Matt Henry was pinching himself after matching the great Richard Hadlee's best Test figures on home soil as South Africa were skittled out for only 95 by New Zealand on day one of the series.

Henry was recalled with Trent Boult on paternity leave and the seamer grasped his opportunity on his home ground, taking a stunning 7-23 at Hagley Oval.

The 30-year-old ripped through the Proteas in Christchurch, Henry going joint-third on the list of the Black Caps' best figures by matching Hadlee's haul against India in Wellington back in 1976.

Zubayr Hamza top scored with just 25 in South Africa's lowest Test total against New Zealand, who closed on 116-3 in reply after the tourists dropped four catches in a nightmare start to the two-match series.

Henry was on cloud nine after claiming his first five-wicket Test haul and the joint-best Test figures by a New Zealander on home soil.

The 30-year-old said: "You've got to kind of pinch yourself a little bit when you hear those stats and to be able to share that with Sir Richard Hadlee is pretty special. It was a pretty surreal moment really."

Henry added: "I think just playing here at Hagley and having that experience and knowing what my lengths were and how to operate [were the key ot his heroics].

"As a bowling group I think we bowled really well together and we were able to create pressure at both ends and not really let them go anywhere, which is probably key to how we got the wickets."

 

Henry has had to be patient to get another chance given the strength of New Zealand's attack but reaped the rewards for staying positive.

He said: "It's not always easy at times, but you try not to focus too much on those external things you can't control and making sure I'm still in that mindset of just trying to keep getting better, and using experiences where I am playing cricket that when I do get my opportunity to take it.

"That's led me to where I am at the moment – where I can keep coming in and stay positive and not get too caught up in those external things and those noises."

Henry Nicholls was unbeaten on 37 at stumps after Devon Conway fell to Duanne Olivier (2-36) late in the day.

The Los Angeles Lakers are awaiting news on the injury sustained by Anthony Davis in Wednesday's 106-101 victory over the Utah Jazz.

Davis had 17 points on 7-for-9 shooting when being forced to exit the game after turning his ankle and clutching his right leg in pain.

The 28-year-old was helped to the locker room by his team-mates and initial X-rays revealed no fracture, but he will be re-evaluated after the All-Star break.

In the absence of Davis, who had only recently returned after missing 17 games with a sprained knee, the Lakers stepped up to snap a three-game losing run.

Frank Vogel's side trailed the Jazz by 12 points midway through the fourth quarter, but they went on a 19-4 run – LeBron James scoring the last 10 of those points – to hit back.

James finished with a team-high 33 points, 15 of those coming in the final quarter, meaning he has now scored 25 points or more in a career-best 23 straight games.

The Lakers are now 27-31 for the season but are still down in ninth in the Western Conference, while the 36-22 Jazz are in fourth after suffering a first loss in seven outings.

 


Knicks blow 28-point lead against Nets

Rookie Cam Thomas impressed in the absence of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to help the Brooklyn Nets match their biggest comeback in franchise history.

The Nets trailed the New York Knicks by 28 points before going on to win 111-106, with 16 of Thomas' 21 points arriving in the fourth quarter, including a 3-pointer to clinch the win with 7.7 seconds to go.

Julius Randle had seemingly put the Knicks in control with 31 points and 10 rebounds, but they were unable to hold on and suffered a third successive loss to stumble to 25-34 for the season.


DeRozan eclipses Chamberlain's streak

DeMar DeRozan scored 38 points in the Chicago Bulls' 125-118 victory over the Sacramento Kings to create some NBA history.

The five-time NBA All-Star became the first player to score 35 or more points and shoot 50 per cent or better in seven straight games, usurping Wilt Chamberlain's previous record of six.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, the Golden State Warriors lost 117-116 to the Denver Nuggets through Monte Morris' 3-pointer as the buzzer sounded.

Nikola Jokic had 35 points and 17 rebounds for the Nuggets, who have now won three in a row and five of their last six.

The NBA-leading Phoenix Suns beat the Houston Rockets 124-121 for a seventh successive win thanks to 24 points for Devin Booker and 23 for Deandre Ayton.

Luciano Spalletti believes Diego Maradona will be looking down on his two former teams and hoping Napoli beat Barcelona on Thursday.

In the pick of the Europa League knockout round play-off ties, the Partenopei face Barca home and away over the next week.

The Blaugrana dropped into UEFA's secondary competition for the first time since 2003-04 following their elimination from the Champions League in a tough start to the season.

The Catalan side have recovered a little momentum under Xavi, however, and present a major test for Spalletti's Napoli, who are third in Serie A.

But this fixture – only previously played in the last 16 of the 2019-20 Champions League – will always be associated far more with Maradona than any modern star.

The Argentina great moved to Napoli after two years with Barca in the 1980s, enjoying the best spell of his career over seven seasons in Italy.

Twice a league champion with Napoli, Spalletti suggested on the eve of the match the late Maradona would favour his club.

Asked about injury issues in both camps, the Napoli coach said: "I don't think there will be a disadvantage for the absence of a player.

"The two squads are so well equipped that the absence of one player and the presence of another does not make a difference.

"There would be one that could make a difference, but he will watch this game from heaven.

"I am talking about Maradona, who will initially try to be 'good', but then I am convinced he will take a position and cheer for Napoli."

Rory McIlroy believes the identity of those rejecting the Super Golf League "has to tell you something", as both he and Jon Rahm remain committed to the PGA Tour.

A number of high-profile players are said to have been targeted by organisers of the lucrative Saudi-backed breakaway, including Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson.

But the most prominent names to have discussed the league publicly – including McIlroy, Rahm and Collin Morikawa – have instead pledged their allegiance to the PGA Tour.

McIlroy referred to the rival series as the "not-so-Super League" on Wednesday, declaring himself "so sick" of the subject.

He added: "You look at the people who have already said no. You've got the top players in the world who are saying no, so that has to tell you something."

World number one Rahm also appears fed up with fielding questions on the Super Golf League but clarified his stance – speaking, like McIlroy, ahead of the Genesis Invitational.

"This is my official one and only time I'll talk about this, where I am officially declaring my fealty to the PGA Tour," Rahm said.

"I'm a PAC [Player Advisory Council] member, and I have a lot of belief in [PGA Tour commissioner] Jay Monahan and the product that they're going to give us in the future.

"There has been a lot of talk and speculation about the Saudi league. It's just not something I believe is the best for me and my future in golf, and I think the best legacy I can accomplish will be with the PGA Tour."

Jim Harbaugh has signed a new five-year contract with the University of Michigan after failing to secure a return to the NFL.

Harbaugh is now committed to Michigan through the 2026 season, despite interviewing with the Minnesota Vikings.

After leading the Wolverines to the 2021 Big Ten Championship, Harbaugh entered the running for the Vikings job.

However, the Vikings instead turned to Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell – whose appointment was confirmed on Wednesday – and Harbaugh headed back to Michigan.

The school for whom Harbaugh played quarterback in the 1980s remain delighted to have him, though.

And the coach said as new terms were announced on Wednesday: "My enthusiasm for tomorrow, the day after and every day following is as high as ever, and we are ready to get on the practice field and start preparations for the 2022 season."

Harbaugh's only head coaching job in the NFL to date was with the San Francisco 49ers between 2011 and 2014.

The 58-year-old had a 44-19-1 regular season record with the 49ers, reaching the NFC Championship Game in three of his four seasons and advancing in his second year to Super Bowl XLVII, where the team lost to the Baltimore Ravens.

Tiger Woods is growing frustrated that he still does not know when he will be able to competitively play golf again following his car crash.

The 15-time major champion was involved in a single-car accident a year ago that left him with open fractures to the tibia and fibula in his right leg.

Woods has not played competitively since and warned in December his return was a "long way off".

But the American superstar seemingly would have hoped to be able to provide a further update by now, as he revealed his irritation when speaking at the Genesis Invitational on Wednesday.

"I wish I could tell you when I'm playing again," he said. "I want to know, but I don't."

Woods revealed he still has difficulty walking, although he is "getting better" – just not as quickly as he would like.

"My golf activity has been very limited," he said. "I can chip and putt really well and hit short irons very well, but I haven't done any long stuff seriously.

"I'm still working. I'm still working on the walking part. My foot was a little messed up there about a year ago, so the walking part is something that I'm still working on, working on strength and development in that.

"It takes time. What's frustrating is it's not at my timetable. I want to be at a certain place, but I'm not. I've just got to continue working.

"I'm getting better, yes. But as I said, not at the speed and rate that I would like.

"You add in the age factor, too. You just don't quite heal as fast, which is frustrating."

Antonio Conte does not appear overly impressed with Tottenham's business in a January transfer window that saw only two signings.

Conte had made clear his desire to shake up a squad chasing a top-four finish in the Premier League.

The anticipated outgoing deals came to pass, as each of Tanguy Ndombele, Bryan Gil and Giovani Lo Celso were loaned out while Dele Alli left permanently.

But in place of four first-team players only two arrived in Juventus pair Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur.

Spurs were widely linked with moves for Adama Traore and Luis Diaz, but they instead signed for Barcelona and Liverpool respectively.

And Conte, appointed in November, hinted at his discontent in an interview with Sky Sport.

"What happened in January is not easy," he said. "Four players left in January; four important players for Tottenham. Two have arrived.

"So even numerically, instead of strengthening, you may have, on paper, weakened."

Conte, who has won five league titles across spells with Juventus, Chelsea and Inter, also highlighted the profile of the two new men.

Kulusevski is 21 and had started only five Serie A matches this season, while Bentancur, at 24, was slightly more involved at Juve with his 13 starts.

"Bentancur and Kulusevski are the ideal prospects for Tottenham," Conte said, "because Tottenham are looking for young players, players to be developed, not ready players."

Asked for his thoughts on this approach, the coach added: "It is inevitable that if you want to grow faster and if you want to be competitive faster, you need players with a lot of experience, because then they lead to increase the experience also in your team.

"But then again, the vision of the club, I understand, is this."

Julian Nagelsmann acknowledged Bayern Munich made too many mistakes in the first half of their Champions League last-16 first leg against Salzburg but believed they deserved their last-gasp equaliser.

Bayern looked set for another shock result following the weekend defeat to Bochum when Salzburg's Junior Adamu scored in the 21st minute.

That was the first time Bayern had trailed in the Champions League this season, making them the final team in the competition to have done so.

They salvaged a draw in the 90th minute, though, when Kingsley Coman popped up at the back post to put Bayern in control ahead of the return leg in Munich next month.  

The France international's goal saw Bayern extend the longest unbeaten streak away from home by a team in Champions League history to 22 games (W17 D5).

While Nagelsmann was unimpressed with his side's first-half display, he said their performance after the interval warranted at least a draw. 

"We did better in the second half, just like in Bochum," he told DAZN. "In the first half we were too prone to making mistakes in the opposing half. We lost too many balls. 

"The rest of our defence wasn't good, as was the goal we conceded, which is actually relatively easy to defend. A very avoidable goal. We weren't aggressive enough when pushing. It's a balancing act. 

"The equaliser was deserved, we defended with more risk. I saw a lot of cramps in the Salzburg side. That's probably also an indication that we didn't do so badly in the second half."

The average age of Salzburg's starting XI was 23 years and 242 days – the youngest in the knockout stages of the Champions League for any team in almost 19 years, since Ajax in April 2003 against Milan (22 years and 205 days).

Bayern forward Thomas Muller was full of praise for Salzburg's young guns, but he believed the German giants deserved to leave Austria with a draw.

"It's mixed feelings," he said. "Salzburg are a good team and the atmosphere was great. Compliments to the crowd, that's how you imagine football. 

"The general conditions were great, which is why it was fun even though we suffered a lot. In the second half we not only showed a reaction, but were also overwhelmingly superior. 

"It was a good move how we came back. However, it was certainly not our desired result. Sometimes we still lack the courage to position ourselves. In attack, we have to blame ourselves for not making good use of the spaces that were there. 

"We made wrong decisions there. Hats off that we still managed to draw 1-1. I think, to be honest, that was okay."

Aaron Donald appeared to hint at a 2022 return during the Los Angeles Rams' Super Bowl LVI victory parade on Wednesday.

Ahead of Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium, it was suggested Donald could quit the NFL if he finally won a championship to go with his individual achievements.

And the three-time Defensive Player of the Year could scarcely have been more influential in a 23-20 Rams win.

Donald held up Joe Burrow and the Bengals on third and one and then fourth and one on their final drive, finishing with two sacks and three quarterback hits – tying the best marks of his playoff career.

The emotional defensive tackle refused to be drawn into comment on his future immediately after the game, instead saying he was "just going to live in the moment".

But Wednesday's parade provided a rather different setting, as head coach Sean McVay – whose 2022 status had also been the subject of speculation – chanted "run it back" before handing the microphone to Donald.

"We built a super team," Donald responded. "If we can bring the super team back, why not run it back? We could be world champs again!"

Jurgen Klopp hailed an "adult performance" from Liverpool after they claimed a 2-0 win over Inter at San Siro.

The Reds were far from at their sparkling best in the first leg of the sides' Champions League last-16 tie but still carved out an aggregate advantage thanks to late goals from Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah.

And Klopp was delighted to see his team prove once again that they can pick up results from games where they do not find top gear.

He told BT Sport; "We had to fight. We started really well, played around their formation in the beginning, but then the direct play with the switches to the wing-backs we didn't defend too well. 

"Too often our full-backs were alone in the one-on-one situation, it doesn't work properly like that. 

"In a game like this you have to keep the ball longer and that's what didn't happen long enough. 

"But you cannot come here and hope that you have a brilliant day and that's the only chance to get a result. 

"We had not a brilliant day but a good enough day to be a deserved win. We scored two wonderful goals, yes they had their moments [and] counter-attacks, but mainly counter-attacks when we lost the ball in the wrong spaces. 

"It's another adult performance and I'm really happy about that."

The only downside for the visitors on a successful night was the half-time loss of the prolific Diogo Jota to an ankle injury.

Of that blow, Klopp said: "I'm really happy with everything apart from that Diogo had to go off with something around the ankle ligament, we will see. 

"We don't know exactly, he could play on, and that's maybe a good sign, but at half-time the ankle was swollen anyway, so we had to change."

However, the German was able to strike a more positive note when discussing his substitutes, who played a key role in Liverpool's strong finish to the game.

He continued: "That was perfect, how the boys reacted. 

"All of them want to start but, coming on, all my respect for Hendo's [Jordan Henderson's] performance today and Naby [Keita], who came on, and Luis [Diaz] is so natural so that helps as well. 

"That was all very helpful and at half-time when you can bring Bobby Firmino on."

Simone Inzaghi joked he was relieved Inter did not have to face Liverpool in every match after they suffered a late 2-0 loss in their Champions League encounter. 

The last-16 first leg at San Siro looked destined for a 0-0 draw but Roberto Firmino glanced home a header – the first effort on target of the match – in the 75th minute to put Liverpool in front. 

Mohamed Salah then marked his 50th Champions League appearance for the club with his 33rd goal for the Reds in the competition – only Cristiano Ronaldo (51 for Real Madrid) and Robert Lewandowski (36 for Bayern Munich) had managed more at the same point for a single team. 

Inter performed well until Firmino broke the deadlock. They looked more threatening and hit the crossbar through Hakan Calhanoglu in the first half. 

However, they were unable to stop Jurgen Klopp becoming just the eight coach to reach 50 wins in the Champions League, with Inzaghi pleased they do not have to lock horns too often. 

"We hope not to face Liverpool every game," Inzaghi told Amazon Prime. 

"I am happy and proud of the team. Unfortunately, during our best period of the game, we were not rewarded with the goal we deserved, then Liverpool scored at the first half-distraction we had. 

"We certainly deserved more, but this performance has to bode well for what is to come in the future. Liverpool are one of the two best teams in Europe in my view. We held out well and deserved more. 

"We know these evenings can be like this, but it has to give us a self-esteem boost because it was an excellent performance. 

"It's difficult to comment after a result like this, but it has to be a starting point for Inter at this level. I think this is the strongest opponent we've faced this season." 

Edin Dzeko, who had a goal correctly ruled out for offside in the 60th minute, also felt there were positives for Inter to take ahead of the second leg at Anfield on March 8. 

"We did well for 75 minutes, giving away very little to Liverpool. It's a shame to concede from a corner, where we are usually strong. But this is what happens with great teams; if you don't score, they'll punish you," said Dzeko. 

"Everyone gave their all for 90 minutes, but it wasn't enough. We come out of this defeat with our heads held high because we know we have given everything. 

"It's not a positive result for us, but first we have to focus on Serie A and then we'll see." 

Jurgen Klopp perhaps left San Siro with more questions about his Liverpool side than he might have expected following a crucial Champions League win.

Thanks to a hard-fought 2-0 victory in Milan, the Reds are in firm control of their last-16 tie against Inter prior to an Anfield rematch next month. 

And that it was secured thanks in no small part to Klopp being able to use the strongest squad he has ever had at his disposal is hardly cause for concern.

But there are some downsides to possessing such an embarrassment of riches, as was evident across the pitch in Italy.

For starters, a midfield blend that had been unavailable to Klopp during Harvey Elliott's lengthy injury absence did not stake a particularly strong claim for more starts here.

Meanwhile, selection decisions in attack were not made any easier by a mixed bag of performances from both starters and subs in forward areas.

There was, though, at least one man who showed why there should be no debate over his worth to a Liverpool team that is hoping to add yet more major honours this season: Virgil van Dijk.

Let's start with the numbers, which show that the Dutchman made more clearances (seven) than any other player on the pitch across the 90 minutes along with an impressive three interceptions.

He also surrendered possession on fewer occasions than any other starting player on either side (four).

But, what those statistics cannot convey is the wider influence Liverpool's number four had on a game that was far from as straightforward as the scoreline suggests.

It is impossible for any data to explain the first-half moment where Lautaro Martinez had Van Dijk isolated in a one-on-one situation but simply decided against trying to pass him because of his reputation. 

Nor can the figures sum up the sheer resignation on Edin Dzeko's face when he felt a familiar arm come across him just as he looked to be running in on goal during that same period of the game.

And all this is not to mention the effect Van Dijk has on his team-mates, who would not be able to keep that aggressive high line without their leader there to dictate it. 

Every single one of these qualities proved vital on a night when Inter would argue they deserved far more than they got.

Simone Inzaghi deserves credit for a front-footed tactical setup that saw the hosts aggressively harry one of Europe's most feared sides and give them countless uncomfortable moments as a result.

However, that they were unable to capitalise on those opportunities owed much to the man calmly marshalling their opponents' defence even when things weren't quite working perfectly in front of him.

Inter must quickly move on from that disappointment and regroup in time for a return leg that they will hope can provide one of the great comebacks in the history of two-legged European ties.

But the likelihood is that they will not be the last side to come away from facing Liverpool in the Champions League this season wondering what might have been if not for Van Dijk.

Lewis Hamilton appears to be back and ready to chase another Formula One title with Mercedes.

The contentious nature in which Hamilton was denied a record-breaking eighth drivers' championship in 2021 had prompted talk he would quit the sport.

Hamilton was pipped by Max Verstappen in the final seconds of the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix following a controversial decision from race director Michael Masi to let the cars between the pair – running first and second but separated by a series of lapped rivals – pass a late safety car and allow one lap of racing.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff warned it was "not possible" for Hamilton to get over the nature of that result, and little has been heard from the Briton since.

But the former McLaren man ended his social media silence earlier this month when he posted: "I've been gone. Now I'm back!"

And Mercedes' own Twitter posts have now revealed Hamilton is back with the team ahead of the launch of their W13 car.

After sharing a picture of Hamilton with the caption "Year 16", the Silver Arrows uploaded footage of new team-mate George Russell being fitted in his seat.

Hamilton appears in the video and greets Russell, and the team added: "Oh wait, Lewis is in this?" A picture of Hamilton with Russell followed.

Hamilton last year signed a contract that ties him to Mercedes through the 2023 season.

Kingsley Coman scored a 90th-minute equaliser at Salzburg to salvage a 1-1 draw for a below-par Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

Julian Nagelsmann's side received a wave of criticism after a sensational 4-2 Bundesliga defeat to Bochum at the weekend, and they were almost on the wrong end of another upset in Austria on Wednesday.

Junior Adamu looked to have scored the decisive goal after 21 minutes in what was the hosts' first ever game in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Salzburg were denied a famous win late on, though, as Coman stole in at the back post to put Bayern in control ahead of the return leg next month.

 

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