-old Trek Factory Racing rider with a bruised shoulder and skin wounds on both hands.

Rugby Union: Hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle passed a fitness test yesterday to ensure his place on South Africa’s Rugby Championship tour of Australia and New Zealand. Ralepelle, who injured his back during a training session on the morning of the Springboks’ 73-13 win over Argentina on Aug. 17, rejoined the squad at their training camp in Johannesburg this week.