Sky Sports TV and specialist websites reported on Thursday that Denmark's KEVIN MAGNUSSEN is set to replace Venezuelan PASTOR MALDONADO "at the Renault Formula One team."
A spokesperson for the British-based team, which competed as Lotus last season, "would not comment on speculation."
Renault is due to present its driver lineup and management structure "at an event in Paris next Wednesday" (REUTERS, 1/28). ... Former Australia coach WAYNE BENNETT "has been offered a role with England by the Rugby Football League."
The 66-year-old Brisbane Broncos boss "will speak to RFL officials before deciding whether to accept a position." The RFL "refused to comment on any discussions with Bennett." It "is carrying out a review of the England set-up, which will be concluded in February" (BBC, 1/31). ... Dual int'l ELLYSE PERRY "opted to play in the Twenty20 dead rubber instead of the W-League grand final."
Perry "was on Friday named by Sydney FC to play in the W-League decider at Melbourne's AAMI Park." However, the Southern Stars' three-match T20 series against India "wraps up on the same day at the SCG" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 1/31). ... MICHAEL CLARKE "reignited his career by declaring he will turn out for his beloved grade club Western Suburbs, but his movements thereafter are far from set in stone as Big Bash clubs -- including the Melbourne Stars -- come to terms with his sudden change of heart."
And "if he had his sights set on the longer forms of the game," Cricket New South Wales said that "it would welcome him," although Australian coach DARREN LEHMANN "was more pragmatic when asked about the future of the former national captain," saying Clarke would "have to score some runs as everyone else does." Clarke:
"I still believe I have some unfinished business in the T20 department of cricket. I've missed the competitive side of playing cricket. Some people play golf, some people go sailing [but] for me, cricket is in my blood" (SMH, 1/31).
HERAS COMPENSATED: A Spanish court decreed that multiple Vuelta a España winner ROBERTO HERAS should receive €724,000 ($784,000) "after it annulled a positive test for EPO" in '05. The country’s highest judicial authority "confirmed a previous legal ruling from 2011 that there had been irregularities in the testing procedure, which annulled the two-year ban and penalty."
Now Heras "has won another legal battle," after a Spanish court has awarded him €724,000 in compensation for loss of earnings. After being fired by Liberty Seguros, his team of the time, and his subsequent suspension in '05, Heras "was unable to continue his career" (CYCLING NEWS, 1/30).
BASKETBALL CAMP: YAO MING "will help provide instruction at the Basketball without Borders camp during All-Star weekend in Toronto."
Current players DANILO GALLINARI of Denver, BRUNO CABOCLO and BISMACK BIYOMBO of the Raptors, GREIVIS VASQUEZ of Milwaukee and JEREMY LAMB of Charlotte also will work at the Feb. 12-14 camp at Mattamy Athletic Centre.
The NBA said Friday that 53 boys and girls from 27 countries will participate in the camp, run jointly by the NBA and FIBA (NBA).
