WORLD OF SPORT

ALL BLACKS captain Kieran Read is in danger of missing the start of the series against the Lions following an operation on a broken thumb. The No 8 was injured during the Crusaders’ win over the Cheetahs on Saturday. The initial prognosis is that Read will be out of action for up to six weeks, leaving him facing a race to be fit for the first Test against the British and Irish Lions in Auckland on June 24. ‘It will be concerning for the All Blacks,’ said Crusaders coach Jason Ryan. New Zealand may also be without another key back-row forward, Jerome Kaino, after the flanker had knee surgery. Ian Poulter has kept his PGA tour card after Brian Gay told golf officials of a discrepancy in the rules for players with medical conditions. after playing 13 events last year due to injury, Poulter came up short with the points needed to retain his card. But Gay, who played on a medical exemption, pointed out the ruling to help Poulter keep his spot. FRENCH golfer Alexander Levy won the Volvo China Open for the second time in four years, beating Dylan Frittelli in a play-off. Levy began seven shots off the pace but fired a fiveunder 67 to join Frittelli on 17 under, and won with a birdie at the first extra hole. ENGLAND won their first titles at the European Badminton Championships for nine years. Rajiv Ouseph became the first Englishman to win the men’s singles since 1990 after beating Anders Antonsen, and husband and wife team Chris and Gabby Adcock won the mixed doubles.