BRIDGETOWN: Australia vice-captain Ricky Ponting hit a century for the third Test match running yesterday with the tourists taking charge of the Third Test against West Indies after being put in by Brian Lara.

Ponting followed up his 117 in the first Test and 206 in the second by hitting 113 before being run out as Australia, already 2-0 ahead in the series, reached 320 for three at the close on the first day. West Indies captain Lara’s decision to insert the world champions badly back-fired as Australia capitalised on a string of missed chances in the field. Darren Lehmann and Justin Langer rubbed salt into the wounds by hitting 89 not out and 78 respectively, punishing an inexperienced West Indian attack which included debutants Tino Best and Omari Banks.

West Indies made five changes to the team which lost the second Test by 118 runs after taking only seven wickets in the entire match but yesterday’s play had a familiar ring as Australia’s batsman again piled on the runs. Ponting, who received 204 balls and was at the crease for 300 minutes as he hit his 17th Test century, came to the crease with Australia at 43 for one and batted with typical patience and determination. He compiled his innings with ones and twos, interspersed with some explosive boundaries. The high point came when he pulled Tino Best over Shivnarine Chanderpaul at deep square for six.

Ponting also rode his luck as he escaped a run out early in the innings, survived a loud LBW appeal from Best on 87 when replays suggested he was lucky to escape and was dropped by Chanderpaul at backward point on 90. Ponting was finally run out with the score on 292 after Best rushed in at the deep third man boundary and his pinpoint, low throw reached wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh’s hands with Ponting just centimetres short of the mark. Lehmann and captain Steve Waugh, not out seven, were at the crease at the close. Earlier, Langer also made West Indies pay as he was let off three times.

Langer had his first escape on the opening ball of the day when he edged Jermaine Lawson but Chanderpaul failed to take a difficult slip catch. The second chance was much more blatant. This time Langer drove a return catch to Lawson, but the bowler failed to hang on to a catch at the second attempt after the ball popped out of his hands. Langer survived again on 68 when he was left stranded following a mix-up with Ponting, Lawson fielded the ball and threw to Baugh, who clumsily missed the ball but knocked the stump with his glove. His luck ran out when he sliced a Banks delivery to Chanderpaul at cover to become the opening test victim of the 20-year-old off-spinner, the first player from the tiny island of Anguilla to play Test cricket. Vasbert Drakes provided the only cheer for the home fans before lunch, finding the edge of Hayden’s bat for Chris Gayle to take a fumbling catch at first slip. Hayden made 27 from 30 balls.

KIRSTON MANSWELL’S coach has expressed total disgust with the unfulfilled promises by the Ministry of Sport to his fighter.

And Winston Cox firmly believes that it is time the Minister of Sport start backing up their talk to the recent Caribbean Amateur Boxing Association gold medallist. President of the Amateur Boxing Association Mike Jarvis was instrumental in bringing Manswell to the Tigers Gym, Port-of-Spain, from Tobago so that the then 18-year-old fighter could hone his skill. As a result, Manswell slept at the gym…that was seven years ago. Cox said he also has been sleeping at the gym along with Manswell, despite promises by the ministry for better accommodation and this coupled with a poor diet and having to work hard on the CARICOM jetty has resulted in a considerable breakdown both mentally and physically for Manswell. He also spoke of the poor treatment meted out to both Manswell and himself by the Boxing Board, who he says have turned a blind eye to the plight of the two-time Caribbean gold medallist and Commonwealth Games and CAC silver medallist.

Manswell who is jointly coached by Cox and Vicente Martinez of Cuba, is one of the Caribbean’s top boxers and the only fighter from the region to qualify for the Pan Am Games, despite his poor living and working condition. Cox also expressed the belief Manswell should have won  the WITCO Sportsman of the Year award. He said both the Sport Minister Roger Boynes and Member of Parliament for Port-of-Spain South Eric Williams are oblivious of the situation. And he is calling on them to visit the gym to see first hand what Manswell has to deal with on a daily basis. Cox said both the two government officials will be more aware of things and effect immediate action to alleviate the situation faced by Manswell, a  national hero.

KINGSTON: Jamaica’s netballers dismissed England 49-39 on Wednesday afternoon to level their three-game practice series 1-1.

The Jamaicans led the quarters 13-10; 24-19; and 31-28 before registering their 10-goal win at the Northern Caribbean University in the south Central parish of Manchester.Goal-shooter  Elaine Davis sank a game-high 33 goals from 37 attempts for Jamaica and was supported by Carla Williams with 11 of 12, Tiffanie Wolfe four of seven and Connie Francis one of two as the Jamaicans emphatically reversed their 51-47 defeat in the opening game on Monday. For England, Karen Grey had 12 goals, Alex Astle and Tracy Neville 10 each and Abby Teare seven. Jamaica, rated number four in the world, beat world third-ranked England in the Commonwealth Games bronze medal match in England last summer, and both teams are using the current series as preparation for the Cable & Wireless World Netball Champion-ship (WNC) here in July. England have a warm-up match against a select Jamaica Under-21 side today and tackle the Jamaican seniors in the series-decider tomorrow.

All current as well as aspiring volleyball coaches will be given the opportunity to upgrade themselves and become better prepared to serve in the sport in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Trinidad and Tobago Volleyball Federation (TTVF) will be hosting a three-week coaching workshop which began yesterday and will go on until May 22.  According to  TTVF president Mushtaque Mohammed, the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) qualified instuctor Dr Paul Brasson will conduct the intensive programme designed to upgrade the skills, techniques and methodology of local coaches. Mohammed is hoping to attract all club and school coaches as well as physical education teachers who are interested in furthering the volleyball training methods. He is also hoping that more female coaches and former female volleyball players will take full advantage of this programme.

Dr Brasson has worked with the Canadian, Romanian and Barbadian national teams and will also be of assistance to the Trinidad and Tobago national teams which are currently preparing for overseas engagements. There will be three hours of practicals and one hour theory every day from 4 pm to 8 pm. Sessions will continue at the Complex today but switches to the South Regional Indoor Sports Arena, Pleasantville, tomorrow. On Mondays and Wednesdays, sessions will be held at the Central Regional Indoor Sports Complex (CRISA). Meanwhile, former top Caribbean setter Macsood Ali and his son Saleem Ali, who emerged as the leading setter at the senior Caribbean Volleyball Championships held in Trinidad last year, are currently serving as coach and assistant to the women junior team, which is preparing for the Caribbean Junior Championships to be staged in Martinique from July 20 to 27.

WITH four days of racing planned for this month, trainers concentrated on giving most of their charges light work to keep them ticking over for events later down the road.

Yesterday the pattern remained the same except for a few runners  engaged in tomorrow’s Arima Race Club Day 13 nine-race programme. In Swinger who has won most of his races on the turf course since his return from Barbados last year, looked comfortable in his spin on the sand yesterday. The Douglas Bennett-trained colt breezed throught the straight in 24.98 seconds in preparation for his tough task against Song Of Freedom and Miss Lover Lover in tomorrow’s Starter Allowance feature. Red Hill who is also listed to compete against this trio in the 1100 metres dash showed he is ready when stepping over 600 metres in 37.55 seconds.

Also  looking good in her work over the last 600 metres of the course was Kalyan. The lightly raced American import who will be among the starters in the opening event tomorrow covered the trip in 37.30 seconds on the loose sand, which was the best time recorded for the distance. Ring Dang Do and Super Grey who will compete in separate handicaps on the programme at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, produced one of the eye catching gallops of the morning. The pair working together from the 1000 metres marker was only separated close to the finish when Super Grey poked his head in front. El Guerrouj came after to register 1:06.19 seconds over the same acreage.

Following are yesterday’s recorded gallops:
400 METRES: In Swinger – 24.98, good. Balthazar – 29.92, pacing. Restless Renegade – 29.06, pacing. Cat Woman – 29.99, pacing. Spin N’Squeeze – 25.36, handily. Phantom Bidder – 29.83, pacing. The Chairman – 27.39, handily. Sugar Mike – 25.88, handily. El Presidente – 27.18, handily. A Firm Relief – 29.88, pacing. Under Influence – 29.99, pacing. Regent Boy – 25.71, handily. Francesca – 29.91, pacing. Tea Time Doc and Copy Cat – 29.33, pacing.
600 METRES: Kalyan – 37.30, good. Red Hill – 37.55, good. Magen – 42.89, pacing. Jena’s Delight – 41.96, pacing. Guatama and Glory Road – 43.18, pacing. Sir Vidia – 40.80, handily. Fresh Mandate – 43.93, pacing. Dottie’s Way – 44.99, pacing. Morgan Heritage – 44.38, pacing. Outswinger – 44.97, pacing. Bold Fapp – 42.55, pacing. Once In A Lifetime – 39.46, ridden out. Toronto Star – 38.84, handily. Cyber Five – 39.42, handily. Joan of Arc – 38.31, handily. Poetry – 44.77, pacing. Actual Lady – 40.84, handily. Nando – 59.94, pacing.
800 METRES: New Star – 59.00, pacing. Classy Kim – 55.62, pacing. Running Trick – 59.56, pacing. Sensational – 53.48, handily. Kay Gee Bee and Justice – 52.67, handily. Fortunate Flag – 59.97, pacing.
1000 METRES: Ring Dang Do and Super Grey – 1:04.72, handily. El Guerrouj – 1:06.19, handily. Carnival Messiah – 1:11.02, pacing. Pattie’s No Angel – 1:07.05, handily. Baggy Green – 1:14.38, pacing. Gaza Strip – 1:13.27, pacing. Sure Wager – 1:11.46, pacing.
1200 METRES: Firestorm – 1:29.31, pacing.       

OVER 100 boats in six categories are expected to compete at the 21st annual Angostura Tobago Sail Week at the traditional location, Store Bay, from May 11 to 16.

David Lewis, chairman of Regatta Promotions, made the disclosure at the formal  launching of the regatta at the House of Angostura Limited Glass Room, Laventille, yesterday. Boats will vie for honours in the Racing Class, Cruising Class, Cruiser-racer Class, Comfort Cruising Class, Charter Class I and Charter Class II. Slippery When Wet, a Henderson 30 vessel owned by Peter Peake, is expected to defend the championship title in the keenly-fought Racing Class.

Lewis was high in praise for the Tobago House of Assembly, whose Department of Tourism is a part-sponsor of the Sail Week. “There will be no less than $3 million rolling through Tobago during that week,” said Lewis, who acknowledged that Regatta Promotions, an arm of the Trinidad and Tobago Sailing Association (TTSA) was “set up to ensure that our sponsors get real value for their money.” Hilton Tobago will sponsor Race Day 1 on May 12, with DHL Worldwide Express sponsoring Race Day 2 on May 13. Peake Yacht Services are the sponsors of Race Day 3 on May 15 and the THA Department of Tourism,  Race Day 4 on May 16, while Pepsi Cola will oversee the Lay Day at Hilton Tobago on May 14.

Apart from the Racing Class, Budget Nautique is expected to defend the Cruising Class title, while Spirit of St Nick would be looking to keep the Cruiser-Racer Class. Firefly won the Comfort Cruising Class last year, wjhile the Charter Class I was won by Saga Boy and Charter Class II by French Connection.

NICOLE CAIN will attempt to win her third successive crown at the South/Central Zonal Aerobics final, scheduled for the Central Regional Indoor Sporting Arena, Chaguanas tomorrow from 2 pm.

Cain, as well as top challenger Rashida Mohammed, will use the event as preparations for the Caribbean Aerobic Championships, which will be held at the Jean Pierre Sporting Complex, Mucurapo on May 31. Also expected to compete today is 72-year-old Edna Andrews, who has captivated the hearts of audiences with her enthusiasm and determination which belie her age. The North/East final will take place at the Woodbrook Youth Facility on May 16 with the Tobago final two days later. And competitors from Jamaica, Barbados, Antigua and Puerto Rico are expected to test their skills against the best from Trinidad and Tobago, including defending champ Gerard Forde, for the “Fittest Person in the Caribbean” accolade, a trophy and a jackpot of $10,000.