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Mitchell Marsh out of Champions Trophy with back injury
Marsh has endured a difficult season and lost his Test place to Beau Webster for the final match against India at the SCG, having made 73 runs in seven innings and performing a limited role with the ball during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. His fitness was a regular topic of conversation during that five-Test series.
He played a lone BBL game on January 7 after the Test series against India but then rested from the last three matches of the BBL season to mentally and physically refresh ahead of Champions Trophy. But his back remained a serious issue and the selectors have ruled him out of the tournament. A CA statement described the issue as "lower back pain and dysfunction" but did not reveal specifics.
"Mitchell Marsh has been ruled out of the upcoming ICC Men's Champion's Trophy with ongoing lower back pain and dysfunction," the statement said. "The National Selection Panel and Australian men's medical team ruled Marsh out of the tournament with the injury which has not responded sufficiently to rehabilitation.
"His lower back pain flared in recent weeks leading the NSP to make the longer term decision for Marsh to complete a more extended period of rehabilitation. Marsh will now undergo a period of further rest and rehabilitation as part of his return to play plan. The NSP will meet to decide on a replacement for Marsh in due course."
Australia have a lot of batting cover in the squad already, including spare wicketkeeper Alex Carey, and could choose another allrounder to replace Marsh. Will Sutherland played ODI cricket last year and would have been on the tour of the UK in September had he not suffered a back injury. Webster has not played ODI cricket but could be called upon if needed, while Cooper Connolly is also a spin-bowling allrounder although Australia have four batters who can bowl spin in the squad already. Cameron Green remains unavailable as he continues his rehab from back surgery in October.
Cummins also remains a doubt for the tournament due to an ankle injury he carried through the Test series against India, so with Marsh out of contention Australia may need another captain which would bring Steven Smith, currently in charge of the Test team in Sri Lanka, Travis Head and Josh Inglis into contention. Head has captained the T20I but has not led the ODI side. Inglis captained both in the recent home summer as Australia have half an eye on their future leadership options despite Cummins looking set to push through to the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Marsh was a key part of Australia's 2023 ODI World Cup triumph where he scored centuries against Pakistan and Bangladesh. Since being used consistently in the top order from March 2023 he has averaged 44.54 in ODIs with a strike-rate of 109.13.
A year ago, Marsh was named the Allan Border Medalist following his successful comeback to Test cricket alongside his consistent limited-overs returns.
Champions Trophy squads can be freely amended until February 11 after which approval is required from the technical committee.
Australia play two ODIs in Sri Lanka on February 12 and 14 in preparation for the tournament.
Legspinner Tanveer Sangha will fly to Galle to join Australia's Test and ODI squads as a development player, but is not in contention for selection. Left-arm quick Spencer Johnson is doing the same for the ODIs, with the pair also a chance to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.
South Africa 106 for 5 (Botha 37, Reyneke 26, Hamilton 2-17, Gill 2-20) beat Australia 105 for 8 (Bray 36, Briscoe 27*, van Wyk 4-17) by five wickets
The chase wasn't expected to be straightforward for South Africa, against an Australia attack that hadn't conceded more than 100 even once in the tournament. Botha, though, wasted no time.
Batting well down the track to negate any movement, Botha got going with back-to-back fours against Larosa in the first over. Simone Lorens also started with a four but was soon castled by a Chloe Ainsworth in-ducker. But there was no stopping Botha. She smashed five fours and two sixes as South Africa raced to 50 for 2 after six overs.
With the foundation set, Reyneke took over and guided her side sedately towards their target. She stitched a 21-run stand with Botha and then a 38-run partnership Karabo Meso as South Africa coasted through the middle overs. Reyneke fell with South Africa three short of the target before Naidu took them home with 11 balls to spare.
Chandimal stands tall but Australia tighten grip with two more wickets
Lunch Sri Lanka 136 for 5 (Chandimal 63*, Kusal 10*, Starc 2-13, Kuhnemann 2-48) trail Australia 654 for 6 dec by 518 runs
In response to Australia's massive first-innings of 654 for 6 declared, Sri Lanka reached lunch at 136 for 5 with Chandmal playing a lone hand.
He compiled an attractive 63 before rain cascaded on the ground out of nowhere to prematurely end the first session. Chandimal and Kusal Mendis, who is on 10 not out, will need to combine for a big partnership if Sri Lanka are to inch closer towards the follow-on target.
The pitch had been mostly benign over the opening two days with sharp turn negated by the slowness of the surface. But it is starting to show signs of wear with several cracks notable and the ball has occasionally exploded off the surface.
After such a dismal performance by the top-order, where they lost three wickets within 10 overs late on day two, Sri Lanka resumed on 44 for 3 and still 410 runs away from the follow-on.
Their hopes of chiselling into that target rested on Chandimal and Kamindu Mendis, who entered with an average of 74 from 10 Tests since debuting against Australia on the ground in 2022. In that match, Chandimal scored 206 not out in a big victory for Sri Lanka.
Chandimal was pinned down initially by Lyon. But perhaps having closely studied Australia's first-innings playbook, Chandimal decided to go on the attack against Lyon who loomed as Australia's talisman having had little to do in the pace-dominated home series against India.
A fascinating battle emerged as Lyon bowled from around the wicket aiming at the developing footmarks. Chandimal was undaunted as he unfurled the sweep to good effect and clubbed Lyon to the boundary.
He enjoyed luck on the next delivery when he edged past stand-in skipper Steven Smith's outstretched left hand at first slip in the type of tough chance he has often snaffled in his career.
Chandimal capped the most productive over of the innings when he reverse swept Lyon to the boundary. But Sri Lanka's solid start was rocked when Kamindu fell in tame fashion on 15 when he was strangled down the leg side by Starc as Sri Lanka fell to 67 for 4.
Chandimal remained unruffled despite copping a blow in the midriff by a shorter delivery from Starc. He continued to defy Lyon by backing his attacking instincts. Much like Australia's batters on the opening two days, Chandimal danced down the wicket to good effect to club Lyon over cover.
Chandimal had a productive partnership with skipper Dhananjaya de Silva to underline there were still plenty of runs on offer on this surface. But, once again, Sri Lanka were derailed by recklessness when de Silva was stumped by a mile after he ran down at left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann and missed a short and wide delivery.
Having triggered Sri Lanka's woes by dismissing opener Oshada Fernando, Kuhnemann continued his strong return in his first Test match since the India tour in early 2023.
Chandimal reached his half-century off 91 balls before Sri Lanka, not for the first time in this match, were relieved by the sight of rain.
Tristan Lavalette is a journalist based in Perth
England beat Ireland in Under-20 Six Nations opener
Holders England survived Junior Kpoku's 20-minute red card to defeat Ireland in the Under-20s Six Nations opener 19-3 in Cork.
Back row Kpoku was sent off in the 15th minute for a high tackle on Eoghan Smyth, but England held a 9-3 lead at half-time despite losing captain Tom Burrow to the sin-bin.
Restored to their full complement, England were awarded a penalty try in the 68th minute and Ben Coen's fourth penalty of the game handed the visitors a comfortable win.
It is a strong start to England's bid to win back-to-titles, while it is a first home defeat for Ireland in the U20 Six Nations since 2018.
Ireland had dominated possession but England led through Benjamin Coen's penalty before Kpoku was dismissed for a high tackle on Smyth.
The Racing 92 back row became the first player to receive a 20-minute red card in the championship under the new rules that have been implemented by World Rugby.
Burrow then was shown a yellow card for slapping the ball out of the hands of Clark Logan at the breakdown, but the visitors extended their lead through another penalty by Exeter Chiefs fly-half Coen.
Ireland, who struggled to capitalise on their numerical advantage, got on the board through Sam Wisniewski's penalty, but another effort from Coen gave England a 9-3 lead at the break.
In tricky conditions that led to numerous handling errors from both sides, it was a low-scoring second half.
The decisive blow came with 12 minutes to play when England's maul roared over the Irish line and French referee awarded a penalty try after consulting with his TMO.
To add insult for injury for Ireland, replacement Osin Minogue was sent to the sin-bin.
The hosts pressed for a response but were unable to find a clinical touch in England's 22, and Coen's late penalty moved the visitors 16 points clear with two minutes remaining.
Ireland's night was summed up in the final play of the game as Charlie Molony looked to cross for a consolation score in the corner but player of the match James Kane tackled the full-back into touch.
Neil Doak's Ireland will look to bounce back away to Scotland in their second fixture, while England will take on France at the Rec.
Ireland Under-20s: Charlie Molony; Derry Moloney, Connor Fahy, Eoghan Smyth, Ciaran Mangan; Sam Wisniewski, Clark Logan; Alex Usanov, Henry Walker, Alex Mullan, Mahon Ronan, Billy Corrigan; Michael Foy, Bobby Power, Eanna McCarthy (capt).
Replacements: Connor Magee, Billy Bohan, Tom McAllister, David Walsh, Oisin Minogue, Andrew Doyle, Gene O'Leary Kareem, Daniel Green.
England Under-20s: Jack Kinder; Jack Bracken; Angus Hall, Nic Allison; Charlie Griffin; Benjamin Coen, Archie McParland; Ralph MacEachran, Kepu Tuipulotu, Vilikesa Sela; Olamide Sodeke, Tom Burrow (capt); Junior Kpoku, Henry Pollock, Kane James.
Replacements: Louie Gulley, Oliver Scola, Tye Raymont, Aiden Ainsworth-Cave, George Timmins, Lucas Friday, Josh Bellamy, Nick Lilley.
Rowlands welcomes some fans not giving Wales much of a hope against a French side which welcomes back world-class half-backs Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack.
"Perfect. I think that's the perfect place for us," he said, "just go there with little expectation.
"There is only one way out, one way up."
Wales are on a run of 12 consecutive Test losses, but are boosted by the return of experienced players like Liam Williams and Josh Adams for this year's championship.
Rowlands admits it has been a difficult 12 months of development.
"We didn't see the results of that as we wanted to in the autumn, and hopefully there have been some lessons taken and we'll be judged ultimately by the results in the Six Nations," he said.
"I think everyone is confident that we can put together some performances at the very least, that will give a lot of confidence and some inspiration going forward."
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. The glory of almost 80 years of auto racing inside Jim Whelen Boardwalk Hall continues this Friday and Saturday when the Indoor Auto Racing Championship returns for the 23rd running of the Gamblers Classic.
Competitors from up-and-down the East Coast converge on Boardwalk Hall, bringing together some of the fiercest competitors in short-track racing. From seasoned veterans to rising stars, the fields are stacked with talent, eager to etch their name in Atlantic City history.
Everyone wants to win in Atlantic City because the pioneers of racing all won there, two-time Gamblers Classic winner Joey Payne stated. Theres prestige in it.
While the modern-era record books shows that Andy Mackereth of Ontario, was the first winner, auto racing inside Boardwalk Hall has a long history dating back to 1938. Then known as the Atlantic City Convention Center, a series of midget car races were held during the fall of that year.
With World War II hanging over the nation, many auto races were canceled to aid in the war effort and Boardwalk Hall racing was such a casualty.
It was not until January of 1965 that Pleasantville, N.J., businessman George Stockinger began the first of 55 indoor racing events that would stretch over the course of the next 15 winters. The featured attraction was the Three Quarter (TQ) Midget the same machine that the Indoor Auto Racing Championship races today.
Because of the scheduling of these races in the dead of winter, the Atlantic City Indoor Races received widespread attention among the auto racing community. The frenzy peaked in 1973 when six events were held, and through 1981 at least three events took place each year.
Twenty-two years later, in 2003, Len Sammons, publisher of Area Auto Racing News, resurrected the Atlantic City Indoor racing traditions. On January 18, 2003, a packed house saw the racing events and Mackereth won the Inaugural Gamblers Classic.
Since 2003, names such as Lou Cicconi, Joey Payne and Ted Christopher have cemented themselves as the new legends of Boardwalk Hall victory lane thanks to multiple visits between 2003 and 2013.
In the last decade a new group of stars has dominated the boardwalk. Carrying four Gambler Classic victories is Anthony Sesely with trophies in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2023; and Andy Jankowiak scored wins in 2019, 2020, 2023, and 2024.
Perennial contenders Tim Buckwalter (2022) and Ryan Flores (2018) each have one victory in the event.
The Gamblers Classic is a race where, when your career is over, you want to say you won it, Flores shared. More importantly, you want to say you won it more than anyone else.
While current stars of the Indoor Auto Racing Championship chase glory and the Gamblers Classic trophy, big winners in the Stockinger Era are now memorialized through annual special awards during the Gamblers Classic events. One is given out each year in Stockingers name, others named for racers including Doug Craig, Larry Michaels, Tony Romit and Sonny Saunders.
As they did nearly 80 years ago, the TQ Midget stars, along with drivers in supplementary divisions including Slingshots, Champ Karts, and Micro Sprints will do battle around an oval built on the concrete floor of Jim Whelen Boardwalk Hall.
Racing kicks off Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. headlined by the BlackJack 21 feature race for the TQ Midgets, and continues Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. headlined by the Gamblers Classic.
Watch all the action live on SPEED SPORT affiliate DirtTrackDigest.tv.
Cody Overton Gains Confidence With WoO LMS Point Lead
CONCORD, N.C. Entering his second season with the World of Outlaws Late Models, Cody Overtons primary objective was simply to continue building.
After a 2024 season that included eight top 10s and a third-place finish in the MD3 Rookie of the Year standings, he knew there was still plenty of room for improvement on his way to becoming a serious title contender.
So, when Overton was informed after Saturdays DIRTcar Sunshine Nationals finale that he was leading the standings, he couldnt help but think there must have been a mistake.
But there wasnt. Thanks to his first podium finish on Friday night and a 11th-place run on Saturday, Lil Sexy sits as the man to beat by four points over reigning champion Brandon Sheppard.
I dont know, its just awesome, Overton said. I thought this year was going to be a really good year. Just got to keep up with it and keep going and try not to think about it much.
Overton began his 2025 campaign with a performance more reminiscent of a seasoned veteran than someone still learning the ropes of super late model racing.
On a night when track conditions remained unpredictable from start to finish and few cars made it back to the hauler unscathed, Overton kept his nose clean and drove from 23rd to third in the 35-lap affair.
There appeared to be plenty more where that came from early in Saturdays program, as Overton qualified second and won his Heat Race, but then faded to 11th in the feature. It was a valuable learning opportunity for the Thomson, Ga., driver heading into his return to Volusia Speedway Park for the Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals (Feb. 13-15).
Just missed it a little bit, Overton said. Just kind of over-tightened up early. Which I thought I was going to be better late, but I thought it would blow off a lot faster than that, so I dont know. Its just our new car, just got to go through the cycles and learn it.
If Overtons year-over-year improvement mimics his Volusia gains his third-place result on Friday was his first super late model top 10 at the track he could find himself much higher up the points table come World of Outlaws World Finals in November compared to last year. Fortunately for him, there are plenty of opportunities for growth. Out of 32 tracks on this years schedule, Overton has a notebook on 24 of them, whereas last season he was flying blind more often than not.
I feel a lot better, definitely, Overton said regarding his optimism toward this year compared to the start of his rookie season. I feel way more confident. Its going to have its ups and its going to have its downs, I know that. Just got to see how the year goes.
YPSILANTI, Mich. Shawn Langdons Kalitta Air Careers team will race with new livery designed to look like a Kalitta Air plane in the upcoming season.
The 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series begins March 7-9, 2025 at the Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla.
In the middle of the 2023 season, Kalitta Air began using Langdons Top Fuel team as part of its multi-faceted, multi-media effort to recruit pilots and mechanics to work at Kalitta Air.
The program is working well, but in an effort to link the race team more closely to the airline, the new livery makes the car look more like the planes that deliver cargo around the world Langdons Top Fuel car is now almost an extension of the Kalitta Air Boeing 747 and 777 aircraft.
The Kalitta Air Careers car is definitely making a difference in our hiring at Kalitta Air, Kalitta Air Senior VP and Deputy Chief Operating Officer Heath Nichol said. This program is working, but we still need more pilots and mechanics so were rebranding the Kalitta Air Careers car to make it mirror our aircraft in hopes of more closely linking the race team with the iconic Kalitta Air 747s many people see at airports around the world. Flying a 747 is a dream job for many pilots we just want to make sure they know were hiring.
Weve been honored to help Kalitta Air find the employees it needs through our race team, Team Kalitta General Manager Chad Head said. Its gratifying to know the effort is paying off and that new pilots and mechanics are applying for jobs. With Shawns car now looking like a Kalitta Air plane, were hoping hiring will accelerate almost as fast as the Kalitta Air Careers car leaves the starting line.
NASCAR Notes: Logano Already Thinking Championship
CONCORD, N.C. Joey Logano, who won his third NASCAR Cup Series championship last season, is already looking ahead to defending his title.
Its pretty immediate that you think about it. On one hand, I think the three championships are great. On the other hand, I think we lost four of them that we should have won, so those are the ones that are always in the back of my mind, Logano said. Probably not until Im done racing will I be content with what I have because Im not done yet.
Im still only 34, so Ive got a lot of years ahead of me to win more championships and races, so as great as it is, like I always say, the first 20 minutes is amazing because youre celebrating with your team and your family, and then every day it becomes a little less exciting and more thoughts into weve got to do it again, especially after Christmas, its over.
When the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium was first announced, many thought of it as a home game for the NASCAR Cup Series teams, crews and drivers.
Thats not exactly the case as there will be plenty of time on the road between the Charlotte area and Winston-Salem, which is a little more than an hour drive.
Technical inspection took place Thursday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Haulers were parked and all cars inspected and locked safely in the haulers, which are impounded in the CMS garage until Friday morning.
At that point, teams will return to their rigs and make the drive to Bowman-Gray Stadium where they will be parked and impounded until Saturday morning when crews can work on their cars at the historic quarter-mile track in preparation for practice, qualifying and heat races on Saturday night.
Ryan Preece has high expectations for the new season as he joins RFK Racing as a teammate to team co-owner Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher. Preece joins the team after several seasons with Stewart-Haas Racing, which closed at the end of last season.
I feel like every opportunity has had a lot of different life lessons and certain things that I feel like have helped me get ready for this moment, Preece said. I had a great time with Stewart-Haas and Tony and Chad and all those guys over there.
There were some challenges, but there was also some points that were good, so all lessons that Im bringing here to RFK and certainly you look at what Brad, Jack and the Fenway Group what theyve done over the past three years its pretty impressive and being teammates with Chris in the past and seeing what hes accomplished over the past three years in winning races, so, yeah, my expectations are high.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway President and General Manager Chris Powell has announced his retirement after an illustrious career spanning more than 26 years.
Powell took the helm of the speedway upon its acquisition by Speedway Motorsports in December, 1998.
Our success through the years has not been about one person, but rather the incredible commitment displayed by my teammates through the years, Powell said. Their attention to detail has made me so proud, and I could spend years thanking each one of them for their unending efforts. Im certain my successor will receive the same kind of support.
Ive been so fortunate to work for two outstanding leaders in the late Bruton Smith and his son, Marcus. Bruton made an indelible mark on motorsports, and Marcus is following suit by taking our company to new heights. Ill be forever indebted to the Smith family for allowing me to oversee one of the great sports venues.
Kaulig Racing announced Sea Best returns to the organization as a primary partner for Ty Dillon and the No. 10 Chevrolet for 20 races during the 2025 season starting with the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium
Richard Childress Racing announced a multi-year partnership with Bank OZK (Nasdaq: OZK), a nationally recognized leader in the financial services industry.
The bank will serve as a primary partner of Kyle Busch and the No. 8 Chevrolet for multiple races throughout the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, beginning at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday, March 23.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and Xfinity Series teams tested at Rockingham (N.C.) Speedway on Tuesday and Wednesday in preparation for the April 18-19 return of the NASCAR racing to the legendary one-mile track.
Fraternal Order of Eagles and Spire Motorsports announced a partnership featuring the international non-profit organization as the primary sponsor of Justin Haleys No. 7 Chevrolet in Sundays Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium.
Joe Gibbs Racing announced that National Debt Relief will be the primary sponsor of Denny Hamlins No. 11 Toyota Camry for four NASCAR Cup Series races, including the 67th running of the Daytona 500.
Legacy Motor Club announced Pye-Barker Fire & Safety the largest fully integrated and full-service fire protection, life safety and security services provider in the U.S. will be primary sponsor of the No. 42 Toyota Camry driven by John Hunter Nemechek for 14 events this season.
TNT Sports today announced the launch of a brand-new NASCAR Driver Cam experience exclusive to Max that will offer motorsports fans the ultimate all-access pass to every driver for every race throughout the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series schedule.
Launching this Sunday, NASCAR Driver Cam on Max will offer users the most comprehensive access inside each drivers car up to 40 drivers each race including a layered audio mix of scanner team radios and ambient car noise, all synced up with a 1080p Driver Cam feed on supported devices.
HARRISBURG, N.C. Longtime ARCA Menards Series West competitor Takuma Koga will transition to the ARCA Menards Series East this season.
Koga, a native of Nagoya, Japan, will join Fast Track Racing for at least nine races this season.
I am proud to announce that for the 2025 season, I will be competing full-time in the ARCA East Series, including Daytona, with Fast Track Racing, Koga said. I am determined to learn as much as possible from team owner Andy Hillenburg, a Daytona winner, and to work with everyone on the team to make this an incredible season. We are fully prepared to give it our all.
Hillenburg is thrilled to have Koga piloting one of his cars.
2025 is going to be an exciting year for Fast Track. Having Takumas experience from the West Series will be great for our younger drivers with his perspective to help them and our team, said Hillenburg. I am looking forward to getting Takuma off to a great start at Daytona, and in our partnership this season
Japan-based technology company Macnica will serve as the primary sponsor for the No. 12 Toyota Camry at Daytona and will be an associate sponsor for all remaining races.
Dick Doheny, a long-time competitor and crew chief with Fast Track, will serve as Takumas crew chief for Daytona and East series starts, and Hillenburg will serve as Kogas spotter.
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