Aussies claim bronze in men's 4x200m freestyle relay
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Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Aussie women launch England's Hundred in brutal fashion
Grace Harris has cracked a rapid 89 not out to win the opening game of The Hundred at Lord's. (Russell Freeman/AAP PHOTOS) Grace Harris has cracked a rapid 89 not out to win the opening game of The Hundred at Lord's. (Russell Freeman/AAP PHOTOS) Credit: AAP The fifth season of England's Hundred competition has been launched with a blizzard of sixes, mostly hit by Australians Grace Harris and Meg Lanning. Harris hit a competition record-equalling six sixes in her 42-ball 89 not out, but was nearly upstaged by her former Australian captain Lanning, who hit five of them before being dismissed for 85 off 51 balls. Her departure sealed London Spirit's victory over capital rivals Oval Invincibles by 17 runs. The match was the first half of a double-header at Lords to kick-off the controversial competition, in which both sides receive 100 balls bowled in 'sets' of five, with the men, including Spirit's David Warner, following. It was a stunning opening with a competition record 15 sixes in all. Harris led the defending champions to 5-176, the second highest score in the competition's history. The Queenslander was brutal on former Australia teammate Amanda Jade-Wellington, who went for 38 off her 15 balls - but she did have Harris dropped on 22. The other Australians in Spirit's team fared less well. Georgia Redmayne, opening the innings, struggled to a six-ball duck. Charli Knott, recruited late to replace the unavailable Indian star Deepti Sharma, made one off four. Harris put on 100 with Englishwoman Cordelia Griffith (50 off 29), a team record, in 52 balls. "I loved it out there," she said. "When you have a wicket like this, you want to cash in as a batter." On the secret to her clean hitting she suggested "genetics maybe?" before focussing on good prep, technique and an unconventional diet for an athlete. "Three gym sessions a week. Your handspeed as well. Your feet don't have to move well but a still base and you can time balls for six with your hands. "A few burgers in there. I have been living on dumplings since I have been over in England and it seems to be working! No Harris is a small human being, so I will take it." "She is very powerful and makes it look easy," said Lanning of Harris. "Fair play to her, she was too good. "They set a great total and we were a bit behind. I couldn't get going early on. Once I found some tempo, I had some momentum going." True enough, prior to being out Lanning went 6,4,4,6 and looked about to mastermind a heist over the team she played for last season. There are 16 Australians in the women's competition in all, with all but one of the eight sides having an Aussie. This is the last season solely under the control of the England and Wales Cricket Board with large chunks of most teams sold to private owners, half of them Indian Premier League clubs. This has raised $A1 billion for the sport in England, though that hasn't quelled criticism from traditionalists who fear it threatens the county structure and annexes the key summer month of August. However, besides the cash The Hundred has succeeded in its aim of attracting a new audience - this midweek afternoon women's match drew 15,640 to Lord's. Australian officials, pondering the future of the Big Bash League, will have taken note. AUSTRALIAN WOMEN IN THE HUNDRED Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Georgia Voll (Birmingham Phoenix), Grace Harris, Georgia Redmayne, Charli Knott (London Spirit), Beth Mooney (Manchester Originals), Phoebe Litchfield, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham (Northern Superchargers), Amanda-Jade Wellington, Meg Lanning (Oval Invincibles), Ash Gardner, Alana King, Heather Graham (Trent Rockets), Jess Jonassen (Welsh Fire).
Sky News AU
10 hours ago
- Sky News AU
'Michael Jackson of Gambling': An Aussie social media influencer goes viral for his gambling addiction
A young Australian influencer is gaining viral fame for his gambling habits as experts warn his online content could have a powerful impact on his growing audience. Luca Kante has built a large online by sharing videos of his daily wins at pokie machines, with his content regularly showing stacks of cash and jackpot celebrations. The gambler has become a fixture on social media feeds where fans praise his apparent luck and skill. The full-time gambler and content creator is quickly becoming a recognisable figure among young Australians. His flashy videos draw thousands of views and followers often leave comments hailing him as 'King' and calling him the 'Michael Jackson of Gambling.' Fans particularly praise his gambling success, writing comments like 'Pokies hate to see him coming' and 'Bro is just too good at gambling.' Others ask him for tips, with one user saying, 'I wish I had 1% of this power.' This kind of adoration highlights the growing impact Kante has, particularly on younger audiences. One in three Australians aged 12 to 17 have engaged in some form of gambling, raising concerns that influencers like Kante may be encouraging risky behaviour through their content. These influencer videos often show Kante betting large amounts and celebrating wins, with little mention of losses or the risks involved. Gambling experts worry this glamorised version of gambling could normalise addictive behaviours and mislead viewers into believing that gambling is an easy way to make money. As Kante's popularity grows, questions are also being raised about how much influence a single social media gambler can have and what the long-term impact could be for his followers.
Sydney Morning Herald
10 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘I think we should do it': AFLW captains push for Origin series in quest for more games, viewers
Molloy wants more footy and more chances to put the game's elite players in the spotlight, and has long wanted the All-Australian side to play together each year. 'I'm lucky to have a couple of All-Australian blazers and I think to myself, God, I'd love to see this team play,' Molloy said. 'I don't know where we play or who we play against, but I always thought to myself that it would be intriguing. 'We've seen so many exciting formats in the men's game, we've seen Origin in the past [in AFLW] and I'd love it. I'd absolutely love it. 'Any way we can showcase talent and put them all together – I'd love to see it in any format.' Some captains also expressed interest in an Australia v Ireland series between AFLW and Gaelic football stars, given the influx of Irish talent. But whatever the format, it must be a good product. 'We need to make sure it is something people want to watch and really build it up,' Crows captain Sarah Allan said. The teams If State of Origin were to return, Molloy believed the teams should be decided based on where a player's club is located, not where they were raised. But there is still strong state allegiance from those who would don an Allies jumper. Collingwood skipper Ruby Schleicher was already picking her WA side mid-interview – Ebony Antonio and Emma Swanson were among her selections – and hatching a plan to claim Chelsea Randall from South Australia's clutches. 'It would be great to get the old gang back together of people we used to play against in the WAFL,' Schleicher said. 'There is that state pride, there is nothing like putting your own colours on. But whatever it looks like, I'll put my hand up.' Carlton captain Abbie McKay said she would jump at the chance to play for Victoria or Australia. 'It would be awesome,' McKay said. 'I played one year for Vic Metro [at under-18 level] and it would be an honour to do it again.' Queensland could also field a strong side considering Brisbane Lions are a perennial contender and the Gold Coast are producing a host of talented players. 'There is that much talent that Queensland could have our own team – I'd probably say Queensland, South Australia and Victoria could all give it a red-hot crack,' Hawthorn captain Emily Bates said. The standard The AFLW played a State of Origin game in September 2017, when a Debbie Lee-coached Victoria thumped the Allies by 97 points at Marvel Stadium. Daisy Pearce, Ellie Blackburn and Jasmine Garner were among the stars for the Vics. Schleicher was adamant such a result wouldn't be repeated. 'Hey, hey, hey, you are talking to a WA girl here – of course not,' Schleicher exclaimed. Bates was a part of the Allies team in 2017. 'We got absolutely pumped, so that wasn't a great memory,' she recalled. 'But I think it would be great for the game and showcase the best talent available, I'm keen to see it happen again.' Richmond captain Katie Brennan was also on that Allies side and said the talent is far better than in 2017. 'The talent from all the different states is extraordinary now,' Bates said. 'I'm a Queenslander, born and bred, and that talent pathway has gone from strength to strength. There would be more competitive balance out there and it would be an awesome sight to see.' Molloy was more pragmatic about the format. 'The under-18s is where we display our state talent. I would take a more holistic view and have the Allies playing Victoria as Victoria is like the footy capital,' she said. The timing The league's continued expansion is written into the CBA – with the current 18-team competition only playing for 12 rounds plus finals. While Origin would be a way to get more games in the calendar, the same issues that plague discussions of the return of the competition for the men's game would be problematic for the women. Playing a series on the eve of the season could see star players injured ahead of their club campaigns; playing at the end or in the off-season would interrupt their breaks. Playing representative football in the middle of the regular season – for example, making the game a showcase event on AFL grand final day or eve – is also likely to be unpopular with clubs. 'The only trouble [in 2017] was the injuries that came from the game, so that would be a risk. But I think we should do it,' Bates said. 'Timing is tricky. Girls often travel in the off-season and whatnot, I think the perfect time would be straight after the season when you still have your match fitness.' Molloy ruled out a mid-season Origin. 'I don't think fixturing it during the season is appropriate. We want to win the premiership, every team wants to win the premiership, so you don't want to take away from that journey.'
