Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 29 October 12:30 pm

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

# We begin with cricket news: Bangladesh spinner Taijul Islam says his team is determined to level the series against South Africa in the second and final Test which started in Chattogram this morning, after a crushing seven-wicket defeat in the opener. Taijul says their only goal is to win the match. The South Africans are eyeing a series clean sweep to propel them up the World Test Championship table. The Proteas are fifth in the standings and Bangladesh eighth. South Africa is batting first and progressed to 237 after tea, with Tony de Zorzi unbeaten on 106.

# Tennis: Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz says the record prize money at the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia earlier this month was a motivation for playing. Italian rival Jannik Sinner dismissed earlier claims that he joined the exhibition event for financial rewards, emphasising he went to Riyadh for the sporting challenge. However, Alcaraz acknowledged the financial aspect played a role as he earned more than 26-million-rand over four days. He says although he mostly plays for love or fun, he must think about money too.  

# Motorsport: McLaren believes Max Verstappen should have faced a harsher penalty at the Mexican Grand Prix. The Dutchman was penalised for over-aggressive driving in two incidents with Lando Norris. In both, he pushed the Briton off the circuit as he had in similar circumstances during the United States Grand Prix in Austin a week earlier. McLaren team chief Zak Brown praised the race stewards for handing Verstappen 20 seconds in penalties, but adding it was probably not enough. The three-time world champion finished the race in sixth place.

# Soccer:  Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri was awarded the men’s Ballon d’Or after winning a fourth consecutive Premier League title and Euro 2024. The decision came as a surprise, with Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior widely seen as the favourite. Hours before the ceremony in Paris, the Spanish club announced its delegation would not attend the ceremony. Barcelona and Spanish star Aitana Bonmati won her second successive women’s Ballon d’Or. Real Madrid was awarded best men’s team, with the best women’s team going to Barcelona.

And more soccer news: Manchester United has immediately started the search for a new head coach after sacking Erik ten Hag yesterday. This followed the English club’s worst start to a Premier League season in 35 years, leaving them 14th on the log. Legendary forward and assistant coach, fellow Dutchman Ruud van Nistelrooy, will fill Ten Hag’s position on an interim basis, and is seen as a contender to succeed him. Others touted as favourites are former Chelsea manager Graham Potter of England, and Brentford manager Thomas Frank of Denmark.

Stay tuned for more news………….