Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 18 January 12:30 pm

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

# First up, we have cricket: The Proteas women’s team are on their way to Australia for a historic multi-format tour. The tour will consist of three T20s, three One-Day Internationals and one Test in Perth. The first group departed yesterday and the second group are flying out today. South Africa will play a warm-up game on Wednesday with the T20 series starting in Canberra on the 27th of this month. Laura Wolvaardt, who will captain the Proteas, says they are excited about the tour:

More cricket news: Paarl Royals recorded their third consecutive victory, a seven-wicket bonus point win over the winless Joburg Super Kings in their SA20 match at Boland Park in Paarl. Leus du Plooy top-scored for the Super Kings with 71 as the visitors were dismissed for 134. The tournament’s leading wicket-taker, Lungi Ngidi, claimed three wickets. In reply, Jos Buttler scored an unbeaten 70 off 37 balls as the Royals cruised to victory and maintained their 100-percent record. Buttler says the challenge is to keep winning:

# Rugby: Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok will play his 50th match for the Stormers on Saturday when the Cape team takes on Stade Francais in a Champions Cup game in Paris. He made his debut for the Stormers in 2021 and has scored over 400 points already. The Stormers need just two points from the encounter to secure their place in the last 16 of the competition. They are currently placed second in Pool 4 behind Irish team Leinster.  

# Tennis: World number six Alexander Zverev battled passed Slovakian qualifier Lukas Klein, avoiding consecutive second-round exits at the Australian Open. The German claimed a 7-5, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6, 7-6, victory in over four hours to make the third round in Melbourne. Norwegian Casper Ruud also survived a five-setter against Australian Max Purcell. In the women’s draw, world number one Iga Świątek avoided an early exit as she recorded a hard-fought, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, victory against American Danielle Collins. The Polish player says it was a difficult match:

# And finally, golf: Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy says he fancies his chances at the Dubai Desert Classic, which begins today, after his second-place finish at the Dubai Invitational last week. The world number two was on course for victory at the Invitational last week, before his final-hole bogey and back-to-back birdies for Tommy Fleetwood saw the Englishman win instead. McIlroy, who is aiming for a fourth Desert Classic trophy, says there are a few things he can improve on from last week:

Stay tuned for more news………….