It was an action packed weekend for sports fans with some exciting moments and as always unpredictable results. Here are some of the weekends sporting highlights.
Cricket
England, with the help of a superb spell of bowling by Stuart Broad(6-17) won the #RD test and now have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. England had a slender 10 run lead as South Africa started their second innings. But Broad was on fire as he extracted movement from the wicket and left South Africa 83 all out in their second innings. England then reached the required total to win the match by seven wickets and ultimately clinch the Test series with one test match to go.
England had odds of 3/1 to win the series
Across the Indian Ocean in Australia, Glen Maxwell fired an impressive 96 to help Australia chase down India 295 with seven balls to spare. Australia now have an unattainable 3 -0 lead in the five match series.
In New Zealand, Pakistan where on the receiving end of a World Record stand between Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson as they chased down Pakistan’s 168. Williamson (72*) and Guptill (87*) had a stand of 171 the highest ever in T20 internationals. The 3 match series is now even at 1-1 with the next match taking place on Friday 22 January.
Boxing
Deontay Wilder successfully defended his WBC belt for the third time when he knocked out Artur Szpilka with a devastating right hand in the ninth round. The Polish challenger was out for nearly seven minutes and was stretchered from the ring to an ambulance.
Watch the devastating right hand below:
Soccer
Arsenal remains top of the Barclays Premier League despite a goalless draw against Stoke. While Rooney scored from close range to give Manchester United a 1-0 win over Liverpool. Liverpool dominated most of the game but missed a number of chances and ultimately paid the price for their wastefulness. The biggest controversy of the weekend came in the Chelsea –Everton game. With Chelsea equalising through John Terry deep in injury time, however Terry was clearly in an offside position but somehow the lines man failed to see resulting in a 3-3 draw.
Golf
Haydn Porteous claimed his maiden European tour victory when he carded a bogey free final round of 69 at the Joburg Open. Porteous was the joint overnight leader but he held his nerve to record 18 under par for the tournament claiming the title with a 2 shot lead. With the victory the 21 year old earned his place at the 145th British Open at Royal Troon in July.
