England look to dodge lightning strike after familiar crumble in opening ODI

At the time and taken in isolation England’s opening one-day international against New Zealand on Sunday seemed wild, chaotic, bizarre. As they batted at the start of the game wickets fell to the first ball, the ninth, the 12th, and – except for the period when the brilliant Harry Brook was joined at the crease by Jamie Overton – fairly regularly thereafter. Beyond that pair, the rest of the team scored 25.But to anyone who witnessed the start of their last series in the format, against South Africa at Headingley last month – when they lost the toss, were put in to bat and rolled for 131 – it was a very familiar kind of freakishness. Indeed in 12 bilateral ODI series since their 2022 T20 World Cup win they have won the first game twice and lost it nine times (one was abandoned) – and in all but one of those defeats they batted first and posted a score that was easily chased down, losing by six wickets, eight wickets, four, seven, eight, four, seven and most recently four

The old man and the mirror: Aaron Rodgers meets the quarterback he used to be

The four-time MVP faced his old team on Sunday night and put in a respectable performance. But it was Jordan Love who was able to control the gameIt all started so well. And then it fell apart.For two quarters, it looked like Aaron Rodgers might conjure one of those nights, the sort that ends with a smirk, a wink, and a reminder that he can match any of the league’s young pups. It was the first time in his career that he played against Green Bay, where he spent nearly two decades, won four MVPs and a lone Super Bowl

Crunch time nears for Australia as selectors try to fit Ashes batting puzzle pieces together | Martin Pegan

The Great Australian Bat Off has returned for a brand new season with fresh faces and forgotten favourites bidding to join the cast for the Ashes series opener. In a major subplot, captain Pat Cummins is officially out of the first Test and is all but certain to be replaced by understudy Scott Boland, while the final auditions to claim a spot in the squad will be staged across the Sheffield Shield matches that begin on Tuesday as much as the T20 series against India.The main storyline will be familiar to seasoned fans as the Australia selectors largely repeat last year’s search for an opener to partner Usman Khawaja. But the return to form of Marnus Labuschagne, and injury concerns for Cameron Green and Beau Webster, are plot twists that have thrown up more uncertainty over which six batters will be included for the Perth Test.Green was pulled from the ODI series against India due to side soreness in what chair of selectors George Bailey said was a “conservative” call, but doubts remain over his ability to bowl early in the Ashes

‘I could have killed them’: Lawson’s fury after narrowly missing hitting marshals

Liam Lawson issued a damning broadside after he narrowly missed hitting two marshals on track at the Mexico City Grand Prix, warning that he could have killed them and branding it dangerous and unacceptable.In the race which was won in dominant form by McLaren’s Lando Norris, the Racing Bulls driver had started in 15th place but took damage on the opening lap and made an immediate pit stop.When he emerged from the pit lane he was confronted with two marshals running across the track having been clearing debris from the opening corners directly in front of the New Zealander.“Mate. Oh my god, are you kidding me? Did you just see that?” he said to his engineer on team radio

NFL week eight: Broncos crush Cowboys, Colts defeat Titans, and more – as it happened

(6-2) Broncos 44-24 Cowboys (3-4-1)(1-7) Saints 3-23 Buccaneers (6-2)(7-1) Colts 38-14 Titans (1-7)The whistle blows in Denver. What an impressive performance from the Bronos, after a very early error from Bo Nix they roar back and dominate Dallas’ injury-hit and very shaky defense. Punishing weaknesses in an opponent is a very useful trait to possess indeed. Nix finished 19/29 for 247 yards, four touchdowns and a pick. The running attack combined for 179 yards with JK Dobbins ripping 111 of them

Pat Cummins ruled out of first Ashes Test, with Steve Smith to captain Australia

Pat Cummins has lost the race to be fit for the first Ashes Test as he continues his recovery from a stress injury in his back, with Steve Smith to reassume the captaincy of Australia in the series opener against England next month.Cummins has not bowled since Australia’s 3-0 series defeat of West Indies in July and was in serious doubt for the match in Perth on 21 November. After months of speculation over whether he would recover in time, Cricket Australia on Monday finally confirmed that the quick would have to sit out the game at Optus Stadium.The 32-year-old’s acumen with the ball in hand and his presence as a leader on the field will be sorely missed, and his absence comes as a blow to Australia’s hopes of retaining the Ashes urn.The 32-year-old has resumed running and expects to return to bowling imminently, and while an exact date has not been put on any return to full fitness, Australia coach Andrew McDonald said he was hopeful he would be able to call on Cummins for the second Test in Brisbane