Bowls

Australian Premier League, Monday- Thursday 6pm.

This is made- for- television bowls, with many of the world’s best on show in this shortened, all- action format. BPL05 — the fifth edition — has a couple of notable firsts. This is the first time it is being played away from Australia, and the rink to be rolled out at the North Shore Events Centre is the first portable surface to be used. Played in sets, the games are intense, quickfire contests in which substitutes can be pitched into the action. Now, following New Zealand’s lead, teams must have a male/ female mix. After missing BPL04, Jo Edwards returns and joins recently- crowned world singles champion Shannon McIlroy in the Blackjacks trio. In another change, Blake Signal comes in for Ali Forsyth. There’s also a change of coach, with the now Brisbane- based Dave Edwards replaced by Sharon Sims. Edwards has taken over as coach of the Brisbane Pirates, who have disappointed since they won the inaugural competition. Veteran Kelvin Kerkow has been replaced by the always popular Jeremy Henry, who joins Natasha Scott and Sean Baker in a strong combo. The team to beat will be BPL04 winners the Sydney Lions, spearheaded by Aron Sherriff and Karen Murphy.