Summary
And that’s where we’ll leave Sportwatch. A night of close, but no cigar across many codes. The Central Coast traveled to Wellington looking to snap a bad run of three-straight losses against the Phoenix, and having struck the post twice, couldn’t quite manage the late comeback. So too, Adelaide United came from behind to worry an understaffed Sydney FC, who hung on late for the full three points.
The Melbourne Renegades briefly threatened to upset their BBL 08 grand final opponents and cross-town rivals the Stars, but saw the wheels come off in a big way late in their innings.
There were wins in the NBL for Melbourne United and the Sydney Kings to overcome some minor late season wobbles for the high-flyers, and plenty of top tennis action around Australia that will go late into the night. Thanks for your company - that’s Sportwatch!
Some interesting results in the ATP Cup where we’ve finally got both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal on court (just not at the same venue).
Serbia have taken a one-nil lead against South Africa with Dusan Lajovic prevailing over Lloyd Harris, 3-6, 7-6, 6-3 in Brisbane.
In the number one single’s match Ken Anderson and Djokovic have played out a pulsating first set, with that one currently locked in a tie-break at 6-6.
In Perth, Nadal’s compatriot Roberto Bautista Agut made short work of his Georgian counterpart Alexsandre Metreveli, sweeping the court 6-0, 6-0. Nikoloz Basilashvili making a brighter start against the big-name Spaniard, breaking Nadal’s first service game, but already it’s swung back to 2-1 in favour of the world No 1.
Big Bash League: Stars win by eight wickets
Marcus Stoinis finishes with 68* and Glenn Maxwell 40*. (Are you watching, Australian T20 selectors?)
The Stars remain top of the ladder, picking up their fifth win in six, while for the Renegades it’s a horrorshow title defence, as they go 0-6 and stay rooted to the bottom of the table.
This one could be a bit of a morale buster - the manner in which the wickets slumped late on will be a huge concern for coach Klinger. But credit the Stars bowlers, Steyn, Zampa and Lamichhane all getting among the wickets.
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Big Bash - Stars 2/137 (18), Stoinis 64*, Maxwell 38*
There will be no half century for Maxi, with just 12 left to get and Stoinis on strike. They tick along pretty easily, the Stars - not too much tension out there as they set up the final overs with just 6 to get off 12.
Big Bash - Stars 2/125 (16), Stoinis 58*, Maxwell 32*
It looked a decent over from Tom Andrews before Glen Maxwell dropped a reverse sweep over the rope for six! A ridiculous shot - almost a switch hit - and the just shy of 55,000 crowd absolutely loved it.
Next over he slides Richardson down to deep backward point, and then Stoinis swats one aggressively away for another four. They’re doing it easily now, the Stars. Eighteen to get off the last four overs.
Big Bash - Stars 2/103 (14), Stoinis 50*, Maxwell 18*
Just six off the over, in which Stonis brings up his half-century. A third during a Melbourne derby. Six fours and a single six - he flew out of the blocks but has settled into his innings a little since then.
This is where it all fell apart for the Renegades. Let’s see what the stars can muster.
Big Bash - Stars 2/92 (12), Stoinis 44*, Maxwell 13*
Two fours off the bowling of Gleeson and suddenly its Maxi who’s escalating this run chase. They had briefly dipped below the Renegades’ line after that fast start from Stoinis. He’s gone more into his shell - no boundaries from overs 5-10 - but he’s still moving well enough.
Big Bash - Stars 2/77 (10), Stoinis 43*, Maxwell 1*
And at the halfway mark, it’s not a dissimilar score: Renegades were 2/72 at the same stage. The big difference as we know, is what happened from here in the Renegades innings - but if they can pick up the skipper cheaply and add another wicket or too, could this one tighten right up?
Maddinson (17 off 13) and Dunk (15 off 13) are the two back in the pavilion, but it’s the two at the crease that the Renegades will be worried about.
Full-time: Sydney FC 2-1 Adelaide United
It’s five minutes added on, but despite twenty shots on goal, Adelaide struggle to work Sydney’s goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne unduly. Ben Halloran tries a cheeky lob, but it’s a safe take in the end for the one-cap Socceroo. Swivel sets up Le Fondre for a coup de grace, but the Englishman blazes wide! At the other end James Troisi tries to twist and turn in the box, but there’s the final whistle.
A remarkable twelfth-straight win at home in Kogarah as Sydney FC’s relentless premiership tilt marches on.
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A-League - 87 min: Sydney FC bring on youngster Jordy Swivel for an A-League debut, and within seconds he’s almost put the home side two goals ahead! It’s another fine save from Paul Izzo - what’s that, an eighth or ninth save of the evening? He’s been immense, the Reds custodian.
A-League - 81 min: It’s still 35C, even though we’re after 9pm in Sydney local time, and with a change of wind, there’s now smoke haze blowing across Kogarah Oval. Tough conditions. A credit to both sets of players for making a fair spectacle of this situation.
A-League - 75 min: Having played for so long with ten men against City last week, and with sweltering (and smoky) conditions tonight there’s no surprises that Sydney FC are starting to look a little short of puff.
They go to the bench, and it’s Michael Zullo who comes on as a make-shift right back, for youngster van der Saag.
Adelaide with just the one change so far - the Norwegian striker Opseth on for the goalscorer McGree. A striker for a midfielder, can they chase this one down?
Big Bash - Stars 0/41 (3), Stoinis 26*, Maddinson 14*
And like that, they’re down to a run a ball - 1o2 needed off 102. Stoinis has really gone after the Englishman Richard Gleeson, but in fairness, they’ve taken 14, 14, and 13 to start this innings.
Look, early days, but I’m calling goodnight nurse. Too much quality batting to come, and too many dropped Renegades heads already. This looks like the top v bottom clash that it is.
A-League - 63 min: Sydney earn a corner as Izzo is forced into a smart save to deny Barbarouses. Isn’t he having a bright start to his first season with his new club (with apologies to Victory and Phoenix supporters).
Big Bash - Stars 0/14 (1), Stoinis 13*, Maddinson 1*
So, they’ve not wasted any time in going after this very gettable total, the Stars. Stoinis smashes the first ball to the rope, and then finishes the over in the same style. Real challenges for the Renegades skipper Finch to try and tighten this run chase.
A-League - 55 min: The stats tell you that Adelaide have 55% of the possession, but that’s not unusual given Sydney’s skill in transition that the home side often allow their hosts to have it. The Reds enjoying a good little patch at this stage though, Sydney are struggling to get to grips with them in midfield.
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As we’ve published over the past few days there are plenty from the tennis world adding their voices to fundraising efforts in the face of Australia’s catastrophic bushfires:
Nick Kyrgios, Sam Stosur and Alex De Minaur adding their voices to the campaign, and inspiring sportsmen from other codes (Chris Lynn - Big Bash, Matt Jurman - A-League, and many more) to help out. Great to see.
🇦🇺#TeamAustralia and #ATPCup star @alexdeminaur has served up an ace – now it’s your turn.
— ATPCup (@ATPCup) January 4, 2020
Show us your best ace to help spread the word about #Aces4BushfireRelief and how we can all support communities affected by bushfires.
Donate here: https://t.co/ub5X5xeRdQ pic.twitter.com/DHu95M9OFv
A-League - Sydney FC 2-1 Adelaide United - second half!
45 min: And we’re back underway in Kogarah, can the Sky Blues close this one out and pick up their eighth win in nine matches? It’s been an incredible run since that shock round three derby loss to the now languishing Wanderers.
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And some late excitement at the ATP Cup, where there’s an engrossing battle between Dennis Novak and Marin Cilic in what’s called the number two singles match. The Austrian took a shock first set 7-6, before the giant-serving Croat fought back 4-6.
He’s just saved a match point with Cilic serving for 6-4 in the third and final set, but will it only stay the inevitable? Yes - there it is at the second time of offering: Cilic claims it 6-7, 6-4, 6-4.
It gives Croatia a key 1-0 lead against Austria - what a match up Coric v Thiem now looms as.
Big Bash - End of innings: Renegades 9/142 (20)
It ends with a whimper after a reasonable few overs from Finch, Marsh and Webster. But as they have all season, they’ve failed to see it out, the Renegades. Dale Steyn ruthless at the death picking up a few wickets and knocking over a runout.
Good opportunity for the Stars to register another comfortable win - but, as they say - you can never be too certain in Big Bash cricket.
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Big Bash - Renegades 7/127 (18), Sutherland 5*, Andrews 1*
My oh my. It’s another first ball duck - and this time it’s Dale Steyn with the wicket. Imagine having the luxury of a bowler like this. A wicket and just two off the over. In the 18th over. They’ve lost 5 for 10 and the wheels have well and truly come off this Renegades innings.
And to think if this ends a meager total, they’ve only got Glen Maxwell to chase it down. Yikes.
A-League - Sydney FC 2-1 Adelaide United - half-time
45 min: The fourth official shows four added minutes, in a half that’s really see-sawed. It was the Reds who looked the goods first 10-15 minutes before Sydney really came into their own - grabbing two goals to crown their attacking dominance. But that set piece reply has given Adelaide a little confidence, and they go into the sheds with something to play for. No surprises, the midfield duo of McGree and Troisi have been prominent.
Big Bash - Renegades 4/119 (15), Webster 29*, Cooper 0*
And they’ve put the skids on here, as Christian falls first ball! A double wicket over from Sandeep Lamichhane. And suddenly they’ve lost all that momentum.
And bad to worse, as Zampa picks up Webster! He attempts the horizontal bat stroke on the wrong-un’ and it’s gone straight through the gate - just how he picked up Finch!
That’s both set batsmen gone and a mini run of 3/3 - does this set up the Stars for victory?
A-League - Goal! Sydney FC 2-1 Adelaide United (McGree)
38 min: Can you believe it! It’s a seventh of the season for the midfielder McGree - that’s better than almost all the competition’s strikers outside of Le Fondre and Maclaren - as he slides in to tuck home an inch-perfect set piece delivery from James Troisi. Can this be the spark for the Reds?!
Big Bash - Wicket! Renegades 3/117 (14.3), Marsh 43 out
Breakthrough! It’s terrific work on the boundary from Ben Dunk who reels in the big hit from Marsh, before flicking it back to find his teammate Coulter-Nile! Wonderful stuff, he was in danger of running it over the rope, but he showed great awareness - and suddenly the Stars have their man.
Big Bash - Renegades 2/115 (14), Marsh 42*, Webster 27*
Hello. It was calm stuff in the time out from Michael Klinger, clarifying each other’s roles in setting the platform - but both Marsh and Webster have stepped up here, and hit some big overs. It’s sixty off forty now in this partnership. Can they really explode from here, the Renegades?!
A-League - Goal! Sydney FC 2-0 Adelaide United (Retre)
26 min: Oh my. It’s raining Retre! It’s a slick move down Sydney’s right, and Baumjohann does brilliantly to shake his would-be defender before picking out Barbarouses. He lays it off for the late-arriving midfielder, and it’s a thumping finish! He looks a natural scorer, this lad - who needs Le Fondre!
A-League - Goal! Sydney FC 1-0 Adelaide United (Retre)
20 min: And after a slow start it’s the table-toppers who have sprung to life. A flurry of good chances comes their way, and eventually it’s the utility, Paulo Retre, who tucks home with the volley at the second attempt after the headed effort of youngster Harry van der Saag was rebuffed.
Just his third ever A-League goal, and remarkably his first for Sydney FC.
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Big Bash - Renegades 2/72 (10), Marsh 20*, Webster 8*
So at the halfway mark it’s a modest start (by T20 standards) from the Renegades. With Finch gone, you’d imagine Marsh is the one to step up in the big-hitting department.
Still plenty who can wield a willow in their line up (Dan Christian springs to mind) so wickets aren’t the issue at this stage.
And if you’re having Test cricket withdrawals in the hour or so since the Sydney Test reached stumps, fear not - we’ve live action from South Africa where it’s the English tail looking to survive.
Another Australian OBOer on the controls there, join Adam Collins for the latest:
A-League - 11 min: They’ve hardly been in the contest so far, but it’s Sydney FC who almost open the scoring, but for a terrific save from Paul Izzo! It was Barbarouses with the improvised, sharp toe-poked finish, but the Reds custodian threw out his right boot and deflected the shot wide. Close!
Big Bash - Wicket! Renegades 2/55 (7.3), Finch 25 out
And there it is! Zampa has the breakthrough, he’s cleaned up Finch for 25 off 24! He took a while to get going, the skipper, but two thumping sixes warned he was ready to post a big one. But the spinner had other ideas.
Beau Webster comes to the crease, with Marsh at the other end on 11*.
A-League - 5 min: The Reds have the ball in the back of the net - is that the opener? No! George Blackwood’s headed effort is ruled out for offside - just moments after right back Ryan Strain’s thumping effort rattles the post! Fair to say, it’s been a bright start for the visiting side.
A-League: Sydney FC v Adelaide United - kickoff!
1 min: And we’re underway from Kogarah, Sydney FC’s home-near-home while the Sydney Football Stadium undergoes a major rebuild. Given the decent crowds (and presumably much more affordable rent) will they even return? A conversation to file under: watch this space.
Big Bash: Renegades 1/32 (5), Finch 10*, Marsh 6*
So much of the hopes for the Renegades this season rests on the shoulders of these two batsmen, and once again - there’s an early wicket at the head of an innings. Sam Harper the man to go second over off the bowling of Nathan Coulter-Niles for 12.
You’d have to say, it’s a slow start - but if anyone can turn it around it’s these two.
Here’s the A-League team news for the late fixture - and there’s a big in for Adelaide, and a big out for Sydney FC:
LINEUP | There's been an update to the lineup with @lukeeivanovic withdrawing during the warm up.
— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) January 4, 2020
Calem Nieuwenhof will take his place on the bench...#SydneyIsSkyBlue #WeAreChampions #SYDvADL pic.twitter.com/hXvUW9niwo
No, not Ivanovic - I’m talking about no Milos Ninkovic for the Sky Blues.
And here’s the Reds XI who welcome back key goalscoring midfielder Riley McGree:
Riley McGree starts. George Blackwood moves up top with Al Hassan Toure on Olyroos duty. Kristian Opseth returns on the bench.
— Adelaide United (@AdelaideUnited) January 4, 2020
Dakota Ochsenham is our back up keeper today with Isaac Richards injured and Daniel Marguš also with the Olyroos.#AUFC #SYDvADL #ALeague pic.twitter.com/SVMudFOjKK
As mentioned in the preamble, there’s ATP Cup action happening in three cities around Australia - Perth, Brisbane and Sydney, where the big drawcards Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are set to be in action later.
As our eyes at the ground Kevin Mitchell point out though, the scheduling does make for some late evenings - for players and fans alike:
Full-time: Wellington Phoenix 2-1 Central Coast Mariners
The home side look to eat up the remaining seconds, and as Mariners’ goalkeeper Birighitti misses finding a teammate, they caress the ball round before Payne draws a freekick.
And there’s the final whistle! It’s eight-straight undefeated for the Phoenix who jump up to fourth on the A-League ladder.
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A-League - 89 min: The strength of Simon creates another shooting opportunity for his teammate, De Silva - but he drags it wide! He rolls his eyes to the heavens, but in truth, it was another decent chance.
Four minutes will be added on. Still time enough for an equaliser.
A-League - 86 min: And it’s a lightning counter-attack from the home side, and Cacace rolls a ball back across the face for Davila - but just as he goes to pull the trigger it’s cleared by a desperate lunge from Clisby! That’s a goal-saving last intervention. Fine work from the fullback.
Big Bash - Stars v Renegades:
And we’re not too far away from the Big Bash all-Melbourne clash, where the Stars have won the toss, and put their rivals in to bat first. They didn’t make too good a fist of it last time out against the Thunder, can the winless Renegades finally come good tonight?
A-League - 82 min: On comes Matt Simon, the Mariners’ veteran skipper - and it’s his 250th A-League appearance to boot. He moves to the top of the attack, and he’s involved as Central Coast fashion what should have been the equaliser! De Silva is through on goal, and he looks to curl it - but pushes his effort wide of Marinovic’s goal! What a let-off.
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A-League - 77 min: It’s a very vocal Ufuk Talay on the sideline. He’s adjusted his formation to try and wrest back some dominance in midfield. The game has stretched end-to-end, so don’t rule out a possible third goal for the Nix.
Both sides have created plenty of chances today - but you’d argue Wellington have marginally shaded it in that regard: six shots on target to Mariners’ three.
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A-League: Wellington Phoenix 2-1 Central Coast - 70’
So, let’s pick up the final stages of our first of two A-League clashes today, where it’s a spirited finish to a lively contest in Wellington.
The Phoenix hit the lead comfortably inside half an hour with goals through “Super Dooper” Gary Hooper and compatriot David Ball - but an own goal in the shadow of half-time gave the Mariners some hope. And they’re finishing the stronger of the two right now. Can they dig out a point at the Cake Tin?
And here’s the third Test stumps report from day two. Perhaps for the first time all series it’s nicely poised in Sydney. Yes, Marnus’ has smashed 200+, but the NZ quicks fought back well, and if Toms Latham and Blundell can stay together tomorrow, could the Test stay lively as the pitch breaks up?
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Hi all! I trust this finds you well - safe and sound across Australia on another horrific weather day. The smoke is keeping at bay at the SCG where we’ve just had stumps on day two of the third Test. Report to come from there shortly. And we’re back underway in Wellington in the A-League - more on that soon as well.
In the interim here’s how the final overs went down, courtesy my colleague JP Howcroft:
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Preamble
It’s cricket and football time. What is it - summer in Australia? As the third Test rumbles on in Sydney, we’ll be keeping eyes across the battle of the Melbourne Big Bash outfits - where it’s very different stories for last year’s finalists the Stars and Renegades so far - our front and back markers respectively in BBL 09.
In the A-League its the story of two teams on decent undefeated runs. First up, Wellington Phoenix host Central Coast Mariners looking to go eight without a loss, before Sydney FC host Adelaide United looking for a remarkable eight wins from their past nine matches (the only exception: a draw with Wellington Phoenix).
There’s tennis from the ATP Cup where Serbia’s Novak Djokovic and Spain’s Rafael Nadal will be in action in Brisbane and Perth respectively, and as always, plenty more from elsewhere. Drop us a line to chat about your favourite Australasian sports action this weekend and we’ll try and get across it.
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