Short takes

Kenyans Kipyokei, Rionoripo banned

Kenya’s Diana Kipyokei has been disqualified as the 2021 Boston Marathon women’s winner after being handed a six-year ban for using the prohibited substance triamcinolone acetonide, the Athletics Integrity United (AIU) said yesterday.

Compatriot Purity Rionoripo, the 2017 Paris Marathon winner, has been banned for five years after testing positive for the banned diuretic furosemide and along with Kipyokei was found to have hampered the AIU’s investigation by providing false information or documentation.

ICC rates Gabba pitch ‘below average’

Brisbane’s Gabba cricket ground has received one demerit point after the International Cricket Council (ICC) yesterday rated the pitch for the first test between Australia and South Africa

— which ended in two days — “below average”.

Australia got the win in Brisbane in very fast time, batting marginally better than the Proteas on a perilous, grassy pitch, with South Africa captain Dean Elgar saying he had asked the umpires if the green Gabba wicket was unsafe for playing.

The second test of the series will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from Dec. 26.

Adani’s Gulf Giants name Vince as captain

The Adani Sportsline-owned Gulf Giants are steadily building up steam ahead of the inaugural season of the ILT20 and have announced the solid, right-handed England batter James Vince as the captain.

Vince has plenty of T20 experience as he has played over 300 games in the format. He was part of the England squad that won their first-ever ODI World Cup in 2019 and has been a globe-trotter, playing in various T20 leagues.

Dubai-based Josh Hill in fray for Walker Cup

Dubai-based Josh Hill is part of the squad of 19 players who are in contention for selection in the Great Britain and Ireland team to play the United States of America in the 49th Walker Cup at St Andrews, the R&A has announced.

The biennial encounter will be played over the world-renowned Old Course on September2 & 3, 2023, marking 100 years since the match was first played at the Home of Golf.

GB&I is aiming to win back the trophy after narrowly losing 14-12 to the United States of America at Seminole last year.