Sport www.guardianonline.co.nz
Saturday, June 27, 2015
■ CRICKET
McCullum reveals plans Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum has committed himself to New Zealand Cricket for another year. The 33-year-old, whose international future has been the subject of much speculation over the past week, will lead the Black Caps in their long-awaited home and away series against Australia this summer, as well as being available for the World T20 in India in March. McCullum will however sit out the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa after an intense period of cricket dating back to the World Cup. The re-signing means he’s on track to play his 100th consecutive test since debut for the Black Caps in the home series against Australia after Christmas. Only South African AB de Villiers, who has played 96 consecutive Tests since making his debut can beat him to what would be a record. The annual contracting process will be completed next week and the list of Black Caps players being offered contracts will be announced on Wednesday. McCullum said he was excited about what lay ahead for the Black Caps. “It’s a critical time for the team,” he said. “We’ve had a very good past 18 months but we’ve got some real challenges ahead of us and we need to keep making progress. “This is a young, emerging side with some very big series on the horizon and it’s a really exciting time to be involved,” he said.
New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum hits a six off the bowling of England’s Steven Finn during the International Twenty20 cricket match between England and New Zealand at Old Trafford cricket ground in Manchester, England, this week. AP PHOTO
Meanwhile, McCullum has agreed to a three-year deal with Australian Big Bash team the Brisbane Heat, currently coached by fellow Kiwi, Daniel Vettori. A member of the Heat in the inaugural Big Bash series, McCullum will return to the Brisbane franchise this summer and
will be available for all games – apart from any that clash with Black Caps internationals. “I’m certainly looking forward to linking up with the Heat again,” said McCullum. “Apart from Brett Lee breaking my nose in the first ever game, I enjoyed being part of the inaugural year when it was
all a bit unknown and there was a lot of excitement and buzz about the BBL. “The competition has really developed quickly since then and from what I have seen, the standard is right up there with the best in the world,” McCullum said. - NZME
Black Sticks stun Australia in semi-final New Zealand pulled off an outstanding 2-0 win over tough rivals Australia yesterday at the women’s world league hockey semi-final in Antwerp. The win is just the 17th by the women’s Black Sticks against Australia in 112 matches. Captain Anita Punt put New Zealand ahead with a well struck penalty corner shot shortly after halftime. It was the first goal in the 13th attempt from a penalty corner during the tournament. The tireless Punt had a hand in setting up the crucial second goal with a clever run and deft pass to midfielder Ella Gunson, who took her chance well to double the lead. The win leaves fourth-ranked New Zealand top of pool B,
In brief Blow for Bolt Usain Bolt has been removed from the list of entries for the 100 metres at the Jamaica trials, apparently the latest setback for the world record-holder. Jamaican athletics officials said yesterday that Bolt was expected to compete in the 100 in Kingston to sharpen his sprinting form against speedsters such as Asafa Powell and Yohan Blake. Bolt was already assured of a spot in the world championships in August in Beijing to defend his 100 and 200 titles. But Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association officials said Bolt’s name was withdrawn overnight, without elaborating. The heats were yesterday, and the 100 final is scheduled for today. - NZME
Ready for Fiji
■ HOCKEY
By DaviD Leggat
Ashburton Guardian 21
three points ahead of world No 2 Australia going into the final round of group games, in which New Zealand will meet hosts Belgium tomorrow. The top three teams at the tournament are guaranteed places in next year’s Rio Olympics. “It was a really tough battle and to come away with a win is awesome for the girls,” Punt said. “It was definitely a pretty fast game and we’re going to need to recover well after this.” Punt, whose goal made her New Zealand’s leading scorer, going ahead of striker Katie Glynn and now-retired attacker Krystal Forgesson, said it was a case of keeping on fighting as the game wore on and she was confident if they did that “it would fall for us”.
Australian captain Madonna Blyth, playing her record 304th international, was disappointed her team didn’t put their game plan into action as effectively as they had hoped. “Credit to the New Zealand girls. They played well and at that pace we all know they can do. We’ve got a lot to do looking ahead to the quarter-finals.” Australia had a fine penalty corner conversion rate going into the match but yesterday failed to find the net with any of their five attempts. New Zealand managed one from their four opportunities. Australia’s chief shooter Jodie Kenny had her radar on the blink yesterday but New Zealand defended the set piece impressively, while goalkeeper Sally Rutherford pulled off a string of
quality saves, including one from Jane Claxton with four minutes remaining, which would have given Australia impetus for a final late push. Auckland defender Liz Thompson, a key figure in a strong defensive operation, admitted there were tired legs in the New Zealand dressing room but “we’re pretty over the moon, to be honest”. “Our game plan is to go forward and attack a lot and I think Australia play a pretty similar style so these games finish up really fast and full on, so it’s good to finally come away with a win.” In the other pool B game Belgium beat Poland 2-0 while in pool A Korea thumped France 11-0 and Japan and Italy drew 2-2. - NZME
Shimmering palm trees and temperatures in the high 20s will be the backdrop for the Wellington Phoenix when they take on Fiji in Suva today and Ba on Tuesday. The Phoenix play a full Fijian national team captained by Phoenix striker Roy Krishna and coach Ernie Merrick is taking the preseason fixtures seriously. “The boys have had an off-season programme to follow because we knew this flight was on Thursday and our first game was on Saturday,” Merrick said. “So they had to come in to pre-season ready to go. We have done some testing and trained for a week so they will be a bit underdone. It will be hard work over here in two very competitive matches.” - NZME
New club Former Salford and Warriors fullback Kevin Locke has signed on with Super League’s cellar dwellers Wakefield Trinity. Wakefield moved in quickly to snare the former Kiwis and Warriors player after Salford owner Marwan Koukash confirmed he was willing to release him from his contract. Locke has signed with Wakefield to the end of the season, pending a visa. - NZME
Lee starts well Danny Lee is the best of the Kiwis after the opening round of the Travellers Championship in Connecticut on the PGA Tour. The 24-yearold fired a four-under 66, including five birdies and a bogey yesterday, which left him in a share of 15th, four strokes back from leader Bubba Watson who opened with an eight-under 62. Five players are in a share of second at six-under. Lee’s countrymen Steven Alker and Tim Wilkinson will need to go under the card in their second round today after they opened with a 70 and 71, respectively. Alker made four birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey during his evenpar round, which put him in a tie for 94th. - NZME