Top stories
Rugby
Genia retires aged 37
News Desk: Will Genia, one of the most decorated players in Australian rugby history, has announced his retirement at the age of 37. The scrum-half represented Australia at three World Cups. He appeared 110 times for his country over a 10-year international career. "Thank you to the teams, my team-mates, coaches, teachers, friends and all the wonderful people in the game who helped me, guided me, shaped me, included me, put up with me and made me better," Genia wrote on Instagram.
Football
Newcastle targets Wissa
News Desk:Brentford have turned down Newcastle's improved bid of £40m for striker Yoane Wissa. The Magpies were proposing a £35m initial fee plus a further £5m in add-ons. Newcastle reopened talks with Brentford on Wednesday but sources told BBC Sport that the latest bid fell below the Bees' valuation of Wissa. It is understood Wissa held talks with Brentford's owner Matthew Benham on Tuesday, a development that prompted the discussions.
Iconic
Mike Tyson won the WBC Heavyweight title by TKO in the second round against Trevor Berbick in 1996.
Record Corner
194*
is most runs scored in a match on the losing side in ODIs history by Zimbabwe’s Charles Coventry against Bangladesh
Trivia
How many fights did great Muhammad Ali win in his illustrious career?
A. 56
Side Stories
Chelsea agree to sell Veiga
News Desk: Chelsea have agreed to sell defender Renato Veiga to Villarreal for a fee rising to £26m - taking total player sales to over £250m for the Blues this summer. Veiga, 22, is expected to sign a seven-year contract and complete a medical in Spain on Thursday after the Spanish club agreed to pay close to their transfer record. The Portugal international was deemed surplus to requirements by manager Enzo Maresca and was training in the so-called 'bomb squad' - a group of senior players away from the first team - having asked to play at centre-back instead of left-back midway through last season. Chelsea will make a substantial profit on Veiga, who played 18 times for the club after joining from FC Basel in 2024 for £12m.
Messi to miss Leagues Cup
MIAMI: Lionel Messi was ruled out of Inter Miami's Leagues Cup quarter-final against Tigres UANL on Wednesday, a day after coach Javier Mascherano revealed the Argentine superstar was still struggling with injury. Messi, who has battled a "minor" muscle injury since a Leagues Cup group match against Necaxa on August 2, had returned to Miami's lineup Saturday after a two-week absence, scoring a goal after coming on as a substitute in a 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy. However the 38-year-old World Cup winner looked to be in physical discomfort during his second-half appearance, and he was not in the lineup announced before the clash in the cross-border club competition for teams from Major League Soccer and Mexico's Liga-MX. AFP
Amir reaches T20 milestone
NEWS DESK: Fast bowler Mohammad Amir has achieved a major career milestone by surpassing 400 wickets in T20 cricket. The 33-year-old pacer reached the landmark during the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2025, dismissing Fabian Allen to claim his 400th scalp. So far, Amir has played 343 matches in the shortest format, maintaining a bowling average of 22.54 and an economy rate of 7.33. Amir had announced his retirement from Pakistan cricket after the 2024 T20 World Cup, but continues to feature in franchise leagues around the world. Notably, Wahab Riaz remains the only other Pakistani bowler with over 400 T20 wickets, currently sitting at 413.
Green eyes Shield
MELBOURNE: All-rounder Cameron Green says he will be ready to return to bowling during the domestic Sheffield Shield in a boost for Australia before hosting England in the Ashes. Green has been restricted to batting since returning from a long layoff following back surgery but has been gradually building up his bowling load in training. Australia play India in a white-ball series in October and November but Green may opt for a block of red-ball cricket for Western Australia to ramp up his bowling before the Ashes. "In the past, it's worked really well when I've focused on Shield cricket," Green told reporters in Mackay on Thursday. "That potentially might be the way to go, especially with working my way back to bowling, to potentially get a few more overs over a few more days." REUTERS
Rizwan joins St. Kitts
NEWS DESK: Pakistan’s ODI captain Mohammad Rizwan has signed with Caribbean Premier League (CPL) franchise St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots. Rizwan replaces Afghanistan pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi, who has returned to national duty. The wicketkeeper-batter will feature in the remaining matches of the CPL, marking his debut in the tournament. His availability for today’s clash against Barbados Royals remains uncertain. Rizwan joins compatriots Naseem Shah and Abbas Afridi, who are also part of the Patriots’ squad. This is Rizwan’s second overseas T20 league contract, following his signing with Melbourne Renegades for the upcoming 15th edition of Australia’s Big Bash League.
Bronco test introduced
NEWS DESK: The rugby-centric Bronco Test — involving multiple shuttle runs of 20, 40 and 60 metres — has been introduced to ensure top Indian cricketers maintain high levels of fitness and improve their aerobic capacity. According to Indian media reports, the idea was put forward by the team’s strength and conditioning coach, Adrian le Roux, who has emphasised that fast bowlers need to clock more running miles instead of focusing excessively on gym work. Head coach and former Indian batter Gautam Gambhir is also backing the move. The decision follows India’s recent five-Test series in England, during which the fitness levels of some pacers were found lacking. Only Mohammed Siraj managed to feature in every match of the series.
Superchargers beat Spirit
NEWS DESK: Zak Crawley continued his strong form as Northern Superchargers reclaimed their place in the top three of The Hundred men's table with a comfortable eight-wicket victory over London Spirit at Lord's. Having been pushed down to fourth by Southern Brave's tense win at Welsh Fire earlier in the day, Superchargers moved back into third by easing to a chase of 136 with 18 balls to spare. Sharing partnerships of 63 with Dawid Malan and 56 with Dan Lawrence, Crawley batted through for 55 not out - his second fifty of the tournament which takes him top of its' run-scoring charts. England's Test opener, who has said he remains keen to play across all formats at international level, hit four elegant fours in the first six balls of the chase and two sixes over the leg-side as he kicked for home.
Chelsea's James set for spell out
News Desk: England forward Lauren James is set for a spell on the sidelines with the ankle injury she sustained playing for England at Euro 2025, Chelsea have confirmed. Chelsea have not given any details of how long the 23-year-old will be out. But in a statement on Wednesday the club said she is "now back with Chelsea and will undergo a period of rehabilitation with the club". James came off injured in the first half of the final against Spain last month as England won the tournament on penalties. She had also been withdrawn at half-time in the semi-final against Italy with the injury.
Top Quote
Maher: I've been approached before by the WWE. I don't know if I would [go into wrestling]. I should think about it, there is great money in it.
American rugby star Ilona Maher says she is contemplating an offer to enter professional wrestling
Side Quote
Steveson: "You see guys like Jones, McGregor, Chimaev, and Cormier. They came from a wrestling background. I want to be one of those guys too."
Olympic wrestling champion Gable Steveson is set to make his MMA debut next month. AFP
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ