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Time Southee in his last test took two wickets in the England second innings as the Black Caps roared home. PHOTO: ICC The Black Caps have beaten England in the third test at Seddon Park in Hamilton by 423 runs, with a day-and-a-half to spare. Mitchell Santner took four late wickets as England were all out for 234 in their second innings on Tuesday, although captain Ben Stokes did not bat due to a hamstring injury. LATEST HEADLINES: Tim Payne staying with Phoenix Jackson Netball NZ Player of 2024 Black Caps poised to beat England Ko, Day sixth at pairs event in Florida Relay swim record for NZ women Resuming on day four at 18-2, it would have taken a major miracle or two days or torrential rain for England to survive the test and neither were forthcoming. Jacob Bethell tried his best to show fight and scored a promising 76 before he became Tim Southee's second and final wicket of the innings and the last of his career. Southee finished his career with 389 test wickets and 776 in all formats. Joe Root made 54 and was then LBW to Santner. Harry Brook went for one run to Will O'Rourke, who clocked over 150kph at times. Ollie Pope made 17 before being bowled by Matt Henry. Santner then took the wickets of Gus Atkinson (43), Brydon Case (11) and Matthew Potts for no score. Santner had a total of seven wickets for the match, as well as two half-centuries. Although New Zealand took the dead-rubber third test, England who won the series 2-1, with a lot of 'what-ifs' for the home side, particularly in the first test where they dropped eight catches. After eight tests in the last three months, the next time the Black Caps play test cricket will be in nine months in Zimbabwe.

Ben Robb in action in the first round against Connor Scutt at the PDC World Darts Championship. PHOTO: PDC New Zealand's Ben Robb has been bounced from the PDC World Darts Championship in London. Kiwi No 1 Robb, nicknamed 'Big Rig', was not at his best as he was taken out by England's Connor Scutt 3-0 at the Alexandra Palace on Monday (Tuesday NZ Time), his fifth first-round exit in the last six years. LATEST HEADLINES: Black Caps score massive win over England Tim Payne staying with Wellington Phoenix Jackson takes home NNZ's supreme award Lydia Ko, Day sixth at pairs event in Florida Medley relay swim record for NZ's women The match stats were not pleasant reading for Robb, who averaged just 82.64, had 18 triple-less visits to the oche and only four throws at a double. Scutt, who is likely to earn a PDC Pro Tour card as one of the top-64 on the PDC Order of Merit, came out firing, regularly hitting triples, while Robb struggled to find any rhythm or accuracy. The Englishman rattled off three straight legs to take the first set in quick time, then went up 2-0 in the second. Ben Robb on the main stage against Connor Scutt at the 'Ally Pally' in London. PHOTO: PDC The high point for Robb was taking the third leg of the second set, hitting triple-16 on the third attempt to have a sniff at getting back into the match. However, Robb had visits of 40, 59 and 41 in the next leg as Scutt closed out in 15 darts. Scutt finished the match off with three straight legs, with six 100-plus visits, including two 180s. Robb had only 12 100-plus visits in the entire match, with no 180s. The 36-year-old from Canterbury has won just two sets in his five appearances at the Ally Pally.

Helena Gasson has ended her international swimming career on a high at the World Short Course Championship in Hundary PHOTO: BWMEDIA/LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY New Zealand Olympian Helena Gasson has finished her swimming career in style on the final day of racing at the World Short Course Swimming Championship in Budapest, Hungary. Gasson from the Coast Swim Club broke the New Zealand record in the 100m backstroke by leading off the women's 4x100m medley relay with a time of 57.04 seconds in Heat one. LATEST HEADLINES: Auckland FC winning stops, still lead Black Caps sitting pretty over England Wilde takes second at Taupo Ironman Tahuhu out, James White Ferns v Aussie Breakers' losing run continues in Adelaide Thirty-year-old Gasson combined in the relay team with Brearna Crawford (Waitakere Swimming Club), Hazel Ouwehand (Phoenix Aquatics) and Zoe Pedersen (Coast Swim Club), demolished the New Zealand record in the 4x100m medley relay, taking nearly four seconds off the previous best. Gasson raced a 57.04 split which broke her own 100m backstroke set earlier on day one of the championships, going 0.39 seconds faster. Crawford was next on the breaststroke leg, with the Indiana University senior touching second at halfway (1:07.13 split). Ouwehand (59.27 split), who raced in the semifinal in the 100m butterfly on day four, returned to the pool for her final swim of the championships, where she maintained the second position for 17-year-old Pedersen to set a fast freestyle split (53.58) and anchor the team home in second place in their heat behind the Neutral Athletes team. The team record a time of 3:57.02 breaking the New Zealand record set in Melbourne two years ago by nearly four seconds to finish 12th overall.

New Zealand's Lydia Ko and Jason Day couldn't quite defend their title at the Grand Thornton Invitational in Florida PHOTO: PGA TOUR Defending champions, New Zealand's Lydia Ko and Australian Jason Day have finished sixth at the Grant Thornton Invitational in Florida The finished at 20-under after an five-under par final round which featured a bogey on the third, but then birdies on the sixth and eighth. LATEST HEADLINES: Relay swim record for NZ women Auckland FC winning stops, still lead Black Caps sitting pretty over England Wilde takes second at Taupo Ironman Tahuhu out, James White Ferns v Aussie On the back nine there was a birdie on the 13th and 14th and an eagle three on the par five 17th hole. Patty Tavatanakit holed a 25-foot birdie putt and Jake Knapp gave them the lead on the next hole with a tough pitch to set up birdie. The UCLA duo combined for a 7-under 65 on the final day a one-shot victory at 27-under. Jeeno Thitikul, who won the LPGA finale at Tiburón last month holed an 8-foot birdie putt on the final hole as she and Tom Kim shot 64 to finish alone in second.

A Neyder Moreno free-kick in the fifth minute of stoppage-time has secured 2-2 draw for Auckland FC against Melbourne City to keep their unbeaten start to the season. In an entertaining game in front of a small crowd in Melbourne, it was Colombian substitute's Moreno’s 95th-minute set-piece which beat Patrick Beach for the draw. LATEST HEADLINES: Black Caps sitting pretty over England Wilde takes second at Taupo Ironman Tahuhu out, James White Ferns v Aussie Breakers' losing run continues in Adelaide Phoenix men miss opportunity for points A contentious four-minute sequence almost led to Auckland’s demise in Melbourne, where Moreno thought he had put the visiting side ahead in the 74th minute but VAR intervened in their celebrations, deeming there was an offside in the build-up to the goal. City then scored through in fortuitous circumstances when Nando Pijnaker’s backpass somehow evaded Auckland goalkeeper Alex Paulsen as it bounced into the back of the net but Moreno had the final say in a topsy-turvy Round 8 encounter after Guillermo May had cancelled out Medin Memeti’s first-half opener. Auckland remain top of the table by two points, while City are fourth and six points off the pace heading into the Melbourne Derby. Playing just their second game outside of New Zealand, Auckland were aiming to become just the fourth team to win their first seven games of an Australian men’s national league season, after Melbourne Knights (1994-95), Perth Glory (2001-02) and Melbourne Victory (2006-07), with Perth Glory holding the record for best winning start (eight games in 2001-02). But they were without three important players at AAMI Park – Dan Hall, Cam Howieson and Louis Verstraete as 19-year-old Finn McKenlay came in for his debut. There was some end-to-head football in warm Melbourne conditions as injured City trio Marco Tilio, Mathew Leckie and Andrew Nabbout all watched from the stands, while former assistant Ralph Napoli was also a notable onlooker after leaving to pursue a coaching opportunity abroad. It was City who struck first in the 19th minute thanks to 17-year-old young gun Memeti. After Yonatan Cohen’s shot from the edge of the area was kept out by Paulsen, Andreas Kuen was the architect was moments later as he found the club’s youngest ever Isuzu UTE A-League goalscorer Memeti, who poked the ball through the legs of the Auckland goalkeeper. The goal meant it was the first time Auckland had trailed this season as they struggled against City’s press throughout the opening half. But it took Auckland just eight minutes of the second half to restore parity via May, who was left unmarked as he glanced a header into the back of the net. Steven Ugarkovic found the back of the net in the 68th minute but as the City midfielder wheeled away in celebration, the linesman raised his flag for offside. LATEST HEADLINES: Black Caps sitting pretty over England Wilde takes second at Taupo Ironman Tahuhu out, James White Ferns v Aussie Breakers' losing run continues in Adelaide Phoenix men miss opportunity for points

Plenty of smiles for the Black Caps on day two of the third test against England at Seddon Park in Hamilton PHOTO: DJ MILLS/LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY How quickly things change. The Black Caps are looking good after two days of the third test against England at Seddon Park in Hamilton. The home side are 136-3 in their second innings a lead of 340 with three days to play. Mitchell Santner and Will O'Rourke added 32 more runs to the overnight total, the innings closed at 347. LATEST HEADLINES: Wilde takes second at Taupo Ironman Tahuhu out, James White Ferns v Aussie Breakers' losing run continues in Adelaide Phoenix men miss opportunity for points Black Caps battle to 300 on opening day Santner was eventually out for 76 and O'Rourke left on five. England then did their best to race to the the target, however hitting boundaries also meant risky shots they were all gone in 36 overs with the last eight wickets out for 66 runs. Zak Crawley was out for 21 as his miserable tour in New Zealand continued while Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell both went cheaply. Joe Root got the high score of 32, but Harry Brook went without scoring, something which was almost foreign to him. Ollie Pope and Ben Stokes did their best to steady the innings with 24 and 27 respectively but the introduction of Santner took care of that. The off spinner ended with figures of 3-7 from three overs. Matt Henry took a couple of late wickets for 4-48 and O'Rourke took care of the middle of the innings for 3-33. England were all out for 143. New Zealand then returned to bat as Tom Latham was out bowled by Gus Atkinson for 19. Will Young made his 10th half century, before being out for 60 to the bowling of Stokes and still waits to reach triple figures yet. O'Rourke found himself batting again, this time as a nightwatchman. However he went for no score as Rachin Ravindra came in to keep Kane Williamson company as he finished 50 not out. The 70th time his reached 50 and onwards.

White Ferns fast bowler Lea Tahuhu is out of the Rose Bowl series against Australia with injury PHOTO: MARTIN HUNTER/LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY Otago Sparks top-order batter Bella James has been named in the White Ferns 13-player squad to face Australia in a three-match ODI series in Wellington this week. James, who has represented the Otago Sparks 137 times since 2014, has been rewarded following strong domestic form. LATEST HEADLINES: Breakers' losing run continues in Adelaide Phoenix men miss opportunity for points Black Caps battle to 300 on opening day Nathan Smith to play for Surrey in 2025 Hazel Ouwehand beats NZ record twice The right-handed opener currently sits second on the Hallyburton Johnstone (HBJ) Shield run-scoring charts with 293 runs after five games, including a match-winning century against last year's runners up the Wellington Blaze late last month. The 25-year-old’s call up follows the news last month that White Ferns opening batter Georgia Plimmer had sustained a bone stress reaction in her left hip, ruling her out of cricket until next year. The hosts will also be without their top ODI wicket-taker Lea Tahuhu, after the Canterbury Magicians fast bowler sustained a grade two hamstring tear during Round 2 of the HBJ Shield. Tahuhu is expected to be fit by early January and will make her return in the Dream11 Super Smash competition. Central Hinds pace bowler Rosemary Mair returns to the squad for her first ODI series since 2022, following her withdrawal from the squad that faced England last summer due to a back injury. Mair, the White Ferns second-highest wicket-taker at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, did not feature in the recent ODI series in India as further injury management was required before returning to 50-over cricket. This series will mark the first time since 2020 that the two sides are competing for the Rose Bowl trophy, which currently sits in the hands of the visitors. Recently reappointed head coach Ben Sawyer will be supported by regular assistant coaches Dean Brownlie and Craig McMillan. White Ferns ODI Squad: Sophie Devine (C) Wellington Blaze Suzie Bates Otago Sparks Eden Carson Otago Sparks Lauren Down Auckland Hearts Izzy Gaze Auckland Hearts Maddy Green Auckland Hearts Brooke Halliday Auckland Hearts Bella James* Otago Sparks Fran Jonas Auckland Hearts Jess Kerr Wellington Blaze Melie Kerr Wellington Blaze Rosemary Mair Central Hinds Molly Penfold Auckland Hearts *Potential international debut 1st ODI – 11.00am Thursday 19 December – Basin Reserve 2nd ODI – 11.00am Saturday 21 December - Basin Reserve 3rd ODI – 11.00am Monday 23 December - Basin Reserve

Hayden Wilde was the leader for the majority of Ironman 70.3 Taupo only to be overtaken near the end of the race PHOTO: TRIATHLON NZ In his first World Championship Ironman event, New Zealand Olympic silver medallist Hayden Wilde has finished second at the 70.3 Taupo race. The 26-year-old triathlete had the race all but sewn up, but was overtaken in a late burst by Belgian Jelle Geens to take the gold medal in a time of 3hours 32minutes 09 seconds. LATEST HEADLINES: Tahuhu out, James White Ferns v Aussie Breakers' losing run continues in Adelaide Phoenix men miss opportunity for points Black Caps battle to 300 on opening day Nathan Smith to play for Surrey in 2025 Wilde gave it his all to finish one minute 11 seconds later just under two minutes ahead of third place's Leo Bergere of France. Fourth place in the men's race when to Kyle Smith. The Taupo local came home in 3.37.51. The women's race was won by American Taylor Knibb with Britain's Kat Matthews second and Australia's Ashleigh Gentle third. Matthews claimed the overall Ironman Pro Series title at around NZ$350,000 for her efforts. The best of the New Zealanders was Hannah Berry in 14th, Rebecca Clarke was 29th and Hannah Knighton 35. Berry finished fourth on the Ironman Pro Series and receives around NZ$120,000 in prizemoney.

The Wellington Phoenix have missed a big opportunity for points with a loss at home against Macarthur. It's the second loss in a row for the Nix after defeat against Auckland last week and has them fall to sixth on th eA-League points table. The 2-1 defeat to Macarthur on this occasion came thanks to some top defensive work by the visiting keepr Philip Kurto, a former Phoenix goal stopper. LATEST HEADLINES: Black Caps battle to 300 on opening day Nathan Smith to play for Surrey in 2025 Hazel Ouwehand beats NZ record twice History for Wellington Phoenix women SVG, McLaughlin to team up at Daytona He prevented Tim Payne from scoring early on and was like a wall at times, impossible to get around. The visitors hit the front after sevent minutes after an awkward bounce saw Isaac Hughes pinged for a handball in the area. Valère Germain took the shot which was firstly stopped by Josh Oluwayemi, but the deflection landed at the feet of Germain, who made no mistake with his second attempt. With plenty of chances to equalise before the halftime break it looked like the home side would struggle until another Kosta Barbarouses goal levelled things back up. Marco Rojas worked his way forward and set up Barbarouses to blast home from close range in the 44th minute. Kurto blocked yet another Nix attack, this time Barbarouses again and then Macarthur surged forward again when Dean Bosnjak chipped high into the net in the 75th minute following some good work by Ariath Piol and Walter Scott. With six minutes of extra time, Wellington couldn't find the second goal and Macarthur took the points and leapfrog the Phoenix on the table.

Some late big hitting gave the Black Caps an almost respectable total on day one of the third test in Hamilton PHOTO: ICC A late batting flourish by Mitchell Santner with Tim Southee getting in the act has the Black Caps at 315-9 after the first day of the third test at Seddon Park in Hamilton Santner finished on 50 not out off 54 balls after hitting a six on the final ball of play with Will O'Rourke left not out on no score. In fact 76 runs were scored off the last eight overs of play. LATEST HEADLINES: Nathan Smith to play for Surrey in 2025 Hazel Ouwehand beats NZ record twice History for Wellington Phoenix women SVG, McLaughlin to team up at Daytona Black Sticks women named for USA series The day started well with Tom Latham and Will Young scoring the biggest opening partnership of the series, 105 runs, although that was necessarily a difficult thing considering both sides struggled at the top of the order so far. Young appeared happy to either have a dot ball or hit a four. In fact he hit 10 four in his innings of 42 off 92 runs. Latham made 63 runs and Kane Williamson looked good for his 44 runs before somehow the ball flopped off his leg and onto the wicket from debutant Matthew Potts. Rachin Ravindra went cheapley again for a lax shot and Daryl Mitchell made 14 before Tom Blundell fell for 21 and Glenn Phillips scored five. Matt Henry made eight and Tim Southee 23 from 10 balls including three sixes and a four and on a total 98 sixes overall. The best of the English bowlers was Gus Atkinson with 3-55 while Potts has the figures of 3-75.

The NZ Breakers have continued their losing run, with a sixth straight defeat in the Australian National Basketball League (ANBL), this time with an improved performance away to the Adelaide 36ers 111-94. Despite a big effort led by point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright and a strong showing in the paint, the Breakers were unable to contain an in-form Adelaide offence. LATEST HEADLINES: Phoenix men miss opportunity for points Black Caps battle to 300 on opening day Nathan Smith to play for Surrey in 2025 Hazel Ouwehand beats NZ record twice History for Wellington Phoenix women The Breakers kept in touch at the first quarter at 22-22 and slipped a little in the second but pushed on to outscore their opponents 27-20 in the third quarter but let the game slide in the fourth quarter. The Breakers struggled to find consistency on both ends of the court as the 36ers shot an impressive 54 percent from the field, including 51 percent from beyond the arc. The Breakers came out with energy, finding early success inside as Karim Lopez (12 points, six rebounds) and Matt Mooney (19 points, three rebounds) established their presence. However, defensive lapses allowed the 36ers to capitalise on perimeter looks, with Nick Marshall and Lat Mayen combining for timely three-pointers to keep Adelaide ahead. With the game well in the balance at three quarter time, the 36ers lifted in the final stages to pull ahead and take the result. Jackson-Cartwright had a high work rate once again, finishing with 25 points and eight assists while Tacko Fall added grit on the glass with nine points, 10 rebounds and two blocks, helping the Breakers win the rebounding battle 40-37. Tacko Fall scored nine points from his nearly 25 minutes on the court, but picked up 10 rebounds and a couple of blocks. Returning from suspensions Adelaide’s Kendric Davis was the standout performer, pouring on 36 points on 62 percent shooting along with nine assists, while Montrezl Harrell made a double-double including 21 points and 10 rebounds.

The Wellington Phoenix Women have secured their first-ever point in the state of Victoria to stretch their unbeaten run to three matches. The Phoenix have come from a goal down to draw 1-1 with the high-flying Melbourne Victory in their Round 6 women’s A-League match at the Home of the Matildas in Melbourne. LATEST HEADLINES: SVG, McLaughlin to team up at Daytona Black Sticks women named for USA series White Ferns stars to play domestic matches Big night for Miller, Sevens at NZR Awards Undermanned Breakers drop fifth straight The Nix had lost their seven previous matches in Victoria. Young Wellington substitute Manaia Elliott scored the equaliser in the 90th minute after the hosts had taken the lead from the penalty spot early in the second half. Wellington remain eighth on the ladder, but are now just a point outside the top-six. Head coach Paul Temple made two changes to the XI which started the 2-1 win over Brisbane Roar on Sunday with new signing Alivia Kelly and Football Ferns forward Grace Jale replacing Zoe McMeeken and Mebae Tanaka respectively. Victory made a fast start and the Phoenix had Carolina Vilão to thank for not falling behind inside five minutes. Wellington’s Portuguese goalkeeper first did well to keep out a powerful left-footed shot from Alana Jancevski before swotting away a point blank Nicki Flannery header. Vilão was untroubled for the remainder of the half, with the Phoenix back five of Lara Wall, Maya McCutcheon, Kelly, Mackenzie Barry and Tiana Jaber frustrating their high-profile hosts. The Nix had less than a third of the possession in the first 45, but had some moments on the counter-attack and Victory ‘keeper Courtney Newbon had to make a sharp save of her own in the 22nd minute. Following some nice play by Grace Jale, wearing the no. 60 shirt as a result of a bloody nose, Wall delivered a first time ball from the left and Alyssa Whinham cleverly beat Victory captain Kayla Morrison in Melbourne’s box before being thwarted by Newbon’s left leg. Otherwise there was little goalmouth action and it remained scoreless at the break. The hosts ended the stalemate five minutes into the second half after Flannery won the Victory a penalty. Vilão dove the right way and got her fingertips to Jancevski’s spot kick but couldn’t push the shot around her left-hand post. The Victory’s Matildas Alex Chidiac and Emily Gielnik had a couple of shots around the hour mark, one from the edge of the box and one from long-range, but both were straight at the Phoenix ‘keeper. Temple made a triple-change soon after, bringing on Zoe McMeeken, Emma Main and Mebae Tanaka in place of Daisy Brazendale, Olivia Fergusson and Whinham respectively. The substitutions allowed McCutcheon to move into midfield and she started winning the ball higher up the park. She also had a shot from distance that sailed over the bar, with Wellington unable to test Newbon in Victory’s goal. Vilão’s remained the busier of the two ‘keepers. She made a good reflex save to deny Gielnik from a corner midway through the second half and 10 minutes later held on to a Claudia Bunge volley from six yards out. The Nix came within inches of equalising moments after Bunge’s volley when Main attempted to steer Tanaka’s off-target shot into the far corner. Unfortunately for Main and the Phoenix it went narrowly wide of the right post. Temple made his final substitution in the 83rd minute, bringing on winger Manaia Elliott in place of centre back Kelly. The change in formation had its desired effect with Wellington looking the more dangerous of the two sides for the remainder of the match and Elliott, Main and Tanaka all had shots at goal soon after. Two of the substitutes combined for the equaliser in the final minute of normal time with Emma Main delivering a pinpoint right-wing cross that Manaia Elliott met with a thumping header that Victory ‘keeper Courtney Newbon was powerless to stop. There were no further chances for either side in the five minutes of stoppage time with the Phoenix holding on to secure their first ever Ninja A-League point in Victoria. The Wellington Phoenix will return home tomorrow and will quickly turn their attentions to next Saturday’s match against reigning champions Sydney FC at Porirua Park.