Category Archives: Australia sport

Cam Green guides Australia out of dire straits in ODI win over New Zealand

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  • New Zealand 232-9; Australia 233-8 | Australia win by two wickets
  • Green (89 no) shares 158-run partnership with Alex Carey (85)

Cameron Green and Alex Carey have steered Australia to an unlikely victory over New Zealand in their opening ODI in Cairns with the hosts languishing at 44-5 at one stage.

Chasing 233 to win, Australia’s innings under lights began abysmally when skipper Aaron Finch fell once again to a left-arm seamer, scoring just five for a second consecutive innings.

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Australia 1-2 Canada: international football friendly – as it happened

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Out come the two sides onto a dramatically lit Allianz Stadium pitch. There’s firework smoke haze, spotlights, and the feel of a pop concert.

The new Allianz Stadium is resplendent tonight, all shiny and new and filled with fancy lights and noise from the PA system, which is alternating between loud pop music and interactions with fans.

With 20 minutes to go before kick-off, fans are still making their way in (and risking missing the firework display), possibly stopping off for a quick cheeseburger spring roll or two from one of the many concourse outlets (disclaimer: I have not seen a cheeseburger spring roll and know not what they are, nor can I vouch for their tastiness and/or health benefits).

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Australia slump to second defeat to Canada after early promise fades

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  • Olympic champions beat Matildas 2-1 at Allianz Stadium
  • Adriana Leon double cancels out Mary Fowler’s early opener

Three days ago the Matildas were in crisis. There were 320 days until a home World Cup and a 1-0 friendly loss to Canada indicated – once again – that getting anywhere near the trophy was basically an insurmountable task. Tony Gustavsson, the man appointed to steer an underperforming Australia to said trophy, was starting to be seen as less like a nice-natured, slightly quirky man with a very good plan and more like a slick corporate type who delivers interesting TED talks but whose advice is not quite working for those he was hired to help.

On Tuesday night, with 317 days to go, he emerged for the rematch at Allianz Stadium wearing a hospital-white hoodie and white trainers, Matildas merchandise around his neck and an earpiece that had him looking every bit the new-age life coach. He had just told media the previous day that he still had the backing of Football Australia and pleaded with external forces to trust in his process.

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Australia beat New Zealand by two wickets in first one-day international – as it happened

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WHAT A CATCH. Glenn Maxwell pouches a scintillating diving catch at backward point. Think Ben Stokes off Stuart Broad in the 2015 Ashes at Trent Bridge! Guptill slices a length ball on the drive and it flies off his blade to Maxwell’s left hand side. Maxwell launches himself goalkeeper stylee to pluck the ball out of the air as it went past him at high speed. Ooof, get that on the replay.

5th over: New Zealand 10-1 (Conway 1, Williamson 0)

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Matildas face World Cup race against time after friendly defeat to Canada

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  • Australia lose 1-0 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane
  • Matildas left to rue missed chances in World Cup warm-up

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson believes his squad is in a race against time to complete preparations for next year’s Women’s World Cup but that home-field advantage can help push the team towards success.

Australia will co-host the 32-team finals in July and August with neighbours New Zealand, and Gustavsson warned against complacency ahead of his side’s latest preparation matches.

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Geelong edge out Collingwood as week one of AFL finals delivers another classic

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  • Cats beat Magpies 11.12 (78) to 10.12 (72) in pulsating match
  • Geelong kick four of the last five goals to earn a week off

Geelong exorcised their first-week AFL finals demons with an epic six-point win over Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday. The Cats were behind at every change in a pulsating qualifying final, but kicked four of the last five goals to win 11.12 (78) to 10.12 (72) in front of 91,525 fans.

It continues a bumper start to the finals series, following Brisbane’s last-gasp win over Richmond and Sydney’s upset of reigning premiers Melbourne.

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Australia stunned by Zimbabwe in final ODI as David Warner denied century again

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  • Australia rolled for 141 in three-wicket defeat to Zimbabwe
  • Warner falls for 94 to make it 54 innings without a ton

Zimbabwe have recorded their first ODI victory in Australia to stun the hosts by three wickets in the final match of their bi-lateral series, as leg-spinner Ryan Burl took 5-10 early for Zimbabwe to roll Australia for just 141.

Zimbabwe won the toss and put Australia in to bat for the first time this series, nabbing three crucial wickets inside the first 10 overs. Left-arm seamer Richard Ngarava got skipper Aaron Finch for the third time in three ODIs.

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Nick Kyrgios sideshow rolls on with straight-sets defeat of JJ Wolf

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  • Kyrgios defeats Wolf 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 to move into last 16
  • Australian next faces world No 1 Daniil Medvedev

Nick Kyrgios continued his stirring progression in New York in an off-Broadway setting at Flushing Meadows on Friday night. As Serena Williams, the 23-time grand slam champion, was sent into retirement by fellow Australian Ajla Tomljanovic, Kyrgios was blitzing JJ Wolf by 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 in 1hr 55m on nearby Louis Armstrong Stadium.

In a normal US Open, a Friday night outing on Armstrong would scarcely be a sideshow, such is the electric vibe that can be felt on a court that is grand in its own right. Kyrgios is the best supporting actor to start the US Open and the Wimbledon finalist was never seriously challenged by Wolf, a hard-working wildcard entry.

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Sydney stun reigning premiers Melbourne in AFL finals upset

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  • Swans beat Demons 14.7 (91) to 10.9 (69) at MCG
  • Sydney earn week off before hosting preliminary final

The Sydney Swans surged through to their first AFL preliminary final since 2016 after shocking reigning premiers Melbourne by 22 points. In the first final at the MCG since the 2019 decider, the Swans ruined Melbourne’s coming home party with some scintillating run-and-gun football to dismantle the Demons’ much-vaunted defence.

Melbourne entered the qualifying final as hot favourites after humiliating the Brisbane Lions in the final round of the home-and-away season but the Swans completely outclassed the Demons after half-time in front of 78,377 fans. Sydney’s 14.7 (91) to 10.9 (69) win means they now have a week off and will host a preliminary final at the SCG on 14 or 15 September to be in reach of their first flag since 2012.

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Amid the grandstanding, Sydney’s new stadium leaves same issues unresolved

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The Allianz Stadium has been rebuilt at a cost of $800m but the harbour city still lacks the right grounds in the right places

Walking into Sydney’s new Allianz Stadium feels a bit like walking into an old house with new fixtures. Everything is a bit brighter and works a little better – the couch somehow feels closer to the TV and that pesky leak in the roof has stopped – but the foundations are much the same.

That isn’t all that surprising given the architectural firm that designed the old 42,500-capacity venue is the same firm that designed the new 42,500-capacity venue. But it does prompt a query: if a stadium is demolished and rebuilt to look strikingly similar, was it rebuilt at all? If the New South Wales government had not spent $828m on it, could we say it had really happened?

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Australia 25-17 South Africa: Rugby Championship Test – as it happened

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Paul Williams from New Zealand is the man in charge of today’s contest. He was in Australia recently, taking care of the final Test of England’s tour in Sydney.

There was collateral damage in the Wallaby camp after the trip to South America. Defence coach Matt Taylor has been let go with veteran Brumbies forwards coach Laurie Fisher returning to the fold. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience which will only benefit our playing group,” Rennie said.

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Nick Kyrgios pitted against good friend Thanasi Kokkinakis in US Open first round

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  • Australian doubles partners drawn against each other
  • Pair have never played each other before on main tour

Nick Kyrgios has been handed a heart-pulling first-round encounter at the US Open, drawn against his great friend Thanasi Kokkinakis in an all-Australian blockbuster. And in a Flushing Meadows men’s field without Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal will open his bid for a 23rd grand slam title against Australian wildcard Rinky Hijikata when the main draw kicks off next week.

Kyrgios and Kokkinakis – the “Special Ks” when they play together as a doubles team – have been pitted against each other in a tough quarter, which also features Russia’s No 1 seed and defending champion Daniil Medvedev.

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Essendon turmoil continues with departure of CEO Xavier Campbell

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  • Third senior change after recent exits of coach and president
  • Club COO Nick Ryan to assume role on interim basis

Essendon CEO Xavier Campbell has resigned after nearly nine years in the position as a tumultuous period continues at the AFL club. The latest change in the Bombers’ senior management structure comes just days after coach Ben Rutten was sacked, with club president Paul Brasher also having exited the club this month.

Campbell announced his resignation at a meeting with the staff and players on Wednesday morning, ending a 13-year association with the Bombers, having arrived in 2009 before being appointed to the role of CEO in 2014. His departure comes less than three days after he told media he was confident he had the support of the board and new president David Barham.

Australian Associated Press contributed to this report

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Former Australia captain Tim Paine in training ahead of return to cricket

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  • Wicketkeeper-batter training with Tasmania’s state team
  • Paine has not played since November last year

Tim Paine could be back playing in Tasmania in six weeks as Australia’s former Test captain prepares for his cricket comeback. Paine is training with Tasmania’s state squad as an uncontracted player as he plots a return for the first time since losing the Test captaincy in a sexting controversy.

The 37-year-old took time away from the sport after standing down as Test skipper in November last year. He never retired but was not contracted on Tasmania’s playing roster for this summer.

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NRL grand final to be played in Sydney, ending NSW and Queensland battle for event

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  • Game returns to Olympic stadium after year away in Brisbane
  • ARLC chair Peter V’landys touts future ‘Super Bowl’ concept

This year’s NRL grand final will be played in New South Wales after the Australian Rugby League Commission confirmed October’s showpiece event would be played at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.

But the long-term location of the game remains uncertain, with ARLC chair Peter V’landys touting a “Super Bowl” style concept, where the game could be taken around the country to the highest bidder.

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Misfiring Nick Kyrgios bows out in Cincinnati after heavy defeat to Taylor Fritz

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  • Australian loses 6-3, 6-2 after winning 16 of his last 18 matches
  • Alex de Minaur also tamed 6-3, 6-2 by Felix Auger-Aliassime

Taylor Fritz blasted his way to a 6-3, 6-2 win over Australian Nick Kyrgios on Wednesday and a place in the Cincinnati Open third round. In a clash of big servers, it was the American No 1 who came out on top, sending down 16 aces against a misfiring Kyrgios who hit just seven and offset most of those with six double faults.

The 11th-seeded Fritz needed just 51 minutes to condemn Australian Kyrgios to his second defeat since losing to Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final. Such was Fritz’s domination on serve that Kyrgios could not muster a single break opportunity the entire match while the 24-year-old American converted three of his seven chances.

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Tahlia McGrath plays amid Covid drama as Australia win Games cricket gold

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  • All-rounder McGrath tests positive on morning of Edgbaston final
  • Australia win by nine runs to claim first women’s cricket gold

Australia’s all-conquering women’s cricket team continued their dominance of the sport after edging out India in the Commonwealth Games final at Edgbaston, but not before Covid-19 has served up a dose of drama.

Meg Lanning’s side secured a nine-run win to claim the first Commonwealth gold awarded to women in a tight match in which India threatened to pull off a remarkable run chase right to the death.

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Nick Kyrgios ends title drought with Citi Open victory in build-up to US Open

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  • Australian wins first ATP Tour title in three years
  • Kyrgios beats Yoshihito Nishioka 6-4, 6-3 in Washington final

Nick Kyrgios’ career-best season has continued with the Australian securing his first ATP Tour title in three years with a straight-sets win in the final of the Citi Open in Washington.

Kyrgios took just 81 minutes to defeat Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka 6-4, 6-3, completing a tournament where he held serve 64 times without being broken. It is Kyrgios’s seventh ATP title and first since he won in Washington in 2019.

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Netballers win Australia’s 1,000th Commonwealth Games gold medal

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  • Diamonds beat Jamaica 55-51 to claim gold after 2018 silver
  • Australia’s women beat India in T20 cricket final by nine runs

Another rush of gold in Birmingham saw Australia reach a major milestone as the Diamonds netball team claimed the nation’s 1,000th Commonwealth Games gold medal. It followed success – and another slice of history – for the women’s T20 cricketers at Edgbaston after they edged India by nine runs to win the first Commonwealth gold medal awarded to women.

Chef de Mission Petria Thomas said it was an honour to have led the team towards such a momentous occasion. “Australia has a long and proud sporting history, with this 1,000th gold medal cementing our spot at the top of the Commonwealth table,” said Thomas. “On behalf of the whole team, I congratulate the Diamonds in bringing home this significant medal in our amazing history and all those who have stood atop the podium at this year’s Games and all the Games, dating back to Hamilton in 1930.”

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Unbreakable Nick Kyrgios thunders into Citi Open final after defeating Mikael Ymer

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  • Australian Wimbledon finalist goes unbroken in semi-final 7-6 (7-4) 6-3
  • Kyrgios has made five semi-final appearances from past six events

Nick Kyrgios is “super excited” after continuing his career-best season by powering into the final of the Citi Open in Washington.

Backing up from his gruelling tournament workload so far – the Australian maverick finished off Reilly Opelka in their round of 16 clash on Friday then saved five match points in an epic quarter-final win over Frances Tiafoe yesterday – Kyrgios calmly dealt with Sweden’s Mikael Ymer in straight sets to swagger into another decider.

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