Sport

Sports scan - November 17, 2009

November 17, 2009 Edition 1

Steyn nominated

Francois Steyn and Fourie du Preez were included yesterday when the International Rugby Board (IRB) named seven short-listed players for the IRB player of the year award. This year sees an extended list of seven nominees following the closest vote in the award's history. Steyn, Du Preez, Ireland's Jamie Heaslip, Australia's Matt Giteau and Tom Croft of England compete against two international captains in Ireland's Brian O'Driscoll and Richie McCaw of New Zealand to win the most prestigious individual award in the game. The winner will be announced, together with the IRB coach of the year and IRB team of the year, during the final weekend of November Tests. - Sapa

Brawn takeover

LONDON: Formula One champions Brawn GP will compete next season as the official Mercedes factory team after the German car maker announced a takeover yesterday. Daimler chairman Dieter Zetsche, whose company owns Mercedes, said that Ross Brawn would remain principal of the British-based team, while the car maker would continue to supply long-term partners McLaren with engines until at least the end of 2015.

Mercedes had been 40 percent shareholders in McLaren but that team said in a separate statement that they had agreed to buy back the stake by 2011. - Reuters

Langer returns

SYDNEY: Retired opener Justin Langer yesterday rejoined Australia's Test squad as a batting coach and mentor, describing the role as an "apprenticeship".

Langer, who retired in September, said he jumped at the chance to work with captain Ricky Ponting and head coach Tim Nielsen. - Sapa-AFP

In the pink

NEW DELHI: Indian Premier League organisers have voted to come under the supervision of the International Cricket Council's anti-corruption and security unit next season and to add two new teams and trial pink balls in 2011. The IPL said seven of the eight existing teams had voted in favour of expanding the league to 10 clubs in 2011. Organisers also agreed to rule changes, including teams being allowed to trade players, the use of four fielding substitutes, and that any ball delivered above waist height would be a no-ball. - Sapa-AP

England fined

The England cricket team have been fined for maintaining a slow over rate during their 84-run defeat against South Africa in the second T20 International at Centurion on Sunday. Alastair Cook's side were ruled to be one over short of their target at the end of the match. Cook, standing in as captain for the injured Paul Collingwood, was fined 20 percent of his match fee, while his players received 10 percent fines. - Sapa

Barnes leads KZN

BRADLEY Barnes will captain the KwaZulu-Natal cricket team in their provincial three-day and one-day matches against Easterns at Willowmoore Park in Benoni starting on Thursday.

KZN: Bradley Barnes (capt), Fabian Crowie, Greg Fotheringham, Cody Chetty, Khaya Zondo, Michael Alexander, Keegan Nagan, Keshav Maharaj, Mthokozisi Shezi, Kyle Buckthorp, Vyash Gobind, Mario Saliwa, Sarel Erwee. - Patrick Compton