Inside running - Auckland in full Sail

Auckland have appointed Tony Sail as provincial cricket coach for the next two years. Sail was originally appointed on an interim basis, but now Auckland Cricket will look for someone to fill Sail's role as director of player development. Auckland are on track to make the Shell Trophy final, needing just a draw from their match against Central Districts starting at Colin Maiden Park on Thursday.


Tiger in the tank

The "Tiger Syndrome" hit the TAB again yesterday and it's hurting. The agency is forking out $50,000 to $60,000 every time Tiger Woods wins a PGA event. "Considering our turnover on a PGA event is probably only around $15,000, a $50,000 to $60,000 loss is substantial," sports betting manager Neil Sorenson said. "We call it the Tiger Syndrome and it usually hits us on Monday mornings."


The right stuff

Concerns over the authenticity of some cricket memorabilia being sold has prompted the Australian Cricket Board and the country's players to join forces to stamp out fakes and also tap into an increasingly lucrative market. Under a new deal, the ACB logo will appear on its products and they will carry a certificate of authenticity from the ACB and the players' union, the Australian Cricketers' Association.


Hits keep coming

New Zealand's Olympic men's hockey campaign came to an ignominous end yesterday when they were beaten 0-1 by Belgium in their playoff for ninth and 10th at the qualifying tournament in Osaka.. New Zealand had already missed out on qualifying for Sydney.


Athletes on the boil

The makers of a human growth drug allegedly taken by
large numbers of Australian Olympic athletes yesterday
poured scorn on the claim. They said the drug was
available in only minute quantities and, in any case,
was not known to enhance sporting performance. Athletes
were outraged at claims by a sports performance
consultant, Grant Ellison, and an unidentified former
Olympic sprinter that the insulin-like IGF-1 was rife
at the Australian Institute of Sport and that the drug
was widely used at the Atlanta Olympics.