30 Nov 2020

Today's sports news: What you need to know

12:46 pm on 30 November 2020

Latest - Netball New Zealand is planning on hosting all of the Constellation Cup games against the Australian Diamonds early next year.

Silver Ferns team huddle.

Silver Ferns team huddle. Photo: Photosport

The series between the arch-rivals normally takes place in October but the two national sports bodies postponed the annual event this year due to quarantine requirements and timing.

Netball New Zealand says it's waiting on the government to give the green light for the Diamonds to travel to New Zealand.

The four-Test series is usually split between the two countries but the plan is for all four Tests to be played in New Zealand in early February. No locations have been decided.

The hope is that the two sides could battle for a second Constellation Cup series in October.

The Silver Ferns hosted the first international netball since Covid-19 disrupted the sport, against the third ranked England Roses, a month ago.

Maradona's doctor under investigation

Argentinian justice officials have seized medical files from the doctor of Diego Maradona as part of their investigation into the recent death of the football star.

Napoli, Italia. Diego Armando Maradona.

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Maradona died last week at age 60 after a heart attack.

The search order was requested by prosecutors in the affluent Buenos Aires suburb San Isidro.

The prosecutor's office provided no information on what prompted the investigation.

Maradona had struggled for years with substance abuse issues.

Maradona's lawyer, Matias Moria, said last week that he would ask for a full investigation of the circumstances of the football legend's death, criticising what he said was a slow response by emergency service.

-Reuters

Weber sticking with Chiefs

Halfback Brad Weber has signed on with New Zealand Rugby and the Chiefs for another year.

Chiefs halfback Brad Weber.

Brad Weber. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The 29-year-old debuted for the Chiefs in 2014 and has made 86 appearances for them and seven for the All Blacks.

He has also represented the Māori All Blacks seven times since 2015.

Weber said he was looking forward to returning for to the Gallagher Chiefs in the new year.

"Whilst the lure of overseas offers were present, I feel we have a fantastic squad shaping up at the Chiefs and I have no doubt we will be successful." Weber said.

Spurs back on top

Tottenham Hotspur have gone back to the top of the English Premier League after a 0-0 draw at Chelsea left honours even between visiting manager Jose Mourinho and his one-time midfield lieutenant Frank Lampard, now in charge of the Blues.

Tottenham Hotspur Manager Jose Mourinho.

Jose Mourinho Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Chelsea, who won three league titles under Mourinho, spent long periods camped in the Spurs half but struggled to break through the disciplined defending that was a hallmark of the Portuguese coach's two spells in charge at Stamford Bridge.

The result took Spurs back above Liverpool on goal difference at the top of the table with both sides on 21 points, two ahead of third-placed Chelsea after 10 games.

Substitute Edinson Cavani produced a second-half masterclass, scoring twice and creating another goal as Manchester United hit back from a two-goal deficit to beat Southampton 3-2.

The victory was United's eighth successive away league win and lifted them to eighth place with 16 points, one point behind Southampton.

Arsenal slumped to a fourth defeat in six League games as they went down 2-1 to Wolverhampton Wanderers at The Emirates.

Wolves hung on for their first league win at Arsenal since 1979 to move up to sixth in the table on 17 points, four points off the top, while Arsenal are languishing in 14th spot with 13.

-Reuters

Smith inspires Australia to ODI victory

Australia won the ODI series against India following a 51-run win at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Steve Smith of Australia.

Steve Smith Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Steve Smith, scored his second consecutive century as Australia made a record-breaking total of 389 for 4.

In the run chase captain Virat Kohli made 89 and KL Rahul 76 but the total was always a problem for them.

Unfortunetly for Australia they may have lost both David Warner and Marcus Stoinis to injuries.

The third ODI is in Canberra on Wednesday with the first Test also in Canberra on Friday.

-Reuters

Good win for Otago

Otago have improved their semi-final prospects in the women's National Basketball League with a 73-63 win over Auckland.

Despite the loss, Auckland still have a chance of making the playoffs, but will probably need to beat cross-city rivals North Harbour tomorrow and hope a couple of other results go their way.

Otago were only up by four points with five minutes to play but led by the composed Olivia O'Neil outscored the defending champions 14-8 in the closing minutes.

The southeners are second on the table.

Tyson and Jones Jnr bout ends in a draw

Mike Tyson showed age has not robbed him of his power as the former heavyweight boxing champion, in his long-awaited return to the ring, dominated Roy Jones Jr. in an exhibition fight in Los Angeles that was surprisingly ruled a draw.

While there were no ringside judges to score the eight-round contest between two of boxing's all-time greats, both over 50, and no official winner, the World Boxing Council formed a set of judges that remotely scored the bout.

"I'm used to doing it for three minutes," 54-year-old Tyson said of the shorter rounds. "Sometimes, that two minutes felt like three minutes. I'm happy I got this under my belt to keep doing this and go further."

Jones Jr, 51, was the more visibly fatigued of the two fighters but managed to pick up the pace in the later rounds enough to earn the win on one scorecard and a draw on the other while Tyson took the third scorecard.

After the fight Tyson, who was once the most feared fighter on the planet, shot down any idea of making a return to professional boxing.

-Reuters