Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 20 June 12:30 pm

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

# We start off with news from the Olympic Games: The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee gave Team South Africa’s representation for the Paris Olympics a considerable boost when additional names and sporting codes were revealed. Sascoc says the expansion has increased South Africa’s representation to 114 athletes in 15 codes. Significant names added to Team SA include Johanita Scholtz, a double African Games gold medallist in badminton, Henri Schoeman, a triathlete, and John Smith, a rower. The Games start on 26 July.

# Cricket: South Africa posted a total of 194 for 4 to beat co-hosts USA in their T20 World Cup Super-Eight match yesterday. However, man-of-the-match Quinton de Kock admitted his award for an innings of 74 from 40 balls was more a relief than a celebration. In response, the USA mounted a formidable challenge, with South African-born Andries Gous scoring a half-century that put the Proteas under significant pressure. The Proteas will play England on Friday with the West Indies scheduled for Sunday.

Meanwhile, England produced their best performance of the T20 World Cup so far to begin the Super 8 stage with a composed eight-wicket win against West Indies. After restricting the previously unbeaten co-hosts to 180-4 on a good pitch, the defending champions completed the chase with 15 balls to spare. England will play South Africa in less than 48 hours, knowing a win will likely seal their progression to the semi-finals.  After that, they still have a meeting with the tournament’s surprise package, the United States, with the top two sides in the group progressing.

And more cricket news is that Kane Williamson has stepped down as captain of New Zealand’s white-ball teams, days after they crashed out in the group stage of the T20 World Cup. Williamson has turned down a central contract for the 2024-25 season, relinquishing the captaincy of the T20 and ODI teams. He will still, however, play international cricket. The decision leaves the 33-year-old star batsman able to accept offers to play in lucrative overseas competitions.

# Finally, tennis: Andy Murray’s hopes of bowing out from tennis at this year’s Wimbledon were left in severe doubt after a back injury forced him to retire from a second-round match at Queen’s last night. The British tennis great is now set to undergo a scan after lasting a mere five games against Australian Jordan Thompson. Wimbledon is now less than a fortnight away but Murray refused to rule out one last appearance. The former world number one has spoken of wanting to retire either after Wimbledon or the Paris Olympics.

Stay tuned for more news………….