Latest - The Wellington Phoenix have extended their unbeaten run in the A-League to six games.
The Phoenix drew 1-1 with Sydney FC at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney, with goalkeeper Oli Sail producing a string a second-half saves to ensure Wellington secured a point in captain Alex Rufer's 100th A-League match.
David Ball Photo: PhotoSport / Andrew Cornaga
Forward David Ball scored his first goal of the season to give the Phoenix a 1-0 halftime lead.
Sydney substitute Bobo equalised midway through the second-half and Sail had to be at his best to keep out a number of shots from the Brazilian in the final 20 minutes of the match.
Phoenix head coach Ufuk Talay was happy to take a point out of the match considering the testing schedule his team has had.
"Obviously this is our fifth game in 14 days so I think the boys put in a very good shift and look 1-1 is a fair result at the end of the day," Talay said.
"Oli made some spectacular saves today to keep us in the game and maybe we could have even won it in the last minute with Gael (Sandoval) in that transition moment."
Talay is welcoming the full week the team has to prepare for their next match against Western Sydney Wanderers on Sunday week.
Reds win to mark O'Connor milestone
The Queensland Reds have opened their 2022 Super Rugby Pacific campaign with a 23-5 victory over the Melbourne Rebels at Suncorp Stadium.
The men in maroon delivered in slippery conditions at their home ground, providing James O'Connor with a hard-fought win in his 100th Super Rugby appearance.
James O'Connor joined the Reds in 2015. Photo: Queensland Rugby Union
Prop Taniela Tupou was first to draw blood, barging over Rebels scrumhalf Joe Powell to score in the 15th minute. His strike rate now sits at 22 five-pointers from 79 Super Rugby games.
O'Connor's finest moment of the night came in the 48th minute when he caught a pass on his bootlaces and started the momentum for a freakish try to number-eight Harry Wilson. Wilson's arm was at full stretch when he planted the ball one-handed on the line, making it 18-5 after 49 minutes.
Centre Josh Flook put the icing on the cake for the Reds with a sublime cross-field kick which sat up perfectly for Jock Campbell. The fullback strolled over in the 80th minute to reward the fans who had braved the wet with the Reds' first win of the season.
India name Kohli's successor
Opener Rohit Sharma was named India's test captain, succeeding Virat Kohli as the team's leader in all three formats ahead of the home series against Sri Lanka.
Rohit Sharma Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Kohli, India's most successful test captain, resigned from the role in a shock move last month after seven years in charge.
"Rohit is the number one player in the country. We spoke to him and he's absolutely OK (to lead the team in all formats)," selection committee chairman Chetan Sharma told a virtual news conference.
"Under a player as experienced as Rohit, we can also groom future leaders of the team."
India play Sri Lanka in three Twenty20 internationals starting on Thursday, before the two-test series next month.
Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is Rohit's deputy in both the squads.
- Reuters
Australian abrupty leaves Pakistan Super League
Australian all-rounder James Faulkner abruptly left the Pakistan Super League (PSL) on Saturday citing payment disputes, though the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has denied the allegation.
James Faulkner Photo: AFP
Faulkner did not play the last three games of his Quetta Gladiators franchise and announced his shock withdrawal on Twitter.
"...unfortunately I've had to withdraw from the last 2 matches and leave the @thePSLt20 due to the @TheRealPCB not honouring my contractual agreement/payments," Faulkner said in the first of his two posts.
"I've been here the whole duration and they have continued to lie to me."
"It hurts to leave as I wanted to help to get international cricket back in Pakistan as there is so much young talent and the fans are amazing. But the treatment I have received has been a disgrace..." he added.
The PCB did not reply immediately to a Reuters email seeking details but denied Faulkner's allegation in a Twitter post.
"The PCB and Quetta Gladiators have regretfully taken note of Mr James Faulkner's false and misleading accusations and will shortly be releasing a detailed statement on the matter," it said.
- Reuters
