¤ Ricky Ponting became just the sixth player and first Australian to score a century in his 100th test appearance when he made a hundred against South Africa yesterday. The Australian captain reached the milestone after lunch on the third day of the third and final test at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 215 minutes off 143 balls. Ponting joined Colin Cowdrey (England - 1968), Javed Miandad (Pakistan - 1989), Gordon Greenidge (West Indies - 1989), Alec Stewart (England - 2000) and Inzamam-ul-Haq (Pakistan - 2000) as the only players to achieve the feat.

¤ Defending champion Stephane Peterhansel compensated for a sluggish start to the Dakar rally yesterday by winning the fifth stage on Moroccan trails. Mitsubishi driver Peterhansel clocked the fastest time in the 350 kms timed section between Ouarzazate and Tan Tan. Carlos Sainz of Spain retained the overall lead, followed by German Jutta Kleinschmidt (Volkswagen) and Frenchman Luc Alphand (Mitsubishi).

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