Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 24 June 12:30 pm

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

# We start off with cricket: Proteas all-rounder Marizanne Kapp believes the best is still to come from the team after reviving their hopes of reaching the T20 World Cup’s semifinals. South Africa secured a crucial six-wicket victory over India on Sunday after a 65-run defeat to Australia in their opener, followed by a narrow victory over Pakistan. The Proteas need big victories over the Netherlands and Bangladesh to improve their net-run rate in case India wins its remaining fixtures as well. Kapp says only their best performance will do.

More cricket news: England’s head coach, Brendon McCullum, has made four changes to the squad for the series-deciding third Test against New Zealand, starting at Trent Bridge tomorrow. Captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson return following a one-match suspension. Spinner Shoaib Bashir and wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, who have been on paternity leave, also come back into the team. McCullum insists there has been no breakdown in his relationship with Stokes:

# Rugby: Springbok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk was left out of the Bok group for the Nations Championship Tests, but coach Rassie Erasmus says the 34-year-old is still very much part of the squad’s future plans. He included 30-year-old Herschel Jantjies, who last played for South Africa in 2023. Erasmus says De Klerk spent time with the squad in the build-up to the Barbarians game, and they plan to do the same with Jantjies and re-assess the scrumhalf options after the Tests against England, Scotland and Wales.

# Soccer: Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as he inspired Portugal to their first victory in Group K, thrashing Uzbekistan 5-0 in Houston. He is the first player to score at six different World Cups. In Boston, England was held to a goalless draw against the tournament’s second-lowest-ranked team, Ghana. The Three Lions remain top of Group L, but must now wait until their final game against Panama to ensure qualification for the knockout phase. Substitute Ante Budimir’s goal gave Croatia their first victory, beating Panama 1-0 in Toronto.

# And tennis: World number one Jannik Sinner of Italy and former top player Novak Djokovic of Serbia return to competition for the first time since the French Open. They will play in the exhibition Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic in Hurlington, England, as part of preparations for Wimbledon, which starts on Monday. Sinner and Djokovic will join other star players such as another Italian, Flavio Cobolli, local player Cameron Norrie, American Ben Shelton, and Russian Karen Khachanov. Sinner’s first match is against Norrie today, and Djokovic will face Khachanov.             

Stay tuned for more news………….