India’s World Cup win can set a new world order in women’s cricket – if it spends money wisely | Raf Nicholson

Sunday was a long day for the India captain, Harmanpreet Kaur. It began with a two‑hour rain delay; it concluded with a catch at cover, taken on the stroke of midnight, which sealed a 52-run victory against South Africa and a maiden World Cup title.But amid the fireworks, tears, hugs, a lap of honour at the DY Patil Stadium, and rumours of a forthcoming winners’ parade in Mumbai, Kaur found time to deliver an important message to the media. “We’ve been waiting for this moment,” she said. “The celebration will go on all night

Australians still betting big on Melbourne Cup, despite many saying they’re losing interest in race

Australians say they are losing interest in the Melbourne Cup and the animal welfare campaign against it has never wavered, but the amount of money gambled on the race has barely changed since the pandemic.Wagering turnover on the Melbourne Cup has fallen only slightly from the $221m recorded in 2020 to $214m last year. The five-year average spend, according to Racing Victoria figures, remains $220m.The amount of money being gambled on horse racing in Australia overall has fallen sharply, however, presenting a challenge to the long-term sustainability of the industry.In Victoria, the amount of money gambled on horse racing fell by 10

AFLW finals: how the challengers shape up in their bid to end Kangaroos’ supremacy | Martin Pegan

North Melbourne are playing in a league of their own. The ruthless Roos have brushed aside any and all challengers across the 10th AFLW season to finish the home and away rounds with a record-breaking winning streak of 24 matches, a record-equalling unbeaten run of 26 games, and a percentage of more than 300.A star-studded and deep-running midfield led by captain Jasmine Garner and Ash Riddell is backed up by the stingiest defence in the league for a third straight year. Then there is the most potent attack the competition has seen, as the Kangaroos have somehow improved on the side that went through last season undefeated – an early draw the only blemish – and secured a breakthrough premiership.North Melbourne aren’t done yet in their season of supremacy

Eli Katoa’s seizure and brain bleed prompts calls for NRL to assess concussion protocols

The NRL is assessing whether there was a failure in the application of rugby league’s concussion protocols after Tonga star Eli Katoa underwent emergency surgery prompted by seizures and bleeding on the brain following three sickening head impacts on Sunday.Katoa was allowed to take the field after what appeared to be a concussion in the warm-up. He suffered another head injury in the first half of the Pacific Championships clash against New Zealand, but was allowed to continue the match.A third blow in the second half finally saw him leave the field when his side trailed by 22 points, but his condition deteriorated and he suffered seizures on the sideline. A medicab rushed him from the field and he underwent surgery on Sunday evening

From burnout to brilliance: Amanda Anisimova on how honesty sparked her remarkable revival

The American stepped away from the tour in 2023 to address her mental health. This year has been spectacular as she has reached two grand slam finalsThere is an air of calm surrounding Amanda Anisimova when she speaks; a palpable sense of her comfort in her own skin.In a sport like tennis that can swing its protagonists from one emotional extreme to another, week in, week out, Anisimova has worked hard to value the highs, the lows, and the moments in between, all while staying true to herself.A former teen prodigy who turned pro at 15 and reached the French Open semi-finals at just 17, Anisimova stepped away from the professional circuit for eight months in 2023, citing burnout and mental health concerns.It was a bold decision, given how athletes are always encouraged to push through their struggles and stick to the grind; a decision that has ultimately paid off in more ways than one

At the World Series the Blue Jays belonged to Canada – and large parts of the US too

One baseball win was never going to bind Canada – and sympathetic fans south of the border – together for ever. But it was sweet while it lastedThe first time the Blue Jays won a World Series, in 1992, the team’s victory parade was held on the same day as a contentious national referendum. At play that day was a suite of potential constitutional changes that had Canadians, living through a period of economic strain, regional tension, and a growing distrust of political elites, questioning what kind of country they were living in. The referendum failed and paved the way for another, three years later, in 1995, that almost saw Quebec leave Canada altogether. Following the win, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney congratulated the Jays noting that, beyond it being a “historic victory” the team’s playoff run “united a nation behind you, capturing the imagination of Canadians from coast to coast