Amla quits captaincy, de Villiers takes over
CAPE TOWN • Hashim Amla announced a shock decision to resign as South Africa's cricket captain after leading his team to a draw in the second Test at Newlands on Wednesday.
"I felt someone else could do a better job," the 32-year- old said. "The decision was not made over the last couple of days. It was made at least two weeks ago."
A.B. de Villiers, 31, will lead South Africa in the remaining two matches of a series which England lead 1-0.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Ryder Cup hero O'Connor Jr dies
LONDON • Retired Irish golfer Christy O'Connor Junior, who helped Europe retain the Ryder Cup at The Belfry with the shot of his life in 1989, has died in Spain at the age of 67.
The high point of his career came in that tournament, when a pressured two-iron approach at the last hole set up a surprise singles win over future world No. 1 Fred Couples, which helped Europe to a 14-14 tie that retained the trophy.
REUTERS
Federer proves fitness with fluent win
BRISBANE • Roger Federer took 55 minutes to dispel all injury doubts with a 6-2, 6-1 routing of unheralded German Tobias Kamke in the second round of tennis' Brisbane International yesterday.
Media speculation swirled around the fitness of the world No. 3 less than two weeks before he launches his bid for a fifth Australian Open title and the Swiss maestro dismissed them by dropping only three games in a lopsided contest.
REUTERS