John Mehaffey
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/ 15 January 2008

3D images become significant tool

Three-dimensional images, which helped to show that double amputee Oscar Pistorius receives advantages from carbon-fibre blade attachments, have become a significant tool in the drive to improve athletic performances. The science of biomechanics — the study of the mechanics of animate structures — is already being applied to tennis.

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/ 14 January 2008

Pistorius barred from Beijing Games

South African double amputee Oscar Pistorius, who runs with carbon-fibre blades attached to his legs, will not be allowed to compete at this year’s Beijing Olympics. A report commissioned by the International Association of Athletics Federations and released on Monday concluded that the prosthetics used by Pistorius gave him a significant advantage.

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/ 4 October 2007

Time has not erased New Zealand pain

Time has done little to erode the shock and nothing to erase the pain felt in New Zealand after France came back from the brink to win the 1999 World Cup semifinal. A match New Zealand had seemingly won was lost in the most astonishing reverse in the 20-year history of the World Cup.

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/ 24 September 2007

Henry gives half-term assessment


In the measured tones of the schoolmaster he once was, New Zealand coach Graham Henry gave his half-term assessment of the All Blacks on Sunday evening. ”We are pretty happy really,” Henry told a news conference after his team had defeated Scotland 40-0 at Murrayfield.

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/ 23 April 2007

Ponting forges team in his own image

From the moment they stepped on to West Indies’ soil in St Vincent, Ricky Ponting’s Australia team have been men on a mission. Even judged by the exalted standards of previous Australia captains, Ponting is a particularly driven individual. Over the past Australian season he has forged a team in his own image.

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/ 14 April 2007

New Zealand beat SA to reach semis

New Zealand exploited favourable early bowling conditions on Saturday to defeat South Africa by five wickets and follow defending champions Australia into the World Cup semifinals. Shane Bond and James Franklin took a wicket each in the first three overs and Craig McMillan picked up three cheap wickets near the end to restrict South Africa to 193 for seven.

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/ 1 April 2007

McGrath sets record as Australia win easily

Australia pace bowler Glenn McGrath profited from some rash shots by the youthful Bangladesh batsmen in a rain-shortened Super Eights match on Saturday to set a record for World Cup wickets. McGrath (37) took three for 16 to break Wasim Akram’s previous mark of 55 as Bangladesh limped to 104 for six from their 22 overs.

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/ 24 March 2007

Ancient game faces unique challenge

A centuries-old game developed in the public schools of Victorian England is facing a challenge almost beyond imagination with the murder of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer at the cricket World Cup. This expected celebration of cricket and carnival in the West Indies has been overshadowed by the news that Woolmer was strangled in his hotel room in Jamaica.

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/ 24 March 2007

Big hitters take aim at Warner Park

Some of the biggest hitters in the World Cup will take aim at the short Warner Park boundaries on Saturday in the final Group A match between Australia and South Africa. The ground has already assumed a special place in cricket history after South Africa’s Herschelle Gibbs struck six sixes in an over against The Netherlands.

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/ 19 March 2007

Aussies complete crushing win over Dutch

Defending champions Australia completed a crushing 229-win over The Netherlands in their World Cup Group A match on Sunday to record the third-largest winning margin in the tournament’s history. Brad Hodge, batting at number five in place of the injured Andrew Symonds, pressed his case for a place in the first choice Australia side.