The Guardian

Veteran playmaker could add to 95 caps as he returns aged 37 James Ramm and Kalani Thomas will also join Australia’s spring tour Veteran playmaker Kurtley Beale has been summoned for the Wallabies’ spring tour of the UK in a massive development ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup in Australia. Beale on Wednesday answered an SOS call from coach Les Kiss to join the squad for next month’s three Te…

Governing body reports $82m surplus for the 2025-26 season CA projects two years of deficits with less interest in upcoming tours The financial blow struck to Cricket Australia due to the pair of two-day Ashes Tests last summer amounted to $20m, hurting the sport’s bottom line as it prepares for multiple years of losses. The governing body reported a $82m surplus in 2025-26 supercharged by strong…

Thirteen years later, José Mourinho led Real Madrid into the Camp Nou as one team and them out again as another having secured the kind of late victory he loves and which opens up a whole new world. With just three minutes and the final reserves of energy remaining, a wonderful moment of skill from Jude Bellingham found Eduardo Camavinga and set them on one last run. Camavinga sprinted free, skil…

Atlético accused Barcelona during summer chase Striker now rebuilding his reputation with fans Barcelona’s pursuit of Julián Álvarez came at a modest cost ⁠on Tuesday after the Spanish FA fined the club €602 (£503) following a complaint by Atlético Madrid over contact ⁠with ​the striker. Atlético accused Barcelona of approaching the Argentine, whose contract runs until June 2030, ⁠without first n…

It’s more than 20 years since Arsenal played at Highbury but their trip to League Two Fleetwood – and a stadium of the same name – did not bring back fond memories as they were dumped out of the Carabao Cup on penalties. Aaron Loupalo-Bi and Viktor Gyökeres exchanged goals in normal time but Arsenal were unable to find a winner, despite being the dominant force, as Fleetwood battled to the end. G…

The England captain spoke movingly on a night of deserving winners and unintentional hilarity in London Well, there’s something new. Football: now available in new, genuinely heartwarming flavour. There was a lovely moment at London’s Palladium theatre on Monday, with the clock creeping towards 11pm at the end of a startlingly shrill and bloated evening of never‑ending awards and never-ending awa…

Only Matt Busby and Alex Ferguson have truly succeeded in the Old Trafford hot seat with each casting uneasy shadows Should any football club fit the Great Man theory of history it is Manchester United. In the past 100 years, only Matt Busby and Alex Ferguson have knocked the club into shape. A pair of 20th-century Scotsmen, born 15 miles apart in Bellshill and Govan respectively, found the key. …

Bath flanker Pepper injured ankle at Gloucester on Friday Bristol’s Van Rensburg advised to rest after two concussions England’s head coach, Steve Borthwick, said he will be monitoring this weekend’s domestic Prem games with some trepidation. Already he has lost at least two potentially key squad members for the entire autumn period in the form of Guy Pepper and Benhard van Rensburg, with doubts …

30-year-old is an eight-time Pro Bowl selection Indianapolis fired GM Ballard last week amid skid The Indianapolis Colts have traded All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks, a person with knowledge of the deal told the Associated Press on Tuesday. The person requested anonymity because the deal had not been announced by either team and said the Colts would receive a third-round draft…

The Dream and Valkyries are tied at 2-2 after four absorbing games. Many in America would rather we revisited the national anthem debate When Tyler Perry leading lady Crystal Renee took center stage at State Farm Arena to sing the national anthem before the Atlanta Dream’s WNBA finals clash with the Golden State Valkyries on Saturday afternoon, a smattering of photographers, game officials and ev…

Decision to bowl first looked like backfiring But hosts all out for 329 after being 140-0 at lunch For a time, it was heading up there with the worst. David Gower at Leeds in 1989, when Australia topped 600 and declared. Nasser Hussain in Brisbane, 2002, when Australia were 364 for 2 by the end of the day. Edgbaston 2005, where England lamped 407 from 80 overs. Those were the looming comparisons …

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning , Ali Maxwell and George Elek to reflect on the England captain’s Ballon d’Or award and to discuss the weekend’s EFL action Continue reading...

Andy Burnham sends congratulations to England captain Bayern player is first Englishman to win award since 2001 Downing Street has hinted that Harry Kane deserves a knighthood, praising the footballer’s “extraordinary achievement” as the first English winner of the Ballon d’Or in 25 years. The prime minister’s spokesperson said Andy Burnham sent praise and congratulation to the England captain, w…

Neglect of African football and a third win for the Spanish great does little to challenge narrative that the prize is reserved only for top nations’ players After a four-year wait, Alexia Putellas is the queen of women’s football once again. Receiving the Ballon d’Or for a record-equalling third time to continue Spain’s domination of this award, the 32-year-old reinforces her status as one of th…

Goalkeeper gets manager’s backing after errors Five players were granted three days off after Saturday • This story will update through the day Continue reading...