Latest - South African spinner Sune Luus took six wickets as the Proteas wrapped up the one-day international series with a big win over the White Ferns in Hamilton.
Sune Luus. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The White Ferns were dismissed for 149 in the 39th over, despite the efforts of experienced batsman Suzie Bates who scored 51.
After bowling New Zealand out quickly, South Africa batted for 10 overs before the innings break, losing one wicket and scoring 45 runs.
When play resumed the Proteas were restricted by New Zealand spinners Amelia Kerr and Leigh Kasperek as well as captain Sophie Devine but the six-wicket win with 12 overs to spare gave the visitors the series 3-0.
The White Ferns and South Africa now play five T20s.
Liverpool win again in EPL
Liverpool continued their breathless march to a first English football title in 30 years, easing to a 2-0 victory at West Ham United to move 19 points clear at the Premier League summit.
Mo Salah Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Mohamed Salah fired them ahead from the penalty spot in the first half and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain doubled their advantage early in the second to wrap up a remarkable 23rd win from 24 games this season and stretch their unbeaten league run to 40.
In a fixture postponed from December, when Liverpool were busy winning the Club World Cup, they never looked under much pressure and picked West Ham off at crucial moments, defending manfully when needed and looking a constant menace on the break.
Meanwhile Manchester City lost 1-0 to Manchester United but hung on to reach the League Cup final 3-2 on aggregate and will face Aston Villa at Wembley.
The final is on March 1 when City will seek to win the trophy for a third successive year and a fourth time in five seasons.
-Reuters
DMac out of Chiefs opener
Damian McKenzie has been forced out of tomorrow's opening Super Rugby game because of injury.
McKenzie had been named to start at fullback for the Chiefs against the Blues at Eden Park.
He's been replaced by Shaun Stevenson.
McKenzie pulled up at training with a tight adductor.
He was set to play his first Super Rugby game since his knee injury in April last year.
Young cricketers into World Cup semi-finals
New Zealand are through to the semifinals of the Under-19 World Cup in South Africa after beating the West Indies by two wickets.
Kristian Clarke and Joey Field Photo: Photosport
After deciding to bat first the Windies were bowled out for 238 in the 48th over with Kirk McKenzie making 99, while Kristian Clarke took four wickets.
Clarke also starred with the bat, unbeaten on 46 as the New Zealanders reached their target with two balls to spare.
Clarke's innings is the highest by a number ten in tournament history, while his ninth wicket partnership of 86 with Joey Field is also the tournament highest.
Zimbabwe on top in Harare
Off-spinner Sikandar Raza grabbed career-best figures of 7-113 as Zimbabwe took control of the second and final cricket test against Sri Lanka in Harare, but for the second match running the home side suffered a concussion scare.
Zimbabwe are 62 for one in their second innings at the close of the third day, a lead of 175 with nine wickets remaining, after Raza helped them bowl the visitors out for 293 on a pitch that is offering plenty of assistance to the spinners.
Makeshift opener Craig Ervine was pushed to the top of the order after regular opener Kevin Kasuza had to be stretchered off the field when he was hit flush on the helmet while fielding at short leg and was taken to hospital with concussion.
It is the second test in a row that Kasuza has been concussed fielding in that position and allows Zimbabwe to use the International Cricket Council's new concussion protocols to bring another batsman into the side.
Zimbabwe will want to bat quickly on the fourth day to build a sizeable lead as they attempt to square the series, having lost the first test at the same venue by 10 wickets.
- Reuters
Man Utd finally get Fernandes
Ole Gunnar Solskjær. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon.
Sporting confirmed United will pay an initial fee of 55 million euros ($NZ92 million), although the overall cost of the deal could increase with performance-related add-ons worth 25 million euros.
Fernandes, capped 19 times by Portugal, will become United's first signing of the January transfer window as they look to reinforce their midfield in the absence of injured Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay.
They had been linked with the 25-year-old over the last six months but had reportedly refused to meet Sporting's demand of 80 million euros up front.
Sporting will now receive the full amount only if a series of conditions are met - including United's qualification for the Champions League.
- Reuters
House of Man Utd boss attacked
Police are investigating an attack on the home of Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward by people in hoods.
A video posted on social media showed the group gathered outside the house in Cheshire chanting threats towards Woodward and throwing red flares over the gate. British media reported that neither Woodward, 48, nor his family were home.
United are fifth in the Premier League, 33 points adrift of leaders and arch-rivals Liverpool, and Woodward has been the target of blame from the fans for the club's recent struggles.
At recent games, United fans have chanted against Woodward and the club's American owners, the Glazer family.
- Reuters
Rossi contemplating career end
Valentino Rossi. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Valentino Rossi will decide this year whether to call time on his stellar MotoGP career after Yamaha announced the signing of French youngster Fabio Quartararo as the Italian great's replacement from 2021.
Rossi, 40, will be starting his 25th season in grand prix motorcycle racing in March and the nine times world champion said he wanted time to decide what came next.
Only Italian Giacomo Agostini and Spaniard Angel Nieto have won more championships than Rossi, the most successful Yamaha rider of all time.
Rossi has started 402 races, with 89 wins in the top category.
Quartararo had an impressive rookie season in 2019 with six pole positions and seven podium finishes, including five second places, and has signed for 2021 and 2022.
- Reuters
Joshua set to face Pulev
World heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua's next fight is almost certain to be in Britain against mandatory IBF challenger Kubrat Pulev of Bulgaria, the Briton's promoter Eddie Hearn said.
Anthony Joshua. Photo: Photosport
Hearn told Sky Sports television that a number of venues were being considered, in London and Cardiff, and the fight is likely to be at the end of May or in early June.
Joshua beat Mexican-American Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia in December to win back the WBO, IBF, WBA and IBO belts he had lost in New York last June.
That Madison Square Garden fight was Joshua's first title bout outside Britain.
Hearn said the Pulev fight should be finalised within a couple of weeks.
Joshua also has a WBO mandatory challenger in Oleksandr Usyk, but the Ukrainian is expected to fight Britain's Dereck Chisora in March or April before having a shot at Joshua if the champion beats Pulev.
- Reuters
Archer out of T20s
England fast bowler Jofra Archer has been ruled out of next month's three-match Twenty20 series against South Africa due to soreness to his right elbow.
England fast bowler Jofra Archer. Photo: Photosport
Archer sustained the troublesome elbow injury following England's opening test against South Africa last month, and missed the final three matches of the series which Joe Root's side won 3-1.
The 24-year-old was rested for the three-match one-day series against South Africa but his absence from the shortest format is a blow to the England camp as they prepare for the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year.
Archer will be replaced in the T20 squad by Lancashire seamer Saqib Mahmood, who will remain in South Africa after the ODI series starting on February 4 in Cape Town.
- Reuters
Spurs sign Dutch attacker
Tottenham Hotspur have signed Netherlands winger Steven Bergwijn from PSV Eindhoven on a contract that runs to 2025.
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder, who has made nine appearances for his country, was part of three Eredivisie title-winning squads at PSV and scored 31 goals in 149 appearances.
Bergwijn reinforces Spurs boss Jose Mourinho's forward options with England striker Harry Kane out with a long-term hamstring injury.
- Reuters
