Cricket: Bangladesh thumped England in a bowler-dominated contest after home skipper Mashrafe Mortaza’s all-round brilliance secured their series-levelling 34-run victory in the second one-day international yesterday. Mortaza blasted 44 runs off 29 balls and then returned to marshal his bowlers intelligently while claiming 4-29 himself as England collapsed for 204 in 44.4 overs. Jos Buttler (57) and Jonny Bairstow (35) provided the only resistance in an otherwise spectacular England batting collapse chasing a modest 239-run victory target.
Golf: Brandt Snedeker romped to a nine-stroke victory in the Fiji International yesterday with a sublime performance in blustery conditions that secured his first European title after his leading role at the Ryder Cup. The 35-year-old American, who finished 3-0 in the United States’ triumph over Europe in Minnesota, shot a four-under 68 at the Natadola Bay Golf Course to finish with a 16-under total of 272, leaving New Zealander Michael Hendry a distant runner-up.
Triathlon: Jan Frodeno produced a dominant run to successfully defend his triathlon Ironman World Championship and lead a German sweep on the Big Island of Hawaii yesterday. Frodeno completed the 3.8 km swim, 180 km cycle and 42.2 km run in eight hours, six minutes and 30 seconds in Kailua-Kona, the fourth fastest time recorded at the event. Compatriot Sebastian Kienle, the 2014 champion, took second place in 8:10.02, with fast-finishing Patrick Lange claiming third place in 8:11.14 thanks to a course record in the marathon run.
Cycling: Colombian Fernando Gaviria underlined his world championship credentials yesterday when he won the Paris-Tours cycling classic, yesterday. On a good day for his Etixx-Quick Step team, who earlier won the team time trial at the world championships in Doha, Gaviria jumped away from the pack 300 metres from the line and never looked back. France’s Arnaud Demare (FD) was second ahead of Belgian Jonas van Genechten (IAM Cycling) at the end of the 252.5 km race from Dreux. The world championship road race will be held next Sunday in Doha.
Snooker: Judd Trump kept his nerve to beat Ronnie O’Sullivan in a final frame shoot-out and clinch the European Masters title in Bucharest, yesterday. Trump produced one of the finest performances of his career as he clawed back from 8-6 down to win their best-of-17 encounter with a break of 74 in the decider. O’Sullivan, who thrashed Neil Robertson 6-0 in the semi-final, led 5-3 at the interval before a break of 105 – Trump’s second of the match - helped him pull back level. After O’Sullivan had moved to the brink of victory, Trump responded with his third century and proceeded to wrap up a thrilling 9-8 win.