Sport in Brief: 14/04/2009

Gibbs and Steyn clinch one-day series as Australia fall short

A fine century from Herschelle Gibbs led South Africa to a comfortable 61-run victory over Australia yesterday in the fourth one-day international in Port Elizabeth. The home side now have an unassailable 3-1 series lead.

Dale Steyn was the star with the ball, claiming 4 for 44, and was given good support by the spinners as the visitors were dismissed for 256 in pursuit of 318. Brad Haddin, Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting all made half-centuries, but it was not enough.

Australia began their chase promisingly with a 129-run opening partnership in just over 20 overs, before the introduction of spin changed the game. Johan Botha and Roelof van der Merwe did the damage and neither David Hussey nor Ponting could save the day.

Earlier, Gibbs made 110 and together with AB de Villiers (84) helped the Proteas tear into the visitors' bowling after Ponting had won the toss and elected to field.

FIA appeals court to rule on diffuser row

The Court of Appeal of Formula One's governing body, the FIA, meets in Paris today to discuss the appeal presented by Ferrari, Renault, Red Bull and BMW-Sauber against the decisions of race stewards in Australia and Malaysia who said that diffusers, used by the championship-leading constructor Brawn GP, were legal.

There is a lot at stake for Britain's Jenson Button, who leads the drivers' standings, as his innovative Brawn team, along with Toyota and Williams who also employ the technology, faces a possible points deduction.

The controversial diffusers generate more downforce and therefore more grip, resulting in an advantage of around 0.5sec per lap.