England’s cricketers are not known for their blistering – or, come to that, even mildly successful – starts to overseas tours, but bucked the trend after winning the first Test against South Africa in Durban by 241 runs. Spin bowler Moeen Ali broke the home side’s resistance on the final day: “Every single ball was there or thereabouts and that’s all you can ask for,” burbled England skipper Alastair Cook – while paceman Steven Finn weighed in with four second-innings wickets. Then as the second Test in Cape Town began last week, Ben Stokes hit 258, the highest score by an England batsman against South Africa, in a record-breaking partnership of 399 with Jonny Bairstow who scored 150 not out. In Melbourne, Australia swatted aside West Indies again to win the second Test by 177 runs and take an unassailable lead in the series.
Topsy-turvy Arsenal go top
Premier League football dragged itself off the sofa and got on with the business of half-entertaining shivering, Christmas-fatigued spectators. Arsenal emerged at the top of the pile despite a topsy-turvy festive programme that saw them win twice but lose 4-0 at Southampton. Leicester stayed second despite only taking two points from a possible nine, while Manchester United ended an eight-game winless streak with victory over Swansea. Tributes were also paid to former Newcastle and Czech Republic goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek, who died suddenly aged 47 of a cardiac arrest. In Spain, Real Madrid sacked manager Rafael Benítez after just seven months in the job, replacing him with former Bernabéu favourite Zinedine Zidane.
Weather hampers Dakar Rally
This year’s Dakar Rally got off to a less than auspicious start after the first stage of the race in Rosario, Argentina, had to be abandoned last Sunday due to abysmal weather conditions. The decision followed a shocking accident in the prologue race where driver Guo Meiling lost control of her Mini Cooper injuring 10 people, including five children and a pregnant woman. The rally – which has been held in South America since 2009 when it became unsafe to race in North Africa - was instead due to start at Villa Carlos Paz on Monday.
Anderson retains darts title
A traditionally well-refreshed crowd bedecked in Flintstones and Stormtrooper costumes saw Gary Anderson successfully defend his PDC World Darts crown at London’s Alexandra Palace. The Flying Scotsman – a nickname based more on his Scottishness than any special powers of flight – defeated Adrian “Jackpot” Lewis 7-5 in a high-intensity final that featured a record 34 scores of 180. “There were some good darts and some bad,” said Anderson, philosophically. “I’m getting old now so I’ll take this.”
