Wellington team-mates Michael Bracewell and Rachin Ravindra have both posted their first first-class centuries to put New Zealand A in a strong position after day two of their four-day match against West Indies A in Nelson.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Bracewell hit 135, while Ravindra achieved his highest first-class score of 144 not out as the the home side posted 481-7 declared at Saxton Oval.
The pair dominated the West Indies attack in a 161-run partnership for the sixth wicket, while Ravindra also shared in a 107-run stand for the seventh wicket with Cam Fletcher.
After the declaration, NZ A captain Doug Bracewell and Scott Kuggeleijn had the West Indians in early disarray.
Three top-order batsman fell were dismissed without scoring, with opening batsman Shayne Moseley remaining unbeaten on 56 as the visitors reached stumps at 142-5.
Crash for Kiwi skier
New Zealand alpine ski racer Alice Robinson has recorded a DNF in a stacked field on the opening day of the FIS World Cup Giant Slalom event in France.
Weather conditions were tough with snow falling throughout the duration of the race in Courchevel, resulting in variable visibility and fresh snow on the course.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Robinson was sitting in an impressive sixth place after run one, 1.3 second behind leader Petra Vlhova of Slovakia.
The New Zealander came out of the start gate for run two looking strong but part way down the course she lost her left ski, resulting in a crash and a DNF for the race.
Robinson's coach Chris Knight set the course for run one, in what was the first time New Zealand has ever been awarded a World Cup Giant Slalom course set.
Marta Bassino of Italy took the win ahaead of Sweden's Sara Hector and Vlhova.
Hamilton warns about Covid
Seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton said he was still feeling the after-effects of COVID-19 after qualifying third for Formula One's Abu Dhabi season-ender but vowed to give his all in Sunday's race.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The 35-year-old Mercedes driver has returned after testing positive for the new coronavirus and missing the Sakhir Grand Prix in Bahrain last weekend. He has tested negative repeatedly this week.
The Briton did not want to go into medical detail but said the virus had to be taken seriously and he felt for all those who had suffered from it or were mourning lost loved ones.
Max Verstappen denied Mercedes a final front-row lockout of the season by snatching pole position in the dying seconds of Saturday's qualifying for the year-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The Dutchman steered his Honda-powered Red Bull around the 5.5km-long Yas Marina circuit in one minute, 35.246 seconds edging Mercedes' provisional pole-sitter Valtteri Bottas by just 0.025 seconds.
- Reuters
Newcastle bounce back from Covid outbreak
Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce praised his players for stepping up to the plate after battling through a COVID-19 outbreak at the club as they beat struggling visitors West Bromwich Albion 2-1 in the Premier League.
English football manager Steve Bruce. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Goals from Miguel Almiron and Dwight Gayle pushed Newcastle up to 11th in the standings after a testing two weeks in which the club's training ground was closed after several players and staff were stricken by the novel coronavirus.
Bruce said the virus had "knocked Isaac Hayden to hell" but the midfielder played the full 90 minutes in a centre back role in Newcastle's new-look back line which had regular defenders Jamaal Lascelles and Federico Fernandez also missing.
Aston Villa snatched a 1-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Saturday after substitute Anwar El-Ghazi drilled in a stoppage-time penalty as both sides finished the game with 10 men.
Villa had Douglas Luiz sent off in the 85th minute and Wolves midfielder Joao Moutinho was dismissed shortly after the visitors scored against the run of play to register their fourth away win of the season.
The result lifted Villa up to eighth on 18 points from 10 games while Wolves, again sorely missing injured striker Raul Jimenez, stayed 11th on 17 points from 12 games.
- Reuters
