Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 13 December 12:30 pm

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

# First up we have cricket news: A series victory beckons for the Proteas in tonight’s second T20 against Pakistan at SuperSport Park in Centurion. South Africa won Tuesday’s thrilling first encounter in Durban by a mere 11 runs. Tomorrow’s third and final match will take the teams to the Bullring at the Wanderers in Johannesburg, where huge scores are the order of the day. Thereafter, the two countries will face off in one-day matches in Paarl, Cape Town and Johannesburg, and Tests in Centurion and at Newlands.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old Kwena Maphaka has earned his maiden call-up to the Proteas ODI setup for the upcoming series against Pakistan. He impressed at the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year when he took 21 wickets. Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada returns to the ODI squad for the first time since November last year. The squad is also bolstered by the return of David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen, who last featured in this format in December last year. 

# Golf: England’s Andy Sullivan led by one shot at the start of the second round of the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopards Creek in Mpumalanga after posting an eight-under-par 64 in the first round. Behind him in a three-way tie for second are compatriot Alex Fitzpatrick, South Africa’s Casey Jarvis and Sweden’s Marcus Kinhult on seven under. Sullivan, who secured his first two DP World Tour victories in the country in 2015, says he always feels comfortable playing in South Africa:

# Soccer: The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has advanced five-million-rand to the South African Football Association to ensure players receive their salaries ahead of the festive season. Minister Gayton McKenzie says the advance, deducted from SAFA’s next year grant, ensures players are compensated for their achievements, including Bafana Bafana’s Africa Cup of Nations qualification and Banyana Banyana’s successes. SAFA has agreed to present a financial turnaround plan after facing sponsorship shortfalls and delayed partner payments.

# And finally, tennis: Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka has been handed a wildcard for the Australian Open in Melbourne. The 39-year-old Swiss has struggled to advance far in the tournament since he won the title in 2014, due to a horror run with injuries. Eight Australians also won wildcards, including Daria Saville and Ajla Tomljanovic. Chinese veteran Zhang Shuai and Thailand’s Kasidit Samrej have already been granted main draw wildcard entry after winning an Asia-Pacific playoff. The first Grand Slam of the year starts on the 12th of January.

Stay tuned for more news………….