hello this is bbc news. the headlines. a state of emergency is declared in australia as fires rage and the death toll rises. there are fears a heat wave forecast for this weekend could make the crisis even worse. the australian prime minister cut short a visit to one devastated

community as people there heckle him. how can we only had four trucks to defend our town? because our town doesn't have a lot of money but we have hearts of gold, prime minister. there are delays and cancellations on the railways but fares go up on average by around 3%. what accounts emerge of the deaths of three family members who drowned ina of three family members who drowned in a pool in spain. in a moment it will be time for sportsday but first a look at what else is coming up this evening on bbc news. beyond 100 days will be looking at america's standoff with iran fter violent demonstrations against the us embassy in baghdad. that's in half an hour. at 8pm we will be speaking to a specialist in artificial intelligence in medicine after research found ai can be better than doctors at diagnosing breast cancer

from scans. and coming up at 11:30pm, we will be taking a look at the front pages. that's all ahead on bbc news. now on bbc news it's time for sportsday. hello and welcome to sportsday, i'm gavin ramjaun. thanks forjoining us. this time, peter gets it right. we hear from new this time, peter gets it right. we hearfrom new darts champion, peter wright. trouble at the bdo — the rival darts competition's future hangs in the balance, with poor ticket sales and pressure over prize money. and england opener rory burns faces a race against time to get fit for the upcoming cricket test in south africa — after a kickabout goes wrong.

and i am at anfield where liverpool are hoping to make it a full 12 months unbeaten in the premier league when they take on sheffield united. hello and welcome to sportsday, i'm gavin ramjaun. thanks forjoining us. peter wright is getting used to his new status as darts world champion today — following his famous win in the pdc, at alexandra palace. it's a been a long, emotional road to success for the 49—year—old. who goes by the nickname snakebite. known for his outrageous attire and hair styles, he told us today it's all part of the act, to cover up his shyness off the stage. natalia pirks reports. peter wright! the cheers turned to tears but finally, peter wright got his hands on the trophy.

from his first set of darts at 13, to becoming the oldest first—time winner at a9, last night saw him become £500,000 richer, and realise a lifelong dream. i didn't sleep at all last night. as it settled in, it was terrible. so i've had no sleep. so it's actually sunk in that i am world champion. and i'm just over the moon. 96 players came and two remain. wright knew he had a job on his hands. world number one and reigning champion michael van gerwen had long been a thorn in his side but it was snakebite who looked more comfortable on the big stage. wright had nearly given it all up five years ago and had lost ten major televised finals, but at the 11th time of asking, all that stood between him and the trophy was a double ten. and this time, peter gets it right. it was all so different when he first came on the scene back in 1995, as plain old pete.

since then, the bright clothes and the mohawks, designed by his hairdresser wife, have seen him become a huge character in a sport awash with big personalities. it gives me confidence, i'm a very shy guy away from the sport. whenjo puts it all on, i become the character of snakebite on the stage that you see in the loud outfits and the crazy hairdos. it's been a memorable world championships, not least for the emergence of fallon sherrock, the first woman to beat a man in the tournament. peter wright's win was decades in the making. a great lesson for sherrock and other newcomers to never give up. natalie pirks, bbc news. well, the chairman of the pdc championship, barry hearn, feels there've been some standout stories from this yea r‘s competition — but fired a warning to the rival bdo darts championship. that competition is due to begin at the weekend, amid reports of low ticket sales and reduced prize money for competitors. hearn spoke our reporter

jamie broughton. i thought it was a special event and the crowd were magnificent. their behaviour, their attitude, the noise they made, it created an occasion that really went above and beyond what you'd expect. how important was fallon sherrock? really important. if you hadn't noticed, roughly half of the population are women and it is an audience we are not servicing at the moment so it is frustrating our reach. suddenly fallon sherrock came along and opened those doors. a media story of importance, the first timea media story of importance, the first time a woman had beaten amman at the championships. it was a pivotal

moment for fallon sherrock and one week changed her life completely and whether she lasts more than 12 months is a subject of conversation. whether she survives for 12 years is about her work and ability. we are feasting on a story that has put darts on everyone‘s lips. he mentioned the amateur side of darts and the bdo has had to cut prize money for its version of the championship. what are your thoughts on the way that has gone? they are not good at what they do. there is no doubt that this applies to many amateur governing bodies. there is no doubt they love the sport but there is another level to go to. loving the sport is fine but unless you can provide opportunities that change lives of sportsmen and women, your sport is never going to be perceived as upwardly mobile.

i'm disappointed to see it because they do have a role to play within grassroots but it is a role that they must undertake and understand without trying to be something that they are not, and they are just not a major commercial operation. they act as though they think they should be. we will be happy to help. the same way that premier league football helps lower league clubs with various grants and financial contributions. nothing wrong with us doing that because we also need the grassroots for future players. within four or five days of the event taking place to actually cut prize money at this stage is a horrendous loss of credibility that will never leave them. england's injury and sickness problems show no sign of letting up, on their tour of south africa. ahead of tomorrow's second test, opener rory burns could now miss out — after an injury in a kickabout.

fast bowlerjofra archer is also still a doubt for the match in cape town. adam wild reports. impressive, imposing. for most, impassable. amongst the spectacular setting, symbolism is everywhere. a mountain to climb for england. well, history suggests so. they haven't won a test in cape town since 1957. injury, illness and that first test defeat offering much to chew over. we had frustrating moments on the tour so far we had frustrating moments on the tourso farand we we had frustrating moments on the tour so far and we have to deal with it as best we can and make sure whoever gets the opportunity will put in absolutely everything and give us a great chance to win. if they are too when they have to do it with a depleted side. just how depleted remains to be seen. jofra archer is a doubt and now another

blow. 0pener rory burns was the top scorer in the first test for england, and the 84 look like it mightjust save england, and the 84 look like it might just save them. england, and the 84 look like it mightjust save them. he turned his effo rts mightjust save them. he turned his efforts to football in training, turning his ankle and now taking his turning his ankle and now taking his turn on the physio table. a twisted ankle and crossed fingers everywhere. south africa have issues to address and questions to answer for the country and the cricket team. some are asking pointedly whether the colour has been draining away from the team. we don't see colour. temba will be the first to acknowledge that he got a good opportunity. now it is time for the general time for general teams to keep producing good cricketers. i know what you're

asking and they will beat things in place to make sure that we keep producing players of all colours. england fans had travelled in huge numbers hoping to see the spectacular cricket they saw four yea rs spectacular cricket they saw four years ago. then ben stokes scored 258. one of england's most extraordinary innings in recent yea rs. extraordinary innings in recent years. a repeat of such high scoring is unlikely this time around, but at newlands, cricket always look spectacular. a spectacular ground. staying with cricket — players from australia and new zealand will wear black armbands, in tribute to those affected by the bushfires in australia at the moment. the teams meet in the 3rd test in sydney later, with australia having already won the series. there'll also be a minute's applause to honour the country's firefighters. 0ur sydney correspondent phil mercer has more. the australian and new zealand teams

we re the australian and new zealand teams were hosted by the prime minister, scott morrison, at his official residence here in sydney a few days ago. they said they would wear black arm bands in acknowledgement of the bushfire crisis that is sweeping many australian states. cricketing authorities here also say there will be fundraising efforts during the syd ney test be fundraising efforts during the sydney test match similar to those that raised money for breast cancer, the charity set up by glenn mcgrath. australian cricketing authorities well aware that this test match is coming ata well aware that this test match is coming at a time of great crisis for this country and we also hear that ina this country and we also hear that in a practical way, the umpires will be able to suspend play if smoke from the bushfire sweeps over the ground as it has done in the city of syd ney ground as it has done in the city of sydney many, many times in recent weeks. as you just mentioned, air quality will be a concern. will pollution

affect the match if referees or umpires see things? if you weeks ago we had a big match in canberra affected by smoke. it was absolutely hideous. it was choking smoke, not only for players but supporters as well. i would imagine if we have that sort of situation at the sydney cricket ground, swift action would be taken by the umpires. they would be well aware that this smoke is a horrible toxic haze that can be extremely uncomfortable and health officials say it can be quite dangerous as well so one would have thought umpires will be extremely wary of the threat of the smoke and the smoke could affect visibility. when it comes to balls being bowled at the ferocity of these test match players, visibility is extremely important. let's have a quick look at some of the day's other sports stories. and staying with the

australian bushfires, nick krgios has pledged to donatejust over £100 for every ace he hits this month, to help those affected. the australian player also called on tennis australia to do more with fundraising. england's james vince top scored for sydney sixers, in cricket's big bash. they beat melbourne renegades by six wickets. vince hit 41. the sixers move to second in the table after the win. and a hero's welcome for zlatan ibrahimovic on his return to italy. the swede has joined ac milan until the end of the season — and was a fan favourite at the club, scoring 56 time in 85 appearances when he first signed for them in 2010. former world champion speed—skater, elise christie, has announced she's taking a break from social media, to improve her mental health. the 29—year—old short—track star won world titles back in 2017, but failed to win a medal at the winter olympics a year later. christie spoke about her battle

with depression in april, and admitted she'd self—harmed. in an instagram post today, she said she'd be having time out to get happier again. ten points clear, two games in hand. 2019 was a year to remember for liverpool fans but 2020 could top that if they're able to win their first league title in 30 years. tonight, they can stretch their lead to 13 points with a win at home to sheffield united. we'll hear from anfield in just a moment, but first patrick gearey takes a look at what a year it could be for the red half of liverpool. 0nce once upon 0nce upona once upon a time, this was normal. predictable, even. between 1975 and 1990, liverpool's trophies and parades came around in a carousel of celebration. ten league title is up to 15 available, then the party stopped. it has been 30 years since.