Australia 291/7 (Sutherland 105, McGrath 34, Penfold 4-42, Carson 2-65) defeated New Zealand 122/5 (Kerr 38, James 27, Garth 2-17) by 65 runs (via DLS)*

Australia secured a commanding 65-run victory over New Zealand in a rain-affected second ODI at the Basin Reserve, with Annabel Sutherland once again taking center stage with an unbeaten 105. The rain-hit match, which saw Australia post 291 for 7, was halted after 31 overs with New Zealand on 122 for 5, ensuring Australia’s 14th consecutive win over their trans-Tasman rivals.

The contest began with anticipation surrounding Alyssa Healy’s return to the international fold after a lengthy injury layoff. Healy, playing as a specialist batter, contributed a steady 34 off 32 balls, providing solid support at the top of the order. However, it was Sutherland’s explosive innings that truly dominated the day.

Sutherland, who had recently made an impressive 110 against India in Perth, showed her prowess in tough batting conditions. She became the first player to hit back-to-back ODI centuries from the No.5 position, guiding Australia to a challenging total. With the ball swinging in the seaming conditions, New Zealand’s bowlers struggled to contain her. Sutherland launched two sixes in the final overs and reached her century off just 78 balls, sealing her third ODI ton with a boundary.

After a rain delay disrupted play, New Zealand found themselves needing to chase a steep target, and the early loss of key wickets left them in a difficult position. Debutant Bella James was aggressive early on, pulling Megan Schutt for a six, but her knock ended at 27 when she was caught off Kim Garth. Suzie Bates, who had presented James with her debut cap, was dismissed cheaply, leaving New Zealand at 60 for 3.

Captain Sophie Devine’s departure after edging Ellyse Perry further put New Zealand on the back foot, and although Jess Kerr and Frankie MacDonald showed resilience, the required run rate was steadily climbing. New Zealand’s hopes were dashed as the heavens opened up, signaling the end of the match with them still well short of the target.

The rain-shortened match reflected not just Australia’s superiority with the bat, but also the challenges New Zealand faced in the field. Notably, debutant James had a tough outing, dropping three catches, including one when Sutherland was on 26. Despite a spirited 4-46 from Molly Penfold, New Zealand’s fielding lapses proved costly.

For Australia, the win was a continuation of their dominant form after their 3-0 whitewash against India. New Zealand’s defeat has complicated their path to directly qualifying for the 2025 Women’s World Cup, with the team sitting precariously in sixth position on the Women’s Championship standings.

The match marked a significant milestone for Healy, who made her return after a lengthy injury layoff. Although her knock was brief, it was a welcome sight for Australia’s leadership. She has been working hard in the nets to regain form, and her boundary off Rosemary Mair’s second ball was a signal of her readiness for the challenges ahead.

The ODI series will now shift focus to the third and final match, with both teams eager to secure a crucial victory as the Women’s Championship points race continues.

Day one of the third Test between India and Australia in Brisbane was cut short by persistent rain, with only 13.2 overs of play possible. The Australian openers, Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney, managed a cautious start, guiding their team to 28 without loss before bad weather forced an early end to the day’s proceedings.

Khawaja, the local favorite, remained unbeaten on 19 from 47 balls, while debutant McSweeney showcased solid defense, scoring 4 off 33 deliveries. The pair demonstrated restraint against India’s pace attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, who struggled to exploit the overcast conditions effectively.

Despite favorable conditions, the Indian bowlers failed to mount significant pressure. Jasprit Bumrah’s six-over spell (0/8) lacked penetration, and Mohammed Siraj (0/13 in 4 overs) occasionally pitched too short, allowing the batters to leave comfortably. Akash Deep, playing his first Test, looked the most threatening, maintaining a probing off-stump line in his three overs before rain halted play.

Khawaja handled Bumrah’s deliveries with precision, minimizing risks by playing close to his body and leaving deliveries outside the off-stump. He picked up boundaries with controlled pulls off Siraj and exhibited his experience against India’s attack. McSweeney, on the other hand, focused on blunting the new ball and providing steady support.

The day’s play was interrupted twice by rain, with the second break ending hopes of further action. The weather forecast for the remaining four days suggests more disruptions, potentially leading to a start-stop contest.

For India, the limited play provided a mixed bag. While the Australians didn’t run away with the score, the Indian bowlers missed the opportunity to ask tougher questions early in the innings. The lack of swing and inconsistent lengths meant the Australian openers had relatively few challenges to overcome.

As play resumes, both teams will be keen to make the most of any dry spells. For India, tightening the bowling lines and forcing the batters to play will be crucial, while Australia will look to build on this steady start to gain a strong foothold in the match.

Rafael Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion and widely regarded as one of the most exceptional players in the history of tennis, has announced his retirement from professional tennis.

Nadal’s forthcoming participation in the Davis Cup final 8 for Spain in November will mark his final appearance as a professional tennis player. His illustrious career includes 22 Grand Slam titles, with an unprecedented 14 victories at the French Open, solidifying his status as one of the most accomplished sportspersons of all time.

The champion, in an emotional video posted on X on Thursday, said, “I am here to let you know I am retiring from professional tennis. The reality is that it has been some difficult years, these last two especially.”   

“It is obviously a difficult decision, one that has taken me some time to make. But in this life everything has a beginning and an end,” Nadal said in the video in Spanish.

The 38-year-old mentioned that he has been dealing with numerous injuries over the past few years, leading to significant time away from the sport. This year, the left-handed player has only participated in seven tournaments, experiencing an early exit in the first round of the French Open – an event he has historically won 14 times.

His most recent performance was at the Paris Olympics, where he was defeated by Novak Djokovic in straight sets during the second round.

Nadal boasts an impressive total of 92 ATP singles titles, which includes 36 Masters titles and an Olympic gold medal. Notably, he is one of three men in tennis history to achieve the Career Golden Slam in singles. The announcement of his retirement came through an emotional video shared on social media.

In the lead-up to his retirement, Nadal withdrew from the 2024 Laver Cup, which was intended to be his final professional event on the court. Following the Paris 2024 Olympics, Nadal confirmed that the Laver Cup would be his next appearance for the year. This would have marked his fourth participation in the Laver Cup, after competing in Prague in 2017, Geneva in 2019, and partnering with long-time rival Roger Federer in doubles for the latter’s final match at The O2 in London in 2022.

The 22-time Grand Slam Champion had previously hinted that 2024 might be his last year on the tour. With a season match record of 12-7, his latest competitive outing was at the Paris Olympics, where he was eliminated in the second round by Novak Djokovic.