SNOOKER: Shaun Murphy begins the defence of his British Open title against Reanne Evans in Cheltenham this afternoon. Three-time finalist Ronnie O’Sullivan and 2022’s runner-up Mark Allen are missing from the tournament, but new world number one Zhao Xintong will face Dronfield’s Oliver Brown, currently ranked 88th, in his opening match. 2024 champion Mark Selby starts his campaign against David Lilley.

SPEEDWAY: Brady Kurtz bagged 11 points as Australia won their first World Cup team title for 24 years on Saturday night in front of a crowd of more than 40,000 at Warsaw’s Narodowy Stadium. 

The Aussies finished eight points clear of silver medallists Denmark with Poland a point further back in third. 

Norwich’s Robert Lambert was the evening’s top scorer with 14 points but he couldn’t prevent Britain from finishing off the podium in fourth. 

MEN’S RUGBY UNION: South Africa beat New Zealand 33-26 in Cape Town on Saturday to level their four-match series at 1-1. 

Man of the match Cheslin Kolbe kicked 18 points for the Springboks, who led 24-14 at half-time, but were out-scored by four tries to three. 

The third test takes place at altitude in Nasrec next weekend. Australia claimed a narrow 27-21 win over Argentina in the first game of their two-match series.

MEN’S FOOTBALL: Stenhousemuir remain unbeaten in their debut Scottish Championship season after a 3-1 win over Inverness that moved them two points clear at the top. The attendance of 650 at Ochilview Park was the league’s lowest. 

Second-placed Partick drew 0-0 with bottom club Queen’s Park, Arbroath squeezed past Livingston 1-0, Ayr drew 1-1 with Greenock Morton and Dumbarton edged Raith 1-0 in the Fife derby.