Sport News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 29 April 12:30 pm

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

# First up some cricket: Proteas Women captain Laura Wolvaardt says they are confident heading into the Tri-Series ODI against Sri Lanka and India in Colombo. There are three ODI debutants in the squad, 17-year-old wicketkeeper batter Karabo Meso, is joined by spin bowling allrounders Seshnie Naidu and Miane Smit. South Africa’s opening game is against India today. Wolvaardt says they had good preparation for the tournament, especially getting used to the conditions and the heat.

# The International Cricket Council has rejected England captain Ben Stokes’ plea for a review of over-rate penalties in Tests. This comes after England and New Zealand were docked three World Test Championship points, and all their players fined 15-percent of their match fees in Christchurch last December. The ICC Board has opted to maintain the existing rules that impose fines and points deductions on fielding sides, who fail to bowl an average of 15 overs per hour in the upcoming World Test Championship in June.

# And from the Indian Premier League: Fourteen-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi was the star of the show as the Rajasthan Royals defeated the Gujarat Titans by eight wickets in the Indian Premier League. Gujarat posted 209 for four. In reply, Suryavanshi scored the second-fastest century in IPL history and became the youngest player to record a T20 century. He was bowled out for 101 from 38 balls as Rajasthan reached the target with 25 balls and eight wickets to spare. This victory keeps Rajasthan’s slim hopes of making the knockout stages.

# And now some rugby: Springbok lock RG Snyman has returned to full training ahead of Leinster’s semifinal clash against Northampton Saints in the Champions Cup on Saturday. The World Cup winner sustained a leg injury in the clash against Ulster a fortnight ago. Leinster head coach Leo Cullen says Snyman is available for selection after recovering from the injury. Ireland international forward Ryan Baird is also back in contention for selection, having come through the game at the weekend with no issues after his return from injury.

# And finally some international rugby news: Lee Blackett and Byron McGuigan will join Steve Borthwick’s England coaching team for the upcoming tour to Argentina and the USA in July. Blackett will step in to replace Richard Wigglesworth while he is on duty as an assistant coach with the British and Irish Lions in Australia. McGuigan will work alongside Joe El-Abd as assistant defence coach. Borthwick says both Blackett and McGuigan have a mindset and approach to their coaching that very much align with how he wants the team to continue playing.

Stay tuned for more news………….