Marnus Labuschagne of Australia celebrates after reaching his century during day one of the Third Test match in the series between Australia and New Zealand at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 03, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

ROUND-UP: The latest cricket scores; football’s relationship issues; no mascot; and wrong anthem

By Editor On Jan 3, 2020 Last updated Jan 3, 2020

International Round-Up: Another Labuschagne ton puts Australia in control; England 262-9 after collapse against South Africa; No more football training for England; Too much football not good for relationships, says Klopp; Ibrahimovic not at AC Milan as a “mascot”; ATP Cup organisers apologise to Moldova after wrong anthem

CRICKET: Another Labuschagne ton puts Australia in control

Marnus Labuschagne scored a century as Australia started strongly against New Zealand on the first day of the third and final Test in Sydney.

Labuschagne hit 130 – his fourth century in five Tests – as Australia reached 283-3 at stumps at the SCG.

He and Steve Smith, who made 63, shared a 156-run partnership as New Zealand toiled in the field. Both teams wore black armbands in tribute to those affected by widespread bushfires in Australia.

Anrich Nortje of South Africa celebrates the wicket of Ben Stokes during day 1 of the 2nd Test match between South Africa and England at Newlands Cricket Stadium on January 03, 2020 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Carl Fourie/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

CRICKET: England 262-9 after collapse against South Africa

England limped to 262-9 after another dismal batting display against South Africa on day one of the second Test in Cape Town.

The top order failed to build on decent starts on a good pitch, but England recovered to 185-4 only to lose their next five wickets for 49 runs.

Ollie Pope made a defiant unbeaten 56 to ensure his side were at least not bowled out within the day at Newlands. But England will likely again rely on their bowlers to stay in the match. The Proteas are 1-0 up in the four-Test series.

England player Rory Burns in football action during England training at Newlands ahead of the 2nd Test Match between South Africa and England on January 02, 2020 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

CRICKET: No more football training for England

England’s cricket team will no longer play football during training sessions or as a warm-up before matches. Opener Rory Burns was ruled out of the rest of the Test series in South Africa after injuring his ankle playing football in training on Thursday.

England director of cricket Ashley Giles previously said he thought playing football was too dangerous.

But he agreed to review it after last year’s World Cup after senior players said it was important for team spirit.

Giles previously banned Warwickshire players from playing football while he was director of cricket at the county.

Jugen Klopp: “I don’t think that’s good for their relationship. It’s not good for mine and I already watch a lot of football.”

FOOTBALL: Too much football not good for relationships, says Klopp

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says too much football is “not good for relationships” as the debate over fixture congestion continues.

The traditionally busy festive period saw three full fixture programmes between 26 December and 2 January.

Klopp, an outspoken critic of the Premier League schedule, said: “We throw football at the people.

“The problem is real football people are not involved in talks… if they need me in discussions I’ll go there.”

He added: “How many games on Boxing Day? There were maybe some men, probably, who watched all of them live. I don’t think that’s good for their relationship. It’s not good for mine and I already watch a lot of football.

“Try to think one time about the players because without them, it doesn’t work as well.”

FOOTBALL: Ibrahimovic not at AC Milan as a “mascot”

Zlatan Ibrahimovic says he “never lost his passion” for AC Milan and did not rejoin to the club “to be a Rossoneri mascot”.

The 38-year-old has signed a six-month deal with the Serie A side, with the option for another season.

The former Sweden and Manchester United striker scored 42 goals in 61 league games in his previous stint at the club from 2010 to 2012.

“I know what I have to do. Zlatan is still here,” he said on Friday.

Ibrahimovic, who was a free agent after leaving Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy in November, said he received “more offers at 38 than when I was 20”.

“At the start of the Moldova v Belgium match we mistakenly played the wrong national anthem for Moldova,” the ATP said.

TENNIS: ATP Cup organisers apologise to Moldova after wrong anthem

ATP Cup organisers have apologised to Moldova after the wrong national anthem was played before their opening match in the new team tournament.

The Romanian national anthem was instead played before their match against Belgium in Sydney on Friday.

“At the start of the Moldova v Belgium match we mistakenly played the wrong national anthem for Moldova,” the ATP said. “We are sincerely sorry and have apologised personally to Team Moldova.”

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