Commonwealth Games 2022, as it happened: Day 3 - Australia break women's 4x200m freestyle relay world record
Live updates from Birmingham, UK, with rugby sevens finals, swimming, gymnastics, netball, weightlifting, and more on Sunday 31 July 2022.
India beat Pakistan in a buzzing Edgbaston in the women's T20 cricket at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, UK, on 31 June.
In rugby, it was double disappointment for Fiji as South Africa and Australia beat their men's and women's teams respectively in two pulsating finals.
Swimming produced headlines galore, as Chad le Clos won a record 18th Commonwealth Games medal, Kyle Chalmers and Kaylee McKeown both broke Games records, and Australia broke the women's 4x200m freestyle relay world record.
Nigeria's Rafiatu Lawal and Indian Youth Olympic champion Jeremy Lalrinnunga both won weightlifting titles.
Olympics.com carried live updates the entire day from Birmingham, which you can re-live as they happened below.
All times British Summer Time (UTC/GMT +1 hour). Most recent updates first.
9:50 pm - South Africa and Australia win rugby finals
We end today in Coventry, where South Africa have just run out comprehensive 31-7 victors over Olympic champions Fiji to win the men's rugby sevens final.
The Blitzbokke were simply to aggressive on defence and put on a clinical finishing masterclass with the ball in hand.
Earlier, Rio 2016 Olympic champion Australia won the women's final courtesy of a 22-12 win over Fiji.
That wraps up today's live blog. Thank you for joining us and we will see you again tomorrow at 10am!
9:20 pm - MEDAL MOMENT AND WORLD RECORD: Australia win women's 4x200 freestyle relay
What have we just witnessed?!
Take a bow Madi Wilson, Kiah Melverton, Mollie O'Callaghan, and Ariarne Titmus, who have just broken the women's 4x200 free world record.
Melverton took over in second position, but after she got the green and gold back in the lead, there was simply no stopping them.
The awesome foursome clocked an astonishing 7.39.29, which was a whopping 12 seconds clear of Canada in second.
Third place and bronze went to England.
9:00 pm - MEDAL MOMENT: James Wilby wins men's 100m breaststroke, Peaty fourth
James Wilby has won 100m breastsstroke gold with the swim of his life - and listen to the home crowd!
The Englishman touched home in 59.25 to cap a fantastic week where he was just pipped into silver in the men's 200m breaststroke.
The winner of that race, Zac Stubblety-Cook, secured silver this time in 59.52, with his compatriot Sam Williamson in bronze with 59.82.
World record holder and Olympic champion Adam Peaty, who is clearly working his way back to his best form after breaking his foot a few months ago, finished fourth with 59.86.
Still, he won't be happy with that. But as a proud Englishman, if we was to lose to anyone, he would have been pleased it was Wilby.
"Almost two seconds slower than I went in Tokyo, so obviously there’s a lot going wrong in terms of my foot, or recovery," Peaty said after.
“To be honest, I’m not too bothered about it because it’s given me the hunger that I need at that moment.
"The sport’s been a bit dry for me lately - that’s why I took so long off - and obviously out of my control, I break my foot. It was just a bad race and it’s how we move on from here [that matters].
“I think I have proved to the world that I’m a fighter.
“It doesn’t matter about the medals for me. It doesn’t matter if I’m second, third or fourth - it’s fighting and choosing to fight that matters. And that is what my character is."
_On gold medallist James Wilby:
_"Absolutely a brilliant swim. I’ve been racing him for a very long time, he is a championship racer. It’s an honour that it’s gone to another Englishman."
8:45 pm - MEDAL MOMENT: Kaylee McKeown wins women's 100m backstroke with new record
It's another Aussie gold medal in the pool, this time from triple Olympic champion Kaylee McKeown.
The women's 100m backstroke world record holder won her duel with 50m back world champion Kyle Masse, touching home in a new Commonwealth Games record of 58.60.
The Canadian settled for silver with 58.73 while bronze went to Wales' Medi Harris in 59.62.
8:30 pm - MEDAL MOMENT: Tatjana Schoenmaker wins women's 200m breaststroke
Reigning Olympic champion Schoenmaker sat out of last month's Worlds in order to rest and it would appear to have done the trick.
The South African looked her usual calm and composed self as she touched home in 2:21.92 to take the 200m breaststroke title, almost two seconds clear of her closest rival.
Silver went to Australia's Jenna Strauch, while Schoenmaker's compatriot Kaylene Corbett won bronze.
8:24 pm - Chalmers sets Commonwealth record in 100m freestyle semis
Rio 2016 Olympic gold medallist Kyle Chalmers has been struggling with negative media attention this week, but has just answered his critics in style with a new Commonwealth Games record of 47.36 in the men's 100m freestyle semi-finals.
The Australian finished almost half a second of 200m Olympic champion Tom Dean of England, who also progresses to tomorrow's final.
The top three finishers from the other heat, who also qualify, are Canadians Ruslan Gaziev (48.54), and Josh Liendo (48.69), as well as Scotland's reigning Commonwealth 100m free champion Duncan Scott (48.78).
8:15 pm - MEDAL MOMENT: Emma McKeon wins 50m freestyle
Emma McKeon is a machine!
Around 30 minutes after setting the fastest 50 butterfly semi-final time, the Australian was back in the water, blasting to the women's 50m freestyle gold medal in 23.99.
There was pressure on her there as the reigning Olympic champion in the event, but she delivered with aplomb.
Meg Harris and Shayna Jack finished second and third respectively to make it another all-Aussie podium at the swimming.
7:30 pm - MEDAL MOMENT: Lewis Clareburt wins men's 200m butterfly, Le Clos makes history
New Zealand have their first gold medal of the night courtesy of Lewis Clareburt in the men's 200m butterfly final.
He powered home in 1.55.60, which was 0.29 ahead of Commonwealth Games legend Chad le Clos.
The South African's silver medal means that he becomes the most decorated Commonwealth Games athlete of all time with 18 medals.
Bronze went to England's James Guy in 1.56.57.
“I’m gutted not to have won, I’ll be honest," Le Clos said after.
"I would've cut my finger off to win tonight. It meant everything to me and my family. Everyone’s in the stands - my friends flew out for this race.
"Fair play to Lewis, he had a great race. He said he watched me growing up and I said, 'man, did you have to do it on my day? Could you not have given me one more time?'
"[He's an] absolute stud. He's going to be one to look out for in two years’ time, for sure."
7:10 pm - McKeon secures 50m fly top seed
Emma McKeon has sent a clear message to her rivals.
After securing the second-top time in the women's 50m butterfly heats, the Australia star has scorched down the Sandwell Aquatics Centre pool in 26.02 seconds in the semi-finals to secure the fastest overall.
Olympic champion over 100m fly Maggie Mac Neil won the next semi, but had to settle for second overall with 26.19.
What a final we have on our hands tomorrow night.
6:53 pm - Haka!
Most of New Zealand's sports teams have their own iteration of the haka - a Maori war dance.
This one below is particularly intimidating, as it is performed by giant 3x3 basketball players!
6:40 pm - MEDAL MOMENT: Matt Richardson wins men's sprint
It has been a golden day for Australia in every sense of the word.
Track cyclist Matt Richardson secures the men's sprint title in London in straight races against Trinidad and Tobago's Nicholas Paul, who gets silver.
It's heartbreak for Scotland's much-fancied Jack Carlin, who loses to Matthew Glaetzer in the bronze medal match.
6:32 pm - Beach volleyball round-up
Women
Pool B
Australia 2-0 Sri Lanka
Pool C
Scotland 0-2 Vanuatu
Scotland player Melissa Coutts is 51-years-old and explained how she is, amazingly. still able to play at this level:
"It is a lot of hard work, a plant-based diet, the diet definitely is a huge part of it, and dedication, training and just wanting to win," she said.
Men
Pool A
Canada 2-0 Sri Lanka
6:27 pm - India secure huge win in hockey
There have been two excellent men's hockey matches at the University of Birmingham today.
In the first Pool B clash England edged Wales 4-2.
Nicholas Bandurak secured a double for the hosts, along with and goals from Samuel Ward and Phillip Roper.
Next up, India really turned on the style to beat Ghana 11-0, including a superb hat-trick from man of the match Singh Harmanpreet.
5:45 pm - The gospel of Perry is spreading
Perry the Birmingham 2022 mascot is a popular figure at the Commonwealth Games, and even has a legion of fans wearing his hat now.
5:25 pm - MEDAL MOMENT: Georgia Godwin wins women's all-around title
Over at artistic gymnastics and Advance Australia Fair is blasting out over the speakers after Georgia Godwin took the women's all-around gymnastics champion with 53.550.
It's an especially emotional one for the 24-year-old, who won silver four years ago on home soil in Gold Coast.
England's Ondine Achampong secured silver with 53.000, while bronze went to Canada's Emma Spence on 52.350.
4:45 pm - MEDAL MOMENT: Georgia Baker eases to women's points race
Australian Georgia Baker has just put on a track cycling masterclass to win the women's 25km points race in London.
She secured a maximum 10 points in the last sprint to secure 55 points overall.
Way back in silver was Neah Evans of Scotland who won 36 points, while Eluned King of Wales finished on 32 for bronze.
4:21 pm - Australia through to 3x3 semis
From our reporter Chloe Merrell:
The 3x3 basketball is underway in Smithfield and Australia’s women dominated Sri Lanka 21-2 to book their passage to the semi-finals of the inaugural Commonwealth tournament.
The Aussies' star player was 28-year-old defender Marena Whittle, who denied the Asian team any look-in to the post. She posted three blocks and five defensive rebounds
They finish the group stage with a perfect record, having already posted wins against Kenya 21-15 and Scotland 21-9.
The next match saw Scotland's men prevail 15-14 in a tight tussle against Kenya.
Despite starting brightly, the Africans were unable to find an answer to a late game surge from Gareth Murray. The big-bearded 37-year-old posted seven points, two assists and four rebounds.
Scotland finish their pool games undefeated (3-0) and will head straight to tomorrow’s semi-finals.
4:10 pm - MEDAL MOMENT:
wins weightlifting gold
Nigeria have their first gold medal of Birmingham 2022, thanks to the brilliance of Rafiatu Lawal.
The African champion sealed the women's 59kg title with a Commonwealth Games record of 206kg, including a Games record 115kg clean & jerk.
Jess Gordon Brown of England send the crowd into raptures, taking silver with her final 111kg clean & jerk, to secure 197 kg overall, and doing a backflip in celebration!
Canada's Tali Darsigny was forced to settle for bonze with 196kg.
3:50 pm - MEDAL MOMENT: England win mixed relay triathlon!
Alex Yee, Sophie Coldwell, Sam Dickinson, and Georgia Taylor-Brown have crossed the line first at Sutton Park!
The star-studded quartet broke the tape in 1:16:40, 46 seconds, with Wales in silver and Australia bronze.
_Alex Yee on opening up a 20-second advantage on the first leg:
_"I wanted to do the best I could and it was a case of run hard and get a lead for Sophie and then it's in good hands. I enjoyed it. It was as amazing as Friday."
Sophie Coldwell On taking over for her leg with a 20-second advantage:
"One thought was, 'woo, a 20-second start' and on the other hand, 'oh no, I've got a 20 second start'. I just thought about getting a good swim and getting my head down.
"Our team is all about commitment and positive reason and that's wanted we wanted to deliver."
Sam Dickinson on team bonding:
"We all did science at university and there is no doubt that the chemistry between us is unbelievable."
_Georgia Taylor-Brown on the final leg:
_"It was still really hard. I just told myself it was 20 minutes and I can do anything for 20 minutes. The team put me into a good position."
3:25 pm - Caution pedestrians!
It seems only fitting that the scene below, captured by our journalist Jo Gunston, is outside the Birmingham Arena where gymnastics are taking place.
The West Midlands has truly been bitten by the Commonwealth Games bug!
3:05 pm - Malaysia through to badminton semis
Badminton powerhouse Malaysia are through to the mixed team semis after thumping Sri Lanka 3-0.
Asian Team championships gold medallist Tze Yong Ng and girl's singles Youth Olympic champion Jin Wei Goh both recorded 2-0 wins.
England are also through to the semis courtesy of three straight-set wins over Canada.
2:44 pm - Cycling collision update
2:30 pm - Adam Peaty's new mentality
Three-time Olympic swimming champion Adam Peaty is looking fresh at the 2022 Commonwealth Games after missing the last World championships due to a foot injury:
"I saw my World championship title being taken away and that's given me a hunger that I thought was missing," he told Olympics.com
The Englishman is the heavy favourite to win gold in this evening's men's 100m breaststroke final, and you can watch our interview with him below.
2:00 pm - India cruise to eight-wicket win
Smriti Mandhana was quite superlative as India chased down 99 with ease.
The No. 3 batter anchored the innings with 63 off 42 balls, and fittingly delivered the final blow via a thumping boundary.
India finish on 102-2 off 14.4 overs, and the majority blue-clad crowd leave the stands in high spirits.
1:42 pm - New Zealand out of rugby sevens
Fiji are through to the men's rugby sevens final after beating much-fancied New Zealand 19-14 in extra time.
New Zealand were 14-0 up at one stage, but after going down to five men, the reigning Olympic champions scored the winner through Waiesea Nacuqu to end the contest.
They will meet South Africa in a mouth-watering gold medal-match this evening.
The Blitzbokke ran out comfortable 24-12 winners against Australia, courtesy of a stunning Angelo Davids hat-trick, in the other semi-final.
1:20 pm - Le Clos looking forward to 'humdinger' 200m butterfly final
There was sense of destiny to Chad le Clos swimming so well in the men's 200m butterfly heats this morning.
It is exactly 10 years to the day since the South African beat Michael Phelps to win gold at the London 2012 Olympics.“It’s spooky. It’s a monumental day for me absolutely but you know what, I‘ve taken the emotion out of today because it’s different," he said after his race.
“It’s the same country, same day, same hour, same lane but at the end of the day, I’ve just got to be composed tonight, execute, have a game plan.
“If it’s second or third or fourth, God bless the winners. I am obviously going to try to win but [this morning] was a great swim by Lewis [CLAREBURT, Australia].
“He passed me this morning and I was like, ‘hey, what are you doing so close to me, boy?’. Really proud of him, and Jimmy [James GUY, ENG] is going to be really dangerous in lane 1.
“It’s going to be a humdinger tonight.”
1:15 pm - Crash
There's been a serious collision in the second heat of the men's scratch at track cycling in London.
Mathias Guillemette of Canada has been disqualified as Matthew Bostock of the Isle of Man goes off on a stretcher.
There was even a fan injured as Matt Walls of England - who is now wearing an oxygen mask - was sent flying into the crowd.
The session has understandably been ended prematurely.
No further information on their injury status' now, but we'll keep you updated as we find out.
1:00 pm - Volunteers loving life at netball
When in doubt, groove it out.
The live DJ at netball in the NEC is clearly doing their job well.
12:42 pm - India dominating cricket
India have been ruthless this morning, and have just taken another wicket.
Pakistan are now 80-5 after Ayeesha Naseem was caught by Jemimah Rodrigues.
Both teams have been reduced to 18 overs due to the earlier rain delay and there are three more to go.
The India fans are singing now!
12:30 pm - Paul and Carlin progress
In London, Nicholas Paul of Trinidad and Tobago and Scotland's Jack Carlin have secured their berths in the track cycling men's sprints semi-finals.
Paul overcame Canada's Ryan Dodyk, while Carlin was too good for England's Hamish Turnbull, both winning in straight races.
12:15 pm - Schoenmaker, McKeon, Mac Neil through
Olympic gold medallist Tatjana Schoenmaker has sailed through to the women's 200m breaststroke semi-finals with the fastest time of 2:21.76.
The South African didn't compete at the World championships, and is looking very fresh for that decision.
England's Molly Renshaw won the other heat in 2:25.06.
Elsewhere, Australia's Emma McKeon won her women's 50 butterfly heat in 26.65, but top spot overall went to Canada's Maggie Mac Neil in 26.24.**
The fastest time in the men's 100m freestyle qualifying went to Canada's Josh Liendo in 48.54, and he will be joined in the semi-finals by Olympic gold medallists Kyle Chalmers (Australia), Tom Dean (England) and Commonwealth 200m champion Duncan Scott (Scotland).
12:00 pm - Pakistan struggling
The cricket is underway at Edgbaston, which is now looking very full in the stands.
Heavy favourites India have put huge pressure on the Pakistan batsmen, restricting them to 15-1 off four overs.
Mehgna Singh got Imran Javed out for a duck, caught behind.
Every run, piece of fielding, and wicket is being cheered like the gold medal has been won - what a vibe.
11:40 am - MEDAL MOMENT: Jake Jarman wins men's all-around gold
It is a great start to the day for hosts England, who win gold and silver in the men's artistic gymnastics all-around competition.
Top spot went to 20-year-old Jake Jarman, who's decisive moment came with an astonishing 15.300 on the vault for score of 83.450 overall.
_"_I was actually quite nervous today. I've done European champs before and I remember back then, like I struggled to kind of keep everything together and to like go through all my routines clean and but with the support of the team behind me, especially on Friday, it really showed me that, you know, like, I can do this. I'd put the work in and it was just a matter of keeping calm, staying composed and just enjoying everything is, you know, just enjoying the competition makes it so much better," he told Olympics.com
Second-placed James Hall - who also won silver four years ago in Gold Coast - will be devastated. His total of 82.900 leaving him just over half-a-point short.
Marios Georgiou of Cyprus takes bronze for the second consecutive Games with 81.750.
Hall said this to Olympics.com:
"It was just the crowd just willing me on. I've never heard anything like that. I remember Max Whitlock told me about a time in London 2012, where he stepped into the floor and he said the noise in the arena couldn't get any louder, it was that amazing. For me, that was the exact same. It was immense out there. I think the crowd knew I was hurting and they just wanted to lift me and it worked."
11:20 am - MEDAL MOMENT: Jeremy Lalrinnunga wins men's 67kg weightlifting gold
Take a bow Jeremy Lalrinnunga, who has won India's second gold medal.
The teenager, who won gold at the Youth Olympic Games gold in 2018, took the 67kg title with a new Commonwealth Games record of 300kg... 13kg more than any of his rivals.
There was a nervous wait for him as the final lifter, Vaipava Ioane of Samoa, went for a 174kg lift to take the title, but he was never even close to completing it.
Ioane registered the best clean and jerk of 166kg, and settles for silver with 293kg overall in his final ever competition.
Edidiong Umoafia of Nigeria wins bronze on 290kg.
11:15 am - New Zealand men's hockey off the mark
Over at the University of Birmingham, 2018 men's hockey silver medallists New Zealand have notched the first win of their 2022 campaign, beating Pakistan 4-1.
They drew 5-5 with Scotland in their opener.
Speaking of whom, the Scots are up against Australia next, before England and Wales lock horns at 2 pm.
10:58 am - Cricket update (it's good news!)
The sun is out in Birmingham, Perry the mascot is whipping the crowd into a frenzy, and the players are warming up!
Play to begin at 11:40 am, and it'll be 18 overs each, with a power play of five overs.
10:45 am - Chad Le Clos safely through
The South Africa swimming veteran finishes second in his heat of the men's 200m butterfly to progress through to tomorrow's semi-finals.
Duncan Scott of Scotland is also through.
Le Clos famously beat Michael Phelps to gold at the Rio 2016 Olympics, and needs one more medal to match shooters Philip Adams (Australia) and Michael Gault (England) as the most decorated Commonwealth Games athlete of all time.
He currently has an astonishing 17 medals at the Games so far.
Check out our one-stop guide and preview to swimming at Birmingham 2022 here.
10:35 am - India v Pakistan delayed
This photo encapsulates the feeling at Edgbaston cricket ground perfectly: Rainy, but great vibes.
They are now playing Electric Light Orchestra's Mister Blue Sky to keep the crowd entertained.
The umpires have been in inspecting the wicket and we've just heard that the captain's toss has been delayed due to it being wet underfoot.
We'll keep you posted.
10:25 am - England's James Hall in the lead!
After the first two rotations at the artistic gymnastics, hosts England occupy the top two places.
Here are the scores going into rotation 3:
1. James Hall (England) - 27.700
2. Jake Jarman (England) - 27.350
3. Pavel Karnejenko (Scotland) - 27.300
4. Marios Georgiou (Greek) - 26.950
5. Josh Cook (Wales) - 26.800
6. Frank Baines (Scotland) - 26.250
They now move onto the rings.
10:16 am - In case you missed it...
England won the women's team gymnastics in the most dramatic fashion possible last night.
The hosts took gold on the final rotation to overtake Australia.
10:05 am - Day 3 medal events
08:30 – 13:45 Artistic gymnastics, Arena Birmingham
- Men’s individual all-around
09:30 – 12:00 Weightlifting, NEC
- Men’s 67kg
11:00 – 16:20 Triathlon and Para triathlon
- Men’s PTVI
- Women’s PTVI
- Mixed relay team
14:00 – 16:30 Weightlifting, NEC
- Women’s 59kg
14:30 – 17:30 Artistic gymnastics, Arena Birmingham
- Women’s individual all-around
15:00 – 19:30 Cycling track and Para track, Lee Valley VeloPark
- Women’s tandem B – 1000m time trial
- Men’s tandem B – sprint
- Women’s 25km points race
- Women’s 500m time trial
- Men’s sprint
- Men’s 15km scratch race
18:00 – 22:00 Rugby sevens, Coventry Stadium
- Men’s gold medal match
- Women’s gold medal match
18:30 – 21:00 Weightlifting, NEC
- Men’s 73kg
19:00 – 21:45 Swimming and Para swimming, Sandwell Aquatics Centre
- Women’s 50m freestyle
- Men’s 200m butterfly
- Women’s 200m breaststroke
- Men’s 100m breaststroke SB8
- Women’s 100m backstroke S8
- Women’s 100m backstroke
- Men’s 100m breaststroke
- Women’s 4x200m freestyle relay
10:00 am - Today's programme
Good morning and welcome to day three of the 2022 Commonwealth Games live blog.
We woke up to a little rain and grey skies overhead, which will certainly have an impact on this morning's sport.
Today's headline event is the latest instalment in one of global sport's most fierce rivalries: India v Pakistan in cricket. They lock horns at Birmingham's famous Edgbaston ground and we will be there to give you detailed updates.
Over at Coventry Stadium, the rugby sevens finals will be taking place. Australia and Fiji go head-to-head in the women's gold medal, with this evening's men's final to be decided during the morning. Double Olympic champions Fiji are looking strong.
England's Laura Kenny will return to the Lee Valley VeloPark for the points race in track cycling, while her compatriot Adam Peaty is the heavy favourite for 100m breaststroke gold in the swimming pool.
Elsewhere in the pool, Australia's Emma McKeon to set a national Commonwealth Games medal record if she wins gold in the women's 50m freestyle, while South African Olympic gold medallists Chad le Clos and Tatjana Schoenmaker will lead the field in the women's 200m breaststroke heats.
