The long-awaited coroner's inquest into the death of former Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer will begin on October 16. Radio Jamaica said more than 50 witnesses would be called at the inquest in Kingston.

Woolmer was found unconscious in his Kingston hotel room on March 18, a day after Pakistan crashed out of the Cricket World Cup following a shock defeat by Ireland.

After months of investigation, police said Woolmer was not murdered but had died of natural causes, probably heart failure.

Horse racing - Equine flu spreads

Eight thoroughbred horses at Sydney's premier track Royal Randwick were diagnosed with equine flu yesterday and the track quarantined for two months, virtually ending its multi-million dollar spring racing carnival.

All thoroughbred horses in the worst affected state New South Wales (NSW) have been banned from Melbourne's spring carnival, which includes the country's most prestigious race the Melbourne Cup in November.

Cycling - Valverde banned from Worlds

Spanish rider Alejandro Valverde has been banned from next month's World Championships because of his possible implication in the Operation Puerto doping investigation. The UCI said it had asked the Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC) to open disciplinary proceedings against the rider but that such action would not imply any guilt on Valverde's part.

Valverde, 27, had already withdrawn from next month's Tour of Spain. His Caisse D'Epargne team said the cyclist wanted to concentrate on the World Championships.