Track and field: Faumuina straight to final

Commonwealth Games discus champion Beatrice Faumuina is into the Melbourne final without lifting a finger.

Faumuina was to have thrown in qualifying at the Melbourne Cricket Ground today but the round was scrapped when there were only 11 entries.

All entrants go through to the final tomorrow night.

New Zealand high performance director Eric Hollingsworth told NZPA the change would not affect the experienced Faumuina, 31.

She has won gold at the last two Commonwealth Games and was hot favourite to repeat.

Meanwhile, Brett Newdick, 20, made a solid start to the two-day decathlon this morning, when fourth fastest in the 100 metres.

Newdick, rated a medal prospect, clocked 11.09 seconds, a fraction outside his personal best 11.03sec.

Newdick, the only New Zealander in athletics action today, scored 841 points.

Jamaican Maurice Smith led on 903 points, from Dale Garland of Guernsey (874), Australian Richard Allan (854).

- NZPA