LOWRY TOUR TRIUMPH

JOE ROOT has admitted to doing his own spying on an Australia Down Under ahead of Ashes grudge series this summer. The captain has rejoined his in England team following a spell the Big Bash for Sydney Thunder. That was mainly about developing his T20 skills but Root monitored closely India’s historic Test series triumph over Australia.

He said: “I definitely kept an eye the Aussies in their Test series. on

I learned a number of different things out there.” SHANE LOWRY claimed his first European Tour title since 2015 by winning the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

He finished one shot ahead of South Africa’s Richard Sterne in a thrilling final-round battle.

Overnight leader Lowry, 31, was pushed to the limit by Sterne but sank a crucial birdie on the final hole to close with a round of 71 that took him to an 18-under par 270 for the tournament.

After sealing his nailbiting win, the Irishman said: “It was a rollercoaster.

“I went out with the lead by a few and before I knew it I was four behind. I ground it out well and I’m over the moon.”

Dutchman Joost Luiten was third on 15-under. SNOOKER superstar Ronnie O’Sullivan held off a fightback by Ding Junhui to match the Masters record by reaching his 13th final.

O’Sullivan surged into a 4-0 lead before the Chinese star won the next three frames. Ding scored two centuries and was on for a 147 when he missed the green. But O’Sullivan took the next two frames to seal the semi 6-3 as he bids to become the first player to win any of the sport’s ‘Triple Crown’ events eight times.