🗞 A Black Heart

G'day sports fans,

“My parents have been there for me, ever since I was about 7.” - David Beckham

🏏 Australia sunk to a record World Cup defeat as a controversial third umpiring decision marred South Africa's thumping 134-run win in Lucknow.

Australia captain Pat Cummins: "I thought Quinton de Kock batted really well, we couldn't get a breakthrough but from where they were, we were quite happy and, on that wicket, thought 311 was chaseable.

"It looked like hard work to bat out there at night and it zipped around more than it did in the day, their bowlers bowled really well, but we were well off the mark.”

Match Summary:

• At 5-70, Stoinis was given out caught behind on review but ball appeared to flick glove that was off the bat.

• Australia dropped five catches, with Zampa also failing to get to chance.

• Labuschagne (46) and Starc (27) salvaged what could have been an even heavier defeat with a 69-run seventh-wicket stand.

• The losing margin of 134 runs was their heaviest defeat by runs at the 50-over World Cup, eclipsing a 118-run defeat to India in Chelmsford 40 years ago.

🏉 Michael Maguire looks poised to take the reins of the New South Wales men's State of Origin team after Brad Fittler's exit after being confirmed as the NSWRL's "preferred candidate".

An official appointment is yet to be made, but the NSWRL confirmed that Maguire is the board's current choice to replace Fittler, noting that the process to select the Blues next coach is "ongoing".

"We understand and respect Michael's professionalism and commitment to the New Zealand team now and over the coming weeks," NSWRL chairman Paul Conlon said in a statement on Thursday.

🏀 Brisbane Bullets big-man Aron Baynes has been handed a five-game suspension following multiple guilty offences, an NBL Single Member Tribunal found on Thursday evening.

Baynes was found guilty of three separate charges -- equalling up to the five-game ban -- all taking place during his team's matchup with the Cairns Taipans on Saturday, October 8. The Bullets plan to appeal the decision.

🐴 A record $38 million in prize money is on offer at Randwick and Caulfield for Everest and Guineas Day. It's a huge tick that Racing NSW and the Melbourne Racing Club have worked together to make this day a success for Australian racing as a whole.

The most popular runners tipped to win are I Wish I Win in The Everest, Mr Brightside in the King Charles, Militarize in the Caulfield Guineas and Amelia's Jewel in the Toorak.

Surprisingly, Duais ($4.80) is the most popular runner in the Might And Power Stakes, ahead of $2.30 favourite Alligator Blood.

🇦🇺 Australian Football legend Ron Barassi will be given a final farewell at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the site of his greatest sports achievements.

The 10-time Victorian Football League premiership winner as a player and coach died aged 87 on September 16, with his family later accepting the offer of a state memorial.

The 100,000-seat MCG has been locked in to host the service on November 10.

👊🏻 Alexander Volkanovski’s decision to fight for the UFC lightweight title on 11 days notice has seen him rewarded with a huge new contract deal which, his agent says, now makes him one the highest paid fighters not named Conor McGregor.

Already regarded by many as the No.1 fighter on the UFC roster, Volkanovski has again gone and confirmed his greatness by agreeing to rematch lightweight king Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 on Sunday week.

Should the Wollongong fighter win in his second attempt to become a two-division champion, it can be revealed he will continue to fight in the lightweight division, defending that strap ahead of his UFC featherweight crown.

🥊 Tim Tszyu declared his world title defence against Brian Mendoza his final fight in Australia.

Tszyu (23-0, 17KOs) will place his WBO junior middleweight belt on the line at the Gold Coast Exhibition Centre on Sunday in his first appearance since being elevated from interim to full champion last month.

Mendoza (22-2, 16KOs) is super confident of bursting the undefeated 29-year-old's bubble after reviving his career with a pair of explosive knockout wins over Jeison Rosario and the highly-rated Sebastian Fundora.

A steely-eyed Tszyu is having none of it, saying he has "a black heart right now" and is ready to destroy his big-punching challenger from New Mexico.

⚽️ Tony Gustavsson has urged Australia to look to the future as the Matildas' attention turns from their Women's World Cup performance towards crunch Olympic qualifiers.

The Matildas are set for their first games in Australia since reaching the World Cup semi-final, taking on Iran, the Philippines and Taiwan in Perth in the first step towards qualification for Paris 2024.

Hometown hero and captain Sam Kerr headlines a strong squad which is boosted by the addition of 21-year-old midfielder Amy Sayer, who plies her trade in Sweden.

Injuries have prevented Aivi Luik and Kyah Simon from receiving call-ups. (Full Squad)

🏉 Multiple reports, both in Australia and overseas, claim Jones is expected to take over as Jamie Joseph’s successor and will be named Japan’s next head coach.

Japanese sports newspaper Sponichi has reported the news, claiming president of the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU), Masato Tsuchida, reached out to Jones in spring.

“Contract negotiations have been held privately behind the scenes, and preparations are underway for (his) return (for the first time) since the 2015 World Cup, which led them to a historic three wins,” the report read.

It followed a report from The Sydney Morning Herald last month which alleged Jones held a secret Zoom interview with the JRFU before the start of the World Cup.

⚽️ On the 20th Anniversary when the Socceroos’ motley crew of underdogs took on Sven-Göran Eriksson’s England at Upton Park and sprung a stunning 3-1 upset. Legendary Socceroos Head Coaches Ange Postecoglou and Guus Hiddink visited Arnie and the boys in camp to pass on some inspirational words. (Twitter)

⛹🏻‍♀️ The Australian Diamonds have stamped their early Constellation Cup dominance with a massive 10-goal win over New Zealand in game one on Thursday night.

The Diamonds had to overcome an early injury blow to midcourter Paige Hadley and an “unexpected” delay in the third term when the lights went out at John Cain Arena before recording a 50-40 victory.

🏉 Antoine Dupont has been "very active in training" and is "at 100%" before a potential Rugby World Cup return, said France forwards coach William Servat.

France captain Dupont, 26, suffered a fractured cheekbone in the pool game against Namibia on 21 September.

He was cleared to resume full training on Monday and could be involved in his side's quarter-final against South Africa in Paris on Sunday (Monday 6am AEDT).

🏉 In-direct Aussie Rugby news: Aussie, and current Ireland winger Mack Hansen has won his race to be fit for their World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand.

🥇 The International Olympic Committee's executive board has suspended the Russian Olympic Committee "with immediate effect until further notice".

The suspension means the ROC "is no longer entitled to operate as a National Olympic Committee" and "cannot receive any funding from the Olympic movement".

👊🏻 UFC 294 has another major change - with another high-profile replacement stepping in.

Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman will now fight Khamzat Chimaev in the co-main event of the card Oct. 21 in Abu Dhabi, UFC president Dana White announced Wednesday on social media. Chimaev was supposed to face Paulo Costa, but he had elbow surgery three weeks ago and was not cleared.

ESPN has Usman ranked No. 2 in the world at welterweight with Chimaev at No. 4. This bout will take place at middleweight, where it was originally scheduled when Costa was the opponent.

⚽️ England defender Harry Maguire, 30, has threatened to leave Manchester United if he continues to struggle for regular first-team football under manager Erik ten Hag. This is the same Harry Maguire who refused to leave the Club in the summer.

💰 Bernie Ecclestone, the former boss of Formula 1, has been given a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to fraud.

The 92-year-old did not declare more than AU$4800m held in a trust in Singapore when asked by tax authorities in 2015.

Ecclestone has agreed in a civil settlement to repay almost AU$1.2Bn to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), a court heard. He was sentenced to 17 months in prison, suspended for two years.

🏀 NBA executive vice president and head of basketball operations Joe Dumars said the league has communicated to its players and teams that "we are really emphasising that this is an 82-game season" and that the league has data indicating player rest doesn't necessarily translate to players being healthier.

"I think it was a given conclusion that the data showed that you had to rest players a certain amount and that justified guys sitting out," Dumars said Wednesday during a conference call with national media. "We've gotten more data, and it just doesn't show that resting, sitting guys out, correlates with lack of injuries or fatigue or anything like that.”

TODAY

08:00 - PGA TOUR - Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, Round 1 (Fox Sports)

09:07 - National League Divisional Series - Philadelphia Phillies v Atlanta Braves (ESPN 2 or Kayo Sports)

11:15 - NFL - Kansas City Chiefs v Denver Broncos (ESPN or Kayo Sports)

12:07 - National League Divisional Series - Arizona Diamondbacks v Los Angeles Dodgers (ESPN 2 or Kayo Sports)

17:05 - NPC Semi-Final - Taranaki v Canterbury Rugby (Stan Sport)

19:30 - NBL - Brisbane Bullets v Sydney Kings (ESPN or Kayo Sports)

19:30 - Cricket World Cup - New Zealand v Bangladesh (Fox Cricket)

21:30 - NBL - Perth Wildcats v Melbourne United (ESPN or Kayo Sports)

SATURDAY

05:45 - UEFA EURO Qualifiers - Netherlands v France (Optus Sport)

05:45 - Soccer Friendly - England v Australia (Channel 10 or Paramount+)

07:07 - American League Divisional Series - Houston Astros v Minnesota Twins (ESPN or Kayo Sports)

08:00 - PGA TOUR - Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, Round 2 (Fox Sports)

10:05 - Women's ODI Series - Australia v West Indies (Fox Cricket or 7TWO)

10:30 - NHL - Washington Capitals v Pittsburgh Penguins (ESPN 2 or Kayo Sports)

11:00 - Sheffield Shield - Queensland Bulls v Victoria (Kayo Sports)

13:00 - NBA Pre Season - Los Angeles Lakers v Golden State Warriors (ESPN or Kayo Sports)

16:15 - Feature Race - The Everest, 1,200m - WFA (Channel 7, Sky Racing 1, or Sky T'bred Central)

17:05 - NPC Semi-Final - Wellington Lions v Hawke's Bay (Stan Sport)

17:30 - NBL - Adelaide 36ers v Illawarra Hawks (ESPN or Kayo Sports)

19:30 - Cricket World Cup - India v Pakistan (Channel 9, Fox Cricket or GEM)

20:00 - NBL - South East Melbourne Phoenix v Tasmania JackJumpers (ESPN or Kayo Sports)

20:10 - Men's Pacific Championships Group Game - Australia v Samoa (Fox League or Channel 9)

SUNDAY

02:00 - Rugby World Cup Quarter-Final - Wales v Argentina (Stan Sport)

04:00 - Super League Grand Final - Wigan Warriors v Catalans Dragons (Fox League)

06:00 - Rugby World Cup Quarter-Final - Ireland v New Zealand (Stan Sport)

08:00 - PGA TOUR - Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, Round 3 (Fox Sports)

09:07 - National League Divisional Series - Atlanta Braves v Philadelphia Phillies (ESPN 2 or Kayo Sports)

11:00 - Sheffield Shield - Queensland Bulls v Victoria (Kayo Sports)

11:00 - Sheffield Shield - South Australia Redbacks v New South Wales Blues (Kayo Sports)

12:00 - Super Welterweight Title - Tim Tszyu v Brian Mendoza (Main Event)

12:20 - National League Divisional Series - Los Angeles Dodgers v Arizona Diamondbacks (ESPN 2 or Kayo Sports)

13:30 - Sheffield Shield - Western Australia v Tasmania Tigers (Kayo Sports)

14:00 - NBL - Melbourne United v Brisbane Bullets (10 Peach, ESPN or Kayo Sports)

16:00 - NBL - Sydney Kings v Perth Wildcats (10 Peach, ESPN or Kayo Sports)

16:00 - Men's Pacific Championships - Papua New Guinea v Cook Islands (Fox League or Channel 9)

19:30 - Constellation Cup - Australia v New Zealand (Fox Sports)

19:30 - Cricket World Cup - England v Afghanistan (Fox Cricket)

23:30 - Premiership Rugby - Sale Sharks v Northampton Saints (Stan Sport)