Former S.africa Banchero sparks Magic over captain ‘broken’ Sixers, Doncic’s 53 routs Pistons after missing WC selection
Johannesburg:former captain Dane van Niekerk described herself as “broken” on Tuesday ater being let out of South Africa’s squad for the Women’s T20 World Cup in her home country.
The 29-year-old was overlooked for the tournament, which starts in Cape Town on Feb.10, because she failed to meet minimum fitness standards, according to chief selector Clinton du Preez.
“Dane was given an extensive opportunity to meet the minimum criteria or the fitness benchmark,” he said.
One of the fitness tests requires women cricketers to run two kilometres in nine minutes 30 seconds. ESPN Cricinfo reported that Van Niekerk missed the target by 18 seconds.
“It’s purely based on the not meeting of the fitness criteria that she’s missed out,” said du Preez.
Van Niekerk, who was named one of Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year last year, has long been regarded as one of South Africa’s leading players as a top-order bater, leg-break bowler and respected captain.
She broke an ankle in an accident at home in November 2021 and has not played in international cricket since then, although she did feature in The Hundred in England last year.
Van Niekerk posted an Instagram picture soon ater the team was announced with the caption, “Absolutely BROKEN.”
Leading all-rounder Marizanne Kapp, who is married to Van Niekerk and was selected for the World Cup, retweeted her wife’s post with the caption, “One of the best captains in world cricket.”
She continued in Afrikaans, “You will be missed.” Kapp added a heart emoji and another denoting a broken heart.
Van Niekerk missed selection for a triangular tournament involving India and West Indies earlier this month but it had been widely expected she would return for the World Cup.
While the tri-series was being played, Van Niekerk posted a picture of herself bating in the nets in East London, saying it had been “a tough few weeks” and thanking the people who were helping her regain fitness.
Reaction on social media was overwhelmingly in support of Van Niekerk. Fast bowling great Dale Steyn commented, “I missed my 2km time by seconds, must mean I’m s***”.
Sune Luus will captain the South African team at the World Cup. los Angeles:paolo Banchero led a second-half fightback as the Orlando Magic overturned a 21-point deficit to upset the Philadelphia 76ers 119-109 on Monday.
Banchero, the number one pick in last year’s drat, scored 29 points from 11-of-22 shooting, with nine rebounds and three assists to give Orlando another notable win ater last week’s defeat of league-leading Boston.
In other games across the NBA on Monday, Luka Doncic returned from injury with a 53-point bang as the Dallas Mavericks routed the Detroit Pistons 111-105, while Stephen Curry dropped 38 points for Golden State as the Warriors downed the Oklahoma City Thunder 128-120.
In Portland, Damian Lillard’s 42 points led the Trail Blazers to a 129-125 win over the Atlanta Hawks. Dejounte Murray finished with 40 points for Atlanta. In Philadelphia, Magic rookie Banchero was backed with scoring support from German brothers Franz Wagner and Moritz Wagner, who combined for 41 points as Orlando silenced the home crowd with a second-half scoring blitz.
Philadelphia, who dropped to third in the Eastern Conference standings ater the loss, led by 21 points midway through the second quarter and appeared poised for a comfortable victory.
But Orlando erupted ater the break with a 42-point third quarter to edge into the lead and then closed with a 19-8 run in the fourth to seal the victory. Moritz Wagner finished with 22 points off the bench while younger brother Franz added 19.
Markelle Fultz had a double-double with 12 points and 10 assists while Wendell Carter Jr. also cracked double-figures with 12 points.
Joel Embiid led the Sixers scoring with 30 points while James Harden and Tobias Harris had 17 points apiece. Banchero said Mosley had rallied the locker room at half-time. Sixers coach Doc Rivers had few complaints ater his side’s defeat, describing Orlando as worthy winners. Orlando continue to languish near the botom of the Eastern Conference, with 20 wins against 31 defeats.
Indallas,doncicbaggedthefith50-pointgame of his career with another virtuoso performance to lead the Mavericks to victory over Detroit.
Doncic’s tally included 18 points in the fourth quarter as the Mavericks rallied to victory ater trailing by 11 points in the third quarter.
In Oklahoma City, Golden State held off a furious late rally from the Thunder to close out a wire-to-wire win. Curry’s 38-point performance included eight-of-14 from beyond the arc, while Klay Thompson drained six three-pointers in his 28-point performance. Shai Gilgeous-alexander led the Thunder scoring with 31 points.