Australian Associated Press – Page 18

December 28, 2024

‘A joke’: Jordan Thompson hits out at doping ban for doubles partner Max Purcell

Australian has accepted provisional suspension for anti-doping breach
Thompson to play with Chris O’Connell at Brisbane International

The doping ban of Australia’s two-time doubles grand-slam winner Max Purcell has been described as “a joke” by his US Open-winning partner Jordan Thompson.

The 26-year-old Purcell was provisionally suspended over an alleged violation of tennis’ anti-doping program. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced on Monday that Purcell had voluntarily accepted the suspension, after admitting to a breach relating to a prohibited method.

December 26, 2024December 26, 2024

Virat Kohli fined 20% of match fee after Sam Konstas clash in Boxing Day Test

Kohli had shouldered Australian teenage debutant
India batsman accepts match referee’s sanction

India’s Virat Kohli has been fined 20% of his match fees following a clash of shoulders with the debutant Australia opener Sam Konstas in the Boxing Day Test between the sides in Melbourne on Thursday.

Kohli was booed by the crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground after bumping into Konstas as the the 19-year-old batter walked down the pitch for a chat with his opening partner Usman Khawaja at the end of the 10th over on the opening day of the fourth Test.

December 23, 2024

Broncos’ Ezra Mam expected to be suspended for nine games by NRL

Player sent breach notice for bringing game into disrepute
Mam was fined for drug driving and driving without a licence

Brisbane star Ezra Mam is set for a nine-game suspension after being sent a breach notice by the NRL for bringing the game and the Broncos into disrepute.

Mam, 22, was fined $850 for drug driving and driving without a licence when he appeared on 16 December in Brisbane Magistrates Court. He was disqualified from driving for nine months and issued with an infringement notice for failing to have proper control of a vehicle.

December 23, 2024

Max Purcell to miss Australian Open after accepting ban for anti-doping breach

Australian doubles star accepts provisional suspension
ITIA yet to specify length of ban or any details of breach

Australian tennis player Max Purcell has been provisionally suspended over an alleged violation of the sport’s anti-doping program.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced on Monday that the two-time doubles grand slam winner had voluntarily accepted the suspension, after admitting to a breach relating to a prohibited method.

December 22, 2024

‘Super confident’: teen sensation Sam Konstas primed for Jasprit Bumrah duel in Boxing Day Test

As a Test debut looms on cricket’s biggest stage, Australia’s 19-year-old opener says he is excited to test his skills against India’s fast bowling maestro

Sam Konstas won’t overload on watching videos of Jasprit Bumrah ahead of his likely Boxing Day Test debut, as he prepares to face India’s pace maestro for the first time.

Konstas blasted 107 from 97 balls against India three weeks ago, helping open the door for his call-up to Australia’s Test squad in place of Nathan McSweeney.

December 20, 2024

Teenager Sam Konstas earns call-up to Australia squad for Boxing Day Test

19-year-old expected to be named for fourth India Test
Top order has largely mis-fired in opening three matches

Sam Konstas is in the frame for a whirlwind Test debut after being called into Australia’s squad for the fourth match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

AAP understands the 19-year-old batting prodigy was notified on Friday that he would be named in Australia’s squad that afternoon.

December 19, 2024

Cruz Hewitt, son of Lleyton, receives Australian Open qualifying wildcard

16-year-old is one of Australia’s most highly rated juniors
Bernard Tomic also among local players given wildcards

Cruz Hewitt, the teenage son of tennis great Lleyton Hewitt, has received a wildcard for the Australian Open qualifying tournament as he pushes for a grand slam debut. Hewitt, 16, will attempt to reach the main draw for the first time 28 years after his father debuted at Melbourne Park as a 15-year-old.

The junior world No 107 debuted in the junior competition last year and was knocked out in the first round. One of Australia’s most highly rated juniors, Hewitt is expected to feature in the junior tournament again but will look to step up his transition to senior tennis in 2025.

December 17, 2024

Josh Hazlewood’s Test series likely over after suffering calf strain against India

Australian quick sent for scans after bowling just one over on Tuesday
Scott Boland likely replacement for Melbourne and Sydney Tests

Josh Hazlewood’s home Test summer is feared over after the quick suffered a calf strain that is expected to rule him out of both Melbourne and Sydney. Hazlewood was sent for scans on Tuesday after sending down just one over at the Gabba, after hurting his right calf in the warm up before play.

Scans have since confirmed a strain, leaving Australia with just two frontline quicks for the rest of the Brisbane Test. “He is likely to miss the remainder of the Test series. A squad replacement will be made in due course,” Cricket Australia confirmed in a statement.

December 17, 2024

Doubles trouble ahead with Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic to team up in Brisbane

Former bitter rivals are now firm friends
Kyrgios has played just one ATP match since 2022 US Open

Nick Kyrgios will team up with Novak Djokovic at the Brisbane International after crediting the former world No1 for motivating his return from serious injury. Once bitter rivals but now firm friends, Kyrgios and Djokovic plan to play doubles at the Queensland tournament, which gets under way on 29 December.

The pair will use the event to warm up for next month’s Australian Open, with Kyrgios using an injury-protected ranking to secure a direct entry at Melbourne Park. The Australian posted the announcement on Instagram, using a photo of himself and Djokovic walking on to court ahead for their 2022 Wimbledon final which he lost in four sets, writing “Doubles at Brisbane. See y’all there”.

December 16, 2024

Rain delays slow rampant Australia after India lose four early wickets in third Test

Third Test, day three at the Gabba: Australia 445; India 51-4
Play interrupted throughout day as Australia press for victory

Brisbane’s big wet looms as India’s best chance of saving the third Test against Australia, after the tourists slumped to 51-4 after a miserable day three for them at the Gabba.

In between seven rain delays, one aborted start and an early finish due to bad light, Australia were all out for 445 before Mitchell Starc stamped his authority with the ball.

December 12, 2024

‘A dangerous threat’: Nick Kyrgios backed to make an impact on Australian Open return

Thanasi Kokkinakis tips doubles partner to impress in Melbourne
Former world No 13 to play first singles grand slam event since 2022

With his weapon of a serve in hand, tennis showman Nick Kyrgios can hit the ground running on his Australian Open return, says doubles partner Thanasi Kokkinakis.

Kyrgios, 29, who has had a horror run of wrist and knee injuries, will play at the Brisbane International from 29 December, before returning to the grand slam stage at Melbourne Park for the Australian Open which starts on 12 January. The former world No 13 is using a protected ranking for his first Open since he pulled out on the eve of his first-round match in 2023.

December 10, 2024

Rohan Dennis pleads guilty to charge relating to death of Olympic cyclist wife Melissa Hoskins

Adelaide Olympian faces up to seven years in jail after pleading to lesser charge of creating likelihood of harm

Cyclist Rohan Dennis will not be found responsible for the death of his wife – fellow Olympian Melissa Hoskins – but could be jailed for up to seven years after pleading guilty to a new charge.

Dennis, 34, had appeared in the Adelaide magistrates court on Tuesday to answer charges of dangerous driving causing death and an aggravated charge of driving without due care. He was arrested after Hoskins, 32, was struck by his vehicle in front of their home at Medindie, in Adelaide’s inner north, on 30 December 2023.

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December 9, 2024December 9, 2024

Mohammed Siraj and Travis Head found guilty of breaching ICC code over Adelaide spat

Indian bowler fined and given demerit point after incident
Australian batter reprimanded and given demerit point

Australian batter Travis Head and Indian bowler Mohammed Siraj have been found guilty of breaching the International Cricket Council (ICC) code of conduct for their verbal spat in the second Test in Adelaide.

Siraj was fined 20% of his match fee after being found to have breached article 2.5 of the code, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon dismissal”.

December 8, 2024

India’s Mohammed Siraj accuses Travis Head of abuse and lying after Test send-off

Words exchanged following wicket on day two of second Test
Indian quick claims Head lied in post-match interview in Adelaide

Travis Head says he won’t allow accusations of lying from India firebrand Mohammed Siraj to ruin Australia’s second Test triumph.

The batsman has admitted swearing at Siraj during their tense flashpoint at Adelaide Oval on Saturday. Siraj gave century-maker Head a send-off and the Australian responded with some choice words.

December 6, 2024

Nick Kyrgios will be in Australian Open draw with No 21 ranking

Fans favourite is one of 10 Australian men in main draw
Olivia Gadecki is the only direct women’s entrant

Fan favourite Nick Kyrgios will play his first grand slam tournament since 2022 at the Australian Open in January.

Organisers announced on Friday that Kyrgios, who has been plagued by injuries throughout his career, will use a protected ranking of No 21 to gain entry to the main draw.