Sports shorts
The New Zealand Breakers failed to lift their game against Melbourne United last night, falling to a 107-87 defeat. Running out of opportunities to get back into the playoff picture — they now have just five matches remaining — the Breakers could not show the desperation required to beat the defending Australian NBL champions at Auckland’s Spark Arena. Melbourne led 31-20 at the first break but a 16-2 run in the second quarter blew the score out to 59-34 at halftime. The second half was closer but the Breakers never got closer than
16 points from the visitors. Armani Moore top-scored for the hosts with 17 points, with Shawn Long contributing
15 and Jarrad Weeks 13. The Breakers, who slip to 10-13 and remain seventh in the eight-team league, cross the Tasman today to play Melbourne again tomorrow night.
Ton drought ends
Joe Burns and Travis Head put on 308 runs for the fourth wicket and ended Australia’s century drought as the home side fought back on the first day of the second test against Sri Lanka at Canberra. Australia hadn’t gone through a home series of three or more tests without scoring a century since 1882-83 but Burns and Head broke the drought and then some. Burns was not out 172 while Head (161) scored his maiden test century as Australia recovered from 28-3 to be 384-4 at stumps. Remarkably, Head’s century was the first by a South Australian since fast bowler Jason Gillespie 13 years ago.
Burling and Tuke back on top
Contesting their first 49er regatta since winning gold at the Rio Olympics, Peter Burling and Blair Tuke finished day one of the Oceanbridge NZL Sailing Regatta in Auckland yesterday in a familiar position — on top. They placed first, second, first and fourth in the day’s four races to be just one point ahead of Isaac McHardie and William McKenzie.
Pieters rules in Kingdom
Thomas Pieters shot 7-under 63 to take a two-stroke lead after the first round at the Saudi International, a new European Tour golf event being held amid scrutiny of the Kingdom’s human rights record and condemnation following the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. New Zealand’s Ryan Fox had a 67. Harold Varner III snaked in a long birdie putt at TPC Scottsdale’s rowdy 16th hole, highlighting a 7-under 64 to tie Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas for the first-round lead in the Phoenix Open golf tournament yesterday. Defending champion Gary Woodland shot 68. New Zealand’s Danny Lee had a 72.
Adams misses All-Star selection
Steven Adams has missed out on NBA All-Star selection. Despite having a career-best season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the 25-yearold Kiwi was left out of the Western Conference team’s reserve selections for the NBA’s annual All-Star game. Adams’ OKC teammate Russell Westbrook was among the seven players added, alongside Anthony Davis, Nikola Jokic, Damian Lillard, Klay Thompson, LaMarcus Aldridge and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Warriors in Maori Kiwis
Four Warriors have been included in the New Zealand M¯aori Kiwis named yesterday, while highly-rated Queensland star Kalyn Ponga will also turn out for the Stacey Jones-coached team. Tohu Harris, Peta Hiku, Adam Blair and Gerard Beale have been selected to take on Australian Indigenous All-Stars in Melbourne on February 15. The team is: Peta Hiku, Dane Gagai, Esan Marsters, Dean Whare, Jordan Kahu, Kalyn Ponga, Jahrome Hughes, Jesse Bromwich, Brandon Smith, Jordan McLean, Kevin Proctor, Tohu Harris, Adam Blair. Interchange: Danny Levi, Brad Takairangi, James Fisher-Harris, James Tamou, Gerard Beale, Corey Harawira-Naera, Joseph Tapine.