Summary
So with apologies to AFLW fans from the West, that’s where we’ll leave Sportwatch this Sunday as a rain-reduced Guardian Australian office fights time and tide (literally) to bring you this coverage, amid power outages and internet drop outs. Wherever you are, around Australia and the world, stay safe. It’s terrific to see these rains from a bushfire perspective, but gee, a little moderation wouldn’t go astray.
Speaking of the bushfires, a terrific commitment from the cricket community to raise a truckload of dollars for some organisations working very hard around Australia. It’s been a devastating summer, but if there’s one silver lining it’s the reminder of community - and the power of people working together. Imagine if the folks at the top followed that lead.
A big win by the Southern Stars who put their lead-in to the February World Cup back on track with a vital win over England, setting up a final clash with India in the tri-series.
Key first-round wins in the AFLW for Western Bulldogs and Collingwood, who showed far too much for St Kilda and West Coast, respectively. While in the A-League a much-needed win for the competition’s bottom side, the Newcastle Jets, in the grudge match against local rivals, Central Coast. And that’s Sportwatch!
A-League: Newcastle Jets 4-3 Central Coast
And so ends the 49th F3 derby. Seven goals for those faithful who braved awful conditions up in the Hunter to cheer on their side. In fairness, the pitch held up pretty well given it hosted a Super Rugby game yesterday.
They don’t play boring games, these two sides. New coach Carl Robinson and his assistant Kenny Miller watching on will be under no illusions of the job ahead, given some of the calamitous defending his side offered up. Thankfully, their attack did better, and all in all they were good value for their three points, the Jets.
They remain bottom of the table, courtesy that late Chris Harold goal, that keeps the Mariners in 10th thanks to goal difference.
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A-League - Goal! Newcastle Jets 4-3 Central Coast (Harold)
85 min: Oh my. That’s a poor clearance from Jets ‘keeper Italiano, who can only pick out sub and Mariners debutant Chris Harold. He chests down with aplomb before curling an effort into the top corner.
Surely there can’t be one last twist in this remarkable game of football?
And if you missed the overnight result, some good news for Opals fans and Australian basketball in general. No surprises Liz Cambage was right in the mix of things:
Bushfire Cricket Bash: Ponting XI wins by one run!
Tumultuous scenes to finish a very fun day for an even better cause. It’s Dan Christian bowling to Nick Riewoldt, needing ten off the final ball - he finds the rope for four, but umpire Mel Jones has called Christian for chucking! He has to bowl one more - six to win it, but he can only get it down the field. They try to run four - but it finishes, just, in favour of Ponting’s XI!
Some great names, some great fun. Nice to see lots of smiles, and a stack of dollars raised for organisations working tirelessly throughout Australia’s horror summer.
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AFLW: St Kilda 2.2 (14) lose to Western Bulldogs 6.3 (39)
Not the start to the new season the home side would have wanted as the Bulldogs finish in the manner they’d started. A very dominant display, and there will be a few teams around the league looking at this performance, although no real surprises given their roster. Plenty for the Saints to work on for next weekend.
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A-League - Goal! Newcastle Jets 4-2 Central Coast (o.g. Kim)
55 min: It’s raining from the heavens, and it’s raining on the field - goals, that is. Another set piece, another fine delivery - this time from Bobby Burns. He looks for the head of Arroyo, but it’s an unfortunate touch from the experienced Korean, Kim, who gets last touch. How unlucky that is, it flies past Birighitti! What a mad few minutes.
A-League - Goal! Newcastle Jets 3-2 Central Coast (Petratos)
52 min: Wowee. It’s all happening in the Hunter! Great persistence from Matt Millar who charges down a lost cause ball and finds a teammate centrally. O’Donovan feeds Arroyo whose shot is blocked - but it’s Petratos on the follow up, and it’s another crisp, clean finish! It’s all happening in Newcastle!
A-League - Goal! Newcastle Jets 2-2 Central Coast (Clisby)
50 min: Oh my. Milan Duric with a terrific dead ball delivery to pick out Clisby at the far post - but he’s completely unmarked the Mariners’ fullback! He heads home - nothing Lewis Italiano can do about that.
What’s happened here? They were 2-0 nil up and cruising; it was almost three before Birghitti denied the returning Roy O’Donovan; and all of a sudden - they could be right up against it, the home side. Groans from the home fans. They can’t squander this; surely.
Bushfire Cricket Bash: seventh over 4/72 (Symonds 19, Villani 2)
Bold, this from Ponting who puts on the Australian coach - Justin Langer for a bowl. It’s not gone too well - Andrew Symonds has sent him down the pitch for two massive sixes!
He’s seen enough, Langer - so he fakes a hammy injury and throws the ball to Nathan Lyons for the final delivery, which Villani reverse sweeps nicely; but there’s a fielder there.
Bushfire Cricket Bash: sixth over 4/58 (Symonds 5, Villani 2)
Bing Lee knocks over Brad Hodge for a duck - a big swing but no ding for the silver-haired Victorian. Roy Symonds come out and takes hold of Luke Hodge - that goes for four. Ellyse Villani looks very comfortable at the other end, pushing and prodding.
A-League - Goal! Newcastle Jets 2-1 Central Coast (Tongyik)
44 min: There’s a lifeline! They’ve taken one from the Jets’ playbook now - it’s the substitute Ruon Tongyik, on the pitch after injury to Rowles, who pops up on the end of a Jack Clisby corner - and he nods into an empty net! What’s happened there, in the heart of the Jets’ defence? An inquest follows.
And have put together almost the perfect first half - a sucker punch; could that prove crucial for the visitors?
Bushfire Cricket Bash: fourth over - 2/49 (Yuvraj 0, Hodge 0)
Shane Watson gives Dan Cristian the medicine - so much for looking dusty, he’s seeing it very well out there, Watto. He follows Brian Lara’s lead and retires on 30* off about 9 deliveries. Very nice.
And can you believe this! It’s the Hawks legend Luke Hodge who trundles in - and he’s just clean bowled Adam Gilchrist! He tries the knuckle ball, and he’s keep that low and under the bat. The skipper goes - a little bemused how that stayed low. Terrific delivery.
Bushfire Cricket Bash: Second over - 0/26 (Watson 16, Gilchrist 6)
Gee, this is just a basket of Easter eggs for cricket fans. Watching Courtney Walsh pick up his 500th Test wicket at the SCG was one of my highlights as a fan, and now it’s Wasim Akram with the ball. What a player.
Shane Watson doesn’t show him too much respect, mind - back to back sixes, flicked off the pads and deep over the rope!
AFLW: 3-quarter-time: St Kilda 1.1 (7) vs Western Bulldogs 5.1 (32)
Very little to add to in that third quarter, just the one behind for the visitors as the home side have failed to make significant inroads into this decent lead.
A-League - Goal! Newcastle Jets 2-0 Central Coast (Topor-Stanley)
24 min: Bottom of the table, you said? Welly, well. It’s a set piece and it’s a poor piece of one-on-one defence as Kye Rowles loses Nikolai Topor-Stanley at the far post, and the Jets veteran steals in to lash home with the left peg!
It’s only early, but you have to say it’s a long way back for the Mariners now - they’ve only scored 14 goals all season; now they’ll need three here to bag the points.
A-League - Goal! Newcastle Jets 1-0 Central Coast (Petratos)
15 min: It is the Panamanian making a nuisance in the box - Arroyo uses his imposing frame to get on the end of a hopeful cross, and he nods it back well to a teammate, and that’s a sumptuous volley home from Dimi Petratos! He missed a hatful last weekend, but he’s lashed that home! A fine strike, and a worthy opener. Here we go.
Bushfire Cricket Bash: Bonus over - 0/7 (Tendulkar 7)
They finished with a flourish, the Ponting XI. Bringing up 104 at the loss of five wickets. But the new innings opens with something pretty special.
Ellyse Perry vs Sachin Tendulkar. If you either thought you’d read that sentence. I reckon she’s got a tiny touch of stage fright, the Australian left arm, as she drags a few onto the bads, and like he hasn’t missed a beat in five and a half years out of the game, the little master flicks that off the pads for four. That was worth the entrance fee alone. Gorgeous.
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A-League - 8 min: Post! Steven Ugarkovic with a drive from long-range - it beats an outstretched Mark Birighitti, but rattles back resolutely off the upright! A lovely move from the Jets, how close was that. A clever layoff from the Panamanian Abdiel Arroyo. He’s looked handy in recent weeks, can he get on the scoresheet himself today?
A-League: Kick off!
3 min: An auspicious start for the home side - barely a few minutes into Newcastle v Central Coast, and the home side have had to make a change; Ben Kantarovski’s pulled up hobbled, and they’ve gone to the bench - the Jets. The youngster Angus Thurgate comes into the fray.
Morning Rich, morning all. I hope you’re well, wherever you’re following our coverage, around the globe. Thanks Scotty. A very kind welcome. It’s true - it’s a booming game in the Baltics, AFLW. So’s cricket, just quietly. A shoutout to the Tallinn Hippos, doing battle today in the Estonian first division indoor cricket.
A game that will be bubbling nicely a little closer to home is the F3 Derby in the A-League - lets get you there asap.
That’s where my contribution ends. I’m off to type ‘Brian Lara’ as many times as I can into YouTube. Your host with the most (knowledge of AFLW in Estonia) for the rest of Sunday is Richard Parkin. I’m Tallinn you, this bloke is good. All yours, Parko!
AFLW: HT: St Kilda 1.1 (7) vs Western Bulldogs 5.1 (31) No inroads to speak of for the Saints as Bailey Hunt extends the Dogs’ lead. They’ve had their share of possession, St Kilda, but have overused the footy and committed too many errors. Work to do for the new kids on the block.
1/2 TIME: Steady second quarter, as a Bailey Hunt goal extends our lead at the main break to 24 points.#AFLWSaintsDogs #MightyWest pic.twitter.com/Q2vOh16xpO
— WesternBulldogs AFLW (@BulldogsW) February 9, 2020
Bushfire Cricket Bash: 7th over: Ponting XI 62-3 (Litchfield 3, Lara 8) Brian Lara, you wonderful man, you’ve clearly still got it. Arguably the finest batsman of his generation - he might not have been, but you could argue it - smears a couple of cover drives right out of the screws to the fence. One was off the bowling of Elyse Villani, the other off Nick Riewoldt. Fine, he’s faced better bowlers in his life. But indulge me. They were pretty shots to watch.
As for the below, we all make mistakes. But I bet Brian could bat pretty well the other way around.
Left handed#BushfireCricketBash #bushfirebash pic.twitter.com/lmpmAjGnKz
— hashtagcricket (@SachinSid14) February 9, 2020
Bushfire Cricket Bash: 5th over: Ponting XI 46-2 (Ponting 20, Litchfield 1) Hayden’s on his way, caught off Yuvraj Singh for 16, which brings Phoebe Litchfield to the middle. She middles a couple of nice cover drives and the Ponting XI look to be going along OK at the midpoint of this 10-over bash. It’s an exhibition game for a very good cause, but Ponting is ever the competitor. He’s out there to win. I wonder if he’s ever lost an argument with himself.
Here’s that ripper of a ball from Courtney Walsh. How come no one ever bowled like that to me?
"It's not a competitive game Ricky!"
— News Cricket (@NewsCorpCricket) February 9, 2020
"Yes it is - when I'm playing it is!"
Absolutely no chill from @RickyPonting after Courtney Walsh sends down possibly the worst ball of his life 😂#BigAppeal #BushfireBash pic.twitter.com/YMNrRRShaG
AFLW: QT: St Kilda 1.0 (6) vs Western Bulldogs 4.1 (25) A baptism of fire for another of the AFLW’s new teams. It’s all the Doggies at quarter time at windy Moorabbin. But there’s plenty of time for the Saints and they can’t take this one away from Molly McDonald.
A famous Saints number is on the scoreboard at their spiritual home, as Molly McDonald makes the Dogs pay for a defensive half turnover 💪#AFLWSaintsDogs pic.twitter.com/RYZBYIMgSF
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) February 9, 2020
Bushfire Cricket Bash: 2nd over: Ponting XI 17-1 (Hayden 8, Ponting 1) Got ‘im! Langer tries to pull a straight one - possibly for the first time in his life - and is bowled by Courtney Walsh. This brings Ricky Ponting to the crease and Walsh, well, Walsh completely messes up his ball release as the cherry goes 50m - 25 up, 25 down - and lands somewhere in another postcode. Ponting, who can’t get out first ball, still wants a piece of it and chases that tiny piece of leather. Mayhem.
Brian Lara: "Justin Langer, 4 off 1. Havent seen that before"#BigAppeal | #BushfireBashpic.twitter.com/uLh8AkHRer
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) February 9, 2020
Bushfire Cricket Bash: 1st over: Ponting XI 14-0 (Langer 6, Hayden 6) The two great openers of years gone by pick Peter Siddle off with ease in a good start for the Ponting XI. The inimitable Courtney Walsh is next ...
Courtney Walsh to bowl#BigAppeal #BushfireBash #GilchristXl #PontingXl@sachin_rt @YUVSTRONG12 @RickyPonting @gilly381 @BrianLara @wasimakramlive @willowtv pic.twitter.com/sdhu3vfUXu
— Willow TV (@willowtv) February 9, 2020
Bushfire Cricket Bash: Gilchrist XI won the toss and will field
Bushfire Cricket Bash: not long to go now. Both teams are out on the Junction Oval. John Williamson is belting out ‘True Blue’. Can’t wait to see some big names of yesteryear going through their paces for a great cause.
Junction Oval is the place to be. Our @AusWomenCricket have done us proud with another win against England and now for the #BushfireBash pic.twitter.com/UCYJ0nPbHn
— karina keisler (@karinakeisler) February 9, 2020
AFLW: Collingwood 5.8 (38) beat West Coast 1.5 (11)
It started well for the Eagles in their first AFLW match, with Dana Hooker kicking the game’s first goal as the Pies were held to a scoreless first term, but it was all downhill from there as Collingwood capitalised with the breeze and defended well without it. The icing on top of the cherry on top of the cake was Sharni Layton’s major in the final term. Good old Collingwood forever. For the first time, they record a win in the opening round of the AFLW season. There might be a bitter postscript, however, with Brianna Davey suffering what looked to be a serious leg injury.
46 Diamonds caps. Two World Cup wins. Gold at the Commonwealth Games. And now, Sharni Layton has her first #AFLW goal! 💎#AFLWPiesEagles pic.twitter.com/vvMjntawMx
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) February 9, 2020
Women’s T20 tri-nations: Australia beat England by 16 runs
Australia qualify for the final of this tri-series tournament thanks to a masterful display with the ball. Their tally of 132-7 looked like it mightn’t be enough, but controlled, tight bowling meant England were never really in the hunt. Sophie Molineux was brilliant in the middle part of the innings, returning 3-19, after Tayla Vlaeminck ousted both opening bats. If Australia lost at the Junction Oval they were out on their ears, but instead it’s England who fail to qualify for Wednesday’s final against India.
Sophie Molineux and Tayla Vlaeminck bagged five wickets between them to help Australia secure a place in the final.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) February 9, 2020
The hosts will play India in the title clash on February 12.#AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/jPCtQqddQa
Women’s T20 tri-nations: 19 overs: England 107-7 v Australia 132-7 A great piece of glovework from Alyssa Healy - a genuine one-handed beauty, all reaction and instinct - removes Lauren Winfield and Australia are now surely home. England need 26 runs from the final over to win.
For the 22nd straight T20I, Megan Schutt takes a wicket. And this one thanks to a sharp catch by Alyssa Healy! #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/lzTg8DW9uv
— #7Cricket (@7Cricket) February 9, 2020
Women’s T20 tri-nations: 18 overs: England 102-6 v Australia 132-7 Winfield and Brunt have kept England’s seventh wicket intact - so they are at least set up for an assault in these last two overs - but 31 runs from 12 deliveries is a big ask indeed. Australia bowling with great discipline in these dying overs.
AFLW: 3QT: Collingwood 3.4 (22) vs West Coast 1.4 (10) The Eagles had enough of the play in the third quarter but could not find the necessary polish to do some damage on the scoreboard. Collingwood skipper Steph Chiocci’s major towards the end of the term really hurt West Coast. The Maggies are coming home with the wind and should run away with this match, but all eyes will be on Brianna Davey after the recruit went down with a leg injury.
"Come with me," skipper @Steph_Chiocci says as she weaves through traffic and gives the Pies a two goal buffer 🏃♀️#AFLWPiesEagles pic.twitter.com/fs2ltC4UXw
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) February 9, 2020
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Women’s T20 tri-nations: 15 overs: England 84-6 v Australia 132-7 Troubling times for England, who are bleeding wickets and falling behind the required run-rate all the while. Sophie Molineux has been the architect of destruction in the middle part of the innings, taking three wickets - including England skipper Heather Knight for 13. At the end of the 14th over it was nearly seven down as Rachael Haynes almost took a blinder of a catch off a Lauren Winfield reverse sweep. Would’ve been a classic catch.
Sophie Molineux again! And this time she gets her @RenegadesWBBL teammate in Beaumont #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/SerUwXdt8Z
— #7Cricket (@7Cricket) February 9, 2020
AFLW: Q3: 7 mins remaining: Collingwood 2.3 (15) vs West Coast 1.3 (9) The Eagles have the breeze in this quarter but it’s slow going as they bid to regain the lead that was snatched from them in two mad minutes during the second term. Prized recruit Kellie Gibson did have a chance to draw level but her set shot from distance faded slightly to the right for a minor score. All the scoring is happening at West Coast’s end. One feels they’ll need to take a lead into the final break if they’re to have any hope of winning.
Women’s T20 tri-nations: 9 overs: England 55-3 v Australia 132-7 Softy, softly for England who started their run-chase needing about 6.7 runs per over to win ... and who still face that type of task approaching the midpoint. That said, wickets are falling. Australia are bowling well and refusing to give England any easy runs. Tayla Vlaeminck removed both openers before, in the ninth over, Ellyse Perry snaffled a nice catch in the deep to get rid of Natalie Sciver. Australia must win this game if they have a hope of featuring in Wednesday’s final. Lose here, and they tune up for the women’s T20 World Cup on a negative note.
Australia hanging around trying to defend a small total! #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/fbahMtmTw0
— Women in Sports (@WinSportsAus) February 9, 2020
AFLW: HT: Collingwood 2.2 (14) vs West Coast 1.2 (8) After being held for almost the entirety of the first half, Collingwood boot two majors in as many minutes to take the lead against one of the AFLW’s newbies. Firstly, Chloe Molloy slotted home a set shot from a tight angle before Jaimee Lambert converted from close range, bisecting an Eagles defensive line that was more interested in the umpire’s call than stopping the scoring threat. In the first quarter, Dana Hooker kicked West Coast’s first ever goal in the AFLW as the Pies were scoreless heading to the first break.
OUR FIRST EVER GOAL!!!
— West Coast Eagles AFLW (@eaglesaflw) February 9, 2020
DANA HOOKER YOU STAR!!! pic.twitter.com/WKTWxEoXLj
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Go the Opals.
Ground staff, administrators, players - and, of course, the big man upstairs - conspiring to play a game of cricket during the Great Sydney Downpour (GSD) last night should very well join the invention of the wheel, sliced bread and the mighty Slap Chop as one of humanity’s great achievements.
Women’s T20 tri-nations: 20 overs: Australia 132-7 v England It’s a pretty simple equation for Australia: win here or surrender any hope at all of featuring in the final of this tri-series tournament. So far, it isn’t going so well. After being sent in by England in Melbourne, Australia lost Alyssa Healy in the opening over and never really got going - despite Beth Mooney’s 50 from 40 balls. Sophie Ecclestone (2-19) and Sarah Glenn (2-18) kept Australia on a very tight leash and, on the evidence of this tournament to date, a target of 133 should be well within England’s reach.
Shot from Haynes! #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/qXkZD50lGt
— Women in Sports (@WinSportsAus) February 9, 2020
Preamble
Good afternoon and welcome to the soggiest edition of Sportwatch in living memory. After your trusty host’s car, bike and helicopter was washed away by Sydney’s big wet, I flagged down the next passing dinghy and am now here, at your service on a Sunday that has plenty in store. Australia’s women cricketers are at the midpoint of their must-win T20 tri-series match against England, two new teams - St Kilda and West Coast - make their maiden appearances as the opening round of the AFLW season continues, the F3 Derby in the A-League will go ahead despite the torrential rain sweeping large parts of New South Wales, plus there is some cycling and the rescheduled Bushfire cricket bash to keep us interested. So, yeah, lots on. As soon as I windscreen wipe my spectacles, we’ll be under way. Something on your mind? If so, send me an email or tweet @scott_heinrich.
