Summary
And that’s where we’ll leave Sportwatch. Incredible late drama in the Big Bash. You wouldn’t say great cricket, but you would say great entertainment. Run outs, bowling implosions, momentum swings - the home fans won’t be happy, but the neutrals would have loved that.
It caps a massive day in sport - a first grand slam for Sofia Kenin at the Australian Open, while Australian Dylan Alcott continued his glittering career.
A stalemate in Newcastle in the A-League before Adelaide got the party started with a shock upset against Melbourne City. No luck in the opening round of the Super Rugby for the Waratahs or the Rebels, but redemption in the women’s hockey as the Hockeyroos snatched a late winner against Great Britain.
I’m out of breath just typing. Thanks for your company!
Big Bash: Thunder win by eight runs!
It’s Morris v Wells in the final over. And he’s got him first ball! Wells with the feather knick and he’s caught behind! Incredible stuff.
Dot ball first up for Stanlake, before a single down the ground. Agar winds up a big one, but he sends it to the heavens. But two fielders get in each other’s way! Hales and Sams in a mix up - that should have been the game! Next ball’s a dot - and that is the game. Incredible close to this one. The Strikers drop 6 for 20-something to throw it away!
I thought after that Tremain over they were dead and buried - but they’ve risen like Lazarus. Incredible drama - incredible entertainment!
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Big Bash - Strikers 8/138 (19), Wells 33*, Agar 0*
The Thunders do have to go to their strike bowler, and it’s Sams who comes in for the 19th over. Neser goes big - but he’s skied it! Nair’s under it, but it swirls violently. Nair tries to get the fingers under it.. and he holds on! Neser goes, what a catch that was!
Siddle to face now. But he dollies the slower ball straight to the fielder Hales! We’re 8-for. What an incredible close to this game. Sam’s 30th wicket for the tournament. Two this over. Wells hits two. He needs to farm the strike cleverly. And a single to close.
Just five off the over - and they need 13 off the last over!
Big Bash - Strikers 6/134 (18), Wells 29*, Neser 12*
The crowd are cheering a sundry! That’s how close it is. And another! Tremain and Neser in a battle of wills, and the bowler slides it wide. He goes wide again, Tremain - and Neser thumps him through the covers for four! Two down the ground. And another wide! Tremain is rattled. The Strikers fans are loving this. The big quick has imploded. He goes at the stumps, and Neser smashes him through the offside!
That could be the game - he’s gone for 16, Tremain. Well done, Michael Neser: he may have just won it!
Big Bash - Wicket! Strikers 6/117 (16.3), Wells 28*, Neser 0*
Oh my! They’ve lost three wickets for just two runs, as Morris traps Short lbw!
35 off 20 is still getable, but they’re running out of men who can do it. If they lose Wells, surely it could be curtains for this Strikers’ chase. Hasn’t this got lively!
A-League - Goal! Perth 1-1 Melbourne (Fornaroli)
45 min: Is he in a mood today? It’s an inspired run from Fornaroli, who drives at the Victory defence and draws the foul just outside the box from Roux. He brushes himself off, steps up - and slots it! A terrific freekick, low and hard around the wall!
There’s the half-time whistle; what a blow - Victory were about ten seconds short of going in with a well-earned lead!
Big Bash - Wicket! Strikers 4/115 (15), Carey 28 out
They take the rush single and the skipper Ferguson pounces on it like a big cat. That’s a phenomenal runout from the Thunder fielder! And is that the breakthrough? Or is it too little, too late?
They bring in Khan - up the order, Strikers - they’re looking to put this to bed. And can you believe it - he’s gone too, for a second ball duck! He took on Cook, but he’s been gobbled up in the deep. Ladies and gentlemen - we are definitely back. on.
Big Bash - Strikers 3/103 (14), Wells 17*, Carey 25*
They’re getting there in a trickle, the Strikers. Just the five singles off that Sams over, but they’re up to about 38 off 25 for the partnership.
The equation is 49 off 36. Very getable. Thunder need a wicket.
A-League - 33 min: A few words between Toivonen and Bruno Fornaroli. Two great competitors and two of the best strikers the league’s ever seen.
And it’s the Uruguayan who tries the acrobatic effort - it’s a superb bicycle kick effort at the far post, and it clatters back off the post! So close for the Prickly Pear!
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Big Bash - Thunder 3/86 (12), Wells 10*, Carey 16*
It’s a gamble from the skipper who brings back Doggett who copped 15 off his first, and first ball he’s run one down leg for four wides! Oh my. A great fightback from the quick though, who only goes for singles thereafter.
They still need just a nudge over 8, so as long as these two noodle along, you’d still back in the Strikers.
A-League - Goal! Perth Glory 0-1 Melbourne Victory (Toivonen)
23 min: Who else! It’s the killer Swede, big Ola, who has opened the scoring. He’s looking red in the face, but that was ice cool. Nabbout’s run set it up - before a cutback. But it was all about the finish. A fierce curling effort from outside the box - Reddy gets a hand to it, but he can’t prevent it from nestling into the top left-hand corner. A wonderful strike - from one of the league’s most high calibre imports.
Big Bash - Strikers 3/68 (10), Wells 3*, Carey 10*
My, oh my. We’re at the half-way mark, and Cook’s got the key wicket and then closed out the over with just three off it.
84 off 60 is the equation. It’s not a huge chase, but the way this one’s unfolded it’s starting to get tense in the Strikers’ camp.
Australian T20 skipper Aaron Finch is on the boundary as part of the commentary team, and he reckons this one will go to the 19th over - not quite to the wire, but still very tight.
Big Bash - Strikers 2/65 (9), Head 32*, Carey 10*
Seven off the over, but its the partnership that’s building that will worry the Thunder. Carey now looking a bit more set.
Oh my - first ball of the next over, and Jono Cook has the wicket of the skipper, Head - he’s chopped on first ball! And that’s a big celebration in the field. Is that a match turner? Big moment.
And Australia - you have a new Aust Open winner.
Home fans would have loved to see local-star Ash Barty holding the silverware, but it’s the woman who sent her home who emerges with the big one - congratulations Sofia Kenin:
A-League - 12 min: Perth just shading the early possession, but it’s a trademark cagey beginning from Popovic’s side, just the one chance on goal but it’s well seen to by Thomas in the Victory goals. A heavy tackle from Lesiotis on Brimmer, but he’s somehow avoided an early booking.
Big Bash - Strikers 2/47 (7), Head 23*, Carey 1*
Weatherald goes big, but he only gets it high. The skipper Ferguson gets under the swirling ball and takes it cleanly! Another big wicket, but the Strikers’ skipper Head accelerates a little. That Doggett over aside, it’s Thunder on top with the ball, but there’s still only a little total to protect.
A-League - kick off!
1 min: We’re away in Perth - and despite Victory’s place on the ladder, don’t be mistaken, this is a top-tier encounter. I’m fascinated to see how Rojas fares. There’s no Robbie Kruse for Victory, so almost a like-for-like replacement at least.
Here are the XIs by the way - where the big news is also, no Diego Castro for the home side:
It's a maiden start for Olyroos hero Nick D'Agostino at HBF Park today!#PERvMVC #OneGlory pic.twitter.com/njuEdLHgnC
— Perth Glory FC (@PerthGloryFC) February 1, 2020
And, Melbourne:
.@OlaToivonen20 starts! Marco Rojas off the bench 🤞 #MVFC #OurVictory pic.twitter.com/xcfBY1jGwq
— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) February 1, 2020
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Big Bash - Strikers 1/31 (4) Head 12*, Weatherald 14*
Eep. 15 off it, and in answer to the question, yep - they went after Doggett. A bit of bad luck for the quick - who had Weatherald flash one just over the hands of a man in the deep, but that’s undone the good first three overs.
“They’re blinking like a rat in a flour bin” says commentator Adam Glichrist, which I’ll be honest with you - is one I’ve never heard before but absolutely love.
Now, there is a late fixture from the West still to come, where there’s along-awaited return to the A-League for the mercurial Marco Rojas, back in Victory navy once again. A daunting first-up test though, Tony Popovic’s high-flying Glory, at home. Kick off not too far away.
Big Bash - Strikers 1/16 (3), Head 7*, Weatherald 4*
It’s a big first-over breakthrough for the Thunder as Sams takes out the dangerman Salt with his final delivery for just five. From there it’s been steady stuff from the Strikers as the skipper Head nudges them about. Will they go after Doggett this next over? They’ve got short change out of Sams, Cook and Nair so far. Let’s find out.
A-League: Adelaide United 3-1 Melbourne City
An enjoyable night for the home fans as the Reds beat City in Adelaide once again, as they did in the FA Cup final.
Three set pieces, three goals. And after the red card to Delbridge it was pretty much clean sailing for the home side. It’s three wins on the spin after four losses in a row. They really are the competition’s hot-and-cold team, but they’ve kept it lively in recent weeks. A big miss from City who lose more ground to Sydney FC, and could see Perth overtake their second spot on the ladder.
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And staying with tennis, what an incredible champion this man is - he’s unstoppable Dylan Alcott, and as good a man off the court as he is on it:
A decisive moment in the women’s Australian Open final, where the second set has just been decided. Tumaini Carayol has eyes on that one:
A-League - Red Card! Delbridge off
76 min: Ach, it’s bad to worse for the visitors. The lanky defender had given the ball away, and he’s gone in full-blooded to get it back. Referee Alex King originally calls it a yellow card, before VAR replays suggest the defender went over the ball and got leg first. It’s a nasty one, and the referee agrees and gives him his marching orders. It’s still 3-1, and surely - that means all three points are staying in Adelaide.
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Big Bash - End of Innings: Thunder 7/151 (20)
Wes Agar with a terrific penultimate over after copping a fair bit of stick early on, but really, this Thunder innings has just imploded since that incredibly unlucky Nair runout. Siddle rattles the stumps of Sams, before Tremain ramps him for three. They scratch 10 from the last over, but surely this won’t be enough for this Strikers lineup?
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A-League - 62 min: No change to the score as the Reds look to shuffle the pack and bring on the big Norwegian Kristian Opseth, who replaces the goalscorer Blackwood.
The shots-on-target tally is still only marginally ahead of the goals tally, remarkably. 3 on target for Adelaide, 3 scored. 2 on target for City, one scored.
Big Bash - Wicket! Thunder 5/126 (16.3), Nair 18 out
Oh my! That’s possibly the most unlucky wicket you’ll ever see!! It’s a terrific straight drive from Morris who thumps Siddle straight back past him, but en route it’s clipped the BOTTOM of Siddle’s boot - he didn’t know anything about it; he didn’t even play at it - and it’s crashed into the stumps, and Nair’s run out at the non-striker’s end! A great cameo comes to an end.
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Big Bash - Thunder 4/116 (15), Nair 15*, Morris 10*
Ross goes after Head first ball, and he holes out! He went for the big slog to cow corner, but he doesn’t catch it clean, and the skipper picks up a vital wicket!
They’re still scoring at a reasonable clip, the Thunder, but the wickets are dropping and no partnerships are building. 160 would still be the figure they’re chasing, you’d imagine; but will it be enough?
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A-League - second half!
45 min: So, drinks break over - we’re back at it in Adelaide. They trail by two, and you don’t imagine Erik Mombaerts is a ranter and raver, but has he found a way to fire his troops for the second half of this one? City can’t pretend a title chase with a loss here today.
Big Bash - Thunder 3/90 (12), Ross 10*, Nair 1*
Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Hales was absolutely flying - and Rashid Khan has come in and produced the key wicket first ball, before finishing the over with just one of it. Incredible T20 bowling!
The Englishmen goes for 59 off 35 - he went after the shot but only found the big mits of Peter Siddle in the field, and suddenly that’s a big momentum swing towards the Strikers.
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So, revenge for Australia’s women in the hockey, but if you missed the earlier excitement a real white-knuckle ending to the cricket T20. Here’s the write up:
A-League - Goal! Adelaide 3-1 Melbourne City (Blackwood)
45 min: Oh my. Do you reckon Melbourne City worked on corners this week in training? You’d hope not, because they’ve just copped a third goal from a set piece - as the much-maligned Blackwood stormed through the heart of defence to head home.
Great header - and there’s the half-time whistle. That’s made Verbeek’s half-time talk a little easier!
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Big Bash - Thunder 2/67 (9), Hales 42*, Ross 6*
You’d say Strikers on top so far, but with Alex Hales still at the crease they’re still a chance, the Thunder. Siddle picks up the skipper Ferguson lbw for just one, and since then Ross has been playing second fiddle to the opener. He’s cleared the rope three times, Hales, moving nicely at over 150+ run rate so far.
Good over from Neser though, just three off it.
A-League - Goal! Adelaide 2-1 Melbourne City (Halloran)
42 min: It’s a set piece, and it’s another goal for Ben Halloran! It’s a great headed contest at the near post with both Blackwood and Elsey getting a bit of something on the corner, helping it on to the far post where it’s headed home, unmarked, but that man Halloran!
A-League - 33 min: Just over the hour played in Adelaide, where it’s been a lively contest. It’s been a quiet night at the office so far for skipper-for-the-night, City’s sharp-shooter Jamie Maclaren, but as we know he often only needs a chance.
Just one shot on target from each side - and they’ve both ended in goals. There will be more in this one, you’d imagine though.
Pro League: Australia 2-1 Great Britain
We’re still tied here in Sydney with just a few minutes to run, where we could see a second Australia-Great Britain penalty shootout of the day, after the Kookaburra’s exciting 4-4 draw (and subsequent win at “death strikes”). Unless of course there’s a late dramatic winner.
And would you believe it! A terrific turn and reverse-strike from Grace Stewart - it flies past Maddie Hinch, and with just seconds left, Australia have taken the lead! 2-1. What a dramatic finish - the home side fans love it, but the women in maroon slump to their haunches. They threw everything at that, Great Britain - but they come up short by the narrowest of margins!
One of the best finishes to a game you are likely to see - with 12 seconds left on the clock Grace Stewart scored the winner to bring the crowd on their feet and secure full points! #FIHProLeague #AUSvGBR #ROOthless pic.twitter.com/fYch1FD3xY
— Hockeyroos (@Hockeyroos) February 1, 2020
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Big Bash - Thunder 1/21 (4), Ferguson 1*, Hales 4*
So, it’s the Thunder who bat first after their hosts won the toss and sent them in. Steady, if unspectacular stuff so far from Sydney-siders, with Khawaja making a scratchy start.
And would you believe, he’s just dragged onto his stumps! Neser with the breakthrough - Khawaja goes for 15. Still plenty of batting in this line up, but that’s not a bright omen.
This is of course “The Knockout” (having seen The Eliminator and The Challenger so far already this weekend). Either way, the equation is winner faces the Melbourne Stars after their uncharacteristic capitulation against the Sixers.
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A-League - Goal! Adelaide 1-1 Melbourne City (Noone)
16 min: Uhoh. Shades of last week’s seven-goal thriller; we’re back level - and it’s the man who’s error gifted to opener who makes immediate amends! Craig Noone lashing home through a crowd of bodies; and this time it was the experienced skipper Jakobsen with a weak clearance that’s cost his side.
A-League - Goal! Adelaide 1-0 Melbourne City (Halloran)
12 min: First blood, Reds! It’s a corner and a tantalising delivery from Nathan Konstandoupoulos that bobbles off a few players. But Craig Noone, the City winger doesn’t clear cleanly with his attempted volley away and it falls to Ben Halloran at the far post, who rifles a fine finish past Dean Bouzanis!
Pro League Hockey - Australia 1-1 Great Britain three-quarter-time: What a game this is - it’s like two prizefighters going at it, slug for slug. Given the conditions (and you can only imagine the heat coming off the astro), you just have to admire the athleticism, but it would Australia on points, that round. Close, but no cigar in terms of goals - so we’re set for 15 minutes more to see if we can resolve this one before penalties.
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A-League - kick off!
1 min: So, we’re away in Adelaide! It’s been Jekyll and Hyde stuff from the Reds - no draws, only wins or losses - looking to stop a City team with their eyes on second spot (with only daylight close to Sydney FC).
And here’s the team news for our second A-League fixture, from South Australia.
Adelaide:
Nathan Konstandopoulos is rewarded for his winner last week with a start in place of the injured James Troisi. #AUFC #ADLvMCY pic.twitter.com/Zl17Yzwxc1
— Adelaide United (@AdelaideUnited) February 1, 2020
And, Melbourne City:
Our team is in for tonight's clash in Adelaide! #ADLvMCY pic.twitter.com/CIf9pwgYEy
— Melbourne City FC 🏙️ (@MelbourneCity) February 1, 2020
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Pro League Hockey - Australia 1-1 Great Britain - half-time:
At the major break it’s a chocolate each, but you’d have to say on balance of play it’s the visitors that are marginally shading it. GB enjoying more circle penetrations and a few more shots fashioned, but as the half progressed the Hockeyroos rallied.
Still hot and tricky conditions at Homebush in Sydney. “It was a little bit messy from us, we lost our structures a bit, but we’ll regroup and pick up in the second half”. That’s the word from Australia’s coach, Paul Gaudoin.
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Now, there is of course two more A-League fixtures to come this Saturday night. Alas, I don’t think I’ll be allowed to stay up to watch the result from the West come in, but we’ll have Adelaide United v Melbourne City for you shortly. There is of course the little matter of a Big Bash finals match too. We stay in the city of churches for that, as the Strikers host the Thunder.
Pro League Hockey - Goal! Australia on fast transition but with a two-on-one attack they’ve just forced a follow up effort wide after a terrific initial shot-stop from the GB ‘keeper Maddie Hinch. They feed in the corner, and they do force it home! No luck for Hinch this time as the shot from Steff Kershaw flies through her legs. We’re all square! Australia 1-1 Great Britain after Sarah Robinson went ahead following a well-worked penalty corner. Five to play before half-time.
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It’s been a tragedy that’s resonated around the world over the past week, but another fitting tribute for Kobe Bryant and his daughterGianna from the team where he was once king:
A-League: Newcastle 0-0 Western United
Ay, ay, ay. I’ve seen some hard watches in my decade or so following Aust football but that was, well...
27 shots from Newcastle - none of which ended in a goal. It very much tells you where the bottom side’s season is at, as Dimi Petratos, Abdiel Arroyo and many more systematically butchered match-winning opportunities. A strangely subdued showing from the visitors Western United, who after more high-profile departures are looking very undermanned - and it has to be said, underwhelming - on the pitch.
Still, Roy the Boy will be back for next weekend’s derby, and who knows - they may even have a coach appointed by then. In fairness to both sets of players, those were very testing conditions - you can’t fault the effort - but perhaps, the quality.
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And for those of you who are football-inclined, our UK colleagues have had a busy 24 hours or so as the January transfer window closed. From memory it was something like 400 transfers pushed through as clubs across Europe (and beyond) frantically tried to re-jig their seasons.
Here, I believe are all the main ones from the Premier League:
And speaking of blue chip - the key event of today, sportswise is probably the women’s final at the Australian Open, even if the Barty Party has gone to bed with two panadol and a bottle of water.
Tumaini Carayol will have every shot covered for that one - don’t miss a beat, here:
Super Rugby: Crusaders 43-25 Waratahs
There’s a late face-saver for the visitors, it was Newsome under the sticks after some good work from Beale, but it doesn’t affect the outcome.
A steady day at the office for the league’s blue chip side as Razor Robertson’s men cut the Tahs to ribbons. Not a perfect 80 by any lengths of the imagination, but plenty of signs there that they’ll be the competition’s team to beat.
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Pro League Hockey - first quarter: So, a first appearance from Great Britain in this year’s competition, Australia of course coming off twin draws against Belgium - one resolved for a penalty shootout win, the other a shootout loss.
They’re ranked second and fifth in the world these two sides, but they are the reigning Olympic champions, Great Britain. Should be a cracker.
Super Rugby - 75 min: And as Scotty pointed out, if you were tempted to get excited, Waratahs fans, it was only that mandatory 10-minute patch where NZ sides pretend to let you in the game. Tries to Jordan and Romano have made the lead more emphatic once again, both converted by Havili, and they’re out by 25 again, the Crusaders. 43-18. Sevu Reece is causing absolute havoc out wide for the hosts.
A-League - 70 min: A quick update on Newcastle v Western United where there is still a forcefield protecting both goals. They can’t beg a goal, the home side.
The one subplot worth watching though is Boogaard v Berisha though: he, the defender with a record 10 A-League red cards, he the temperamental striker with a history of “passionate responses”. Referee Barreiro gives them both a talking too after another tangle, and a fair bit of grinning close-talking between the two.
Kia ora! Hello to all, from wherever you’re following the sports around the world. Welcome back Super Rugby and welcome back, you, the devotees of Sportwatch.
Cheers, Scott - more fine work from you, sir. As always, there’s more afoot than a Cluedo dinner party. We’re just about to have women’s hockey action where it’s Australia v the old enemy - England - and a chance for instant redemption from the women’s cricket. No super overs this time.
And, of course, as soon as I update the Super Rugby match, the Crusaders go and score a try to make it 29-18 and gain some breathing space against the Waratahs. The paymasters at Guardian Towers have seen enough. I was to carry my bat through this Sportwatch epic, but in an instant my position has gone from midfield general to left right out. It’s over to Richard Parkin, who’s keener than a jar of mustard to take you through to stumps. Sayonara!
Super Rugby: 59 mins: Crusaders 24-18 Waratahs OK, now this is interesting. The Waratahs - sit down, Waratahs fans, or you’ll fall down - are in this match. After being thoroughly outplayed in the first half, the Tahs are now breathing fire and have breached the Crusaders defence for two tries - both to 19-year-old Mark Nawaqanitawase. Now is not the time to look away.
A-League: 52 mins: Newcastle 0-0 Western United Petratos has a couple of chances to finally get the Jets on the board. But he squanders both. The second I can understand: good keeping, again, from Kurto. The first will go down will rival how Keith Richards is still alive as one of the world’s great mysteries. Open goal, keeper not a threat, just needs to get boot on the cross. Nada. Would’ve been harder to miss.
Just when we thought Hoffman had the miss of the season last week Petratos does that 🤷🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️ #NEWvWUN
— B R A D (@bradfogarty95) February 1, 2020
Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race: Lippert breaks clear
Liane Lippert avoided a huge crash to record a solo victory as wild weather lashed the women’s Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. Only about 25 riders were able to steer clear of the chaos that unfurled around a left-hand turn about 24km from the finish in the women’s World Tour season opener at Geelong.
German Lippert (Sunweb) then attacked from a small lead group in the closing kilometres and finished clear of her rivals. Defending champion Arlenis Sierra (Astana) was second, with Australian champion Amanda Spratt (Mitchelton-Scott) third.
“Most of my team crashed, some of them held it up, but from that point on it was a bit surreal,” Spratt said. “The team had positioned me really well right at the front so I even heard the crash.
“We just came around the corner and went up the next climb and I looked around and there were only 25 riders left and daylight behind. It was so fast. There was no avoiding it if it happened in front of you.”
Lippert’s win continued a strong run of form for the 22-year-old after she finished second overall in last month’s Tour Down Under.
- with thanks to AAP
🏆CHAMPION
— Cadel Road Race (@CadelRoadRace) February 1, 2020
Epic ride! @LianeLippert of @TeamSunweb wins the first UCI Women's WorldTour one-day race of the season.#DeakinWomensRace #UCIWTT @Deakin pic.twitter.com/8BXQ65qp65
Some reaction/fallout/commentary from the Guardian faithful after Australia’s super over loss to England in the women’s T20 tri-series game. First up is 20CNS, who assures us he was in no way suggesting match-fixing was going on. I blame auto correct.
Next cab off the rank is Royce Hart, with whom I agree that selection might have been as issue for Australia. Not going with Beth Mooney, not just in hindsight but at the time also, seemed odd after her 65 in the run chase.
many many tactical errors across the day starting with selection
we made it to super over on individual talent
can only get better tomorrow. then Tig women next friday!
however this England are a good team, their tweakers especially
A-League: HT: Newcastle 0-0 Western United No goals but no shortage of action, or niggle, in a bright first half in exhausting conditions at McDonald Jones Stadium. Boogaard and Berisha have been at it for most of the match - the former earning a yellow card for a particularly ropey challenge - and Arroyo has also come in for some close attention by United markers. The better chances have belonged to the Jets, who desperately need a win here, but they haven’t been able to get past Kurto. Yet.
How could you miss that! @NewcastleJetsFC vs @wufcofficial!#NEWvWUN
— FOX Sports Football (@FOXFOOTBALL) February 1, 2020
📺LIVE on Fox Sports 505 now.
📝BLOG: https://t.co/cXEHoeB8Vc pic.twitter.com/76uXbZPHtR
Super Rugby: HT: Crusaders 24-6 Waratahs The sort of first half one would expect from the reigning champs. The Crusaders have already run in three tries - including a ripping solo effort by Leicester Fainga’anuku after 34 minutes - and this could be a long night for the NSW side. Will Jordan and Braydon Ennor are the other try scorers.
Geez the Waratahs suck #CRUvWAR
— Corey. (@seasallen) February 1, 2020
An excellent super over from England to beat the world’s No 1 team and make amends for their loss to India on Friday. Not such a good showing by Australia, but 20CNS was impressed by their batting to secure the tie.
Brilliant betting by the Australian tail to get a tie at the end of 20 overs there!
Fully prepared to accept that the error in the second word is nothing more than an honest typo, 20CNS.
Women’s T20 tri-nations: England beat Australia (super over)
England go with Knight and Wyatt. Perry, of course, is the Australian trusted with the ball. A short one, the third delivery of the over, is hooked by Knight for four and the England batter follows up with a four over mid-off to seal victory with two balls of the super over to spare.
HEATHER KNIGHT WINS IT FOR ENGLAND! #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/1bq8t7n9or
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) February 1, 2020
Women’s T20 tri-nations: Super over: Australia 8-0 v England Australia go with Healy and Gardner, despite Mooney’s heroics in regular time. Healy swings and misses first ball and barely survives a stumping before leaving Gardner on strike to Ecclestone on 3-0 after three balls. A boundary off a leading edge brings a boundary before some smart fielding by Ecclestone off her own bowling earns a dot ball. A nice ball to finish, full and straight, goes for a single and that’s a good result for England.
Women’s T20 tri-nations: 20 overs: Australia 156-8 v England 156-4 And we’re going to a super over! Australia needed three runs from the final ball to win, two to force a super over, with Delissa Kimmince hitting Sophie Ecclestone over mid-on and scampering through for a second. Scores are tied. Super game, this.
Last ball of the innings - three required for the win...#AUSvENG SCORECARD: https://t.co/9OJ2fsAaes pic.twitter.com/s5As5wbuXT
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 1, 2020
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Super Rugby: Big game at Trafalgar Park is moments away from starting. Here’s how they line up.
How the Crusaders and Waratahs line up as the Champions kick off their title defence#CRUvWAR
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) February 1, 2020
Women’s T20 tri-nations: 18 overs: Australia 134-7 v England 156-4 Beth Mooney is out, gone for 65 off 45 balls, leaving Annabel Sutherland and Georgia Wareham with the task of scoring 23 from the final 12 balls to win.
A-League: not long now until Newcastle and Western United take to the pitch at McDonald Jones Stadium; United eyeing the finals, the Jets eyeing anything but the bottom of the ladder.
This is how we line up for our first ever clash at home with Western United! Kick-off in an hour's time 💪 #NEWvWUN #ALeague #MadeOfNewcastle pic.twitter.com/drxUgFIIxj
— NEWCASTLE JETS FC ✈️ (@NewcastleJetsFC) February 1, 2020
A debut for Tomi Uskok! #WUFC #NEWvWUN pic.twitter.com/z9BgDjb3BA
— Western United FC (@wufcofficial) February 1, 2020
Women’s T20 tri-nations: 16 overs: Australia 113-5 v England 156-4 Australia continue to lose wickets, and key ones at that, to leave them needing 44 runs from the final 24 balls to win. Ellyse Perry was a big name to go, dismissed leg before to become Sarah Glenn’s third victim.
Australian Open: Dylan Alcott beats Andy Lapthorne (6-0 6-4)
The Australian superstar wins his sixth Australian Open quad wheelchair singles title, and 10th grand slam, with a straight-sets win over the Brit. Alcott, the world No 1, breezed through the first set but was challenged in the second, only for his class to prevail.
Super Rugby: Sunwolves 36-27 Rebels
The Sunwolves commence their final season in Super Rugby with a first-ever win in the opening round. The Rebels displayed no shortage of ticker to come back from 36-13 down at Fukuoka, with Andrew Deegan crossing over after 75 minutes, but time was against them. An impressive performance from the Sunwolves, who tallied five tries and were worthy winners over a Rebels side that will be looking long into the mirror after this defeat.
😮 UPSET CENTRAL! We have our first upset of #SuperRugby 2020 with @sunwolves stunning the Rebels 36 - 27.#SUNvREB #RugbyRecoded pic.twitter.com/5QLKbpsiie
— Super Rugby (@SuperRugbyNZ) February 1, 2020
Women’s T20 tri-nations: 10 overs: Australia 71-3 v England 156-4 Australia, now without Ashleigh Gardner (16) and Meg Lanning (one), aren’t doing themselves any favours, slipping slightly behind the required run-rate and losing wickets at the same time. But Lanning’s departure has brought Ellyse Perry to the crease. That is a good thing. What’s also good from an Australian perspective is that, at the identical juncture of their innings, England were 41-3. And look what they did with their final 10 overs.
OUT. Meg Lanning is (eventually) bowled and it's advantage England! #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/691wvtkarC
— #7Cricket (@7Cricket) February 1, 2020
Super Rugby: 62 mins: Sunwolves 36-13 Rebels The Rebels have been playing catch-up in Fukuoka ever since Keisuke Moriya’s try after eight minutes handed the Sunwolves the advantage, and Jaba Bregvadze followed suit 10 minutes later. The Rebels showed some fight to get back in the contest, but a Garth April try, followed by a conversion, after 62 minutes has all but snuffed out any hopes of a revival.
Women’s T20 tri-nations: 3 overs: Australia 23-1 v England 156-4 The ideal start for England as Freya Davies removes Australia skipper Alyssa Healy for nine. But there’s a long way to go, and Beth Mooney is still there.
Superb timing from Beth Mooney! #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/KFf3IjWIpm
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 1, 2020
Emotions ran deep from start to finish at Staples Center as LA Lakers played their first game since the helicopter crash that claimed nine lives, including NBA legend Kobe Bryant.
AFL: Max hurt, but not Gawn for the season
It might be hotter than a beef phall in most parts of the country, but 1 February is as good a day as any for some AFL news. Big Max Gawn - not sure why some feel the need to refer to him in this manner; he is, after all, a ruckman - went down in pre-season training in Maroochydore on Friday, sparking fears he might require a third knee reconstruction. But Melbourne fans can breathe a sigh of relief: scans have revealed just minor damage to the big man’s big left knee.
Over to Demons football boss Josh Mahoney:
Max got a knock to the knee during a match simulation drill ... and scans have since revealed a Grade 2 medial ligament strain. Whilst exact timelines are yet to determined, at this stage, we anticipate he will be available for the start of the season.
Women’s T20 tri-nations: 20 overs: England 156-4 v Australia An innings of two halves as England crawl towards the drinks break but monster the final 10 overs to post a healthy total in sweltering Canberra. England piled on 115 runs after halfway, for the loss of just one wicket, with Heather Knight (78 off 45 balls) the chief architect of England’s revival. Knight put on 115 runs for the fourth wicket with Fran Wilson (39 not out off 28) to trump their 147-7 batting first yesterday against India. There looks plenty of runs in this Manuka deck, so the question must be asked: will it be enough against a strong Australia batting line-up? Ellyse Perry starred with the ball for Australia, returning a miserly 1-9 from her four overs, and will no doubt have a say with the willow.
Heather Knight has made three T20I fifties - all three have come at the Manuka Oval#AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/uphqCe89v6
— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) February 1, 2020
Sydney Sevens: Australia 33-7 Japan
Australia’s men handled the heat expertly to begin their Sydney Sevens rugby campaign with a 33-7 defeat of Japan. Temperatures hovering around 40-degrees have tested teams at Parramatta’s Bankwest Stadium, where the “real feel” at ground level is almost 45 degrees.
Similarly torrid heat expected at Tokyo’s Olympics in July and Australia aren’t shying away from it as they look to notch their first world series tournament victory in two years.
“We’re probably one of the teams it’s most suited to,” tryscorer Lachie Anderson said. “It’s our backyard, so no excuses there. To drop one game you can be out the back door, so to set ourselves going forward at a good pace (with a big defeat of Japan), the boys will be very happy.”
Australia next face Scotland on Saturday afternoon, before a tantalising match-up with the United States on Sunday. The United States beat Scotland 32-14 to begin the men’s action on Saturday, while South Africa found some form in a 52-14 defeat of Argentina.
Only the top side from each pool will progress to Sunday’s semi-finals. Australia are fifth in the standings after claiming third at last weekend’s New Zealand leg.
- with thanks to AAP
Women’s T20 tri-nations: 17 overs: England 115-3 v Australia England looked in all sorts of trouble at 39-3 nearing the halfway mark in Canberra, but since the drinks break the tide has turned. Heather Knight (46 not out off 33 balls) and Fran Wilson (30 not out off 22) are now scoring at a rate in excess of 10 runs per over. And with their eyes in, plenty more runs look likely in the remaining three overs.
Preamble
Warm - or, if you’re like the majority in Australia and wilting beneath this oppressive southern sun, uncomfortably hot - greetings to you. Welcome to a sizzling edition of Sportwatch - sizzling not just because of the rising mercury, but also because it’s a cracking day of sport in the offing. Top of the bill is the women’s T20 International between Australia and England, a game which is already under way in temperatures topping 40C in the nation’s capital. Also in store is two Super Rugby games, with the Sunwolves-Rebels clash to be followed by a tantalising encounter between the Crusaders and the Waratahs, while in domestic cricket Adelaide and Sydney Thunder will face off tonight with a Big Bash League final date against the Sixers awaiting the winner. Toss in some hockey, cycling, A-League, W-League and, of course, the Australian Open women’s singles final (in another liveblog) and my memo to you could not be clearer: it’s all happening. To get in touch, and I’d love you to, do so by Email or tweeting @scott_heinrich.
Ah, yes, Scott... batting rather than betting was what I'd intended in that first comment. D'oh!