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Cummins out of Ashes opener, coach optimistic about second test – SUCH TV

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Cummins out of Ashes opener, coach optimistic about second test – SUCH TV



Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins will not be fit for the first Ashes Test in Perth next month and will be replaced as captain by Steve Smith, Cricket Australia said on Monday.

Cummins has been sidelined by a lower-back issue since July and was already a major doubt for the series opener against England, which starts on November 21.

Coach Andrew McDonald said Cummins had now resumed running and would be back bowling this week, offering hope the 32-year-old might be fit to take part in the day-night second Test in Brisbane from December 4.

“It takes four plus weeks to get him up and running, and we’ve run out of time, unfortunately, but really optimistic and hopeful for the second Test match,” McDonald told reporters in Canberra.

“He’ll be back bowling this week, and that’s a huge step … so we’re on the journey to that second Test match, and very hopeful that that will be a positive outcome.”

Cummins absence gives Boland an opportunity

Cummins has been an ever-present in the Australia side for Ashes clashes since his first Test against England in the 2017-18 series, helping Australia first win back and then retain the urn ever since.

McDonald admitted losing his captain and top fast bowler for the opening Test of a high-profile series was not ideal, but said there had been plenty of time to make contingency plans.

Even if the Australia squad for the series has not yet been announced, Scott Boland is almost certain to replace Cummins in the bowling attack at Perth Stadium alongside Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.

Boland has had infrequent opportunities at Test level over the years given Australia’s depth in the fast-bowling department, but he has more often than not produced when called upon.

The 36-year-old is particularly effective on Australia’s hard decks and has taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 in his 14 Tests.

“When you talk about Scott Boland being the potential replacement, it’s not a bad position to be in,” McDonald added.

“And I suppose you get excited about when (Cummins) does come back. What an injection that will be to the group, a fully fit Pat Cummins returning at some stage during the Ashes.”

Smith was sacked as captain in 2018 for his part in the Newlands ball-tampering scandal but has led the team six times in the absence of Cummins since his rehabilitation.

“We flip into Steve Smith being the captain, and we’re incredibly fortunate to have such an experienced captain himself,” McDonald said.

“They’re a good working couple, so to speak … and Paddy will be around the group as well. So he’ll come to Perth with us, I can declare that.”

McDonald also said the selectors would consider a Test recall for Mitch Marsh, even if Australia’s white-ball captain said last week he would be watching the Ashes series beer in hand.

“We would be comfortable picking someone, and if you want to put a name to it Mitch Marsh, out of white-ball cricket if we felt like that was going to benefit the Test team,” he said.

“We feel he’s batting as well as he has for a long period of time … and we still haven’t given up on Mitch Marsh’s Test career.”



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Virginia’s Anna Moesch wins 1st career NCAA individual title

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Virginia’s Anna Moesch wins 1st career NCAA individual title


ATLANTA — Anna Moesch won the first NCAA individual title of her career in the 200-yard freestyle on Thursday night at the women’s swimming and diving championships to help Virginia add to its team lead.

Moesch’s time of 1:39.23 marked the second fastest performance in the event, just shy of Missy Franklin’s 11-year-old record.

Moesch also helped Virginia claim a third relay title in the competition with a 1:24.11 in the 200 freestyle. It was the fifth straight year Virginia won the event.

Virginia sits in first place with 249 points heading into the third day of the four-day competition. Texas is second with 183 points and Stanford third with 173.

Olympic gold medalist Torri Huske clocked a 48.49 to win the 100 butterfly for her third career national title. Huske edged Virginia’s Claire Curzan after finishing second last season. The top three swimmers finished under 50 seconds, with Huske’s Stanford teammate, Gigi Johnson, coming in fourth.

Bella Sims led wire-to-wire in the 400 IM for Michigan’s first individual NCAA title since Maggie MacNeil in 2021. It was also the first gold in the event by a Wolverine since Mindy Gehrs in 1993.

NC State’s Eneli Jefimova took the 100 breaststroke with the fastest time in program history.

Senior diver Chiara Pellacani defended her one-meter national title for Miami. Pellacani became the first diver to win multiple national titles in a Miami career since Brittany Viola (2008, 2011).



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FIFA clears Israeli settlement clubs but fines IFA over breaches

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FIFA clears Israeli settlement clubs but fines IFA over breaches


FIFA said Thursday that it would take no action on formal complaints by the Palestinian soccer federation in 2024 against its Israeli counterpart, including to suspend membership.

FIFA did, however, fine the Israel Football Association 150,000 Swiss francs ($190,000) on disciplinary charges relating to “discrimination and racist abuse,” plus “offensive behavior and violations of the principles of fair play.”

Palestinian soccer officials have long argued Israel violates FIFA statutes by letting teams from settlements in the West Bank play in the national league.

“FIFA should take no action given that, in the context of the interpretation of the relevant provisions of the FIFA Statutes, the final legal status of the West Bank remains an unresolved and highly complex matter under public international law,” the soccer body said.

“FIFA can’t solve geopolitical conflicts,” said Infantino, who presented U.S. President Donald Trump with a specially created peace prize at the World Cup draw in December.

“[B]ut we are committed to using the power of football and the FIFA World Cup to build bridges and promote peace as our thoughts are with those who are suffering as a consequence of the ongoing wars,” he said.

The disciplinary investigation of Israeli soccer also was opened 18 months ago in response to formal complaints by the Palestinian federation.

One third of the fine must be spent by Israeli officials, FIFA ruled, on “implementation of a comprehensive plan to ensure action against discrimination and to prevent repeated incidents.”

“The plan shall be approved by FIFA and shall focus on the following areas: reforms, protocols, monitoring, and educational campaigns in stadiums and on official channels for an entire season,” FIFA judges decided.

The judges said they “cannot remain indifferent to the broader human context in which football operates” and the sport “must remain a platform for peace, dialogue, and mutual respect.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.



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TCU backs up its tough talk, bounces Buckeyes in 1st round

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TCU backs up its tough talk, bounces Buckeyes in 1st round


GREENVILLE, S.C. — TCU wasn’t short on confidence for Thursday’s NCAA tournament opener against Ohio State, with forward David Punch setting the stage of the matchup by saying he believed the Horned Frogs would beat the Buckeyes “nine out of 10 times.”

That, forward Xavier Edmonds said, added a bit of pressure on the Horned Frogs to back up Punch’s prediction.

“His words were just a little bit misconstrued and a little twisted,” Edmonds said. “Still, we saw it, and we felt like we had to stand on it.”

Given Ohio State’s raucous comeback from a 15-point halftime deficit, it’s hard to say what might happen if these two played nine more times, but on Thursday, Punch and Edmonds delivered. Punch connected on a nifty pass to Edmonds in the paint with four seconds to go for a go-ahead layup, helping TCU advance to the second round of the NCAA tournament with a 66-64 victory.

TCU was dominant from beyond the arc in the first half, but a brutal shooting performance after the break allowed the Buckeyes to claw back into the game, taking a 51-50 lead with just over seven minutes to play.

With Edmonds in foul trouble, Punch put the Frogs on his back late, however, finishing the game with 16 points, 13 boards and a pair of assists, including the go-ahead dish to Edmonds.

Ohio State had one final shot at the win, but Bruce Thornton couldn’t find an open man near the basket and settled for a half-court heave that fell short.

The win ensured Punch’s boast proved accurate, but TCU wasn’t done delivering a message to Ohio State.

“We just felt like them as a Big Ten team, they just haven’t felt or seen a defense like ours,” said Edmonds, who finished with 16 points and eight boards. “Being in the Big 12, and the different level of physicality and intensity, we just wanted to go out there and show them what Big 12 basketball is about.”



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