1 Apr 2019

Today's sports news: What you need to know

3:40 pm on 1 April 2019

Latest - The season is over for Wellington Phoenix defender Louis Fenton after breaking two toes in the win against Newcastle Jets on Saturday.

Louis Fenton celebrates a goal for the Phoenix.

Louis Fenton celebrates a goal for the Phoenix. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

He underwent surgery this morning after breaking his second and third toes in his right foot

The normal recovery timeframe is approximately 12 weeks.

A club statement said everyone at the club was disappointed for Fenton and wished him a speedy and full recovery.

Former All Blacks captain dies

Former All Blacks captain Ron Elvidge has died after a long illness.

Former All Black midfielder Ron Elvidge

Photo: AllBlacks.com

At 96, Elvidge was the oldest living All Black.

He made his test debut against Australia in 1946 and scored New Zealand's only try in its 14-10 win over the Wallabies at Eden Park.

Elvidge also toured South Africa in 1949, when he took over the captaincy from Fred Allen.

A midfield back, he is most famous for his heroic role in the third test win over the British Lions in 1950.

Elvidge scored the only try in the All Blacks' 6-3 win after returned to the field with a collarbone injury and a facial gash which required four stitches.

He played 19 matches for New Zealand, nine of them tests.

NZ Cricket U19 tour of Bangladesh cancelled

The New Zealand Under-19 cricket tour of Bangladesh, scheduled for this month, has been cancelled off at the mutual agreement of both countries' cricket boards.

New Zealand team walk back after their victory over Kenya by 243 runs during the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup 2018 game between New Zealand v Kenya, Hagley Oval, Christchurch, Wednesday 17th Janurary 2018. Copyright Photo: Raghavan Venugopal / © www.Photosport.nz 2018

Photo: Photosport Ltd 2018

New Zealand Cricket chairman Greg Barclay said NZC and the Bangladesh Cricket Board agreed that sending an age-group team to one of the countries worst affected, and so soon after, the March 15 Christchurch attack, would be insensitive and inappropriate.

"We have conveyed our deep sense of regret over the circumstances leading to this mutual decision, and the BCB have been both understanding and generous in response," Mr Barclay said.

"NZC have nothing but respect for the BCB and believe this development has only served to bring our countries closer together, and to strengthen our bond through cricket.

"In reply, the BCB has expressed 'solidarity with NZC and the peace-loving people of New Zealand'."

Mr Barclay said both countries remain committed to continuing their bilateral ties across all levels, including "Developmental" and "A" tours - starting with the Bangladesh Under-19 team visit to New Zealand in September.

Adams double-double in OKC defeat

Another double-double for Steven Adams, but the Oklahoma City Thunder have fallen to a disappointing defeat in the NBA.

Oklahoma City Thunder Center Steven Adams.

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The Thunder have been beaten 106-103 by the depleted Dallas Mavericks in Oklahoma City to remain eighth in the western conference.

OKC is assured of a place in the playoffs with five regular season games remaining, but look poised to face the two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors in the first round.

Adams scored 20 points and pulled down 15 rebounds to go with two assists and two steals.

It's his eighth double-double this season, continuing his career-best year.

Steven Adams is averaging 14.1 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.

Liverpool reclaim the top spot in the English Premier League.

A Tottenham own goal in the final minute of regulation time has sent Liverpool back to the top of English football's Premier League.

Liverpool football player Roberto Firmino

Liverpool football player Roberto Firmino Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The Reds have claimed a 2-1 win at home against Spurs - the decisive own goal coming after the visitors had levelled with 20 minutes to play.

The result takes Liverpool back past title rivals Manchester City - although City do have a game in hand.

Tottenham remain third on the table, level on points with Manchester United and just a point clear of Arsenal, who host Newcastle tomorrow morning.

Chelsea come-from-behind in Wales

Late goals from Cesar Azpilicueta and Ruben Loftus-Cheek helped Chelsea complete a thrilling comeback to beat Cardiff City 2-1 away in the Premier League.

Maurizio Sarri

Maurizio Sarri Photo: PHOTOSPORT

With Chelsea heading for an embarrassing defeat against third-bottom Cardiff, their captain Azpilicueta dragged them back into the match with a headed goal that appeared to be offside.

The visitors then completed the fightback when substitute Loftus-Cheek stormed in at the back post to plant a header in the bottom corner.

Maurizo Sarri's Chelsea stayed sixth in the table with 60 points, level with fifth-placed Arsenal, who have played a game fewer, and a point behind Manchester United in fourth.

-Reuters

Engine trouble denies Ferrari rookie

Five times world champion Lewis Hamilton has won the Bahrain Grand Prix for Mercedes after engine trouble dashed Charles Leclerc's hopes of a first Formula One victory in only his second race for Ferrari.

© Photo4 / LaPresse
30/03/2019 Sakhir, Bahrain
Sport 
Grand Prix Formula One Bahrain 2019
In the pic: Qualifying, Charles Leclerc (MON) Scuderia Ferrari SF90

Photo: LaPressePhoto4

Monaco's Leclerc, who had started on pole position for the first time, lost power with 10 laps to go while leading and finished third with an extra point for the fastest lap.

Valtteri Bottas, winner of the opener in Australia, took second place to stay top of the championship standings by a point from team mate Hamilton.

The race finished behind the safety car after both Renaults stopped on track.

-Reuters

Neuville snatches French leg of WRC

Hyundai's Thierry Neuville has won the Tour de Corse, the French leg of the World Rally Championship, after Elfyn Evans suffered a puncture in the final Power Stage.

M-Sport Ford's Evans had reclaimed the lead by winning the 13th stage early on Sunday but a puncture cost him over a minute in the final stage, won by Britain's Kris Meeke.

Welshman Evans slipped down to third overall, one minute 6.6 seconds off the pace, with defending world champion Sebastien Ogier of France moving up to second, 40.3 seconds behind Neuville.

Belgium's Neuville went top of the world championship standings after four rallies as pre-race leader Ott Tanak finished sixth overall in Corsica.

He has 82 points, Ogier has 80 and Tanak is on 77 points.

-Reuters

101st title for Federer

Roger Federer has defeated a hobbling John Isner 6-1 6-4 for his 101th career title at the Miami Open.

Roger Federer

Roger Federer Photo: Actionplus

Isner struggled to continue late in the second set, hampered by pain in his left foot.

Federer, who has won his fourth Miami title, broke Isner three times in a blazing opening set.

But the American fought back in the second, leveling the set 3-3 and 4-4 before the pain made it difficult to continue.

Federer took the final two games for the victory.

Australian cricketers continue their winning run

Australia have defeated Pakistan by 20 runs in Dubai to grab an eighth consecutive one-day international cricket win, their first 5-0 series victory overseas since 2008, and no shortage of World Cup momentum.

Australian cricketer Glenn Maxwell

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Another freewheeling Glenn Maxwell masterclass and formidable opening stand between Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja powered Australia to 7-327 in the series finale.

Maxwell made a mockery of an under-strength Pakistan attack desperately low on confidence, scoring 70 from 33 deliveries, while a dehydrated Khawaja top-scored with 98.

Much like the previous dead rubber at the same venue, Pakistan's chase was promising but they ultimately finished at 7-307.

-AAP

Hyderabad in record-breaking mood without Williamson

David Warner and Jonny Bairstow set a record for the highest opening stand in the Indian Premier League, with both players notching centuries for Sunrisers Hyderabad.

David Warner of Sunrisers Hyderabad  and Kane Williamson captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad  after the match 8 of the Indian Premier League Season 12.

Photo: © Sandeep Shetty /SPORTZPICS for BCCI 2019

Warner and Bairstow put on 185 in just 16.2 overs in a 118-run victory over Virat Kohli's Royal Challengers Bangalore, surpassing Gautam Gambhir and Chris Lynn's opening stand of 184 against Gujarat Lions in the 2017 season.

Warner, who is fighting for a spot in Australia'sWorld Cup squad after completing a 12-month suspension for his involvement in the ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town last year, finished unbeaten on 100 from 55 balls.

Black Caps captain Kane Williamson didn't play for Hyderabad, because of what the team labelled a niggle.

-Reuters

American golfer avenges last year's disappointment

Kevin Kisner has won the World Golf Championships-Match Play with a victory in the final over fellow American Matt Kuchar.

Kisner has defeated Kuchar 3 and 2 at Austin Country Club in Texas - a year after he was smashed 7 and 6 in the final by Bubba Watson.

With the event's round-robin format, Kisner and Kuchar played seven matches including the final.

"I was thinking out there, this might be one of the hardest tournaments to win (on the PGA Tour) because of the physical aspect," Kisner said after his win.

"It's a long week but I prevailed and now I'm a world golf champion."

-Reuters

Ko five shots off the lead in California

New Zealand golfer Lydia Ko is five shots off the lead heading into the final round of the latest LPGA Tour event this morning.

CARLSBAD, CA - MARCH 28: Lydia Ko on the fourth hole green during the first round of the Kia Classic LPGA Golf Tournamenton March 28, 2019, at Aviara Golf Course in Carlsbad, CA. (Photo by Will Powers/Icon Sportswire)

Photo: ©Icon Sportswire (A Division of XML Team Solutions) All Rights Reserved

She is tied for 9th, at 9-under par, at the Kia Classic in California - with South Korean leader Inbee Park at 14 under.

Ko finished in a share of eighth place at the Bank of Hope Founders Cup last week.

It's been almost a year since she won an LPGA Tour tournament.

Rabbitohs hold off struggling Titans

The Rabbitohs have rejoined the Melbourne Storm at the top of the NRL ladder.

South Sydney's beaten the bottom of the table Gold Coast Titans 28-20 in the final match of round three to be one of only two unbeaten teams.

Earlier, the Bulldogs recorded their first win of the season, upsetting the Wests Tigers 22-8.

The Bulldogs are now level on points with the Warriors, who sit 12th on the ladder.

The Warriors host the Titans in Auckland on Friday night.