Australia and New Zealand – Page 4 – Michmutters
Categories
Sports

FIA finally breaks silence on Oscar Piastri contract saga, Daniel Ricciardo

The FIA ​​has finally broken its silence on the Oscar Piastri contract saga, confirming the ongoing dispute between McLaren and Alpine will be resolved without having to go to court.

Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo became embroiled in F1’s mid-year silly season following reports he will be replaced by young compatriot Piastri at McLaren next year.

The news erupted last week after two-time world champion Fernando Alonso blindsided the F1 world and jumped into Sebastian Vettel’s vacated seat at Aston Martin.

Watch Every Practice, Qualifying & Race of the 2022 FIA Formula One World Championship™ Live on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Alpine then announced Piastri would be the man to replace Alonso, only for the 21-year-old Melburnian to reject the seat — a bold move for someone who is yet to drive in F1.

Alpine believes that Piastri should respect the contract, but the Victorian believes the commitment is not valid.

The French team threatened to file a civil lawsuit to recover the millions of dollars in training it has spent on Piastri this season.

“Going to the High Court is over 90 per cent certain that’s what we’ll do,” Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer told Reuters.

“If the CRB (Contract Recognition Board) says, ‘Your license is only valid at Alpine’, and then he (Piastri) says, ‘That’s great, but I’m never driving for them, I’ll just sit out a year ‘, then you’ve got to go to the High Court for compensation.”

McLaren Chief Executive Officer Zak Brown and Otmar Szafnauer. Photo by Andy Hone/Pool via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

On Friday, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem claimed the issue would be solved through their own means instead of in the courtroom.

“The FIA’s Driver Contract Recognition Board (CRB) was set up to deal with contract priority issues between drivers and F1 teams,” he tweeted.

“That’s why we rely on their decision to resolve any conflict.”

According to French publication Auto Hebdothe CRB has found that both Piastri’s Alpine and McLaren contracts are valid.

The CRB, a group made up of independent lawyers, was set up to determine the legality of driver contracts and settle disputes between teams.

The body was founded in 1991 after seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher signed for Benetton despite having agreed to discuss a contract with Jordan.

Oscar Piastri of Australia. Photo by Clive Mason/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Szafnauer also hinted at a potential collusion between Piastri’s manager Mark Webber, Alonso and his manager Flavio Briatore.

Webber and Alonso are close friends after their time in F1, while Briatore, who was a former team boss at Bennetton and Renault, has been Alonso’s long-term manager.

“Look, I have no record of it, but this is Formula 1 and maybe in a couple of years someone says that they have evidence of shared information, I would not be surprised,” Szafnauer said.

“I always tell everyone that in Formula 1 you have to act as if everyone knows everything. That there are no secrets in these things. When you ask someone not to say anything, they act like everyone knows.

“That’s how I’ve run my business in Formula 1 for 25 years. And if this (information sharing) has happened, you should not be surprised.”

Meanwhile, former F1 driver turned pundit Christian Danner said Piastri’s tactics “clearly has the handwriting” of Briatore.

.

Categories
Sports

transfernews; Cameron Munster future; player signings, Wayne Bennett Dolphins; Latrell Mitchell; Roosters salary cap, Angus Crichton re-signs

Cameron Munster may soon be headed north with Wayne Bennett reportedly closing in on his marquee man.

Meanwhile, the Roosters have reportedly locked in a key forward after months of speculation surrounding his future.

Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

DOLPHINS NEW MARQUEE TARGET

Rugby League reporter Ben Dobbin believes Cameron Munster is set to sign a four-year deal with the Dolphins which would make him the highest paid player in the NRL.

“Munster is a Dolphin, in 2024 I think Munster is a Dolphin,” Dobbin said on Triple M.

“I think it will be a four-year deal,” Dobbin said.

“So that will be roughly around $6 million?” Gorden Tallis then asked.

“Is he worth it? Yes, can he change the fortunates of a club? Yes he can,” Dobbin said.

“Can you put tools around him and will it attract other players? Yes it will.”

While strong in his belief Bennett has his man, Dobbin revealed Bennett could make an audacious bid to lure Latrell Mitchell to Redcliff if the Munster bid fails.

The NRL supercoach mentored Latrell during 2020 and 2021, coming desperately close to a premiership last season.

“If they don’t get Cameron Munster, I’m going to throw you a smokey right now. I believe they will go after Latrell Mitchell… Wayne Bennett’s relationship with Latrell Mitchell runs deep,” Dobbin said on Triple M.

Tallis, however, believed Latrell Mitchell has his roots firmly placed at the South Sydney club, explaining he is the “happiest” he has ever been.

“It is too far away from his farm, I think for Latrell, there is a bigger picture for him,” Tallis said.

“I have never seen a guy more settled and going back to the country and doing what he is doing, that is more important to Latrell now than money.

“I think he is the happiest (he has been).”

MORE NRL NEWS

DONE DEAL: Bulldogs sign Ciraldo on long-term deal

‘PENALTY AT THE LEAST’: Raiders win in controversy ‘almost identical’ to Rd 16

‘A SHADOW OF HIMSELF’: Dragons blasted for handling of rising star

WHISPERS: Knights half eyes early exit, Panthers link to Tigers star heats up

Ciraldo signed to save Dogs! | 01:55

CRICHTON’S FUTURE SECURED

Roosters gun Angus Crichton has revealed his is set to re-sign with the Tricolours, ending speculation surrounding his immediate future.

Initially, the 26-year-old’s two-year contract extension was said to be a handshake deal with no formal contract being registered with the NRL.

Crichton himself acknowledged the speculation has been “tough” but never considered playing for any other club.

“I think we are really close to finalizing something, so hopefully in the next little bit I will sign on for the next two years,” Crichton told 9News.

“It has been tough to have that hanging over my head and to get it sorted will be a massive weight off my shoulders.

“I don’t want to play for any other team.”

Reports linked the Origin backrower to a move to the Tigers with the Roosters’ salary cap facing a big squeeze.

The Daily Telegraph’s Buzz Rothfield revealed the immense cap pressure the Tricolours are under, with seven of the competition’s highest paid players on their books.

“In 2022 they have got Tedesco on $1.1m, Luke Keary on $850,000, Joseph Manu ($720k), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves ($700k), Angus Crichton ($700k), Sio Siua Taukeiaho ($625k) and Victor Radley ( $510k) for a total of $5,205,000,” Rothfield said on NRL360.

With the impending arrival of Brandon Smith and an increase in salary for young gun Joseph Suaalii, Roosters bosses now have to squeeze the remaining 21 players into what is left of their salary cap.

The departure of Ronald Volkman, Freddy Lussick, Daniel Suluka-Fifita and Lachlam Lam has opened cap space.

Sam Verills and Siosiua Taukeiaho are also set to leave at the season’s end, meaning the Roosters could have even more money to re-sign players for 2023 onwards.

Matty nails Buzz impersonation | 00:51

.

Categories
Business

Coles shopper loses battle for compensation in court after slipping on lettuce

A Coles shopper has lost her court battle for compensation after she slipped on a piece of lettuce at the supermarket and claimed the fall caused her knee and spinal injuries.

Kanwaleen Bhelley claimed that she suffered a whole person impairment (WPI) of more than 5 per cent following the incident at a Coles store in the suburb Wyndham Vale in May 2020.

The Melbourne woman had told a medical panel that the lower back injury meant she experienced pain after driving for an hour and did not run out of “fear” of her knee and back becoming “painful”.

She said the spinal injuries had also “reduced her attendance at concerts, general socializing, and attendance at her temple, which requires long periods of sitting”, the court judgment noted.

She sought compensation from Coles after supplying a medical report from a sports physician. But the supermarket giant rejected the report and referred the matter to a medical panel who determined Ms Bhelley’s injuries did not meet the threshold required for compensation.

Instead, the panel found Ms Bhelley had suffered age-related degenerative changes to her spine and sacroiliac joints which was associated with rehabilitation treatment of her right knee.

“She can stand for about 10 minutes before she has to stretch her back,” the panel wrote in its report.

“She can walk for about 30 minutes, (but) after about 500m she notices mild right knee pain, so stops walking to sit or stand for about 10 minutes. She can traverse stairs without difficulty, using alternate stair treads for both ascending and descending, with no lower back or right knee issues.”

The panel also ruled her condition was stable.

The 43-year-old then lodged an appeal taking her case to Victoria’s Supreme Court, alleging the panel did not apply or misapplied the guidelines used to determine her impairment.

“Mrs Bhelley submitted that, absent such error, the panel would have determined that her degree of whole person impairment resulting from her spinal injury was 5 per cent, satisfying the significant injury threshold and in turn entitling her to claim non-economic loss damages, ” the judgment read.

But Judge Andrea Tsalamandris handed down her ruling on Friday finding the panel had not erred in its assessment and dismissed her appeal.

However, she acknowledged that Ms Bhelley could still experience pain or symptoms.

Read related topics:melbourne

.

Categories
Entertainment

Olivia Newton-John’s final wish to have ashes scattered in Byron Bay

Olivia Newton-John revealed exactly what she wanted to happen after her death in an interview filmed before she passed away.

In a never-before-seen interview which aired during Seven special Spotlight: Olivia – A Magical Life on Sunday night, the Australian entertainment icon explained that she wanted some of her ashes scattered in Byron Bay, some at her property in California and “in other places I love”.

The ashes of Newton-John’s late mother and sister were also scattered in the popular coastal northern NSW town, where the actress owned a property until last year.

“I don’t think I’ve really thought about it that deeply. We all should,” Newton-John said in the previously unknown footage.

“But I’d like to be with them, I’d like to be with them… that would be nice.”

Newton-John, whose starring role in grease in 1978 made her world famous, died at her ranch in California last week following a long battle with breast cancer.

She was first diagnosed with the disease in 1992, but it went into remission before it reappeared in 2013 and then again in 2017.

The Seven special also featured tributes from some of her oldest and closest friends, including Sir Cliff Richard and Bee Gees legend Barry Gibb, who described her as “a diamond”.

“And in this world there’s only a few diamonds,” he said.

“There were all these wonderful female artists and then there was Olivia Newton-John.”

Newton-John’s heartbroken family have accepted the offer of a state funeral from Victoria’s state government, with Premier Daniel Andrews confirming the news last Thursday.

“This will be much more of a concert than a funeral, I think it will be a celebration of such a rich and generous life,” he said.

“Olivia Newton-John was a very special person and to take her cancer journey and to turn that into more research, better treatment, better care and this focus on wellness, is such an amazing legacy and that’s why I think we all feel the pain of her passing.”

.

Categories
Sports

transfernews; Cameron Munster future; player signings, Wayne Bennett Dolphins; Latrell Mitchell; Roosters salary cap, Angus Crichton re-signs

Cameron Munster may soon be headed north with Wayne Bennett reportedly closing in on his marquee man.

Meanwhile, the Roosters have reportedly locked in a key forward after months of speculation surrounding his future.

Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

DOLPHINS NEW MARQUEE TARGET

Rugby League reporter Ben Dobbin believes Cameron Munster is set to sign a four-year deal with the Dolphins which would make him the highest paid player in the NRL.

“Munster is a Dolphin, in 2024 I think Munster is a Dolphin,” Dobbin said on Triple M.

“I think it will be a four-year deal,” Dobbin said.

“So that will be roughly around $6 million?” Gorden Tallis then asked.

“Is he worth it? Yes, can he change the fortunates of a club? Yes he can,” Dobbin said.

“Can you put tools around him and will it attract other players? Yes it will.”

While strong in his belief Bennett has his man, Dobbin revealed Bennett could make an audacious bid to lure Latrell Mitchell to Redcliff if the Munster bid fails.

The NRL supercoach mentored Latrell during 2020 and 2021, coming desperately close to a premiership last season.

“If they don’t get Cameron Munster, I’m going to throw you a smokey right now. I believe they will go after Latrell Mitchell… Wayne Bennett’s relationship with Latrell Mitchell runs deep,” Dobbin said on Triple M.

Tallis, however, believed Latrell Mitchell has his roots firmly placed at the South Sydney club, explaining he is the “happiest” he has ever been.

“It is too far away from his farm, I think for Latrell, there is a bigger picture for him,” Tallis said.

“I have never seen a guy more settled and going back to the country and doing what he is doing, that is more important to Latrell now than money.

“I think he is the happiest (he has been).”

MORE NRL NEWS

DONE DEAL: Bulldogs sign Ciraldo on long-term deal

‘PENALTY AT THE LEAST’: Raiders win in controversy ‘almost identical’ to Rd 16

‘A SHADOW OF HIMSELF’: Dragons blasted for handling of rising star

WHISPERS: Knights half eyes early exit, Panthers link to Tigers star heats up

Ciraldo signed to save Dogs! | 01:55

CRICHTON’S FUTURE SECURED

Roosters gun Angus Crichton has revealed his is set to re-sign with the Tricolours, ending speculation surrounding his immediate future.

Initially, the 26-year-old’s two-year contract extension was said to be a handshake deal with no formal contract being registered with the NRL.

Crichton himself acknowledged the speculation has been “tough” but never considered playing for any other club.

“I think we are really close to finalizing something, so hopefully in the next little bit I will sign on for the next two years,” Crichton told 9News.

“It has been tough to have that hanging over my head and to get it sorted will be a massive weight off my shoulders.

“I don’t want to play for any other team.”

Reports linked the Origin backrower to a move to the Tigers with the Roosters’ salary cap facing a big squeeze.

The Daily Telegraph’s Buzz Rothfield revealed the immense cap pressure the Tricolours are under, with seven of the competition’s highest paid players on their books.

“In 2022 they have got Tedesco on $1.1m, Luke Keary on $850,000, Joseph Manu ($720k), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves ($700k), Angus Crichton ($700k), Sio Siua Taukeiaho ($625k) and Victor Radley ( $510k) for a total of $5,205,000,” Rothfield said on NRL360.

With the impending arrival of Brandon Smith and an increase in salary for young gun Joseph Suaalii, Roosters bosses now have to squeeze the remaining 21 players into what is left of their salary cap.

The departure of Ronald Volkman, Freddy Lussick, Daniel Suluka-Fifita and Lachlam Lam has opened cap space.

Sam Verills and Siosiua Taukeiaho are also set to leave at the season’s end, meaning the Roosters could have even more money to re-sign players for 2023 onwards.

Matty nails Buzz impersonation | 00:51

.

Categories
Sports

NRL Rich 100 2022: Props overtake playmakers as rugby league’s best-paid players

Jesse Bromwich is the highest paid prop in the game with the front-rower leading a clear attitude shift over how much props should be paid.

In a game-changer for the code, the front-row position is now the highest-paid position in the NRL.

The second highest-paid prop is Roosters recruit Matt Lodge on $900,000. A portion of his current salary is being paid by former clubs, the Warriors and Broncos.

From the Rich 100, 26 of the top-earners are front-rowers.

The next best grossing position across the NRL is back rowers (15) and locks (14).

Halfbacks (10) are ranked fourth overall for position in the 2022 Rich 100, a possible insight into the death of quality halves currently in the NRL.

Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Bromwich’s $1.05 million salary with the Melbourne Storm will shock league fans, who routinely rate Penrith’s James Fisher-Harris, Eels prop Junior Paulo, Broncos spearhead Payne Haas or Roosters powerhouse Jared Waerea-Hargreaves as the best go-forward merchant in the NRL.

Climbing from a 53rd ranking on the Rich 100 last year to be 13th overall this year, Bromwich has hit pay dirt in his final year in Melbourne on the back of a stellar career at the Storm which has included three premierships and three Player of the Year awards.

The Kiwi International and Storm captain is edging closer to 300 first grade games in what is his final season in Victoria before moving north to become an inaugural franchise player with The Dolphins.

The 33-year-old will take a major pay cut to join the NRL’s newest baby, but could still figure inside the top-50 highest-paid players next year.

The stunning increase in salaries for props is in direct contrast from a long-held view of supercoach Wayne Bennett, who historically refused to spend big-money in his pack.

Lodge has landed at the Roosters for the remainder of this season on a cut-price deal, although his full salary continues to be supplemented by payouts from both the Brisbane Broncos and New Zealand Warriors, the latter of whom have paid him out in full for next season.

Lodge is hoping to earn an extension with the Roosters.

A mainstay of the Rich 100, the next highest-paid prop is Andrew Fifita, who will farewell the list at the end of this season.

The off-contract Sharks prop is in the final year of a five-year contract that is valued at $850,000 a season.

His current overall ranking of 19 on the Rich 100, is shared with fellow front-rower Addin Fonua-Blake.

The Warriors scored a coup when they managed to get Fonua-Blake from Manly for the 2021 season.

He was already one of the game’s premier props when he arrived at the Warriors and he continues to lead from the front for a side that has faced plenty of recent adversity.

Locked in until the end of 2026, Fonua-Blake’s challenge will be delivered upon his worth at the back-end of his contract.

Knights prop David Klemmer is the next highest-paid prop. He is ranked 28th overall on the Rich 100 on a salary of $850,000.

.

Categories
Sports

RIP Paul Green: High school sweetheart’s heartbreaking tribute, NRL news 2022

Paul Green’s high school sweetheart has shared a heartbreaking tribute to the former rugby league coach after his tragic death rocked the NRL community this week.

The 49-year-old was found dead at his Brisbane home on Thursday morning, the day after his son’s ninth birthday. It has been confirmed he took his own life from him.

Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

The Courier Mail reports Green called his friend and longtime manager George Mimis at 4.30pm on Wednesday to speak about his son’s birthday celebrations.

The News Corp publication also reports the footy legend’s wife Amanda found him unresponsive at their home after returning from doing pilates at the gym.

Green’s death comes 11 months after he was sacked as head coach of the Maroons following Queensland’s loss in last year’s State of Origin series, which included a 50-6 win for the Blues.

Speaking on Gold Coast’s 92.5 Triple M Breakfast show, radio announcer Ali Plath fought back tears while grieving the loss of her first love.

“My heart is breaking today for his wife Amanda and his beautiful kids and obviously his parents, and his four siblings,” she said.

“Paul and I went to high school together, he was my first love. You only get one first love.

“We were together when I was in Year 12 for a year and then we split up. I had kids with (former partner) Mark and when that didn’t work out, Paul and I got back together.

“We then did nine years of on-off, long-distance, de facto… I guess we were that couple that I think our family and friends were so much happier than we were when we finally split up.

“Paul was a wonderful stepdad to my two older kids Jesse and Jake when we all lived in Sydney together when I finally had the courage to move them.

“For him to swallow his pride and I guess take my kids under his wing, I really didn’t appreciate how big that was at the time. It’s a big responsibility taking on someone else’s family.

“Paul was extremely loyal, he was highly intelligent — even though I used to tell him I was smarter than him. When I was in Year 12, he was two years older than me, and he was getting up for not doing my schoolwork.

“He just had such a great sense of fun as well as being so capable. If Paul said to you, ‘I’m going to be a pilot’, (you knew) he was going to be a pilot. And he did – he was a commercial pilot.

“My mum let him take me to Hervey Bay in this mosquito airplane when he was doing his training. That’s how capable Paul was. You trusted him, you knew he could do it, I never doubted him.

“He was just one of those people who you knew you could rely on. (As an NRL player), he was one of those players you could count on and he would give his all of him.

“I can’t believe that he’s done this, I can’t believe this has happened.

“That’s not Paul. I’m actually in complete and utter shock. I only spoke to him a couple of months ago.

“It’s horrible.”

Meanwhile, Green’s family is still coming to terms with the footy legend’s passing and revealed plans for a celebration of his life.

Green’s brother Rick told The Sunday Mail the family had come together to plan a public funeral, expected to be held August 23 or 30 at Kougari Oval, the home of the Wynnum-Manly Seagulls, a team Green both played with and coached to premiership glory.

But Rick also revealed the family was struggling to come to terms with the enormous loss.

“Everyone is feeling overwhelmed,” he told The Sunday Mail.

“There’s certainly a lot of stories that we’re sharing about our times with Paul but as we reflect on those good times, there’s a great sadness at his passing.

“It’s still very raw and difficult to process.”

The family had earlier released a statement after the news broke of Green’s death.

“Today we are devastated,” the statement began.

“We have lost a devoted husband, loving father and wonderful brother and son. We cannot find the words that would come close to expressing our feeling, however we would like to extend our thanks to those who have reached out to us with their love and support.

“Paul was loved by so many and we know that this news will generate immense interest, however at this time we ask for privacy.

“Our family is still trying to understand this tragedy and we request space and time as we come to terms with this loss. Thank you.”

.

Categories
Sports

AFL news 2022: Essendon Bombers torn to shreds after capitulation vs Port Adelaide

Port Adelaide ended a turbulent week with a statement win against Essendon at Marvel Stadium by 84 points.

The Power kicked nine goals in a row, including seven in a second-quarter onslaught, to put an at times insipid Essendon to the sword and condemn the Bombers to their biggest loss of the season.

Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

It was an emphatic response from Port, whose embattled coach Ken Hinkley was given assurance during the week from club president David Koch that he would remain as coach in 2023, after losing its past four games.

Essendon recorded several unwanted milestones including coach Ben Rutten’s biggest-ever defeat — his most points conceded as Bombers coach and Essendon’s second-biggest loss against the Power.

Rutten slammed his side’s “embarrassing effort” after fans booed players from the ground.

On the Fox Footy coverage, a spectator was overheard screaming: “This is f***ing embarrassing.”

Former Port Adelaide star Kane Cornes told SEN: “Essendon is just been a nice team. At not one point today has someone thrown their weight around. They’re too nice, and that’s been on full display this afternoon. Not one Port Adelaide player will be sore after this game.”

After announcing a record number of members during the week, Rutten apologized to Essendon fans.

“We’re bitterly disappointed,” he said.

“It was the sort of game that our members and supporters who came to the game or were watching on TV… it’s not the sort of thing they should have to watch.

“It was an embarrassing effort from our guys. It’s not something we want to stand for and not something our members and supporters should have to watch at any stage.”

Rutten said he couldn’t put his finger on where it fell apart for the Bombers, who had the better of territory and seven shots to five in the first quarter.

But from there it was all the Power, who slammed on 18 goals to six.

The Essendon coach said while the result wasn’t acceptable, it didn’t shake his belief in where his side is going.

“At the back end of the first quarter we got ourselves back into the game,” Rutten said.

“But from the second quarter it was really poor.

“It doesn’t shake my belief in where we’re going. It’s not a great result in terms of tonight’s performance.

“It’s about us being strong and clear on where we’re going and what we’re trying to build because it’s never going to be a clean progression in becoming a great team.

“Performances like that is not stuff we can accept or tolerate, and we won’t.”

Rutten stopped short of saying whether he would give his players a chance to bounce back next week against Richmond or if there would be wholesale changes, but said everyone connected to the side felt the loss.

“It hurts me, it hurts the players and everyone who is putting in to get us to where we want to get to,” he said.

“I’ll have to have a look at that (making wholesale changes).

“The good thing is there is one week to go for us and an opportunity for us to finish the year playing a brand of footy the way we want to.”

Michael Hurley took another step towards an AFL return by getting through a VFL game on Sunday, and Rutten hinted the veteran swingman could play his first game in more than two years.

“That’ll be a discussion point for us, he got through the game at VFL level, that’s certainly something we’ll be looking at,” Rutten said.

Read related topics:Adelaide

.

Categories
Sports

Cricket news 2022: Beth Mooney falls short of historic century on Hundred debut, Southern Brave vs London Spirit score

Australian cricketer Beth Mooney came within touching distance of becoming the first centurion in the Hundred women’s competition on Friday, scoring an unbeaten 97 against last year’s runners-up Southern Brave in Southampton.

Fresh off her triumphant Commonwealth Games campaign, the 28-year-old smacked the highest score in the 100-ball tournament’s short history on her London Spirit debut, guiding the side to 4/155 in front of 9000 spectators at the Ageas Bowl.

Watch The Hundred. Every Match Live & Exclusive to Fox Sports on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Mooney needed nothing less than a six off the final delivery to reach triple figures, but the left-hander could only muster a two.

Birmingham Phoenix young gun Will Smeed remains the only cricketer to have scored a century in The Hundred, achieving the feat against the Brave in the men’s competition on Wednesday.

Mooney, who passed 50 in just 32 deliveries, struck 17 boundaries in the 55-ball demolition, combining with New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr for an 87-run second-wicket partnership.

But the Queenslander’s heroics weren’t enough for the Spirit to secure victory, with the Brave chasing the 156-run target with six deliveries to spare, courtesy of a 34-ball 65 from Player of the Match Danni Wyatt.

It was the English opener’s third half-century in The Hundred.

“I’m really happy to have contributed to a win and just to get the win on the board is really pleasing,” Wyatt told Sky Sports after the six-wicket win.

“My job at the top is to go out there and be brave and fearless, and if it’s in my area go for it.

“It’s a great start. Beth Mooney batted exceptionally today and we knew it was going to take one of us to go out there and do what she did.”

Australian leg-spinner Amanda Jade-Wellington, the Brave’s highest-wicket taker last year, was the pick of the bowlers on Friday, claiming 3/30 from her 20 deliveries.

Southern Brave captain Anya Shrubsole continued: “Beth Mooney was outstanding, and she makes you feel as a captain and a bowler you don’t have a clue where to put your fielders out. But Danni showed what a good track it was, and I’m really pleased to get a win.

“We go again against Oval on Sunday. It’sa quick turnaround and it’s quite a warm few days as well, but it’s exciting.”

Highest Individual Score in the Hundred women’s competition

97* – Beth Mooney, LS vs. SB (2022)

92* – Jemimah Rodrigues, NS vs. WF (2021)

78 – Smriti Mandhana, SB vs. WF (2021)

76* – Shafali Verma, BP vs. WF (2021)

76 – Rachael Priest, TR vs. LS (2021)

Mooney was a crucial member of the Australian team that won a Commonwealth Games gold medal in Birmingham last week, scoring 61 (41) against India in the final at Edgbaston.

She was the T20 tournament’s highest run-scorer with 179 runs at 44.75 and a strike rate of 133.58.

Mooney currently sits at No. 1 on the ICC Women’s T20I batting rankings, narrowly ahead of Australian teammate Meg Lanning and New Zealand captain Sophie Devine.

The Spirit will next face the Northern Superchargers at Headingley on Sunday, with the first ball scheduled for 8pm AEST.

.

Categories
Sports

Cricket news 2022: Alana Kin hat-trick in Hundred women’s competition, Shane Warne tribute video

Australian leg-spinner Alana King has become the first cricketer to take a hat-trick in the Hundred women’s competition, achieving the rare feat on debut for the Trent Rockets on Saturday evening AEST.

The 26-year-old helped roll the Manchester Originals for 76 at Old Trafford, finishing her 20-delivery spell with stunning figures of 4/15 including 13 dot balls, the best bowling performance by a female Rockets player in the competition’s short history.

Watch The Hundred. Every Match Live & Exclusive to Fox Sports on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

After removing West Indies veteran Deandra Dottin for a second-ball duck early in Manchester’s run chase, Player of the Match King returned to tear through the Originals middle-order.

The Victorian clean-bowled Cordelia Griffith before trapping rival spinner Sophie Ecclestone on the front pad the very next delivery.

And King completed the hat-trick by bowling Originals captain Kate Cross with a beauty that spun through the gate and crashed into the middle stump, leaving Manchester in dire straits at 7/45.

The Aussie tweaker, donning her trademark sunglasses, celebrated by raising an index finger and sprinting towards cover, reminiscent of the late Shane Warne’s unforgettable 700th Test wicket at the MCG in 2006.

King’s hat-trick took place on the same pitch that childhood hero Warne delivered his iconic “Ball of the Century” in 1993.

“Will I get my name up here at Old Trafford? That would be brilliant. Hopefully right next to Warnie,” King told Sky Sports post-match.

“He took poles here for fun, and I’m sure he was looking down pretty happy.

“He was a massive inspiration, but it wasn’t just me. It was kids all around the world who inspired him to pick up leg spin. He was definitely the reason I picked up leg spin. Hopefully he’s been proud watching down on me spin a few.

“When I was a bit younger, I did a couple of sessions with him. All I remember from that was him saying, ‘Spin it hard and have some fun’. I live by that every single day.

“That’s my first hat-trick. Not even in juniors did I take one. My first hat-trick at Old Trafford, I couldn’t have written it.

“As soon as I got that first wicket, I knew I had to keep aiming for the stumps. I’m just stoked that I can play my part for this team.”

King would have taken four wickets in four balls if the Rockets had reviewed her following delivery, which struck wicketkeeper Eleanor Threlkeld on the pads.

King will be particularly relieved to tick off the career milestone after missing out on a hat-trick during the recent Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

During Australia’s group stage match against Barbados at Edgbaston, captain Meg Lanning dropped a regulation catch at first slip on the hat-trick delivery.

King also starred with the bat on Saturday, smacking an 19 not out off nine deliveries at the death, including two sixes, to steer the Rockets, who were without Lanning and England all-rounder Nat Sciver for personal reasons, towards a defendable total of 5/119.

English wicketkeeper Abigail Freeborn top-scored for the Rockets with an unbeaten 45 off 38 balls, and the Originals came nowhere near chasing the modest total, ultimately suffering a 43-run defeat.

“In the first half, I thought we bowled and fielded really well, and we were happy chasing 120. But then the second bit, we didn’t play like we wanted to play,” Originals coach Paul Shaw said.

“Alana King’s a quality performer who will be around for a long time. She bowled really, really well. But we didn’t play her that well.”

King also held onto a tough outfield catch to remove England’s Ami Campbell for 13 and cap off a superb all-round performance.

“Pretty special but as I said, I’m here to do my job for the team and I’m glad it came off today,” King said.

“It was a fresh wicket today, it was a bit dry and hoping there was some spin and there was. Stoked to get the win and happy I can contribute.

“The atmosphere was absolutely incredible. To get our first win was pretty special. We knew we were under par with the bat, and we needed to stick to our game plan with the ball. We wanted to take some early wickets in the powerplay, which we did. As soon as we got their two openers out, we knew the pressure was back on them.”

The last 10 months of King’s career has been nothing short of extraordinary — after winning a Women’s Big Bash League title with the Perth Scorchers in October last year, she made her international debut in all three formats during the recent home summer.

She was a crucial member of Australia’s undefeated Ashes campaign and World Cup triumph in New Zealand before winning a Commonwealth Games gold medal in Birmingham earlier this month.

Meanwhile, Australian superstar Ellyse Perry also impressed on Hundred debut for the Birmingham Phoenix with a blistering 58 (31) against the Welsh Fire in Cardiff.

Player of the Match Perry combined with compatriot Sophie Molineux for a crucial fourth-wicket partnership of 82 in 54 balls on the way to a 19-run victory.

The Rockets will next face Birmingham at Edgbaston on Monday, with the first ball scheduled for midnight AEST.

.