Latest news with #2023WorldCup
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Smith to open for England against West Indies
England have promoted Jamie Smith to open the batting in Harry Brook's first one-day international since being appointed full-time white-ball captain. Smith will open alongside Ben Duckett against West Indies at Edgbaston on Thursday. Former captain Jos Buttler and all-rounders Jacob Bethell and Will Jacks are in the side after returning from the Indian Premier League (IPL). Smith, who batted at number three during England's dismal Champions Trophy campaign this year, has never opened in List A cricket. Brook, 26, said he and coach Brendon McCullum had a hunch that Smith, who bats at seven and keeps wicket for the Test side, could be an "amazing" white-ball opener. "He's got the strength to do so - the technique to be able to face the swinging ball," Brook told BBC Sport. "As we've seen in Test cricket, he's a very good player. He can put their best balls under pressure from any position." Smith has opened in first-class and T20 cricket. In three innings at number three in the Champions Trophy, he averaged only eight. Surrey's Jacks, a regular white-ball opener, would have been another option at the top of the order. He is instead listed at seven, one place behind fellow spin-bowling all-rounder Bethell. They are followed by Jamie Overton and Brydon Carse, fast bowlers who are more than handy with the bat. Pace bowlers Jofra Archer, Mark Wood and Gus Atkinson are missing because of injuries. Overton as one of three frontline seamers is a potential concern, but England look to have more bowling options and greater batting depth than at the Champions Trophy. ——————————————————— England team to face West Indies in first ODI: Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (captain), Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid. ——————————————————— England's Atkinson ruled out of West Indies ODIs Buttler, who resigned as captain in February following a wretched 18-month run of results, will keep wicket and bats at number five. On Buttler, arguably England's greatest white-ball batter of all-time, being freed of the captaincy, Brook said: "That weight will be lifted off his shoulders. "He's the best white-ball player in the world. He can just go out there and showcase his skills." Under Buttler, England won the T20 World Cup in 2022, then endured awful campaigns at the 2023 World Cup, 2024 T20 World Cup and the Champions Trophy. England have lost their past seven ODIs. "It's a new era now; new leadership," said Brook. "Hopefully we can bring a lot of energy, competitiveness and a lot of fun out there. "We'll try to engage the crowd as much as we can and try to get some wins under our belt." England's poor run has left them in danger of missing out on automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup. Brook's side are likely to need a place in the top nine of the world rankings in March 2027 in order to avoid going through a qualifying tournament. They begin this three-match series in eighth, one place ahead of West Indies. The Windies, who did not qualify for the most recent World Cup, drew a three-match series in Ireland 1-1 last week. "It's a fresh start and a different series," said West Indies captain Shai Hope. "World Cup qualification is our main goal, but we can't get to 2027 without ticking each box." Bethell returns to international cricket after missing the Champions Trophy through injury and skipping England's Test victory against Zimbabwe because of his IPL commitments. The 21-year-old, who will line up on his home ground for Warwickshire, was born in Barbados and caught the attention of Hope as a teenager. "I saw him during his under-15 stint. He always looked like a quality player," said Hope. "Seeing what he's done, he's certainly a formidable talent. He can go a very long way. "I'm happy for him, but we're enemies this time." Get cricket news sent straight to your phone
Time of India
4 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Mary Earps Retires: Wonder Woman of Football bids farewell
In a sport often shaped by headlines and attention, it takes someone genuinely memorable to stand the test of time. Mary Earps is not just a goalkeeper. She is a fighter, a symbol of strength and grace under pressure. As she announces her retirement from football, Earps leaves behind more than trophies and awards. She leaves a legacy of resilience, courage and inspiration. Her journey was not straightforward, nor always celebrated. She rose above doubt and adversity to become one of the most respected and influential figures in the modern game. Mary Earp's resilience in adversity Just as Wonder Woman trained for years on the hidden island of Themyscira, away from the world's gaze, Earps quietly built her career, often in the shadows. She was left out of major England squads, faced setbacks at club level, and even considered quitting football. But like any true warrior, she never gave up. When the moment came, she was ready. Her rise to England's number one was not only deserved, it was inevitable. Her performance at the 2022 Euros and the 2023 World Cup, where she won the Golden Glove, was a statement. A voice that challenged the system In Wonder Woman's world, battles are not just physical. They are about standing up for what is right. Earps took on her own battle off the pitch when Nike initially refused to sell her goalkeeper shirt during the 2023 World Cup. Rather than stay silent, she used her platform to speak out. Her words sparked outrage and widespread support, prompting Nike to reverse its decision. It was a reminder that change often begins with one brave voice. Earps did not just represent a team, she represented fairness and equality, and she did so with honesty and conviction. Leading with heart and steel Wonder Woman leads not with fear, but with heart. She inspires not through dominance, but through courage and compassion. Earps embodied that spirit every time she stepped on the pitch. Her saves were often spectacular, but it was her calm under pressure, her connection with fans, and her unwavering support of teammates that made her stand apart. She did not seek attention, but she always deserved it. Her leadership came from presence, confidence and integrity. A legacy beyond the game Now, as Mary Earps steps away from professional football, she leaves the game stronger than she found it. Young girls growing up now know that being a goalkeeper can be heroic. They know that speaking out matters. They know that resilience wins. Like Wonder Woman, Earps leave behind more than memories. She leaves a model of what it means to be powerful, fierce and kind. She changed the way we see the position, the shirt and the story. Mary Earps may be retiring, but her influence is not going anywhere. The cape is hung up, the gloves set down, but the legend continues. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
The Citizen
08-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Maro Itoje to captain British and Irish Lions in Australia: Squad and fixtures
Two players who grew up in South Africa, namely Duhan van der Merwe and Pierre Schoeman, have been included in the group. Maro Itoje, captain, and Andy Farrell, coach, pose for a picture after the naming of the Lions squad to tour Australia. Picture:England's Maro Itoje will captain the British and Irish Lions rugby union team on their upcoming tour of Australia, it was announced Thursday. The 30-year-old lock only took over as England skipper ahead of this season's Six Nations and guided the side to a creditable second-placed finish behind champions France. Now he has been chosen as skipper for a Lions tour including three Tests against the Wallabies by head coach, Andy Farrell, seconded from his day job as Ireland boss. 'It's hard to articulate,' said Itoje after taking the stage at London's O2 Arena for a squad announcement where fans were present for the first time. 'It's an honour' 'It's a tremendous honour, it's a tremendous privilege. You think about the people who have held this position before and it's remarkable. It's an honour and I will do my very best to make sure I can contribute to a successful tour.' Itoje, a previous two-time tourist with the Lions — a side made up of leading players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales — is the first English player to lead the combined team since Martin Johnson in 2001. A tour featuring three Tests with the Wallabies will in fact start with a fixture against Argentina in Dublin on June 20. The first Test against Australia will be in Brisbane on July 19, with two more internationals in Melbourne (July 26) and Sydney (August 2). Australia have long been regarded as the easiest side for the Lions, who only tour every four years, to beat. The only other teams they have played series against in their 137-year history are New Zealand and South Africa, the traditional powerhouses of the 15-a-side code who have won seven World Cups between them. Indeed the last time the Lions won a Test series was their 2-1 success against Australia back in 2013. But the Wallabies have been making significant progress since Joe Schmidt took charge shortly after a woeful 2023 World Cup in France, where they failed to reach the knockout stage for the first time. The Kiwi coach also has the added advantage of knowing several Lions players, and indeed Andy Farrell, well following his six-year stint as Ireland boss. Lions 38-man squad Backs (17) Back three: James Lowe (IRL), Tommy Freeman (ENG), Duhan van der Merwe (SCO), Hugo Keenan (IRL), Mack Hansen (IRL), Blair Kinghorn (SCO) Centres: Bundee Aki (IRL), Sione Tuipulotu (SCO), Huw Jones (SCO), Garry Ringrose (IRL), Elliot Daly (ENG) Flyhalves: Finn Russell (SCO), Fin Smith (ENG), Marcus Smith (ENG) Scrumhalves: Jamison Gibson-Park (IRL), Alex Mitchell (ENG), Tomos Williams (WAL) Forwards (21) Back row: Jack Conan (IRL), Tom Curry (ENG), Ben Earl (ENG), Jac Morgan (WAL), Josh van der Flier (IRL), Henry Pollock (ENG) Second row: Maro Itoje (ENG, capt), Ollie Chessum (ENG), Tadhg Beirne (IRL), Joe McCarthy (IRL), James Ryan (IRL), Scott Cummings (SCO) Props: Andrew Porter (IRL), Ellis Genge (ENG), Tadhg Furlong (IRL), Zander Fagerson (SCO), Pierre Schoeman (SCO), Will Stuart (ENG) Hookers: Ronan Kelleher (IRL), Luke Cowan-Dickie (ENG), Dan Sheehan (IRL) Head Coach: Andy Farrell (ENG) Tour fixtures June 20: British and Irish Lions v Argentina, Dublin June 28: Western Force v British and Irish Lions, Perth July 2: Queensland Reds v British and Irish Lions, Brisbane July 5: NSW Waratahs v British and Irish Lions, Sydney July 9: ACT Brumbies v British and Irish Lions, Canberra July 12: Invitational Australia and New Zealand XV v British and Irish Lions, Adelaide July 19: Australia v British and Irish Lions, 1st Test, Brisbane July 22: First Nations and Pasifika XV v British and Irish Lions, Marvel Stadium, Melbourne July 26: Australia v British and Irish Lions, 2nd Test, Melbourne Cricket Ground August 2: Australia v British and Irish Lions, 3rd Test, Sydney
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ex-Matildas midfielder Heather Garriock to take over as Football Australia's interim CEO
Ex-Matildas midfielder Heather Garriock to take over as Football Australia's interim CEO SYDNEY (AP) — Long-time Matildas midfielder Heather Garriock will take over as Football Australia's interim chief executive officer after James Johnson resigned from the role on Thursday. Garriock played 130 games for the women's national team in a career spanning 15 years, including Olympic campaigns in 2000 and 2004 and World Cups in 2003, 2007 and 2011. Garriock, 42, joined the board of Football Australia in 2021 and was inducted into the sport's national Hall of Fame the following year for her work as a player, coach, media analyst and administrator. During a five-year tenure, Johnson guided Football Australia through the COVID-19 pandemic and the co-hosting of the 2023 Women's World Cup with New Zealand. 'As someone who is immensely passionate about Australian football, this decision has not come easy, but I believe the time is right to step down," Johnson said in a Football Australia statement that also confirmed Garriock's interim role as CEO. ___ AP soccer: The Associated Press
RNZ News
29-04-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Rugby: Les Kiss set to be announced as Joe Schmidt's replacement as Wallabies coach
Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt. Photo: Photosport Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss will be confirmed as Joe Schmidt's successor at the Wallabies on Wednesday, but may not take on the role until the middle of next year, local media reported. Kiss, who worked closely with Schmidt at Ireland, will be the Wallabies' fifth coach in six years and is expected to steer the team through to the 2027 World Cup on home soil. Governing body Rugby Australia (RA) declined to comment on the reports but confirmed there would be an announcement at a press conference in Sydney on Wednesday. Schmidt, who replaced Eddie Jones after the Wallabies' horror 2023 World Cup in France, announced in February he would step down after the Rugby Championship to spend more time with his family and help look after his youngest son, who has severe epilepsy. However, the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper reported the New Zealander will stay on as Wallabies coach until Kiss sees out his Reds contract at the end of the 2026 Super Rugby season. Some fans would be glad if Schmidt were to remain longer in the role than he intended, having brought confidence back to the Wallabies by the end of last season following Jones's tumultuous and short-lived second stint. Queensland Rugby would also prefer to retain Kiss and have more time to arrange a replacement. Kiss has been linked with the Wallabies role for months but declined to comment on his ambitions, barring confirmation in February that he had discussed the job with RA. The former rugby league international switched to coaching rugby union over 20 years ago and ran Ireland's defence under Declan Kidney when the Irish won the 2009 Six Nations and a first Grand Slam since 1948. He remained defence coach when Schmidt succeeded Kidney in 2013 and helped the New Zealander win the Six Nations the following year. Reds coach Les Kiss who is expected to be named the new Wallabies coach. Photo: Photosport After further coaching roles at Ulster and London Irish, Kiss returned to Australia to take over the Reds in 2024. The Reds were knocked out of the quarter-finals last year, but are fourth this season and in the hunt for a first title since 2011. Reds loose forward Sere Uru said the players were in the dark about Kiss' appointment at the Wallabies and that they were just focusing on Saturday's away game against Fijian Drua. However, he did offer some insight into Kiss's coaching. "One of his major things is skills, just to back yourself, use your skills and it will open up," Uru said. "Our skills have improved and our connection as a team has become tighter." - Reuters
