CRICKET

THE Proteas' Castle Test squad will have to draw on some of their tough experiences of the past 12 months to get back into the first Test match against Australia at the WACA.At the close of Thursday's second day the Proteas still trailed by 132 runs on the first innings with only Dale Steyn and Makhaya Ntini left to support Mark Boucher.This sudden change of fortune was the result of a brilliant spell by the left-handed fast bowler, Mitchell Johnson, who returned career-best figures of 7/42 in 18 overs, the second match in a row in which he has managed five wickets in an innings.

GOLF

Fabrizio Zanotti of Paraguay produced a near-perfect round on the opening day Thursday of the South African Open to lead at eight-under-par 64 on the par-72 Pearl Valley Golf Estates layout. Zanotti had just a single bogey on his scorecard which included nine birdies and a bogey on the 10th.

CRICKET

Pakistan have invited Sri Lanka to tour next month as replacements for India, who pulled out on Thursday following the militant attacks in Mumbai in November. A senior Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official said an invitation had already been sent to Sri Lanka to play three tests, three one-day internationals and a Twenty20 match in January and February.

CRICKET

An unpredictable wicket and India's awesome recent form have forced England to delay naming their team for the must-win second test starting on Friday. England captain Kevin Pietersen said a final decision on the playing XI would be taken just before the toss as the tourists attempt to level the two-match series.

FOOTBALL

Premier Soccer League matches may be televised in Europe shortly. This was announced on Thursday by PSL chairman Irvin Khoza in his end of the year address to the media. Khoza said the media had played a role in publicising the PSL and had helped market the league. Khoza also said that due to the world financial crisis the PSL had been unable to attract a sponsor for its National First Division.