Kruger sets discus pace at the Games

MANCHESTER -- South Africa's Frantz Kruger set a new Commonwealth record in discus qualifying, while Dwain Chambers had the fastest time in the first round of 100 metres qualifiers yesterday at the Commonwealth Games here.

Chambers then described his run as a "stroll in the park".

And earlier yesterday Olympic and Commonwealth champions Australia opened their defence with a 3-0 win over Scotland and South Africa thrashed Malaysia 11-0 in Pool One women's field hockey matches yesterday.

The 27-year-old Kruger threw 66,25m in his first throw, which was 6,38m clear of second-placed Jason Tunks of Canada.

The final is today.

The Australians were held scoreless until the 28th minute against the Scots, who were inspired by a visit from Queen Elizabeth II before the match.

Striker Sophie Mayer scored three goals as the South Africans dominated against Malaysia, powering to an 8-0 half-time lead.

"It was difficult to maintain a consistent standard and not let it drop," Mayer said.

"We just concentrated on us and goals for our team."

Chambers clocked 10,19 seconds in his heat under sunny skies at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Mark Lewis-Francis was second fastest in 10,25 seconds, followed by Canada's Nick Macrozonaris (10,27) and Jamaican's Dwight Thomas (10,29) and Asafa Powell (10,.30).

The women's sprint was weakened by the absence of Jamaica's Olympic bronze medallist Tayna Lawrence, reportedly suffering a groin injury.

Olympic relay gold medallist Debbie Ferguson of the Bahamas was fastest in 11,23 seconds, ahead of Sydney bronze medallist Susanthika Jayasinghe (11,27) and Sevatheda Fynes (11,30).

With two-time Olympic 100m silver medallist Frankie Fredericks withdrawing from the men's 100 to concentrate on the 200m and defending champion Ato Boldon absent, Chambers and Lewis-Francis should make the fight for gold a personal duel.

Former world indoor champion Jamie Baulch of Wales withdrew from the 400m after tweaking a hamstring in training. Defending champion Iwan Thomas, also of Wales, withdrew earlier this week.

World champion Avard Moncur of the Bahamas was the fastest qualifier in 45,72, followed by South African Marcus la Grange (45,95) and England's Sean Baldock (46,2).

Ghana's Margaret Simpson led the women's heptathlon with 1983 points after the 100m hurdles and high jump.

Australians Jane Jamieson, the silver medallist in Kuala Lumpur, is second (1971) and Kylie Wheeler third (1946).

Commonwealth record holder Bronwyn Eagles struggled in qualifying for the women's hammer throw.

The Australian fouled her first two throws and finished seventh with 59,33m, well behind England's Lorraine Shaw who qualified first with 66,10m.

Wilberforce Talel is hot favourite to win the men's 10000m in the absence of some of his more notable Kenyan compatriots. -- Sapa-AP

l Results, p19