Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 22 June 12:30 pm

Good day, let’s look at the latest sports news and scores:

# We start off with cricket: South Africa’s women kept their T20 World Cup play-off hopes alive when on all-round performance by Marizanne Kapp powered them to a six-wicket victory over India in Manchester. Kapp and Shabnim Ismail took two wickets each as India was restricted to 158 for seven. Kapp then scored an unbeaten 81 and shared a third-wicket partnership of 97 with Tazmin Britz, as the Proteas reached the target with five balls to spare. This was South Africa’s highest successful chase in a T20 World Cup.

More cricket news: Captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson have been included in England’s squad for the series-deciding third Test against New Zealand, starting at Trent Bridge on Thursday. They were not picked for the second Test at the Oval which England lost by 253 runs, following an incident in a London nightclub earlier this month. An investigation by the England and Wales Cricket Board cleared Stokes and Atkinson of violent conduct, but they were found to have breached specific contractual obligations. They have been given a written warning.

# Rugby: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is confident the Bulls players will slot back into the national system with ease. Twelve Bulls, who were unavailable for Bok duty this past weekend due to playing in the United Rugby Championship final, have been included in the 46-man squad for the Nations Championship. Flyhalf Handré Pollard came under criticism for his poor form, but Erasmus says he is one of the most trusted performers:

Still with rugby, Ardie Savea has been named new All Blacks captain ahead of next month’s Nations Championship Tests against France, Italy and Ireland. He replaces Scott Barrett, who has a long-term injury. Coach Dave Rennie has selected a 34-strong squad which includes four uncapped players – Xavier Numia, Josh Moorby, Fehi Fineanganofo and Anton Segner. Savea says being captain is about empowering everyone in the group to be the best they can be:

# And soccer: Argentina’s captain, Lionel Messi, is going for an all-time World Cup record in today’s group match against Austria in Dallas. He equalled German Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 goals in World Cup tournaments when he scored a hat-trick against Algeria. Messi, who turns 39 on Wednesday, hopes to spearhead his country to becoming the first since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend their title. Argentina currently leads Group J, followed by Austria, Jordan and Algeria. Kick-off at Arlington in Dallas is at 7pm, South African time.

Stay tuned for more news………….