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Australia emerge from Test season with flying colours and new options
Following the crushing first Test loss to India in Perth in November, there was a moment when Australia's Test team looked as though they may have reached a cliff much sooner than predicted.
Ten weeks, five Test wins and two significant series victories later, that seismic defeat in Perth feels like nothing but a bump in the road, with the horizon looking even better than expected.
Last summer they used just 12 players across seven Tests home and away, playing three of them without a single player under the age of 29, and produced less than convincing series wins over Pakistan and New Zealand whilst drawing with West Indies at home in between.
It was a summer where Australia showed versatility and adaptability in both decision-making and execution across a vast spectrum of conditions and opponents.
Reports of Smith's decline as a Test batter were greatly exaggerated, as were fears of Australia's batting depth overall.
The performance of Inglis and Webster, although he didn't make a century, and the looming return of Green means Australia is now flush with options ahead of the World Test Championship final which will create a selection squeeze.
The treatment of the two youngsters in Konstas and Nathan McSweeney rankled many, with the latter felt to be set up for failure as an opener after earning his place through middle-order Shield form, while the former captured the nation's hearts only to be cast aside based on the conditions in Sri Lanka.
A quick glance, however, at the top 10 Australian Test run-scorers shows a litany of examples of players given a taste of Test cricket at a young age, losing their place and then returning to dominate at the highest level.
Smith himself was dropped after making 77 in his second Test as a 21-year-old, recalled five Tests later, then dropped again for two full years before becoming Australia's best since Bradman.
Australia will still experience some pain whenever Smith and Khawaja finish, but the future looks brighter than it did 10 weeks ago.
That next rung of Sean Abbott, Brendan Doggett and Nathan McAndrew are all performing well at first-class level but all are over the age of 30. Replacing two ageing generational batters out of six in the short to medium term looks far easier than replacing three generational quicks out of three.
For now, Australia march to a second consecutive WTC final with enough depth and confidence that any of whatever 15 they choose in their squad could play a role in the final. Thereafter they play three Tests in the West Indies, where the performance in Sri Lanka might have more bearing on how they set up than how they play at Lord's, before a date with England for a home Ashes. Perth feels a long time ago.
From BPL to Champions Trophy - Simmons wants 'that 50-over mentality' quickly
The BPL ended on February 7, and the following day, some of the players turned up at a training camp at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. These were mainly cricketers whose BPL teams had been knocked out before the final. The team will train in Dhaka till February 12, after which they leave for the Champions Trophy - their first match is against India in Dubai on February 20.
"I agree that it is not the best preparation, but they were playing white-ball cricket, which means that they are sharp skills-wise," Simmons said. "We have to get their minds up to 50-over cricket in the next six or seven days. They have the skills. They are performing. It is about getting to that 50-over mentality now. We will have double practice sessions in the next couple of days. We bat and bowl in the morning, and then do the same under the lights.
"We are getting ourselves prepared to bat for 50 overs. The first part of the preparation is about Dubai. Once we can get ourselves in the right frame of mind, and work on the right things for Dubai, I think we can start [preparations for] the rest the competition as well. We will get familiar conditions in Pakistan after that."
"He was working very hard all of those days when he wasn't playing," Simmons said. "We are going to need a strong mental attitude from everyone in the team. I think he possesses that, so I look forward to him continuing his work."
"I think you prepare as best as you could when you go into a tournament. On that day, you play your best games. That's what I look to do, on every occasion"
Phil Simmons
"He has looked slower than normal in the last couple of games. The run-up was less than normal approaching the wicket," Simmons said. "They [Rangpur Riders] got knocked out early so he had a bit of rest. He looked sharp in training yesterday. The pace was coming back. The run-up was as quick as it was in the Caribbean."
This is Simmons' last assignment in his current contract, and there are questions about the future. But Simmons wasn't giving any clues.
"I won't be here if I didn't believe [that we can win]," he said. "I think you prepare as best as you could when you go into a tournament. On that day, you play your best games. That's what I look to do, on every occasion. I think we have made a lot of strides in the Caribbean. I think we have a good chance once we play to the best of our ability."
Final decision on Bumrah's availability for Champions Trophy on February 11
Chiefs' three-peat talk 'definitely' fired up Eagles
NEW ORLEANS -- Multiple Eagles defensive players said they used the Kansas City Chiefs' talk of a three-peat as incentive in Philadelphia's dominant Super Bowl LIX performance on Sunday night.
"That was motivation because it was kind of a slap to us," Eagles veteran defensive end Brandon Graham said. "It was like, they ain't seen us yet. So, we heard that all week. And when the game came, execution was on point and together."
The Chiefs were trying to become the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowls. News came out last week that the Chiefs and Miami Heat president Pat Riley came to an agreement allowing the Chiefs to use the trademarked "Three-Peat" phrase without issue if they did win.
"Definitely," said Philadelphia defensive tackle Milton Williams, when asked if he was fueled by that chatter. "They were talking about getting the copyright and all that B.S. Throw that s--- in the trash."
The Eagles' defensive front dominated the game, sacking Patrick Mahomes six times while registering 11 quarterback hits in a 40-22 win.
Philadelphia did not send a single blitz against Mahomes yet still managed to get pressure on 16 of his 42 dropbacks (38%).
Mahomes appeared to feel the effects. He threw a pair of interceptions -- including a pick-six to rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean -- and finished with a QBR of 11.4, the second lowest in a Super Bowl since the rating began being used in 2006.
Josh Sweat (2.5) and Williams (2) had multiple sacks in the game, becoming just the third Super Bowl tandem to post two-plus sacks.
"We didn't change the game plan or anything," said Sweat, who was among those Eagles players who said they shut out the three-peat talk and other distractions to stay focused. "We just rush and cover together, and whoever made the play made it.
"[Defensive coordinator] Vic [Fangio] just made the calls, and we executed. He always puts us in the right position to make the plays, and it worked out."
Europes Table Tennis Finest Converge: World Cup Qualification Showdown in Montreux
The picturesque Swiss town of Montreux will become the epicentre of European table tennis for the seventh consecutive time from 20-23 February, as the CCB Europe Top 16 Cup promises an electrifying tournament where semifinalists will secure ITTF Singles World Cup Macao 2025 spots.
Representing the incredible depth and diversity of European table tennis, the tournament will showcase players from across the continent from the traditional powerhouses of Sweden, Germany, and France to emerging talents from all corners of the region. With no limit on players per country, the field promises an unprecedented level of competition, making the title truly up for grabs. Player list can be found here.
Defending champions Darko Jorgić and Jia Nan Yuan return with remarkable stories to continue. Jorgić, who achieved a historic hat-trick in 2024, and Yuan, the first French woman to claim the title, will headline a tournament featuring some of Europes most dynamic and skilled players.
The 2025 edition introduces an innovative format that amplifies the competitive drama. Qualification rounds will feature players ranked 15-21, with a special spot reserved for a Swiss player. The tournament will unfold over four days, with matches progressing from qualification rounds to the ultimate showdown of semi-finals and finals.
A significant change this year removes the previous two-player-per-nation limitation, ensuring that Europes absolute best players will compete. All matches will be played in a best-of-5 format, adding to the tournaments intensity and unpredictability.
The Salle Omnisport du Pierrier has been meticulously prepared, featuring a newly homologated floor colour exclusive to this event. Enhanced spectator experiences include an additional grandstand, private company boxes, and VIP seating directly alongside the playing field.
Semifinalists will secure direct qualification spots for the ITTF Singles World Cup in Macao, raising the stakes of every single point and rally.
Event Essentials:
- Date: 20-23 February 2025
- Venue: Salle Omnisport du Pierrier, Montreux, Switzerland
'Every week he's looking better and better' - Ashton on Prendergast
Watch as former England international and Six Nations winner Chris Ashton analyses Sam Prendergast's "confident" performance for Ireland in their Six Nations victory against Scotland.
WATCH MORE: Dominant Ireland beat disappointing Scotland at Murrayfield
Watch Six Nations Rugby Special on BBC iPlayer.
Available to UK users only.
Hoy reception & England's dramatic finish in Six Nations best moments
Watch the best moments from week two of the Six Nations including Elliot Daly's winning try for England against France at the Allianz Stadium.
WATCH MORE: Late Daly try secures dramatic England victory against France
Watch highlights on Six Nations Rugby Special on BBC iPlayer.
Available to UK users only.
Wales' 22-15 defeat by Italy in Rome made it a record-extending 14 losses in a row for a team that has now fallen below Georgia to 12th in the world rankings.
Former Wales international James Hook said on the BBC's Rugby Union Weekly podcast: "The scoreline definitely flattered Wales. Italy were completely dominant and Wales were second in pretty much every facet of the game.
"The frustration from Welsh supporters is that we've not seen any progression either. If you see some sort of development and something to be optimistic about, you think 'OK, we are actually developing'. But we haven't really improved."
Warren Gatland wants to fight on as head coach but, with another Wooden Spoon potentially looming, what positives can Wales take from their final three games against Ireland, Scotland and England?
Ex-captain Sam Warburton said on BBC One: "All I want to see is some players - there won't be 10 of them - but we need three, four or five, on top of people like Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams, to say: 'I'm an international-class player and this is going to be my shirt for the next five to 10 years'.
"We need guys to step up and own that shirt."
Questions, of course, are being asked about what can be done to arrest the national team's decline and Jones, like many other pundits and journalists, believes the problems are deep-rooted.
"It goes back 10-15 years," he said. "It's about management, finances, pathways - there is so much to fix and it's a depressing situation when you think what a great rugby nation this is."
'Complete team' Ireland in driving seat for hat-trick
When Ireland emerged from a chaotic, injury-filled game at Murrayfield with a win two years ago, it put them on the verge of the Grand Slam.
There may be three rounds of fixtures left this year, but Sunday's 32-18 success in Edinburgh coupled with France's defeat by England on Saturday means they are the only team still capable of securing the clean sweep.
And given the manner in which they battered Scotland, having put England to the sword in the second half last week, the evidence suggests it will take an almighty effort from Wales, France or Italy to derail Ireland's hopes of a third successive Six Nations title.
All that is to come. For Ireland and interim boss Simon Easterby, though, Murrayfield was about laying down a marker. They achieved that emphatically to ensure a maximum return of 10 points from the first two weekends.
Ireland were clearly irked by how they bookended last week's win over England. They were slow out of the blocks, trailed at half-time and switched off in the closing stages after storming into a big lead in the second half, handing England two late tries and a losing bonus point.
As a result, the motivation from the Irish coaches and players in the build-up to Sunday's game was clear: silence Murrayfield quickly and shatter their hosts' dreams of a first green scalp since 2017.
That part of the gameplan was nailed, and it laid the groundwork for one of the most convincing triumphs of their 11-game winning streak against Scotland.
Shawn Reed Over The Moon Following First Top Fuel Win
Following a four-year absence from competition, Shawn Reed rejoined the NHRA Top Fuel field last season to embark on his first full-time season.
While he was unable to make the 10-driver Countdown to the Championship, growth was visible during the latter part of the year with resetting his career-best speed three times in the final handful of races (331.69 mph at NHRA finals in Pomona, Calif.).
With a springboard to lean on, this year may be drastically different.
In Saturdays PRO Superstar Shootout at Floridas Bradenton Motorsports Park, Reed made the eight-driver eliminations, where he flexed his muscles.
Reed knocked out No. 1 qualifier and reigning NHRA Top Fuel champion Antron Brown in the first round before sending Brittany Force packing via a holeshot in round two.
Hed complete his first winning weekend of his Top Fuel career after topping Josh Hart in the finals with a 3.699 second run at 330.39 mph.
I hope theres more to come because this is pretty cool stuff right here, a smiling Reed said. I almost said the other word This is cool s right here, Ill tell you what.
Im just over the moon happy right now. Its not even gonna sink in for a while. We got a trip planned to the Bahamas tomorrow, so what a great week coming up. Going to be in the Bahamas for like five or six days oh my gosh, I couldnt even of wrote this script any better than this, Reed continued.
To be here with FloRacing and all the best drivers in the world, and to come out on top, what a dream come true. Takes a little bit of luck, but, well take it.
While the 59-year-olds road to his first professional victory was a long, grueling road, his optimism never wavered.
Ive been to 20 races last year in NHRA and I wake up every morning and Im like, Yeah, todays my day, todays my day. You know what? I didnt think anything about it, I just wanted to have fun, Reed beamed.
If you push too hard in this game, it just goes the other way. You just gotta let things happen. Things come to you and you think about things, but you push them out.
All of a sudden, Im sitting here. Howd I do that? Whatever, Ill take it. were good.
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