23 Aug 2020

Today's sports news: What you need to know

6:55 pm on 23 August 2020

Latest - The Warriors have beaten the Bulldogs 20 points to 14 in their National Rugby League game in Sydney.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The Warriors trailled 10-6 at half time, but scored three tries in a 13 minute spell in the second half to take the game and revive their faint play-off hopes.

The Warriors are 12th on the table, just four points outside the top eight, while the Bulldogs remain bottom.

Jack Murchie touched down in the first half for the Warriors, who then dominated the second half to score tries to Adam Pompey, Murchie and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

Halfback Kodi Nikorima assisted in three of those tries, which pleased interim coach Todd Payten.

"We've asked him to run the ball, thatgives him some confidence, to give the guys around him some confidence and without Blake Green here he's taken on more responsibility and that's suited him and tonight he really had to lead the team around."

To make the play-offs the Warriors would probably need to win all of their remaining five games.

McLaughlin wins three in Darwin

It has been another successful weekend for New Zealand Supercars driver Scott McLaughlin.

Scott McLaughlin in Darwin.

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The Ford driver followed up his win in race one yesterday with another two wins today in Darwin.

McLaughlin won from pole in the day's first race and then overtook pole-sitter Shane Van Gisbergen in the second race.

Saturday's result took McLaughlin past the legendary Peter Brock to move to fifth on the all-time race wins list.

His win in the first race today brought up his 50th Supercars career win.

"That was hands down the best car I've ever driven.

"Just all weekend it was so solid; good start and then able to use our tyres in what we wanted to do.

The two-time defending champion has won eight of the 14 races held so far this season.

McLaughlin now has a 177 point lead over Jamie Whincup in the championship.

The next round is scheduled for Townsville next weekend.

Murray returns with a win

Andy Murray claimed a hardfought 7-6(6) 3-6 6-1 first-round win over American Frances Tiafoe at the Western and Southern Open, as the ATP Tour made a jarring return from a five-month Covid-19 hiatus.

Andy Murray 2019

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

From a tournament normally played in Cincinnati but moved to New York because of the coronavirus pandemic to masked ball boys and girls, there was very little normal about the return of professional men's tennis.

With no spectators allowed into the sprawling Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, matches were played in eerie silence under the shadow of massive Arthur Ashe Stadium that will be center stage when the U.S. Open starts on Aug. 31.

Working his way back to match fitness after undergoing a second hip surgery in January, Murray got his first tournament of 2020 off to a positive start by surviving a near two hour, 30 minute challenge from Tiafoe to reach the second round where a sterner test awaits in fifth seed Alexander Zverev.

Meanwhile New Zealander Michael Venus and his Australian partner John Peers were beaten in their first round doubles match.

-Reuters

England on top

Zak Crawley and Jos Buttler shared a record partnership and James Anderson grabbed three wickets to put England in total command after on the second day of the third and final test against Pakistan.

England pace bowler James Anderson has
equalled Ian Botham and the England record when he took his 27th five-wicket haul.

James Anderson. Photo: Photosport

Crawley, 22, became the third-youngest England player to make a double century and went on to 267 before the hosts declared their first innings on 583 for eight in Southampton.

Anderson then took three wickets as Pakistan crumbled to 24 for three in reply, leaving England in prime position to win the match and clinch the series 2-0.

Crawley and Buttler (152) negotiated the second new ball in the morning session and went on to add 359 runs, surpassing England's previous record fifth-wicket stand of 254 shared by Keith Fletcher and Tony Greig against India in 1973.

Chris Woakes, Dom Bess and Stuart Broad added another 82 runs to help England post their highest total in four years.

Pakistan lost openers Shan Masood and Abid Ali along with Babar Azam in just under 11 overs.

Anderson claimed all three wickets and is only four short of becoming the first pace bowler to reach the milestone of 600 in tests.

Pakistan need a victory to level the series after England won the opening match in Manchester by three wickets, and the rain-hit second game ended in a draw

-Reuters

Maguire released by Greek prosecutor, hearing next week

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire was released by a Greek prosecutor after appearing in court following two days in detention over a brawl on the island of Mykonos, the Premier League club confirmed.

England international Maguire, 27, will respond to the charges against him on Aug. 25, according to local police.

In a statement, Manchester United said: "Following the appearance in court today we note the adjournment of the case to allow the legal team to consider the case file.

"Harry has pleaded not guilty to the charges. It would be inappropriate for the player or club to comment further while the legal process takes its course."

Maguire's lawyer was not immediately available for comment.

Manchester United had previously issued a statement on Friday saying they were aware of the incident and that Maguire was fully co-operating with the Greek authorities.

Maguire had travelled to Mykonos for a holiday following United's exit from the Europa League last week.

According to Greek state TV ERT, police officers were allegedly assaulted after being called to a brawl between two groups of tourists on Friday.

-Reuters

Espargaro claims first pole for KTM in Spielberg

Spanish rider Pol Espargaro claimed a first MotoGP pole position for KTM at the Styrian Grand Prix in Spielberg on Saturday, while Valentino Rossi finished 15th after a crash.

Espargaro will be starting at the front of the grid for the first time in the premier class after producing a blistering lap of one minute 23.580 seconds at the Red Bull Ring.

KTM have already impressed with their pace this season as they claimed their first-ever MotoGP victory, courtesy of rookie Brad Binder in Brno earlier this month.

LCR Honda's Takaaki Nakagami put Espargaro's lap under serious threat on his final run but his effort was chalked off for exceeding track limits as he settled for a career-best second spot.

Avintia Ducati's Johann Zarco was third-fastest but will start Sunday's race from the pitlane after he was penalised for his role in a crash with Petronas Yamaha's Franco Morbidelli at Austrian Grand Prix last week.

It means Suzuki's Joan Mir, who finished fourth, will enjoy a front-row start, ahead of Pramac Ducati's Jack Miller and Yamaha's Maverick Vinales.

Seven-times MotoGP champion Rossi qualified only 15th on his factory Yamaha after crashing at turn nine on his final effort, which was set to earn him a Q2 place.

Last weekend's race winner Andrea Dovizioso qualified ninth for Ducati, while Championship leader Fabio Quartararo slipped to 10th spot on his Petronas Yamaha

-Reuters