Sports Shorts

SYDNEY – Michael Clarke and Mike Hussey both benefited from missed chances to score half-centuries in Australia’s two-wicket victory over New Zealand in the fifth tri-series one-day international yesterday.

Clarke was dropped twice in his 75 and Hussey escaped a run out chance in an unbeaten 65 that guided Australia to their victory target of 219 with eight balls to spare. Australia’s win was their fourth from as many matches in the triangular competition that includes England and left New Zealand winless after the games.* LAS VEGAS – Ricky Hatton scored a unanimous decision over Juan Urango to win the International Boxing Federation light welterweight championship in Las Vegas on Saturday.All three judges scored the bout 119-109 but the fight was far from easy for the Manchester-based ‘Hitman’.Urango, the powerfully built defending champion from Colombia, never looked in serious trouble from the Englishman’s punches and stung Hatton with some solid counters.* DAKAR – The death of a French motorcycle rider cast a cloud over the Dakar Rally on Saturday on the eve of a record ninth title for French car driver Stephane Peterhansel.Organisers posted a note of condolence on the competition Web site (www.dakar.com) saying 42-year-old Eric Aubijoux from Charente had died of a heart attack after completing the penultimate 14th stage.Aubijoux, a motocross fanatic who was competing in his sixth Dakar Rally, had been in 18th place overall.The race has now claimed 50 lives in its 29-year existence, 25 of them competitors.* BASEL – Russia’s WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev retained his title on Saturday after American challenger Jameel McCline retired with a knee injury at the end of the third round.The 36-year-old McCline fell to the floor after throwing a right at Valuev as the bell sounded and was unable to get back on his feet.Nampa-Reuters-AFPAustralia’s win was their fourth from as many matches in the triangular competition that includes England and left New Zealand winless after the games.* LAS VEGAS – Ricky Hatton scored a unanimous decision over Juan Urango to win the International Boxing Federation light welterweight championship in Las Vegas on Saturday.All three judges scored the bout 119-109 but the fight was far from easy for the Manchester-based ‘Hitman’.Urango, the powerfully built defending champion from Colombia, never looked in serious trouble from the Englishman’s punches and stung Hatton with some solid counters.* DAKAR – The death of a French motorcycle rider cast a cloud over the Dakar Rally on Saturday on the eve of a record ninth title for French car driver Stephane Peterhansel.Organisers posted a note of condolence on the competition Web site (www.dakar.com) saying 42-year-old Eric Aubijoux from Charente had died of a heart attack after completing the penultimate 14th stage.Aubijoux, a motocross fanatic who was competing in his sixth Dakar Rally, had been in 18th place overall.The race has now claimed 50 lives in its 29-year existence, 25 of them competitors.* BASEL – Russia’s WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev retained his title on Saturday after American challenger Jameel McCline retired with a knee injury at the end of the third round.The 36-year-old McCline fell to the floor after throwing a right at Valuev as the bell sounded and was unable to get back on his feet.Nampa-Reuters-AFP