Rugby league: Australia will defend their Tri-Nations title after plans for a tournament this year were given the go-ahead yesterday. A repeat event was assured after the success of the 2004 tournament, which drew a combined attendance for the seven matches of 182,313 and made a £750,000 profit.

This time, both matches between Australia and New Zealand will take place Down Under, to cut down on the amount of travelling, before the action moves to Britain. Australia are likely to host the event in 2006 in the run-up to the 2008 World Cup.

Frost books spot

Golf: David Frost won the South African leg of qualifying for the Open Championship yesterday, despite a 76, four over par, in his final round at the Atlantic Beach Golf Course in Cape Town. Frost ended the 36-hole event in 141, three under par, to earn a place at St Andrews in July.

Hogg's haul

Cricket: Australia won the first match in the VB triangular one-day series, beating West Indies by 116 runs at the MCG. Brad Hogg, the Australia left-arm spinner, took five for 32 as the touring team clawed their way to 185 all out in 46.2 overs chasing the home side’s 301 for four.

Doubling up

Skiing: Austria celebrated a double yesterday after Renate Götschl won her second World Cup super-giant slalom of the week in Cortina, Italy, to go to the top of the overall standings. In Wengen, Switzerland, her compatriot, Benjamin Raich, won a men’s World Cup combined event.

Finn first home

Motor rallying: Ari Vatanen, the four-time Dakar Rally champion from Finland, eased to victory in the 630km fourteenth stage from Kayes, in Mali, to Tambacounda, in Senegal, yesterday. Stéphane Peterhansel, of France, is still on course to retain his overall title after finishing eighth.

Brighton poised

Basketball: Brighton Bears, the BBL champions who were forced to pull out of Europe after the late withdrawal of a sponsor, can claim the first silverware of the season tomorrow if they beat Scottish Rocks in the National Cup final at the National Indoor Arena, Birmingham.

Franchitti stays

Motor sport: Dario Franchitti has signed a contract with Andretti Green Racing to remain with the Indy Racing League champions this year. The Scot, twice a race winner last season in his third campaign, will again partner Tony Kanaan, the series champion.