Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 12 December 12:30 pm

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

# We start off with cricket: South Africa defeated India by 51 runs in the second T20 in New Chandigarh to level the five-match series. Quinton de Kock hit 90 off 46 balls to lead the Proteas to an imposing total of 213 for four. Ottneil Baartman then led a disciplined bowling attack with a four-wicket haul to bowl India out for 162 with five balls to spare. India won the opening match by 101 runs. The third T20 will be played in Dharamsala on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Proteas Women’s captain, Laura Wolvaardt, says they hope to build on their T20 series victory over Ireland when they face the same opposition in three one-day matches from tomorrow. South Africa recorded comprehensive victories in the first two T20s before the final one rained out. Tomorrow’s match in East London will be the Proteas’ first in the format since losing to India in last month’s World Cup final. Wolvaardt expects Ireland to bounce back hard and realises they have to be at their best.

# Motorsport: McLaren driver Oscar Piastri says despite his British teammate Lando Norris becoming Formula One champion, he expects to be treated equally next year. The Australian ended third in the drivers’ standings behind Red Bulls’ four-time champion, Dutch driver Max Verstappen, and also helped handing McLaren the constructors’ championship. Piastri reacted to some commentators speculating Norris would receive preferential treatment in 2026, saying both have become better drivers for pushing each other to the limit.

# Olympics: The International Olympic Committee’s executive board has recommended that youth athletes from Russia and Belarus should no longer be restricted in their access to international youth competitions – in both individual and team sports. Both countries were banned by the IOC following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The IOC says athletes, and in particular youth athletes, should not be held accountable for the actions of their governments. The recommendation could probably be implemented before next year’s Youth Olympic Games in Dakar.

Meanwhile, Australia has launched a fund worth 564-million-rand for athletes before the Games in Brisbane in 2032. This would include retirement grants for Olympians and cash awards to help female athletes return to elite competition after giving birth. The president of the Australian Olympic Committee, Ian Chesterman, says many athletes reach the end of their careers with very little financial support and this contribution will make a difference to their retirement. He says although Olympians don’t do it for the money, financial sacrifice is involved.

Stay tuned for more news………….