Sportwatch: Constellation Cup, WBBL, A-League and more – live!

A-League: We’ll soon be training our attention on the sarcastically named distance derby between Wellington and Perth. Neither side has set the league alight in the opening couple of rounds, Glory well below the standards they set on their way to the premiership last season, and Phoenix unlucky to lose both their fixtures so far, especially last time out against Sydney FC.

Glory are bolstered by the return of Ivan Franjic at right wingback in a starting XI that boasts an intimidating frontline of Castro, Fornaroli and Ikonomidis.

Ufuk Talay will be hoping for an immediate impact from star signing Gary Hooper who will makes his Nix debut today from the substitute’s bench.

WBBL: Thunder 123-8 v Heat (yet to bat) – Brisbane will be the happier of the two sides at the changeover despite some late hitting pushing Hobart to a defendable total at Allan Border Field. The Hurricanes were 90-7 at one point but England’s Heather Knight steadied the ship with an unbeaten 61. Jess Jonassen once again starred with the ball, capturing 4-20.

WBBL: Stars 141-5 v Thunder (yet to bat) – Melbourne Stars began the round at the bottom of the WBBL table but at the halfway point of their clash with Sydney Thunder their 141 has given them a fighting chance of earning points for the first time this year. Openers Elyse Villani and Lizelle Lee both struck 50s but the 39 balls faced by the other Stars yielded just two boundaries. All five Thunder bowlers each took one wicket.

WBBL: Strikers 116-3 beat Scorchers 115-9 – Adelaide moved top of the WBBL table earlier today after a straightforward victory over Perth at Allan Border Field in Brisbane.

Nicole Bolton’s 41 was the only score of note as the Scorchers struggled to 116 from their 20 overs. Sarah Coyte bagged three wickets, Suzie Bates two, while Megan Schutt conceded just 14 runs from her four overs.

The Strikers wrapped up their chase inside 15 overs, led by Tahlia McGrath’s unbeaten 65 from just 46 deliveries.

Rugby: While it might have been a rough night for the All Blacks in Japan, the reaction of their players, staff, and supporters has only reinforced how admirable New Zealand sporting culture is.

Baseball: We’re now tied at 2-2 in the World Series after the Astros thumped the Nationals in game four.

Rugby: England stunned the rugby world with their World Cup semi-final demolition of the All Blacks and they’ve pulled another surprise with the emergency call-up of scrum-half Ben Spencer. The Saracens back is in line to make his World Cup debut in next week’s final.

F1: There’s some Formula 1 news to report with Max Verstappen losing his pole position at the Mexico GP after failing to slow down sufficiently when qualifying was under yellow flags.

Cricket: Turning our attention to other sports now, there’s our first look at the Australian men’s cricket side for the summer over at Adelaide Oval. Geoff Lemon is on the OBO tools as Aaron Finch and David Warner begin strongly against Sri Lanka.

That has been a thrilling series to follow. Netball is a tremendous product at the moment.

Apologies for what might seem a cringeworthy term to use but I think it best sums up the combination of the quality of the sport, the presentation, accessibility, and the overall package. Super Netball was brilliant this season and the Constellation Cup was a belter.

It was a victory secured in a dominant opening half and then clung on to in the face of a fierce New Zealand fightback. This has been a superb series, and it ends with two wins apiece, Australia keeping the trophy on goal percentage courtesy of their victory margins.

Australia retain the Constellation Cup!

Constellation Cup: Q4: 1 min rem: Australia 51-44 New Zealand – Courtney Bruce with a vital turnover with just over two minutes on the clock and in possession Australia take their time before feeding CBass to ice the game. Gretel Tippett then puts the cherry on the cake.

Constellation Cup: Q4: 3 mins rem: Australia 49-43 New Zealand – Time’s running out for the Silver Ferns but they are pushing hard.

Constellation Cup: Q4: 5 mins rem: Australia 48-41 New Zealand – Just when the Silver Ferns were turning the screw a penalty is called against Folau and the Diamonds earn themselves some breathing space.

Constellation Cup: Q4: 7 mins rem: Australia 45-40 New Zealand – Turnover goal to New Zealand, the margin is the narrowest it has been since the opening quarter. What has happened to Australia in the second halves this series!?

Constellation Cup: Q4: 9 mins rem: Australia 44-38 New Zealand – New Zealand are now just six goals behind. Can they complete another heist?

Constellation Cup: Q4: 11 mins rem: Australia 43-35 New Zealand – The Silver Ferns are not giving up without a fight but with Bassett in the circle for the Diamonds they are keeping New Zealand at arm’s length. Another couple of goals and this could get nervy though…

Constellation Cup: 3QT: Australia 41-32 New Zealand – The Silver Ferns threw everything at the Diamonds that quarter, and they made Australia wobble. But a late fightback from the hosts steadied the ship and despite losing the quarter by four goals they retina a strong lead heading into the last 15 minutes of the series.

Constellation Cup: Q3: 7 mins rem: Australia 36-28 New Zealand – The Silver Ferns have come out firing since half-time and the Diamonds are under all sorts of pressure. The game has swung dramatically after that first-half procession.

Constellation Cup: HT: Australia 31-18 New Zealand – A dominant half from Australia, led by the imperious Caitlin Bassett in her 100th appearance. There was a warning just before the interval though with the Silver Ferns enjoying their best couple of minutes of the match. The Diamonds have won just three of 12 second-half quarters in this series, but even with that form they can’t throw away such a massive lead… can they?

Constellation Cup: Q2: 7 mins rem: Australia 24-11 New Zealand – Australia continue to dominate in the circles, Tippett and Bassett in attack and Bruce and Weston in defence. The Nissan net points are Australia 104 v -31 New Zealand; this has been as one-sided as the Diamonds could have dreamed of.

Constellation Cup: Q2: 12 mins rem: Australia 21-8 New Zealand – The Diamonds are as sharp in possession as at any time this Constellation Cup – not my words, those of Cath Cox, who knows what she’s talking about. Australia’s lead continues to grow after quarter-time and they continue to be favoured by some helpful calls from the umpires, Maria Folau the latest to be penalised harshly.

Constellation Cup: QT: Australia 16-7 New Zealand – Just the start Lisa Alexander was looking for. Her Diamonds matched the Silver Ferns for intensity and beat them for composure – especially in the circles – to take a significant lead at quarter-time. Bassett and Tippett have been outstanding in attack while New Zealand, and especially Laura Langman, have been uncharacteristically sloppy in possession.

Constellation Cup: Q1: 1 mins rem: Australia 14-7 New Zealand – The Diamonds fail to convert an attacking opportunity for the first time in the match but it matters little because a superb defensive interception snuffs out any danger on the counter. The Silver Ferns attackers are being punished severely for the slightest indiscretion and the penalty count has ended with Bailey Mes being hauled off after her surprise inclusion as GS.

Constellation Cup: Q1: 5 mins rem: Australia 10-6 New Zealand – It’s no place for the timid out there with whistles for contact blown every few seconds. The Diamonds remain potent in possession though and they’re building a handy early advantage.

Constellation Cup: Q1: 9 mins rem: Australia 8-3 New Zealand – It’s still frantic on court with both teams rushed in possession and forcing turnovers in defence. Caitlin Bassett has started superbly in her 100th for the Diamonds and her composure in the circle alongside Gretel Tippett is proving the early difference.

Constellation Cup: Q1: 13 mins rem: Australia 1-1 New Zealand – Sloppy start from both sides with penalties and turnovers aplenty in the opening couple of minutes. The atmosphere is electric in Perth and you can sense the players are aware of the significance of the match.

It’s anthem time in Perth, and they are two of the best a capella renditions you could ever wish to hear.