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Lauren Jackson picked for Opals squad ahead of FIBA ​​Women’s Basketball World Cup

Lauren Jackson’s stunning return back to international basketball has continued after officially being picked in the Opals squad for the FIBA ​​world cup, which starts in Sydney on September 22.

Jackson, 41, was announced as part of a 12-strong squad, marking the veteran’s fifth world cup appearance, the last of which was in 2010.

“There were a lot of emotions when [coach] sandy [Brondello] rang me,” Jackson said.

“I had a bit of a cry to be honest.

“I have been working my body hard, and I didn’t honestly know if it was going to hold up to my intense training regimen, but it has and I’m feeling good.

“The whole team have been so welcoming and made me feel at home. The age difference disappears as soon as I step onto the court.

“I believe in this team and what we can achieve. If I can play a part in getting us onto the podium, then the hard work is all worthwhile.”

Jackson announced her competitive basketball comeback in February this year after joining the Albury Wodonga Bandits, and was then picked up in the extended Opals squad in June.

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In December 2021, Jackson told ABC Sport she had been using medicinal cannabis to overcome a battle with prescription painkillers after years of injury.

“I’ve been open about my battle with prescription medication during my career, and when I retired I went off everything because I wanted to raise my kids and just be the very best version of myself,” she said.

“[Medicinal cannabis] helped me a lot and has gotten me to the point where I’m able to train again and live a very active lifestyle with my two little boys.”

Brondello said Jackson had put in the work to be included in the squad.

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Daniel Ricciardo penalized as Max Verstappen wins F1 Hungarian Grand Prix

Daniel Ricciardo has missed out on a points finish after being penalized for causing a collision during Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen climbed from 10th to take another victory and extend his lead in the Drivers’ Championship after Ferrari again threw away another potential victory.

Ricciardo was driving well and comfortably challenging in the top 10 around the Hungaroring in Budapest.

But the Australian’s day came unstuck when his brand new hard tires locked up just a few corners after exiting the pits and led to him running into the Aston Martin of Lance Stroll.

Stroll was attempting to pass the Australian before the collision, which sent the Aston Martin driver spinning.

Ricciardo was given a five-second penalty which took him out of contention for a top 10 finish.

Ricciardo had provided one of the highlights of the race on lap 24 with a double-overtake of the Alpine drivers Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon.

Ricciardo was chasing Alonso down the main straight when Ocon came out of the pits trying to stay ahead in 10th.

The Alpine drivers got in each other’s way, allowing Ricciardo to showcase his skills by passing both of them on consecutive corners.

Ferrari blunder again

Ferrari changes tires on the car of Charles Leclerc
Poor tire strategy has cost Charles Leclerc a chance at winning in Budapest.(Pool via Reuters: Attila Kisbenedek)

Ferrari’s hopes of winning either the Drivers’ or Constructors’ Championships in 2022 have taken a massive blow after Max Verstappen took the checkered flag.

Heading into Sunday’s race Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto said his team needed a first and second place finish at a track where they were favourites.

But Ferrari’s tire strategy robbed Charles Leclerc of a chance of victory and he finished sixth.

Leclerc was leading at half-distance and was the fastest on track, but was forced to go onto the hard compound tire during his second stop after starting on the mediums.

The hard tire was the worst performing on Sunday, with many drivers including Ricciardo struggling on it.

Max Verstappen wins the Hungarian Grand Prix, holds the trophy.
Max Verstappen has extended his lead in the drivers’ championship.(Reuters: Lisa Leutner)

Meanwhile, Verstappen was able to storm home on the medium tire but had his own drama when he spun on a slippery part of the surface.

“I was hoping I could get close to a podium [finish],” he said.

“We had a really good strategy, we were really reactive, always pitting at the right times.”

Verstappen now holds an 80-point lead over Leclerc in the Drivers’ Championship.

Post race Leclerc said he wanted to stay out on his medium tires and pit later for a set of the faster soft compounds.

“We need to speak with the team and understand the thought behind putting on the hard [tyre],” he said.

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