England debutants
JOHANNESBURG: England named three debutants in a squad of 12 to for the first cricket Test against South Africa at the Wanderers starting on Thursday.

Batsmen Michael Vaughan and Chris Adams are certain to make the final 11 but the inclusion of all-rounder Gavin Hamilton will only be confirmed on the day of the match
Team: Mark Butcher, Mike Atherton, Nasser Hussain (captain), Michael Vaughan, Alec Stewart, Chris Adams, Andrew Flintoff, Gavin Hamilton, Andrew Caddick, Darren Gough, Alan Mullally, Phil Tufnell.

Russia win
KUMAMOTO, JAPAN: Russia stopped an excellent giant-killing runby United States in just two hours today to remain unbeaten with five straight wins in the World Cup men's volleyball.

Taking part in the World Cup for the first time after the former Soviet Union collapsed, the European silver medallists moved another big step towards their first major title with a 25-22 25-19 20-25 30-32 15-11 win.

US, surprise winners over Brazil and Italy, now stand with four wins against one defeat in the 12-team round robin.

Williams cleared
BOLOGNA: An appeals court has upheld the acquittals of Williams technical director Patrick Head and former team designer Adrian Newey in the 1994 death of Formula One star Ayrton Senna. Senna, a three-time World champion, died when his Williams-Renault car slammed into a concrete wall during the San Marino Grand Prix.

The prosecution had alleged that a poorly modified steering column broke as the Brazilian driver entered a curve, causing him to lose control.