Sport in Brief: 18/04/2009

Hamilton ends career after testing positive for banned substance

The Olympic gold medallist Tyler Hamilton, whose win at the Athens Games was overshadowed by a blood-doping scandal, has tested positive for another banned substance and will retire.

The latest positive test stemmed from usage of an over-the-counter antidepressant, Hamilton said yesterday: "There's nothing to fight about. I took a banned substance. I accept the consequences. You make mistakes in your life and I accept the penalty like a man." He served a two-year doping ban that ended in 2007. The new positive test, which the US Anti-Doping Agency has not revealed, could bring a ban of eight years, ending the career of the 38-year-old cyclist.

Pakistan lose hosting rights for 2011 event due to security fears

Pakistan has been stripped of hosting rights for the 2011 World Cup because of the "uncertain security situation" in the country, the International Cricket Council said yesterday. "It is regrettable [but] our priority is to create certainty and ... deliver a safe, secure and successful event," said the ICC president David Morgan."The uncertainty created by events in Pakistan created a question mark over our ability to do that." At least seven Pakistanis were killed and six Sri Lanka players were injured during an armed attack on their team bus as they travelled to a Test match in Lahore last month. Pakistan had been due to co-host the event with India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Scotland miss out on World Cup but retain one-day status

Scotland secured their one-day international status but failed to reach the next World Cup, despite thrashing the United Arab Emirates by 122 runs in their final match of the qualifying tournament in South Africa yesterday.

A blistering century from Gavin Hamilton (127) helped give the Saltires the big win they were looking for in the Super Eight game at Willowmoore Park in Benoni. But their desperate attempt to snatch the fourth and final qualifying spot for the 2011 World Cup ended in failure after both the Netherlands and Kenya avoided defeat. Scotland, who posted 299 for 7 in their innings yesterday, finished fifth in the table with three wins and four losses.