Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 3 October 12:30 pm

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

# First up we have cricket: South Africa defeated Ireland by 139 runs in the first of three one-day internationals at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Opener Ryan Rickelton top-scored with 91 and shared a fourth-wicket partnership of 152 runs with Tristan Stubbs, as the Proteas posted 271 for nine off their 50 overs. In reply, Lizaad Williams claimed four wickets as Ireland were bowled out for just 132. The second ODI will be played at the same venue tomorrow, with the final game on Monday.

More cricket news: Pakistan’s limited-overs team is leaderless after captain Babar Azam resigned, compounding a management crisis experts say has badly affected the team’s international performance in all formats. Azam announced his resignation on his personal social media before an official Pakistan Cricket Board statement more than 12 hours later. Pakistan cricket has ploughed through four coaches, three board heads and four captains in the past two years, at the same time sliding down international rankings.

# Rugby: The Stormers’ Springbok flanker, Deon Fourie, hopes to return from a long-term injury next month. The 38-year-old sustained a knee injury nine months ago. He was a huge part of the Boks’ World Cup title campaign in France last year, when he was utilised as emergency hooker. Fourie’s goal is to be ready for the Stormers’ United Rugby Championship clash with the Sharks at the end of next month, but says he first has to make sure he is 100-percent fit.

# Golf: Britain’s Matt Fitzpatrick hopes to mount a strong defence of his Alfred Dunhill Links Championship title, to make a late push to qualify for the DP World Tour Play-Offs. The 30-year-old is bidding to become just the second player, after countryman Tyrrell Hatton, to win the title back-to-back in Scotland. The field also includes the likes of Spaniard Jon Rahm, US duo Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed, and Thriston Lawrence, who leads a strong South African contingent, which includes George Coetzee and Branden Grace.

# And finally, soccer: Defending champions Real Madrid fell to their first Champions League defeat since May last year, as Lille recorded a one-nil victory at the Pierre-Mauroy Stadium in France. This is also the first loss for Madrid in 36 matches in all competitions. Goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah saw Liverpool beat Italian side Bologna two-nil at Anfield. In-form striker Jhon Duran came off the bench to score the winning goal, as Aston Villa defeated Bayern Munich one-nil. Atletico Madrid were thrashed four-nil by Benfica.

Stay tuned for more news………….