PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

Jamaica-bred colt Bruceontheloose extended his unbeaten streak to six races when he captured the TT$500, 000 (US$79,000) First Citizens Gold Cup to bring a fitting climax to the season here at Santa Rosa Park on Saturday. Ridden by Venezuelan Wilmer Galviz and trained by John O'Brien, the three-year-old clocked two minutes, 3.02 seconds to win the event over 2000 metres by two lengths and repel the threat of the US-bred Blackstone Street.

Hyped as a clash between the two champions, the anticipated fireworks never materialised as Blackstone Street, with top Barbadian jockey Patrick Husbands aboard, finished down the field in seventh. Cactus Armour, with champion jockey Ricky Jadoo in the saddle, finished second while Chief Commander reached the post third.

Johnson given career lifeline

MIAMI, Florida (CMC):

Henry Foster, the manager of Jamaica's veteran light heavyweight boxer Glen Johnson, is excited by the title eliminator bout his world-rated boxer has landed against American Yusaf Mack for late January.

In spite of his damaging defeat against American Chad Dawson last month, the ageing Johnson was given a career lifeline earlier this month when the International Boxing Federation (IBF) booked him for a title elimination bout against Mack on January 30 in Las Vegas.

Approaching 41 years old and past his best, Johnson's clash with Dawson last month in Connecticut was considered a 'crossroads' bout for the Jamaican native since a defeat could have meant the end of his bid to recapture a 175-pound world title.

England reply

DURBAN, South Africa (AP):

England reached 103 runs for one wicket at stumps yesterday on the second day of the second Test after captain Andrew Strauss hit a rapid half-century in reply to South Africa's first innings of 343. Strauss took 49 balls to his fastest Test 50 as the Proteas bowlers, particularly Makhaya Ntini, presented him with plenty of balls to pull, cut and drive at Kingsmead Stadium.

The England captain moved to 54 after tea before Morne Morkel shattered his stumps with the score on 71. Strauss hit nine fours. Opening partner Alastair Cook was unbeaten on 31 off 66 balls with five fours. Play started late after tea and only 12.2 overs were possible in the final session before bad light forced a premature halt.

Dangerous pitch

NEW DELHI (AP):

A dangerous pitch led to the abandonment of yesterday's fifth and final limited-over international between India and Sri Lanka, leading to crowd unrest and immediate recriminations for Indian officials. Sent in to bat first, Sri Lanka had crumbled to 83-5 on the difficult Kotla pitch before the third delivery of the 24th over, from India's rookie paceman Sudeep Tyagi, rose dangerously and flew past the face of batsman Thilina Kandamby.

It proved the last straw for Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara, who complained to match referee Alan Hurst and onfield umpires Marais Erasmus and Shavir Tarapore, and players left the field.