NEWSFLASH SPORTS NEWS 19 November 12:30 pm

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

# We start with cricket news: AB de Villiers has announced his retirement from all formats of the sport. In a statement, he says ever since the backyard matches with his older brothers, he has played cricket with pure enjoyment and unbridled enthusiasm. De Villiers says now, at the age of 37, that flame no longer burns so brightly. He adds cricket has been exceptionally kind to him, whether playing for the Titans, the Proteas, or the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League.

# Rugby: Catha Jacobs, who will lead the Springbok Women’s side in their friendly against the England Under-20 on Sunday, says she is looking forward to the opportunity. Twelve players have been handed their first start of the tour for the match in London. Jacobs says she will be counting on the experienced players as England will pose a tough challenge:

Play sound: ENG JacobsMatchEngland

# Tennis: Twenty-three-time Grand Slam champion, Serena Williams, is among those calling for an investigation into Chinese player Peng Shuai’s whereabouts. The 35-year-old has not been seen or heard from publicly since claiming on social media China’s former vice-premier had sexually assaulted her. Williams says she hopes Peng is safe and is found as soon as possible. WTA CEO Steve Simon says he has repeatedly tried to reach her via numerous forms of communications, to no avail. Peng has won two Grand Slam doubles titles.

# Motorsport: Red Bull’s Max Verstappen says he does not expect to be penalised following the incident with Formula One title rival Lewis Hamilton in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. This comes after Mercedes’ requested a review of the decision not to punish Verstappen for forcing Hamilton off the track, as he tried to overtake in Brazil. Representatives of both teams met with the stewards in Qatar yesterday, and a decision is expected today. Verstappen says he thought it was hard and fair racing.

# And finally Olympics: President Joe Biden says the US is considering a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics next year. This is in protest of China’s human rights record, including what Washington says is genocide against minority Muslims. According to the BBC, a diplomatic boycott would mean that no US officials are sent to attend the games. White House secretary, Jen Psaki, says Biden and China’s president Xi Jinping did not discuss the Olympics during their three-hour virtual meeting on Monday:

Play sound: ENG PsakiOnChina

That’s your Sports News on ………………….stay tuned for more.