Lara's century holds up Aussie chargeMaster batsman Brian Lara lashed the third-fastest century in West Indies Test history. Lara left Australia gasping on the second day of the fourt and final Test on Sunday, with an 82-ball 100, beaten only by Viv Richards and Roy Fredericks. The truly gifted West Indies captain had arrived at the crease in all too familiar circumstances - his team struggling on 20 for two in reply to Australia's first innings of 303. By the time he had finished, West Indies were 136 for three, a total extended to 197 for six by the close, 106 behind.Sweden eliminatedSweden surrendered the Davis Cup in a first-round home defeat by Slovakia yesterday as Karol Kucera scored his second singles victory of the weekend. Kucera's 1-6 6-3 6-2 6-4 triumph over Swedish number one Thomas Enqvist in Trollhattan cut short the home's sides hopes that they could complete a revival from 2-0 down just as they had done in the opening round last year in Slovakia.Kerala eves prevailEven a far from impressive Kerala, the National champions and runners-up last year, did not struggle much against a rudderless Tamil Nadu in a women's match of the National Volleyball Super League in Triprayar today. Kerala won in straight sets 25-13, 25-17, 26-24.Football campThe preparatory camp of the Indian football squad for the South Asian Federation Cup, scheduled to start at the Sports Authority of India Southern Centre at Kengeri near Bangalore from April 5 to 10, failed to take off as only one among the 25 shortlisted turned up on the opening day. Virender Singh of JCT was the lone player to report.Sasi leadsIM Krishnan Sasikiran clinched a thriller against V Saravanan today at the BPCL 36th National `A' Chess Championship and maintained his sole lead.
