Nepal v West Indies (in UAE) 2025
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Tom Aspinall to finally defend UFC heavyweight title as next opponent revealed
Tom Aspinall is finally getting back in the Octagon after his first defence as undisputed UFC heavyweight champion was confirmed. Aspinall had been waiting to unify the heavyweight belts in a mouth-watering clash against Jon Jones, only for the pound-for-pound great to stall over booking the fight for close to two years. That prolonged saga then came to a deflating end when Jones' retirement was announced by Dana White following UFC Baku. The development officially made Aspinall the king of heavyweight and allowed him to finally move on from Jones, turning focus to the rest of the division. His first challenge will come on 25 October against French star Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi. Gane was once also dubbed as heavyweight's 'next big thing' before being made quick work of in Jones' first fight in the division back in March 2023. Gane has since underwhelmed in the cage despite winning his last two fights, with his most recent victory over Alexander Volkov surrounded by contention. Aspinall, meanwhile, has looked near-unstoppable during his supersonic rise to the top, knocking out highly-rated Sergei Pavlovich to win interim gold before avenging his freak injury loss to Curtis Blaydes - his only title defence while he played the waiting game for Jones. Aspinall is closing in on one year since his last fight but is now intent on becoming one of the most active champions in the UFC, looking to steamroll the heavyweight division after years of being held hostage by Jones. As the bout is happening in Abu Dhabi, fans in the UK will not have to stay up until the early hours of Sunday morning to watch Aspinall's return, with the main event set to kick off on the Saturday evening. The announcement comes as part of a triple-reveal of title fights by the UFC. Merab Dvalishvili will go to battle with Cory Sandhagen over the Georgian's bantamweight title at UFC 320 on 4 October, while Alex Pereira will look to regain his light heavyweight strap from Magomed Ankalaev. Khalil Rountree will also fight Jiri Prochazka at the same event - a battle of top contenders at 205lbs.
The Guardian
3 hours ago
- The Guardian
Qatar wants to host Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2036
Qatar has confirmed its interest in hosting the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The country's Olympic committee (QOC) confirmed on Tuesday it was in 'ongoing discussions' with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over staging the Games. The Middle East nation hosted the men's football World Cup in 2022. 'This move underscores the State of Qatar's unwavering commitment to supporting the Olympic and Paralympic Movements and its keen interest in playing an active role in the advancement of global sport,' a QOC statement said. Staging a Summer Games in the searing heat of the Middle East may require a move out of the event's traditional slot. The 2022 World Cup was played in November and December instead of June and July. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, president of the QOC and chair of the bid committee, said: 'We currently have 95% of the required sports infrastructure in place to host the Games, and we have a comprehensive national plan to ensure 100% readiness of all facilities. 'This plan is rooted in a long-term vision aimed at building a socially, economically and environmentally sustainable legacy. Our objective goes beyond simply organising a successful event, we aim to deliver a global experience that reinforces the values of inclusivity, sustainability and international collaboration.' The new IOC president, Kirsty Coventry, said last month that her organisation would be reviewing the process for determining Games hosts.
The Guardian
3 hours ago
- The Guardian
Yorkshire v Surrey, Sussex v Essex, and more: county cricket day one
Update: Date: 2025-07-22T19:50:07.000Z Title: Gloucestershire Content: There was an intriguing first day at Cheltenham college, a fine debut knock from Kane Williamson and Rehan Ahmed in the runs once more Tanya Aldred at Cheltenham Tue 22 Jul 2025 15.49 EDT First published on Tue 22 Jul 2025 05.00 EDT 3.49pm EDT 15:49 Tanya Aldred The sandy-stoned gorgeousness of Cheltenham college, the white hospitality tents full of bonhomie and beer – it wasn't long ago that the world's longest-running cricket festival was a healthy homage to the county game. But times have changed, and lost £80,000 at last year's festival, and a similar amount the year before. The future looks uncertain, but the 2,400 who came through the gate saw an intriguing day on a butterscotch outfield, that largely dodged the menacing dishwasher clouds that swung in from the north west. Lancashire's Matty Hurst reached his hundred to a enthusiastic round of applause, after holding the innings together against the off-spin of Todd Murphy, the zippy Zaman Akhter (four for 64) and Ajeet Singh Dale, who, festival rumour has it, is off to Old Trafford at the end of the season. Kane Williamson enjoyed his red-ball debut for Middlesex, with an unbeaten 88 against Northamptonshire, a cameo companion to Max Holden's 137 – his third hundred of the summer. An eyebrow raising 22 wickets fell at Taunton, and in a Kookaburra round as well. Craig Overton hustled Durham out for 145, with six for 23; before George Drissell returned the favour for Durham, with five for 59. Tom Lammonby helped Somerset to 250, giving Durham just time to lose two wickets in the three overs before stumps. Spectators at Sophia Gardens watched an epic Kent collapse – six wickets for seven runs against Glamorgan, while at Scarborough, Yorkshire's top four kept top of the table Surrey at bay, despite the unavailability of their new signing Imam-Ul-Haq, with visa issues. There were three wickets for Dan Worrall. Rehan Ahmed danced to his third consecutive century, from 118 balls, as Leicestershire bloomed from a sub-optimal nought for two after eight balls against Derbyshire. Lewis Hill was unbeaten on 132 at stumps, while Peter Handscomb perched on 99. Essex had one of their better days of 2025, ushering Sussex out for 204, the clockwork Jamie Porter (four for 40) and Sam Cook reunited. Ethan Brookes' 80 against his old club kept Worcestershire in the hunt against Warwickshire at Edgbaston. Freddie McCann and Jack Haynes pocketed half centuries for Nottinghamshire on an emerald pitch against Hampshire at Southampton. 2.03pm EDT 14:03 The seagulls call and circle the mowers, the Cheltenham team draw out the groundsheets. Thanks for your company today, we'll be back tomorrow – have a lovely evening. 2.02pm EDT 14:02 DIVISION ONE Southampton: Hampshire v Nottinghamshire 241-5 Taunton: Somerset 250 v Durham 145 and 5-2 Hove: Sussex 204 v Essex 152-4 Edgbaston: Warwickshire v Worcestershire 262-8 Scarborough: Yorkshire 282-4 v Surrey DIVISION TWO Derby: Derbyshire v Leicestershire 357-3 Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 125-4 v Kent 155 Cheltenham: v Lancashire 290-6 Merchant Taylors' School: Middlesex 319-1 v Northamptonshire 12.30pm EDT 12:30 I'd better write up for the paper. Apologies for missing Lewis Hill's century in Leicestershire's 320-3, and Max Holden's 133 in Middlesex's 303-1, a true Kookaburra day one. Do hang around and chat on BTL. 12.25pm EDT 12:25 Fifty for Matty Hurst… An assured fifty from Hurst and an important one for his side 📸 while at the other end George Balderson is undone by some chin-music from Zaman Akhter (4-46). Lancashire 209-6. 12.18pm EDT 12:18 Ali on Liam Dawson's big chance. 12.14pm EDT 12:14 The shot you might play after a long night of the soul. 🎬 Will Jacks finds a bit of turn to remove Luxton. 🤎 | #SurreyCricket Yorkshire battling against Surrey at Scarborough – fifties (well, 47 for Lyth) for each of the top four. Worrall three for 49. YJB now 18 not out. Yorkshire 280 for four. Updated at 12.14pm EDT 12.05pm EDT 12:05 Make that four for 17 ,as Drissell sends Banton on his way. A classic Somerset wobble. Soon Lewis Gregory and Craig Overton will appear to angrily whack 65 and save the batter blushes. 11.56am EDT 11:56 Somerset have slipped on that rogue bar of Chester-le-Street soap. After an easy start, they've suddenly lost three for five in eight balls. That man Wagner with the original breakthrough, TKC caught and bowled for 40, before Potts grabbed Davey and Rew in the same over, and Drissell did for Abell. Somerset 115-4, 30 behind Durham. 11.51am EDT 11:51 James Bracey is lying on the ground, after taking a blow somewhere painful. His teammates chew their nails, utterly unconcerned. Lovely to wander around at tea: children having fun bowling at each other in the nets, a book signing, good-humoured chatter. A cloud burst, though, seems imminent. Cody the dog, lime trees and ice-creams at the Cheltenham festival. 11.16am EDT 11:16 Time for a cup of tea and a leg stretch, back shortly. 11.16am EDT 11:16 Am enjoying watching Todd Murphy bowl, especially his little high leg dog-lift at start of his run-up walk in. Cricinfo says he is thought of as the heir to Nathan Lyon when he eventually hangs up his boots. That'll be a way away – but he's easy on the eye. 11.08am EDT 11:08 DIVISION ONE Southampton: Hampshire 62-1 v Nottinghamshire 94-2 Taunton: Somerset 62-1 v Durham 145 Hove: Sussex 204 v Essex Edgbaston: Warwickshire v Worcestershire 159-4 Scarborough: Yorkshire 214-2 v Surrey DIVISION TWO Derby: Derbyshire v Leicestershire 241-3 Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 2-0 v Kent 155 Cheltenham: v Lancashire 169-5 Merchant Taylors' School: Middlesex 247-1 v Northamptonshire Updated at 11.15am EDT 11.01am EDT 11:01 Rehan Ahmed has been dismissed for 115, but Lewis Hill, who joined him at the crease at 0-2, is unbeaten on 85. Leics 241-3. 10.58am EDT 10:58 Still slight as a candle, James Bracey takes a quick-witted diving catch to his right to dismiss Phil Salt, before jogging a semi-circle of celebration. Lancs 160-5, a fellow traveller in today's low-scores club. 10.47am EDT 10:47 Yorkshire will join Surrey, Somerset and Middlesex and vote to retain 14 Championship matches, following a member survey. They will vote in favour of a marginal reduction in Blast games. The club vowed to 'reflect the views of its members when it places its vote.' At Cheltenham, in what is now pleasant shirt-sleeves warmth, Cameron Bancroft has just dropped Phil Salt at first slip off Akhter. 10.40am EDT 10:40 Truly, an epic performance at Sophia Gardens. From 150-5 to 155 all out. Three ducks (Parky C, Agar, Quinn) to finish things off. Three wickets for Harris and van der Gugten. Updated at 2.05pm EDT 10.36am EDT 10:36 Apologies for the delay. Vic Marks, who is signing copies of his new book, England Cricket Captains, the sequel to Alan Gibson's great book, pops up to the balcony. He says it is obviously flattening out at Taunton. Somerset 32-0. 10.12am EDT 10:12 As Hurst smack six to the right of a jolly band of drinkers in front of hospitality tent, let's wander around the grounds. Updated at 10.13am EDT 10.03am EDT 10:03 I can't work out whether the tannoy announcer has just named the Chapel End as sponsored by a local funeral directors, or Ajeet Singh Dale himself. Anyway, he accelerates in, black hair flowing behind. At Taunton, Durham, who'd done well to haul themselves up from 43-6, are finally all out for 145. Thanks largely to 42 from Ben Raine and twenties from Matthew Potts and Neil Wagner – who played half a game for Durham last year before his shoulder went. Craig Overton 6-23. Updated at 10.14am EDT 9.55am EDT 09:55 And four balls into the resumption, Josh Bohannon has a huge brain fade, quicksteps down the wicket to van Buuren, and is stumped. Lancs 106-3. 9.53am EDT 09:53 The covers are coming off here at Cheltenham, thanks to the busy groundsmen and, weather permitting, play will start at 2.55 with tea at 4.10. Five overs have been lost. A little nugget from the rainbreak – Lancashire sold 2000 tickets on the back of Sir Jimmy's wildcard selection for the Manchester Originals squad. At the same time, Rocky Flintoff was announced as a wildcard for Northern Superchargers. Updated at 9.54am EDT 9.36am EDT 09:36 For balance: Overton J. 🤩 Great to see Jamie Overton back bowling fast with the red ball in hand. 🏏 Yorkshire 142/2 in the 43rd over. 📺 WATCH LIVE ➡️ 🤎 | #SurreyCricket Both openers gone, caught off Worrall – Lyth for 47, Bean for 57. 9.33am EDT 09:33 As the rain falls again on unfortunate , this is worth a few minutes of your time – a call to arms by 's chief exec Neil Priscott. For those of you without a Cricketer subscription, lost £80,000 on last year's festival, even with the amazing Championship game against Glamorgan. They lost a similar amount the year before. 'We would like to continue it,' Priscott tells The Cricketer. 'But if we can't make it work this year, with the schedule we've got and the weather we have, then it will be really hard. We just can't keep losing money.' 'We need support. We need people to support the festival. If we continue to lose, regardless of what the domestic schedule might throw up, we can't keep doing it. But we want to keep doing it. 'If you go back pre-Hundred, pre-Covid, the festival made money. Good surpluses. It was a regular positive for the club. But since those, the schedule has changed a little bit, and it is completely different, and society is different. What used to be one of the hottest hospitality tickets in town, companies are different now. 'There is a different way that people work, and it is not necessarily spending a whole day at the cricket with 10 corporate colleagues. The hospitality market has changed markedly, and that was always one of Cheltenham's big wins. We do recognise that it's not like it was, and we shouldn't expect it to be. So, what are our expectations? We do want to make a surplus, but it is a heck of an effort.' So if you're thinking about coming down, please do! 9.20am EDT 09:20 The umpires walk out for a cursory inspection of the covers, and scurry back. 9.12am EDT 09:12 What a cracking season he's having. At the risk of sounding like a stuck record, he's looked a million dollars in the two centuries I've watched. Today, 104 not out, 121 balls, 14 fours, one six, rescuing Leicestershire from 0-2 to 146-2. Only one player has scored more County Championship hundreds than Rehan Ahmed in 2025. The 20-year-old also averaged more than 40 with the bat in the Blast… Updated at 9.34am EDT 9.04am EDT 09:04 And here comes the rain, filing in from the north west. The players stroll in with Lancashire 105-2. Hopefully it will blow over quickly. 8.59am EDT 08:59 Durham not having their best day: 76-7. OUT!!! 6 for Craig Overton!!! WPA LIVE STREAM ➡️ 8.55am EDT 08:55 An enormous black aerial blanket is approaching Cheltenham college with intent. 8.46am EDT 08:46 A lunchtime email: hello there, Anthony Aldred. 'Today an inspiring group of young elderly men and women took part in a walking cricket festival at The Oval. All had a great time with laughter as well as a good competitive spirit. A long time ago some of my children played Kwik cricket for Send Cricket Club colts on The Oval outfield during the lunchtime of a West Indies Test Match. Not quite the same but now I have done it too. Walking cricket is brilliant. I stopped playing in my early 50s and never thought I would play again yet here I am at 78 performing on a Test ground. Opened the batting too!' Well done Dad! I hope there is video footage. Updated at 10.51am EDT 8.11am EDT 08:11 Going to hunt down some lunch, back shortly. 8.10am EDT 08:10 DIVISION ONE Southampton: Hampshire v Nottinghamshire 20-1 rain Taunton: Somerset v Durham 33-3 rain Hove: Sussex 69-4 v Essex rain Edgbaston: Warwickshire v Worcestershire 67-3 Scarborough: Yorkshire 82-0 v Surrey DIVISION TWO Derby: Derbyshire v Leicestershire 118-2 Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan v Kent 111-2 Cheltenham: v Lancashire 82-2 Merchant Taylors' School: Middlesex 90-0 v Northamptonshire 8.05am EDT 08:05 Some lunchtime reading, in the form of the new Hit for Six report The Danger Zone, six years after the first shocked Shane Warne into speaking out. Hit for Six: The Danger Zone focuses particular on India – and the extreme heat that some IPL games are played in. It reveals that 36 per cent of 2025 IPL matches were played in 'Extreme Caution' conditions, with an additional 12 per cent in the 'Danger' zone. It also reports that there has been a 125 per cent increase in hazardous heat days in Mumbai since 1970, with Thiruvananthapuram recording over 100 in 2024 alone. The report features voices from the Indian grassroots game, where there are none of the safeguards of franchise or international cricket. . 'All of us talk about it. My teammates and I are noticing that cricket doesn't feel the same. It's a bit scary because we don't know how bad it'll get. Mohammad Kaif, Wonders Club, Noida. You can access the report in more detail at the bottom of the page here. Updated at 9.02am EDT 7.49am EDT 07:49 Sussex dine four down, with two wickets to Khaleel Ahmed. And a wicket here at Cheltenham, as Jennings departs, disgruntled. Lancs 75-2. 7.34am EDT 07:34 I spoke to Rob Key (for the Cricket Paper) about the Kookaburra ball at the end of the last round. He was thoughtful about it 'The misconception is that we are using the ball because of the Ashes, but it is because we want the county game to replicate as much as possible the international game, where people bowl more quickly and with more skill on flatter, truer surfaces. It is a long-term vision.' 'It is a small change that has a big effect on the style of cricket played. What we are looking for is players who take on pressure and soak up pressure. We are obsessed with one to one coaching in this country but this is a game learned out in the middle, carving out runs.' On the tensions between cricketers/spectators/selectors 'If you want to get a result you probably do have to play a different kind of cricket. We are looking at the process rather than the results, which is different to the way the county DOCs look at things.' That it produces boring cricket: 'I often think that the way a game is played shows the intent of the team. If the ball is not doing much and you're scoring at two and a half an over, that's a mentality thing, and it depends on your attitude towards risk as a team. The games are not meant to be over in two and a half days.' On spinners.'We have a whole generation of spinners in the last 15 years who found themselves surplus to requirements, but if you look at the game between Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire [in the first of the Kookaburra rounds], Farhan Ahmed and Liam Patterson White bowled 110 overs between them.' Key's data deep dive showed that there was 25 percent more spin bowling in the first kookaburra round than there was in the round before. Interestingly, the decision on when and whether or not to continue with the Kookaburra lies with the county DOCs, who meet with the ECB at the end of the season. 7.20am EDT 07:20 Delays also at Taunton and Edgbaston. Here, off-spinner Todd Murphy wheels in, tea towel tucked into the waistband of his trousers. An excellent addition to the spinners in glasses club. 7.14am EDT 07:14 In Division One: Adam Lyth and Finlay Bean have taken Yorkshire to 56-0 against Division One leaders Surrey at Scarborough. Ethan Bamber and Ed Barnard chopped off Worcestershire's openers in the Midlands Derby at Edgbaston: Worcs 40-2. Durham have been briefly saved by the rain at CLS, Somerset's Craig Overton took two in two, Durham 33-3. GONE!! Craig O on a hat-trick!!! WPA LIVE STREAM ➡️ It is also raining at Southampton, where Notts lost HH early, to Eddie Jack. Notts 20-1. Sussex, who will be joined by 's Tom Price next year, on a three year contract, have lost three wickets this morning to Essex. Simon Harmer is already two overs into his work. Sussex 50-3. 6.58am EDT 06:58 With a reminder (thank you) from BTL that this is a Kookaburra round, a potter round the other Division Two games. Sam Robson and Max Holden have serenely taken Middlesex to 36-0 against Northants at Merchant Taylors'; Rehan Ahmed and Lewis Hill are making merry after Leicestershire's disastrous start, Leics 44-2; and Kent are fizzing along at five an over against Glamorgan, though they've lost Compton for 17. Kent 61-1. 6.47am EDT 06:47 Currently battling with a parasol to protect laptops from the mizzle. 6.38am EDT 06:38 Pleasingly enthusiastic applause as Wells edges behind off Akhter. Lancs 28-1. Updated at 6.38am EDT 6.31am EDT 06:31 Mark Ramprakash is a very thoughtful columnist. 6.29am EDT 06:29 There is, I'm afraid to report, some rain in the air here in Cheltenham. De Lange went off after a couple of overs and is, I think, still nursing something or other. Seagulls drifting about, a few pints making their way around the boundary edge. Lancashire 23-0. 6.13am EDT 06:13 Leicestershire's romp to Division One has hit further tacks in the road – currently one for two, with Budinger and Patel both gone for ducks. 6.03am EDT 06:03 And from the College Hall end, Ajeet Singh Dale, who was so impressive at Old Trafford earlier this season. Rumours are that he is soon headed to south London, though Lancashire were also interested. 6.02am EDT 06:02 A very enthusiastic tannoy announcer jollies up the crowd before play – and if you're thinking of coming along, bring your bank card as it is a cash-free ground. And here come , lead by Cameron Bancroft. Marchant de Lange takes the first over from the Chapel End – we were watching him in warm-up, he's built like a rugby player, all tree-trunk legs and oak-table chest. Rapid too, as Jennings edges him through the slips for four. Updated at 7.42am EDT 5.45am EDT 05:45 Looking out from the balcony at a barley sugar outfield, the clouds towering over Cleeve hill. Jimmy Anderson, still captain despite Marcus Harris' return, has won the toss and decided to bat. Overheard in the queue, Jimmy is the first knight of the realm ever to play at Cheltenham. 5.39am EDT 05:39 1 Leicestershire 157 2 Derbyshire 126 3 Glamorgan 124 4 111 5 Northamptonshire 108 6 Lancashire 102 7. Middlesex 99 8 Kent 89 5.39am EDT 05:39 1 Surrey 140 2 Nottinghamshire 139 3 Sussex 123 4 Somerset 117 5 Warwickshire 117 6 Durham 108 7 Hampshire 105 8 Yorkshire 91 9 Essex 88 10 Worcestershire 73 5.00am EDT 05:00 Part XXXXV…the votes are (starting to come) in: Surrey and Somerset have announced that they want 14 Championship games, with a return to eight teams in Division One and 10 in Division Two; Middlesex also want 14, but with ten teams in the top tier, while Durham and Lancashire support the 12/6 conference idea. The PCA, meanwhile, have put their weight behind the conference plan and a reduction in the number of games to 12, alongside a reduced Blast schedule. 'A change in format of the County Championship to 12 league games is the only reasonable option' said Olly Hannon-Dalby, PCA chair, breathing 'new life' into the competition. 5.00am EDT 05:00 Gary Naylor's excellent round-up of the Blast, as it goes into hibernation. 5.00am EDT 05:00 DIVISION ONE Southampton: Hampshire v Nottinghamshire Taunton: Somerset v Durham Hove: Sussex v Essex Edgbaston: Warwickshire v Worcestershire Scarborough: Yorkshire v Surrey DIVISION TWO Derby: Derbyshire v Leicestershire Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan v Kent Cheltenham: v Lancashire Merchant Taylors' School: Middlesex v Northamptonshire 5.00am EDT 05:00 Good morning! Torrential rain in Manchester (good luck for the Test …) has turned into thoughtful clouds above Cheltenham, at the start of this two-week late-July dip in the Championship waters. Fortified with porridge from the cafe opposite the station, I will follow the rucksacks to Cheltenham college. Play starts at 11am – do join us to rummage around cricket, the universe and everything.
