The Guardian du lieu suivant : London, Greater London, England • 14

THE GUARDIAN Saturday May 28 1988 14 SPORTS NEWS ance came and Lewis accepted. He subsequently discovered the "overwhelming majority" to be 13 to 11. Cricket Benson Hedges quarter final Worcestershire Hampshire Mike Selvey mnmttlh) eqjonsifl to tiltoe peirBDs off tronDif ffeweiriislh) potted) Indies arrive in Worcester, and tensive care and Graham Gooch hit on the cheekbone. In Simmons's case there was no helmet to protect his skull; Gooch was helmetted but wears earflaps rather than a grille or visor. In his case the ball missed the lot.

Helmets of course have always been a bone of contention, especially with the old brigade. Denis Compton would not have touched one, and nor, surprise, surprise, would Brian Close. Bradman would, Viv Richards never does, relying on skill, reflex and the sharpness that a flirt with danger can bring. The trouble is that Compton and Richards are the exceptions. For every one of their ilk there are a million mortals, a million Cowleys if you like, who heed all the help and confi-dence they can get.

Today West That's entertainment But Noah's art pleases the fans Noah the jester courts the crowd Mike Selvey at New Road ETT3HE remarkable thing I about Hampshire's 1 1 three-wicket victory over Worcestershire yesterday was not so much that they won, thanks to Robin Smith's unbeaten 87, but that no one got seriously hurt in the process. in a week when the England team manager, Micky Stewart, has been sounding off about the poor quality of pitches pre pared in the championship, the one prepared at New Road was a prime example. au clubs ana their grounds men are instructed now to ensure that their pitches are com- petely dry, hard and flat at the start oi a it seems, bearing in mind the Golf after operation on Burma balmy enough for Beachball THE world of big business does not usually intrude much into the day-to-day lives of our cricketers, particularly now that Phil Edmonds has departed the stage. But one man will no doubt be watching the current battle for control of the Rowntree company with more than a passing interest. Anyone who knows Mike Gatting could not fail to be aware of bis taste for Branston pickle.

Vats of the stuff are purported to be shipped around the world to satisfy his lust while on tour. If Gatting has shares in any company, then they must surely be in Branston. Or, more probably, they would be in Nestles who own Branston and are one of the two concerns involved in the proposed takeover of Rowntree. A further check will be needed to see whether Gatting has started taking the Financial Pink'Un. THERE was an unexpected accolade for the England captain this week.

He has always borne the appearance of a sea-dog in the best English tradition. Now this has been recognised. The dedication in Robert Carter's new book, Armada, reads: "To Mike Gatting, a captain courageous in whom the spirit of Drake lives." Francis Drake did not have the benefit of Branston. Nor was he or Lord Howard of Effingham compelled after the Armada defeat to hold a press conference "Obviously it was a tremendous performance by the Drake was, though, according to Alec Bedser's old joke Drobably Alec Bedser's only joke the only English bowler to be knigntea. The tingiana captain's three Test wickets perhaps would not qualify him on that score.

CRICKETERS who happen to be playing in County Durham this summer Somerset travel north to play the county in the NatWest Trophy on June 22 might like to stay at the Eden Arms Hotel at Rushyford. They should not oe surpnsea though if they get their brains picked, tor acting as bottle- washer and general dogsbody is Dean Solly, a 19-year-old fast bowler from Western Australia who has travelled over here for the summer to play for Sheldon BR in the County Durham League. The hotel are giving nun ac commodation as part of his sponsorship, but in return he must muck in. This could set a trend at the moment I need someone to do my ironing. Left- arm spinner preferred.

Tour match GLOUCESTERSHIRE WEST INDIES Bristol: Match drawn. WEST INDIES-First innings 257 (P Simmons 53 ret hurt: Greene 5-53). GLOUCESTERSHIRE-First Innings 140 (B Patterson 5-39, Marshall 4-14). WEST INDIES Second Innings Haynes Ibw Lawrence 22 Richardson Wright Lawrence- 10 A Logle Greene Thomas 2S Arlhurton Thomas 4 'I A Richards Alleyne Lawrence. 03 Marshall Greene 23 to Williams st Russell Lloyds 17 EC Ambrose Russell Lloyds 25 I Bishop not out 1 1 Patterson Bainbridge Qraveney- 14 19 Simmons absent hurt-Extras (b4.

IbS, nb10) Total- 233 Fan of wickets: 33, 46. 58, 72. 149. 161, 197. 216, 233.

Bowling: Lawrence 13-0-61-3; Greene 12- 5-37-1: Thomas 10-0-57-2; Bainbridge 13- 1-47-0; Lloyds 9-1-22-2; Graveney 2.3-2-0-1. GLOUCESTERSHIRE Second Innings A Wright not out I Butcher run out Romaines not out-Extras (Ibl, nb12) SO 4 31 13 Total (for 1) 98 FaU of wicket: 14. Bowling: Patterson 5-0-20-0: Ambrose 5-0-20-0; Bishop 5-1-23-0: Richardson 4-0-22-0; Marshall 3-0-5-0; Richards 2-0-7-0. Umpires! A A Jones and Kitchen. Today's fixtures TOUR MATCH (11.00-6.30).

Worcester! Worcestershire West Indies. BRITANNIC ASSURANCE COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP (1 1.00-6.30). Derby: Derbys Notts. Chelmsford! Essex Surrey. Swansea: Glamorgan Gloucs.

OM Trafford: Lanes Somerset. Lord's: Middx Sussex. Northampton: Northants Lelcs. Middlesbrough: Yorks Hants. Tomorrow's fixtures REFUGE ASSURANCE LEAGUE (2.00-7.00 unless stated).

Derby: Derbys Nottings (1.30-6.30). Chelmsford: Essex Surrey. Bristol: Gloucs Warwicks. OM Trafford: Lanes Lelcs. Lord's: Middx Sussex.

Northampton! Northants Kent. Middles-brough: Yorks Hants. TOUR MATCH (11.00-6.30). Worcester: Worcs West Indies. OTHER MATCH.

Southampton! Sport Aid Celebrity XI Australian Aborigines. MINOR COUNTIES Breekne Berks Bucks. Sleaford: Lines Beds. Jesmondi N'barland Herts. Oxford: Oxon Wales.

PONTEFRACT 0.45 (51): 1, SKV ROVALE, Carroll (3-1): 2, Dessrt Dawn (13-2): 3, Elder Prince (2-1 Fav). 6 ran. Uj, 3. (J Berry) 3.60; 1.80. 2.30.

Dual 8.70. CSF: 20.15. (1m): 1, CROWN JUSTICE, Cauthen (11-4); 2, Silver Arch (9-1); 3, Maglo Mover (33-1). Basirah2-1 Fav. 12 ran.

2. 3. (N Callaghan) Tote: 3.30; 1.30. 2.10, 9.50. Dual 10.20.

CSF: 28.46. Tricast: 642.32. 7.35 (1m)i 1, BANK VIEW, Outfield (8-1): 2, Mark Ablewood (9-2): 3, Causley (14-1). Hemline, 5th, 9-4 Fav. 11 ran.

Sh hd, 1. (N Tinkler) Tote: 9.40: 2.80, 2.20. 3.20. Dual 23.10. CSF: 46.48.

Tricast: 465.01. 8.0S (1m 4)i 1, TENDER TYPE, Dean McKeown (5-2 Fav); 2, Jack London (9-1): 3, Crancheter (7-2). 11 ran. 3. 2'3.

(R Will-taker) Tote: 4.10; 1.70. 2.20, 1.90. Dual 16.40. CSF: 25.23. Tricast: 74.52.

8.35 (1m 2f): 1, COWLEY Carter (4-1); 2, Mccubbln (11-10 Fav): 3, Flaming Heir (5-2). 7 ran. 1'3. 1i3. (G Wragg) Tote: 4.70; 2.20, 1.10.

Dual 4.10. CSF: 8.46. 9.05 (01): 1, PERSISTENT BELL, Fallon (16-1); 2, Wood Dancer (5-1); 3, Big Chief 19-4). 8 ran 1 3, 3. (J FltzGeratd) Tote: 15.60: 2.40, 1.40, 1.30.

Dual 27.00. CSF: 87.81. NR: Chummy's Favourite. Following their doubles this attsrnoon, Steve Cauthen and Pat Eddery rode a winner apiece at Pontefract and Goodwood respectively. CRICKET has always undersold itself.

Indeed, when sponsorship first oeean in the sport, it was al most a question of "how much can you afford?" The benefits and exposure offered to companies was vast, the returns to cricket minimal. Witness Gillette. When they pulled out of cricket in 1980 it was ostensibly because they felt their name had become synony mous with cricket rather than their products. I always found this hard to credit: the asking of a more realistic price might have been closer to the reason It is no surprise to find the Test and County Cricket Board seeking more money from TV but the timing of the release of their document, The Liberalisation of Television in the UK, and coming hot on the heels of rugby union's negotia tions and those of the Football League, looks not only like band-waggoning but an attempt to play one company off against another. One knows where the heart lies, though.

Bernie Coleman, chairman of the board's TV working party, has referred to coverage by independent channels as a refer ence perhaps to the coverage of last winters New Zealand tour by some commercial channels, viewed almost exclusively by night porters. Mike Carey also recalls their insensitivity to the sport when, on the Saturday of a Roses match on which he was commentating for Granada TV, with Clive Lloyd one run from a century, he was forced to hand over to the studio with the words: "After the advertisements it'll be Kent Walton with wrestling." The TCCB would surely not buy such coverage at any price. Their initiative this week can probably be seen as merely a kick up the BBC backside. VIEWERS of BBC cricket are getting used to seeing Tony Lewis, the former Glamorgan captain, as front man. Lewis, however, has retained an active role within his own county.

Their revival, which this week brought them a Benson and Hedges semi-final place, is due in no small part to his appointment first as cricket chairman and now as chairman of the club. Some things at Glamorgan will never change, however. Lewis was abroad when ap proached by telephone about the chairmanship. He was willing to take on the position, he said, only if there was an overwhelming majority of the committee in favour he is a shrewd fellow, well used to Glamorgan politics. The reassur- Scoreboard Benson Hedges Cup Quarter-final WORCESTERSHIRE HAMPSHIRE Worcester: Hants won by three wkts.

WORCESTERSHIRE (overnight 111-5) Weston run out so tS Rhodes Ibw Jetferies 10 Newport and Jetferies 4 Radlord not out 9 Oillev Connor 9 A Pridgeon Parks Jetferies 1 Extras (b1. Ib9, w13, nb4) 27 Total (54.2 overs) 109 Fan of wickets contt 136. 145. 147, 168. Bowling! Jefleries 10.2-0-34-4; Connor n-i-33-ii; Andrew Ayiing n-3-3o-i; uowiey n-i-za-u.

HAMPSHIRE Terry Ibw Radlord- 5 Smith Hick Newport- 10 87 Nicnoias Haatora A Smith not out. Turner Rhodes Dilley- 11 1 1 7 18 Ayiing Weston Oilley tR Parks Hick Weston Jetferies Hick Radford. Cowley not out- Extras (t4, IbB, w12, nbl) 23 Total (lor 7 wkts, 53.1 overs) 170 Fall of wickets: 5. 20. 38.

75. 83. 84. 114. Bowling: Oilley 11-1-36-2; Radlord 11-3-29-3: Newport 11-0-4U-1; mageon 11-4-22-0; Weston 8.1-0-27-1; O'Shaugh- nessy 1-0-4-0.

Umpires: Bird and Leadbeater. REVISED DRAW FOR SEMI-FINALS Esses Hampshire (Chelmsford). Glamorgan Derbyshire) (Swansea). Wednesday, June 8. Second Eleven Championship Lelgh-on-Sea: Gloucestershire 117 and 157 (M Ball 55: Stephenson 5-59).

Essex 358-7 dec (J Kenny 102, Stephenson 97). Essex won by an innings and 84 runs. Hastings: Sussex 358-9 dec (S Kimber 110 no, Prlngle 104. I Alikhan 58). Kent 272-9 dec (J I Longley 143, Dobson 58).

Match drawn. Leicester: Middlesex 227-9 dec (A Needham 106, Roseberry 54, Such 5-35) and forfeited second innings. Leicestershire first innings forfeited and 131-8 (P Hepworth 52, Tulnell 4-35). Match Drawn. Streetfey: Warwickshire 164-9 dec and 94-4 dec.

Nottinghamshire forfeited first innings and 213-7 (0 Martlndale 67 no). Match drawn. Kidderminster: Worcestershire 302-6 dec (P Bent 67. A da Costa 73) and forfaited second innings. Northamptonshire forfeited first innings and 244-7 (R Carter 78, A Pen-berby 73 no).

Match drawn. Other match Famhami Qantas Aboriginal XI 218 Farn- nam iso-f Aooriginai i won Dy 23 runs. Evening racing GOODWOOD 6.30 (Sf): 1, ALO'NIKO, Pat Eddery (2-1 Jt Fav); 2, Fllfar (16-1); 3, Moor Frolicking (14-1). Merry Mannequin. 5th.

2-1 Jt Fav. 6 ran. 4. nk. (J Jenkins) Tote: 2.80; 1.90, 4.20.

Dual 27.10. CSF: 24.51. NR: Dublin Dragon. 7.00 (1m 4f): 1, COLD MARBLE, Held (11-2); 2, Benoft (16-1): 3, Schrot Handler (9-2 Jl Fav). Annacando 9-2 Jt Fav.

14 ran. 6, Haggas Tote: 5.10; 2.40. 4.60. 1.80. Dual 34.60.

CSF: 60.92. .28 (Of): 1. FREMONT BOV. Cook 13-1 Fav); 2, CoppermHI Lad (15-2): 3, Luna Bid 2). 9 ran.

i. (c James) Tote: 3.30; .40. E1.90. 1.30. Dual 17.80.

CSF: 22.68. Tricast: 71.84. NR: Nlcholesco. 7.5S (1m): 1, MARCH BIRD, Williams (5- 2, SanteUa Jack (10-11: 3. Farras (6-4 fav).

9 ran. 1i3. 13. (J Sutclille) Tote: 9.90; 2.10. 320.

1.20. Dual 69.80. CSF: 46.09. Tricast: 97.57. 8.2S (Olh 1.

MV CHIARA, A McGlone (33-1): 2, Good Partners (1 1-2): 3, Orey Gypsy (6-1). 9 ran. la, 1t3. (M Usher) Tole: 36.50; 7.00. 2.70.

1.70. Dual 608.50. CSF: 179.99. 8.S8 (1m 2l)i 1, BATTALION, Carson (6- 1): 2. Welsh Pageantry (2-1 Fav): 3, OM Eros (7-2).

8 ran. 3, 1. (J Dunlop) Tote: 6.90; 1.40, 1.40, 1.60. Dual 8.40. CSF: 17.69.

Tricast: 43.87. quality of their pace attack, are content to settle for the dry, hard part of the deal. Yesterday the bounce was so uneven that from a similar length, one ball could crush a batsman's fingers against his bat handle and the next threaten his ankles. The situation was exemplified when the seventh Hampshire wicket fell with 56 runs still needed. Out came Nigel Cowley, who is a battler but by no means a king of the willow.

His first three balls from Neal Radford were all thrashed into the middle of the pitch. One went over his head, the next he fended from his throat and the third, which he ducked, rose bail-high and hit him in the back. Already this week we have seen Phil Simmons placed in in- Simmons stable PHIL SIMMONS (left), the West Indian opening batsman who had an emergency operation for a blood clot on the brain after being felled by a ball from the Gloucestershire fast bowler David Lawrence on Thursday, was moved out of intensive care at the Frenchay Hospital, Bristol yesterday. A hospital spokesman said: "His condition is stable, and Miller's flail but he got out Then, realising that was a little too downbeat, he added: "Oons. I think I've spent too long at Tynecastle." Oldcorn is 163rd in the Order of Merit, Miller 118th.

The son of a family of drapers, Miller used to travel in ladies underwear, so to speak, and prior to yesterday had never broken 70 at Wentworth. The last time he led was the Carrolls Irish Open three years Senior (Aus); Mitchell; Doyle: Whelan; Jacobs (US); Stephen (Aus): Townhlll. 78 Darcy: Levenson; A Forsbrand (Swo); Torrance: Nobilo (NZ); Shearer (Aus): Russell; Barnes; Gonzalez (Bra); Waters; A Garrido (Sp); Ray; Mitchell; Bennett. 70 Way; Townend; Rodriguez (Sp); Brown; Marks; Westner (SA); Mackenzie: Hawksworth; Teravainen (US); Llewellyn. PGA MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT (Dublin.

Ohio). First round (US' unless staled): OB Jacobsen; Mahaffey. 00 Mediate; Hajtet; I Huston; A Ohmachi (Jap); Frost (SA): Kile. 70 Rose; Irwin; Sindelar; A Magee; Pate; 0 A Weibrlng. tP0.

CLASSIC (NY). First round (US unless staled): 07 Stelnhauer; Sheehan. 08 Morse; Peterson. 89 Stephenson (Aus); 0-H Ku (S Korea); Rizzo; Bradley; King; Joyce. 70 Kean; Dickinson; A Alcott; Brltz.

74 Johnson (GB). 70 Davles (GB). Tennis FRENCH OPEN singles, third roundt Ouststsson (Swe) bt Bates (GB) 6-2, 6-4, 6-2; Agenor (Haiti) bt Annacone (US) 6-4, 7-6, 6-2; 8 Edberg (Swe) bt Gunnarsson (Swe) 6-3, 6-4, 7-6; Sanchez (Sp) bt Forgel (Fr) 6-4. 6-4, 3-6, 6-4: Psraz-RoMsn (Arg) bt Kuehnen (WG) 6-2, 6-3. 6-2; Noah (Fr) bl Hlasek (Swj) 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3; Wllander (Swe) leads Zlvoinovic (Yug) 6-2, 3-2 rain; A Agassi (US) leads A Vysand (USSR) 7-5, 5-2 rain.

Woman's singles, third roundt NavratHovs (US) bt Paulus (Aut) 6-2, 6-2: Zvereva (USSR) bt Gurney (US) 6-0, 6-4: Sukova (Cz) bt Paz (Arg) 6-. 6-4; Tsnvter (Fr) bl Relnach (SA) 3-6, 6-4, one shudders to think what could happen. Smith's innings was astonish ins in any company, though. He had spent the first 13 overs of the day watching Worcestershire's last five wickets add 58 runs, and then saw Radford and the pitch rip out Terry and Nicholas for 20. He needed his luck Curtis missed him at first slip when he had made only six but there after, as befits such a strong player, he was able to play watchfully and then put away any loose ball.

In this way he hit 11 fours and a five in his first 66 runs. He had now been joined by Cowley, though, and together they kept out the main Worces tershire bowlers until Phil Neale ran out of strike men. blood clot A less serious injury looks likelv to keen Peter Roebuck, the Somerset captain, out of action tor the next six weeKs He broke his left wrist while batting in a rain-affected net on Thursday. Gladstone Small, the War wickshire fast bowler, has been ruled out of the first Test against West Indies at Trent Bridge next week with a thigh strain. PHOTOGRAPH: PETER LLEWELLYN trying "relajadar" to relax.

"If you bring a kid to the course he hits the ball at the flag, he does not see the trouble right and left. Although," he added, "I say so many wrong things lately, maybe that's wrong too." Woosnam's last three Wentworth rounds in practice, pro-am and first round have been 69, 65 and 67. "Maybe I really am back," he said, grinning, and maybe he is. Baseball AMERICAN LEAGUEV-Cetroit 4. Milwaukee Texas 8.

Toronto 7. NATIONAL LEAGUt Montreal 6, San Diego 2: San Francisco 5, NY Mats LA Dodgers 10, Philadelphia 8. Ice Hockey STANLEY CUP Ftrmtt Edmonton 6, Boston 3 (Edmonton win Championship 4-0). Basketball EASTERN CONFERENCb-Flnah Boston 119. Detroit 115 (aet) (series tied 1-1).

Fixtures (3.0 unless stated) Soccer INTERNATIONAL. Switzerland England (Lausanne, 4.15). UNOER-21 INTERNATIONAL. Switzerland England (Lausanne, 1.45). BARCLAYS LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS-Fln-als, Second Legi For First Division place: Chelsea (0) Middlesbrough 2).

For Second Division placei Walsall (3) Bristol City (1). For Third Division piece! Torquay (1) Swansea (2). SHERPA VAN TROPHY. Final! Burnley Wolverhampton (Wembley, tomorrow). SCHOOLBOY INTERNATIONAL England Italy (Wembley.

2.15) today, these 60th champion ships may yet prove one of the most entertaining. McEnroe, at 29 the oldest sur vivor, will play another Ameri can, Michael Chang, at 16 the youngest, in the most fascinat ing tie. Three of what might be de- scnoea as pure ciay-court players were among those to reach the last 16. Argentina's Guillermo Perez-Roldan, looking a worthy successor to Guil lermo Vilas, Haiti Konald Agenor and Spain's isirulio San chez all won well. Stefan Edberg, usually the most equable of men, registered a mild complaint when he had beaten Jan Gunnarsson, an other of the Swedes.

6-3, 6-4, 7-6, on Court ll. "That's the worst court at Roland Garros and I've had to play on it twice." It looked easy enough tor the No.2 seed until the third set when he squandered a 5-2 lead and needed six match points to wrap up his third win in tour aays. For the first time for eight years, the Australians have a player the last 16 of. the women singles. Nicole Jrovis, an 18-year-old from Melbourne, removed the seventh seed, West Germany's Claudia Kohde- Kilsch, 1-6, 6-4, 7-5 to become the eighth teenager to compete tor a quarter-final place.

It may yet be nine. A decision will be made this morning on whether Chris Evert, who has a badly bruised heel, is fit to con tinue. Should she withdraw. Spain's 16-year-old Arantxa Sanchez (sister ot Emilio) will go through to face Catherine Tanvier ot trance. net gain round of the French Open yesterday.

Bates had a chance in the second set when the Swede served at 0-40 and he overhit an easy forehand. "I was too keen. I lashed at it and mishit it. It was disappointing but I've had a good week. Next week Bates returns to grass at Manchester, while tomorrow eight British players compete for two wild cards in the Stella draw.

Meanwhile, it was con firmed that in the week before Wimbledon, McEnroe will be at the Wirral International along with Kevin Cur-ren, who beat him on Centre Court in 1985, and Chris Lewis, whom he beat in the final two years earlier. Lendl's pre-Wimbledon preparations may also in clude a four-man special at Nottingham with, among others, France's Guy Forget. Adrian Simcox, the 27- year-old Lancastrian who took over the post of Scottish national coach on February has resigned "tor personal The former Eng lish international and Brit ish junior semi-finalist had signed a three-year contract. his challenge two years ago at the wheel of a Benetton, teels that the MuLar- ens are certainly not unbeat able. His dogged defence of second place at Monaco in the face of a strong challenge from Prost was the first signal that the Italian team might be able to regain its winning streak.

"Our chassis handles really well, Berger reiterated with relish, "but we still need a bit more power to be a consistent threat at every circuit." Britain's Derek Warwick set the seventh fastest time in his Arrows-Megatron, three places ahead of Nigel Mansell who is hoping that recent exhaustive testing has eliminated the overheating problem which has handicapped his Williams-Judd so far this season. Since Monaco the Judd 3.5-litre V8 engine has been subjected to a rigorous programme of test-bed development, while the Williams's cooling system has also been scrutinised. Yesterday the team were quietly confident that progress had been made. Mansell will be keeping his fingers crossed that his team are correct. With temperatures expected to nudge 100 tomorrow, the last thing he needs is a car with an overheating problem.

David Irvine in Paris Mi I ANY players go into a match against Yannick I Noah convinced that if they cannot beat him, he will beat himself. But it is the Frenchman's extravagance, athleticism and showmanship the attributes which make him vulnerable that the crowds love most. Warts and all, they would not have him anv different. Over the years, and his debut was bacK in 1977, ne nas always given value for money. In 1983 he was rewarded with the men's title.

And yesterday he made the last 16 of the French Open singles for the ninth successive year when he beat Jakob Hlasek, of Switzerland, Streaked with red, dreadlocks flying, fists flailing in self-congratulation, he dived, slid, leapt, chased and laughed his way to a victory even Hlasek, no mean performer himself, described as "That's the best I've played on clay for a very long while," Noah said. He did admit to being worried when he lost a 3-2 lead in the third set and was outplayed in the tiebreak. "Jakob was playing well right then." But the Czechoslovakia-born Swiss player was punished after losing his serve at 1-2 in the third with two double faults. It was a marvellous advertisement for the clay-court game and if other natural attackers, such as John McEnroe, Pat Cash, Boris Becker and Henri Leconte, can advance Britain's JOHN McENROE and Ivan Lendl have been lined up as possible practice partners for Britain's Davis Cup team before their European Zone semi-final against Finland at Bristol from June 9 to 11, writes David Irvine. Their presence will depend on whether the Czech plays doubles with Henri Leconte in the Stella Artois event at Queen's Club and whether McEnroe decides to request and, maybe more significantly, is granted a wildcard into the singles.

According to Warren Jacques, Britain's Davis Cup captain, both players are very interested. "It would do our team the world of good just to rub shoulders with them," he said, adding that he would like his players to experience the sort of purpose and method they applied to their preparations. Jonas Svensson, the Swede who heads the entry for the Bristol Trophy the following week, is another who will be hitting with the British as is Magnus Gus-tafsson, who beat Jeremy Bates 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 in the third Motor Racing Berger relishes Alan Henry in Mexico City WITHIN 10 minutes of the start of yesterday morning's practice sessions for tomorrow's Mexican Grand Prix, the Marlboro McLaren Hondas of Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost had already eased themselves into their familiar position at the head of the time-sheet, and no one managed to usurp them. But the wafer-thin margin by which they beat Gerhard Berger's Ferrari suggests that they may have a serious race on their hands tomorrow for the first time this season. Either way, the immutable laws of nature should ensure that the battle for the lead is loaded even more heavily in favour of the turbo brigade than in the first three races of the season.

Situated at some 8,500 feet above sea level, the thin air at City's Autodrome Her-manos Rodriguez slashes the power output of the naturally aspirated cars by a devastating 20 per cent, while the turbo-charged cars run virtually the same power output as they did at sea level in Monaco. Berger, a winner in Mexico he is as well as can be expected after a very serious operation." Simmons, 25, was allowed to see his fiancee, Jay Akal, and Lawrence, whose team drew with the tourists yesterday. After a more lengthy visit the tour manager, Jackie Hendriks, said: "He seems very sharp, and the first thing he asked was when he can play again." of the rough at the Burma Road ago when he had a 65, "but then the rest of the field realised that if Miller could do one, so could they, so they did." He left the interview room smiling. "I hope I'll see you again," he said. Ballesteros was happy with his 67.

Was the course prepared to his satisfaction, we asked him? He smiled. "Well, you know, because I play so good, the course is perfect." He is trying a new technique this week, 6- HsnHia (WG) bt I Demongeot (Fr) 3-6, 7- 5. 6-4; Provls (Aus) bt Kohde-Kllsch (WG) 1-6, 6-4, 7-5; Garrison (US) bt Torres (US) 6-1, 6-1. Bowls WOOLWICH MASTERS SINGLES (Worthing). First round: Bryant (Eng) bt Rabkin (Is) 21-8; Psrralla (Aus) bt Holt (Eng) 21-4; A BUIr (Sco) bt Belliss (NZ) 21-18; Jones (Can) bt Baker (Ire) 21-15; Richards (Eng) bt I Dickison (NZ) 21-12; Souza (HK) bt Allcock (Eng) 21-12.

Badminton WORLD TEAM FINALS (Kuala Lumpur). Thomas Cup, Group A (men): England 4. India 1. Prakash Padukons bt Yates 15-12, 5-15, 5-15; Baddeley bt Vimal Kumar 15-5. 15-1: Butler bt Harjit Singh 15-3, 15-1; OuttereMeM Brown bt Vik-ram SinghPartho Ganguli 15-9, 15-10; A OoodsD Wright bt Prakash PadukoneUday Pawar 15-3, 15-9.

Group Bl Indonesia 3, Denmark 2. Ubsr Cup, Group A (women): Netherlands 3, Japan 2. Group Bl England 5, Malaysia 0. Troke bt Urn Slew Choon 11-4, 11-0; EHIot bt Lee Wal Long 1 1-2, 1 1-5: Munday bt Tan Mei Chuan 12-9, 11-2; a ClsrkS Yanksy bt Kok Chan Fongiee Wai Long 15-2, 15-4; PalmerC Johnston bt Llm SiewChoonTan Sui Hoon 15-10, 15-1. Cycling TOUR OP ITALY.

Fifth stag (260km): 1, Bontempi (It) 7hr 2lmin 42sec; 2, van der Valde (Neth); 3, Allocchio (It) both same lime. Leaders! 1, Podenzana (II) 2, Ghirolto (It) at 3, Plasockl (Pol) 2:12. David Davles at Wentworth RBHE West Course at Went- 11 worth, the Burma Road of II fearsome repute, belied its name and reputation yester day. With only a whisper of wind to protect it, not even the course's 6,945 yards were enough to guard against an as sault by the world's top tour and in the first round ot me Volvo PGA Championship the scoring was simply superb. More than 40 players broKe par, some of them substan tially.

Thev were led by Jose Rivero, who had nine birdies and two bogies, and Andrew Oldcorn, with five birdies and an eagle, in their seven-under- par65s. Mine Miller is a stroke be hind them, while in the serried ranks of seven assembled on 67 there are the likes of Ian Woos- nam, Severiano Ballesteros, Mark McNulty and Bernhard Langer. As Sandy Lyle is two under and Nick Faldo one under, the establishment are in deed established and the leader board has a look about it that many major championships in recent years would have welcomed. Rivero, 22nd in the Order of Ment, is a Ryder Cup player and a frequent threat, but he does not often turn that into achievement and has won only twice on the tour. This week he is armed with a new five wood, made with the fashionable golden graphite shaft, and he claims to be able to hit it as far as his conventional four wood and much higher, so that it stops more quickly on the greens.

Clubs like this are more obvi ously a threat to the game's traditions than the ballyhooed box grooves, but for some reason are not perceived to be so. Oldcorn, he ot the cheermi countenance and comfortable figure, is known to his mates as Beachball, and he certainly bounced around to good effect yesterday. After holing from eight feet for a par at the first, he missed nothing of impor tance on the greens and when he holed from 20 feet lor an eagle at the long 12th, the outright lead was a nossibilty. In stead, a loose drive off the 18th was fortunate to hit a tree and rebound back into play and he was satisfied with a par five. Oldcorn, uoiton-born but raised in Edinburgh and an ardent Hearts supporter, has missed the cut in his last five European events.

When asked if he could win, he said: "Hold on, I hav'nae made the cut yet." Results Rugby League -TOUR MATCH (Cairns. Australia) North Queensland (10) 18, Great Britain (1B) 60. North Queensland: Trim Filosi (2). House. Goals: Worth.

Conlan. at Britain: Trimt Ottiah 4. Ford 3, Ford 2, Medley 2, uixon. uoawi stepnenson i-ora. Golf VOLVO PDA CHAMPIONSHIP (Wentworth).

First round (GB and Irish unless stated): 85 Rivero (Sp); A Oldcorn. 06 Miller. 07 Ballesteros (Sp); McNulty (Zlmb): I Woosnam; Hawkes ISA): Rllav (Aus): Baiocchi (SA); Langer (WG): Moody. 08 Olazabal (Sp): Raflerty: James: Davis (Aus): I Mosey; Drum-mond. 00 Taylor (Aus); Canlzares (Sp).

70 Hartmann (US); Marchbank; Chapman; Roe; Lyle: Anderson (Can): Webber (Zim); Lane; Clark; 0 Moore (Aus); Smyth. 71 Tucker; Persson (Swe); Slater; Faldo; Calero (Sp); Bennett; Clayton; Curry; O'Connor Jnr; Mouland. 72 Coooer: Rvslrom (Sun): Durnian; Bennett; Calero (Sp): Bland (SA); Poxon; Walton; Baker; Parkin; McFarlana; Pinero (Sp); I Baker-Finch (Aus); Brand; Heggarty. 73 Charnley; Johnstone (Zlmb); Martin (Sp); Armour (US); Allen; Weir; Harwood (Aus); A Russell; Williams; Singh (Fiji); A Murray; Oussart (Fr): Fernandez (Arg); Brlggs; Wailes: Kino: Gallachar- Thnmnn: Boxall; 0 Jones; Lanner (Swe); Ralph; Hansen; 0 Sellberg (Swe); 73 A Sherborne; Morgan; 0 Faherty; Somers (Aus). 74.