CRICKET

The Proteas’ preparations for the first cricket test against Australia are on course after captain Graeme Smith declared that his elbow had suffered no ill effects after two batting innings’. Smith appeared in front of the stumps on Friday and Sunday in the Cape Cobras Pro20-semifinals against the Dolphins. It was his first time out in the middle since an injury to his elbow and broken hand cut short his tour of Australia. The first test against the Aussies in South Africa starts next Thursday at the Wanderers.

CRICKET

New Zealand's proposed tour of Zimbabwe has been condemned by the country's prime minister, who believes a visit to the African nation would be neither safe nor healthy for the players. The Black Caps are due to play three one-day internationals in July under the International Cricket Council's (ICC) programme, but Prime Minister John Key said on Tuesday that as well as moral objections, there were other reasons not to tour.

CRICKET
Graeme Swann's off-spin bowling, rather than the fast bowling provided England with two wickets before lunch in the third Test against West Indies on Tuesday.

RUGBY

Luke Watson and Sireli Naqelevuki were set to be returned to a Vodacom Stormers starting team that will seek a better balance between attack and pragmatism in their Super 14 clash with the Reds at Newlands on Friday. The Stormers team will be named on Tuesday afternoon, and indications are that Watson will be brought back as the starting No8, with Duane Vermeulen moving to blindside flank as a replacement for Francois Louw. Naqelevuki missed the match against the Sharks because of a rib injury but his physical presence will be welcomed out wide against the Reds.

GOLF

Retief Goosen was the biggest mover of the South Africans on the world rankings this week. Goosen's third place at the weather-affected AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am has vaulted him to 33rd on the world rankings from last week's 42nd reports the Sunshine Tour website.