30 Apr 2021

Today's sports news: What you need to know

4:10 pm on 30 April 2021

Latest - Manchester United have taken charge of their Europa League semi-final against Roma.

Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood celebrates after scoring their sixth goal during the UEFA Europa League semi-final, first leg against Roma at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, north west England, on April 29, 2021.

Photo: AFP

United have scored five unanswered second-half goals to beat the Italians 6-2 in the first leg of their last four tie at Old Trafford.

Edinson Cavani and Bruno Fernandes both found the back of the net twice, while Paul Pogba and Mason Greenwood also scored to erase a 2-1 halftime deficit.

Villarreal have beaten Arsenal 2-1 in the first leg of the other semi-final in Spain.

Nicolas Pepe scored what could be a crucial away goal for Arsenal midway through the second-half after Villarreal struck twice in the first half an hour.

Both sides finished the match with 10 men after Daniel Ceballos and Etienne Capoue were sent off for second bookable offences.

New Plymouth and Christchurch to host the Breakers

The Breakers are taking Australian basketball league games to New Plymouth and Christchurch next month.

Tom Abercrombie of the New Zealand Breakers controls the ball. 
Melbourne Utd v NZ Breakers during round 16 of the NBL at John Cain Arena on Wednesday 28th April 2021 in Melbourne, Australia.

Photo: Photosport Ltd 2021

The team is returning New Zealand to play seven home games in 17 days, with the first against the Sydney Kings in Auckland on Thursday May 20.

The two sides will square-off again in New Plymouth two days later, before the Breakers host the South East Melbourne Phoenix in Christchurch the following Tuesday.

The Breakers will also take games against the Illawarra Hawks (May 28) and Adelaide 36ers (June 2) to other parts of New Zealand, with venues yet to be confirmed.

Their meetings with the Brisbane Bullets (May 30) and Cairns Taipans (June 5) have been confirmed for Auckland.

UAE on stand-by to host T20 World Cup

This year's Twenty20 World Cup could be moved to the United Arab Emirates if India continues to suffer with a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

West Indies celebrates winning against India at the ICC T20 World Cup 2016 semi final 2 at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India.

The West Indies celebrate beating India in the semi-finals of the 2016 T20 World Cup. Photo: Photosport Ltd 2016

The tournament is due to begin in October, but the Covid death toll in India has passed 200,000, with at least 300,000 new infections every day in the past week.

Speaking to the BBC's Stumped podcast, Dhiraj Malhotra, from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), said he is hopeful India could still host the T20 World Cup.

"I've just been named one of the tournament directors, so I'm doing everything we can to make sure it happens," said Malhotra, who is general manager for game development with the BCCI.

"We will be doing normal scenario, and worst case scenario, so with all that we're talking to the ICC at the moment."

- BBC

Podium finish for Bevin in Romandie

New Zealand cyclist Patrick Bevin has finished second on stage two of the Tour de Romandie in Switzerland.

No caption

Photo: Supplied

Bevin was pipped by Italian Sonny Colbrelli in the sprint finish at the end of the 166km stage.

Only a small group contested the sprint after most were dropped on the final climb of the day.

Bevin, who rides for Israel Start-Up Nation, is now second overall, eight seconds behind Australian Rohan Dennis.

The five stage Tour finishes this weekend.

NMS returns to Super Rugby

Former All Blacks winger Nehe Milner-Skudder is set for his first Super Rugby game in three years.

Nehe Milner Skudder scores against the Blues.

Nehe Milner Skudder scores against the Blues. Photo: © Photosport

Milner-Skudder is a late call-up to the Highlanders team for tonight's Super Rugby Aotearoa game against the Hurricanes in Wellington.

He replaces fullback Josh Ioane who has been forced oit with injury.

Milner-Skudder last played for the Hurricanes in 2018 and injuries have meant he hasn't played a regular season game for the Highlanders since joining them last year.

Meanwhile, former All Black loosie Liam Messam will make his return to Super Rugby from the bench in the Chiefs game against the Blues at Eden Park on Saturday.

With a place in the final against the Crusaders already confirmed, Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan has included six debutants in his youthful side.

Solid start for Ko in Singapore

New Zealand golfer Lydia Ko has made a solid start to the latest LPGA event in Singapore.

NZ Golfer Lydia Ko

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Ko fired a three under par 69 in the opening round of the HSBC Women's World Championship at the Sentosa Golf Club.

She is five shots behind the leader South Korea's Inbee Park.

The opening round was played in sweltering heat.

The tour has two tournaments in Asia, including next week in Thailand, before returning to the United States.

Ko won her first tournament in three years in Hawaii earlier this month.

Sharks remain unbeaten

The Southland Sharks are two from two in the National Basketball League after a thrilling 78-76 win over Taranaki in Invercargil.

Sharks player Josh Cunningham

Josh Cunningham Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The Sharks had led by as many as 20 before Taranaki rebounded.

A Josh Cunningham clutch shot with two seconds to play was enough to get the win, after the play before Tai Wynyard rebounded a missed Marcel Jones' free throw to put in a lay-up and level the scores.

Cunningham top scored for the Sharks with 18 points, while Marcel Jones scored 23 for the Airs.

It was the Sharks first home game in 665 days.