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The United States are guaranteed to finish top of their World Cup group They beat Australia with a dominant, high-tempo display in front of a boisterous sell-out crowd in Seattle. Author | Ajay Stadium | Seattle Stadium The US secured a place in the last 32 with back-to-back World Cup victories for the first time since 1930, and were later confirmed as group winners after Turkey lost to Paraguay. The tournament co-hosts were without talisman Christian Pulisic because of a calf injury, but they subjected Australia to relentless pressure in the first half, which brought two goals. Closer analysis of what happened Australia defender Cameron Burgess inadvertently turned the ball into his own net in the 11th minute after US striker Folarin Balogun raced to the byline and squared across the face of goal. Mauricio Pochettino's side doubled their lead minutes before half-time when Alex Freeman reacted quickest to a deflected Sergino Dest effort and headed past Australia goalkeeper Patrick ...

Australia upset Turkey in their World Cup opener Nestory Irankunda became Australia's youngest World Cup goalscorer as a youthful Socceroos side stunned Turkey. Author | Josh T Stadium | BC Place Vancouver The Watford forward struck a superb first-half goal before Connor Metcalfe added a second to hand Tony Popovic's team the ideal start to their Group D campaign in Vancouver. At 20 years and 125 days old, Irankunda eclipsed the record previously held by Brett Holman, who scored against Ghana at the 2010 World Cup aged 26 years and 84 days. The former Bayern Munich player was one of 10 World Cup debutants named by Popovic in Australia's starting XI, making it the country's youngest side at a World Cup since their meeting with France in 2018. Irankunda's finish was of the highest quality. A deft touch after collecting a pass from Paul Okon-Engstler created the space he needed before he drove a low effort beyond the goalkeeper. Turkey are appearing at a World Cup for ...

England 334 & 241 | Australia 511 & 69-2  England’s Ashes campaign is close to unravelling in under a week of cricket after an eight-wicket defeat to Australia in the second Test. Author |  Peter Jones Stadium | The Gabba There was a hint of resistance with the bat on the fourth day of the pink-ball Test in Brisbane, but it was not enough to prevent a second heavy loss of the tour, following the two-day collapse in the series opener in Perth. Ben Stokes, perhaps intent on setting the tone after England’s poor showing on Saturday, ground out a determined 50 from 152 deliveries. His stand of 96 with Will Jacks, who made 41 from 92 balls, was England’s longest partnership of the series and offered a brief sense of stability. That ended an hour into the middle session when Jacks fell to a superb catch from Australia captain Steve Smith at first slip. England’s innings then disintegrated, the final four wickets tumbling for 17 runs as they were dismissed for 241. S...

England have scheduled additional training sessions in Brisbane This comes after their heavy defeat in the opening Ashes Test. Author |  Peter Jones The Gabba The tourists were beaten by Australia inside two days in Perth and have announced five days of preparation ahead of the day-night Test at the Gabba, starting next Thursday. England’s decision not to send any players from the first Test to feature in an England Lions match in Canberra this weekend has drawn criticism. Instead, Ben Stokes’ side will undertake one of their longest preparation periods since he and coach Brendon McCullum took charge more than three years ago. Typically, England train for two or three days before a Test, with longer periods only seen on pre-tour camps such as those before trips to India and Pakistan. READ MORE |  Ashes news and stories The original Brisbane schedule involved three days of training at the Gabba from Monday. This has now been extended with an additional session at the grou...

England 172 & 164 | Australia 132 &205-2 A dreadful 2nd day in Perth for England as Australia claimed an eight wicket win Author | Peter Jones Stadium | Perth Stadium England slumped to a heavy defeat in the opening Ashes Test as Travis Head’s explosive century powered Australia to a remarkable comeback victory in Perth. In the first two-day Ashes Test for more than a century, Head tore through England’s attack with a blistering hundred off just 69 balls, the second-fastest in Ashes history. His 123 steered Australia to their target of 205 in only 28.2 overs, sealing an eight-wicket win and giving the hosts a 1-0 lead in the series. There was a dramatic shift in momentum Australia had surrendered a first-innings deficit of 40 and were still 105 behind when England reached 65-1 shortly after lunch. But Mitchell Starc’s 10-wicket match haul, coupled with a string of loose strokes from England’s batters, turned the match on its head. Promoting Head up the order proved inspir...

An extraordinary first day of the test series in Perth Captain Ben Stokes claimed five wickets as England’s fast bowlers ripped through Australia on a gripping opening day of the Ashes. Author | Peter Jones Stadium | Perth Stadium On a lively, fast surface in Perth, England were skittled for 172 before hitting back to leave Australia reeling at 123 for nine. The frenetic contest more than matched the anticipation surrounding one of the most eagerly awaited Ashes series in recent years. England chose to bat after winning the toss, only to find themselves in early trouble. Zak Crawley departed for a duck in the first over, undone by Mitchell Starc, who delivered a superb spell to finish with figures of 7 for 58. Harry Brook struck 52 and Ollie Pope added 46, but England’s innings unravelled as the final five wickets tumbled for 12 runs, ending in just 32.5 overs. It was the shortest first innings of an Ashes Test in Australia for more than a century. England’s five-strong pace at...

The biggest series in world cricket is about to start... The Ashes between Australia and England gets underway on 21 November. Author |  Peter Jones Australia are the current holders after retaining the urn with a 2-2 draw in England in 2023. What are the dates? First Test: 21-25 November in Perth Second Test: 4-8 December in Brisbane Third Test: 17-21 December in Adelaide Fourth Test: 25-29 December in Melbourne Fifth Test: 3-7 January in Sydney The format of the series The series is held every two years, with Australia and England alternating as hosts during their respective summers. Each Test can run for up to five days, with four possible outcomes: an Australia win, an England win, a draw or a tie. The side that wins the most Tests claims the series and takes possession of the Ashes. If the series finishes level, Australia will retain the urn as the current holders. Recent winners of the series. 2009 in England: England won 2-1 to regain the Ashes 2010-11 in Australia: Engl...

Marcus Trescothick believes Pope will be retained at three England’s Lead Batting Coach has suggested that Ollie Pope will keep his place as number three for the Ashes, describing the tourists as “very consistent” in their selection. Author |  Peter Jones England face the Lions in their only warm-up match ahead of the series, which begins on 21 November, and are expected to name a side close to the one that will start the first Test in Perth. Pope has faced pressure for his spot from 22-year-old Jacob Bethell over the past year. The Surrey batter averages 41.60 at number three, though his form has tended to dip as series wear on. During the summer he made a century in his opening innings against India but managed just one further score above 50 in his next eight innings. When England named their Ashes squad, Pope lost the vice-captaincy to Harry Brook, a move that appeared to leave his position more uncertain. At the time, Rob Key, the director of cricket, said Pope was still t...

Once again, this was not England's day. Another defeat for the hosts as Australia eased to victory and clinched a 3-0 series win. Author | Michael Haldsworth Stadium | Headingley More than at any point in this Ashes series, Australia were pushed hard by spirited and determined hosts. Yet the outcome was familiar. A late surge of points ended any faint hope of an England victory and completed a comprehensive whitewash. Having also triumphed 3-0 in the previous series in 2003, this marked the first time since 1986 that Australia have achieved back-to-back clean sweeps. A closer analysis of what happened England produced flashes of invention and attacking intent that had been missing in the earlier Tests, but they were also architects of their own downfall, gifting the first three Australian tries through unforced errors. The tone was set within five minutes. After sluggish openings in the first two Tests, Australia started at pace, Cameron Munster looping a wide pass to Josh Addo...

The wait goes on.  Another valiant English effort falls short, and Australia’s grip on the Rugby League Ashes remains unbroken. Author | Michael Haldsworth Stadium | Hill Dickinson Stadium A 14-4 win in the second Test on secured the Kangaroos their 14th successive series triumph, extending a run that stretches back more than half a century. It means next week’s sold-out third Test at Headingley will be a dead rubber, with Australia now aiming to complete a 3-0 whitewash. After being comprehensively beaten by Kevin Walters’ side at Wembley a week earlier, England’s display here was more in keeping with what Shaun Wane had demanded. The head coach promised his players would produce a response after “failing to show up” in the opener, and they duly did. England were the stronger side for much of the first half, dominating territory and possession, but they could not turn pressure into points. The scoreboard reflected a stalemate at 4-4, with Nathan Cleary and Harry Smith trading ...

This is a significant setback for Australia  They have confirmed that captain Pat Cummins will miss the first Ashes Test, with Steve Smith set to take the reins in his absence. Author |  Peter Jones Cummins, the side’s leading fast bowler, has been sidelined by a back injury and had earlier described himself as “less than likely” to play in the series opener in Perth on 21 November. Although the 32-year-old will not be ready for the first Test, he has returned to bowling in the nets this week. Head coach Andrew McDonald expressed optimism that Cummins could be fit for the second Test in Brisbane, starting on 4 December. It is a significant setback for Australia to lose its captain and premier pace bowler. Concerns over his fitness first emerged in September, leading to Cummins missing the white-ball series against New Zealand and India with a lumbar stress fracture. Speaking two weeks ago, Cummins said time was “tight” ahead of the first Test, noting he needed at least a m...

This was almost like a routine win for Australia They resumed their long-running dominance of the Rugby League Ashes with an assured display. Author | Michael Haldsworth  Stadium | Wembley Back in 2003, the Kangaroos swept the series 3-0, grinding out three tight victories, each decided by no more than six points, and each featuring a moment when Great Britain held a lead they could not preserve. Early indications suggest the 2025 series may not be cut from quite the same cloth. England met the challenge with spirit and resilience, yet Australia carried greater precision in the decisive moments, shifting smoothly through the gears after the interval to claim a comfortable win. The hosts were disciplined in defence, often relying on weight of numbers to keep the visitors at bay. Australia, by contrast, operated with the fluency of a side well drilled and brimming with attacking ideas. READ MORE |  St Helens appoint Salford Red Devils head coach Paul Rowley READ MORE | Sport...

Hull KR trio named in England squad for Ashes series as Jake Connor misses out Mikey Lewis, Jez Litten and Joe Burgess included in the 24-man squad, while Super League’s Man of Steel is left out amid fierce competition in the halves. Author |  Oliver W 😤 Chasing History! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 #EnglandRL pic.twitter.com/5xh8nkoIt1 — England Rugby League (@England_RL) October 13, 2025 Jez Litten, whose only previous cap came against France in 2023, joins Burgess, who returns to the national set-up after a 10-year absence, following his two-try display in Hull KR’s victory over Wigan at Old Trafford. Connor, omitted from the mid-season training camp in June, has once again missed out, with England head coach Shaun Wane opting for George Williams, Harry Smith and Lewis as his half-back options. Lewis was named man of the match in the Grand Final, winning the Rob Burrow Award for his outstanding performance. England will face Australia at Wembley on 25 October, at Everton’s Hill Dickins...

Labuschagne boosts Ashes recall hopes with another century Marnus Labuschagne’s case for a return to Australia’s Test squad for the Ashes received fresh momentum as he recorded his third century in four innings for Queensland. Author | Peter Jones Marnus Labuschagne is enjoying a superb run of domestic form 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/uNOpZabwA0 — Wisden (@WisdenCricket) October 9, 2025 The 31-year-old top-order batter made 105 from 91 balls in Queensland’s One-Day Cup defeat by Tasmania, following a 160-run effort against the same opponents in the Sheffield Shield just three days earlier. He had also struck 130 from 118 in Queensland’s One-Day Cup opener against Victoria in September. Labuschagne, who has 11 centuries in 58 Tests, was left out of Australia’s squad for the July series against the West Indies. He now faces competition from Travis Head, Sam Konstas and Nathan McSweeney to reclaim a spot, potentially as Usman Khawaja’s opening partner. READ MORE |  Latest news, stories ...

England have named their squad for the upcoming Ashes series. They have handed a surprise recall to Will Jacks as a back-up spinner for the Ashes, while Harry Brook has been promoted to vice-captain, replacing Ollie Pope. Author | Michael Haldsworth Ben Stoke caught out at The Gabba in 2021 will hopefully return for the series Will Jacks, who played two Tests in 2022, jumps ahead of Rehan Ahmed, Liam Dawson and Jack Leach to provide cover for Shoaib Bashir. Brook’s promotion is notable and is likely to reignite the debate over Pope’s security at number three. Pope has served as Ben Stokes ’ regular deputy, stepping in to lead England on five occasions, but Brook has impressed since taking on the white-ball captaincy at the start of the summer. With Brook now Stokes’ deputy, Pope may face increased pressure from the rising talent of Jacob Bethell. The Boxing Day Test in Melbourne 2021 In a 16-man squad, Mark Wood has been included in a strong pace-bowling unit despite not playing a Test...

England 351-8 (50 overs) Australia 356-5 (47.3 overs) England’s Champions Trophy campaign got off to a disastrous start as Australia pulled off a remarkable chase of 352, cancelling out Ben Duckett’s superb 165 in Lahore. Author- Michael Haldsworth Opener Duckett helped England post 351-8 – the highest total in Champions Trophy history – but Josh Inglis stole the show with a stunning unbeaten 120 off just 86 balls, steering Australia to victory with five wickets in hand and 15 balls to spare. It was the highest total England have ever failed to defend in one-day internationals, made even more painful by the fact they had their fierce rivals struggling at 136-4 at one stage. From there, Yorkshire-born Inglis, batting at number five, shared a crucial 146-run stand in 116 balls with Alex Carey, dragging Australia back into contention. Carey, who was given a lifeline when dropped on 49, eventually fell for 69 with 70 still needed from 51 deliveries, but Inglis took control. He punished...