The Sport Matrix: Friday 24 October 2014

Kane hits hat-trick in Tottenham rout

Harry Kane scored a hat-trick and Erik Lamela struck twice as Spurs thrashed Greek side Asteras Tripoli 5-1. Kane scored before Lamela doubled the lead, firing in a stunning “rabona” goal, and he struck another after half time. Kane scored two more late on, then, after Hugo Lloris was sent off, Kane filled in in goal and conceded Jerónimo Barrales’ free-kick.

I’ll stay in Paris, insists Roberts

Wales centre Jamie Roberts insists he will stay at Racing Métro, despite reports linking him with an imminent return home. The 27-year-old, who concedes he misses his family and friends, said: “I’ve signed for three years [until the end of the 2015-16 campaign] and I committed to the three years. That’s the black and white of it – as far as I’m concerned I’m a man of my word.”

Poyet: I could have lost my job for rout

The Sunderland manager, Gus Poyet, has admitted he could have lost his job following the 8-0 mauling of his team at Southampton last weekend. “In another country, maybe an 8-0 defeat means that you lose your job,” said Poyet. “In England, that is not the case – at the moment. I was very disappointed and unpleasantly surprised. Why? Because I swear I didn’t expect that to happen to me.”

Flintoff joins Brisbane Heat for Big Bash

The former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has joined Brisbane Heat on a short-term deal to play in the Big Bash League this winter.

Forced into international retirement by a knee injury in 2009 after 79 Tests and 141 ODIs – and from all forms of the game a year later – the 36-year-old made a shock return for Lancashire in the Twenty20 Blast this year. Flintoff will arrive in December to reunite with his former Lancashire team-mate, now the Brisbane coach, Stuart Law.

“I’m excited to be coming back to Australia and especially to Brisbane which has always been a favourite spot of mine to play,” Flintoff said.

England set for Four Nations battle

England face Samoa tomorrow in their Four Nations opener, a tournament for which Australia are the favourites. Sean O’Loughlin’s reign as England captain has begun inauspiciously, having to withdraw with a quad muscle strain, meaning James Graham will lead the side.