Aussie army of 16 seek golden tickets for Wimbledon
Tristan Schoolkate, Australia's lone tournament winner of the grass-court season, will lead a 16-strong green-and-gold contingent seeking Wimbledon places -- and lucrative pay packets -- this week.
With 13 Australians - eight man and five women - already guaranteed in the main draw next week, recent Ilkley Trophy winner Schoolkate will spearhead the challenge to join them in the cut-throat qualifying tournament at nearby Roehampton.
Players will have to come through three qualifying matches at the venue 5km from the All England Club to nail down one of the coveted 16 places in each of the singles draws a week on Monday.
Making the main draw will guarantee each qualifier at least a Stg 66,000 ($A137,000) pay-out even if he or she loses in the first round.
Schoolkate, who earned the biggest win of his burgeoning career at the picturesque Challenger event in Ilkley that likes to dub itself the 'Wimbledon of the North', has moved to 102 in the rankings and seeks a maiden appearance at the grass-court slam.
The 24-year-old, who's second seed for the qualifying event, opens on Monday against Argentine world No.198 Facundo Diaz Acosta.
Last year, Alex Bolt had just 10 minutes notice as an alternate that he would be a late replacement in the qualifying draw and went on to surprise everyone, not least himself, by going on to battle into the main draw.
This year, somewhat better prepared, the 32-year-old Murray Bridge veteran will face Frenchman Harold Mayot first up, hoping to make the main draw for a fourth time.
Four other Aussie men - Li Tu, Jason Kubler, James McCabe and Omar Jasika - will also open their bids on Monday while the world No.1 junior Emerson Jones will lead the women's qualifying challenge that begins on Tuesday.
Jones, who reached the Australian Open and Wimbledon junior finals last year, will be joined in the draw by Talia Gibson, Priscilla Hon, Daria Saville, Astra Sharma, Destanee Aiava, Maddison Inglis, Lizette Cabrera, Arina Rodionova and Taylah Preston.
Meanwhile, even though Alex de Minaur is not in action in any of the final pre-Wimbledon grass-court events after his early exit at Queen's Club, seven SW19-bound Australians will feature in the final warm-up tournaments this week.
James Duckworth beat British wildcard Johannus Monday 6-4 6-2 and Aleksandar Vukic downed American Jenson Brooksby 7-5 6-3 to book their places in the Eastbourne International men's main draw.
Kim Birrell also made it to the traditional seaside event, defeating Anna Bondar 6-2 6-3 in Eastbourne qualifying, to join the country's top pair, Daria Kasatkina and Maya Joint, in the women's event.
Ajla Tomljanovic, a former Wimbledon quarter-finalist, beat Germany's Eva Lys, who retired when 6-4 3-2 down, to make it into the Bad Homburg WTA main draw.
But the Aussie result of the day was achieved by a man who won't be heading to Wimbledon -- the enigmatic 32-year-old Bernie Tomic who reached the main draw of the Mallorca ATP event by defeating US world No.77 Aleksandar Kovacevic 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 for his first win over a top-100 player in more than two years.
Remarkably, now down at 243 in the rankings, Tomic booked his place in a tour-level event for the first time since he qualified for the 2021 Australian Open, and he'll face compatriot Rinky Hijikata in Monday's first round.
Tristan Schoolkate, Australia's lone tournament winner of the grass-court season, will lead a 16-strong green-and-gold contingent seeking Wimbledon places -- and lucrative pay packets -- this week.
With 13 Australians - eight man and five women - already guaranteed in the main draw next week, recent Ilkley Trophy winner Schoolkate will spearhead the challenge to join them in the cut-throat qualifying tournament at nearby Roehampton.
Players will have to come through three qualifying matches at the venue 5km from the All England Club to nail down one of the coveted 16 places in each of the singles draws a week on Monday.
Making the main draw will guarantee each qualifier at least a Stg 66,000 ($A137,000) pay-out even if he or she loses in the first round.
Schoolkate, who earned the biggest win of his burgeoning career at the picturesque Challenger event in Ilkley that likes to dub itself the 'Wimbledon of the North', has moved to 102 in the rankings and seeks a maiden appearance at the grass-court slam.
The 24-year-old, who's second seed for the qualifying event, opens on Monday against Argentine world No.198 Facundo Diaz Acosta.
Last year, Alex Bolt had just 10 minutes notice as an alternate that he would be a late replacement in the qualifying draw and went on to surprise everyone, not least himself, by going on to battle into the main draw.
This year, somewhat better prepared, the 32-year-old Murray Bridge veteran will face Frenchman Harold Mayot first up, hoping to make the main draw for a fourth time.
Four other Aussie men - Li Tu, Jason Kubler, James McCabe and Omar Jasika - will also open their bids on Monday while the world No.1 junior Emerson Jones will lead the women's qualifying challenge that begins on Tuesday.
Jones, who reached the Australian Open and Wimbledon junior finals last year, will be joined in the draw by Talia Gibson, Priscilla Hon, Daria Saville, Astra Sharma, Destanee Aiava, Maddison Inglis, Lizette Cabrera, Arina Rodionova and Taylah Preston.
Meanwhile, even though Alex de Minaur is not in action in any of the final pre-Wimbledon grass-court events after his early exit at Queen's Club, seven SW19-bound Australians will feature in the final warm-up tournaments this week.
James Duckworth beat British wildcard Johannus Monday 6-4 6-2 and Aleksandar Vukic downed American Jenson Brooksby 7-5 6-3 to book their places in the Eastbourne International men's main draw.
Kim Birrell also made it to the traditional seaside event, defeating Anna Bondar 6-2 6-3 in Eastbourne qualifying, to join the country's top pair, Daria Kasatkina and Maya Joint, in the women's event.
Ajla Tomljanovic, a former Wimbledon quarter-finalist, beat Germany's Eva Lys, who retired when 6-4 3-2 down, to make it into the Bad Homburg WTA main draw.
But the Aussie result of the day was achieved by a man who won't be heading to Wimbledon -- the enigmatic 32-year-old Bernie Tomic who reached the main draw of the Mallorca ATP event by defeating US world No.77 Aleksandar Kovacevic 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 for his first win over a top-100 player in more than two years.
Remarkably, now down at 243 in the rankings, Tomic booked his place in a tour-level event for the first time since he qualified for the 2021 Australian Open, and he'll face compatriot Rinky Hijikata in Monday's first round.
Tristan Schoolkate, Australia's lone tournament winner of the grass-court season, will lead a 16-strong green-and-gold contingent seeking Wimbledon places -- and lucrative pay packets -- this week.
With 13 Australians - eight man and five women - already guaranteed in the main draw next week, recent Ilkley Trophy winner Schoolkate will spearhead the challenge to join them in the cut-throat qualifying tournament at nearby Roehampton.
Players will have to come through three qualifying matches at the venue 5km from the All England Club to nail down one of the coveted 16 places in each of the singles draws a week on Monday.
Making the main draw will guarantee each qualifier at least a Stg 66,000 ($A137,000) pay-out even if he or she loses in the first round.
Schoolkate, who earned the biggest win of his burgeoning career at the picturesque Challenger event in Ilkley that likes to dub itself the 'Wimbledon of the North', has moved to 102 in the rankings and seeks a maiden appearance at the grass-court slam.
The 24-year-old, who's second seed for the qualifying event, opens on Monday against Argentine world No.198 Facundo Diaz Acosta.
Last year, Alex Bolt had just 10 minutes notice as an alternate that he would be a late replacement in the qualifying draw and went on to surprise everyone, not least himself, by going on to battle into the main draw.
This year, somewhat better prepared, the 32-year-old Murray Bridge veteran will face Frenchman Harold Mayot first up, hoping to make the main draw for a fourth time.
Four other Aussie men - Li Tu, Jason Kubler, James McCabe and Omar Jasika - will also open their bids on Monday while the world No.1 junior Emerson Jones will lead the women's qualifying challenge that begins on Tuesday.
Jones, who reached the Australian Open and Wimbledon junior finals last year, will be joined in the draw by Talia Gibson, Priscilla Hon, Daria Saville, Astra Sharma, Destanee Aiava, Maddison Inglis, Lizette Cabrera, Arina Rodionova and Taylah Preston.
Meanwhile, even though Alex de Minaur is not in action in any of the final pre-Wimbledon grass-court events after his early exit at Queen's Club, seven SW19-bound Australians will feature in the final warm-up tournaments this week.
James Duckworth beat British wildcard Johannus Monday 6-4 6-2 and Aleksandar Vukic downed American Jenson Brooksby 7-5 6-3 to book their places in the Eastbourne International men's main draw.
Kim Birrell also made it to the traditional seaside event, defeating Anna Bondar 6-2 6-3 in Eastbourne qualifying, to join the country's top pair, Daria Kasatkina and Maya Joint, in the women's event.
Ajla Tomljanovic, a former Wimbledon quarter-finalist, beat Germany's Eva Lys, who retired when 6-4 3-2 down, to make it into the Bad Homburg WTA main draw.
But the Aussie result of the day was achieved by a man who won't be heading to Wimbledon -- the enigmatic 32-year-old Bernie Tomic who reached the main draw of the Mallorca ATP event by defeating US world No.77 Aleksandar Kovacevic 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 for his first win over a top-100 player in more than two years.
Remarkably, now down at 243 in the rankings, Tomic booked his place in a tour-level event for the first time since he qualified for the 2021 Australian Open, and he'll face compatriot Rinky Hijikata in Monday's first round.
Tristan Schoolkate, Australia's lone tournament winner of the grass-court season, will lead a 16-strong green-and-gold contingent seeking Wimbledon places -- and lucrative pay packets -- this week.
With 13 Australians - eight man and five women - already guaranteed in the main draw next week, recent Ilkley Trophy winner Schoolkate will spearhead the challenge to join them in the cut-throat qualifying tournament at nearby Roehampton.
Players will have to come through three qualifying matches at the venue 5km from the All England Club to nail down one of the coveted 16 places in each of the singles draws a week on Monday.
Making the main draw will guarantee each qualifier at least a Stg 66,000 ($A137,000) pay-out even if he or she loses in the first round.
Schoolkate, who earned the biggest win of his burgeoning career at the picturesque Challenger event in Ilkley that likes to dub itself the 'Wimbledon of the North', has moved to 102 in the rankings and seeks a maiden appearance at the grass-court slam.
The 24-year-old, who's second seed for the qualifying event, opens on Monday against Argentine world No.198 Facundo Diaz Acosta.
Last year, Alex Bolt had just 10 minutes notice as an alternate that he would be a late replacement in the qualifying draw and went on to surprise everyone, not least himself, by going on to battle into the main draw.
This year, somewhat better prepared, the 32-year-old Murray Bridge veteran will face Frenchman Harold Mayot first up, hoping to make the main draw for a fourth time.
Four other Aussie men - Li Tu, Jason Kubler, James McCabe and Omar Jasika - will also open their bids on Monday while the world No.1 junior Emerson Jones will lead the women's qualifying challenge that begins on Tuesday.
Jones, who reached the Australian Open and Wimbledon junior finals last year, will be joined in the draw by Talia Gibson, Priscilla Hon, Daria Saville, Astra Sharma, Destanee Aiava, Maddison Inglis, Lizette Cabrera, Arina Rodionova and Taylah Preston.
Meanwhile, even though Alex de Minaur is not in action in any of the final pre-Wimbledon grass-court events after his early exit at Queen's Club, seven SW19-bound Australians will feature in the final warm-up tournaments this week.
James Duckworth beat British wildcard Johannus Monday 6-4 6-2 and Aleksandar Vukic downed American Jenson Brooksby 7-5 6-3 to book their places in the Eastbourne International men's main draw.
Kim Birrell also made it to the traditional seaside event, defeating Anna Bondar 6-2 6-3 in Eastbourne qualifying, to join the country's top pair, Daria Kasatkina and Maya Joint, in the women's event.
Ajla Tomljanovic, a former Wimbledon quarter-finalist, beat Germany's Eva Lys, who retired when 6-4 3-2 down, to make it into the Bad Homburg WTA main draw.
But the Aussie result of the day was achieved by a man who won't be heading to Wimbledon -- the enigmatic 32-year-old Bernie Tomic who reached the main draw of the Mallorca ATP event by defeating US world No.77 Aleksandar Kovacevic 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 for his first win over a top-100 player in more than two years.
Remarkably, now down at 243 in the rankings, Tomic booked his place in a tour-level event for the first time since he qualified for the 2021 Australian Open, and he'll face compatriot Rinky Hijikata in Monday's first round.
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Picklum gets golden chance as top surfers tumble
Australian surfers are off to a patchy start at the Rio Pro, however Molly Picklum has the chance to take over the rankings lead after some major upsets in the women's field. World No.3 Picklum, who finished runner-up at the World Surf League's last tour stop in California, advanced directly through to the quarter-finals with an opening heat win at Brazil's Praia de Itauna break on Sunday. Picklum had the highest scoring ride of the day in the women's field, picking up a 7.83 in her two-wave tally of 13.50 to down 2023 world champion Caroline Marks (9.60) and local hope Luana Silva (6.30). But fellow Australians Tyler Wright and fifth-ranked Isabella Nichols went into sudden death with only two-time world champion Wright surviving after eliminating Hawaiian Bettylou Sakura Johnson, who won at Lower Trestles. In a huge upset Peru's Arena Rodriguez, in her Championship Tour debut, ousted Hawaii's rankings leader Gabriela Bryan while Silva also took down American world No.2 Caitlin Simmers in the elimination round. In the live rankings Picklum has moved up to second and is just 505 points behind Ryan. The Australian is also the only woman of the five to not win an event so far this season but has a golden chance in Brazil, next taking on Rodriguez. "I woke up this morning feeling a little foggy, so I was just really happy to make my waves and work with the swell here," Picklum said. "Brazil's definitely one I want to win - I love the energy here and I have so many good friends here, and it's definitely something I would love to win. "This year, I've made a couple of finals, but unfortunately, haven't got the win. "I just keep knocking on the door, you know, just keep showing up, and let's see if I can try and crack it and take home the trophy." On the men's side of the draw Sydney rookie Joel Vaughan, competing on his first year on tour, scored 13.33 for a rousing win over Japan's third-ranked Kanoa Igarashi (6.34) and Brazilan Alejo Muniz (4.97). Vaughan previously earned a perfect 10-point ride during the Challenger Series event in Brazil. "It feels awesome to be back," the 21-year-old said. "I've tried to just keep it pretty simple and work on myself and try to get some good waves and yeah, stoked to make that one." But Australia's Olympic duo, silver medal-winning Jack Robinson and Ethan Ewing must contest the elimination round. Robinson will take on Indonesian star Rio Waida while Ewing has drawn exciting young Frenchman Marco Mignot. With two more competitions before the Finals-bound top five head to Cloudbreak in Fiji to decide the world champion, Ewing is ranked six and Robinson seven. Australian surfers are off to a patchy start at the Rio Pro, however Molly Picklum has the chance to take over the rankings lead after some major upsets in the women's field. World No.3 Picklum, who finished runner-up at the World Surf League's last tour stop in California, advanced directly through to the quarter-finals with an opening heat win at Brazil's Praia de Itauna break on Sunday. Picklum had the highest scoring ride of the day in the women's field, picking up a 7.83 in her two-wave tally of 13.50 to down 2023 world champion Caroline Marks (9.60) and local hope Luana Silva (6.30). But fellow Australians Tyler Wright and fifth-ranked Isabella Nichols went into sudden death with only two-time world champion Wright surviving after eliminating Hawaiian Bettylou Sakura Johnson, who won at Lower Trestles. In a huge upset Peru's Arena Rodriguez, in her Championship Tour debut, ousted Hawaii's rankings leader Gabriela Bryan while Silva also took down American world No.2 Caitlin Simmers in the elimination round. In the live rankings Picklum has moved up to second and is just 505 points behind Ryan. The Australian is also the only woman of the five to not win an event so far this season but has a golden chance in Brazil, next taking on Rodriguez. "I woke up this morning feeling a little foggy, so I was just really happy to make my waves and work with the swell here," Picklum said. "Brazil's definitely one I want to win - I love the energy here and I have so many good friends here, and it's definitely something I would love to win. "This year, I've made a couple of finals, but unfortunately, haven't got the win. "I just keep knocking on the door, you know, just keep showing up, and let's see if I can try and crack it and take home the trophy." On the men's side of the draw Sydney rookie Joel Vaughan, competing on his first year on tour, scored 13.33 for a rousing win over Japan's third-ranked Kanoa Igarashi (6.34) and Brazilan Alejo Muniz (4.97). Vaughan previously earned a perfect 10-point ride during the Challenger Series event in Brazil. "It feels awesome to be back," the 21-year-old said. "I've tried to just keep it pretty simple and work on myself and try to get some good waves and yeah, stoked to make that one." But Australia's Olympic duo, silver medal-winning Jack Robinson and Ethan Ewing must contest the elimination round. Robinson will take on Indonesian star Rio Waida while Ewing has drawn exciting young Frenchman Marco Mignot. With two more competitions before the Finals-bound top five head to Cloudbreak in Fiji to decide the world champion, Ewing is ranked six and Robinson seven. Australian surfers are off to a patchy start at the Rio Pro, however Molly Picklum has the chance to take over the rankings lead after some major upsets in the women's field. World No.3 Picklum, who finished runner-up at the World Surf League's last tour stop in California, advanced directly through to the quarter-finals with an opening heat win at Brazil's Praia de Itauna break on Sunday. Picklum had the highest scoring ride of the day in the women's field, picking up a 7.83 in her two-wave tally of 13.50 to down 2023 world champion Caroline Marks (9.60) and local hope Luana Silva (6.30). But fellow Australians Tyler Wright and fifth-ranked Isabella Nichols went into sudden death with only two-time world champion Wright surviving after eliminating Hawaiian Bettylou Sakura Johnson, who won at Lower Trestles. In a huge upset Peru's Arena Rodriguez, in her Championship Tour debut, ousted Hawaii's rankings leader Gabriela Bryan while Silva also took down American world No.2 Caitlin Simmers in the elimination round. In the live rankings Picklum has moved up to second and is just 505 points behind Ryan. The Australian is also the only woman of the five to not win an event so far this season but has a golden chance in Brazil, next taking on Rodriguez. "I woke up this morning feeling a little foggy, so I was just really happy to make my waves and work with the swell here," Picklum said. "Brazil's definitely one I want to win - I love the energy here and I have so many good friends here, and it's definitely something I would love to win. "This year, I've made a couple of finals, but unfortunately, haven't got the win. "I just keep knocking on the door, you know, just keep showing up, and let's see if I can try and crack it and take home the trophy." On the men's side of the draw Sydney rookie Joel Vaughan, competing on his first year on tour, scored 13.33 for a rousing win over Japan's third-ranked Kanoa Igarashi (6.34) and Brazilan Alejo Muniz (4.97). Vaughan previously earned a perfect 10-point ride during the Challenger Series event in Brazil. "It feels awesome to be back," the 21-year-old said. "I've tried to just keep it pretty simple and work on myself and try to get some good waves and yeah, stoked to make that one." But Australia's Olympic duo, silver medal-winning Jack Robinson and Ethan Ewing must contest the elimination round. Robinson will take on Indonesian star Rio Waida while Ewing has drawn exciting young Frenchman Marco Mignot. With two more competitions before the Finals-bound top five head to Cloudbreak in Fiji to decide the world champion, Ewing is ranked six and Robinson seven. Australian surfers are off to a patchy start at the Rio Pro, however Molly Picklum has the chance to take over the rankings lead after some major upsets in the women's field. World No.3 Picklum, who finished runner-up at the World Surf League's last tour stop in California, advanced directly through to the quarter-finals with an opening heat win at Brazil's Praia de Itauna break on Sunday. Picklum had the highest scoring ride of the day in the women's field, picking up a 7.83 in her two-wave tally of 13.50 to down 2023 world champion Caroline Marks (9.60) and local hope Luana Silva (6.30). But fellow Australians Tyler Wright and fifth-ranked Isabella Nichols went into sudden death with only two-time world champion Wright surviving after eliminating Hawaiian Bettylou Sakura Johnson, who won at Lower Trestles. In a huge upset Peru's Arena Rodriguez, in her Championship Tour debut, ousted Hawaii's rankings leader Gabriela Bryan while Silva also took down American world No.2 Caitlin Simmers in the elimination round. In the live rankings Picklum has moved up to second and is just 505 points behind Ryan. The Australian is also the only woman of the five to not win an event so far this season but has a golden chance in Brazil, next taking on Rodriguez. "I woke up this morning feeling a little foggy, so I was just really happy to make my waves and work with the swell here," Picklum said. "Brazil's definitely one I want to win - I love the energy here and I have so many good friends here, and it's definitely something I would love to win. "This year, I've made a couple of finals, but unfortunately, haven't got the win. "I just keep knocking on the door, you know, just keep showing up, and let's see if I can try and crack it and take home the trophy." On the men's side of the draw Sydney rookie Joel Vaughan, competing on his first year on tour, scored 13.33 for a rousing win over Japan's third-ranked Kanoa Igarashi (6.34) and Brazilan Alejo Muniz (4.97). Vaughan previously earned a perfect 10-point ride during the Challenger Series event in Brazil. "It feels awesome to be back," the 21-year-old said. "I've tried to just keep it pretty simple and work on myself and try to get some good waves and yeah, stoked to make that one." But Australia's Olympic duo, silver medal-winning Jack Robinson and Ethan Ewing must contest the elimination round. Robinson will take on Indonesian star Rio Waida while Ewing has drawn exciting young Frenchman Marco Mignot. With two more competitions before the Finals-bound top five head to Cloudbreak in Fiji to decide the world champion, Ewing is ranked six and Robinson seven.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Kookaburra season in England has left one Aussie rapt
The Kookaburra cricket ball has been brought out to play in England's county cricket season - and one Australian quick bowler couldn't be happier. Liam Guthrie hadn't had the best of times with Northamptonshire so far this campaign, having not taken more than three wickets in any innings for Darren Lehmann's division two outfit all season. But that all changed at Northampton on Sunday when the Australian Kookaburra ball was introduced for the next few county games in place of the familiar English-produced Dukes ball - and Guthrie produced a six-wicket display against Middlesex, easily his best performance so far. Taking advantage of his expertise with the cherry he's more familiar with using, the 28-year-old ripped through the visitors' top-order taking three quick wickets to reduce Middlesex to 3-33. He also struck later in the day, getting rid of half-centurion Luke Hollman and ended with figures of 6-87 off 19 probing overs, with the battling unbeaten century from wicketkeeper-batter Joe Cracknell providing the main rearguard action as Middlesex battled back to finish on 8-397. "I play a fair bit with the Kook back home in Australia. It is a different skill to the Dukes. Guys who play with the Dukes over here obviously have skills that are different to what Australian seamers would have when they come over," said West Australian Guthrie, who has a UK passport and isn't considered an overseas player. "It's just about being clear with your plans and sort of hitting the deck hard, not sort of floating it when the Kookaburra's a bit softer." One more wicket tomorrow and Guthrie will go past his career-best first-class figures of 6-60 for Queensland against Victoria a couple of years ago. Elsewhere in the resumed county championship program, a couple of Aussie batters also seemed perfectly at home with the introduction of the Kookaburra, which is part of the English game's continued bid to give home players wider international experience. There were half-centuries for Gloucestershire captain Cameron Bancroft, who top-scored with 58 off 127 balls as they were skittled for 187 by Derbyshire at Bristol, and Sussex's Tasmanian opener Daniel Hughes, who made 60 off 110 balls against Durham at Chester-le-Street in their 9-322. It was a big day for debutant Ashton Turner at Blackpool as he was handed his Lancashire cap by his Australian teammate Chris Green, who took a wicket (1-63) on a rain-interrupted day as Kent finished the opening day on 3-213. Lancashire's captain for the first time in a county match was 42-year-old James Anderson, who was also the subject of a special presentation of his own as he received a bottle of champagne to mark his 300th first-class match. Anderson, who couldn't mark the latest landmark with a wicket (0-36), stepped in as skipper because Lancashire's Australian skipper Marcus Harris, the top-scorer in the county championship this season (825 runs), had flown home to attend the birth of his second child. The Kookaburra cricket ball has been brought out to play in England's county cricket season - and one Australian quick bowler couldn't be happier. Liam Guthrie hadn't had the best of times with Northamptonshire so far this campaign, having not taken more than three wickets in any innings for Darren Lehmann's division two outfit all season. But that all changed at Northampton on Sunday when the Australian Kookaburra ball was introduced for the next few county games in place of the familiar English-produced Dukes ball - and Guthrie produced a six-wicket display against Middlesex, easily his best performance so far. Taking advantage of his expertise with the cherry he's more familiar with using, the 28-year-old ripped through the visitors' top-order taking three quick wickets to reduce Middlesex to 3-33. He also struck later in the day, getting rid of half-centurion Luke Hollman and ended with figures of 6-87 off 19 probing overs, with the battling unbeaten century from wicketkeeper-batter Joe Cracknell providing the main rearguard action as Middlesex battled back to finish on 8-397. "I play a fair bit with the Kook back home in Australia. It is a different skill to the Dukes. Guys who play with the Dukes over here obviously have skills that are different to what Australian seamers would have when they come over," said West Australian Guthrie, who has a UK passport and isn't considered an overseas player. "It's just about being clear with your plans and sort of hitting the deck hard, not sort of floating it when the Kookaburra's a bit softer." One more wicket tomorrow and Guthrie will go past his career-best first-class figures of 6-60 for Queensland against Victoria a couple of years ago. Elsewhere in the resumed county championship program, a couple of Aussie batters also seemed perfectly at home with the introduction of the Kookaburra, which is part of the English game's continued bid to give home players wider international experience. There were half-centuries for Gloucestershire captain Cameron Bancroft, who top-scored with 58 off 127 balls as they were skittled for 187 by Derbyshire at Bristol, and Sussex's Tasmanian opener Daniel Hughes, who made 60 off 110 balls against Durham at Chester-le-Street in their 9-322. It was a big day for debutant Ashton Turner at Blackpool as he was handed his Lancashire cap by his Australian teammate Chris Green, who took a wicket (1-63) on a rain-interrupted day as Kent finished the opening day on 3-213. Lancashire's captain for the first time in a county match was 42-year-old James Anderson, who was also the subject of a special presentation of his own as he received a bottle of champagne to mark his 300th first-class match. Anderson, who couldn't mark the latest landmark with a wicket (0-36), stepped in as skipper because Lancashire's Australian skipper Marcus Harris, the top-scorer in the county championship this season (825 runs), had flown home to attend the birth of his second child. The Kookaburra cricket ball has been brought out to play in England's county cricket season - and one Australian quick bowler couldn't be happier. Liam Guthrie hadn't had the best of times with Northamptonshire so far this campaign, having not taken more than three wickets in any innings for Darren Lehmann's division two outfit all season. But that all changed at Northampton on Sunday when the Australian Kookaburra ball was introduced for the next few county games in place of the familiar English-produced Dukes ball - and Guthrie produced a six-wicket display against Middlesex, easily his best performance so far. Taking advantage of his expertise with the cherry he's more familiar with using, the 28-year-old ripped through the visitors' top-order taking three quick wickets to reduce Middlesex to 3-33. He also struck later in the day, getting rid of half-centurion Luke Hollman and ended with figures of 6-87 off 19 probing overs, with the battling unbeaten century from wicketkeeper-batter Joe Cracknell providing the main rearguard action as Middlesex battled back to finish on 8-397. "I play a fair bit with the Kook back home in Australia. It is a different skill to the Dukes. Guys who play with the Dukes over here obviously have skills that are different to what Australian seamers would have when they come over," said West Australian Guthrie, who has a UK passport and isn't considered an overseas player. "It's just about being clear with your plans and sort of hitting the deck hard, not sort of floating it when the Kookaburra's a bit softer." One more wicket tomorrow and Guthrie will go past his career-best first-class figures of 6-60 for Queensland against Victoria a couple of years ago. Elsewhere in the resumed county championship program, a couple of Aussie batters also seemed perfectly at home with the introduction of the Kookaburra, which is part of the English game's continued bid to give home players wider international experience. There were half-centuries for Gloucestershire captain Cameron Bancroft, who top-scored with 58 off 127 balls as they were skittled for 187 by Derbyshire at Bristol, and Sussex's Tasmanian opener Daniel Hughes, who made 60 off 110 balls against Durham at Chester-le-Street in their 9-322. It was a big day for debutant Ashton Turner at Blackpool as he was handed his Lancashire cap by his Australian teammate Chris Green, who took a wicket (1-63) on a rain-interrupted day as Kent finished the opening day on 3-213. Lancashire's captain for the first time in a county match was 42-year-old James Anderson, who was also the subject of a special presentation of his own as he received a bottle of champagne to mark his 300th first-class match. Anderson, who couldn't mark the latest landmark with a wicket (0-36), stepped in as skipper because Lancashire's Australian skipper Marcus Harris, the top-scorer in the county championship this season (825 runs), had flown home to attend the birth of his second child.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
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Kookaburras' Pro League dream dies with England defeat
Australia's hockey men have fallen short in their bid to successfully defend their international hockey Pro League title, a 2-1 defeat to their old rivals England in London finally ending the Kookaburras' terrific unbeaten streak. The defeat for Tim Brand's side, after a brilliant sequence of six straight wins in Argentina and Europe, finally put paid to their hopes at the Lee Valley Centre with the Netherlands sealing the title that the Aussies had won in 2024. It was a frustrating end to their thrilling European push and they only had themselves to blame, Tom Craig having a penalty stroke brilliantly saved by a diving England keeper James Mazarelo and the team managing to convert only one of 16 penalty corners. While England celebrated their first victory in hockey's 'Ashes' for 11 years, there was frustration for Brand as he reflected: "It's a shame to let that one slip today. "But we've come away to learn on this tour, and second (place in the league) is still up for grabs. I'm very proud of what we've done so far, it's not over yet. "We played well, created a lot of chances, we were physical and we had a lot of energy, but we just couldn't put the ball in the back of the net. We'll go away and look at that, it's a young group and we'll take a lot from this game." Coming off a sensational 4-3 comeback win against the same opposition on Saturday, the Kookaburras had to win and also prevail in their final two league matches against the hosts in Germany next week to snatch the title from the Dutch. But Brand proved the only Aussie to get on the scoresheet, tapping home following one corner to level the scores after England had taken the lead in the third quarter against the run of play through Jack Waller after the Kookaburras had already squandered 11 short corners and missed the penalty stroke. Then Waller proved the home hero, scoring a brilliant winner in the fourth quarter to give the hosts their first win after nine straight losses against Australia since 2014. "Our playing style at the moment is as good as anyone's, we can match anyone in the world," said Brand. "The game just didn't fall our way today." Meanwhile, the Hockeyroos delivered a brilliant 4-3 come-from-behind triumph over Germany in Berlin to end their Pro League season on a high. Just 24 hours after getting hammered 4-0 by the hosts in Berlin, the Aussie women turned the tables emphatically on a sweltering afternoon, overcoming a 3-1 halftime deficit to win thanks to 15-minute burst in the second half. Goals from Greta Hayes, Courtney Schonell, Grace Stewart and Lexie Pickering earned the famous win in their last match before September's three-match World Cup qualifying showdown against New Zealand in Darwin. "What a way to finish this Pro League season! It's been an up-and-down campaign over here in Europe," player of the match Hayes conceded. The Hockeyroos are in fourth place in the standings with the Netherlands women having long since wrapped up the title. Australia's hockey men have fallen short in their bid to successfully defend their international hockey Pro League title, a 2-1 defeat to their old rivals England in London finally ending the Kookaburras' terrific unbeaten streak. The defeat for Tim Brand's side, after a brilliant sequence of six straight wins in Argentina and Europe, finally put paid to their hopes at the Lee Valley Centre with the Netherlands sealing the title that the Aussies had won in 2024. It was a frustrating end to their thrilling European push and they only had themselves to blame, Tom Craig having a penalty stroke brilliantly saved by a diving England keeper James Mazarelo and the team managing to convert only one of 16 penalty corners. While England celebrated their first victory in hockey's 'Ashes' for 11 years, there was frustration for Brand as he reflected: "It's a shame to let that one slip today. "But we've come away to learn on this tour, and second (place in the league) is still up for grabs. I'm very proud of what we've done so far, it's not over yet. "We played well, created a lot of chances, we were physical and we had a lot of energy, but we just couldn't put the ball in the back of the net. We'll go away and look at that, it's a young group and we'll take a lot from this game." Coming off a sensational 4-3 comeback win against the same opposition on Saturday, the Kookaburras had to win and also prevail in their final two league matches against the hosts in Germany next week to snatch the title from the Dutch. But Brand proved the only Aussie to get on the scoresheet, tapping home following one corner to level the scores after England had taken the lead in the third quarter against the run of play through Jack Waller after the Kookaburras had already squandered 11 short corners and missed the penalty stroke. Then Waller proved the home hero, scoring a brilliant winner in the fourth quarter to give the hosts their first win after nine straight losses against Australia since 2014. "Our playing style at the moment is as good as anyone's, we can match anyone in the world," said Brand. "The game just didn't fall our way today." Meanwhile, the Hockeyroos delivered a brilliant 4-3 come-from-behind triumph over Germany in Berlin to end their Pro League season on a high. Just 24 hours after getting hammered 4-0 by the hosts in Berlin, the Aussie women turned the tables emphatically on a sweltering afternoon, overcoming a 3-1 halftime deficit to win thanks to 15-minute burst in the second half. Goals from Greta Hayes, Courtney Schonell, Grace Stewart and Lexie Pickering earned the famous win in their last match before September's three-match World Cup qualifying showdown against New Zealand in Darwin. "What a way to finish this Pro League season! It's been an up-and-down campaign over here in Europe," player of the match Hayes conceded. The Hockeyroos are in fourth place in the standings with the Netherlands women having long since wrapped up the title. Australia's hockey men have fallen short in their bid to successfully defend their international hockey Pro League title, a 2-1 defeat to their old rivals England in London finally ending the Kookaburras' terrific unbeaten streak. The defeat for Tim Brand's side, after a brilliant sequence of six straight wins in Argentina and Europe, finally put paid to their hopes at the Lee Valley Centre with the Netherlands sealing the title that the Aussies had won in 2024. It was a frustrating end to their thrilling European push and they only had themselves to blame, Tom Craig having a penalty stroke brilliantly saved by a diving England keeper James Mazarelo and the team managing to convert only one of 16 penalty corners. While England celebrated their first victory in hockey's 'Ashes' for 11 years, there was frustration for Brand as he reflected: "It's a shame to let that one slip today. "But we've come away to learn on this tour, and second (place in the league) is still up for grabs. I'm very proud of what we've done so far, it's not over yet. "We played well, created a lot of chances, we were physical and we had a lot of energy, but we just couldn't put the ball in the back of the net. We'll go away and look at that, it's a young group and we'll take a lot from this game." Coming off a sensational 4-3 comeback win against the same opposition on Saturday, the Kookaburras had to win and also prevail in their final two league matches against the hosts in Germany next week to snatch the title from the Dutch. But Brand proved the only Aussie to get on the scoresheet, tapping home following one corner to level the scores after England had taken the lead in the third quarter against the run of play through Jack Waller after the Kookaburras had already squandered 11 short corners and missed the penalty stroke. Then Waller proved the home hero, scoring a brilliant winner in the fourth quarter to give the hosts their first win after nine straight losses against Australia since 2014. "Our playing style at the moment is as good as anyone's, we can match anyone in the world," said Brand. "The game just didn't fall our way today." Meanwhile, the Hockeyroos delivered a brilliant 4-3 come-from-behind triumph over Germany in Berlin to end their Pro League season on a high. Just 24 hours after getting hammered 4-0 by the hosts in Berlin, the Aussie women turned the tables emphatically on a sweltering afternoon, overcoming a 3-1 halftime deficit to win thanks to 15-minute burst in the second half. Goals from Greta Hayes, Courtney Schonell, Grace Stewart and Lexie Pickering earned the famous win in their last match before September's three-match World Cup qualifying showdown against New Zealand in Darwin. "What a way to finish this Pro League season! It's been an up-and-down campaign over here in Europe," player of the match Hayes conceded. The Hockeyroos are in fourth place in the standings with the Netherlands women having long since wrapped up the title.
