Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 4 June 12:30 pm

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

# We start with Roadrunning: The eThekwini Municipality says it is in full swing preparing for the 98th Comrades Marathon, one of the biggest sporting events on the South African calendar. More than 80 nations will be represented in the race, a down-run over approximately 89 kilometres from Pietermaritzburg to Durban on Sunday. The municipality’s spokesperson, Gugu Sisilana, says they are working diligently to ensure a clean, safe, and welcoming environment across the entire race route:

# Soccer: Banyana Banyana coach, Desiree Ellis, says the focus will now turn to their preparations for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco next month. South Africa were crowned champions of the Three Nations Series after defeating Zambia 2–0 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria on Tuesday. Banyana finished the tournament unbeaten, scoring five goals and conceding just two. Ellis says they tested different combinations during this tournament with WAFCON in mind:

# Cricket: Proteas head coach Shukri Conrad has dismissed suggestions that his appointment as South Africa’s white-ball coach had anything to do with the retirement of Heinrich Klaasen. Conrad was confirmed as the Proteas’ all-format coach last month, a month after Klaasen was not included on CSA’s central contract list, even as a white-ball-only player. Conrad says Klaasen turned down Cricket South Africa’s offer of a full contract long before he was appointed. He adds that it is unfortunate to lose a player of Klaasen’s calibre.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand head coach, Gary Stead, will step down when his contract expires at the end of this month, after seven years in the role. The 53-year-old is widely considered the Black Caps’ most successful coach. He oversaw the inaugural ICC World Test Championship win in 2021, and an unprecedented 3-0 Test series sweep of India on the sub-continent last year, alongside five out of six finals appearances in ICC white-ball World Cups. Stead says he will look to explore opportunities at home and abroad.

# And finally: Tennis: Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz is through to the French Open semifinals for the third consecutive year. The 22-year-old Spaniard dispatched American Tommy Paul, 6-0, 6-1, 6-4. His victory sees him become the youngest player to reach seven semifinals in men’s singles Grand Slams since compatriot Rafael Nadal in 2008. Alcaraz will face Italian Lorenzo Musetti for a place in the final, who earned a four set victory against American Frances Tiafoe, to reach his maiden semifinal at the clay major.

Stay tuned for more news………….