Brooks on course for sprint double

MELBOURNE, Mar 22 (Reuters) Jamaican sprinter Sheri-Ann Brooks stayed on track for a possible Commonwealth Games sprint double by qualifying for the 200 metres final today.

The 23-year-old won the 100m gold on Monday for her first major title but is better known for her performances over 200m.

The former NCAA 200m champion and two-time All-American athlete ran more conservatively in the heats, qualifying for Wednesday's final fifth fastest in 23.39.

Brooks's compatriot Sherone Simpson was fastest in the semi-finals, qualifying in 23.18, almost a second outside Bahamian Debbie Ferguson's Games record of 22.20 set in Manchester four years ago.

Cydonie Mothersill of the Cayman Islands was second fastest in 23.19.

Another Jamaican, Veronica Campbell, won Brooks's semi-final to qualify third fastest in 23.23 on a warm Melbourne night.

South African Geraldine Pillay, silver medallist in the 100m, was also delighted to be in with a shout of a second medal after she qualified fourth fastest in 23.29.

''I would love to go home with two medals. You always have a chance if you are in the final,'' Pillay told reporters.

''My aim was to reach the 100m and 200m finals.'' Brooks will also run in the 4x100m relay.

REUTERSPM BS1433