Sporting Digest: Cricket

BAD weather in New Delhi yesterday, which followed overnight rain, wiped out play in Sri Lanka's match against the Indian Board President's XI on the first day of their tour.

MERV HUGHES, the Australian fast bowler, took five wickets when he returned to first-class cricket yesterday after having undergone knee surgery. Hughes led Victoria's attack in their Sheffield Shield match against Queensland in Brisbane, his first senior appearance since the final Test against England last August.

SHEFFIELD SHIELD (Brisbane) (First of four days): Queensland 347 (M Hayden 126, J Maher 70, M Love 50; M Hughes 5-70); Victoria 9 for 1.