Sports
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.”
The 2026 men’s NCAA tournament will cap the 2025-26 men’s college basketball season, which tips Nov. 3. By the end, on April 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, a champion will be crowned. Let’s look at the details of how that will happen.
March Madness 2026 begins with the announcement of the 68-team bracket on Selection Sunday (March 15).
The First Four, at UD Arena in Dayton, will consist of eight teams playing for a spot in the opening round on Tuesday, March 17 and Wednesday, March 18.
The round of 64 begins Thursday, March 19, and the round of 32 begins Saturday, March 21. The cities for the first and second rounds of the NCAA tournament are: Buffalo, New York; Greenville, South Carolina; Oklahoma City; Portland; Tampa; Philadelphia; San Diego; and St. Louis, Missouri.
The regional semifinals (Sweet 16) and finals (Elite Eight) will take place in Houston (South); San Jose, California (West); Chicago (Midwest); and Washington, D.C. (East).
The Final Four will take place April 4 and 6 in Indianapolis.
Complete dates and venue information for the 2025 Division I men’s NCAA tournament are below.
Meanwhile, bookmark Joe Lunardi’s ESPN Bracketology for projections of the field, including teams considered to be on the bubble. The bracket will be updated every Tuesday during the nonconference portion of the 2025-26 regular season, every Tuesday and Friday during conference play and more frequently during league tournaments — aka Champ Week — in the lead-up to Selection Sunday.
Selection Sunday: March 15
First Four: March 17-18
First round (round of 64): March 19
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KeyBank Center, Buffalo
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Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Greenville
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Paycom Center, Oklahoma City
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Moda Center, Portland
First round (round of 64): March 20
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Amalie Arena, Tampa
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Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
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Viejas Arena, San Diego
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Enterprise Center, St. Louis
Second round (round of 32): March 21
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KeyBank Center, Buffalo
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Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Greenville
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Paycom Center, Oklahoma City
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Moda Center, Portland
Second round (round of 32): March 22
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Amalie Arena, Tampa
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Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
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Viejas Arena, San Diego
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Enterprise Center, St. Louis
Sweet 16 (regional semifinals): March 26
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South: Toyota Center, Houston
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West: SAP Center, San Jose
Sweet 16 (regional semifinals): March 27
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Midwest: United Center, Chicago
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East: Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
Elite Eight (regional finals): March 28
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South: Toyota Center, Houston
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West: SAP Center, San Jose
Elite Eight (regional finals): March 29
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Midwest: United Center, Chicago
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East: Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
Final Four (national semifinals and national championship): April 4, 6
The performances by Kirk Cousins, Andy Dalton and Dillon Gabriel among others were tough to stomach during Week 8.
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Carol Davis, the widow of longtime Las Vegas Raiders owner Al Davis and mother of current owner Mark Davis, has passed away at 93.
Carol Davis, known affectionately as “The First Lady of Raider Nation,” died on Friday, the team said in an announcement on Sunday. Her son lit the Al Davis Memorial Torch at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas in her honor.
“Carol provided unbridled support and unparalleled guidance to the Davis family and the Raiders organization for over 60 years,” the team said in a statement. “Her direct impact on the Greatness of the Raiders continues to be felt, cherished, and honored, and is woven into the fabric of this historic franchise. If Al was the heart of the Raiders, Carol was the soul.”
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Raiders principal owner Al Davis and his wife Carol are seen cradling a trophy, Jan. 3, 1964, in Oakland, California. (Chris Kjobech/The Oakland Tribune)
Al Davis married Carol Sagal in 1954, and they became synonymous with Raiders football ever since the former was hired as a coach in 1963 by the franchise. They eventually owned the team, and the Raiders went on to win three Super Bowls – in 1976, 1980 and 1983 – under Davis’ leadership.
Mark Davis was the couple’s only child, born in 1955, and he eventually took control of the franchise when his father died in 2011. Carol Davis retained a share of Raiders ownership.
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Carol Davis did not usually have a front-facing role with the team, but she was present for the groundbreaking at Allegiant Stadium in 2017 as the Raiders moved from Oakland to Las Vegas.
During the team’s inaugural season in its new city, Carol Davis was present to light the torch dedicated to her late husband before the team’s first home game in 2020. There were no fans present at the game due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Lights illuminate the Al Davis Memorial Torch before a game between the Raiders and the New Orleans Saints, Sept. 21, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jeff Bottari, File)
Carol Davis was also the presenter for former Raiders head coach Tom Flores as he entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.
“There’s nobody that could have lit it other than her,” Mark Davis told ESPN during the 2020 season. “Because it’s really a tough time in the country, but also here in Nevada, we don’t want to seem that we’re celebrating or anything of that nature. But to have my mom light that torch means so much, and I think it will mean a lot for everybody in this valley, so I’m excited.”
The Raiders announced a private service will be held in Oakland, California, with plans for a celebration of life to come at a future date.
Carol Davis poses with the Hall of Fame bust of her late husband and Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis during halftime of the game against the Denver Broncos on Dec. 6, 2012. (Kirby Lee/Image of Sport)
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“Mrs. Davis has ascended to the heavens to take a rightful seat on the Throne of Greatness next to her husband Al, both of whom are wrapped in Cloaks of Immortality,” the team said in a statement.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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