Today's sport news: what you need to know

Latest - The New Zealand footballer Chris Wood is extending his stay at Burnley by signing on with the English Premier League club for another two years.

Wood will stay at Turf Moor up until June, 2023.

The 27-year-old All Whites striker has scored 24 Premier League goals since moving from Leeds United for a then club-record fee in August, 2017.

"It's nice to have the two years under my belt and to be settled and happy where I am and now it's about pushing forward and doing even better, "said Wood.

"It feels exactly like home. It's a nice base and it's a nice settled place for me.

"I haven't really settled down previously at clubs. I think two-and-a-half is the maximum I've been at a club so hopefully to be here for four, five, six, seven years would be lovely.

"I am very happy to have it signed and looking forward to the future."

Fellow forward Ashley Barnes signed a new deal earlier this week and between them Wood and Barnes share 41 top-flight goals in their first two seasons as a partnership with the Clarets.

Ko starts well

The New Zealand golfer Lydia Ko has made a strong start to her latest event in Japan.

Ko fired a four under par 68 to be tied for third at the Toto Japan Classic.

She had a double bogey on her third hole before picking up seven birdies and a bogey.

Ko is one shot behind co-leaders Hannah Green of Australia and Ai Suzuki of Japan.

She has had just four top ten finishes this year.

Meanwhile, fellow New Zealander Ryan Fox turned in one of the best rounds of the day, a seven under par 65 to climb to a share of 33rd after two rounds of the Turkish Open.

Vink set to defend title

Defending champion Michael Vink is in sight of his second straight Tour of Southland title.

The Christchurch cyclist heads into the final stage with a comfortable lead after his team helped him clinch the yellow jersey on yesterday's 151km stage to Gore.

Vink leads by just over two minutes heading into today's 13km individual time trial at Winton.

No rider has been able to defend their Tour of Southland title since Hayden Roulston won three times in succession between 2006 and 2008.

Australia too strong for Pakistan

The Australian cricketers have beaten Pakistan by 10 wickets in the third T20 international in Perth.

Chasing just 107 to win, Aaron Finch (52no) and David Warner (48no) steered the hosts to a 2-0 series victory with 49 balls to spare.

Pakistan's bowlers had no answers for the destructive duo as Australia extended their T20 international winning streak to eight games - their best since 2010.

But it was Mitchell Starc who set up the clinical victory, cashing in on a green-tinged pitch with two wickets for 29 runs to help Australia to restrict Pakistan to 8-106.

The two sides will now prepare for a two test series.

-AAP

McLaughlin third fastest

Supercars championship leader Scott McLaughlin is back in business as he aims to wrap up consecutive titles at this weekend's Sandown 500.

The DJR Team Penske star made his return to action after his car-destroying wreck two weeks ago at the Gold Coast 600.

Driving a newly built Mustang after his Bathurst-winning car was a write-off in the Surfers Paradise shunt, the New Zealander was third fastest in Friday's sole practice run for the main drivers at the 3.1km track.

With a mammoth 463-point lead in the title race over main rival Shane Van Gisbergen, McLaughlin will leave Sandown as the 2019 champion if he finishes Sunday's 500km race with a lead of 300 or more points.

Van Gisbergen warmed up for this weekend with the sixth-fastest lap of a session that was marred by showers.

-AAP

Slater wins award

Former New Zealand Olympian Dan Slater has been named the Sailor of the Year.

Slater started the year by finishing on top in a fleet of 110 boats at the OK Dinghy world championships in Auckland and backed it up by being tactician for the winning team at the 12m world championships in England.

He was also tactician for the second-placed team at the 8m world championships to round out an outstanding 2019.

The three-time Olympian collected the prestigious Sir Bernard Fergusson Trophy as the Sailor of the Year at a gala dinner attended by more than 250 people at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.

Nadal set to go

Rafael Nadal is optimistic he will be 100 percent fit for the ATP tennis Finals as he bids to seal the year-end world number one ranking for the fifth time in his career.

The 33-year-old Mallorcan took over at the summit from Novak Djokovic this week but suffered an abdominal injury at the Paris Masters where he withdrew from his semi-final last weekend.

Although he leads Djokovic by 640 points heading into the London climax, he is likely to need a strong finish at an event he is yet to win to prevent the Serb reclaiming the top spot.

Nadal has been placed in the Andre Agassi group alongside defending champion Alexander Zverev and debutants Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece and Russian Daniil Medvedev.

He is scheduled to begin on Monday evening against Zverev but admits serving is still the biggest worry.

Nadal has qualified for the ATP Finals for the 15th time in his career but has only actually played on eight occasions because of a career-long battle with various injuries.

-ATP

England to return to Japan

England will tour Japan in July 2020 for two tests, the first time they will play the Rugby World Cup hosts on their home soil.

Eddie Jones' side, who finished runners-up to South Africa at the World Cup this month, will face Japan in Oita on July 4 and in Kobe on July 11.

However, England are likely to leave several of their first-choice players behind to ensure they stay within playing time guidelines.

England have played Japan twice before, beating them on both occasions, with the last match being a 35-15 win over the Brave Blossoms at Twickenham in November last year.

-Reuters

Kiwis up for award

Two Kiwis have been nominated for rugby league's 2019 Golden Boot award.

Fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and front-rower Jared Waerea-Hargreaves are contenders for the best international of the season.

Sydney Roosters' Origin series winning NSW fullback and Kangaroos No.1 James Tedesco is a glaring omission from the men's shortlist despite claiming back to back NRL titles along with the Dally M Medal and RLPA Player of the Year honours.

The only Kangaroos in line for the best player honour are lively South Sydney hooker Damien Cook and teenaged Brisbane Broncos prop Payne Haas.

Tongans Sio Siua Taukeiaho and Tui Lolohea are on the shortlist after being recognised for their performances in the Oceania Cup, which includes the Mate Ma'a's historic victory over Australia following a win over the Great Britain Lions.

John Bateman is Great Britain's sole representative while Fiji have three players - Viliame Kikau, Kevin Naiqama and Brandon Wakeman.

-AAP