# australia sport (news sources) — RSS Amplifier Recent posts from the 5 feeds in the RSS Amplifier directory that cover australia sport. Page: Feed: --- ## [England v Pakistan: bad light stops play on day one of second men’s cricket Test – live](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/aug/27/england-v-pakistan-second-mens-cricket-test-day-one-live) _2026-08-27 · Taha Hashim (earlier) and Rob Smyth (now) · Cricket | The Guardian_ Over-by-over updates from Lord’s (11am BST) County cricket: our liveblog from around the grounds Sign up to The Spin | Send Rob an email here The toss is now scheduled for 12pm BST, with play to begin at 12.20. We pray. Yeah, we all saw it coming. Continue reading... ## [Pakistan complain to Sky after interview with Imran Khan’s sons over father’s treatment](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/27/england-pakistan-second-test-imran-khan-sons-sky) _2026-08-27 · Matt Hughes and Ali Martin · Cricket | The Guardian_ Sky acknowledge complaint from Pakistan Cricket Board Former captain in solitary confinement since 2023 The Pakistan Cricket Board has made a formal complaint to Sky Sports after it broadcast an interview with Imran Khan’s sons, Kasim and Sulaiman, during its coverage of the first day’s play of the second Test at Lord’s. During the interview Khan’s children raised concerns about the Pakistan… ## [Champions League 2026-27 league phase draw: Arsenal to play Real Madrid, Manchester City face PSG and Barça – live](https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/aug/27/uefa-champions-league-2026-27-league-phase-draw-live) _2026-08-27 · John Ashdown · Sport | The Guardian_ Uefa draw starts at 5pm BST (6pm CET) Get in touch: email John and follow us on BlueSky Takes us back to the Champions League final in 2011, David. “2011 was an amazing year for me and the club!” That’s more like it! Ceferin awkwardly exits the stage after a slightly stilted chat with Henry. The former Arsenal man is sticking around to help with the draw and David Villa is joining him! Continue… ## [Dario Vidosic to step down as Brighton manager just before new WSL season](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/27/dario-vidosic-to-step-down-as-brighton-manager-just-before-new-wsl-season) _2026-08-27 · Tom Garry · Sport | The Guardian_ Vidosic’s decision has surprised many of his squad 39-year-old led Brighton to May’s FA Cup final The Brighton manager, Dario Vidosic, is to leave the Women’s Super League club a little over a week before the start of the new season, multiple sources have told the Guardian. Vidosic has been in charge for two years and led Brighton to their first Wembley appearance in May’s Women’s FA Cup final.… ## [Is NBC’s Premier League coverage in the US too English? | Leander Schaerlaeckens](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/27/nbcs-premier-league-coverage-in-the-us-is-excellent-but-is-it-too-english) _2026-08-27 · Leander Schaerlaeckens · Sport | The Guardian_ One wonders when, if ever, a US broadcast can win the same plaudits presenting the English league with a more American voice There they were again, signaling with their unchanging faces and voices and their unchanging studio backdrop that another Premier League season had begun. On Friday afternoon, and again on Saturday and Sunday morning, Rebecca Lowe welcomed American viewers to what is somehow… ## [Tadej Pogacar battles back from scare on descent to win stage six of Vuelta a España](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/27/tadej-pogacar-stage-six-vuelta-a-espana-enric-mas) _2026-08-27 · Agence France-Presse · Sport | The Guardian_ Slovenian leader recovers after misjudging corner Britain’s Josh Tarling pulls out of event mid-stage Tadej Pogacar outsprinted Enric Mas to claim victory in stage six of the Vuelta a España on Thursday, his third stage win of the race. The Slovenian and Mas outshone their rivals on the gravel in the stage’s final climb, and Pogacar held off the Spaniard when arriving in Castellón de la Plana to… ## [Carse in the wickets for Durham, Essex v Surrey, and more: county cricket day one – live](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/aug/27/essex-v-surrey-glamorgan-v-hampshire-and-more-county-cricket-day-one-live) _2026-08-27 · Tanya Aldred · Sport | The Guardian_ Updates from County Championship day one England v Pakistan: second Test, day one – join our OBO Get in touch with Tanya on email or BTL Shackles Gloucestershire’s Joe Phillips with his sixth ball. An early wicket at Scarborough on the mottled outfield grass, Adam Lyth obligingly nudging behind. Yorks 5-1. Continue reading... ## [‘I can’t wait’: Liam Delap seals £45m Nottingham Forest move from Chelsea](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/27/liam-delap-signs-nottingham-forest-chelsea-transfer-latest) _2026-08-27 · PA Media, Jamie Jackson and Jacob Steinberg · Sport | The Guardian_ Chelsea agree to sign 18-year-old Ahanor for £40m Aston Villa land Goretzka after Bayern exit Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of the Chelsea striker Liam Delap in a club-record £45m deal. The 23-year-old has a five-year contract at Forest, his third club in three seasons after he was told he was not part of Xabi Alonso’s plans. Forest’s new manager, Oliver Glasner, made him a priority… ## [Spurs still paying price for a punishing World Cup and pre-season trip to Australia](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/27/spurs-squad-pre-season-charlton-carabao-cup-newcastle) _2026-08-27 · David Hytner · Sport | The Guardian_ Too many players are off the pace and although Tottenham brushed aside Charlton, Newcastle will be a tougher challenge Jan Paul van Hecke was among those given an unwanted name-check by Roberto De Zerbi after Tottenham’s 3-0 defeat at Brentford on Saturday . Not at the right level physically, was the gist of the manager’s comments. De Zerbi also mentioned Marcos Senesi and Sandro Tonali, two of… ## [Twickenham £660m makeover plan hit as locals push back against concert scheme](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/27/twickenham-660m-makeover-plan-hit-locals-push-back-against-concert-scheme-rugby-union-england) _2026-08-27 · Gerard Meagher · Sport | The Guardian_ Councillors say plan does not tackle effect on residents RFU want to increase number of non-sporting events The Rugby Football Union’s bid to stage more concerts at ­Twickenham has been delivered a blow after local councillors insisted planning ­permission should not be awarded until the proposal further commits to limiting the impact. The RFU has ­ submitted its ­planning application to Richmond… ## [Earn crypto for idle GPUs (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/OgYtxZE8z1n7) _2026-08-27 · **Sponsored**_ Run one CLI, host Qwen/Llama/Mistral, and earn BTC, ETH, SOL, or USDC ## [Football Daily | Why the transfer window is actually a large collection of different windows](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/27/why-transfer-window-large-collection-different-windows-football-daily) _2026-08-27 · Scott Murray · Sport | The Guardian_ Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now! The transfer window isn’t an actual window, of course. In reality, it’s a large collection of different windows, with each club having one of their own, through which they peer longingly, occasionally flinging large quantities of cash money out of them like half-cut sailors on a ship coming into dock, and they’re all in various states of… ## [‘Grand slams are the engine to make a living’: Mackenzie McDonald on why players still compete when injured](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/27/mackenzie-mcdonald-grand-slams-players-injury-tennis-us-open) _2026-08-27 · Matt Hughes · Sport | The Guardian_ American talks life on the professional circuit and those making sacrifices for a pay cheque, often compromising physical and mental welfare For Mackenzie McDonald the players’ push for greater prize money and welfare contributions from the grand slam tournaments could result in the difference between putting food on the table and making a decent living. After 10 years on the ATP Tour the… ## [Jamie Carragher hit with HMRC bankruptcy petition over unpaid tax bill](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/27/jamie-carragher-hit-with-hmrc-bankruptcy-petition-over-unpaid-tax-bill) _2026-08-27 · PA Media · Football | The Guardian_ High court proceedings issued against former player ‘Matter resolved imminently,’ says representative Jamie Carragher could face bankruptcy after HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) issued a bankruptcy petition against him. Court records show HMRC issued the petition against the former Liverpool defender on Wednesday afternoon over an unpaid tax bill. No further details of the case are available. An… ## [Uefa preparing to bring criminal claims against Gianni Infantino over World Cup sale](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/27/uefa-preparing-to-bring-criminal-claims-against-gianni-infantino-over-world-cup-sale) _2026-08-27 · Nick Ames in Monte Carlo and Alexander Abnos in New York · Football | The Guardian_ Uefa says claims will be made in Switzerland It says claims relate to alleged criminal mismanagement Uefa is preparing to make a criminal complaint against Gianni Infantino for alleged “criminal mismanagement” in connection with his failed Fifa Forward Enterprise plan and has applied for the release of documents related to its conception. In an explosive escalation of the war engulfing football’s… ## [‘Armchair supporter’: do I still love going to football or just love the idea of it? | Max Rushden](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/27/cambridge-united-millwall-carabao-cup-max-rushden-football-supporter) _2026-08-27 · Max Rushden · Football | The Guardian_ A welcome return to watch Cambridge brought back a whole lot of memories, nostalgia and contemplation On 11 February 1989, Cambridge United beat Hartlepool 6-0. My memories of the game are faint. The internet can’t even tell me who scored – perhaps Laurie Ryan got a couple. I do recall walking past some Hartlepool fans on Coldham’s Common who were peering into a brook. “Looking for a new centre… ## [Cribbed crest? Leyton Orient call out Wrexham for using familiar new badge](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/27/cribbed-crest-leyton-orient-call-out-wrexham-for-using-familiar-looking-new-badge) _2026-08-27 · PA Media · Football | The Guardian_ Wrexham third strip unveiled with similar badge to O’s Orient ask owners: ‘What you playing at?’ Leyton Orient have criticised Wrexham’s owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, for putting a badge on their new kit that mirrors their own. Wrexham unveiled their new third strip on Wednesday; it is cream with a black collar and terracotta-orange detailing and received the Hollywood seal of approval with… ## [Sávio lands at Spurs, Celtic crash out and are Villa in crisis? | Football Weekly](https://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2026/aug/27/savio-lands-at-spurs-celtic-crash-out-and-are-villa-in-crisis-football-weekly) _2026-08-27 · Guardian Staff · Football | The Guardian_ Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, John Brewin and Dan Bardell as Spurs win their first home game of the season and Celtic lose in disastrous fashion in Europe Continue reading... ## [ECB pushing for more free-to-air coverage with ITV open to showing Test cricket](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/27/ecb-pushing-for-more-free-to-air-coverage-with-itv-open-to-showing-test-cricket) _2026-08-27 · Exclusive by Matt Hughes · Cricket | The Guardian_ Sky could share content with ITV in next rights cycle Tests in England have been behind paywall since 2006 The England and Wales Cricket Board is planning to offer more rights packages to free-to-air broadcasters in the next set of TV contracts that begin in 2029. The aim is to broaden the sport’s appeal. While the ECB will not follow Cricket Australia by offering a bespoke free-to-air package for… ## [‘You start all over’: Linda Noskova battles fame and desire after Wimbledon glory](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/27/linda-noskova-wimbledon-champion-fame-desire-tennis-career) _2026-08-27 · Tumaini Carayol · Tennis | The Guardian_ The women’s singles champion at SW19 on her off-court passions, growing up in Czechia, and the aftermath of achieving her dream Linda Noskova has spent almost her entire life working towards mastering her sport. She began travelling around Czechia, Europe and then the world for tournaments before she was a teenager. Her life decisions have revolved around tennis for as long as she can remember.… ## [Muchová and Menšík win $1m US Open mixed doubles title in late-night thriller](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/27/muchova-mensik-us-open-mixed-doubles-title-bencic-cobolli) _2026-08-27 · Ella Brockway at Flushing Meadows · Tennis | The Guardian_ Czech pair beat Bencic and Cobolli in deciding tiebreak Revamped event draws strong crowds at Arthur Ashe Singles stars dominate after doubles specialists exit To many who came to the US Open grounds this week, the showpiece of the mixed doubles championship came Tuesday afternoon, with the returns of Serena Williams (after four years away from tennis) and Carlos Alcaraz (after four months out… ## [Realtime AI Arbitrage Terminal (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/ucILBpWRUUIl) _2026-08-27 · **Sponsored**_ Realtime auto-trading across exchanges with scored setups, backtesting, and risk controls. ## [Derbyshire police investigating alleged assault in connection with Carse arrest](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/26/derbyshire-police-investigating-alleged-assault-in-connection-with-carse-arrest) _2026-08-26 · Matt Hughes · Cricket | The Guardian_ Durham bowler dropped from England squad Unclear whether Carse involved in alleged assault Derbyshire police are investigating an alleged assault in connection with the arrest of Brydon Carse last weekend, which led to the Durham fast bowler being dropped from the England squad for the second Test against Pakistan. Carse was filmed by a member of the public in handcuffs outside Molly Malone’s… ## [England reflect on new late-night drama as Pakistan seek Lord’s revival | Ali Martin](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/26/england-recovering-from-latest-self-own-as-pakistan-yearn-for-lords-revival) _2026-08-26 · Ali Martin at Lord's · Cricket | The Guardian_ Joe Root’s side have golden chance to claim first series win since 2024 but are dealing with familiar off-field issues Here we go again, then. It feels like every Test involving England these days is one of critical importance in some way or other. On one level, this is good for business, showing the depth of interest compared with other, ahem, products. But it is not necessarily a good thing for… ## [Serena and Venus Williams will play doubles together at the US Open](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/26/serena-venus-williams-doubles-us-open) _2026-08-26 · Associated Press · Sport | The Guardian_ Sisters to appear in New York for first time since 2022 Serena played mixed doubles with Alcaraz on Tuesday Serena and Venus Williams are teaming up again at the US Open. The sisters will play doubles at the tournament after receiving a wild card on Wednesday into the event they have won twice. Continue reading... ## [Fury v Joshua uncertainty will be resolved next week, insists Frank Warren](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/26/fury-v-joshua-boxing-uncertainty-will-be-resolved-next-week-insists-frank-warren) _2026-08-26 · Donald McRae · Sport | The Guardian_ Promoter says negotiations are subject to a time limit ‘They won’t let it go past the end of next week’ Frank Warren believes that the tortuous negotiations surrounding the proposed fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are subject to a time limit which will run out by the end of next week. Conceding that he is unsure if the much-delayed bout will happen, Warren also said the decision now… ## [Football Daily | Celtic raise the bar for calamitous capitulations in Europe](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/26/celtic-lask-champions-league-calamity-football-daily-newsletter) _2026-08-26 · Barry Glendenning · Football | The Guardian_ Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now! When Celtic opened the scoring against Lask courtesy of a low Callum McGregor shot after 21 minutes on Tuesday night, the Scottish champions looked to have exorcised their Bigger Cup demons from 12 months ago. Four goals ahead of their Austrian hosts on aggregate, it seemed utterly inconceivable that Martin O’Neill’s side could emulate, let alone… ## [Ayyoub Bouaddi: maths student, chess fan and Manchester City’s new Rodri](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/26/ayyoub-bouaddi-manchester-city-lille-transfer-rodri) _2026-08-26 · Will Unwin · Sport | The Guardian_ The £85m midfielder passed his exams a year early, is studying for a degree and is ready to tackle Premier League learning curve “He’s like a computer,” the former Lille head of academy recruitment Mathieu Frison says of the £85m Manchester City recruit Ayyoub Bouaddi. “You teach him something, he learns it and can do it immediately.” Bouaddi has the mountainous challenge at his new club of… ## [Sky Sports to extend US Open contract after boost in female audience figures](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/26/sky-sports-us-open-tennis-contract-extension-boost-female-audience-figures) _2026-08-26 · Exclusive by Matt Hughes · Sport | The Guardian_ Raducanu’s 2021 win played role in Sky interest Sky’s tennis audience in 2025 was 60% female Sky Sports is close to agreeing a new deal to extend its live coverage of the US Open. The three-year contract extension, which is expected to be announced when the singles draw from Flushing Meadows begins next week, will keep the tournament live on Sky until 2030. Under the terms of the new deal, Sky… ## [Chelsea in talks with Emiliano Martínez’s camp after being offered goalkeeper](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/26/chelsea-emiliano-martinez-aston-villa-goalkeeper) _2026-08-26 · Sam Cunningham · Sport | The Guardian_ Experienced World Cup winner wants to leave Aston Villa Sánchez errors at Fulham led to Chelsea conceding Chelsea have been offered Emiliano Martínez and are considering making an offer for the goalkeeper. Martínez has told Aston Villa he wants to leave but a move to Juventus collapsed last week after Villa had signed his replacement, Zion Suzuki , from Parma for £30m. Goalkeeper has been a… ## [Forest in talks with Celta Vigo over Javi Rueda as Axel Disasi joins Palace on loan](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/26/forest-in-talks-with-celta-vigo-over-javi-rueda-as-axel-disasi-joins-palace-on-loan) _2026-08-26 · Will Unwin and Jacob Steinberg · Sport | The Guardian_ Forest likely to end summer spending with right-back Brentford agree deal to sign El Hadji Malick Diouf Nottingham Forest are in talks over the €15m (£12.8m) signing of the Celta Vigo right-back Javi Rueda, which would probably be their final incoming of the window after Liam Delap from Chelsea. Oliver Glasner has been seeking someone who can play right wing-back and the 24-year-old former Real… ## [Josh Tongue reveals Joe Root’s ‘robust conversation’ has reset England standards](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/26/josh-tongue-joe-root-robust-conversation-reset-england-cricket-standards) _2026-08-26 · Simon Burnton at Lord's · Sport | The Guardian_ Fast bowler says captain was ‘clear on the message’ ‘We are very privileged to put on the England shirt’ Joe Root’s “robust conversation” with the England Test squad at Lord’s this week has finally ended any uncertainty about the conduct expected of them. Josh Tongue has said the penny had “100%” dropped after the Test captain “made it clear what he expects from us” after eight months of repeated… ## [Watch Chovy Code Live (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/Am5lYmFpkLXC) _2026-08-26 · **Sponsored**_ Join live coding streams with real-time collaborative screen sharing, open source and free. ## [‘I catch the signs a lot earlier now’: Amanda Anisimova on burnout and bouncing back](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/26/amanda-anisimova-tennis-burnout-us-open-grand-slam) _2026-08-26 · Simon Cambers · Sport | The Guardian_ World No 10 is one of the best players yet to win a major and heads to Flushing Meadows in fine form after learning to embrace being uncomfortable Amanda Anisimova can see the signs now. It is just over three years since the American announced she would be taking an indefinite break for mental health reasons. A brilliant junior, she was a semi-finalist at the French Open in 2019 and seemingly… ## [Uefa poised to lift boycott threat after Fifa promises no World Cup sale repeat](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/26/uefa-poised-lift-boycott-threat-fifa-promises-no-world-cup-sale-repeat-gianni-infantino) _2026-08-26 · Exclusive by Nick Ames and Matt Hughes · Sport | The Guardian_ Uefa has received guarantees after ill-fated Infantino plan European sides likely to go to under-20 Women’s World Cup Uefa is poised to drop its threatened boycott of Fifa competitions after receiving concrete guarantees that the global governing body will never attempt a repeat of Gianni Infantino’s plan to sell stakes in the World Cup. The Guardian understands European teams are likely to be… ## [Olivia Moultrie’s injury leaves the USWNT with a thinning midfield pool ahead of the World Cup](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/26/olivia-moultrie-injury-uswnt-world-cup) _2026-08-26 · Jeff Rueter · Sport | The Guardian_ The Portland Thorns midfielder fills a role few in the US player pool can match, and she’s in a race against time to be fit for Brazil Olivia Moultrie is no stranger to setting her own timeline. Half a decade ago, her desire to go pro at age 15 helped change NWSL rules, which previously forbade teams from signing players under 18. The ensuing five years have seen her go from one of the country’s… ## [Bristol City ready to ‘supercharge growth’ and prove women’s clubs can fly solo](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/26/bristol-city-women-wsl2-wsl-womens-football) _2026-08-26 · Tom Garry · Football | The Guardian_ After a split from the men’s team, CEO Hannah Buckley is overseeing an ambitious rebuild with WSL promotion firmly in sight As radiant, August sunshine glistens around a peacefully silent Ashton Gate before Bristol City Women’s pre-season media day, Hannah Buckley takes a seat, pitch side, with a gleam in her eye, surveying the scene. The sight of a top-class venue makes her beam in a way that… ## [The Spin | England’s troubles with spinners is leaving a generation behind](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/26/england-spinners-troubles-cricket) _2026-08-26 · Daniel Gallan · Cricket | The Guardian_ Dom Bess is one of many in a long line of England spinners to struggle for a sustained run in Test cricket. Why is there no lasting solution? It is the eighth over of South Africa’s first innings in Gqeberha in January 2020 when Joe Root tosses the ball to 22-year-old Dom Bess. Three overs later, the decision pays off. With the final ball before drinks, Bess takes a return catch to dismiss Pieter… ## [Raheem Sterling charged with dangerous driving and nitrous oxide possession](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/26/raheem-sterling-charged-with-dangerous-driving-and-nitrous-oxide-possession) _2026-08-26 · PA Media · Football | The Guardian_ Former England forward crashed on M3 in late May Sterling is also accused of failing to provide a specimen Raheem Sterling has been charged with dangerous driving and possession of nitrous oxide after a crash involving a Lamborghini on the motorway, police have said. Hampshire and Isle of Wight constabulary said the charges followed a single-vehicle collision on the M3 southbound, near Minley… ## [Football transfer rumours: Jean-Philippe Mateta to Aston Villa?](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/26/football-transfer-rumours-jean-philippe-mateta-to-aston-villa) _2026-08-26 · Sarah Rendell · Football | The Guardian_ Today’s fluff is splashing out regardless Liam Delap may not have broken any records during his time with Chelsea but he is setting one on his way out the door. The England youth international is thought to be breaking Nottingham Forest’s transfer fee record with Oliver Glasner bringing him in for an expected £50m . The fee comes despite a disappointing 2025-26 season with the 23-year-old striker… ## [Martin O’Neill puts Champions League collapse among most painful Celtic nights](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/26/martin-oneill-celtic-champions-league-collapse-lask-painful) _2026-08-26 · PA Media and Guardian sport · Football | The Guardian_ Celtic lose against Lask in qualifier from 4-0 up on aggregate ‘That’s my team and that’s my responsibility,’ O’Neill says Martin O’Neill has admitted that Celtic’s Champions League qualifying collapse from 4-0 up ranks as one of his most painful nights as the club’s manager. Celtic held a four-goal aggregate lead against Lask on Tuesday when Callum McGregor scored in the 21st minute in Austria,… ## [Brydon Carse incident points to a darker truth about life as a professional cricketer | The Secret Cricket Coach](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/26/brydon-carse-cricket-england-test-alcohol-mental-health) _2026-08-26 · The Secret Cricket Coach · Cricket | The Guardian_ Cricket is a brutal game – you are basically being judged all the time. It’s no wonder players seek out ways of coping I once played with a young cricketer who would physically harm himself when he didn’t score enough runs. I won’t go into the detail of how because that isn’t really the point. The point is that a young professional cricketer had reached a place where getting out in a game of… ## [After Dom Ballard’s backheel, what is the earliest goal of the season? | The Knowledge](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/26/dom-ballard-backheel-what-is-the-earliest-goal-of-the-season-to-be-scored) _2026-08-26 · Guardian sport · Football | The Guardian_ Plus: player-managers earning international caps, out-of-position goalkeepers sent off and footballers called up to jury service Mail us with your all of your questions and answers “After watching Dom Ballard’s backheel volley for Bristol City against Birmingham in game week two of the Championship, it begs the question: what’s the earliest in a season a goal has gone on to win goal of the… ## [Ex-cricketer Will Pucovski takes legal action against former school over concussion](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/26/will-pucovski-legal-action-brighton-grammar-school-concussion-cricket-ntwnfb) _2026-08-26 · Australian Associated Press · Cricket | The Guardian_ Batter claims 2014 head knock was mismanaged by Brighton Grammar Pucovski retired from cricket aged 27 after long history of concussions A private school football coach allegedly directed students to “go in hard” against each other during a training drill a Test cricketer claims left him with the first of a series of career-ending concussions. Former Test cricketer Will Pucovski has launched legal… ## [Serena Williams thrills New York crowd on US Open return with Carlos Alcaraz](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/26/serena-williams-carlos-alcaraz-us-open-tennis-mixed-doubles) _2026-08-25 · Bryan Armen Graham at Flushing Meadows · Tennis | The Guardian_ Former women’s No 1 proves she’s no nostalgia act before star pairing crash out in mixed doubles quarter-finals Serena Williams’s US Open return lasted two matches and one afternoon on Tuesday as she and Carlos Alcaraz followed a first-round win with a quarter-final defeat by Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli in the headline attraction of the reimagined mixed doubles competition. Back inside… ## [Root reads from same old script in latest episode of England’s off-field soap opera | Simon Burnton](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/25/joe-root-england-off-field-soap-opera-cricket-second-test-pakistan) _2026-08-25 · Simon Burnton · Cricket | The Guardian_ Captain followed trend of discussing nightclub incidents rather than cricket before the second Test against Pakistan England won the first game of their last Test series, against New Zealand at Lord’s , but between that match and the second Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were involved in a headline-grabbing incident at a London nightclub. “I’m angry, frustrated at having to sit here and talk through… ## [England captain Joe Root ‘hacked off’ and ‘disappointed’ at Carse incident](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/25/england-captain-joe-root-hacked-off-and-disappointed-at-carse-incident) _2026-08-25 · Simon Burnton · Cricket | The Guardian_ Root says cricketers need to avoid ‘stupid mistakes’ Carse dropped from squad following handcuffs incident Joe Root has spoken of his desire to remodel England’s dressing room into a group that inspires “supporters to look at us and not just revere what we do on the field but off it as well” after the conduct of the nation’s cricketers was once again called into question following the emergence of… ## [Carse’s night out shows Fleming must get a grip on this England squad immediately | Mark Ramprakash](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/25/brydon-carse-stephen-fleming-ben-stokes-england-squad-cricket) _2026-08-25 · Mark Ramprakash · Cricket | The Guardian_ Another ill-fated nocturnal excursion by a contracted player shows the new Test head coach should be on hand to set and enforce standards After a brief reprieve following the dominant Test victory last week against a timid Pakistan, once again talk of England and cricket is focused not on the game but on the behaviour of the people playing it. The England and Wales Cricket Board has reacted… ## [‘There was a lot of doubt and pain’: Arthur Fery on his dream Wimbledon run and the next step](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/25/arthur-fery-wimbledon-tennis-us-open-interview) _2026-08-25 · Donald McRae · Tennis | The Guardian_ British No 2 looks back on ‘Fery-tale’ after dealing with injury and shares his ranking goals before US Open debut “I was around 300 in the world and still really struggling with my arm,” Arthur Fery says as he explains how life has changed from this time last year when, after his shock appearance in the Wimbledon semi-finals, he rose to No 36 in the rankings. His run of five victories , which… ## [Australia’s ideal team for South Africa tour still no clearer than before Bangladesh visit | Geoff Lemon](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/25/australia-cricket-team-south-africa-tour-bangladesh-defeat) _2026-08-25 · Geoff Lemon · Cricket | The Guardian_ The quick-fire series in the Northern Territory did little to answer batting line-up questions and the top of the order remains an almighty jumble Cricket Australia didn’t host a Bangladesh Test for 23 years for a simple reason: it would have cost money to stage and earned less money back. That wouldn’t have been a concern for whichever generation of players would have taken the field, but for the… ## [Brydon Carse dropped by England as investigation begins into handcuffs incident](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/24/brydon-carse-dropped-by-england-cricket-as-investigation-begins-into-handcuffs-incident) _2026-08-24 · Ali Martin · Cricket | The Guardian_ Bowler spoken to by police outside bar in Derby Carse replaced in squad for second Test by Sonny Baker Brydon Carse has been stood down from England’s squad for the second Test against Pakistan this week while the footage of him in police handcuffs outside a bar in Derby city centre is investigated by the sport’s disciplinary body. Carse was filmed by a member of the public while he was detained… ## [County cricket: the Championship is back and it’s tight at the top](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/99-94-cricket-blog/2026/aug/24/cricket-county-championship-nottinghamshire-somerset-warwickshire) _2026-08-24 · Gary Naylor · Cricket | The Guardian_ Nottinghamshire are in pole position but Somerset and Warwickshire are breathing down the champions’ necks By the 99.94 Cricket Blog This article is from The 99.94 Cricket Blog Continue reading... ## [Big decisions pay off as Coco Gauff gears up for US Open with Cincinnati title](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/24/coco-gauff-beats-pegula-wins-cincinnati-open-title) _2026-08-24 · Tumaini Carayol in Cincinnati · Tennis | The Guardian_ American beats compatriot Jessica Pegula 6-2, 6-4 Gauff claims first title of season, her second in Cincinnati One year ago, Coco Gauff departed the Cincinnati Open with her career at a crossroads. On serve, she had capitulated, offering up countless double faults in most matches, and she had lost confidence in her progress and game. She believed she had to make drastic changes to her team before…