20 Jan 2020

Today's sports news: what you need to know

11:56 am on 20 January 2020

Latest - Rohit Sharma smashed a scintillating century and Virat Kohli starred in another successful chase as India beat Australia by seven wickets in the final one-dayer on Sunday to complete a 2-1 series victory.

Rohit Sharma bats during the Cricket World Cup 2019.

Rohit Sharma bats during the Cricket World Cup 2019. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Steve Smith's first ODI hundred in three years had propelled Australia to 286-9, although the tourists at one stage looked set for a 300-plus total at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Rohit's 119 laid the foundation for India's chase and Kohli made 89 as three premier batsmen of their era shone in a mouthwatering contest.

Earlier, Australia captain Aaron Finch won the toss and elected to bat but the touring side did not get the strong start they expected from their openers.

- Reuters

England eye victory in third South Africa Test

England are seven wickets away from winning the third Test after reducing South Africa to 3-44 in their follow-on on the fourth day, still trailing by 246 runs.

Rain delayed England's bid for a 2-1 series lead but they managed four wickets, for the loss of a single run, to dismiss the home team for 209 and, when the skies cleared on Sunday, took three more as South Africa faltered again.

South Africa were 15-0 when rain brought a three-hour halt to proceedings, but when they resumed England picked up where they left off as Mark Wood bowled Dean Elgar for 15 and snagged Zubayr Hamza, strangled down the leg side for two.

South Africa won the first Test in Pretoria by 107 runs before the tourists hit back with a 189-run success in Cape Town.

The final Test of the four-match series starts at The Wanderers on Friday.

- Reuters

Rain ends extra innings thriller

Rain has washed out a thrilling final game between the Auckland Tuatara and Canberra Cavalry in Canberra with the scores tied at 7-7 in the 13th inning.

The result means both teams share a half win each, which puts the Tuatara one and a half games up over the Cavalry in the Northeast Division. The Brisbane Bandits are a further game back.

One win in the four-game final round series against the Bandits at North Harbour Stadium will secure the Tuatara a playoff spot.

The Tuatara had the bases loaded with no outs in the top of the 13th when the rain came.

"I have never seen anything like that in 30 years of baseball," Tuatara manager Stephen Mintz said.

"It was a real pitching battle for nine innings and then we got a three-run lead and blew it and a four-run lead and blew it.

"Then with the bases loaded and no outs the rain came."

Goal from All Whites striker Chris Wood helps Burnley

Liverpool have moved 16 points clear at the top of football's English Premier League.

A Virgil van Dijk header and a late strike from Mohamed Salah have given them a 2-nil win over Manchester United at Anfield.

Meanwhile another goal from All Whites striker Chris Wood helped Burnley to a 2-1 win over Leicester in this morning's other match.

- Reuters