
Rockets race to comfortable win over Phoenix
Trent Rockets cruised to a six-wicket victory over Birmingham Phoenix to get off to a winning start in The Hundred.The Rockets' victory was built on a sterling bowling display with New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson taking 3-20.A 63-run stand between captain Liam Livingstone and Joe Clarke helped Phoenix recover from 26-4 but their 122-6 was never likely to trouble the visitors.England star Joe Root was bowled early in the chase but it did little to slow the Rockets' charge.Opener Tom Banton top-scored with 43 and put on 51 with Rehan Ahmed, who made an entertaining 25 from 16 balls, before an Adam Hose boundary got the 2022 champions over the line with 22 balls to spare.
What is happening on Saturday?
We've got four games for you on Saturday with double-headers at The Oval and in Cardiff.Oval Invincibles host Manchester Originals (11:00/14:30 BST) and you can follow ball-by-ball commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app.Meanwhile Welsh Fire will welcome London Spirit (14:30/18:00 BST) and you will also be able to watch both of those games live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.
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The Independent
5 minutes ago
- The Independent
Manchester United fans' group postpones protest against owners
A Manchester United supporters' group has postponed a demonstration against the club's ownership planned for the day of their opening game of the Premier League season. The 1958 had organised a protest march to Old Trafford on August 17, ahead of United's clash with Arsenal, with banners referring to minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. The 1958 has overseen numerous demonstrations in recent years, principally aimed at unpopular majority shareholders the Glazers, but frustration has now spread to Ratcliffe. The billionaire British businessman, who owns a 28.94 per cent stake in United, has instigated wide – often unpopular – changes since taking over day-to-day operational control from the Glazers in February 2024. 'Jim Ratcliffe chose to get into bed with the Glazers and, in our opinion, is helping keep them in charge,' said a group representative, who added Ratcliffe was 'no saviour' and 'like a (red) devil in disguise,' last week. However, after conducting a survey, the group has acknowledged opinion is split and the time is not right for a protest. A statement read: 'With a fanbase as diverse and passionate as ours, finding the right balance isn't always easy. We've had to consider momentum, timing, fan appetite, broader consequences of protest activity whilst assessing how current and future decisions may impact us as fans. 'Given the current sentiment within the fanbase and particularly in light of these recent survey results, it's clear there is no unified view on the direction of the club under Ratcliffe. 'That split is real, and we believe it would be irresponsible to risk creating a situation that could result in any 'red on red' conflict inside or outside the stadium.' The group say almost 63 per cent of the near 26,000 respondents to their survey said Ratcliffe and his Ineos company should be held to account for their decisions so far by means of a protest. However, 68 per cent also believed they should be given more time.


BBC News
5 minutes ago
- BBC News
Billion-dollar owners, so why might Red Bull era dawn slowly at Newcastle?
Jamie Noon's explanation of the excitement around Red Bull's imminent takeover of Newcastle is succinct - but accurate."I just can't imagine Red Bull coming in and doing a half-arsed job," says the former England centre, who made 203 appearances for the club."That's not their style."There is huge potential there and the investment Red Bull are making won't just be financial, but also the expertise and professionalism from other sports."It is hard to argue with Red Bull's record of turning struggling football and Formula 1 teams into superpowers and heavyweight investment in top-end cycling and ice hockey, the Austrian energy drink giant is surely not going to stand for scraping the bottom of the Prem for fans are certainly dreaming. When the club opened season ticket sales last week, they recorded the highest demand for 10 years, up 197% on 2024's first-day of those sign-ups might hope to see something akin to the star-studded line-up Noon joined in then, bankrolled by Sir John Hall, England stars present and future Rob Andrew and Jonny Wilkinson turned out for a title-winning Falcons side, along with British and Irish Lions John Bentley, Alan Tait, Tony Underwood and Doddie Weir, and All Black code-crosser Va'aiga who now works as an agent in England and France, warns that a return to those heady days may not be immediate. "Everybody assumes that they're going to sign Antoine Dupont or whoever because they can afford it they can go hard," he says."But is that the right thing? I don't necessarily think it is. Not yet anyway."The recruitment cycle is over in France for next season, most of it's finished in the UK as well, so there's not a load of quality waiting for Red Bull to ring up."Most of the clubs are already back and have their players back."It'll be difficult, but they have to make some good decisions based on the long-term project."Red Bull have tried to get ahead of the the final details of the takeover deal were signed off at the end of last week, Red Bull have made funds available before completion to thaw out Newcastle's recruitment scrum-half Simon Benitez Cruz, who impressed against the Lions and England this summer, has been recruited, along with hard-running Japanese back row Amanaki Clarke, Jamie Hodgson and George McGuigan have also arrived to shore up the with the exception of Benitez Cruz who has signed a two-year deal, have contracts that run to the end of the season, suggesting they are stop-gap signings, while bigger names are lined Tom Christie, who started for New Zealand's Crusaders in their Super Rugby win over the Chiefs in June, may be next according to the Daily Telegraph., externalStopping players leaving may be as crucial as bringing them in are bound by the Prem's spending Bull is worth billions, but can only bring £6.4m in wages to bear on the bottom line, admittedly with one star's pay excluded from that credits exist for producing home-grown talent and penalties are liable for fielding too many players who do not qualify for the only top-flight club for more than 100 miles, Newcastle have a huge catchment area for support and ability to retain the likes of Callum Chick, Jamie Blamire and Adam Radwan - all England internationals who have departed this year - is key to Newcastle's future. "They can't just go all foreign and bring in a host of Kiwis and South Africans, so they're going to make sure that they're clever," says Noon."I think they're conscious of trying to get enough quality guys to get through the season, but with a view that actually there's a long-term project. With a bit more time and patience they can get the guys they want, as opposed to who is available."Red Bull's entry into the Prem marks the end of a year-long search for a buyer for last autumn, long-time club owner Semore Kurdi brought in A&W Capital, specialists in the sale of sports teams, to find someone to take the club was a pressing concern not just for Kurdi, who has put many millions of his own money into the club since becoming owner in 2011, or Newcastle, but the league as a the demise of Worcester Warriors, Wasps and London Irish, another club going under would have reduced the Prem to nine clubs. Each round would involve only four fixtures and the gate receipts and product for broadcasters and sponsors would situation was so stark that earlier this year Sky News reported, external the other Premiership clubs, along with CVC Partners who part-own the league, were prepared to loan Newcastle £4m to keep them Bull's investment is a vastly preferable option for all dire circumstances and Kurdi's desire to see the club in good hands meant Red Bull could cut a deal with little initial cost beyond taking on responsibility for the club's £39m Rugby has been understandably eager to facilitate an acquisition that solves a short-term problem and fits long-term league has rebranded from the Premiership to target a younger demographic, one that ties in well with Red Bull's consumer also hopes to switch to a franchise model, perhaps as soon as 2026-27, doing away with on-pitch relegation. Such a move would reduce the risk of investing in distressed assets such as Newcastle, something that can spook potential the plan to rename Newcastle Falcons as Newcastle Red Bulls was simple and Bull ran into stiff opposition from the German football federation over their renaming of RB Leipzig in 2009. The RB officially stands for RasenBallsport, rather than the energy drink that bankrolled the team's rise up the leagues, as a concession to rugby, which has seen plenty of rebrands and title sponsors since the dawn of professionalism, has no such qualms. Red Bull already has links with Newcastle's football team, external and university., externalUltimately, it proved an ideal opportunity to expand its involvement in rugby from the sponsorship of a few high-profile players, such as South Africa captain Siya Kolisi and ex-England wing Jack Nowell, into something more Rugby hopes it is the start of a new sustainable era, in which clubs are owned and grown by corporate investors, rather than propped up by local business owners and have attracted a blue-chip brand such as Red Bull, while the rebel R360 start-up competition also hunts investment, is a resounding vote of Bull was not the only potential buyer identified in A&W Capital's search, but was clearly the best option if a deal could be it has been, the focus will shift from the paperwork to the pitch."Newcastle is an awesome place - the people are fantastic," says Noon."When I was there it was quite a young club, full of energy and we did it our way - we moved the ball around a lot and took people on."In a football-mad town, we kind of felt a little bit like [former Newcastle manager Kevin] Keegan, in trying to score one more than they did as a backline."It's so exciting that everybody's talking Newcastle again and the buzz is flying around. But it's only great if they can perform on the field as well."The difficult bit begins with a Prem Cup game against Harlequins on 12 September, before Newcastle start their top-flight campaign at home to Saracens on 26 September.


Daily Mail
5 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Man United 'will step up talks for £100m Brighton star Carlos Baleba' as player's stance is 'revealed'
Manchester United are reportedly preparing to heat up their pursuit of Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba. A figure of £100million is being bandied around for the 21-year-old, who has spent two seasons as a regular starter for the Seagulls after arriving from Lille in 2023. He still has three years remaining on his contract at the Amex, and the club holds the option of a 12-month extension on top of that, so the cards are firmly in Brighton's hands. But Fabrizio Romano reports that United are ready to intensify their move to snatch him and that, crucially, the player is keen to make the switch happen. Brighton are not so willing to sell given that he had an impressive season, featuring 34 times in the Premier League and scoring three goals for Fabian Hurzeler's side. The Sussex club are used to turning around stars for a mind-blowing profit - think Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella, and Joao Pedro - but are not in a position where they must sell. They finished eighth in the Premier League last time out, just five points off fifth-placed Newcastle, who secured Champions League football, and may feel they can kick on. While they have sold important players in Pedro, Simon Adingra, and Pervis Estupinan, they have re-invested in the next crop who they hope can shock the league. According to The Athletic, a move for the youngster is 'improbable' unless United are able to secure a series of lucrative sales before the window closes at the start of next month. All the same, United have established contact with Brighton. Following their dismal campaign last term, United have focused on bolstering their attack, recruiting Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko for a combined outlay of £207.2million. Only Liverpool and Chelsea can boast a higher spend among the Premier League's money-spinning corridors this summer. One Manchester United fan has set up a GoFundMe page to try and raise funds for a Baleba bid, though in four days it has only raised £501 of its £120m target. Ruben Amorim has a desire to improve their midfield ranks. United currently have Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, and Toby Collyer, while Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo can also be deployed in the central midfielder positions in their 3-4-3 formation. Baleba told The Sun that praise from players like Declan Rice, Matheus Cunha and Joelinton, as well as watching Man City star Rodri lift the Ballon D'or, has encouraged him to set his sights on the most prestigious individual award in football. 'I want to win the Ballon D'or like Rodri,' Baleba said. 'His success has opened the door for midfielders like us to believe we can win the Ballon D'or one day.' The youngster was born and raised in Douala - also the birthplace of four-time African Player of the Year Samuel Eto'o. He has also cited former United midfielder Paul Pogba as one of his biggest inspirations.