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ECB rejects calls for England to boycott Afghanistan at Champions Trophy
Richard Gould, the ECB's chief executive, has rejected calls from a group of British politicians for England to boycott their upcoming Champions Trophy clash with Afghanistan in February, saying that the Taliban regime's clampdown on women's rights is a matter that requires a "co-ordinated, ICC-led, response" rather than unilateral action from individual countries.
England are due to face Afghanistan in Lahore on February 26 in their second match of the tournament, and the ECB is under pressure to take action after receiving a letter from the Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, signed by a cross-party group of more than 160 politicians, including Jeremy Corbyn, Lord Kinnock and Nigel Farage.
"We strongly urge the England men's team players and officials to speak out against the horrific treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan under the Taliban," the letter, addressed to Gould, continued.
"We also urge the ECB to consider a boycott of the upcoming match against Afghanistan to send a clear signal that such grotesque abuses will not be tolerated. We must stand against sex apartheid and we implore the ECB to deliver a firm message of solidarity and hope to Afghan women and girls that their suffering has not been overlooked."
The situation echoes the dilemma that England's cricketers faced at the 2003 World Cup, when Nasser Hussain's team were urged to boycott their group-stage match with Zimbabwe, then led by Robert Mugabe - a decision that was ultimately left to the players, and resulted in a points forfeiture that scuppered their qualification for the tournament's latter stages.
Gould's response to Antoniazzi confirmed that the ECB has no intention of engaging in a bilateral series with Afghanistan while the Taliban regime is in power, but insisted that their participation at ICC events was a matter for the governing body as a whole, and not for individual members.
"The ECB strongly condemns the treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime," Gould wrote. "The ICC constitution mandates that all member nations are committed to the growth and development of women's cricket. In line with this commitment, the ECB has maintained its position of not scheduling any bilateral cricket matches against Afghanistan," he continued.
"While there has not been a consensus on further international action within the ICC, the ECB will continue to actively advocate for such measures. A coordinated, ICC-wide approach would be significantly more impactful than unilateral actions by individual members.
"We acknowledge and respect the diverse perspectives on this global issue," Gould added. "We understand the concerns raised by those who believe a boycott of men's cricket could inadvertently support the Taliban's efforts to suppress freedoms and isolate Afghan society.
"It's crucial to recognise the importance of cricket as a source of hope and positivity for many Afghans, including those displaced from the country. The ECB is committed to finding a solution that upholds the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan while also considering the broader impact on the Afghan people.
"We will continue to engage in constructive dialogue with the UK government, other stakeholders, the ICC, and other international cricket boards to explore all possible avenues for meaningful change."
Will shows the way: All-round Sutherland keeps Renegades alive
Melbourne Renegades 150 for 6 (Sutherland 70, Rogers 49*, Morris 2-21, Behrendorff 2-22) beat Perth Scorchers 147 for 8 (Agar 51*, Hardie 34, Zampa 3-27, Sutherland 2-22) by four wickets
Chasing 148, Renegades were in disarray at 10 for 4 before Sutherland came to his side's rescue with 70 off 45 balls. He combined with Rogers in a remarkable 92-run partnership to inch 'Gades closer to victory.
But Sutherland fell with 12 runs needed and seven balls left to set up a grandstand finish. After the first ball of the final over by quick Matt Kelly was caught off a waist high no ball, Rogers clubbed a six off the second ball and he sealed Renegades' stunning win with a boundary off the fourth ball. He finished 49 not out off 31 balls.
It was an important win for Renegades, who join Scorchers with 3-4 records. But the win came at a cost with batter Jonathan Wells suffering a hamstring injury while fielding.
Sutherland, Rogers provide heroics after top-order collapse
Having struggled since the Pakistan white-ball series, Jake Fraser-McGurk moved down a spot but it did not do the trick after he fell in ugly fashion for a golden duck. He tried to slice a short delivery from Behrendorff but could only edge behind where Finn Allen took a sharp catch high to his right with the gloves.
Jacob Bethell and Laurie Evans, who became a Scorchers cult hero last season, also couldn't handle the pressure as Renegades only just passed the lowest ever score in a powerplay. Sutherland and Marcus Harris, almost batting in red-ball cricket mode, were forced to grind it out.
Harris fell just before drinks, but Sutherland had found his rhythm and took a liking to the older ball. He found a willing partner in Rogers, who was also adventurous to spark a remarkable revival.
Sutherland had a reprieve on 40 when substitute fielder Andrew Tye dropped a chance on the deep midwicket boundary. He rolled to his half-century off 31 balls and looked set to get them home.
He wasn't there at the end, but Rogers stepped up at the death.
Scorchers pace attack rampant early before falling off
After Agar's momentum-shifting knock, Scorchers felt rejuvenated and safe in the knowledge that they have defended similar scores over the years. Behrendorff has often ignited those famous wins and he did so again with a blistering opening spell.
But Scorchers' quicks were rattled by Sutherland and struggled for the second straight game at the death overs as their finals hopes took a hit. Kelly was the quick targeted by Renegades and he struggled to deliver in the final over.
Renegades bowl superbly until the death
After electing to bowl, Renegades attack looked set for a tough time with in-form opener Allen going berserk early. Rogers erred by bowling too short, but quickly adjusted and superbly attacked the stumps with the ball moving off the seam.
Zampa removed Nick Hobson with a brilliant googly, but mostly used subtle variations to good effect. Renegades almost submitted a near flawless bowling performance before a tardy effort at the death almost proved fatal.
Marsh fails, Agar provides late spark
Marsh's first BBL game in three years forced a reshuffle of Scorchers' batting order with Aaron Hardie elevated to open after taking his place having tweaked his abdomen against Sydney Thunder.
After brief fireworks from Allen, Marsh arrived in the third over and received a thunderous ovation from the 31,795 crowd. There had been much anticipation over the hometown hero's return with Marsh splashed all over the local paper's back page.
A pumped-up Marsh skipped to the crease and probably glad that he did not have to face tormentor Jasprit Bumrah. But Sutherland executed an inswinging delivery that would have earned Bumrah's nod of approval as he trapped Marsh plumb lbw.
After a delayed start to the season due to a quad strain, Hardie has struggled as a specialist batter and his woes continued. Mistimed shots left him frustrated before he fell on the first ball of the power surge after a thick outside edge flew straight to short third.
Scorchers were in big trouble before Agar, returning from back spasms, produced clean hitting marked by several huge blows down the ground.
Tristan Lavalette is a journalist based in Perth
Pakistan docked five WTC points for slow over rate during Cape Town Test
Source: Chargers plan to add depth with RB Elliott
LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Chargers plan to sign running back Ezekiel Elliott to their practice squad Tuesday pending a physical, a source confirmed to ESPN.
The Dallas Cowboys waived Elliott earlier this month, a move that Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said was "out of respect and appreciation for Zeke and wanting to provide him with an opportunity to pursue any potential playoff participation possible." The Cowboys drafted Elliott in 2016 and he is the team's No. 3 all-time leading rusher.
This season in 15 games, the 29-year-old Elliott had just 74 carries for 226 yards with a 3.1-yard-per-carry average, all career lows. Dallas made Elliott inactive for the team's Nov. 3 game against the Atlanta Falcons for missing meetings.
Chargers running back Gus Edwards hasn't played since the Chargers' Week 16 win over the Denver Broncos. In that game, Edwards injured his ankle and then aggravated it at practice. Edwards was on injured reserve earlier this season because of a different ankle injury. The move to sign Elliott probably means the Chargers are hopeful he can be insurance in case Edwards isn't healthy for Saturday's wild-card matchup against the Houston Texans. Elliott will have three days of practice in preparation for Saturday.
The move probably won't change much for L.A.'s lead running back, J.K. Dobbins, who has a career-high 1,058 yards from scrimmage this season. But running backs Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins could see their workloads reduced.
Donovan: Bulls focused on 'playing,' not draft slot
CHICAGO -- Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan said the team's first-round draft pick hasn't been a part of his conversations with the front office and ownership ahead of next month's NBA trade deadline.
Chicago has won four of five after Monday night's 114-110 victory over San Antonio, leaving the Bulls with a 17-19 record. Chicago owes its first-round selection in the 2025 draft to San Antonio as part of the 2021 DeMar DeRozan trade, but the pick is top-10 protected.
"No one's saying to me, hey, listen, wait a second with this draft pick right now, we need to make sure, it's been always the integrity of competition and playing," Donovan said, "and I appreciate that."
Though Donovan said the pick hasn't been part of his conversations with the team, he also acknowledged the location of the organization in the NBA hierarchy. The Bulls went 40-42 during the 2022-23 season and 39-43 last season.
"We don't want to be just stuck in the middle. ... Absolutely. I don't think there's any question about that," Donovan said.
"I think the building out part that we got to look at is the totality of our entire team where you're identifying guys that are going to help us maybe get out of the middle and move forward. And I do think that we do have guys on our team that, to me, emulate or model a competitiveness that I like and appreciate."
The Bulls were without Ayo Dosunmu for the sixth straight game Monday night because of a strained right calf. Dosunmu, who turns 25 on Jan. 17, is averaging 12.6 points and 4.8 assists in his fourth NBA season.
Dosunmu is doing some rehab work, Donovan said, but he has experienced some soreness when he tries run hard straight ahead.
"I think with where it is, in the lower part of his calf, they're just going to be careful," Donovan said.
Giannis gets stitches, returns as Bucks beat Raps
TORONTO -- Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo needed three stitches to close a cut near the base of his right pinkie against the Toronto Raptors on Monday night but returned to the game to finish his fourth triple-double of the season.
Antetokounmpo banged his finger on the rim while trying to chase down RJ Barrett's fast-break dunk late in the second quarter. He finished with 11 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds in a 128-104 road win over the struggling Raptors.
"I'm fine," Antetokounmpo said afterward. "My finger is kind of numb, but I'm fine. I played the second half. It's just stitches. I'm not going to overthink it."
Antetokounmpo is the NBA's leading scorer at 31.6 points per game.
Bucks coach Doc Rivers said the cut bothered Antetokounmpo, but not enough for him to leave the game.
"He didn't want to come out because he felt like he could finish, but it kept bleeding," Rivers said. "He definitely was effective, but you could see it really hurt his ballhandling a little bit."
Antetokounmpo played just over 18 minutes in the first half and then sat out the fourth quarter after playing all but 34 seconds in the third.
Rivers said he wasn't concerned about Antetokounmpo's status for Wednesday's home game against the San Antonio Spurs.
"I think he's good," Rivers said.
Beal after 25 off bench: Suns mum on trade talk
PHILADELPHIA -- Bradley Beal made the most of an unfamiliar role Monday, scoring 25 points in his first game off the bench in nine years.
Beal scored 20 points in the second half as Phoenix overcame an early 12-point deficit to snap a four-game losing streak with a 109-99 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Beal's move to the bench sparked rumors that the guard could be on the trade block, though a no-trade clause in his contract means he'd have to sign off on any deal.
When asked if his move to the bench had something to do with the trade rumors, Beal says he has not heard anything from the team.
"If so, I need to be addressed because I hold the cards," he told reporters after Monday's game. "Until I'm addressed and somebody says something different, then I'll be a Sun."
Beal, a 13-year veteran and three-time All-Star, also said he accepts the change coach Mike Budenholzer made in the lineup but made it clear he considers himself a starter in the NBA.
"Coach made his decision. Live with it," he told the AZCentral.com. "It's kind of twofold. I'm a starter in the league. I firmly believe that. No disrespect to anybody, but I'm a starter. ... Coach made a decision. I'm not going to sit there and argue with him. I'm not going to sit here and be a distraction."
Beal last came off the bench during the 2015-16 season while returning from an injury with the Washington Wizards.
Budenholzer also moved Jusuf Nurkic, who was returning from a three-game suspension for his role in a fight against Dallas, into a reserve role and said before the game both players handled the news well.
"I feel like we needed to make a change," Budenholzer said. "Throughout a 48-minute game, you got to figure out your best combinations, your best ways to try to have success. They're two important players to us, two very good players for us. We just felt like we needed to make a change.
"They're pros. I talked to each of them individually. They want what's best for the team. I have a lot of respect for them and an appreciation for them."
Beal and Nurkic (five points, seven rebounds) gave the Suns' bench a huge boost as the Phoenix reserves outscored Philadelphia's bench 54-7. It was the second-most points the Suns' bench has scored in a game over the past two seasons, according to ESPN Research.
"What he was able to do tonight really put us in a great spot, made a bunch of plays for himself, bunch of plays for his teammates," Budenholzer said of Beal. "He's been a pro. He was there for us tonight in a big way."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
RP Martin, 38, returns to Rangers on 1-year deal
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Veteran reliever Chris Martin signed a one-year contract with his hometown Texas Rangers on Monday night, returning to a team he pitched for in 2018 and 2019.
Martin went 3-1 with a 3.45 ERA in 45 relief appearances for Boston last season, when he struck out 50 batters in 44 innings and his three walks were the fewest by qualified major league relievers. The right-hander had a 2.16 ERA in 100 games for the Red Sox the past two years.
The 38-year-old Martin has a 16-18 career record with a 3.38 ERA and 14 saves in 369 games -- all in relief. His career began with Colorado in 2014, and he pitched for the New York Yankees in 2015 before going to Japan in advance of his first stint with the Rangers.
Texas traded Martin in 2019 to Atlanta. He was with the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers in 2022 before going to the Red Sox in free agency.
Right-hander Matt Festa was designated for assignment to make room on the Rangers' big league roster.
Earlier in the day, Texas traded right-hander Owen White to Cincinnati for cash.
Sources: A's keep spending with Rooker extension
Designated hitter Brent Rooker and the Oakland Athletics are in agreement on a five-year, $60 million contract extension, sources told ESPN late Monday night, continuing a winter of uncharacteristic spending with a long-term deal for the late-blooming slugger.
Before he joined the A's in 2023, Rooker had bounced among three teams without finding consistent playing time. The A's saw Rooker blossom into an All-Star in his first season with them, a 10th-place MVP finisher last year and the receiver of the second-largest extension in franchise history.
The A's, who will play in Sacramento for the next three seasons before a planned move to Las Vegas after leaving Oakland, already had spent $67 million this winter to sign right-hander Luis Severino and added left-hander Jeffrey Springs in a trade with Tampa Bay. The deals, as well as Rooker's, continue to push the A's payroll toward the $100 million range. If they do not spend at least 1 times the revenue-sharing money they receive, the A's run the risk of a union grievance.
The deal signals the latest in an attempt to rebuild after years of minuscule payrolls and lackluster results. Though the A's were a success story of a team that managed to succeed in spite of meager support from ownership, recent seasons with slashed payrolls have yielded awful results and coincided with vitriol toward owner John Fisher as A's bid the city of Oakland farewell.
Rooker becomes the lone A's player under contract through their planned Las Vegas debut in 2028. The deal, which was first reported by The Athletic, will pay him $30 million over the first three seasons and includes a sixth-year vesting option for $22 million that can escalate by $10 million. The previous largest extension had gone to star third baseman Eric Chavez, who also held the record for largest contract at $66 million until Severino exceeded it.
The deal buys out a potential three years of free agency for Rooker, who three years ago wasn't sure how much longer his big league career would remain afloat. After debuting with Minnesota in 2020, Rooker struggled and eventually was traded to San Diego in April 2022. Four months later, the Padres dealt him to Kansas City. Three months later, the Royals designated him for assignment, and the A's claimed Rooker off waivers.
In his first season with the A's, Rooker nearly doubled his previous career plate appearances and hit 30 home runs. He was even better last season, hitting .297/.365/.562 with 39 home runs and 112 RBIs.
The A's surprised teams at the July trade deadline when they declined to discuss Rooker in trade discussions. Rooker was similarly off-limits this winter, as Oakland understood an extension for him would further push their payroll toward the number needed to avoid collective-bargaining issues. Rooker was set to make around $5 million in arbitration, but the contract will count for $12 million because that's its average annual value.
CALGARY, Alberta -- Al MacNeil, a former NHL player who won the Stanley Cup as coach of the Montreal Canadiens, has died. He was 89.
The Calgary Flames announced Monday that MacNeil died a day earlier in Calgary. No cause of death was provided.
MacNeil was a defenseman who played 524 NHL games for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins between 1955 and 1968.
He compiled 17 goals, 75 assists and 615 penalty minutes during his playing career.
He was a first-year coach of the Canadiens when the team won the Stanley Cup in 1971. MacNeil was Montreal's director of player personnel for Stanley Cup wins in 1978 and 1979.
MacNeil won three Calder Cups as general manager and head coach of the Canadiens' farm team, the Nova Scotia Voyageurs, in 1972, 1976 and 1977.
MacNeil, from Sydney, Nova Scotia, was the last coach of the Atlanta Flames and the first coach of the Calgary Flames for their first two seasons after relocation. He was an assistant general manager of the Flames for their Stanley Cup victory in 1989.
"Al was a great man who will be dearly missed by our organization," Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation chairman Murray Edwards said in a statement. "He was a long-term loyal member of our Flames family ever since the team's arrival in Calgary in 1980. He played, coached, and managed in both the NHL and AHL, and had ultimate success while doing so."
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of long-time Flames executive and former head coach Al MacNeil.
Al passed away at the age of 89 years, on Jan. 5, 2025, surrounded by his family in Calgary: https://t.co/4KV9YBjYwA
You will be so missed, Chopper. Rest in peace pic.twitter.com/8JVVh6PS1B
Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) January 6, 2025
He was also interim head coach of the Flames for 13 games in 2002-03.
He was an assistant coach of Canada's team that won the 1976 Canada Cup, and served in that role again at the 1981 Canada Cup.
"For the last 70 years, Al MacNeil's impact on our game has been profound, both on and off the ice," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. "First as a player, then as a coach, and finally as an executive, Al was the consummate professional who conducted himself with humility and grace."
MacNeil is survived by his wife Norma, son Allister, who is an amateur scout for Flames, daughter Allison, son-in-law Paul Sparkes and grandsons Jack and Ben Sparkes.
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