SBS Weekend sport preview

SBS World News Radio: With the arrival of the T20 Cricket World Cup an already busy sporting schedule is fit to burst, as John Baldock reports.

SBS Weekend sport previewSBS Weekend sport preview

SBS Weekend sport preview

With the arrival of the T20 Cricket World Cup an already busy sporting schedule is fit to burst -- with A-League Football, NRL and Super Rugby all vying for fans' attention.

In the A-League tonight top of the table Adelaide United puts its title credentials on the line against Melbourne City.

It's a big game for both sides -- with City hoping to close to within-a-point of Adelaide.

The Reds are in fine form having thrashed the Wellington Phoenix 4-nil in New Zealand last weekend, and they're also on a 14-match unbeaten run.

One man that could have a part to play is City's leading goalscorer Bruno Fornaroli.

He's scored 20 goals so far this season and, on current form, the Uruguayan looks unstoppable.

His coach John Van't Schip feels his experience in countries such as Greece and Argentina has helped him adjust to life here so quickly.

"You could see he's world-wise, he comes in with -- of course -- his Uruguayan mentality, and he's also a boy that's very helpful.He's a very positive factor and we're very happy with that."

At the T20 cricket World Cup this weekend the first round matches continue with perhaps the most intriguing being Bangladesh's clash with Ireland.

Ireland has produced plenty of shocks in the shorter forms of the game, including prized wins over England and the West Indies in the 50 over World Cup.

So, Bangladesh will be mindful not to come unstuck at the hands of the Irish.

Also in action over the weekend will be Afghanisan against Zimbabwe, and Hong Kong against the Netherlands.

The latter match will feature former Australia One Day player Ryan Campbell.

He played twice for Australia 14 years ago, but now the 44-year-old is using his Hong Kong connections to return to the international arena.

He's been in charge of the Kowloon Cricket Club for the past four years.

But, as he's told Fox Sports, his roots go back much further than that.

"My grandmother is actually 100 per cent Chinese, so theoretically I'm 25 per cent Chinese. Her father was actually born in Kowloon, so my roots -- I guess -- yeah, I'm very are very much Kowloon Hong Kong based way back, and I'm very much part of the Hong Kong area, and I'm very proud to represent them."

Once the first round winners are known, the tournament proper begins in the early hours of Wednesday morning when host nation India, and New Zealand, go head-to-head in Nagpur.

But India's second match against Pakistan was moved from Dhamasala to Kolkata after the Pakistan Cricket Board expressed its concern over security.

Round two of the NRL, meanwhile, kicks off tonight with the Brisbane Broncos going up against the New Zealand Warriors.

On Saturday, the Roosters will look to bounce back from their opening round thrashing by the Rabbitohs when they travel to play the Raiders in Canberra.

Troubled halfback Mitchell Pearce can't play for another seven weeks after his widely publicised drunken pre-season night out.

But he's now back with the team training after a month-long stay in a Thai drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre.

His father, former player Wayne Pearce, is happy that a dark chapter in his son't life appears to be coming to an end.

"It was pretty tough, that's for sure. I mean, anyone that you love and care for, you don't want to see them in pain, and he was in alot of pain there for a while. I'm very proud of the way that he's come back, accepted responsibility for his behaviour and him really focusing on getting back on track."

In Super Rugby this weekend, the Blues kick off the third round of action in Auckland when the Hurricanes visit tonight.

Also tonight, the Western Force welcome the Brumbies in an all-Australian clash, while tomorrow the Rebels takes on the Reds -- the only Australian franchise still without a win.

The Waratahs have a week off before returning to action, and that gives star utility Kurtley Beale time to decide if he'll take up a lucrative deal with London club Wasps at the end of the year.

Because he's played 60 tests for Australia he can still be considered for national selection even if he does head to Britain.

Former Wallaby and mentor of Beale is Mark Ella.

"I think he's matured very well as a rugby player and, I think, it's good value. He can go and earn a lot of money and still be eligible to play for the Wallabies. For Kurtley, that's a dream come true."

It's been reported by Fairfax media that Beale could be in lin for a deal worth around $2.7 million for a two years stint.

 






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