Ellyse Perry, the premier Australia allrounder, has been re-signed by her WBBL franchise, Sydney Sixers, for a further two seasons.

The leading run-scorer in the WBBL, with 2612 runs against her name and 32 wickets to boot, Perry has captained the Sixers since the domestic T20 league's inaugural edition in 2015-16. Having led them into the final four times, she was also able to lift back-to-back titles in 2016-17 and 2017-18. She also topped the tournament run-chart in two editions on the trot - 2017-18 and 2018-19 - and was named Player of the Tournament in the fourth season for her 777-run tally, the most in a single edition.

A New South Wales native, Perry moved to Melbourne at the end of the 2018-19 season with her husband Matt Toomua, a rugby player who had joined the Melbourne Rebels. Since the 2019-20 season, she has played state cricket for Victoria in the WNCL but whether or not she would move back to Sydney to continue her ties with the NSW-based WBBL franchise, remained a question. However, prior to moving to Melbourne, Perry, in August 2018, had said she has "a lot of very strong ties to the Sixers and, particularly, the coach, Ben Sawyer," but "probably wouldn't think about it [the future of her association with the side] until I am off [the Sixers] contract", which ended earlier this year.

ALSO READ: Ellyse the Incredible from The Cricket Monthly

Speaking of Perry's resigning, the Sixers' general manager Jodie Hawkins said, "Ellyse has been a part of the Sixers from the very beginning. She was our first ever ambassador back in BBL01 and joined us as captain in WBBL01.

"She not only plays for the Sixers but is also involved in our program development. We look forward to her not only continuing to play, but also leaving her mark on the Club for years to come."

Sawyer, too, expressed his delight over the club's retaining arguably the most high-profile player in women's cricket.

"Ellyse has been our captain from the very beginning of this competition and we are extremely happy that she has extended her contract with us for the next 2 seasons," Sawyer said. "On the field, Ellyse has been amazing for us throughout the history of the WBBL, but she is so much more to our club than just her on field performances.

"Ellyse has played an immeasurable role in the structure and philosophy of our club and, along with our other senior players, both Australian and International, has always had our club and it's long term success at heart."

Moeen Ali believes it is "better for the Hundred to be delayed" for a year than to launch the tournament without overseas players or fans.

The ECB board meet today (April 29) to discuss whether to postpone the launch of the tournament in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. While the Hundred is a central component of the ECB's strategy to broaden the appeal of the game, there are concerns that any potential launch will be compromised by the current situation.

Not only is there currently a ban on gatherings of any kind - meaning the tournament may have to be staged behind closed doors - but it is likely to prove hard to attract the overseas players whose presence was seen as a draw card.

As a result, it could prove hard to build the momentum the ECB envisaged to ensure the Hundred makes the big splash that was anticipated. There will also be concerns that it struggles to justify its large budget. It is currently scheduled to start at the Kia Oval on July 17.

While Moeen has long been an enthusiastic supporter of the competition - he has been named captain of the Birmingham Phoenix side - he now accepts that, with the prospect of a heavily abbreviated season and the absence of overseas players, it would be better to delay and ensure it is given every opportunity to succeed next year.

"It is better for it to be delayed," Moeen said. "As players we want the Hundred played with all the best players around the world available to come and play so it makes more sense that way.

"If we can get other international players who were not available this year to make the Hundred even stronger for next year through a mini draft then we an attract a new audience to come and watch cricket. It is probably going to be too much to squeeze in the last couple of months of the season. It would be hard work to squeeze in the Hundred as well.

"It is such a big deal for us in this country and we want it to be played when everything is right and no problems around the world."

An announcement on the tournament's postponement is expected later this week, following today's ECB board meeting.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

Glasgow Warriors head coach Dave Rennie says it would be "hard" not to award Leinster the Pro14 title.

The campaign has been suspended amid the coronavirus pandemic, with no decision taken on how to conclude it.

Rennie soon takes over as Australia coach and is unlikely to take charge of Warriors before his June exit.

"We've seen other competitions award the team that's leading the trophy," said the New Zealander, whose side are third behind Leinster in Conference A.

Edinburgh top Conference B, but have amassed fewer points than their Irish counterparts.

"Leinster - unbeaten all year, miles in front - it's hard not to award them the competition, isn't it?" Rennie added.

Rennie, whose side were on course for a Pro14 play-off place after losing to Leinster in last year's final, fears finishing one campaign then starting the next in a short space of time may result in "a 13 or 14-month season".

That, he says, would be a bad idea from a player welfare perspective.

"We're not going to be playing rugby in June," Rennie said. "That complicates things but what we really want is some sort of clarity from Pro14 as to what the future looks like. What's their plan?

"At the moment, there's a lot of people dying in this part of the world, there's lots of people that have lost their jobs.

"The importance of us getting back and playing quickly doesn't really rate."

Rennie, meanwhile, says he is "still very committed" to the Wallabies job despite the resignation of Rugby Australia (RA) chief executive Raelene Castle.

RA chairman Paul McLean said Castle had faced "unwarranted criticism", while a group of former Australia captains had demanded a change in leadership.

"I'm really gutted. She's a big part of the reason why I signed with Australia," said 56-year-old Rennie.

"She exited with real dignity and class and the first thing she said to me was, 'stick with the plan'.

"I want to have a chat with the board and get clarity around what the plan looks like now, but I'm still very committed."

A decision to restructure Argentine football that will save Diego Maradona's club from relegation was dubbed another "Hand of God" moment on Tuesday, but the former star said the divine intervention he wished for was to beat the coronavirus pandemic.

The Argentine Football Association voted to suspend relegation for two seasons on Tuesday, saving the Maradona-coached Gimnasia la Plata, who are bottom of the league, from going down.

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"This happened to us today and many people are calling it a new Hand of God," Maradona said, who dubbed his notorious hand-assisted goal against England in the 1986 World Cup as the "Hand of God."

"But today I am asking for that hand to do away with the pandemic so people can get back to living their lives, with health and happiness."

Maradona said he disagreed with the decision to suspend relegation for two years but called the favourable ruling "a prize."

The 59-year-old was appointed in September 2019 but struggled in his first months at the club and announced his intention to resign in November with his side bottom of the league. The Argentine boss stayed after a fan outcry, although he was unable to lift his side off the bottom of the table.

Argentina has so far recorded 4,127 confirmed coronavirus cases, registering 214 deaths.

Kevin Roberts, the Cricket Australia chief executive, has given no indication the governing body will rethink its drastic cuts to the salaries of staff who have been stood down, even though he apologised to employees for the way the decision was communicated.

As the CA chairman Earl Eddings and fellow director Paul Green prepared to present to their state association owners and players union partners on Thursday, Roberts addressed all staff via videoconference and stated his regret on behalf of his executives. Nevertheless, he appeared determined not to make any material changes to a model that saw some 200 staff stood down on 80% pay cuts while executives and the remainder of staff remained at work on 80% of their regular pay.

ALSO READ: CA to open books to states, announce contracts

Mounting anger at the way that CA has handled the switch from a position of absorbing the Covid-19 pandemic shocks within the business and making deep cuts to staff pay, state association grants and revenue projections for the players under the governing body's MoU with the Australian Cricketers' Association has forced Roberts to address staff directly. Meanwhile, the sense of anger and distrust has compelled Eddings and the board to deal urgently with their owners and partners.

Questions from staff to Roberts are believed to have referenced issues around the way the stand downs were handled, with staff given only a brief period to agree in writing to the move, while the chief executive is understood to have claimed that CA should have shared more information about its finances sooner.

ALSO READ: Roberts 'stumbled' explaining CA's financial battle - Speed

These details, when shared with the states and the ACA, will be a matter of interpretation as much as they are numbers in black and white. Roberts had previously stated that CA, with average monthly revenue outflows of between A$30 million and A$40 million [US$19.5 to 26.1 million approx.] for the year, was looking at being down to A$40 million in cash by August, a level of reserves deemed insufficient given the uncertainties ahead due to the pandemic.

However, it appears almost impossible that CA's cash position can get any lower than A$40 million, given scheduled arrivals of ICC disbursements in July, sponsor fees in July and August, and instalments from broadcast rights deals with Fox Sports and Seven domestically in September and from Sony for international rights in October. Added to CA's investments and the debt facility secured from banks, the governing body may be looking at having more than A$200 million [US$130.5 million] available at precisely the time Roberts warned it was in danger of going broke.

ALSO READ: CA chief won't back down on drastic staff cuts

It is that wide variation that has caused states to ask for as much financial detail as possible, with the underlying truth that ultimately the associations of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania would be required to prop up the central governing body in the unlikely event that it did become insolvent.

Despite a longstanding drift towards the centralisation of decision-making, allied to a move to a financial model in which they received annual guaranteed grants in exchange for a loss of direct representation on the CA board, the states remain in possession of reserve powers over the composition of the board and - should they so wish - a revision of how it is constituted.

As sporting governance experts Colin Carter and David Crawford stated in their 2011 review that led to the current board and financial models: "Under our recommended model, the States will control Board appointments and, if there is reason to do so, can at any stage dismiss the Board. That is the States' protection. And we also find it difficult to imagine that the CA Board would fail to understand that adequately funding the State structures and teams and recognising existing stadium commitments is in the best interests of cricket. As the AFL Board seeks to protect the viability of its own shareholders, so we would expect that cricket's leaders would do the same.

"The simple solution is also the right one. The Board should be free to allocate cricket's resources and there should be no pre-conditions other than ensuring that each State should be provided with an agreed level of funding that will enable them to fulfil their role."

David Green celebrates the life and athletics achievements of his father

Southend AC stalwart Andy Green died peacefully at home on April 18, having suffered a heart attack. He was 77 years old. He leaves behind his beloved wife Mary, two sons David and Michael and five grandchildren.

Andy loved athletics throughout his life. It proved to be a big part of it in many ways. He met Mary (née Tagg) – who would go on to compete in the 400m at the 1968 Olympics – at the English Schools Championships and again at the National training camp at Lilleshall.

Over the years romance blossomed despite them living miles apart, Andy in Manchester and Mary in Norfolk. They were married in August 1965, living all of their married life in Southend.

Andy’s early athletics outings took place in Manchester where he ran for his local club, Salford Harriers. His dad coached him and he competed with varying degrees of success as he went through the ranks. During the winter Andy and his dad would often use their Lambretta headlights as floodlights at the D-shaped track at Boggart Hole Clough.

In 1961 he came second in the National junior 880 yards at Enfield. A feat even more remarkable given Andy and his father rode their 125cc motorbikes on the day of the race from Manchester, competed and rode home. Talk about tough of the track.

Andy ran his first sub-four-minute mile on August 25, 1964, in Blackburn. It was the first sub-four mile in the north of England. He won in 3:59.2, beating the 1957 mile world record-holder Derek Ibbotson.

Andy went on to run his fastest mile on July 5 the following year, at the famous White City. In front of a packed stadium he finished fourth in 3:57.70, only one second behind the winner and beating the double Olympic champion Peter Snell. All eight runners in the race went below the magic four-minute mark.

In 1967 at the age of 25 he won the AAA mile title in a championship record time of 4:00.6. With 300m to go, Andy was in last place. He hit the front with yards to go having run a 56-second last lap. This record still stands despite a centenary mile being held in 1980 with Steve Ovett and John Walker in the field.

In 1970, running took a back seat. He focused on raising his family, his teaching career and playing the guitar in many semi-professional bands.

During this break, Andy and Mary found time to become founding members of Castle Point Joggers. They would take the group through a warm-up routine, a short run and a longer run for the more capable. In those days running was nowhere near the mass participation sport it is now. Drivers of cars would regularly wind their windows down and shout “get your knees up”.

Both Andy and Mary ran in the Sunday Times National Fun Run on several occasions. The huge event for jogging clubs attracted several thousand runners, split into age groups, and it goes without saying that they both finished at the sharp end of their races.

Andy donned his spikes again when he returned to compete as a veteran. In 1983 he finished second in the 800m and 1500m national championships, running 1:58.3 and 4:12.8 respectively. He also won the Essex vets 1500m champs three years in a row, returning again after a break from competing to win the M5o 1500m title.

Andy and Mary took over the running of the Southend 5 mile race which became the extremely successful 10km event. This involved a tremendous amount of work from a collective of club stalwarts. My brother and I spent many hours stuffing envelopes with race numbers.

Andy and Mary supported both my brother and I in our modest sporting endeavours like we were champions. If they could be there they would be in full voice shouting encouraging words from the sidelines.

Andy’s love for running and support for Southend AC continued right up until the end of his life. We saw Adam Hickey win the 2020 Essex Champs. We also watched in wonder his amazing shoeless run in the National cross country on YouTube. It was one of the bravest runs my dad said he had ever seen.

READ MORE: Shoe-less Adam Hickey shows ‘spirit of cross-country’

Just a few weeks ago Andy took himself off to the local field and did a fartlek session. Maybe he was planning an over-80 comeback.

Andy had seven GB internationals, 1963-67
He finished 2nd in the 1965 World University Games 1500m
AAA 1 mile champs – 2nd in 1965, 1st in 1967
AAA indoor Champs – 1000 yards 2nd in 1963, 1 mile 3rd in 1965
Southern 880y – 1st in 1965 and 1967
He set a UK indoor 800m record with 1:52.6 in 1963 and had the following PBs: 880y 1:49.5 (1964), 1000y 2:08.7 (1969), 1000m 2:21.6 (1968), 1500m 3:42.2 (1965), 1M 3:57.74 (1965), 2000m 5:19.0 (1968), 3000m 8:06.2 (1969), 2M 8:47.0 (1965), 3M 13:48.6 (1968), 5000m 14:19.6 (1969).

Watching Jos Buttler's commitment towards fitness and more focus at net sessions transformed Ben Stokes' approach, the allrounder revealed in a chat with Ish Sodhi, the New Zealand legspinner and Rajasthan Royals spin consultant.

"About two years ago, I just started changing my whole thinking towards the other side of cricket, the fitness side," Stokes said in the chat organised by the Royals. "I always looked after myself, but watching someone like Jos operate the way he did at the nets to make himself a better player, drove me to have a rethink.

"Like, he'll go for the extra 45 minutes to an hour work on his fitness. It made me think, 'yeah, I feel like I can do more here; I am doing enough, but I know I can do more.' And slowly, I started to operate in that mode of 'I'm going to do my skill-based stuff' and then it just led to something bigger and better."

Stokes and Buttler have been England team-mates for over six years, and were both part of the 2019 ODI World Cup-winning side. Both of them, also part of the Royals' line-up in the IPL, featured in the 2019-20 home Ashes too. Much of the improvement Stokes spoke of, he said, was the result of an improved work ethic, which has "got around to the whole team".

"New guys coming in started thinking that's the way that everybody operates," Stokes said. "I remember Mo [Moeen] Ali and Adil Rashid were scared of the gym. You'd never see them actually doing anything. Then those two started doing extra work, and he [Moeen] did an interview, where he just went: 'Yeah, don't want to let anybody down in the team through fitness'."

While the fitness side of things improved, Stokes remembered "hitting a lot of balls without any meaning" at the nets. He spoke of how a shift in the thought process helped make every net session meaningful.

"There used to be a time when there was a schedule at training, a structure. You bowl here, you bat here, if you want anything extra, go away and get in with the batting coach," he said of his approach "three or four years ago". "Then I'd go and have an extra hit [against net bowlers], but I wouldn't really know why I was going to have an extra hit, it was just because it's available, I'll go and do it. There was no real purpose to it. But every time I walk into the net now, there is a reason, it changes every time.

"Like, if I'm batting against Broady (Stuart Broad) and Jofra [Archer], I am not going to, for example, play a big, flashing drive; tiny little things like that. Because I know they are going to go across me, and they are going to want me to have a big drive, but I am not going to do it. It is trying to train like you are in a game, in a compressed amount of time, because you are only going to get ten minutes against these guys.

"But because you have ten minutes, [it] doesn't mean you go in and try and play a big shot every ball and hopefully two or three of them will come off but you get out four times. That defeats the objective, if you're trying to get better. That's the thing [about batting in the nets], there's no consequence to what you do. That's why [what] I try to do is put a consequence on it."

Briefly, at least, they'll be a chance to talk about something a little more normal on Thursday when Cricket Australia announces the new round of central contracts for the 2020-21 season. The finances behind the deals will likely still depend on how the next few months unfold and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, but it is a nod to the next season even though that remains shrouded in uncertainty. Here's a rundown of who could be in and who could go out.

Men's contracts

2019-2020

Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Alex Carey, Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, James Pattinson, Jhye Richardson, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa

The last 12 months

There were the twin pillars of the World Cup and the Ashes being planned for this time last year - the Ashes were retained in England for the first time in 18 years and there was a World Cup semi-final appearance. Given where the team had lifted itself from, that could be considered a significant success. The home summer was a walkover, unbeaten in all matches before the ODIs against New Zealand were curtailed, but one-dayers overseas were tougher with a 5-1 loss-win record. The Test side was starting to look formidable with just a couple of question marks over the batting and finally proper attention was being paid to T20Is.

The next 12 months

These are unprecedented times and no one really knows how it will play out. But all we can do at the moment is look at the calendar, which, like last year, has two major events: the T20 World Cup and further progress towards the World Test Championship final. Both remain very uncertain to take place as planned, but India at home followed by South Africa away in Test matches is a mouthwatering prospect if the game is able to resume later in the year.

Who could miss out?

Nathan Coulter-Nile - Lost his place in the ODI side after the World Cup, during which he hit a crucial 92 against West Indies but struggled with the ball. He could yet return to the T20I mix, but his ODI days look numbered as planning turns to 2023.

Usman Khawaja - Was dropped midway through the Ashes and could not get his place back during the home summer. Could still turn the selectors' heads with a mass of runs but will likely be back on Queensland's books.

Peter Handscomb - Made just one appearance - the World Cup semi-final as an injury replacement - across the contract period after being unlucky to miss the initial squad for that tournament. Still has time to make another run at the international level so being cut this year wouldn't be curtains.

Marcus Harris - Having been an incumbent opener when the previous list was named, he missed the start of the Ashes and then, like most openers, struggled when recalled and was dropped for the home summer against Pakistan and New Zealand. He will need to deal in weight of runs for Victoria for another chance.

Shaun Marsh - At 37, his international career appears over after not playing throughout the home summer following a World Cup campaign ended by a broken arm in the nets.

Marcus Stoinis - Endured a poor World Cup, couldn't make a push in red-ball cricket, and also dropped out of the T20I mix despite a prolific BBL campaign. The white-ball still offers him an international future but he will likely have to fight his way back.

Who could come in?

Marnus Labuschagne - does this one need explaining?

Matthew Wade - Played every Test over the last contract period after being recalled for the Ashes where he scored two centuries. Still not entirely convincing as a long-term option after a stop-start home summer but he's also back in the ODI and T20I plans.

Mitchell Marsh - One Marsh out, another one in? Mitchell didn't do himself any favours when he punched the dressing-room wall and missed most of the home summer, but he took five wickets in the last Ashes Test and returned to the white-ball sides earlier this year.

Joe Burns - Will the selectors show their faith in David Warner's opening partner? He didn't quite make an unanswerable case in the summer, averaging 32, but the revolving door needs to stop.

Ashton Agar - Enjoyed an impressive return to the T20I side, with 15 wickets at 13.53 including a hat-trick against South Africa, and was also back in the ODI side albeit with less success. Being a T20 World Cup year could work in his favour, the doubts around the tournament notwithstanding.

Kane Richardson - Like Agar, Richardson has been a key cog in the T20I unit as Australia firmly focused on planning for the World Cup. Offers back-up for the ODI side as well.

Women's contracts

2019-2020

Nicole Bolton, Nicola Carey, Ash Gardner, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Meg Lanning, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Georgia Wareham

The last 12 months

Missions accomplished. It was a triumphant year for the women with a comprehensive Ashes series victory in England followed by the heady scenes at the MCG when the T20 World Cup was won in front of 86,000 people it what was one of the last major sporting events before the lockdown. The depth of the squad was tested during the World Cup due to injuries to Tayla Vlaeminck and Ellyse Perry, but after an early wobble - and the rain that cleared the SCG just in time - they came through with flying colours.

The next 12 months

The 50-over World Cup is the big prize this time, a trophy that eluded Australia in 2017 when they exited in the semi-final against India on one of the most difficult days of Meg Lanning's career. However, despite being ten months away, there is already some doubt as to whether it will be staged as planned in New Zealand because of the knock-on impact of the pandemic. There will be one extra contracted handed out this year, so 15 compared to last season's 14. Will be interesting to see if any onus switches away from allrounders back to specialists with the focus on 50 overs.

Who could miss out?

Nicole Bolton - Having featured on the Ashes tour, Bolton did not play during the home season after being unavailable for the West Indies tour, although she wouldn't have been part of the T20 plans. Was the leading run-scorer in the WNCL and with this being a one-day World Cup year, it could yet work in her favour alongside an impressive ODI record.

Elyse Villani - Hasn't featured for over a year having been unused during the Ashes series and was dropped for the West Indies trip that followed.

Who could come in?

Tayla Vlaeminck - Cruelly injured on the eve of the T20 World Cup, Vlaeminck remains a potential spearhead of Australia's attack for years to come and could develop into the fastest bowler in the women's game.

Annabel Sutherland - The allrounder was the surprise inclusion for the T20 World Cup and showed her nerve by helping earn a Super Over in the tri-series match against England. There is belief in the Australia camp that she can add significant pace as she develops.

Erin Burns - Called up for the tour of the West Indies last year and was part of the World Cup squad without getting a game. Impressed in the one-day games against India A in December, but may remain on the fringes.

Molly Strano - Added to the World Cup after Vlaeminck's injury, Strano ended up bowling the first over of the tournament barely 24 hours later. Hugely consistent at domestic level and able to operate at various stages of an innings.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

DOVER, Del. – In a race at the virtual Dover Int’l Speedway where all eyes were on Ryan Luza’s pursuit of eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series history, it was fitting that Nick Ottinger ended up in victory lane.

Ottinger, who was the first driver to win three races in a row in the series in 2013, prevented Luza from making it four victories in a row with a dominant performance at the Monster Mile on Tuesday night.

The Florida native, who now resides in Claremont, N.C., led 105 of 200 laps en route to his second Coca-Cola Series triumph at Dover, controlling the second half of the race with relative ease.

It looked like it would be Luza’s night, after the 23-year-old ripped past polesitter Ray Alfalla on the 10th circuit and quickly opened up a commanding gap over the rest of the field for the first third of the race.

However, following the first round of green-flag pit stops, Luza slapped the outside wall and sustained right-side damage to his Williams eSports No. 53 – allowing Ottinger to get right to his back bumper.

Entering turn one on lap 80, Ottinger dove to Luza’s inside and wrested the race lead away, effectively grabbing control of the event from there.

Ottinger pitted for the final time with 75 to go, and when the cycle of stops concluded 16 circuits later, he found himself back in front for good and led the rest of the laps virtually uncontested.

A caution moments after Ottinger retook the lead set the field back up on his bumper for the run to the finish, but only Garrett Lowe had anything for the William Byron eSports veteran in the closing stretch.

Racing resumed with 54 to go and Lowe tracked down Ottinger five laps after the restart, but pounded the outside wall off turn four with 49 laps left and dropped anchor as Ottinger escaped in a hurry.

From there, there was no stopping Ottinger from reaching victory lane for the 15th time in his Coca-Cola Series career, deadlocking him once again with Luza for second on the all-time series win list.

“This feels awesome. That was a workout, managing the equipment all race long,” Ottinger said. “Garrett gave me a run for my money at the end, and I want to go back and look at it, but I do think I gave him enough room to race me. That was just a product of getting down to the end of the race and neither of us wanting to lift in that situation. We knew whoever got out front was probably going to be the one that ended up winning it.

“What a car. What a Logitech G Chevrolet,” he added. “That was a testament to all the hard work we put in leading into this race and I think it showed tonight. That was a whole lot of fun.”

JR Motorsports had a solid night, with two cars in the top six, but it was 11-year series veteran Brad Davies who finished in the runner-up spot – 2.695 seconds adrift of Ottinger at the checkers.

Dylan Duval completed the podium for Stewart-Haas eSports, followed by Luza and Denny Hamlin eSports’ Keegan Leahy. Conti brought the second JR Motorsports entry home in sixth.

Eric J. Smith, Graham Bowlin, Bob Bryant and Steve Sheehan completed the top 10.

After leading the first nine laps from the pole, Alfalla was never a factor and faded to 25th in the final rundown. His Virtual Racing School teammate Bobby Zalenski struggled too, finishing a distant 32nd.

A record-low two caution flags slowed the pace for eight laps, with 14 lead changes among 10 drivers.

The eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series season continues May 12 at Charlotte Motor Speedway with the longest race on the schedule, a 300-mile event. Leahy is the defending event winner.

The results:

1. 25-Nick Ottinger [2], 2. 88-Brad Davies [10], 3. 41-Dylan Duval [13], 4. 53-Ryan Luza [3], 5. 32-Keegan Leahy [29], 6. 8-Michael Conti [6], 7. 9-Eric J. Smith [5], 8. 18-Graham Bowlin [23], 9. 42-Bob Bryant [15], 10. 1-Steve Sheehan [17], 11. 3-Blake Reynolds [28], 12. 37-Christian Challiner [9], 13. 66-Jarl Teien [36], 14. 97-John Gorlinsky [25], 15. 51-Malik Ray [19], 16. 21-Garrett Lowe [7], 17. 33-Michael Guest [32], 18. 36-Chris Shearburn [18], 19. 6-Nathan Lyon [33], 20. 77-Ashton Crowder [4], 21. 54-Alex McCollum [14], 22. 79-Phil Diaz [26], 23. 10-Justin Bolton [16], 24. 24-Jake Nichols [21], 25. 2-Ray Alfalla [1], 26. 5-Matt Bussa [8], 27. 15-Michael Guariglia [24], 28. 90-Zack Novak [35], 29. 99-Logan Clampitt [12], 30. 16-Chris Overland [37], 31. 4-Santi Tirres [34], 32. 83-Bobby Zalenski [30], 33. 27-Corey Vincent [11], 34. 79-Brian Schoenburg [20], 35. 23-Casey Kirwan [22], 36. 46-Jimmy Mullis [27], 37. 55-Caine Cook [31].

Lead Changes: 14 among 10 drivers

Lap Leaders: Ray Alfalla 1-9, Ryan Luza 10-65, Garrett Lowe 66, Dylan Duval 67, Keegan Leahy 68, Bobby Zalenski 69-70, Jarl Teien 71-73, Ryan Luza 74-79, Nick Ottinger 80-124, Garrett Lowe 125-133, Ryan Luza 134-135, Zack Novak 136-138, John Gorlinsky 139, Jarl Teien 140, Nick Ottinger 141-200.

Laps Led: Nick Ottinger 105, Ryan Luza 64, Garrett Lowe 10, Ray Alfalla 9, Jarl Teien 4, Zack Novak 3, Bobby Zalenski 2, Dylan Duval 1, Keegan Leahy 1, John Gorlinsky 1.

Caution Flags: Two for eight laps

Margin of Victory: 2.695 seconds

Time of Race: One hour, 24 minutes, 55.873 seconds

Average Speed: 141.291 mph

Pole Position 2-Ray Alfalla, 20.853 seconds (172.637 mph)

Fastest Lap: 9-Eric J. Smith, 21.580 seconds (166.821 mph, lap 67)

Strength of Field: 6,870 average iRating