Newshub's 2023 Year in Review: International Performance of the Year

Best of the best in world sport for the year...

 

Alex Powell - Australian cricket dominance

As much as it hurts to say, the Australian men have effectively completed cricket in 2023. 

Winning the World Cup in November was the third major honour won by Pat Cummins' men this year. 

In June, they defeated India to lift the second iteration of the World Test Championship and went again to retain the Ashes a month later, exposing the weaknesses of England's 'Bazball' strategy in the process. 

To cap it all off, winning the World Cup in India will ultimately go down as one of the most significant achievements in the history of 50-over cricket. 

Make no mistake, this year's World Cup was - for want of a better word - rigged for India to win. 

With a six-wicket triumph to silence 130,000 fans at Ahmedabad, Australia lifted the World Cup for a record-extending sixth time and continued to show why they're the undisputed kings of men's cricket. 

 

Stephen Foote - Novak Djokovic

The polarising Serb took his dominance of world tennis to another stratosphere in 2023, conquering both the Australian Open and the French Open, in doing so becoming the first male player in the sport's history to win 23 Grand Slams.

Djokovic, 36, defied his aversion to needles to inject his game with a newfound dose of youth this season, recording a staggering 86.8 win percentage (33-5) and making at least the semi-final stage of every major this season - including THAT instant classic against Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon.

Djokovic led all players with seven tour titles overall to close the season as world No.1 for a record-extending eighth time, putting the proverbial cherry on top of his campaign by earning an eighth 2023 ITF men's world champion crown.

Love or hate him, you can't deny his greatness.

 

Sullivan Harnett - Djokovic dominates

It hurts to say this, but Djokovic is just so bloody good at tennis - and this is coming from a guy who loves Roger Federer.

Djokovic was unstoppable this year - again - winning three Grand Slam titles to become the all-time recordholder for men's titles with 24.

Not to mention, he secured the year-end world No.1 for a record-extending eighth time and won a record-breaking seventh ATP Finals title.

So yeah, he's not my favourite, but he is damn good at tennis.

 

Grant Chapman - Spanish women overcome everything to win World Cup

Let's face it, Palmy North hasn't been the same since 'The Fitz' pub closed down, so no-one could be really surprised, when the visiting team from Madrid fled to the relative metropolis of Wellington, suffering from boredom.

While all eyes were on other World Cup teams - champions USA, England trying to "bring it home", New Zealand and Australia as hosts - Spain made waves from the moment they arrived in Aotearoa and drew the ire of locals for seemingly mocking the haka.

A mutiny against coach Jorge Vilda had already seen several frontline players omitted from the travelling team. After fleeing Palmerston North, they were humbled 4-0 by Japan in poolplay, before overcoming Switzerland, Netherlands and Sweden to reach the final against the Lionesses.

'La Roja' upset the reigning Euro champions with a goal from Olga Carmona, as Spain completed a sweep of FIFA women's championships, after success at U20 and U17 tournaments. After the match, Carmona would learn that her dad had died after prolnged illnes in the match build-up.

Sadly, their achievement was overshadowed, when Spanish federation president Luis Rubiales kissed forward Jenni Hermoso without consent during celebrations and players refused to turn out for the national team until he stepped down.

Tia McDougall - Spain overcome the odds

Off the back of crashing out of the Women's European Championship, 15 top players stepping down, and still having a strained relationship with their coach, La Roja were certainly the underdogs of the biggest women's sporting event.

Slowly but surely they made their way to the top, their playing style wasn't too fancy, no fancy tricks.

It was classic, strong football that let talent speak for itself.

 

Newshub Sport wishes you a Merry Christmas... see you in the New Year!

Best of the best in world sport for the year...

 

Alex Powell - Australian cricket dominance

As much as it hurts to say, the Australian men have effectively completed cricket in 2023. 

Winning the World Cup in November was the third major honour won by Pat Cummins' men this year. 

In June, they defeated India to lift the second iteration of the World Test Championship and went again to retain the Ashes a month later, exposing the weaknesses of England's 'Bazball' strategy in the process. 

To cap it all off, winning the World Cup in India will ultimately go down as one of the most significant achievements in the history of 50-over cricket. 

Make no mistake, this year's World Cup was - for want of a better word - rigged for India to win. 

With a six-wicket triumph to silence 130,000 fans at Ahmedabad, Australia lifted the World Cup for a record-extending sixth time and continued to show why they're the undisputed kings of men's cricket. 

 

Stephen Foote - Novak Djokovic

The polarising Serb took his dominance of world tennis to another stratosphere in 2023, conquering both the Australian Open and the French Open, in doing so becoming the first male player in the sport's history to win 23 Grand Slams.

Djokovic, 36, defied his aversion to needles to inject his game with a newfound dose of youth this season, recording a staggering 86.8 win percentage (33-5) and making at least the semi-final stage of every major this season - including THAT instant classic against Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon.

Djokovic led all players with seven tour titles overall to close the season as world No.1 for a record-extending eighth time, putting the proverbial cherry on top of his campaign by earning an eighth 2023 ITF men's world champion crown.

Love or hate him, you can't deny his greatness.

 

Sullivan Harnett - Djokovic dominates

It hurts to say this, but Djokovic is just so bloody good at tennis - and this is coming from a guy who loves Roger Federer.

Djokovic was unstoppable this year - again - winning three Grand Slam titles to become the all-time recordholder for men's titles with 24.

Not to mention, he secured the year-end world No.1 for a record-extending eighth time and won a record-breaking seventh ATP Finals title.

So yeah, he's not my favourite, but he is damn good at tennis.

 

Grant Chapman - Spanish women overcome everything to win World Cup

Let's face it, Palmy North hasn't been the same since 'The Fitz' pub closed down, so no-one could be really surprised, when the visiting team from Madrid fled to the relative metropolis of Wellington, suffering from boredom.

While all eyes were on other World Cup teams - champions USA, England trying to "bring it home", New Zealand and Australia as hosts - Spain made waves from the moment they arrived in Aotearoa and drew the ire of locals for seemingly mocking the haka.

A mutiny against coach Jorge Vilda had already seen several frontline players omitted from the travelling team. After fleeing Palmerston North, they were humbled 4-0 by Japan in poolplay, before overcoming Switzerland, Netherlands and Sweden to reach the final against the Lionesses.

'La Roja' upset the reigning Euro champions with a goal from Olga Carmona, as Spain completed a sweep of FIFA women's championships, after success at U20 and U17 tournaments. After the match, Carmona would learn that her dad had died after prolnged illnes in the match build-up.

Sadly, their achievement was overshadowed, when Spanish federation president Luis Rubiales kissed forward Jenni Hermoso without consent during celebrations and players refused to turn out for the national team until he stepped down.

Tia McDougall - Spain overcome the odds

Off the back of crashing out of the Women's European Championship, 15 top players stepping down, and still having a strained relationship with their coach, La Roja were certainly the underdogs of the biggest women's sporting event.

Slowly but surely they made their way to the top, their playing style wasn't too fancy, no fancy tricks.

It was classic, strong football that let talent speak for itself.

 

Newshub Sport wishes you a Merry Christmas... see you in the New Year!

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