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Alyssa Healy has finished her One-Day International career for Australia with one of her best innings, scoring 158 runs to help her side beat India by an incredible margin of 185 runs in Hobart yesterday.

With just one Test remaining, the Aussies hold an insurmountable lead in the multi-format series after winning all three ODIs and one of the three T20s. 

After the match, Healy said: "I just think what a ridiculous sport we play that it can kick you down so many times and then give you opportunities like it has today… So thanks to the cricket gods for that.”

The Test match, Healy’s last game for Australia, will begin on Friday in Perth.

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Stat of the day

2:14:29
Brigid Kosgei’s winning time at the Tokyo Marathon, a race record and the seventh-fastest women’s marathon in history. The Kenyan’s run was also the second-quickest of her career and secured her sixth World Marathon Majors title. In the men’s race, Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele went back-to-back in 2:03:37, winning in a sprint finish.

Brigid Kosgei crosses the line at the Tokyo Marathon (Getty)

Quote of the day

"It’s with a heavy heart that I’ve decided to step away and retire from the AFL. It’s an incredibly tough decision to make on the eve of the season but I know it’s the right one for myself, my family and the team."
Melbourne premiership defender Steven May announcing his retirement ahead of the 2026 AFL season. The 34-year-old had been on personal leave from his duties at the club after police were called to his house on 29 January, following up on a complaint. He is also facing charges for an alleged physical altercation at a pub in 2024. The AFL’s Opening Round begins on Thursday night when the Sydney Swans host Carlton.

Steven May has made the decision to retire before the end of his contract with Melbourne (Getty)

Random fact of the day

Married couple Alyssa Healy and Mitchell Starc both play cricket for Australia, on the women’s and men’s teams respectively. Coincidentally (or perhaps not?), they both have the same Test cricket batting high score of 99 runs. 

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In case you missed it…

⚽️ The Matildas opened their Women’s Asian Cup campaign with a 1-0 win over the Philippines in Perth, as captain Sam Kerr scored the decisive goal in the 14th minute. The strike, in front of 44,379 fans at Optus Stadium, was Kerr’s first international goal since November 2023 and the 70th of her career. Australia next face Iran on Thursday before a group-stage clash with South Korea in Sydney on Sunday.

Sam Kerr celebrates her first goal for the Matildas since 2023 (Getty)

🏉 The ACT Brumbies are three from three to start the Super Rugby Pacific season, sealing a 30-27 win over the Blues with a try after the siren in Canberra. The NSW Waratahs also remain unbeaten after their bye. Elsewhere in round three, the Western Force beat Moana Pasifika 35-19, the Queensland Reds defeated the Highlanders 31-14, the Fijian Drua edged the Hurricanes 25-20, and the Crusaders overcame the Chiefs 43-33 in Hamilton.

The Brumbies celebrate Charlie Cale’s match-winner (Getty)

⛳️ Aussie golfer Hannah Green has claimed the Women’s World Championship in Singapore for the second time in three years, winning by one stroke at Sentosa Golf Club. Green closed with a three-under 69 to finish 14-under overall, holding off American Auston Kim at 13-under. Fellow Australian Minjee Lee shared third at 11-under. It adds another title to Green’s resume as she continues her strong run on the LPGA Tour.

Hannah Green lifts the World Championship trophy (Getty)

⛵️ Taylor Canfield has steered the United States SailGP Team to a breakthrough victory at the Sydney Sail Grand Prix, his first win as driver. In tricky conditions on Sydney Harbour, the Americans defeated Spain’s Los Gallos and reigning champions Great Britain in the final. Great Britain’s second-place finish sees them move to the top of the 2026 overall standings. Australia’s Flying Roos missed the final after inconsistent results left them outside the top three. The next SailGP event will be in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in April. 

Team USA in Sydney (Getty)

🏏 The T20 World Cup semi-finals are set, with India to face England and South Africa to meet New Zealand. India booked their spot with a five-wicket win over West Indies, successfully chasing the required total of 196 thanks to Sanju Samson’s unbeaten 97. South Africa remained undefeated at the tournament so far, defeating Zimbabwe by five wickets. The semi-finals will be played on Wednesday and Thursday, with a place in next week’s final on the line.

Sanju Samson after his match-winning knock (Getty)

Together with Sole Motive

Canberra is calling

The Canberra Times Marathon Festival is back 11–12 April 2026 – and it’s bigger than ever. Australia’s oldest city marathon is entering a bold new two-day era, with 5K, 10K and Kids 2K races on Saturday, and the Half (21.1K) and full Marathon (42.2K) on Sunday. Expect closed roads past Parliament House and Lake Burley Griffin, plus a buzzing event village celebrating the best of Canberra.

Standard pricing ends Thursday 11:59pm. Don’t miss your mark – register now at canberramarathon.com and join @solemotive.

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(Getty)

Townsville Fire win WNBL Championship in overtime thriller

The Townsville Fire are WNBL26 champions after edging the Perth Lynx 108-105 in an instant classic at the sold-out Perth High Performance Centre. 

Here’s what to know. 

What happened

In a game featuring 41 lead changes, Courtney Woods delivered a career-high 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists to earn Championship series MVP honours, despite requiring glue treatment for a head cut mid-game.

Former Lynx guard Miela Sowah forced overtime with a clutch three-pointer, then sealed the title with a late basket in extra time. Alicia Froling added 25 points as Townsville claimed its second championship in four years and fifth overall. The win caps a dominant season as minor premiers and cements coach Shannon Seebohm’s reputation, while Perth’s 34-year title drought continues.

What they said

Seebohm said: "Going into the start of the year, we had the youngest team, but we also had all this expectation that we were going to win the Championship. We're one of the few teams that don't have an Olympian or an Opal that's played at a World Cup or done any of those things. We've got a lot of unheralded superstars.”

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Kalyn Ponga was impressive for the Knights (Getty)

NRL season launches in Vegas as Knights and Bulldogs begin season on right foot

The NRL’s season launch in Las Vegas delivered two tight finishes and plenty of drama, as rugby league opened its 2026 campaign at Allegiant Stadium in front of a record crowd of 45,719. 

Here’s what to know. 

Bulldogs win in golden point

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs defeated the St George Illawarra Dragons 15-14 in golden point, rugby league’s version of extra time, where the first team to score points wins. With the scores locked at 14-all after 80 minutes, Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton kicked a one-point field goal with seconds remaining to seal the match.

The Bulldogs had led for much of the contest, but the Dragons fought back late through a penalty goal from Kyle Flanagan to force extra time. Both teams missed chances in the tense final minutes before Crichton stepped up to decide the game in front of the posts.

Knights overpower Cowboys

Earlier, the Newcastle Knights beat the North Queensland Cowboys 28-18, claiming their first win in the NRL since Round 16 last year. Newcastle captain Kalyn Ponga was the standout, setting up multiple tries and guiding his side after young playmaker Fletcher Sharpe left the field with a knee injury.

The Knights built an early lead, before the Cowboys drew the scores level to 12-all at half-time. Newcastle then pulled clear in the second half with tries from Bradman Best and Dom Young. A late score from forward Trey Mooney secured the win.

The Cowboys’ night worsened after full-time, with winger Braidon Burns suspended on Monday for two matches after a high tackle on Ponga.

Looking back…

A-League Men (Sunday)

Who: Sydney FC v Wellington
Result: Sydney won 1-0

International Basketball (men’s)

Who: Australia v Philippines
Result: Australia won 93-66

English Premier League (Sunday)

Who: Arsenal v Chelsea
Result: Arsenal won 2-1

Who: Fulham v Tottenham
Result: Fulham won 2-1

Who: Man United v Crystal Palace
Result: Man United won 2-1

Who: Brighton v Forest
Result: Brighton won 2-1

Looking forward… (All times are AEDT)

Women’s Asian Cup

Who: South Korea v Iran
Time: 8pm tonight

Where to watch: Paramount+

NBA

Who: Bucks v Celtics
Time: 11:30am tomorrow

Who: Warriors v Clippers
Time: 2pm tomorrow

Where to watch: ESPN (via Disney+, Kayo, Foxtel)

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