I Dig Sports
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. Schaeffers Motorsports announced the renewal of its partnership with rising star Evan Kelleher for the Progressive American Flat Track season in the AFT Singles presented by KICKER class.
Kelleher will pilot a Schaeffers Motorsports-prepped KTM 450 SX-F, aiming to turn heads as he battles for podium finishes throughout the season.
I want to give a huge shout out to the team at Schaeffers in Orwigsburg, Pa. They give me a machine capable of making podiumsthe rest is up to me, said, Evan Kelleher.
Schaeffers Motorsports, co-owned by Geoff Bogotuik and Cherie Schaeffer-Bogotuik, has steadily supported Kellehers continued rise through the AFT Singles ranks:
Weve backed Evan for a couple of years now, and weve seen consistent improvements in his race-craft. We believe hell be fighting for wins this year, said Bogotuik.
Evan is a great representative for Schaeffers Motorsports on and off the track. Were so proud to have him on our racing team, added Schaeffer-Bogotuik.
Kelleher dazzled fans in 2024, especially at the DuQuoin Mile finale, charging with the lead pack and holding third at times before scoring a close fifth. With eyes set on the 2025 season, Kellehers ready to take the fight to the front aboard a meticulously prepared Schaeffers KTM.
Sedgwick Joins PT Autosport For GT World Challenge
MILLVILLE, N.J. Rising racing star Alex Sedgwick steps up to one of the top tiers of U.S. sports car racing, joining RS1 Racing in the GT World Challenge America Powered by AWS series, alongside racing veteran Jan Heylen behind the wheel of a Porsche 911 GT3 R.
Sedgwick and Heylen will drive the No. 18 RS1/Race Brew by Momentum Brewery/PT Autosport/Porsche Naples Porsche 911 GT3 R in the 13-race GT Challenge America season, racing at legendary road courses including Sebring, Road America and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
PT Autosport is dedicated to matching opportunity with talent, supporting deserving young drivers as well as engineers, mechanics, and support personnel as they progress up the racing ladders. Its annual Aspiring Driver Shootout provides young drivers with the chance to begin their racing career, with mentorship and training an important part of the program.
With support from PT Autosport, Sedgwick finished fourth in the 2023 and 2024 Porsche Carrera Cup North America series, with a win from pole at Watkins Glen last season.
The 26-year-old Warwickshire, UK native, held second for much of the 2024 season before a string of bad mechanical luck cost critical points as he closed out the year fourth in the standings.
After an offseason full of conversations pointing in different sports car racing directions, Sedgwick is relieved to have his 2025 racing program sorted and looks forward to this new challenge and the chance to stay within the Porsche family, with a solid contender for the championship title. RS1, based in Pompano Beach, Fla., won the 2022 and 2024 GT4 America championships, the 2023 GT World Challenge America Pro class title, and finished second in the 2024 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenges GS class standings.
Im glad this worked out RS1 is a pretty good place to land, said Sedgwick. They have a ton of experience with this car and in Jan Heylen, Ive got a teammate who really knows this car. I did a seat fitting in the shop several weeks ago and it was clear from the start that this is a properly run program so Im excited to get started. I appreciate the help from my new partner Race Brew and PT Autosport to piece it all together.
Im also quite happy to stay with Porsche, to step up within their ladder from Carrera Cup into multi-class racing, continued Sedgwick. The GT3 R is obviously a very different animal from the cup car more tech, more aero but its still a Porsche, and most of what Ive learned in Carrera Cup should transfer over so I will know how to get the most out of the car. Im also looking forward to joining the GT World Challenge America series. Its a good place for me to learn all the things Ill need to know as I progress in racing, like pitstops, understanding BoP (balance of performance), and the nuances of multi-class racing. This is a very good place for me to be and hopefully I will continue this trajectory as I progress in my professional career ideally in a Porsche.
PT Autosport team principal Jason Myers is more than ready for the season to begin at Sonoma next week.
I am very excited that this deal with RS1 came together, said Myers. I have heard great things about Justin and his team, they put on a top-notch effort, and they only compete to win. While PT Autosport has helped get Alex through two very competitive seasons in Carrera Cup, our financial support has recently been directed more at our young driver programs and the annual Aspiring Driver Shootout. To broaden their horizons, we are sending both Alex and Henry (Drury, 2022 Aspiring Driver Shootout winner) to the Nürburgring later this week to qualify for their Nürburgring racing permits. This will open a wide array of options for both drivers in the near future, especially as we work to get Henry in a GT4 car. Were also excited to be working with new partner Momentum Brewing, and increasing our involvement with New Jersey Motorsports Park, bringing new blood and energy into the sportscar racing arena with more announcements to come soon.
Barcelona must play their postponed LaLiga match against Osasuna next Thursday, a judge at the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has ruled, which could force them to field a team without Raphinha or Ronald Araújo, among others, due to international call-ups.
The fixture was originally due to be played on March 8 at the Olympic Stadium but was called off 20 minutes before kick off due to the death of Barça's first team doctor Carles Miñarro, who passed away on the day of the match.
The RFEF ruled the match should be rearranged for March 27 earlier this week, but both teams contested that decision.
However, a judge on Thursday dismissed those appeals, saying the game must be played as soon as possible and supporting the decision to play it on the back of the current international break.
In their appeal, Barça had detailed how they could be without six of their first team squad for a game which could have huge implications in the title race -- Hansi Flick's side are currently top of the table, level on points with Real Madrid and four clear of Atlético Madrid.
Raphinha and Araújo are due to play for Brazil and Uruguay, respectively, on Tuesday in South American World Cup qualifiers.
Elsewhere, Gerard Martín, Fermín López and Pablo Torre are all part of the Spain under-21 squad set to face Germany on Tuesday, while Hector Fort is due to play for Spain U19s against Latvia on the same day.
Other players will only be returning from international duty earlier in the week after various commitments with their respective countries.
Osasuna don't have as many problems with internationals but are slated to face Athletic Club in the league the following day, March 28.
Thursday's resolution said that LaLiga had agreed to rearrange that game, potentially for the following Sunday .
The decision comes amid a lack of alternative dates due to Barça's progress in the Copa del Rey and the Champions League.
At the moment, the only free midweek Flick's team have between now and the end of the season is at the end of May, ahead of the final LaLiga game of the season.
However, that could change should they be knocked out of the Copa or Europe in the coming weeks.
Barça now face a hectic schedule of four games in nine days when club football returns next week.
After hosting Osasuna on Thursday, they welcome Girona on the Sunday, travel to Atlético for the second leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal on the Wednesday and then return home for a league game against Real Betis on the Saturday.
They then host Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, go to Leganés in LaLiga and then fly to Dortmund for the second leg of their quarterfinal tie.
Japan become 1st side to qualify for '26 World Cup
Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday as Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo struck in the second half to earn Hajime Moriyasu's side a 2-0 win over Bahrain at Saitama Stadium and confirm their place at next year's finals.
Crystal Palace midfielder Kamada came off the bench to put Japan in front in the 66th minute and Kubo added the second three minutes from time to keep Japan in pole position in Group C of Asia's preliminaries.
The win guarantees Japan a top-two finish in the standings and sees them qualify for an eighth consecutive World Cup finals.
The first two in each of Asia's three qualifying groups are certain to progress to the finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico next year, with the third- and fourth-placed teams advancing to a further round of play-offs.
After an underwhelming first half, Moriyasu introduced Kamada in the 63rd minute and, within three minutes, he had put his side in front.
The 28-year-old finished off a fine move that started with defender Hiroki Ito finding Ayase Ueda in the centre circle, and his pass released Kubo to set up Kamada to score.
Kubo had been Japan's most potent threat and it was fitting that the Real Sociedad playmaker added the second, beating goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfallah at his near post to put the outcome beyond doubt.
The result means Japan continue to lead Group C by nine points from second-placed Australia, who overcame an early scare to thrash Indonesia 5-1 in Sydney in Patrick Kluivert's first game in charge of the visitors.
Indonesia's Kevin Diks hit the post with an eighth minute penalty and the Socceroos took advantage.
Martin Boyle put Australia ahead from the spot and Jackson Irvine scored a brace, with Nishan Velupillay and Lewis Miller also on target to enhance Australia's qualification hopes.
2026 World Cup: How nations from around the world can qualify
Qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup began on Oct. 12, 2023, when minor nations from the Asian confederation played their first round of matches. Myanmar's Lwin Moe Aung scored the very first goal in a 5-1 win over Macau.
Most confederations now have qualifying well underway, but we're a long way from discovering the full list of 45 nations who will join hosts United States, Mexico and Canada.
Japan became the very first country to qualify on March 20, and at least one more will follow this week.
Here's where we're at around the globe.
QUALIFIED (1/45): Japan
Europe (UEFA)
12 auto + 4 via confederation playoff
Qualifying finally gets started on March 21 when most of the European teams who are not in UEFA Nations League (UNL) action play their first matches.
There are 55 European nations, although 54 will compete as Russia remain suspended due to the invasion of Ukraine.
There will be 12 groups of four or five teams, playing home and away matches. The group stage qualifying process will be completed in November 2025.
The 12 group winners will qualify directly for the World Cup, with the 12 runners-up entering the playoff system.
Eight groups will not be fully decided until this week's UEFA Nations League quarterfinals are completed on Sunday.
- Check out the latest fixtures and results here | Tables
The final four places at the World Cup will be determined via the UEFA playoffs, to be played in March 2026. There is no path to the World Cup through FIFA's intercontinental playoffs.
The UEFA playoffs involve 16 teams: the 12 runners-up plus the four best-ranked group winners from the UNL, who did not finish in the top two in World Cup qualifying. This creates four routes, each with four teams featuring a one-legged semifinal and a final for a place at the World Cup.
The priority order for the four World Cup playoff places through the UNL is: Spain, Germany, Portugal, France, England, Norway, Wales, Czechia, Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland, Moldova, San Marino
Of the 14 teams to win their UNL groups, 10 of those were in Pot 1 or 2 for the World Cup qualifying draw -- so on ranking would finish in the top two of their group. If that comes to pass, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland, Moldova and San Marino would get a playoff place.
Seeding:
Pot 1: World Cup qualifying group runners-up with the best four records
Pot 2: As above, teams fifth to eighth
Pot 3: As above, teams ninth to 12th
Pot 4: UEFA Nations League teams
Semifinals:
Pot 1 vs. Pot 4
Pot 2 vs. Pot 3
South America (CONMEBOL)
6 auto + 1 enters playoff
As in recent qualifying competitions, all 10 nations play each other home and away. The top six nations qualify directly to the finals. The seventh-placed team will go into the intercontinental playoffs in March 2026.
The first qualifiers took place in September 2023, with the league phase to be completed in September 2025.
- Check out the fixtures and results | Latest table
North America, Central America, Caribbean (Concacaf)
3 auto + 2 enter playoff
Usually, Concacaf would have six automatic places in qualifying -- but for the 2026 finals three of the six are taken up by the hosts. That leaves three places to be won, plus two spots in the intercontinental playoff path.
Concacaf saw 32 nations enter the race to make the finals.
Round 1: The four lowest-ranked Concacaf nations battled it out in two-legged ties. Anguilla and British Virgin Islands eliminated Turks and Caicos Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands respectively, both on penalties.
Round 2: The top 28-ranked nations, plus the two winners from Round 1, were drawn into six groups of five teams. Teams play each other only once, rather than home and away. This stage will be played in two blocks, with the first was held in June 2024 with the second to come in June 2025.
The six group winners and six group runners-up will move on to Round 3.
- Check out the latest fixtures and results here | Latest tables
Round 3: The 12 remaining teams will be drawn into three groups of four teams. This phase will be played in September, October and November 2025. The group winners will qualify for the World Cup, with the two runners-up with the best record going on to take part in the intercontinental playoffs.
Africa (CAF)
9 auto + 1 enters playoff
There were 54 FIFA-affiliated nations in the draw.
However, Eritrea subsequently withdrew. Congo, in the same group, were suspended by FIFA on Feb. 6 due to government interference, though they had lost all three group games at the time.
Round 1: The teams are in eight groups of six nations, and one group of four (with Eritrea and Congo removed.)
The nine group winners qualify for the World Cup.
This stage began in November 2023 and will be completed in October 2025.
The race to the World Cup is starting to take shape with qualifying at the halfway stage.
- Check out the latest fixtures and results here | Latest tables
Round 2: The four best runners-up will enter playoffs (two semifinals and a final) to decide which one country will go to the intercontinental playoffs. This stage will be played in November 2025.
Asia (AFC)
8 auto + 1 enters playoff
This is by some distance the most complicated route to the World Cup, with a layered qualifying process featuring a dual group stage to find the eight automatic qualifiers.
Round 1: The 20 lowest-ranked nations played two-legged ties in October 2023. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore and Yemen advanced.
Round 2: Those 10 winners joined the 26 best-ranked nations. The 36 teams were drawn into nine groups of four teams, with the top two nations going through to Round 3. This stage began in November 2023 and was completed in June 2024.
Advanced: Australia, Bahrain, China, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, North Korea, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan
Round 3: We're now left with 18 nations, who have been drawn into three groups of six teams. Matches began in September 2024 and will run through to June 2025.
The group winners and runners-up will take the first six places at the 2026 World Cup and their campaign is complete.
Japan became the first team to qualify for the World Cup on March 20.
The six nations who finish in third and fourth move on to Round 4.
- Check out the latest fixtures and results here | Latest tables
Round 4: The six teams in this stage will be drawn into two groups of three. They will play each other once, so two matches, on neutral ground in October 2025.
The group winners take the final two automatic places at the World Cup.
The two runners-up continue on to Round 5.
Round 5: A two-legged tie in November 2025 to earn the place in the intercontinental playoffs.
Oceania (OFC)
1 auto + 1 enters playoff
All 11 members of the OFC region took part.
Round 1: The four lowest-ranked nations played a knockout format (two semis and a final) in Samoa in September 2024.
American Samoa, Cook Islands, Samoa and Tonga were in this round. Samoa beat Tonga 2-1 in the final to advance.
Round 2: Samoa and the seven top-ranked nations were drawn into two groups of four nations, with matches played in October and November 2024. Games were held in Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu.
The top two countries in each group -- New Caledonia, Tahiti, New Zealand and Fiji -- went on to Round 3.
- Check out the results here | Final tables
Round 3: Four countries remain, and will play a one-legged knockout format (two semis and a final) in New Zealand in March 2025.
Semifinals, March 21
New Caledonia vs. Tahiti
New Zealand vs. Fiji
The winners of the final on Monday, March 24 qualify for the World Cup, with the losers moving onto the intercontinental playoff.
Intercontinental playoffs (2 places)
The playoffs, to be held in March 2026, will determine the final two qualifiers.
Six countries will take part. Each of the five confederations (apart from UEFA) will provide one country. The host confederation (so for this edition Concacaf) receives a second slot.
1 Africa
1 Asia
2 Concacaf
1 Oceania
1 South America
The two nations with the best FIFA World Ranking will be seeded and go straight into one of the two finals.
The four other countries will be drawn to play a semifinal, feeding through to play a seed for one of the two places at the World Cup.
The playoffs are due to be held in one of the World Cup host nations as a test event.
What to watch for in March internationals: Tuchel's England debut, Ronaldo goals, Poch's first big U.S. test
It's the first international break of the year and a time when many fans bemoan a two-week shutdown of the club game, especially at such a key stage of the season. But despite the absence of Premier League, LaLiga and other major club action, there are plenty of storylines to focus on as the qualification campaign for the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup clicks into gear and major European nations face each other in the UEFA Nations League.
It is a big week for Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and the start of Thomas Tuchel's reign as England manager, while the enlargement of the World Cup finals to 48 teams has opened the door for some unfamiliar nations to take a giant step towards qualification this week.
So with the international fixtures about to start, here are the players and nations to watch out for.
Thomas Tuchel gets started with England
Thomas Tuchel was hired by England's Football Association with just one objective as England manager -- win the 2026 World Cup -- and that task starts with two home games against Albania and Latvia as the Three Lions launch their qualification campaign this week.
Although Gareth Southgate took England to the finals of last two European Championships, as well as the semifinals of 2018 World Cup in Russia, the home of the biggest club league in the world is still waiting to win a first major men's international trophy since 1966. That's why Tuchel has been hired. The former Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Bayern Munich coach has a stellar CV, winning the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and he also knows how to handle star players at the highest level.
Can he be the key that finally unlocks the door to success for England, or will the 51-year-old end up as another high-profile failure? The answer will likely come at the World Cup next summer, but a winning start in Group K is crucial if Tuchel is to enjoy a honeymoon period at the start of his reign.
Højlund vs. Ronaldo: Goal-shy striker vs. goal machine
When Denmark and Portugal meet in Copenhagen on Thursday in the first leg of their UEFA Nations League quarterfinal, it will be a clash between the striker who can't score and the one who can't stop scoring.
Denmark forward Rasmus Højlund ended a 21-game goalless streak for Manchester United by scoring against Leicester City on Sunday, but despite not finding the net for his country since doing so against San Marino in October 2023, he has still earned a place in Brian Riemer's squad this week.
Ronaldo, meanwhile, leads the scoring charts in the Saudi Pro League with 18 goals for Al Nassr this season, and he faces Denmark looking to extend his world-record men's international tally by adding to his 135 goals for Portugal.
But the postmatch chat between Højlund and Ronaldo could be the most interesting element of this encounter. Ronaldo was a young goal-scoring sensation for United during his first spell at Old Trafford, and some words of advice to Højlund could help the 22-year-old finally find some form in a United shirt.
Heavyweight action for Argentina
World champions Argentina are five points clear of the pack and on course for qualification from the South American section, but Lionel Scaloni's team face two huge games against traditional rivals Uruguay and Brazil this week.
If Argentina beat second-place Uruguay in Montevideo on March 21 before claiming three points against Brazil in Buenos Aires four days later, the inevitability of qualification could be confirmed, depending on results involving teams further down the table.
Lionel Messi's recent injury problems with Inter Miami mean that the 37-year-old will miss both games for his country during this international break. But even without the former Barcelona and PSG forward, Argentina will expect to underline their status as the best team in the world by winning both games.
Losses for Brazil, who have struggled in qualifying and are fifth, against both Argentina and Colombia would put them in danger of being sucked into a battle to qualify in one of the six automatic spots.
Pochettino gets a chance to show USMNT's progress
Mauricio Pochettino is six games into his term as United States coach and the former Tottenham Hotspur, PSG and Chelsea boss has made an impressive start with five wins so far -- although his one defeat did come against fellow Concacaf heavyweight Mexico in October.
But with the 2026 World Cup now just 15 months away, Thursday's Concacaf Nations League semifinal against Panama at SoFi Stadium in California will offer Pochettino and his team the first real test of their progress.
With a place in the Nations League final against either Canada or Mexico at stake, any failure to go beyond the last four will be a setback for the USMNT's hopes of going deep at the World Cup, which they co-host with Canada and Mexico, next year.
The Poch honeymoon period is still ongoing, but it gets real from this stage and anything but a win against Panama followed by victory in the final on Sunday will be a disappointment.
Steve Nicol and Craig Burley react to Mauricio Pochettino's assertion that the USMNT can be No. 1 in the world in five or 10 years.
Sudan face decisive clash in their World Cup campaign
Nine African nations will qualify directly for the World Cup next year and the increased allocation from the previous five automatic slots offers a chance for some nations to play in the finals for the first time. Group B leaders Sudan can consolidate their grip on top spot and edge closer to a shock qualification if they beat second-place Senegal at home on Saturday.
Sudan are two points clear of Senegal at the top of the group and face another home game against South Sudan next Tuesday. Kwesi Appiah's team of relative unknowns outside of Africa -- none of the squad plays in Europe and most play in Sudan, Libya and Tanzania -- could be on the brink of qualification if results go their way.
Also keep an eye on Madagascar, Comoros and Rwanda, who both lead their groups going into next week's fixtures. Madagascar, 116th in the FIFA World Ranking, went top of Group I on Wednesday, ahead of Comoros and Ghana, who they host Ghana on Monday when a victory would give them a huge boost to be shock World Cup qualifiers. Rwanda, meanwhile, are top Group C which also contains Nigeria, struggling down in fifth place without a win from four matches so far.
Iraq close in on ending 40-year World Cup wait
Iraq has played in just one World Cup finals, in Mexico in 1986. But, 40 years on, the 2007 Asian champions are on course to claim one of the eight automatic qualification spots and could move to within a point of qualifying during the international break.
Managed by Spanish coach Jesús Casas, Iraq face struggling Kuwait at home on Thursday before playing Palestine at a neutral venue five days later. Both Kuwait and Palestine are winless in Group B.
Perennial World Cup qualifiers South Korea top the group, but with two automatic qualification spots available, second-place Iraq can open up a five-point gap with two games to play if they win their fixtures and third-place Jordan lose away to South Korea on March 25.
Abdukodir Khusanov is given a Mercedes on his return to Uzbekistan for the international break.
Iran on course for U.S. in 2026
Iran can all but secure qualification to a fourth successive World Cup with a win against the United Arab Emirates in Tehran on Thursday.
The Iranians are unbeaten in their last 10 games and have won their last six fixtures against the UAE, who are in third position in Asia Group A, six points behind the runaway leaders. If Iran win the game and then avoid defeat against second place Uzbekistan -- also at home -- next Tuesday, they will confirm qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Uzbekistan, who have never played at a World Cup, can also move closer to qualification. A win at home to Kyrgyz Republic on Thursday, coupled with an Iran win against the UAE, would put Manchester City's Abdukodir Khusanov within touching distance of a World Cup place.
All to play for in Auckland
The one automatic qualification berth in Oceania will be decided during this international break, with New Zealand hosting a final four mini-tournament which also features New Caledonia, Tahiti and Fiji.
New Caledonia will face Tahiti in the first semifinal in Wellington on Friday, with New Zealand meeting Fiji at the same venue four hours later.
New Zealand, led by Nottingham Forest forward Chris Wood, will be strong favourites to emerge with the qualification spot by winning the final in Auckland on Monday for a first appearance at the World Cup since 2010 in South Africa.
But there will still be hope for the runners-up in Auckland due to a second chance in the inter-confederation playoffs. In March 2026, two Concacaf nations and one each from Asia, Africa, Oceania and South America will battle it out for two final spots at the 2026 World Cup.
Shakib cleared to bowl in County Championship and the Hundred by ECB
Shakib, who had never previously been reported in his professional career spanning 20 years, gave his third bowling assessment test at Loughborough University on March 9 and learnt of the outcome on Wednesday. All 22 deliveries during his test were cleared. A BCB statement further said that Shakib has "successfully remedied his action".
Shakib was first suspended from bowling in all forms of cricket in December. He failed his first test at Loughborough University, prompting the ECB to suspend him. In accordance with clause 11.3 of the ICC's regulations for illegal bowling actions, his suspension was automatically recognised and enforced by the ICC in international cricket and by all national cricket federations in their respective domestic competitions.
Sacked Glamorgan coach Grant Bradburn reprimanded for discriminatory conduct
In a statement released on Thursday, The Regulator revealed their investigations - which included witness statements from several players and Bradburn's own interview with The Regulator - had found evidence to uphold three specific allegations that comprised the charge.
It was alleged that on a number of occasions, including in the changing room at Sophia Gardens during pre-season of 2024, Bradburn asked players of Asian background what their "real age" is, responding to their answer by saying "is that your Cricinfo age", "Cricinfo" or similar. The suggestion was Asian players lie about their age.
In a pre-season team meeting, Bradburn suggested selection decisions in Pakistan were made by picking their friends and cousins or names out of a hat. Bradburn had previously held a number of roles with Pakistan, including a six-month stint as head coach.
Bradburn was also alleged to have used the phrase "this isn't Western Storm" (the now defunct women's domestic side based in the South West of England and Wales who were often based in Cardiff) or similar during fielding practice sessions, suggesting the male players were "throwing like girls" when he thought they were demonstrating a lack of intensity in drills.
The Regulator also found the "Western Storm" comment started as a private joke with another coach and acknowledged it had been picked up and used by the players. In the context of the ECB's objective to make cricket the most inclusive sport in the country, this was determined as an aggravating factor considering Bradburn's influence on the team culture in his role as head coach. Such comments were not made when in the company of Western Storm players or coaches.
Bradburn admitted the charge of bringing the game into disrepute - a breach of Regulation 3.3 of the Professional Conduct Regulations 2024 - with The Regulator accepting he did not intend to cause offence with his words.
CDC adjudicator Tim O'Gorman issued Bradburn with a reprimand, a caution as to his future conduct, a requirement to attend an appropriate course on discrimination and EDI - with either the Professional Cricketers Association or the New Zealand Players Association - and a suspended fine of 500.
The punishment handed down reflects the fact Bradburn never denied making the offending statements and co-operated fully with the investigation, and unreservedly apologised for any offence taken. The scale of the fine also reflects the fact Bradbun had already paid a significant price for his actions having lost his coaching role with Glamorgan.
Director of The Cricket Regulator Chris Haward said: "There is no place for discrimination in cricket and normalisation of discriminatory language through this kind of conduct is unacceptable. Where such instances are identified they will be investigated and those responsible will be held to account.
"The Regulator fully endorses the CDC's observation that the culture in any organisation is heavily influenced by those who lead that organisation and so it is especially incumbent on all senior leaders to set the right tone. In this instance, Grant Bradburn failed to meet expectations.
"The Regulator would like to thank Glamorgan for their assistance in this matter and praise the openness and courage of those who reported this misconduct.
"Removing discrimination from the game is a priority for the Cricket Regulator. We recognise that it takes a lot of courage for those impacted to come forward. We are committed to investigating thoroughly and expeditiously when allegations are raised with us, whether current or in the past."
In a statement released by Glamorgan, chief executive officer Dan Cherry commented: "Glamorgan Cricket acknowledges and welcomes this decision by the Cricket Discipline Committee.
"We have a zero-tolerance policy towards discriminatory behaviour so as soon as issues were pointed out to us we acted swiftly to protect those affected and show a strong line against poor behaviours that do not reflect the Club's values.
"We're confident that the systems and processes we have in place to identify poor behaviour are working by virtue of the fact that those affected felt able to come forward on these points."
Bradburn had overseen Glamorgan's success in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup during his sole season in charge. The county also finished sixth in both Division Two of the County Championship and the T20 Blast South Group.
Saliva ban revoked for IPL 2025, decision taken after captains' meet in Mumbai
ESPNcricinfo has learned that several captains agreed that the saliva ban, which was adopted by ICC and followed by the member boards across all levels of cricket, was hurting the bowlers especially in not facilitating reverse swing, which has become rare in white-ball cricket, including ODIs where two new balls are used.
"It's very good for bowlers. It's excellent news for us bowlers because when the ball is not doing anything, applying saliva on the ball will increase the chances of finding some reverse swing," Siraj told PTI. "It sometimes aids reverse swing because scrubbing the ball against the shirt will not help (to get reverse swing). But using saliva on the ball will help in maintaining (the shine on one side), and it is important."
He had also got the backing of two former international bowlers in Vernon Philander and Tim Southee.
"That was a rule brought around Covid with the virus going around the world, but I think as a bowler, you want to have a slight advantage," Southee said on ESPNcricinfo's Match Day. "We see the game going the way it's going and seeing sides score 362 and more often than not over 300 in this format. I think there needs to be something in the bowlers' favour, and whether that's a little bit of saliva, then yeah, I don't see why they couldn't afford to get that back in."
High-flying NZ look to close out series against deflated Pakistan
Big Picture: Can Pakistan stop New Zealand's charge?
If this new-look Pakistan side wants to keep the five-match T20I series alive in Auckland on Friday, they need to step up on all fronts and prove to the world - and even perhaps to themselves - that it's not all doom and gloom with less than a year to go for the next T20 World Cup.
New Zealand have not had much to worry about so far; their bowlers have worked like a well-oiled machine in favourable conditions and even though they put down three catches in the first match, they have held on to 18.
Pakistan will also be desperate to lift their hopes after a forgettable home Champions Trophy campaign and put an end to their five-match losing streak in T20Is, which started in Zimbabwe in December last year.
New Zealand WWLWW (last five completed T20Is, most recent first)
Pakistan LLLLL
In the spotlight: James Neesham and Hasan Nawaz
Since it's a five-match series and there was a quick turnaround between the first two games, New Zealand rested Kyle Jamieson and Tim Robinson to bring in Ben Sears and Jimmy Neesham for the second match. They could bring Jamieson back and rest Jacob Duffy for the third game.
New Zealand (probable): 1 Tim Seifert, 2 Finn Allen, 3 Mark Chapman, 4 Daryl Mitchell, 5 James Neesham, 6 Mitchell Hay (wk), 7 Michael Bracewell (capt), 8 Zakary Foulkes, 9 Ish Sodhi, 10 Kyle Jamieson, 11 Jacob Duffy/Ben Sears
Pakistan changed the mix of their bowling attack to pick fast bowler Haris Rauf for legspinner Abrar Ahmed for the second match. Mohammad Ali has been expensive in both games, leaking nearly 12 runs in both games put together. Abbas Afridi is the one option in their squad if they wish to replace Ali.
Pakistan (probable): 1 Mohammad Haris (wk), 2 Hasan Nawaz, 3 Salman Agha (capt), 4 Irfan Khan, 5 Shadab Khan, 6 Khushdil Shah, 7 Abdul Samad, 8 Jahandad Khan, 9 Shaheen Afridi, 10 Abrar Ahmed, 11 Mohammad Ali
Even though New Zealand bowled in the first two games and won both, the last four matches (barring a tie between New Zealand and Sri Lanka in 2023) in Auckland were won by teams batting first. Eden Park in general is known as a high-scoring ground and with no rain predicted for Friday, and temperatures expected to dip below 20 degrees at night, the crowd should be entertained for a full 40 overs.
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