Sport shorts: Shane Warne auctions baggy green Test cap for Australia bushfire appeal

Shane Warne’s Test cricket cap is being auctioned to raise money for Australia’s bushfire appeal

(Image credit: Shane Warne/Twitter )

published 6 January 2020

1. Warne auctions his baggy green

Australian cricket legend Shane Warne is auctioning off his prized baggy green Test cap to raise money for the country’s bushfire appeal.

Today’s back pages: Sibley sets up England victory charge and the FA Cup kids are alright for Liverpool

The cap was worn by the spin king during his 145-Test career, in which he took 708 wickets.

Writing on Twitter, the 50-year-old said: “Everyone is in this together and we continue to find ways to contribute and help on a daily basis.

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“This has led me to auction off my beloved baggy green cap that I wore throughout my Test career. I hope my baggy green can raise some significant funds to help all those people that are in desperate need.”

Money raised from Warne’s cap auction, which is open until Friday, will go towards the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund. As of 10.30am this morning the bid for Warne’s cap was at AU$311,500 (£164,599).

2. Aussies wrap up 3-0 Test series win

Australia have started 2020 in fine form after securing a 3-0 series victory over New Zealand. In the third Test at Sydney Cricket Ground spin bowler Nathan Lyon finished with figures of 5-50 as the Kiwis were dismissed for 136 in their second innings. Australia won the match by 279 runs.

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3. Wild weekend of NFL

After a dramatic weekend of NFL wild card matches the Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings, Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans are through to the divisional round of the play-offs.

They join the Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round next weekend.

NFC divisional round play-off fixtures

Saturday 11 January: San Francisco 49ers vs. Minnesota Vikings (9.35pm GMT)
Sunday 12 January: Green Bay Packers vs Seattle Seahawks (11.40pm GMT)

AFC divisional round fixtures

Sunday 12 January: Baltimore Ravens vs. Tennessee Titans (1.15am GMT)
Sunday 12 January: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Houston Texans (8.05pm GMT)

4. Fatialofa in stable condition after neck injury

The Daily Mail reports that Worcester Warriors forward Michael Fatialofa is in a “stable condition in intensive care” after suffering a neck injury on Saturday. The 27-year-old was involved in a collision just a minute after coming on as a substitute during Worcester’s 62-5 defeat against Saracens in the Premiership Rugby fixture.

5. Jones scores cup cracker in Merseyside derby

Teenager Curtis Jones scored a wonder goal as Liverpool beat Everton 1-0 in the FA Cup third round at Anfield yesterday.

The 18-year-old, who curled a brilliant 25-yard effort past Everton keeper Jordan Pickford, said: “I can’t sum up my emotions. For me it’s huge just being around this team every day and learning from this group of players.

“There are world-class players all over this team but I think I went out and showed what I could do on the pitch.”

FA Cup third-round highlights: Klopp hails ‘sensational’ Jones

6. FA Cup fourth-round draw

Emirates FA Cup holders Manchester City and Premier League leaders Liverpool are two of the big names in the hat for tonight’s fourth-round draw. It starts at 7.35pm and is followed by the third-round clash between Arsenal and Leeds United (7.46pm kick-off, live on BBC One).

FA Cup fourth-round draw: teams, ball numbers, start time, TV, live stream

ESPN reports that Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has urged Jesse Lingard to use social media less and focus on recapturing his form.

Solskjaer said: “We want him back scoring and making assists. No one who runs as much as Jess, he’s a great trigger in the pressing and lively, bubbly character.

“I don’t think you see as much social media from Jesse as you used to. He’s got his head down and working hard and getting back to the Jesse I knew.”

8. Marko: Hamilton is still the best

Lewis Hamilton’s wealth of experience gives the six-time Formula 1 world champion a “huge advantage” over Max Verstappen. That’s the opinion of Red Bull Racing advisor Dr Helmut Marko when asked about the two F1 drivers ahead of the new season.

Marko said: “Max may already be the fastest. But as a package, Hamilton is still the best. He has an incredible basic speed and obviously much more experience than Max, and that is a huge advantage.”

F1: Wolff will stay at Mercedes, says Briatore

9. Qatar World Cup worry

With tensions rising in the Middle East following last week’s air strike by the United States, The Sun says that there are growing “concerns” about the viability of the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar.

The country is an ally of Iran and has been subjected to a Saudi Arabia-led blockade that has closed the country’s borders and ended direct flights from neighbouring states. The Sun claims that Fifa is “reluctant to talk up problems at this stage” but is monitoring events.

10. Sibley hits century for England

England are in total control of the second Test match against South Africa in Cape Town. Today’s fourth day has seen opener Dom Sibley achieve his maiden Test century and Ben Stokes hit a rapid 72. At lunch England had built a 421-run lead with three wickets remaining. Sibley was unbeaten on 125 not out and Sam Curran was 13 not out.

Today’s back pages

Sibley sets up England victory charge and the FA Cup kids are alright for Liverpool