RUGBY UNION: Japan rugby coach Eddie Jones is recovering in hospital from a stroke and assistant Scott Wisemantel will be at the helm for the 2019 World Cup hosts’ clash with New Zealand in Tokyo next month. Former Wallabies coach Jones was hospitalised on October 15 and diagnosed with a stroke after complaining of a severe headache. “He is out of intensive care and is now recuperating in the general ward,” a Japan Rugby Football Union spokeswoman said.

CRICKET: Former Australia captain Richie Benaud, the voice of cricket for millions of television viewers, has been injured in a car accident and will remain in hospital for the next few days. The 83-year-old, who led Australia to three successive Ashes series victories in the 1950s and 1960s, crashed his car into a low wall as he drove to his home in the Sydney beachside suburb of Coogee on Wednesday morning.

TENNIS: Li Na has one foot in the semi-finals of the WTA Cham-pionships in Istanbul after a 6-3 2-6 6-3 win over Jelena Jankovic at the Sinan Erdem Dome yes-terday. It was Li’s second victory from two round-robin games after she also beat Sara Errani, and the Chinese is now in pole position to qualify from the white group. A set against Victoria Azarenka today would put her through.

MOTOGP: Injured Moto2 rider Scott Redding is refusing to give up hope of becoming Britain’s first grand prix motorcycling world champion since Barry Sheene 36 years ago after being passed fit to race in Japan on Sunday. Redding dropped to second in the standings, 16 points adrift of Pol Espargaro, after fracturing his left wrist in qualifying in Australia last week and being unable to ride in the race. The Briton underwent surgery in Melbourne at the weekend with a plate and six screws inserted.