Ashes to Ashes, cricket's oldest rivalry endures
MELBOURNE :While ever more hostage to Twenty20's global carve-up, cricket will take a breath from next week to indulge its most time-honoured rivalry as Australia and England battle in the Ashes.
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Musetti joins Sinner in Davis Cup forfeit
TURIN, Italy :Lorenzo Musetti has withdrawn from the Italy team which will defend their Davis Cup title in Bologna next week, with the 23-year-old citing physical and family reasons after his loss to Carlos Alcaraz at the ATP Finals in Turin on Thursday.
Surfing-Olympic gold medallist Moore to rejoin world tour in 2026
Olympic gold medallist Carissa Moore will rejoin surfing's world tour in 2026 after giving birth to a baby girl earlier this year, the World Surf League said on Thursday.
De Minaur banishes demons and reaches ATP Finals last four
TURIN, Italy :Two days ago Alex de Minaur was in a dark place after letting victory over Lorenzo Musetti slip from his grasp, but a win over Taylor Fritz at the ATP Finals on Thursday has the Australian feeling on top of the world, and into the semi-finals.
Alcaraz clinches year-end top spot with ATP Finals win over Musetti
TURIN, Italy :Carlos Alcaraz clinched the year-end world number one ranking and secured top spot in the Jimmy Connors Group with a 6-4 6-1 win over Lorenzo Musetti at the ATP Finals on Thursday, a result that also sent Alex De Minaur into the semi-finals following his victory over Taylor Fritz.
Two changes for Japan as they take on Wales
CARDIFF :Japan coach Eddie Jones has made two changes to his starting line-up for Saturday's test against Wales in Cardiff despite his side playing for a fourth successive weekend.
UAE and Iraq draw 1-1 in first leg of 2026 World Cup qualifying playoff
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates: The United Arab Emirates and Iraq drew 1-1 Thursday in the first leg of their 2026 World Cup qualifying playoff in Abu Dhabi. The teams will travel to the Iraqi port city of Basra for Tuesday’s return match in the fifth round of Asian qualifying. The winner will then advance to FIFA’s intercontinental playoff round in March, when six teams from five confederations will compete for two spots at next summer’s expanded 48-team World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. In front of a sellout crowd of 36,000 at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium, Iraq — whose only World Cup appearance came in 1986 — took the lead after just 10 minutes. The UAE defense failed to clear a long free kick into the area, allowing the ball to drop to Ali Al-Hamadi. The Luton forward hooked home from close range to give Iraq, coached by former Australia manager Graham Arnold, a 1-0 lead. It lasted only eight minutes.
De Minaur keeps ATP Finals hopes alive with win over Fritz
TURIN, Italy :Australian Alex de Minaur pulled off a stunning 7-6(3) 6-3 win over Taylor Fritz in their last ATP Finals round-robin match on Thursday to eliminate the American and leave his own hopes of progression hanging on the outcome of the clash between Carlos Alcaraz and Lorenzo Musetti.