Australia and New Zealand will go head-to-head in two different sports tonight.

In Gosford, the Matildas will host the Football Ferns in the first of two international friendlies.

Meanwhile, the Boomers (men’s basketball) will be taking on the Tall Blacks in a World Cup Qualifier in Tasmania.

Both matches will begin at 7:30pm (AEDT).

I think ‘Tall Blacks’ is the best team name in international sport.

I’m open to being convinced otherwise if you disagree.

🏏 The Perth Scorchers have tightened their grip on a Women’s Big Bash League finals spot after a composed four-wicket win over the Melbourne Renegades. Sophie Devine drove the result, taking an early wicket before smashing 46 from 24 balls to set up Perth’s chase of 150. Alice Capsey’s 4-14 briefly swung momentum back to the Renegades, but Freya Kemp and Lilly Mills steadied the innings and closed out the win with eight balls to spare. With three matches to play, the Scorchers are in fourth (the top four teams advance to finals) while the Renegades are in third. Both teams are on eight points. 

🏏 In the wake of their eight-wicket loss to Australia in the first Ashes Test, the England cricket team has scheduled additional net sessions ahead of the second Test in Brisbane next week, according to The Guardian. Head coach Brendon McCullum has opted to book extra training time, including under lights, to help players acclimatise to the pink Kookaburra ball and the city's humidity. Meanwhile, Australia is expected to welcome captain Pat Cummins back into the squad when it is named today, after he successfully recovered from a lower back injury. Cummins’ return could see him play the day-night Test, though questions remain over the fitness of opening batter Usman Khawaja due to back spasms.

⛳ The opening round of the Australian PGA Championship in Brisbane was halted on Thursday due to electrical storms, but not before Sebastian Garcia took the lead. The Spaniard, who only got through 15 of 18 holes before the poor weather, holds a two-shot lead heading into the second day. Australia’s Daniel Gale sits in second place, thanks in part to a spectacular hole-in-one, which won him a new $300,000 car. Meanwhile, Australia's top players, including Min Woo Lee, Adam Scott, and Cameron Smith, all had solid starts, sitting close behind the leaders as they resumed their rounds this morning.

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Talking points: The Matildas face Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand tonight in Gosford, marking the first of two international friendlies. The series is Australia's final chance to test combinations before they host the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in March. In the 14 meetings between the two sides, Australia has won 11, while the other three matches have ended in a draw. While coach Joe Montemurro hasn’t confirmed the matchday team yet, tonight’s match could see captain Sam Kerr play on home soil for the first time in nearly two years. Every player will be under pressure to perform as Montemurro finalises the squad for the home tournament. The second match will be in Adelaide on Tuesday evening. 

How to watch: Kick-off is at 7:30pm tonight (AEDT). You can watch the match on Paramount+.

Talking points: This weekend’s AFLW Grand Final will mark the third consecutive season decider between the Kangaroos and Lions. The Lions, who are playing in their fourth straight grand final, won in 2023. North Melbourne had their revenge in 2024 and now sits on a record 26-match winning streak. The last time these two teams met was in Round 5, where the Kangaroos won 65-36. If the Kangaroos win, they will become the first AFLW team to win back-to-back titles. If the Lions win, it will be remembered as one of the great upsets in AFLW history. 

How to watch: The match begins at 7:45pm on Saturday. You can watch it on Channel 7, Kayo, and Foxtel. 

Talking points: The Formula 1 World Championship title fight enters its penultimate round at the Qatar Grand Prix this weekend. The standings remain fiercely close after both McLarens (Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri) were disqualified in the last race in Las Vegas, tightening the three-way battle at the top: Norris leads with 390 points, followed by Australia’s Piastri and Max Verstappen, both tied on 366 points. For Piastri, Qatar represents a major opportunity, as he has a strong history at the Lusail circuit, having won the sprint race there last season (this weekend's schedule also includes a sprint race). If Norris outscores both Piastri and Verstappen by just two points this weekend, he will claim his first world championship. 

How to watch: The race will begin at 3am on Monday. You can watch Formula One on Foxtel or Kayo. 

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