Beth Mooney has hit the highest-ever score in the women’s Hundred but was left a tantalizing three runs short of a century.
Key points:
Beth Mooney needed a six from the final ball of the innings to reach her ton, but managed only two
Mooney’s innings of 97* featured 16 fours and a six
Despite the knock, Mooney’s London Spirit were beaten by six wickets by the Southern Brave
The Australian batter also ended on the losing side as her London Spirit team lost by six wickets to last year’s runners-up Southern Brave.
At one stage, Mooney looked like she would score the first century in the competition, which has just embarked on its second year, but needing to hit the last ball of the innings for six she managed only two.
The left-hander’s shot placement in front of a crowd of about 9,000 at Hampshire’s Ageas Bowl was superb, toying with the field as she stroked 16 fours and a six.
“Credit to Beth Mooney, she was outstanding. As a captain and bowler she makes you feel like you haven’t got a clue about where to put your fielders,” Southern Brave captain Anya Shrubsole said.
Mooney’s unbeaten 97 off 55 balls was the mainstay of Spirit’s 4-155 off their 100 balls with only New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr (37 off 27) also reaching double figures.
Kerr was one of three wickets claimed by Amanda-Jade Wellington (3-30 off 20 balls) but Brave’s other Australian bowler Molly Strano was 0-33 off her 20.
The total looked competitive, especially as Australia’s Tahlia McGrath was absent with illness.
But despite tight bowling by another Aussie, Megan Schutt (0-22 off 20), Brave won with six balls to spare.
England’s Danni Wyatt smacked 65 off 34 to launch the run-chase before being run out by a direct hit from Kerr after being called for a sharp single by Sophie Dunkley. Her England teammate made amends by batting through to the end for an unbeaten 34 (off 24).
The 17-year-old Freya Kemp wrapped up victory with 14 from six balls, starting and finishing with a six.
That’s how everyone was left feeling after one of the best advertisements you could see for 3×3 basketball.
It was the type of finish that keeps your heart racing long after the full-time siren has gone.
England’s men rode an incredible wave of home crowd support to beat Australia in overtime, 17-16.
Australia’s men claim wheelchair basketball gold
The four gold medal matches played out in fast and furious fashion at Smithfield, and Australia’s 3×3 men’s wheelchair basketball team started off with a tense match against Canada.
Lachlin Dalton (left) was again on form to help Australia to an 11-9 win.(Getty Images: Justin Setterfield)
A day after shooting a two-pointer in overtime to beat England in the semis, youngster Lachlin Dalton was again on form to help the Australians to an 11-9 win.
“It’s been a bit surreal coming out playing well for the country and just to help be part of a gold medal, the first of its kind, there’s just something special,” Dalton said.
“To come out and play like we did, have the camaraderie that we did all week, it’s definitely been my favorite week away.”
‘I am Birmingham’: Local hero leads physical fight
In the men’s decider, it was a street ball shootout of the highest quality.
After an intense, physical showdown, where both sides racked up the fouls, it went to overtime where the first team to score two points would win.
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After Australia scored first, Birmingham’s own Myles Hesson got himself in two-point range, and swoosh, the capacity crowd exploded.
“I have played basketball in every corner of Birmingham,” Hesson said.
“This is where I used to catch the bus, just here. This is where I went to the markets with my gran. I am from Birmingham. I am Birmingham.”
“I don’t know how they all got tickets, but there are a lot of people in this stadium rooting for me. I could hear every last one of them.”
Australia’s Greg Hire, meanwhile, said he was proud of the way the Australian team had fought out the match.
“To go down in a game winning shot to a super talented side in front of the home crowd, I’m immensely proud,” Hire said.
“But [it’s a] pretty tough feeling right now.”
“It’s just a privilege to play in front of a crowd like that,” Jesse Wagstaff added.
“Birmingham’s done a great job of putting on a fantastic show.”
Hire played the match with a torn groin and was the ultimate street-fighter, scrapping and jostling, and attracting plenty of attention from the referees — Australia ended up with 11 team fouls and England nine.
Greg Hire says he will retire from international competition, and wants to see more investment in 3×3 basketball. (AAP Photos: Darren England)
“That’s the reason why we love it right? It’s not traditional five and five, and it’s tough,” Hire said.
“Obviously the refs swallowed their whistle towards the end of the game, which is a shame, but that’s the style, that’s 3×3 basketball. I think that’s why it’s a sport that as you can see, everyone loves.”
After making its debut at last year’s Tokyo Olympics, Hire, one of Australia’s most experienced players in the short format, says he’s retiring from international competition, and wants to see more investment in it.
“We don’t get paid to play 3×3, we don’t get per diem like the Boomers. You’re doing for the love of the game and for the love of the country,” he said.
“What we’re seeing is the first step. In the past, and don’t disrespect the players that played before us, but it’s guys that specialize in 3×3.
“We need to put some respect, raise the profile. Hopefully those NBL guys that aren’t in the Boomers will play for us.”
Women’s teams win minor medals
The women’s wheelchair team couldn’t bring its best against Canada, going down 14-5.
Australia’s women beat New Zealand 15-13 to win the wheelchair bronze.(Getty Images: Justin Setterfield)
“A silver medal is a bit bittersweet, but I’m so proud of our girls,” Australia’s Ella Sabljak said.
“We’ve come from literally nothing, we’ve had no expectations, and that was probably our worst game we played the entire tournament, so I know we’re better than that.”
Australia’s women beat New Zealand 15-13 to win the bronze medal, and Canada’s women downed England 14-13 to claim gold.
Veteran rider Annemiek van Vleuten has won the historic, re-booted Tour de France Femmes on Sunday after clinching the eighth and final stage in style.
Key points:
Van Vleuten won the stage by 30 seconds from fellow Dutchwoman Demi Vollering
Vollering was also second overall, three minutes and 48 seconds behind van Vleuten
The best placed Australian was Grace Brown, who finished 20th overall
The 39-year-old won the stage for 30 seconds from Dutch countrywoman Demi Vollering, who also finished the race second overall.
Italian rider Silvia Persico was third in the stage, one minute and 43 seconds behind the winner.
In the overall standings, Movistar rider van Vleuten was three minutes and 48 seconds clear of Vollering (Team SD Worx) and six minutes and 35 seconds ahead of Polish rider Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon–SRAM) in third spot.
Van Vleuten had just about enough energy to punch the air in delight when crossing the line after the 123-kilometre mountain stage in the Vosges mountains of eastern France.
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It featured two category-one climbs, the second ascent being the stage-ending trek up La Super Planche des Belles Filles, which finished with a daunting gradient of 23 per cent.
She entered the final stage with a lead of three minutes and 14 seconds over Vollering.
On Saturday’s penultimate stage, Van Vleuten rose from eighth overall to take the yellow jersey from Marianne Vos with more superb climbing in the Vosges.
Van Vleuten added this victory to a long list of achievements, including three Giro d’Italia Femminile titles, Olympic gold in the time trial and two world championship golds in the same discipline.
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Six years ago, her career was under threat after she sustained fractures to her spine and was placed in intensive care after crashing during the women’s Olympic road race at the Brazil Games.
Vos was among the favorites, but the three-time Giro d’Italia champion ended up in 26th place overall despite winning two stages.
The best placed Australian was Grace Brown, who finished 20th overall, riding with FDJ-Suez-Futuroscope.
Grace Brown of Australia (FDJ-Suez Futuroscope) was the highest-placed Australian at the Tour de France Femmes 2022. (Getty Images: Dario Belingheri)
Fellow Australian Rachel Neylan finished 28th (Team Cofidis).
Veteran rider Annemiek van Vleuten has won the historic, re-booted Tour de France Femmes on Sunday after clinching the eighth and final stage in style.
Key points:
Van Vleuten won the stage by 30 seconds from fellow Dutchwoman Demi Vollering
Vollering was also second overall, three minutes and 48 seconds behind van Vleuten
The best placed Australian was Grace Brown, who finished 20th overall
The 39-year-old won the stage for 30 seconds from Dutch countrywoman Demi Vollering, who also finished the race second overall.
Italian rider Silvia Persico was third in the stage, one minute and 43 seconds behind the winner.
In the overall standings, Movistar rider van Vleuten was three minutes and 48 seconds clear of Vollering (Team SD Worx) and six minutes and 35 seconds ahead of Polish rider Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon–SRAM) in third spot.
Van Vleuten had just about enough energy to punch the air in delight when crossing the line after the 123-kilometre mountain stage in the Vosges mountains of eastern France.
loading
It featured two category-one climbs, the second ascent being the stage-ending trek up La Super Planche des Belles Filles, which finished with a daunting gradient of 23 per cent.
She entered the final stage with a lead of three minutes and 14 seconds over Vollering.
On Saturday’s penultimate stage, Van Vleuten rose from eighth overall to take the yellow jersey from Marianne Vos with more superb climbing in the Vosges.
Van Vleuten added this victory to a long list of achievements, including three Giro d’Italia Femminile titles, Olympic gold in the time trial and two world championship golds in the same discipline.
loading
Six years ago, her career was under threat after she sustained fractures to her spine and was placed in intensive care after crashing during the women’s Olympic road race at the Brazil Games.
Vos was among the favorites, but the three-time Giro d’Italia champion ended up in 26th place overall despite winning two stages.
The best placed Australian was Grace Brown, who finished 20th overall, riding with FDJ-Suez-Futuroscope.
Grace Brown of Australia (FDJ-Suez Futuroscope) was the highest-placed Australian at the Tour de France Femmes 2022. (Getty Images: Dario Belingheri)
Fellow Australian Rachel Neylan finished 28th (Team Cofidis).
