Australia ‘more robust’ and can handle pressure better than England, believes Bayliss

Trevor Bayliss will be among those watching the fifth Ashes Test at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground this Sunday. But even as the head coach responsible for delivering the World Cup in 2019, the majority of England fans who walk past him will probably do so without so much as a double take.This was very much the Australian’s way when sporting the Three Lions on his training kit for five years – low key and forever dodging the spotlight under that wide-brimmed hat. Even crediting Bayliss for that World Cup – or the Ashes win in 2015 – cuts against his mantra that players alone deserve the glory. Coaches, he always stressed, are simply there to facilitate

Sydney has a history of hosting Ashes comebacks – and launching dynasties | Geoff Lemon

If you’re an England cricket team, a Test in Sydney doesn’t look so bad. The last few weeks have merited constant updating of England’s horrible streak in Australia since January 1987, which last week’s Melbourne win improved only as far as 51 played, seven won, eight drawn, 36 lost. In Sydney over that time, the calculation is a little friendlier, at 10 played, four drawn, two won, only four lost.So while the trophy is gone, a strong showing in this match could offer optimism that it might be a springboard for the future. Sydney has a history of involvement in Ashes comebacks, whether within a match, within a series, or in the longer term

Player revolts, owner exits and what breaks next: our bold sports predictions for 2026

Here are our bold predictions for 2025 in sports. Please note the bold (or should that be bold?) in bold predictions: these are mostly to be taken with a pinch of salt.Luka Dončić and JJ Redick’s relationship will crack and become a national storyline. The Lakers’ coach will eventually show public frustration with Luka’s lack of consistent defensive intensity and his inability to fully build chemistry with teammates, including LeBron James. Dončić initially met Redick’s demand to arrive in “championship shape”, but the dynamic feels brittle

How this strange NFL season broke the Coach of the Year mold | Oliver Connolly

The NFL’s Coach of the Year award is simple. It typically serves as a mea culpa. We’re sorry our preseason predictions about your team were wrong.In theory, it’s a straight line: the coach who oversaw the biggest turnaround is handed the award. In practice, it’s a yearly argument about expectations and whether we’re rewarding actual coaching or just the greatest surprise

Australia back injured stars as squad for T20 World Cup revealed

Matthew Kuhnemann is in line for a World Cup debut after being included as the biggest surprise selection in Australia’s squad for the T20 World Cup.As expected, Australia have named superstar pacemen Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, as well as swashbuckling Tim David, despite injury concerns.Mitch Owen, the hero of last summer’s BBL final, fit-again quick Sean Abbott and backup wicketkeeper Josh Philippe have missed the cut.Philippe’s omission leaves Josh Inglis as the only out-and-out wicketkeeper in the squad for the tournament played in India and Sri Lanka in February.Paceman Xavier Bartlett, versatile Matt Short and allrounder Cooper Connolly are in line to play World Cup cricket for the first time on 11 February, when Australia begin their campaign against Ireland in Colombo

Anthony Joshua discharged from hospital in Nigeria after car crash

The British boxer Anthony Joshua has been discharged from hospital, Nigerian authorities said on Wednesday night. The two-time former heavyweight champion and 2012 Olympic gold medallist was a passenger in a car accident near Lagos on Monday which killed two of his close associates and team members.The 36-year-old had been under observation while recovering from minor injuries, his promoter had said on Monday.The Lagos state commissioner for information and strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said in a statement on X that Joshua had been discharged from the Lagoon hospital in Ikoyi on Wednesday afternoon as he was deemed clinically fit to “recuperate at home”.“Anthony and his mother were at the funeral home in Lagos this afternoon to pay their final respects to his two departed friends as they were being prepared for repatriation scheduled for later this evening,” Omotoso said