Sport news in brief
Wyatt wins first skeleton gold
Marcus Wyatt won his first skeleton World Cup gold medal yesterday, setting a record in the process. He finished the twoheat race with a time of one minute 45.44 seconds. Matt Weston was third, 0.66 seconds back, with South Korea’s Jung Seung-gi taking silver. Wyatt and Weston both got off to a blistering 4.46 second start on their second heat, setting a new start record at the Whistler Sliding Centre, British Columbia, Canada.
‘We have to respect refs’, says Jones ahead of South Africa clash
England head coach Eddie Jones insists referees must be treated with respect as he once again prepares to face a South Africa team who will be without Rassie Erasmus at Twickenham. Erasmus, the Springboks’ director of rugby, will tomorrow complete a matchday ban incurred for publishing a series of sarcastic tweets criticising officials during the Autumn Nations Series.
Wayne Barnes, who oversaw South Africa’s defeat by France on 12 November, received abuse on social media as a result of Erasmus’s comments. The mastermind of the Springboks’ 2019 World Cup triumph has only just returned from a year-long suspension for releasing a one-hour video critiquing Australian referee Nick Berry during last year’s Lions tour. “Rassie might come in a laundry box! That’s been done before hasn’t it? Usually by the Tottenham manager! I’m sure he will get in there somehow,” Jones said.
Archer determined to keep playing Test cricket
Jofra Archer insists he has no desire to leave Test cricket behind, with England planning a phased return to competitive action that builds towards next summer’s Ashes. After an 18-month injury nightmare, the fast bowler is two days into his comeback match in Abu Dhabi, bowling nine overs for England Lions against the senior team on Wednesday and following up with a batting cameo on Thursday. “Obviously to get back to the first team is my number one priority but also getting back there as safely as possible. I’d rather take these last few months very seriously, more serious than probably all of the rehab, because once this phase goes right then it can set me up for the next three to four years injury-free.”
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