New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has scored 89 off 176 balls to rally his team to 229 for seven on the first day of the third cricket test against Pakistan

B-J Watling helped him add 104 runs for the fifth wicket after a triple strike from leg-spinner Yasir Shah left the visitors reeling at 72 for four before lunch.



Central Districts coach Heinrich Malan is moving on at the end of the current domestic cricket season.

He's decided not to re-apply for the position he's held since 2013.

Malan was recently appointed New Zealand A coach and has been juggling both commitments throughout the season after missing the Black Caps role.



Broncos halfback Kodi Nikorima has reportedly been offered to the Warriors as a replacement for Shaun Johnson.

The Kiwis halfback could be the first player to exit in new coach Anthony Seibold's reign.

He's contracted with the Broncos until the end of the 2020 season.



Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks has re-committed until the end of 2023.

The halfback had been seen as a possible replacement for Warriors Shaun Johnson at the end of next season.



The New Zealand men's hockey team's World Cup aspirations remain alive in India, despite a 3-nil loss to Argentina.

The Olympic champions scored goals in the second, third and fourth quarters to advance directly to the quarter-finals.

Ninth-ranked New Zealand face eighth-ranked Spain in their final pool match on Friday morning.



The accolades keep flowing for the Black Ferns sevens team.

They have been awarded the Lonsdale Cup as the New Zealand Olympic Committee's premier athlete or team for 2018 at a gala dinner in Auckland.

The team won gold at the Commonwealth Games and secured the World Cup title.



The A-League has decided to suspend Wellington Phoenix defender Ryan Lowry for one game, despite admitting his sending-off against the Perth Glory was a mistake.

Lowry received a red card during the 1-all draw.

To get the decision revoked, the review panel had to find that no card of any colour was warranted.



English Premier League football club Southampton have sacked manager Mark Hughes, after winning just one of their 14 matches so far this season.



Crusaders assistant coach Brad Mooar is trading Canterbury lamb, for Welsh leek soup.

Mooar has signed a deal with the Scarlets, and will leave the two-time defending champions after the 2019 Super Rugby campaign.