Summary
A dramatic end to the WBBL as the Strikers get home - just - and book a finals berth. Chloe Tryon with a masterclass of big hitting, but the wheels came off in that final over, leaving the South African distraught as the Hobart Hurricanes missed out by a handful of runs. 44* off 22 her final knock but credit the final over bowling of Coyte.
It finishes a drama-filled day of Sportwatch, where elsewhere Wellington Phoenix secured their first A-League win of the season, before Adelaide United sent a huge message to the league, dismantling Melbourne Victory 3-1 in the 50th iteration of the “Original derby”. A brace to Riley McGree and an own goal to the hapless Migden Basha off the terrific run and shot from Michael Maria cancelling out Ola Toivonen’s impressive finish.
Headaches ahead for Marco Kurz as his side languishes just a point from the bottom of the table, but delight for the Reds who rocket up to third.
Thanks for your company - we’ll be back tomorrow for more. But for now, that’s Sportswatch!
WBBL: Strikers win by 2 runs
Gibson gets her one and scampers off strike. Second ball, but a first to Tryon and the South African thumps it for four. A big mix up on ball three - and it’s a runout! They run on a leg bye, but Tryon realises she needs to stay on strike and sends back Gibson. Next ball from Coyte and it’s another dot ball! Incredible drama.
Tryon tries to force it down the ground, but Coyte just gets enough on the ball to slow it for one! Tryon settles for one - and she’s at the wrong end for the final ball!
They need five off one - and it’s Vlaeminck facing her first delivery of the match! Can she hit a six. She can only get two! And they’re off the hook, the Strikers!
They’re through to the finals, Strikers, but gee, didn’t they do that the hard way.
Updated
WBBL: Hobart 6/133 (19 overs) chasing 144, Gibson 2*, Tryon 39*
Amanda Jade Wellington, the leggie, vs Tryon the clubber. It’s a brilliant start to the over - just two off the first five deliveries, but on the final ball Tryon winds the arms and puts the spinner deep into the Ponting stand! A huge six.
And now they need 11 off the final over, but it’s Gibson on strike. What a final over we have here!
Updated
WBBL: Hobart 6/124 (18 overs) chasing 144, Gibson 0*, Tryon 32*
My, oh my. I thought this one was done and dusted - but Chloe Tryon has single-handedly turned this contest. She’s just battered Bates for six and then four off consecutive balls.
We are looking at 20 off 12 balls. That is entirely do-able. What a remarkable finish this would be from the South African!
WBBL: Hobart 5/103 (16.1 overs) chasing 144, Moloney 0*, Tryon 17*
Chloe Tryon has threatened to explode this game open! First delivery - four. Second delivery - four. She moves to 17 off eight.
But with the wicket of Hall, they’re five gone. It was a terrific catch from Price who anticipated the reverse sweep, moved early and took it comfortably. Hall, gone for 25 - another decent knock, but nobody’s been able to go really big for the Hurricanes.
WBBL: Hobart 4/83 (14 overs) chasing 144, Hall 18*, Tryon 4*
And as they look to run down this increasing run rate, Carey looks to go big, but it’s Devine who sticks out the mitts on the boundary - and with the fall of that fourth wicket, surely that’s put it beyond the Hurricanes?
Run rate above 10 now. But as we know, anything can happen in T20.
Updated
Full-time: Adelaide United 3-1 Melbourne Victory
90 min: Some concerns as Nabbout goes down with a shoulder concern. He’s had some issues with that recently, the Socceroo.
And there’s the whistle. Delight for the home fans, and long faces on the Victory bench. The 50th “Original derby” ends with the Reds very much on top.
A good run of home games ahead for the Victory, but it’s starting to look like they’re a club in some real trouble. Just one point off the bottom of the table.
But all the credit to Adelaide United - they’re starting to play some superb football. And they make it 12 points from their past four games.
Updated
WBBL: Hobart 3/56 (9.4 overs) chasing 144, Hall 2*, Carey 15*
And unfortunately for the home fans, their efforts with the ball are not being matched with the bat. After the openers both went cheaply it was down to Carey and Knight to steer this run chase. But with Wellington snaring the Hurricanes No 3 for just 22 (off 26) its beginning to look like it’s getting away from them. They need 90-odd off the last 60 balls. It’s still very much doable, but have they left themselves too much to do?
85 min: Migden Basha stands over a freekick for Victory, and oh my. If there’s a little vignette that sums up Kurz’s underperforming foreign legion it’s this. There’s a one-man wall to beat - the teenage and pint-sized Louis D’Arrigo - and the Albanian recruit thumps his delivery right into him. Sorry, but that’s rubbish.
80 min: And a reminder that if this result stays as it’s currently looking, then Adelaide United will move above Western Sydney Wanderers to third on the ladder - with just Melbourne City and Sydney FC above them. They’ve already enjoyed an FFA Cup trophy this season, but could the Gertjan Verbeek era be really starting to hit its straps?
Continue like this and he’ll fast become Australia’s favourite football Verbeek. Not that the competition’s too hot, mind.
74 min: Plenty of aggro in some of these tackles - it’s been a dramatic game already, but you get the sense there’s some frustrated Melbourne Victory players out there.
And there’s more danger to come - on comes Al Hassan Toure, fresh from Olyroos action to bolster Adelaide’s frontline. Blackwood makes way.
Goal! Adelaide United 3-1 Melbourne Victory (McGree)
68 min: Ach, meine Gute. It’s an A-League debut for the experienced German centre back Tim Hoogland, a veteran of six seasons in the Bundesliga, and his first contribution is to be shrugged by a youngster!
Riley McGree chases a long ball and uses his body brilliantly to battle for the ball - and he leaves the German on the pitch, before jinking inside and thumping an effort past Thomas!
What a mad few minutes - the home fans are in delirium.
Updated
Goal! Adelaide United 2-1 Melbourne Victory (Maria)
62 min: Oh my. They’d celebrated parity for about 60 seconds - more or less right from the re-start it’s the Reds back in front! What a game this is turning into!
It was a fortuitous touch that saw a ball fall into the path of the man from Curacao, Michael Maria, who drove from left back through a host of bodies in dark blue, before his shot took a kindly deflection past Thomas! That was a black cats walking under broken mirrors kind of goal for Marco Kurz - talk about when your luck is out! But credit Adelaide for the intent to strike right back.
Goal! Adelaide United 1-1 Melbourne Victory (Toivonen) - 60’
Cometh the hour, cometh the man - and honestly, if there was anyone that would get Victory back into this contest it was, once again, the skipper Ola Toivonen!
It was superb work from Robbie Kruse, twisting and turning his fullback Ryan Strain inside-out before scooping a lovely cross over Izzo to the far post - and the Big Swede arrived late and thumped that home. Emphatic finish from a man who can’t stop scoring in the A-League.
WBBL: Hobart 2/10 (2.4 overs) chasing 144, Knight 1*, Carey 0*
And it’s not the ideal start to the run chase as first Devine and then Southern Stars bowler Megan Schutt, pick up the openers.
Fran Wilson is caught and bowled by the Kiwi all-rounder, before Erin Fazackerley feathers one off Schutt into the gloves of the keeper. Not ideal!
52 min: And Marco Kurz does look to shuffle his pack, and it’s the Burundi international, Elvis Kamsoba who comes on for youngster Brendon Lauton.
Kamsoba does get it in the back of the net, but it’s correctly ruled out - in fairness the Adelaide defence did stop playing there as well.
And it’s just a second sighting of Socceroo Robbie Kruse, who continues his own return from injury, as he comes off the bench to try and spark something for the Victory.
NBL: Sydney Kings 90-86 South East Melbourne Phoenix
And another thriller in the NBL, where the high-flying Kings were almost brought crashing to earth in Victoria, against the new kids on the block. Casper Ware again the main man, here’s an excerpt from Australian Associated Press:
Sydney remain on top of the NBL ladder, surviving a spirited second-half fightback from South East Melbourne to claim a 90-86 NBL victory.
The NBL frontrunners maintained their stellar start to the season at Melbourne Arena on Saturday as they won their 10th game in 11 starts, extending their unbeaten streak to four matches.
But it was not without drama as the Phoenix came back from 20 points down in the third quarter to take a one-point lead after John Roberson gave the home side their first lead of the game with 48 seconds left.
Casper Ware answered with a baseline jumper to put the Kings back in front and Jae’sean Tate added a free throw for an 88-86 advantage, before stopping the Phoenix on their final possession and Ware icing the game from the foul line.
Ware finished with a team-high 25 points, while Tate made a series of crucial baskets in the fourth quarter on his way to 24 points and eight rebounds.
Second half! Adelaide United 1-0 Melbourne Victory
45 min: And we’re back on in Adelaide, in what could loom as a crucial half for Victory’s season. Oh to have been a fly on the wall of Marco Kurz’s dressing room.
WBBL - End of innings: Adelaide 3/143 (20)
They fire 16 off the last 9 balls to make it a little more respectable, but you’d have to say, the home side have done well to restrict Adelaide, on a pitch where 160+ looked on the cards.
Opening duo Devine and Bates threatened to go big, but only built steadily, with the fireworks lurking but never necessarily presenting. Now it’s down to their batters - can they upset the apple card with a big scalp here today?
If they do win, the Hurricanes, it won’t change their season, but it could have a big effect on the top four spots, and who books a semi-final berth.
Half-time: Adelaide United 1-0 Melbourne Victory
Mileusnic flies through the heart of the Victory defence, but his finish is poor as he flashes wide. A big let off for the visitors, they could have easily found themselves further behind, but the whistle spares their blushes. A big test of Marco Kurz’s side - they need to lift; but where will the spark come from?
Updated
43 min: Adelaide looking very comfortable at the back with ball at the feet - almost inviting the Victory to come press a little higher. They try to draw their visitors forward and at a turnover look to spring sharply on attack in transition but it comes to nought.
38 min: It’s McGree lining up a freekick from a very handy range, and he puts it on the head of Blackwood - but Thomas saves! It was right at the ‘keeper in truth, but he had to show sharp instincts to keep that out. That would have really been a blow for the Victory - in the form they’re in you can’t see them dragging back a result from a two-goal deficit, surely.
WBBL: Adelaide Strikers 2/112 (16.3 overs), Patterson 0*, McGrath 5*
And there’s the big one for the Hurricanes - they’ve picked up Bates! It’s the spinner Knight with the breakthrough, with Vakarewa taking the catch. Around 20-odd balls to come, and if they can keep this tight they’ve really slowed the Strikers. Nobody’s really gone for too much so far - a very good bowling performance - if they can close it out.
Updated
30 min: Adelaide with a corner variation, playing it short and looking for Troisi just outside the box for a change of angle, but his ball in just evades the Reds attackers and Thomas rises comfortably to claim.
They’re on top, the home side, winning a host of corners, as Michael Jakobsen nods a header just past the far post.
And that goal takes Riley McGree second on the A-League golden boot ladder - impressive for the midfielder, who grabs his fifth of the season.
Daylight already the gap between Jamie Maclaren and the chasing pack - an incredible 9 goals in 4 games to start his season - the first player to score four consecutive braces (or more). And when you throw in his goals for the Socceroos in between you can tell this guy is just pure fire at the moment.
Updated
Goal! Adelaide United 1-0 Melbourne Victory (McGree)
22 min: And it’s been a lively start to this one, and Adelaide crown it with a goal! Strain with a good run and ball in to find the Norwegian Opseth - he turns a twists a shot through the legs of Traore across Thomas’ goal - it clatters the post and bounces clear, but it’s McGree that responds first to tuck home! Game on.
WBBL: Adelaide Strikers 1/91 (12.2 overs), Bates 52*, McGrath 0
And a big wicket, as Vakarewa rattles the stumps of Sophie Devine! Lovely bowling, she’s out for 31 off 35. But at the other end Bates continues here merry way, smashing another one to the boundary to bring up her 50. There still striking over 7 an over; can the Hurricanes grab a few more wickets to slow this?
16 min: Big save! Izzo, who I believe Adelaide are in the process of re-signing this week, has stuck out a big boot and produced a brilliant save from Nabbout.
And at the other end, guess who, it’s Troisi against his old club, but the finish is almost apologetic! No problem for Lawrence Thomas, his former teammate.
13 min: Adama Traore does well to fire a handy cross in for his skipper Toivonen, but the Big Swede can’t get clear of the defence to fashion a shot on target.
Interesting subplot as the travelling Victory fans tries to howl a chorus of boos at Troisi every time he gets the ball, but the Adelaide fans instantly drowning it out with a hail of cheers. Fun stuff.
WBBL: Adelaide Strikers 0/71 (10.0 overs), Bates 37*, Devine 26*
So at the halfway mark of the innings it’s been steady if not quite spectacular stuff from the Kiwi duo, who have ticked over nicely at over 7 an over, but haven’t quite put the foot on the throat of the Hurricanes. Some steady bowling, both with pace and spin, keeping them a little in check. A key patch of this innings now, you’d imagine.
5 min: And an early booking for the Victory skipper, Ola Toivonen. Was that for back chat?
Remarkable, if so to be bubbling this hot so early in such a key clash. But there’s plenty at stake for a club that can lay claim to being Australia’s biggest, but finds itself languishing in eighth spot early in the season.
A-League: Kick-off!
1 min: And we’re up and away in Adelaide. A decent looking crowd in to support the home side, and it’s a very early chance involving their Norwegian striker Kristian Opseth, before Nikola Mileusnic also slices a shot wide!
A bright start for the home side.
Updated
And some team news ahead of the “Original Derby”.
It’s a relatively settled XI at Adelaide these days as Dutchman Gertjan Verbeek comes to know his chargers. George Blackwood returns to the starting side, while young gun Al Hassan Toure will have to settle for a spot on the bench after returning from Olyroos duty midweek.
One change to the line up with George Blackwood in for Ben Halloran who has a hip complaint. #AUFC #OriginalRivalry #ADLvMVC pic.twitter.com/1NlLkFxCI8
— Adelaide United (@AdelaideUnited) November 23, 2019
And it’s a key return for Andrew Nabbout, while NZ’s right back Storm Roux returns from international duty to bolster the Victory lineup:
Nabbout is back in the starting XI for tonight's big clash in Adelaide presented by @MetriconHomes 💪 #MVFC #OurVictory pic.twitter.com/5IFefjb4FG
— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) November 23, 2019
WBBL: Adelaide Strikers 0/49 (6.0 overs), Bates 23*, Devine 17*
And Bates goes big with a huge blast over the rope! And they’ve built a pretty good base, the visiting side, while starting to see off Hobart’s opening quicks. They’ve not been under too much pressure the Kiwi duo, so if they keep wickets intact they could explode here.
Updated
We’re not too far away from the second of three A-League fixtures today, and it’s probably the pick of them: Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory. The “Original Rivalry” with the added flavour of being Marco Kurz’s first match in charge against his old club. James Troisi also a man on the other side - having returned to home town Adelaide after four memorable seasons in the dark blue and white of Victory.
Updated
WBBL: Adelaide Strikers 0/17 (3.0 overs), Bates 11*, Devine 5*
It’s a good start from the home side, with Belinda Vakarewa and Tayla Vlaeminck start well with the ball, keeping it tight, before Suzie Bates finally gets hold of the former and finds the boundary with two sharp jabs.
Updated
And here’s the match report from day three of the first Test, where Pakistan are well and truly on the ropes. 340 is the target they need to avoid the follow-on after Australia’s huge first innings total. And they’ve dropped a few wickets too:
And we’re off to Blundestone Arena, or Bellerive Oval in the old money, where the Hurricanes are about to host Adelaide Strikers in the WBBL.
Great little arena for cricket that, have spent many a happy day on the grass there. (As in standing on it, not...) Took in my first ever T20 match there - and can happily report, couldn’t tell you a single detail about that match, but Hurricanes man-and-boy, me.
And it is the home side that wins the toss and elects to bowl first. Can they get the Kiwi duo of Bates and Devine quiet? It’s a gorgeous looking batting pitch, so 160+ could be on the cards here.
Updated
Now as mentioned in the preamble there’s a business of cricket going on today (I believe that’s the appropriate collective noun.. a parliament? A murder?).
The first Test of the Australian summer is underway and the home side continue to have the wood on visitors Pakistan. Scott Heinrich was our man on the tools there, where I believe stumps has just taken place:
Full-time: Wellington Phoenix 2-1 Brisbane Roar
It’s a first win of the season for the Phoenix, and a first A-League win for coach Ufuk Talay in his debut season. It got tight at the end, but the NZ-based side did enough to hang on for the three points, even if Mauk’s late goal denied them a first clean sheet of the season.
It was a flat looking Brisbane Roar, especially coming off that rousing 4-3 win over table-toppers Melbourne City last weekend. It is a tough place to travel, Wellington, and maybe the Queensland side had it’s own mini comedown after Das Wunder von Redcliffe, where four second-half goals saw them shock the A-League league leaders.
Ufuk Talay and Robbie Fowler were old teammates at North Queensland Fury - but it’s the Australian who emerges with the bragging rights.
Updated
Goal! Wellington Phoenix 2-1 Brisbane Roar (Mauk) - 85’
Hello. It was feet up and plain sailing for the Phoenix, courtesy goals from the skipper Steven Taylor and Mexican playmaker Ulises Davila, but it’s turned into a nervous last few minutes.
Having struggled to muster a shot on target for something like 80 minutes the Roar are finishing strong. Roy O’Donovan had the ball in the net, but it was correctly ruled offside. But minutes later, Stefan Mauk does find the net.
Can the man they call God muster a second come-from-behind miracle in as many weeks?
Supercars: Shane van Gisbergen wins Newcastle 500
Supercars star Shane van Gisbergen has won race one at the Newcastle 500 from pole position, but a mistake from Triple Eight teammate Jamie Whincup has proved costly.
The Holden duo were in prime position on Satuday for a one-two finish and close the gap in the teams’ championship race, but Whincup misjudged a corner with 20 laps to go and dropped from second to seventh.
It allowed DJR Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin and Fabian Coulthard to round out the podium and extend their teams’ championship lead ahead of Sunday’s season-ending second race.
That’s the write up from our colleagues at Australian Associated Press. A third win of the season for the Auckland-born driver, who sits second overall on the driver’s championship behind McLaughlin.
Hi all! Kia ora to our friends across the ditch, where there’s a strong NZ flavour to today’s Sportwatch. There is an early A-League fixture just concluding from the nation’s capital in Wellington, where the home side, the Phoenix, could be about to secure a first win of the season. More on that, shortly.
It is of course the NZ master-blaster, Sophie Devine, who could hold the hopes of Adelaide Strikers in the WBBL, and to continue the theme, the Kiwi driver Shane van Gisbergen has had a fine day in Newcastle in the Supercars. More on that as well soon.
Preamble
It’s the penultimate weekend of the WBBL, as the Hobart Hurricanes host an Adelaide Strikers side looking to go clear second and try and cement their top four spot.
In the A-League it’s a tantalising “Original Derby” between Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory - the last one was a cracker where a passionate Marco Kurz enjoyed a solid win over Keisuke Honda’s Victory. Now he’s in the other tracksuit, and a man under pressure given Melbourne’s start to the season. Can his new side kickstart their spluttering campaign against his old side?
There’s also plenty of cricket action flying around, and as always on Sportwatch who knows what else. So draw the blinds, plump the cushions and settle in.
