5/29! Australia's horrific WTC collapse
Cricket: Australia lost 5/29 as they suffered another batting collapse on day two of the World Test Championship Final against South Africa.
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Daily Telegraph
an hour ago
- Daily Telegraph
Trainer James Cummings to train in Hong Kong from 2026-27
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. James Cummings has withdrawn his application for the famous Leilani Lodge stables at Royal Randwick after accepting an offer to train in Hong Kong. Cummings flew to Hong Kong on Tuesday to front a press conference this morning in which the Hong Kong Jockey Club confirmed the trainer would move there for the start of the 2026-27 season. It's a real coup for Hong Kong racing to secure one of Sydney's most outstanding trainers. Cummings' tenure as Godolphin's private trainer comes to an end on July 31. He will take a 'sabbatical'' from training before he moves to Hong Kong next year. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'This wasn't a decision I made lightly. With the upcoming conclusion of my exclusive role at Godolphin, I have carefully considered the right path forward,'' Cummings said. 'While continuing to train in Australia was my intention, the opportunity in Hong Kong presented a unique and respected environment to challenge myself and grow further as a trainer. This is a progression to the next stage of my career in a new jurisdiction.'' Cummings said he was privileged to lead a 'talented and committed team' at Godolphin since 2017. 'In deciding not to train next season, I also wanted to be fair to my staff by giving them the opportunity to commit to a long-term role with another stable,'' he said. 'To the owners who had already been forthcoming in their support, I want to express my sincerest appreciation. 'I felt it would be unfair to continue, only to step away and leave the team and yearlings without guidance during a pivotal stage in their development.' Cummings has been reconsidering his future since Godolphin Australia recently made a bombshell announcement that it was moving to a public training model from August 1. The trainer had lodged an application to take over the vacant Leilani Lodge stables at Royal Randwick. The Australian Turf Club's board of directors is due to meet this week to discuss which trainer will be allocated the 60-boxes at Leilani Lodge where Bart Cummings trained so successfully for more than 40 years. An original Hall of Fame inductee, Bart Cummings prepared some of his greatest champions out of Leilani Lodge including Saintly, So You Think, Beau Zam, Shaftesbury Avenue, Sky Chase, Campaign King, Dane Ripper and many others. The nation's leading trainer, Ciaron Maher, and the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott team are the clear favourites to be given the keys to the Randwick stables which have been vacant since the licence of James's father, Anthony Cummings, was revoked earlier this year. The famous Leilani Lodge stables at Randwick. • Comeback star can give Cummings a Golden send-off in Stradbroke James Cummings is only 37 years of age and has already trained 52 career Group 1 winners including two with his legendary grandfather, Bart. To put this achievement into context, Bart Cummings and Tommy Smith didn't train their 50th Group 1 winner until they turned 45. Chris Waller may rewrite all the training records but he didn't get to 50 big race wins until he was 42. In fact, the only other trainer to reach 50 Group 1 wins before the age of 40 was Lee Freedman who was 38. Cummings has been Godolphin's trainer since 2017 and has been hugely successful for the global racing and breeding giant, preparing 48 Group 1 winners for the 'Blue Army' and more than $200 million prizemoney. Anamoe has been Godolphin's best horse during the Cummings era winning nine Group 1 races including the 2022 Cox Plate and earning Horse of the Year honours in 2022-23. Cummings trained a Golden Slipper quinella in 2019 with Kiamichi and Microphone, and the winners of the Golden Eagle (Colette, 2019), Doncaster Mile (Cascadian, 2021), Epsom Handicap (Hartnell, 2018), Tancred Stakes (Avilius, 2019) and two Golden Roses with Broadsiding (2024) and Bivouac (2019). The champion trainer also enjoyed tremendous success for Godolphin interstate preparing the winners of the All Star Mile (Tom Kitten, 2025), two Australian Cups (Cascadian 2023, 2024), three Newmarket Handicaps (Bivouac, 2020, In Secret, 2023 and Cylinder, 2024), two VRC Oaks (Zardozi, 2024 and Willowy, 2021), two Caulfield Guineas (Anamoe, 2021 and Golden Mile, 2022) and the Stradbroke Handicap (Trekking, 2019). Originally published as James Cummings accepts offer to train in Hong Kong from the 2026-27 season
Daily Telegraph
an hour ago
- Daily Telegraph
Mollie O'Callaghan stuns in 100m final at Australian swim trials
Don't miss out on the headlines from Swimming. Followed categories will be added to My News. Champion swimmer Mollie O'Callaghan has made a major statement with a spectacular time in the 100m freestyle final of the Australian trials. The 21-year-old, who won Olympic gold in Paris for the 200m freestyle and finished fourth in the 100m race, was unstoppable as she swam a time of 52.87 seconds to add to her Singapore World Championships schedule. She was happy with her swim despite a challenging period of preparation. 'This is probably my fourth 100m of the season for freestyle and it was definitely a tough one,' she said. 'I probably have to be a bit nicer on myself to get to this point. 'I think when you're at your weakest it's always worth it to step up.' O'Callaghan had experienced a challenging time after Paris and leading into the trials, revealing she struggled with her mental health after coming down from the highs of the Olympics. Mollie O'Callaghan on her way to a blistering time in the 100m final. 'I've had a rough past couple months, it was really stressful for me,' she said. 'There hasn't been anything as hard as this, coming back and trying to race after the Olympics. 'I have had a lot of pressure on myself to get to this point and to make the team, especially in the 200 freestyle — I put a lot of pressure on myself. 'Externally, people expect a lot of me but they don't see the work that goes behind it and what I've been through.' The 100m result is O'Callaghan's second major triumph at the trials after she also took out the 200m freestyle final with an impressive 1:54.43 time, ahead of St Peters Western squad mate Lani Pallister in second. With the weight of making the team for the World Championships now off of her shoulders, O'Callaghan said she was looking forward to enjoying herself in Singapore alongside her teammates. 'Dean (Boxall) and I have spoken about it this year, there have been some curveballs thrown at me but it's now about having fun,' she said. 'I think making the team and having that pressure taken off, just to go race, meet new people, enjoy myself and train alongside my buddies in this team – that's the whole purpose of this.' STUBBELTY-COOK AIMS HIGHER AFTER TRIALS BLITZ Paris Olympics silver medallist Zac Stubblety-Cook said his best swim was still in him after booking a spot in next month's World Championships with a strong 200m breaststroke swim in the Australian trials final. The 26-year-old, who in the lead up to the trials had still been recovering from setbacks stemming from a neck fracture suffered before the 2024 Olympics, produced a dominant display to take first place with ease in Adelaide. Now training under renowned breaststroke coach Mel Marshall, Stubblety-Cook said he was feeling as confident as ever ahead of next month's world champs. 'I'm reasonably happy with the performance,' he said. 'Mel and I just wanted to step through this, so I can't really complain — there is a lot of work to do in the next five weeks for Singapore. Zac Stubblety-Cook during the final. 'To get back on the team and move toward the World Championships is really exciting and I think I'm a lot more confident.' Stubblety-Cook said he had evolved significantly since beginning training with Marshall ahead of the national trials. Not only have his injuries improved, but believed he had also improved psychologically with his ability to remain calm and composed ahead of competition. 'We're doing a few different things under her (Mel), she's been really good at managing the injury I've had…I wouldn't be here without her. 'I think the last eight years, I've been that younger and hungry athlete but last year I had some time to reflect and figure out my approach and what I wanted to commit to for the next four years. 'The way Mel put it to me, you go from being capable and hungry but mentally not knowing how to do it, then you swap that over and you start thinking about and trusting the process more. 'For me, my best swim is still in me, so I'm still chasing that and I think that's the goal over the next three years, and just to get better and better each year.' Sam Short in the water at the Paris Olympics. SHORT STAMPS HIS AUTHORITY TO HOLD OFF RISING STAR Rejuvenated swimmer Sam Short has added to a strong showing in the Australian trials ahead of the July World Championships with a narrow 1500m freestyle final win. The 21-year-old just finished ahead of emerging young gun Ben Goedemans with a 14:53.43 time, with Goedemans settling for second at 14:53.99. With multiple personal bests and the 400m final win already under his belt, Short's triumph on Friday night in Adelaide only adds to his bragging rights. 'I felt really good until the last 500 metres and then just went downhill a bit physically,' he said. 'I just wanted to get my hand on the wall first so I'm happy I did...I have a lot to improve on for the World Championships.' For Goedemans, his performance also adds to what has been a rewarding national trials, the St Peters Western swimmer already fulfilling his dream of making a senior Dolphins team with his win in the 800m freestyle. He said he had experienced major improvements under Dean Boxall. 'I was definitely after a race like that after some personal bests at nationals,' he said. 'Dean has really helped me, I wasn't this fast before being under him.' Originally published as Mollie O'Callaghan stuns in 100m final at Australian swim trials
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Steve Smith hurt during big moment in World Test final
Australia's best batter Steve Smith has dropped a crucial chance and injured his finger during South Africa's run chase of 282 in the World Test Championship final at Lord's. Wearing a helmet while standing closer in slips than normal, the former Australia captain put down a regulation chance off Mitchell Starc that would have dismissed Proteas captain Temba Bavuma for only two on Friday. South Africa went to tea on day three at 2-94, still requiring 188 to win, with Bavuma (11no) and opener Aiden Markram (49no) pressing the Proteas' claims of securing their first ICC trophy since 1998. Bavuma himself needed medical attention on his hamstring before the end of the session after he'd got hurt sprinting a quick single, but batted on with a concerning limp. Smith immediately left the field grimacing after injuring the little finger of his right hand while spilling the catch that would have put Australia in the box seat to claim back-to-back WTC titles. Several edges during this Test - for both teams - have dropped well short of the slip cordon, forcing Smith to move forward. Evergreen quick Starc (2-37) had claimed both of South Africa's second-innings scalps, backing up a potentially match-winning knock on Friday morning, before Smith's dropped catch. Starting day three of their second innings 8-144, Australia's plucky lower-order batted for 119 minutes and added another 78 during a Test in which bowlers dominated the first two days. No.11 Josh Hazlewood (17) hung in there for 53 balls and was the last player out on the stroke of lunch, caught in the deep to give part-time spinner Aiden Markram his second wicket of the Test. Starc (58no), batting at No.9, finished as Australia's top-scorer of the innings ahead of wicketkeeper Alex Carey (43). He faced more balls (136) than any other batter during an innings in this Test, even more than Steve Smith's 112 for his 66 on day one. It was the 11th half-century of Starc's 97-Test career, but could be his most significant innings. If the match goes down to the wire, South Africa will be left to rue bowling 20 no balls during the Test. Star Proteas quick Kagiso Rabada (4-59) finished with match figures of 9-110 after he destroyed Australia with 5-51 in the first innings to put his name on the Lord's honour board for a second time. He took a five-for against England at the home of cricket back in 2022. "It would have been nice to get a 10-for, but I'd rather a win than a 10-for," Rabada said at lunch. South Africa need to pull off the equal second-highest successful chase in a Test at Lord's, with England running down 282 against New Zealand back in 2004. Back in 1984, West Indies, in their pomp, successfully chased 342 against England at the famous ground. Australia, inspired by six wickets from Pat Cummins, rolled South Africa for 138 on Thursday. But the reigning champions fell into deep trouble in their second innings when they collapsed with 5-29 during a frantic 45-minute period. Victory in only the third edition of the WTC final would ensure Australia have landed four ICC trophies since November 2021. Fourteen wickets tumbled on Thursday, after 14 had already fallen on a dramatic opening day. This AAP article was made possible by support from Amazon Prime Video, which is broadcasting the World Test Championship final. Australia's best batter Steve Smith has dropped a crucial chance and injured his finger during South Africa's run chase of 282 in the World Test Championship final at Lord's. Wearing a helmet while standing closer in slips than normal, the former Australia captain put down a regulation chance off Mitchell Starc that would have dismissed Proteas captain Temba Bavuma for only two on Friday. South Africa went to tea on day three at 2-94, still requiring 188 to win, with Bavuma (11no) and opener Aiden Markram (49no) pressing the Proteas' claims of securing their first ICC trophy since 1998. Bavuma himself needed medical attention on his hamstring before the end of the session after he'd got hurt sprinting a quick single, but batted on with a concerning limp. Smith immediately left the field grimacing after injuring the little finger of his right hand while spilling the catch that would have put Australia in the box seat to claim back-to-back WTC titles. Several edges during this Test - for both teams - have dropped well short of the slip cordon, forcing Smith to move forward. Evergreen quick Starc (2-37) had claimed both of South Africa's second-innings scalps, backing up a potentially match-winning knock on Friday morning, before Smith's dropped catch. Starting day three of their second innings 8-144, Australia's plucky lower-order batted for 119 minutes and added another 78 during a Test in which bowlers dominated the first two days. No.11 Josh Hazlewood (17) hung in there for 53 balls and was the last player out on the stroke of lunch, caught in the deep to give part-time spinner Aiden Markram his second wicket of the Test. Starc (58no), batting at No.9, finished as Australia's top-scorer of the innings ahead of wicketkeeper Alex Carey (43). He faced more balls (136) than any other batter during an innings in this Test, even more than Steve Smith's 112 for his 66 on day one. It was the 11th half-century of Starc's 97-Test career, but could be his most significant innings. If the match goes down to the wire, South Africa will be left to rue bowling 20 no balls during the Test. Star Proteas quick Kagiso Rabada (4-59) finished with match figures of 9-110 after he destroyed Australia with 5-51 in the first innings to put his name on the Lord's honour board for a second time. He took a five-for against England at the home of cricket back in 2022. "It would have been nice to get a 10-for, but I'd rather a win than a 10-for," Rabada said at lunch. South Africa need to pull off the equal second-highest successful chase in a Test at Lord's, with England running down 282 against New Zealand back in 2004. Back in 1984, West Indies, in their pomp, successfully chased 342 against England at the famous ground. Australia, inspired by six wickets from Pat Cummins, rolled South Africa for 138 on Thursday. But the reigning champions fell into deep trouble in their second innings when they collapsed with 5-29 during a frantic 45-minute period. Victory in only the third edition of the WTC final would ensure Australia have landed four ICC trophies since November 2021. Fourteen wickets tumbled on Thursday, after 14 had already fallen on a dramatic opening day. This AAP article was made possible by support from Amazon Prime Video, which is broadcasting the World Test Championship final. Australia's best batter Steve Smith has dropped a crucial chance and injured his finger during South Africa's run chase of 282 in the World Test Championship final at Lord's. Wearing a helmet while standing closer in slips than normal, the former Australia captain put down a regulation chance off Mitchell Starc that would have dismissed Proteas captain Temba Bavuma for only two on Friday. South Africa went to tea on day three at 2-94, still requiring 188 to win, with Bavuma (11no) and opener Aiden Markram (49no) pressing the Proteas' claims of securing their first ICC trophy since 1998. Bavuma himself needed medical attention on his hamstring before the end of the session after he'd got hurt sprinting a quick single, but batted on with a concerning limp. Smith immediately left the field grimacing after injuring the little finger of his right hand while spilling the catch that would have put Australia in the box seat to claim back-to-back WTC titles. Several edges during this Test - for both teams - have dropped well short of the slip cordon, forcing Smith to move forward. Evergreen quick Starc (2-37) had claimed both of South Africa's second-innings scalps, backing up a potentially match-winning knock on Friday morning, before Smith's dropped catch. Starting day three of their second innings 8-144, Australia's plucky lower-order batted for 119 minutes and added another 78 during a Test in which bowlers dominated the first two days. No.11 Josh Hazlewood (17) hung in there for 53 balls and was the last player out on the stroke of lunch, caught in the deep to give part-time spinner Aiden Markram his second wicket of the Test. Starc (58no), batting at No.9, finished as Australia's top-scorer of the innings ahead of wicketkeeper Alex Carey (43). He faced more balls (136) than any other batter during an innings in this Test, even more than Steve Smith's 112 for his 66 on day one. It was the 11th half-century of Starc's 97-Test career, but could be his most significant innings. If the match goes down to the wire, South Africa will be left to rue bowling 20 no balls during the Test. Star Proteas quick Kagiso Rabada (4-59) finished with match figures of 9-110 after he destroyed Australia with 5-51 in the first innings to put his name on the Lord's honour board for a second time. He took a five-for against England at the home of cricket back in 2022. "It would have been nice to get a 10-for, but I'd rather a win than a 10-for," Rabada said at lunch. South Africa need to pull off the equal second-highest successful chase in a Test at Lord's, with England running down 282 against New Zealand back in 2004. Back in 1984, West Indies, in their pomp, successfully chased 342 against England at the famous ground. Australia, inspired by six wickets from Pat Cummins, rolled South Africa for 138 on Thursday. But the reigning champions fell into deep trouble in their second innings when they collapsed with 5-29 during a frantic 45-minute period. Victory in only the third edition of the WTC final would ensure Australia have landed four ICC trophies since November 2021. Fourteen wickets tumbled on Thursday, after 14 had already fallen on a dramatic opening day. This AAP article was made possible by support from Amazon Prime Video, which is broadcasting the World Test Championship final.
