Sport Briefs
Buckeyes ponder playing season without Clarett
Ohio State University may have to defend their US national college football title without Maurice Clarett. The star tailback is no longer practising with the team, and athletic director Andy Geiger said he doubted Clarett would play this season. 'I'm not optimistic about any number of games at this point,' Geiger said. The announcement by coach Jim Tressel earlier in the day that Clarett would no longer practise with the second-ranked Buckeyes until questions about his eligibility were answered was an abrupt reversal from 10 days earlier when the running back was allowed to work out with the team. Clarett was suspended from the team on August 22. Geiger said Clarett violated the NCAA's Bylaw 12, which deals with amateurism, 'improper benefits and all those kind of things'. The NCAA and Ohio State began an investigation in July into Clarett's claim that more than US$10,000 in clothing, CDs, cash and stereo equipment were stolen in April from a 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo that Clarett had borrowed from a local dealership. Clarett later said he exaggerated the value of the items stolen.AP
Dislocated shoulder puts Stewart on the sidelines
The final pre-season game turned into the last game of the 2003 National Football League season for James Stewart. The Detroit Lions have placed their 1,000-yard rusher from a year ago on injured reserve. Stewart dislocated his right shoulder in the first quarter of last Thursday's night's pre-season finale against the Buffalo Bills. He was hit by safety Coy White, then tackled from behind by at least two other defenders. However, Lions president Matt Millen offset the loss of Stewart by acquiring Olandis Gary from the Bills for an undisclosed pick in the 2004 draft. Gary rushed for 1,159 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games as a rookie with the Denver Broncos in 1999.AFP
Hewitt, Philippoussis head Aussie Davis Cup line-up
Australia have named former world number one Lleyton Hewitt and Mark Philippoussis in their team to take on Switzerland in this month's Davis Cup tennis semi-final in Melbourne. Captain John Fitzgerald included the top-ranked pair in a four-man squad along with doubles specialist Todd Woodbridge and left-hander Wayne Arthurs. Australia will be bidding for their 47th Davis Cup final appearance against the Roger Federer-led Swiss in the September 19-21 tie.AFP
Mundine's hit-and-run tactics yield WBA title
Australian Anthony Mundine has won the vacant WBA super middleweight title with a unanimous points decision over American Antwun Echols in Sydney. Mundine used hit-and-run tactics to perfection against the big-punching Echols, frequently scoring with his left jab and right hand. Judges Pinit Prayadsab of Thailand and Michael Lee of Korea had Mundine ahead 117-112 while Finland's Eraki Meronnen scored it 115-114 in favour of the Australian.AFP
Bashar digs in as Bangladesh hold out
Habibul Bashar scored a gritty 71 yesterday as Bangladesh held on for a score of 248 for six at the close of day one in their third and final Test against Pakistan at Multan Stadium. Bangladesh, who are attempting to avoid a 3-0 series whitewash, once again had to bank on the bat of Bashar, who raised his tally to 376 runs in five innings during the series. Razin Saleh (49) missed a half century when he was run out in the closing overs. Saleh put on 62 runs for the sixth wicket with Khaled Mashud.AP
