Briefs-Bangladesh shorten Australia tour for Twenty20 event

July 9 (Reuters) - Sports news in brief from around the world:

Cricket - Bangladesh will drop one match from next month's tour of Australia after agreeing to participate in a four-nation Twenty20 international tournament in Canada, a Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) senior official said on Wednesday.

"We have agreed in principle to participate in the competition. Hopefully we will sign a memorandum of understanding with the organisers within a day or two," BCB cricket operations committee chairman Gazi Ashraf Hossain told Reuters.

Bangladesh will play three one-dayers against Australia in August and September but will drop a four-day tour match from their itinerary to compete in the Twenty20 tournament that includes Pakistan, West Indies and hosts Canada.

Swimming - Britain have appointed former United States swimming director Dennis Pursley as head coach of its national team.

Pursley, who led the U.S. team for 14 years and was the first head swimming coach at the hugely successful Australian Institute of Sport, will start in October and will be tasked with preparing the country's top swimmers for the 2012 London Olympics.

Britain's swimming chief Michael Scott said: "He's got an impeccable track record around the globe and led the U.S. to new heights. He's personally coached some outstanding swimmers and the record books reflect this."

Olympics - Thailand's boxers, the Southeast Asian nation's leading medal hopes at next month's Olympics, will travel to Beijing a few days before the Games begin to avoid being affected by air pollution.

"Our boxers could have a tough time. They could get sick easily," Thai boxing chief Taweep Jantararoj told reporters of the eight-member squad. "It's best to go as late as possible."

The Beijing Olympics take place from Aug. 8-24. (Editing by John O'Brien)