09 June, 2025 : Reigning champions Australia face South Africa in the World Test Championship final at Lords starting Wednesday amid a chorus of criticism over the competitions format. Wisden, crickets bible, was scathing in its assessment, with editor Lawrence Booth writing in this years edition that the WTC is a "shambles masquerading as a showpiece". Meanwhile, former England captain Michael Atherton said "everyone knows the WTC in its present guise is flawed". One fundamental problem is that political tensions mean India and Pakistan, two of crickets leading nations, have not played a Test against each other since 2007. The nine-nation WTC is further skewed because the teams are not being required to face each other or to play the same number of matches, unlike most sports leagues. Countries are free to decide how many Tests they would like to play in the two-year qualifying cycle -- something Booth wants doubled to four years, with the top nine in the rankings all playing each other, home and away, over series that last at least three Tests. Positions are calculated on the percentage of available points won by teams. South Africa have played just 12 Tests in the current cycle -- all of them two-match series -- compared to Englands 22 -- and have not played either England or Australia. South Africa also sent a third-string side to New Zealand in early 2024, and lost. It kept its best players at home to appear in its domestic T20 competition. That was a financial sign of the times, as is Cricket South Africa not scheduling any home Tests for 2025/26. - South Africa didnt beat nobodies - South Africa reeled off six straight wins to book their place in this years final, only for former England captain Michael Vaughan to say they had got there "on the back of beating pretty much nobody". But Proteas coach Shukri Conrad objected that South Africa had beaten teams who had beaten the Big Three of India, Australia and England. "One of the nobodies we beat won a Test match in Australia -- West Indies beat Australia in a Test match. They are not nobody," insisted Conrad. "New Zealand beat India: three-zip in India. New Zealand is not a nobody. "Sri Lanka won Test matches (against England and New Zealand).I dont buy this thing about us beating nobody." Victory in the final would be a boost to South Africa following years of hurt in ICC white-ball tournaments, with Conrad saying after qualification was secured. "Im never going to apologise for getting into the final. "Its the biggest thing in this teams existence. Its the biggest thing for South African cricket at the moment." One of those involved in devising the points system, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP: "Its difficult to come up with a solution where everyone is happy given the barriers to an orthodox table that exist, such as the India-Pakistan situation. "Commercial considerations will also mean the Big Three will want to play each other in five-Test series." He added this was just as much a choice as England incurring the over-rate penalties that hampered their chances -- theyve yet to reach a WTC final despite the first three editions all taking place on home soil -- with skipper Ben Stokes almost disdainful in his assessment of an "utterly confusing" format. Yet, New Zealands win in the inaugural 2021 World Test Championship final was welcomed as a long overdue global triumph for a popular side. Australias failure to qualify for that match was labelled a "big missed opportunity" by skipper Pat Cummins, who made amends with victory at in an Oval final two years ago. Tthat India were beaten finalists in both the 2021 and 2023 WTC finals indicated there was still a place for the five-day game in world crickets economic powerhouse, for all T20 events such as the Indian Premier League are the financial driving force. Indeed former India captain and batting star Virat Kohli, speaking after securing his long-awaited first IPL title following Royal Challengers Bengalurus triumph in last Tuesdays final, said: "If you want to earn respect in world cricket all over, take up Test cricket and give your heart and soul to it." But the awkward question for cricket chiefs is whether the WTC is helping or hindering that aim.
09 June, 2025 : Former All Blacks captain Stu Wilson has died aged 70, New Zealand Rugby said Monday as it mourned "one of the finest wings to have played the game". Wilson was known as one of New Zealands most scintillating wingers of the amateur era, scoring 51 tries in 85 All Blacks matches, including 34 Tests. He died on Sunday, New Zealand Rugby said in a statement. New Zealand Rugby chair David Kirk, who played alongside Wilson, said he would be deeply missed. "Stu was one of the finest wings to have played the game and one of rugbys most memorable characters," Kirk said. "He took a light-hearted approach to life but was deeply passionate and serious about representing his country. "At his best, he was nearly unstoppable with the ball in hand and was respected by his peers and opponents across the world." New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson said Wilson was ahead of his time in the way he played. "His flair and joy for the game inspired a generation," Robinson said. "In retirement, he was a positive and respected public voice for rugby and continued to stay connected to both his club and his province."
09 June, 2025 : A spectator was killed after falling from the stands at the Nations League final between Portugal and Spain in Munich on Sunday, UEFA confirmed to AFP subsidiary SID. The fan fell from the central tier during the first period of extra time into the press box in the lower tier. Paramedics and police rushed to the scene to assist the fan. A UEFA spokesperson said there had been a "medical emergency" and confirmed that a fan had "sadly" died during the match. Representatives from both sides expressed their sympathies after the match, won 5-3 by Portugal on penalties after the game finished 2-2. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente made a statement to express his condolences to the fan at the post-match press conference. "I want to show my deepest condolences because a fan has died. It reminds us, of what is important in life." A representative of the Portuguese team made a similar statement of condolences, saying the death "casts a shadow on our victory today." Portugal coach Roberto Martinez echoed the sentiments, saying it was "extremely sad news." The supporter is estimated to have fallen around eight metres. How the fan fell or under what circumstances, is unclear.
09 June, 2025 : Ruben Neves scored the decisive spot kick after Alvaro Morata missed as Portugal beat Spain 5-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in Munich on Sunday to claim their second Nations League title. Portugal twice went behind in regulation time but twice fought back to level the scores. "Our fighting spirit and togetherness were decisive today," Bruno Fernandes, who converted his penalty, told RTL. "When we stay together like this, were very difficult to beat." After 21 minutes, Martin Zubimendi took advantage of some sleepy Portugal defence to put Spain in front. The brilliant Nuno Mendes levelled things up five minutes later. Mikel Oyarzabal, Spains goalscorer in the Euro 2024 final and the 2023 Nations League final, put La Roja back in front just before the break. Cristiano Ronaldo, quiet as he had been before scoring the winner against Germany in the semis, equalised with 61 minutes gone, adjusting quickly after a Mendes cross was deflected into the air, muscling past Marc Cucurella and volleying the dropping ball home. Ronaldo was subbed off before full-time with cramp. Even though Portugal had the better of extra time, the match went to penalties. Both sides converted their first three spot kicks. Mendes buried Portugals fourth, before Morata stepped up and shot straight at Diogo Costa. Neves nervelessly converted in front of the red and green of the Portugal fans. On the sidelines, Ronaldo could not watch the final penalty, burying his face in a teammates back. Once Neves converted, the Portugal veteran fell to his knees and was embraced by players and staff. The victory was just Portugals second competitive win over Iberian rival Spain in their long history. Portugals only other win over Spain in a competitive fixture was a 1-0 victory which booted the Spaniards out of Euro 2004, with a 19-year-old Ronaldo on the left wing. Portugal became the first two-time winner of the Nations League, launched in 2018. It was Portugals third major title, along with Euro 2016. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said the match was "equal". "We did a lot well, but in football sometimes things happen and the opponent is able to beat you," he said. - Portugal equalise twice - While Nico Williams and Lamine Yamals fluid movement troubled the Portugese defence early in the match, La Rojas opener was scrappy. Yamal chipped from outside the box and the Portugal defence froze, botching a clearance which fell to Zubimendi, who leathered the ball into the net. The goal was just rewards for Spains early dominance, but Portugal hit back almost immediately. Mendes, put through by Pedro Neto, drilled a low shot across the goal and in. Just before halftime, Spain picked Portugals pocket in their own half before advancing. Pedri linked with Oyarzabal, who threaded the ball past Diogo Costa. Oyarzabals goal meant he has scored in three international finals -- against England at Euro 2024, which Spain won, and the 2023 and 2025 Nations Leagues, which Spain lost. Ronaldo had done little other than encourage the heavily Portuguese crowd until that point but would pick his moment to strike. With 61 minutes gone, Mendes shed a defender and whipped in a cross. The ball took a deflection and Ronaldo outmuscled Cucurella before lashing a volley home. The goal was Ronaldos fourth in 10 matches against Spain. The previous three all coming in a wild 3-3 draw at the 2018 World Cup. Limping in the dying stages of regulation time, Ronaldo fell to the turf with three minutes left and signalled to the bench that his night was over. Spain may have been confident when the match went to extra time, having won on penalties in 2023, but Portugal were faultless, Neves stepping up and converting to send his teammates, including a hobbled Ronaldo, streaming onto the pitch.