Weekend sport wrap

SBS World News Radio: A-League football and the inaugural women's AFL competition headline the weekend's sporting action.

Johnathan Thurston of the Cowboys celebrates victory after kicking the winning field goal against the Brisbane Broncos.Johnathan Thurston of the Cowboys celebrates victory after kicking the winning field goal against the Brisbane Broncos.

Johnathan Thurston of the Cowboys celebrates victory after kicking the winning field goal against the Brisbane Broncos. Source: AAP

We start with cricket.

There was no action on the field on the weekend in Australia's tour of India - that doesn't start again until Thursday - with the four Test series delicately poised at one win apiece.

But off the field, there's been plenty to talk about.

Australian Vice-captain David Warner has admitted the sledging between the Aussies and the Indian team got out of control in the fiery second Test.

And in the third Test, Australia will have to put out a different lineup, with both all-rounder Mitchell Marsh and ace fast bowler Mitchell Starc having to go home because of an injury.

Marcus Stoinis replaces Marsh.

Whilst, with only Jackson Bird in reserve as far as fast bowlers go, Pat Cummins has been flown to India as Starc's replacement in the squad.

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke admits losing Starc is a bitter blow- but he says many of his former team mates won't be giving up.

"Yeah, I think it'll have a huge impact. I think Mitchell Starc is that X Factor for the Australian team. So I think he'll certainly be missed. It makes the game even tougher for Australia. But Australia will still be confident they can win in these conditions."

In rugby league, it was a topsy turvy Round Two of the NRL season.

South Sydney and Penrith, both soundly beaten in Round One, won handsomely this past weekend.

Whilst the Wests Tigers and St George Illawarra, both big winners on the opening weekend, were on the wrong end of poundings in their second game.

Unquestionably the game of the weekend, though, was the Brisbane Broncos versus North Queensland Cowboys match.

And for the fourth time in the last five meetings between these two teams, the match was tied after eighty minutes of play, and had to go to extra-time.

And once again, a field goal from Cowboys star Johnathan Thuston in the additional period gave North Queensland the win.

After the defeat, Broncos coach Wayne Bennett has repeated his anti-sudden death extra time beliefs.

He says non-finals matches that end level should stay a draw.

"It's extra-time probably more designed for the fans than it is for teams. I still can't get away from the fact that a well-earned draw is deserving - both teams getting the accolades."

It was abbreviated weekend in the A-League, with just two matches played.

Melbourne Victory beat Perth Glory four goals to one.

And first-placed Sydney FC beat ninth-placed Central Coast, albeit only one goal to nil.

There was plenty of complaining about the surface of the Sydney Football Stadium for the match- the game being played just 24 hours after a rugby league match at the same venue.

That could be an issue as the finals loom, with many A-League teams sharing their home venue with teams from other sports whose season is just getting going - especially rugby league and rugby union.

But Sydney coach Graham Arnold refused to blame the surface this time around.

He says his team should have won by more than one goal.

"You know, the pitch can play a part in that (the game). But overall, I thought that our performance was good. And at the end of the day, I think the stats showed they had one shot on target in ninety minutes, and we had about eighteen. And we definitely should have had more goals."

And in the women's AFL competition, the Brisbane Lions, whom some thought would finish last in the competition, have ensured they will play in the Grand Final.

They're now six wins from six matches after beating the Western Bulldogs.

After beating the Bulldogs, Lions player Emma Zielke, speaking to Fox Footy,has emphasised her team's ability to finish a match well as key to their unexpected success.

"They're a quality team. They gave it to us in the third quarter and the fourth quarter. And we had to stick to it. We never believe that we can't run out a game, and we've always ended up on top."

If the Lions beat Carlton next weekend, they will host in the inaugural AFL women's league Grand Final in two weeks.

 


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4 min read

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By Sunil Awasthi


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