🗞️ Hands Off My Bails

🏏 Smith, Head Shine as Australia Edge Ahead

• Third Test, Brisbane (day two of five)

• Australia 405-7: Head 152, Smith 101

• India: Yet to bat

Centuries from Steve Smith (101) and Travis Head (152 off 160) powered Australia to 405-7 by stumps on day two in Brisbane, as the hosts recovered from 3-75.

The pair added a commanding 241-run stand for the fourth wicket before Jasprit Bumrah’s late burst saw him claim a five-wicket haul.

Bumrah earlier removed openers Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney, then returned with the second new ball to dismiss Smith, Head, and Mitchell Marsh in quick succession.

Alex Carey and Pat Cummins steadied the innings with a 58-run partnership before Cummins fell late in the day.

With the series tied at 1-1, Australia needs two more wins to secure a spot in June’s World Test Championship final. India, meanwhile, must win at least two of the final three matches to keep their Lord's hopes alive.

Rain remains a looming threat, with interruptions expected over the next few days.

📺 Watch Highlights on YouTube

🏏 BBL 14: Stoinis Reflects on Cartwright’s “Awful” Injury in BBL Opener

Melbourne Stars captain Marcus Stoinis described the “awful” moment teammate Hilton Cartwright lay motionless after a diving mishap in the BBL14 season opener against the Perth Scorchers.

Cartwright clutched his neck after the outfield dive, prompting immediate medical attention and a stretcher. Post-match, Stoinis confirmed, “He’s gone to hospital for scans, but concussion has been ruled out.”

Jhye Richardson snared three wickets to help restrict Melbourne Stars, as the Perth Scorchers won by 6 wickets with 17 balls remaining.

Fixtures:

• Today - Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Renegades at the SCG, 7.15pm

• Tuesday - Sydney Thunder vs Adelaide Strikers at Manuka Oval, 7:15pm

🥉 Perkins and Temple Share Bronze Moment

Australia’s Alexandria Perkins and Matt Temple stood side by side on the podium at the World Short Course Championships, both taking bronze in their 100m butterfly finals.

The pair embraced during a combined medal ceremony, a new World Aquatics initiative. For Perkins, it was her third medal, adding to her 50m butterfly bronze and 4x100m freestyle silver.

🏉 Ben Elias Warns of Fan Revolt

Balmain legend Ben Elias has slammed suggestions of dismantling the Wests Tigers joint venture in favour of reinstating the Western Suburbs Magpies, calling it “outrageous” and a “disrespect” to fans, players, and the NRL.

The rumours, sparked by a text from former Holman Barnes Group (HBG) chairman Tony Andreacchio, claim the club’s majority owner harbours ambitions to replace the Tigers with the Magpies. Elias warned such a move would provoke protests akin to South Sydney’s famous 2000 demonstration.

“If this mob wants the Magpies back, expect 100,000 fans to take to the streets,” Elias said, criticising HBG’s governance as “archaic” and “farcical.”

HBG, which owns 90% of the club, denied the claims, calling them “damaging inaccuracies” and reaffirming their commitment to the Tigers. However, tensions remain high, with allegations that senior HBG figures have floated a Magpies revival.

EPL WRAP: Crisis at Citeh: Manchester United struck twice in the closing minutes to stun Manchester City in a dramatic derby conclusion at Etihad Stadium.

Josko Gvardiola's first-half header looked to be giving City victory in a largely dismal clash until United staged a remarkable turnaround to give new manager Ruben Amorim a landmark win early in his reign.

Amad Diallo was United's star performer, winning the 88th minute penalty that saw Bruno Fernandes equalise after the youngster was fouled by Matheus Nunes.

As City tried to regroup, Diallo then pounced in the closing seconds of normal time to score from a tight angle.

Ismaila Sarr scored twice as Crystal Palace beat Brighton 3-1 to inflict a first home defeat of the season on their rivals and move four points clear of the relegation zone.

Wolves are in talks with Al-Shabab manager Vitor Pereira to replace head coach Gary O'Neil, who was sacked by the club on Sunday.

⏰ Chelsea v Brentford and Southampton v Tottenham are playing now.

Here’s how the table is looking…

⚽️ Scottish Footbaw: Celtic were pushed to the absolute limit before extending their domestic dominance in a thrilling Scottish League Cup final derby against Rangers that was ultimately decided on penalties - following an epic 3-3 draw after extra time.

🎯 Luke Humphries Targets Back-to-Back Glory

Defending champion Luke Humphries returns to Alexandra Palace to defend his crown at the 2025 PDC World Championship.

Humphries famously defeated teenage sensation Luke Littler 7-4 in January's final to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy.

The tournament runs from 15 December to 3 January, (all local dates).

Will Humphries retain his title, or will new challengers seize the spotlight at Ally Pally?

Top Contenders

• Odds: $4.5

• Reasoning: Proven winner in 2024, consistently defeats top players, performs well under pressure in long-format matches.

Luke Littler

• Odds: $3.25

• Reasoning: Rising star with a stellar 2024, with ,omentum and confidence on his side.

Dark Horses

• Nathan Aspinall ($81.0) : Proven competitor with the ability to win but lacks the consistency of top contenders.

• Michael Smith ($31.0): Has shown flashes of brilliance but needs sustained form.

🏊🏼 Jordan Crooks, representing the Cayman Islands, broke a record and a barrier in the 50m freestyle becoming the first swimmer under 20 seconds in 19.90.

By the end of the fifth day of the World Championships in Budapest, 24 records had fallen. Each record brings a US$25k bonus cheque from World Aquatics.

🏏 England Collapse in Hamilton as New Zealand Take Control

England's series sweep hopes were shattered on day two of the third Test in Hamilton after a dismal collapse saw them bowled out for 143 in 36 overs.

Matt Henry (48-4), Will O'Rourke (26-3), and Mitchell Santner (7.-3) tore through the batting lineup.

Earlier, Santner’s 76 extended New Zealand’s first innings to 347. By stumps, the Black Caps were 136-3, leading by 340, with Kane Williamson unbeaten on 50.

🏃🏽‍♀️ The Agony and Ecstasy of 24-Hour Racing

Under the pounding rain at midnight in Battersea Park, London, runners endure the unthinkable: 24 hours of non-stop laps on a track.

This isn’t just about physical endurance; it’s a mental battle where survival trumps speed and "normal" becomes a distant memory.

The rules are simple: run as many laps as possible in 24 hours. There’s vomit on the track, makeshift gilets from bin bags, and smiles through the agony.

Competitors like 84-year-old Patricia Seabrook and ultra-record holder Aleksandr Sorokin embrace the suffering for reasons only they seem to understand.

It’s not just about winning—though Sarah Funderburk became the third woman to triumph in the race’s history, covering 131 miles. It’s about pushing past limits, battling demons, and finding joy in the absurdity of it all.

When it ends, there are no grand finishes—just relief, exhaustion, and the occasional collapse. “Why do it?” someone asks. Former record-holder Robbie Britton [a clearly insane person] sums it up: “Imagine being described as normal. That would be rubbish, wouldn’t it?”

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TODAY

06:00 - Premier League - Chelsea v Brentford (Optus Sport 3)

06:00 - Premier League - Southampton v Tottenham (Optus Sport 2)

08:25 - NFL - Philadelphia Eagles v Pittsburgh Steelers (ESPN)

08:25 - NFL - Detroit Lions v Buffalo Bills (7mate)

09:00 - Test Match - New Zealand v England (Fox Sports)

10:50 - Test Match - Australia v India (Channel 7, Fox Cricket)

12:20 - NFL - Seattle Seahawks v Green Bay Packers (ESPN)

19:15 - Big Bash League - Sydney Sixers v Melbourne Renegades (Fox Cricket)

TUESDAY 

07:00 - Premier League - Bournemouth v West Ham United (Optus Sport 1)

09:00 - Test Match - New Zealand v England (Fox Sports)

10:50 - Test Match - Australia v India (Channel 7, Fox Cricket)

12:00 - NFL - Minnesota Vikings v Chicago Bears (ESPN 2)

12:30 - NFL - Las Vegas Raiders v Atlanta Falcons (ESPN)

19:15 - Big Bash League - Sydney Thunder v Adelaide Strikers (Fox Cricket)

23:00 - ODI Series - South Africa v Pakistan (Fox Cricket)