A Bundesliga match between Union Berlin and Wolfsburg was stopped twice due to fan protests against Hoffenheim owner Dietmar Hopp on Sunday.

The match official halted the game after 33 minutes and once more just before half time when Union supporters unfurled banners and sang chants about Hopp.

- ESPN+ obtains Bundesliga rights from 2020

It is the second time in as many days that referees have delayed play in the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund fans also involved in protests in their two respective games on Saturday.

After Bayern's 6-0 win over Hoffenheim, CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told reporters: "I am deeply ashamed for the behaviour of these people. That is inexcusable. It is the ugly face of football.

"I have apologised to Dietmar Hopp. We have filmed everything and these people will be held accountable."

Union held a 1-0 lead but the referee Bastian Dankert led both sets of players into the dressing room amid the continued protests. The club's stadium announcer Christian Arbeit told the fans the game was close to being called off. The match finished in a 2-2 draw.

The first interruption led to an announcement from the PA as the official acted in line with the three-step protocol against racism, which late last week was expanded by the German Football Association to act against protests and hate banners.

During the break, Union sporting director Oliver Ruhnert said: "How should we prevent this from happening? The first banner shown by the fans addressed legit questions and you have to be prepared to accept criticism.

"I would have wished for no intervention. The only critical thing was that it was against the DFB. But you'd have to interrupt every match in the future. I regard that as very critical."

There were several matches in the German third tier on Sunday which were also stopped due to anti-Hopp protests.

Hopp has been a lightning rod, especially in recent weeks, for some German fans who oppose the way he used his wealth to help Hoffenheim climb through the lower leagues to the Bundesliga with consecutive promotions more than a decade ago.

Dortmund supporters were recently handed a two-year ban from travelling to Hoffenheim following anti-Hopp protests.

Fans protested against that ban last week with the game between Borussia Monchengladbach and Hoffenheim stopped as a result. That happened on the same day that games paid tribute to 10 people killed in a racially-motivated shooting in Hanau, and the German FA announced they had launched an investigation into the incident.

Later on Sunday, Schalke, who are Hoffenheim's next opponents, released a statement warning their supporters they will not tolerate "hate, violence and defamation."

They added: "We clearly distance ourselves from such banners, defamations and personal insults and do not accept any trivialisation. We will punish such behaviour according to our stadium rules and exclude those responsible.

"Should such incidents become visible in Tuesday's cup match against Bayern Munich, in our match against Hoffenheim next weekend or at any future matches at the Veltins Arena, our team will leave the pitch, regardless of the time of play, the result or possible consequences."

Schalke also said they would "continue our talks with all fan groups with the clear goal and expectation that they won't tolerate such misconduct, let alone support it."

ESPN's Germany reporter Stephan Uersfeld also contributed to this report.

Forward Duvan Zapata scored a hat trick as free-scoring Atalanta went on another goal spree with a 7-2 win away to Lecce in Serie A on Sunday, the third time this season they have hit seven in a league game.

Atalanta raced to a two-goal lead before being pegged back to 2-2 by halftime but then scored three more in a devastating 15-minute spell early in the second half and added another two late in the game for good measure.

Lecce's Giulio Donati scored at both ends.

Serie A's leading scorers took their tally to 70 goals in 25 games as they stayed fourth in the table, and in the Champions League spots, with 48 points.

The match was one of only five played in Serie A this weekend -- and two on Sunday -- due to the coronavirus outbreak. The other five matches, in the regions where the government has banned sporting events, were postponed.

Atalanta fans were screened for symptoms of the disease as they entered the stadium.

Atlanta went ahead when Lecce's Donati headed a corner into his own net in the 17th minute and Zapata headed the second goal from another corner five minutes later.

Riccardo Saponara pulled one back with a curling effort in the 29th minute and Donati equalised five minutes before the break, making amends for his earlier blunder.

Josip Ilicic put Atalanta back in front two minutes after the break then set up two goals in quick succession for Zapata, leaving the Colombian with a simple finish each time.

Luis Muriel and Ruslan Malinovskyi added two more in the last five minutes.

Wolves closed the gap on Chelsea to just three points in the chase for Champions League football as they came from behind twice to beat Tottenham 3-2.

Tottenham, who were missing Toby Alderweireld and Hugo Lloris, remain five points behind Chelsea but drop to seventh after a second consecutive Premier League defeat and a third in a row in all competitions.

Jose Mourinho, who is without Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min because of injury, started Dele Alli in attack and the move looked to have paid off when Steven Bergwijn scored from close range after Alli's effort was saved by Wolves goalkeeper Rui Patricio on 13 minutes.

Wolves equalised on 27 minutes after a defensive error by Spurs' Japhet Tanganga allowed Matt Doherty to capitalise.

Serge Aurier put Spurs back in front just before half-time, cutting in from the right and shooting into the far corner.

Diogo Jota had Wolves back on level terms again on 57 minutes after he tapped in from Doherty's low right-wing cross.

And they went ahead for the first time on 73 minutes when Raul Jimenez beat Paulo Gazzaniga following a pass from Jota.

Liton Das' decision to bat with a limited amount of shots is bearing fruit after he used the methodology in the first ODI against Zimbabwe. He scored an unbeaten 126, his second international century, helping Bangladesh to a record 169-run win in Sylhet.

Das said that he had planned to curb his strokes as he was making a "nervous" start in his first ODI since the 2019 World Cup. He had missed the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka in July, leaving him a long break in the format, like most of the Bangladesh players.

"When you are too high in confidence, you get into a mindset of trying to play a lot of shots," he said after the match. "It becomes a problem. When you set yourself to play only a few shots, that I will only hit those I am really good at, and then take singles off the rest, it reduces the risk. But there's a higher percentage of getting out when you are too confident of clearing the fielders. You may be successful to get boundaries, but there's a higher chance of losing your wicket."

ALSO READ: Liton Das, quick bowlers hand Zimbabwe a thrashing for 1-0

Das timed the ball sweetly through the off side for his first three fours, before he pulled the ball couple of times and then blasted Donald Tiripano down the ground after he had reached his fifty. Quick to act on anything short from the spinners, Das was also picking up boundaries after he reached his century off 95 balls.

Along with his 13 fours and two sixes, the 51 singles, which resulted in a low dot-ball percentage, really helped Bangladesh post the 300-plus total. Das said that his initial plan was to bat for the first 30 overs, and keep picking singles, which is a mantra from their revered batting coach Neil McKenzie.

"I know I have to bat 30 overs to score a hundred, against any side," he said. "I wanted to bat normally during this period, take singles and utilise the bad balls. I was negative at the start as I was nervous, but when I got settled, I was batting better.

"McKenzie tells us not to play a dot ball. Our job with him is to ensure that we keep rotating the strike. Whatever you do in practice, will serve you in the field. If you get out in ten ways in the nets, then you can't expect to score a hundred. But if you are batting well in the nets, you can utilise in the match."

Das also said that he has become a lot more focused in the last 12 months, having incorporated a session to watch his own innings in video, to review his mistakes. "I don't review my footage usually, but I have started to see my batting in the last 12 months. My last hundred was in the Asia Cup final, but this is also a big match for me. I have had to focus in the same way in both innings."

How are the 2020 NBA playoffs and draft lottery likely to shake out with teams approaching the 60-game mark?

The postseason picture is starting to take shape, with 15 teams already having greater than a 99% chance to make it in, according to ESPN's Basketball Power Index. But which team is going to get that final spot in the Western Conference? What are the most likely matchups? And which franchises are going to land the top picks in the draft?

With the help of BPI and FiveThirtyEight, let's break down the tightest and most intriguing races to watch from now until the end of the regular season.

Note: FiveThirtyEight's projections account for injuries, while BPI's do not.

MORE: NBA mock draft -- New top-10 picks, risers and fallers

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West No. 8 seed

The New Orleans Pelicans, Memphis Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs, Sacramento Kings and Portland Trail Blazers are the contenders for the final playoff spot in the West and a likely first-round matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Both BPI and FiveThirtyEight like the Pelicans here, and an easy schedule down the stretch will help them significantly.

Chances to make the postseason

• NOP: 40% (BPI) | 73% (538)

• SAS: 23% (BPI) | 4% (538)

• POR: 14% (BPI) | 9% (538)

• MEM: 14% (BPI) | 7% (538)

• SAC: 9% (BPI) | 8% (538)

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Western Conference playoff picture

The Lakers have a comfortable hold on the No. 1 seed in both projection systems, but there are a few other groupings to monitor.

Nos. 2-4

Avoiding the No. 4 seed -- and a potential second-round matchup with the Lakers -- likely will be a goal for the LA Clippers, Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets, which all have a real chance to land No. 2.

Here's how BPI projects the race:

• No. 2: LAC (51%) | HOU (24%) | DEN (18%)

• No. 3: HOU (32%) | DEN (29%) | LAC (26%)

• No. 4: DEN (29%) | HOU (28%) | LAC (14%)

This should be tight down the stretch, as both BPI and FiveThirtyEight had these three teams finishing within two games of each other. FiveThirtyEight similarly gives the Clippers a slight edge in this one. And while all three teams are likely to earn home-court advantage, they could still slip to the next tier.

Nos. 5-7

The Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder aren't locked into these seeds, but they're beginning to look like their own grouping. None has a better than 14.2% chance to earn home-court advantage, per BPI.

Here are their likely seeds for now:

• No. 5: UTA (28%) | DAL (23%) | OKC (17%)

• No. 6: DAL (29%) | UTA (28%) | OKC (28%)

• No. 7: OKC (45%) | UTA (26%) | DAL (24%)

Given how tight these two groupings are, BPI doesn't project any potential first-round playoff series between two specific teams as being more likely than 40% at the moment. The Lakers should get the winner of the race for the No. 8 seed, while the next most likely matchup is Thunder-Clippers (37% chance).

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Eastern Conference playoff picture

After the league-leading Milwaukee Bucks and their almost assured status as the top overall team, things get complicated in the Eastern Conference.

It looks like three distinct races for 2-3 (Toronto Raptors vs. Boston Celtics), 4-5-6 (Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ers vs. Indiana Pacers) and 7-8 (Orlando Magic vs. Brooklyn Nets), but injuries to 76ers stars Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid will complicate things. (Simmons is out for an unknown, extended period, while Embiid is out at least a week).

Here's how BPI projects the races:

Nos. 2-3

• No. 2: BOS (51%) | TOR (43%)

• No. 3: TOR (47%) | BOS (46%)

Nos. 4-6

• No. 4: MIA (56%) | PHI (29%) | IND (5%)

• No. 5: PHI (52%) | MIA (29%) | IND (17%)

• No. 6: IND (78%) | PHI (16%) | MIA (6%)

Nos. 7-8

• No. 7: ORL (76%) | BKN (24%)

• No. 8: BKN (75%) | ORL (24%)

Even though FiveThirtyEight factors in the potential effects of injuries, its system has Philly taking the No. 4 seed, followed by Miami and then Indiana. It also has Boston claiming No. 2 and Orlando grabbing No. 7.

As in the West, there aren't a lot of likely playoff matchups shaping up yet here. Bucks-Nets is 75% likely, per BPI, while Sixers-Heat is up to 69%. However, BPI has not fully factored in the effects of the Philadelphia injuries, so don't count out an Indiana run into the 4-5 slot just yet if the Pacers can hit a groove with Victor Oladipo back in the lineup

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Lottery projections

This is the second season under the new lottery odds, in which the three worst teams share the same 14% odds of landing the No. 1 pick and the top four picks are drawn instead of top three.

Both BPI and FiveThirtyEight have the Golden State Warriors finishing with the worst record, but their expected pick position isn't significantly higher than other teams' due to the new system. Both systems also have the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks following the Warriors in the lottery order.

Here is the expected post-lottery draft position for the NBA's worst teams using BPI:

• GSW: 3.7 | Top-five pick odds: 98%

• CLE: 4.2 | top-five: 70%

• NYK: 4.5 | top-five: 60%

• ATL: 5.3 | top-five: 47%

• CHA: 5.4 | top-five: 45%

• MIN: 5.6 | top-five: 42%

• DET: 5.9 | top-five: 38%

• CHI: 6.6 | top-five: 32%

• WAS: 6.9 | top-five: 29%

• PHX: 10.1 | top-five: 12%

While the draft's top three of Georgia's Anthony Edwards, the National Basketball League's LaMelo Ball and Memphis' James Wiseman has been in place for a couple months, there remains little consensus about how teams should rank those three prospects or the rest of the lottery.

MILTON, Fla. — Mark Smith raced to his fifth victory in as many starts in the USCS Winter Heat mini series Saturday night at Southern Raceway.

Smith has won all five USCS Thunder Tour feature run this season and has six victories in seven starts overall. Smith also won Friday night at Hattiesburg (Miss.) Speedway.

NASCAR champion Tony Stewart followed Smith across the line in the runner-up spot.

Dale Howard, Danny Martin. Jr. and Hall of Famer Danny Smith rounded out the top five.

Micha McCall won the 15-lap www.RockAuto.com USCS Powri Outlaw Micro main event.

The finish:

Mark Smith, Tony Stewart, Dale Howard, Danny Martin Jr, Danny Smith, Greg Wilson, Conner Leoffler, Morgan Turpen, Jim Shuster, Terry Gray, Jake Knight, Ronny Howard, Landon Britt, Shane Morgan, Mallie Shuster, Eric Gunderson, Kyle Amerson, Chase Howard, Alex Lyles, Shelby Brown, Jeff Willingham, Max Stambaugh

VENTNOR, Australia – Alex Lowes snapped a two-year winless drought in World Superbike competition with a victory on Sunday at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.

Lowes bested his Kawasaki teammate Jonathan Rea in a drag race to the finish line, beating Rea by a scant margin of .037 seconds. Scott Redding completed the podium in third for Ducati.

Rea started the race from the pole after winning the Superpole race earlier in the day, but it was Michael van der Mark who led the opening circuit before giving way to Rea on lap two.

Rea would continue to led until lap nine, when Loris Baz briefly moved to the front of the field. Rea snatched the lead away on the next lap, only for Baz to take the position back and led the next two circuits. Rea moved back out front on lap 14, with Baz fading down the order.

It was at this point Lowes made his presence known, challenging Rea for the lead and briefly taking it on lap 15. Rea got the led back one lap later and led the next five laps, only for Lowes to use Rea’s slipstream to overtake him in turn one with two laps left.

The pair battled for supremacy over the final two laps and Rea appeared to be setting up Lowes for a move out of the final corner, a move that had already worked once on Sunday for Rea during the Superpole race.

However, Lowes was able to defend enough to beat Rea to the checkered flag to score the victory. Redding chased the Kawasaki pair home in third, nearly a second behind them. Van der Mark was fourth, with Chaz Davies finishing fifth.

The Edmonton Oilers have won five Stanley Cups in franchise history, though the last one was in 1990, when only six members of the current active roster were alive. Are they Canada's best hope to win it all this spring? In a wide-open West -- and led by the elite prowess of Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid -- they're certainly leading that discussion. Saturday's 3-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets vaults them back into the No. 2 seed in the Pacific, four points back of the Vegas Golden Knights with one game in hand.

Here's where things stand throughout the league heading into Sunday's six-game slate, including Calgary Flames-Florida Panthers and Vancouver Canucks-Columbus Blue Jackets streaming live on ESPN+.

Note: Playoff chances are courtesy of Money Puck, while tragic numbers are per the NHL's Damian Echevarrieta.

Jump to:
Eastern standings | Western standings
Race for No. 1 pick | Current playoff matchups

Eastern Conference

Boston Bruins

Points: 94
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: Atlantic 1
Games left: 16 (7 home, 9 away)
Next game: March 3: @ TB
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Tampa Bay Lightning

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: Atlantic 2
Games left: 17 (9 home, 8 away)
Next game: March 3: vs. BOS
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Toronto Maple Leafs

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: Atlantic 3
Games left: 16 (8 home, 8 away)
Next game: March 3: @ SJ
Playoff chances: 86.1%
Tragic number: N/A

Washington Capitals

Points: 84
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: Metro 1
Games left: 18 (9 home, 9 away)
Next game: March 1: @ MIN
Playoff chances: 99.0%
Tragic number: N/A

Philadelphia Flyers

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: Metro 2
Games left: 18 (9 home, 9 away)
Next game: March 1: @ NYR
Playoff chances: 96.2%
Tragic number: N/A

Pittsburgh Penguins

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: Metro 3
Games left: 18 (9 home, 9 away)
Next game: March 3: vs. OTT
Playoff chances: 79.5%
Tragic number: N/A

New York Islanders

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: Wild card 1
Games left: 18 (8 home, 10 away)
Next game: March 3: vs. MTL
Playoff chances: 68.3%
Tragic number: N/A

Columbus Blue Jackets

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: Wild card 2
Games left: 16 (6 home, 10 away)
Next game: March 1: vs. VAN
Playoff chances: 35.1%
Tragic number: N/A

Carolina Hurricanes

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18 (8 home, 10 away)
Next game: March 5: @ PHI
Playoff chances: 67.3%
Tragic number: 36

New York Rangers

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18 (9 home, 9 away)
Next game: March 1: vs. PHI
Playoff chances: 38.5%
Tragic number: 35

Florida Panthers

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17 (9 home, 8 away)
Next game: March 1: vs. CGY
Playoff chances: 27.2%
Tragic number: 32

Montreal Canadiens

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 15 (5 home, 10 away)
Next game: March 3: @ NYI
Playoff chances: 2.5%
Tragic number: 24

Buffalo Sabres

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17 (8 home, 9 away)
Next game: March 3: @ WPG
Playoff chances: 0.3%
Tragic number: 25

New Jersey Devils

Points: 62
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18 (9 home, 9 away)
Next game: March 3: @ VGS
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 23

Ottawa Senators

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 16 (5 home, 11 away)
Next game: March 3: @ PIT
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: 15

Detroit Red Wings

Points: 35
Regulation wins: 12
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 15 (8 home, 7 away)
Next game: March 2: vs. COL
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: Eliminated

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Western Conference

St. Louis Blues

Points: 88
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: Central 1
Games left: 16 (7 home, 9 away)
Next game: March 3: @ NYR
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Colorado Avalanche

Points: 85
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: Central 2
Games left: 18 (10 home, 8 away)
Next game: March 2: @ DET
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Dallas Stars

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: Central 3
Games left: 17 (10 home, 7 away)
Next game: March 3: vs. EDM
Playoff chances: 98.8%
Tragic number: N/A

Vegas Golden Knights

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: Pacific 1
Games left: 16 (6 home, 10 away)
Next game: March 1: vs. LA
Playoff chances: 98.7%
Tragic number: N/A

Edmonton Oilers

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: Pacific 2
Games left: 17 (10 home, 7 away)
Next game: March 2: @ NSH
Playoff chances: 86.5%
Tragic number: N/A

Vancouver Canucks

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: Pacific 3
Games left: 18 (10 home, 8 away)
Next game: March 1: @ CBJ
Playoff chances: 63.1%
Tragic number: N/A

Calgary Flames

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: Wild card 1
Games left: 16 (11 home, 5 away)
Next game: March 4: vs. CBJ
Playoff chances: 68.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Nashville Predators

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: Wild card 2
Games left: 18 (8 home, 10 away)
Next game: March 2: vs. EDM
Playoff chances: 51.4%
Tragic number: N/A

Winnipeg Jets

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 15 (7 home, 8 away)
Next game: March 3: vs. BUF
Playoff chances: 17.5%
Tragic number: 31

Arizona Coyotes

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 15 (8 home, 7 away)
Next game: March 4: @ VAN
Playoff chances: 33.1%
Tragic number: 31

Minnesota Wild

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18 (8 home, 10 away)
Next game: March 1: vs. WSH
Playoff chances: 72.1%
Tragic number: 36

Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17 (11 home, 6 away)
Next game: March 3: vs. ANA
Playoff chances: 9.5%
Tragic number: 29

Anaheim Ducks

Points: 60
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18 (10 home, 8 away)
Next game: March 1: vs. NJ
Playoff chances: 0.3%
Tragic number: 25

San Jose Sharks

Points: 60
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17 (9 home, 8 away)
Next game: March 3: vs. TOR
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 23

Los Angeles Kings

Points: 54
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17 (11 home, 6 away)
Next game: March 1: @ VGS
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: 17

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Race for the No. 1 pick

The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order at the top of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. However, whoever does win the draft lottery has a chance to select Alexis Lafreniere.

Find out more about Lafreniere here, read up on the rest of the top draft prospects here, and check out all of our 2020 NHL draft coverage.

Detroit Red Wings

Points: 35
Regulation wins: 12
Chance of No. 1 pick: 18.5%

Los Angeles Kings

Points: 54
Regulation wins: 17
Chance of No. 1 pick: 13.5%

Ottawa Senators

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 17
Chance of No. 1 pick: 11.5%

San Jose Sharks

Note: Pick belongs to Ottawa

Points: 60
Regulation wins: 21
Chance of No. 1 pick: 9.5%

Anaheim Ducks

Points: 60
Regulation wins: 18
Chance of No. 1 pick: 8.5%

New Jersey Devils

Points: 62
Regulation wins: 19
Chance of No. 1 pick: 7.5%

Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 20
Chance of No. 1 pick: 6.5%

Buffalo Sabres

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 22
Chance of No. 1 pick: 6%

Montreal Canadiens

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 18
Chance of No. 1 pick: 5%

Minnesota Wild

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 28
Chance of No. 1 pick: 3.5%

Arizona Coyotes

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 25
Chance of No. 1 pick: 3%

Florida Panthers

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 28
Chance of No. 1 pick: 2.5%

Winnipeg Jets

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 26
Chance of No. 1 pick: 2%

New York Rangers

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 30
Chance of No. 1 pick: 1.5%

Carolina Hurricanes

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 25
Chance of No. 1 pick: 1%

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Current playoff matchups

(A1) Bruins vs. (WC2) Blue Jackets
(A2) Lightning vs. (A3) Maple Leafs
(M1) Capitals vs. (WC1) Islanders
(M2) Flyers vs. (M3) Penguins
(P1) Golden Knights vs. (WC1) Flames
(P2) Oilers vs. (P3) Canucks
(C1) Blues vs. (WC2) Predators
(C2) Avalanche vs. (C3) Stars

Heather Knight has praised Amy Jones' response to being demoted down the batting order, hailing her cameo in England's 46-run victory against West Indies - which sealed a spot in the T20 World Cup semi-finals - as full of character.

England had been experimenting with Tammy Beaumont, traditionally a top-order batsman, at No. 6 or No. 7 through the tri-series against Australia and India in the lead-up to the World Cup and once the tournament began. But, with Jones having managed only 23, 0 and 2 as an opener in the first three World Cup fixtures, Beaumont was sent in to open with Danni Wyatt against West Indies.

Though Beaumont was out for a second-ball duck, Wyatt contributed 29 off 27 balls and Jones hit a fluent 23 not out off 13 at No. 6. Katherine Brunt added an unbeaten 10 off four balls to bump the England total up after Natalie Sciver top-scored with 57 off 56 balls.

"Amy's had a few low scores and we felt like we wanted to change something," Knight, the England captain, said. "In tournament cricket you have to react quite quickly and I think Amy showed amazing character to come out like that and play how she did today. She's still a very important player for us. Obviously it didn't come off with Tammy but that was the order we wanted to go with.

"We talked before the game about being really smart on a low wicket and having a batter bat through, which Nat did brilliantly. We had a few cameos at the end, which got us up to a really good score on that wicket - both Amy and Katherine did really well to add some late impetus."

Knight admitted her side had been "playing knockout cricket" since losing their first World Cup fixture to South Africa, arguably the surprise packets of the tournament with three wins from three matches for six points, although England, also on six points from four matches, have a superior net run rate. Earlier in the day, South Africa, who play their final group match against West Indies on Tuesday, sealed their place in the semi-finals with a 17-run win over Pakistan on the same Sydney Showgrounds pitch.

"We knew it was going to be a slow wicket," Knight said. "We've played a lot on slow wickets recently, we've been out in Malaysia before Christmas, so we knew we were going to have to be very clever, clever with the ball as well, and I think it was just very professional. We knew we had to keep it simple and that's what we did today and I'm really pleased.

"I was getting a bit nervous watching Pakistan, getting our analyst to do a few calculations, but it was very simple, we knew we had to win."

In another personnel change against West Indies, 21-year-old Mady Villiers came in for Lauren Winfield as England opted for an additional spinner. Making her World Cup debut in just her fourth T20I, offspinner Villiers claimed a wicket with her fourth ball, a sharp return catch dismissing Shemaine Campbelle in what turned out to be a wicket maiden. She finished with 1 for 30 from her four overs.

"Because of the conditions, we felt like we wanted another spin option and Mady's been chomping at the bit to get out there," Knight said. "She's a very good fielder as well. She's a great kid and I'm really pleased for her today. She put in a really good performance so we obviously have to sit down, have a look what our best line-up is for that semi-final."

Sarah Glenn, the 21-year-old legspinner, took 2 for 16 off her four overs but it was Sophie Ecclestone who starred with the ball, taking 3 for 7 off 3.1 overs, claiming her 50th wicket in T20 internationals in the process.

Ecclestone, who holds vast experience despite not turning 21 until May 6, had a few words of wisdom for Villiers.

"She's quite like me, quite a fiery character, and she gets mad at herself too easily," Ecclestone said. "I told her to stick to her plans and stick to her strengths, and I think she did. The catch as well, I think she was really pleased.

"I'm really happy with how I'm bowling and hope it continues, especially with Glenny and Maddy in the team to have a spin companionship. I really get on well with them, they are some of my best friends now, and it's really nice to have them performing well and winning games for England. It's a dream come true really."

England seamer Kate Cross was sent for scans after being stretchered off when she injured her ankle during the pre-match warm-up. Cross is yet to feature in the World Cup. West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor was also due to have scans after suffering an apparent groin injury which forced her to retire hurt and leave the field on a stretcher.