Sydney’s tradition of goodbyes coincides with Bazball reckoning

As well as being a bucket list venue for players and supporters, the Sydney Cricket Ground has a reputation in England as the ground of the one-cap wonders. This is based on Mason Crane, Scott Borthwick and Boyd Rankin getting a go at the end of recent Ashes tours, rather than anything more historically substantial.If anything, as the traditional scene for the final Test of the Australian summer, the SCG is more like the Oval – the ground where careers often come to an end. And on Friday, surrounded by his family and with a fair bit to get off his chest, Usman Khawaja confirmed the final instalment of this Ashes series, starting on Sunday, will be his international farewell.Amusingly, there was a brief panic in the afternoon when it was announced that Steve Smith, like Khawaja a day earlier, was bringing forward his press conference

Callum Chick revels in Northampton’s chase of lost causes after culture shock

To see what Callum Chick brings to any side he plays in, watch the 55th minute of Northampton’s electrifying win at the Rec last Saturday. Henry Arundell is speeding down the Bath right, nearly into Saints’ 22, after a defensive error by Henry Pollock. A try for the champions looks a certainty before the flanker desperately dives at Arundell and dislodges the ball from his grasp.A dextrous pick-up by George Hendy allows him to sprint downfield before setting up Pollock to dive over – 13 seconds after Arundell was threatening at the other end.“I showed that clip [to the squad] a couple of times,” said Northampton’s director of rugby, Phil Dowson, while preparing to meet Harlequins at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday

Ingrid disappeared on an Indonesian island in 1976. Now we know what really happened

When Ingrid LeFebour woke up on a concrete slab, covered in a sheet in the morgue on the remote Indonesian island of Nias in 1976, she had no idea how she got there.Nor did anyone else know her fate – some believed she had died in bizarre circumstances.LeFebour’s disappearance features prominently in the film Point of Change, which chronicles the “discovery” of Nias by Australian surfers in the 1970s and the often dubious consequences for the local community.So when Point of Change had its first screening in Fremantle last month, there was one person no one expected to be among the audience – LeFebour herself.“It was a bit bizarre, actually, when I found out,” LeFebour says

Ben Stokes wants McCullum to stay as England coach despite Ashes loss

Ben Stokes has said he has no doubt he wants Brendon McCullum alongside him as the England head coach, but accepted the Ashes defeat means the pair must sit down before the summer and work out how they can upgrade the team.Senior figures at the England and Wales Cricket Board are wary of making sweeping changes and with Stokes seemingly safe, McCullum’s fate as head coach probably rests on his endorsement.With the fifth Ashes Test starting on Sunday, Stokes warned against ripping up the current regime and suggested the New Zealander will be getting his support – even if, at 3-1 down with one to play, the final scoreline and tenor is still to be established. He said: “There is no doubt in my mind me and Brendon are the right people to carry on doing this for the near future.“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the time I’ve worked with Brendon

Ian Balding, trainer of legendary Derby winner Mill Reef, dies aged 87

Ian Balding, who trained the brilliant Mill Reef to win the Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 1971 and later saddled the hugely popular sprinter Lochsong to a series of big-race victories, has died at the age of 87, his family said in a statement on Friday.“We are deeply sorry to share the sad news that Ian Balding has passed away,” they said on the Instagram page for their Park House Stables. “A wonderful family man, a hugely successful racehorse trainer and a brilliant sportsman. He will be greatly missed by all at Park House.”This article includes content provided by Instagram

Emma Raducanu finds rhythm for new season with stability and ‘stacking good days’

Emma Raducanu believes she is on the right path towards greater success in 2026 as she prepares to begin the new tennis season as Great Britain’s leading player at the United Cup in Australia.Raducanu, the British women’s No 1, will make her debut in the mixed-gender team competition on Sunday against Japan’s Naomi Osaka. “I think for me it’s just about stacking the good days,” said Raducanu on her hopes for 2026. “I’ve been putting in some good practices. Even if each practice isn’t as perfect as you want it to be, I think just the consistency of it is the most important thing