SPORT | IN BRIEF
Lumb handed England call-up
CRICKET: Hampshire’s Michael Lumb is the only uncapped player named in a 27-man England performance squad, announced yesterday.
Lumb, 30, scored 442 runs in 11 domestic Twenty20 matches this season and joins fellow limited-overs specialists Craig Kieswetter, Joe Denly and Michael Yardy in the squad.
Fast bowlers Steven Finn and Ajmal Shahzad, who shone during the winter, also made the cut, while three places have been left vacant to give selectors extra options over the summer.
Ochoa calls it a day
GOLF: Women’s world No1 Lorena Ochoa has stunned the golfing world by announcing her retirement from the game at the age of 28.
The Mexican, who has dominated the sport for the last three years, winning two majors, is expected to hold a news conference on Friday to explain her reasons, although it is thought she wants to start a family.
O’Sullivan squeezes through
SNOOKER: World No1 Ronnie O’Sullivan survived a late scare to reach the last 16 of the World Championship with a 10-7 victory over Liang Wenbo at the Crucible.
The three-time champion led 9-3 at one stage before Wenbo hit back with four frames in a row. O’Sullivan, however, clung on to book a clash with rival Mark Williams on Saturday.
Golden Silver shines for Mullins
RACING: Golden Silver finished strongly to land the big race on the opening day of the Punchestown Fesitival, the Boyslesports.com Champion Chase.
The 12-1 shot, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend, saw off Forpadydaplasterer and favourite Sizing Europe.