Welcome to the highlights of our coverage of sports news and events on Friday, March 8, 2024, i.e. International Women's Day. New Zealand cricket stalwart Kane Williamson took the field for his 100th Test appearance, on Day 1 of the second Test match against Australia at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. A splendid bowling performance from the tourists led by Josh Hazlewood (5/31) and Mitchell Starc (3/59) helped them bowl out New Zealand for 162. In reply, the visitors trailed by 38 runs at stumps, batting on 124/4. In Dharamsala, India seized control on Day 2 of the fifth Test match against England, leading by 255 runs with two wickets still intact. Catch the highlights of all the world sports news and events here. (Cricket News | Football News)

In last night's football matches in the UEFA Europa League and Conference League first leg, Liverpool warmed up for their match against Manchester City with a 5-1 thrashing of Sparta Prague. Brighton were given a harsh lesson with a 4-0 drubbing by AS Roma. Freiburg defeated West Ham 1-0. In Conference League, Aston Villa were held 0-0 by Dutch side Ajax.

Staying with Football, in Argentina, club Velez Sarsfield have suspended four players on Thursday after a woman accused them of raping her last week. Velez said it suspended goalkeeper Sebastián Sosa, defender Braian Cufré, midfielder José Ignacio Florentín and striker Abiel Osorio after learning that prosecutors had launched an investigation.

Former Wimbledon champion Simona Halep will mark her return to the tennis court at the Miami Open later this month after her four-year doping ban was reduced to nine months. "I'm thrilled to let you all know that I will be making my return in two weeks," she said on Thursday "Thank you to the tournament for giving me this opportunity and I cannot wait to be back on court and competing."

Lionel Messi's Inter Miami are 1-2 down to Nashville SC in their Round of 16 1st leg tie.

Today, March 8, is celebrated as International Women's Day. The history of it dates back to the early 20th century when women began advocating for their rights. The first-ever Women's Day was held in 1909 in the USA, followed by the International Women's Conference in Copenhagen in 1910.

Just like that, sports has seen many notable women athletes who have fought for their rights and been idolised the worldover. Read more about it here.

India's Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have defeated the Malaysian duo of Man Wei Chong and Kai Woo Tee 21-13, 21-12 in a round-of-16 clash of the French Open 2024 BWF Super 750 tournament in Paris late Thursday night. Meanwhile, PV Sindhu, playing her first BWF tour event since returning from a knee injury, will take on second seed Chen Yu Fei of China in the women's quarterfinal. Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medallist, had battled her way from an opening-game reversal to outgun world No. 10 Zhang 13-21, 21-10, 21-14 to enter her first quarterfinal of the season.

Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez starred for their club Inter Miami FC to salvage a 2-2 entertaining draw against Nashville SC in their first leg in the round of 16 of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Suarez scored in stoppage time and Messi also scored to give their side some hope going into the second leg.

In the NZ Vs AUS 2nd Test at Christchurch, the visitors trail by 38 runs at stumps as they have ended the day at 124/4. Earlier, New Zealand were bowled out for 162 thanks to a five-for from Josh Hazlewood.

Katia Itzel Garcia, a female referee has been appointed on March 8 (International Women's Day) to officiate a men's first division 11th round match in Mexico for the first time in 20 years at the Clausura tournament. The match takes place between Pachuca and Queretaro.

Till 2015, Anita Jha, 55, a homemaker in Ahmedabad, hadn’t run long distances, let alone a marathon. But inspired by her friend, she gave it a shot. It wasn’t easy at first. Women hardly ran in the city, and it made her uncomfortable: “What will people think?” But as she practiced, she found a new body, a new mind: “I don’t care what anyone thinks, I want to run — I will run.” She reserved those hours for her “self talk”: motivating herself, thinking of ways to improve, looking forward to the next event. Her identity, too, changed and soared. Read more about it here.

India's Lakshya Sen is ready to take on Singapore's Loh Kean Yew in the men's singles quarterfinals after defeating Li Shi Feng of China at the BWF French Open 2024 in Paris.

India's Sumit Nagal ended his campaign at the BNP Paribas Open 2024 after facing defeat to Canada's Milos Raonic in the first round. Nagal had entered the main draw as a 'lucky loser' replacing Rafael Nadal.

As per reports, Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami may join politics and contest the Lok Sabha Election from Basirhat, West Bengal with a ticket from the ruling party of India, Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP). However, official confirmation is still pending.

India have taken a lead of 158 runs (376/3) against England's 218/10. Sarfaraz Khan registered his third half-century being unbeaten on 56 off 59 balls while Devdutt Padikkal was unbeaten on 44 off 77 balls at tea.

Veteran Afghanistan batter Noor Ali Zadran has announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing the curtains down on an international career spanning over a decade. The 35-year-old, who starred with a 28-ball 45 in Afghanistan's first-ever ODI against Scotland in 2009, played his final game last week at the Tolerance Oval in the Test match against Ireland.

Our coverage today ends here. We will back tomorrow with lots more. Until then, goodbye.