BADMINTON
Hangzhou awarded finals
International badminton’s flagship event, the World Tour Finals, are to be held in Hangzhou, China, for the next four years. The world’s second-largest economy is seen as a key area for the sport’s growth and development. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has previously talked of “ever-growing numbers of both competitive and recreational-level players” and a sky-rocketing fanbase in the nation. This year’s season-ending BWF World Tour Finals are to be held from Dec. 13 to 17, the federation announced on Wednesday. “Hangzhou with its superb sporting infrastructure and experience in staging elite international events is an ideal host for our finals,” BWF secretary-general Thomas Lund said.
RUGBY UNION
Joseph to return to Otago
Japan coach Jamie Joseph is to return to the Otago Highlanders after the Rugby World Cup to take up a new head of rugby role overseeing recruitment, retention and mentoring head coach Clarke Dermody at the Super Rugby team. The former All Blacks and Japan flanker coached the Dunedin-based Highlanders to their only Super Rugby trophy in 2015 before taking charge of Japan the following year. Joseph said that the four-year deal with the Highlanders was a great opportunity to “give back” to the club and the region. “I did my study at the University of Otago, played for Otago, and my family have enjoyed being raised and schooled in Dunedin,” he said in a statement. “I thoroughly enjoyed my time as head coach of the Highlanders, so I am genuinely excited about returning to the south [of New Zealand] to offer my services to the club in 2024.” The departures from Otago of Aaron Smith, Shannon Frizell and Josh Dickson to Japan after the World Cup would add to Joseph and Dermody’s challenge to turn around the fortunes of the worst-performing New Zealand Super Rugby side in this year’s tournament.
CRICKET
Johnson takes 3 for 1
Oval Invincibles fast bowler Spencer Johnson on Wednesday produced the most economical 20-ball effort in The Hundred, claiming three wickets for just one run in his stunning debut in the tournament. Two days after being picked in the Australia squad for the T20 International series in South Africa later this month, the 27-year-old justified his selection by firing down 19 dot balls from a maximum of 20 deliveries as his team trumped the Manchester Originals by 94 runs. After the Invincibles racked up 186-5, Johnson did not concede any runs in his first five balls, and gave away only a single to England white-ball captain Jos Buttler in his second set of five. The left-arm quick returned to bowl 10 straight deliveries during which he mowed down the Manchester lower order, taking three wickets including two bowled. “I’m speechless, not really sure what’s going on,” said Johnson, who played the final of the Global T20 Canada on Sunday. “I’m pinching myself... I’ve had a bit of a tough run with injury, but I’m 27 now and come out the other side. I’m just really enjoying my cricket and lucky to be here.” Oval captain Sam Billings admired Johnson’s ability to swing the bowl at high pace. “To provide a performance like that against Jos Buttler and Phil Salt as well, two of the best players in the world at the moment, I can’t really put into words how special that bowling performance is,” Billings said.
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