HOBART: Former international cricket umpire Steve Randell, convicted of sexually assaulting two of his students while he was a teacher, has been attacked by fellow jail inmates, officials said.

Three prison guards were injured in the incident at Hobart's Risdon Jail. Randell, 43, who was not injured, was jailed for four years in August on 15.Prison officials said he will now be segregated from other prisoners for his own protection.

Rain spoils

NEW DELHI: The Surya Nepal Masters, scheduled to start at the Le Meridien-Gokarna Golf resort, was dealt a twin blow by incessant rains and a nationl strike call, according to information reaching here. As a result, the tournament will now be a truncated 36-hole affair on Friday and Saturday.

Heavy overnight rain, which continued well-into the morning forced the Professinal Golfers Association of India (PGAI) to abandon the first round. Despite the excellent drainage facilities at the course, the hilly terrains were slushy andthe greens thoroughly wet. The rain had not stopped at 10.00 am when the decision was taken.

The second round on Thursday was also scrapped following a nation-wide bandh call.

``The tournament will now be played over 36 holes and all the 54 pros who have entered the event will play. Since the cut is applied at top 50 and ties, we have decided that all 54 pros will be eligible for a share of prize money,'' said Chandrashekhar Shetty.

Firoz leads Mahindra rankings

MUMBAI: Firoz Ali leads the Mahindra rankings after three events on the PGA Indian Tour. He has 42.50 points and a total prize of Rs 2 lakhs, while Amritinder Singh, second in each of three tournaments, is second with 42.33 points and Rs. 1.90 lakhs. Vijay Kumar, Mahindras Golfer of the years for two years in a row, is third with 34.50 points and Rs 1.50 lakhs.

Hyatt-Airtel Golf

NEW DELHI: The fourth Hyatt-Airtel Golf Tournament will be held at the DLF Golf and Country Club on Saturday. There has been a change of venue forthe tournament which was previously held at the Army Golf Club, Dhaula Kuan. More than 140 players will take part in the event which will see top names of the corporate world, bureacrats and diplomats in action.

A new format called two-ball greensome has been worked out. Each teams will comprise two participants and both players will tee off together from each hole. The best ball is chosen and then players hit alternate shots till the ball is holed out.

Madhav Rao wins

NEW DELHI: A Madhav Rao of KGA Bangalore won the final round of the Austrian Airlines Champions Trophy in Austria recently. Madhav Rao played one under his handicap (-14) and scored 37 points to win the trophy, besides which he won two Business Class Return tickets Delhi to London via Vienna. Sugata Basu of RCGC was second with 35 points and he won two economy tickets Delhi to London via Vienna.