The New England Patriots' regular season is underway, which also means that their roster and practice squad will undergo near-constant change. For reference, between the opener and regular season finale alone last season, the eventual conference champions made 102 different transactions.
It remains to be seen how many there will be in 2026, but things can get confusing quick. So, in order not to get lost amid any potential movement, here is our handy up-to-date Patriots roster and depth chart.
Quarterback (3): Drake Maye (10), Tommy DeVito (16), Behren Morton (15)
Running back (3): Rhamondre Stevenson (38), TreVeyon Henderson (32), Corey Kiner (9)
Fullback (1): Reggie Gilliam (44)

#tommy

USA FIBA Women's World Cup schedule 2026: Channel, live stream to watch every United States basketball game live originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The U.S. women's basketball team will attempt to win gold for the fifth straight tournament. It may be possible, as some of the top WNBA stars compete in the 2026 FIBA World Cup.
Team USA has won 11 of its 19 tournaments. This year, the team has recruited the future of basketball, with a loaded roster that includes Paige Bueckers, Caitlin Clark, and Angel Reese.
Though A'ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum (injured) were removed from the roster, Team USA will also have veterans and other young guns to rely on during the group stage in Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, Sonia Citron, Jackie Young and more.
Here is everything you need to know about the FIBA World Cup, including TV and streaming options for Team USA during the group stage.

#roster

Barcelona star Alejandro Balde remains outside the plans of head coach Hansi Flick as things stand. This comes with the Spaniard having been knocked well down the left-back pecking order in Catalunya's capital.
Defender Balde was of course heavily linked with a move away from Barcelona during the summer transfer window.
After it was widely reported that the Spaniard had been made available for the right price, Premier League giants Manchester United were hotly tipped as a potential landing spot.
In the end, Balde stayed put, eager to fight for his place in the plans of long-time employers Barca. But as alluded to above, as of this moment, the 22-year-old has not managed to win back the trust of his manager.
As per a report from Diario Sport, following the breakout of youngster Xavi Espart, and permanent signing of João Cancelo:

#Barcelona #plans #back

The Detroit Lions now have a substantial cushion in terms of financial stability heading into their first game of the 2026 campaign. This will allow Brad Holmes and the rest of the front office more flexibility in whatever direction they see fit whether that is in-season moves or in preparation for the contracts they will need to negotiate next offseason.
But it is also an indicator of how much faith the team has put into their top two players. Amon-Ra St. Brown and Penei Sewell have each restructured their contracts without changing how vital they are to the squad.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) practices during mini camp at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
The Lions have restructured the contracts of wideout Brown and offensive tackle Sewell, creating about $35.6 million in salary cap ***** e, per Spotrac. The news was announced on September 12, just one day ahead of the Lions' season opener against the New Orleans Saints.
Lions restructure contracts of Amon-Ra St. Brown and Penei Sewell; create $35.6M in salary cap ***** e, per spotrac.

#brown #detroit #season #restructured

The Dallas Cowboys will have another running back on the active roster to go along with Javonte Williams, Emari Demercado, and Hunter Luepke. They have signed Israel Abanikanda from the practice squad as a counter move to Malik Davis going on injured reserve with a hip injury. Sources indicate it could be season-ending.
Cowboys placed RB Malik Davis on injured reserve and signed RB Israel Abanikanda to their active roster from their practice squad.
Abanikanda first came to the Cowboys last November after spending time with the New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, and the Green Bay Packers. In January, he signed to a reserve/future contract before getting waived in August during final roster cuts. However, he was signed to the practice squad the next day.
This gives the Cowboys another option at running back that is fully up to speed on the offense and should be able to contribute if asked. He hasn't had much production with just 70 rushing yards and 43 receiving yards, but team will not ask much of him right away as Demercado should pick up much of the work.

#abanikanda #squad

Nottingham Forest boss Oliver Glasner, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I'm really proud of the team's performance and the spirit they showed. We did better after 10 or 15 minutes but we were a little bit impatient in the final third.
"We were too impatient and eager. It was a little bit up and down. In the second half we moved the ball quicker and switched from left to right and we saw the confidence grow.
"Liam Delap's hit didn't surprise me because I see it in training. That's what a striker should do. I feel this goal gave him a lot of confidence because he was a lot more present. It was a top team performance."
Nottingham Forest striker Igor Jesus, who scored the 88th-minute winner: "It's our first win in the Premier League this season and we know how important it is for us. It's very important for us and we need to keep it going. I just want to say thank you to everyone who came to support us today."
Did you know?

#forest #impatient #confidence

Jaclyn Smith and husband Brad Allen lived apart for 17 years due to his job in Chicago while she stayed in Los Angeles
The couple married in 1997 and finally moved in together in 2009 after years of long-distance
Smith says Allen is a devoted stepfather to her children and calls their marriage "bliss"
For Jaclyn Smith and her husband Brad Allen, distance made the heart grow fonder.
In the new memoir I Once Knew a Guy Named Charlie and in her candid PEOPLE cover story, the Charlie's Angels star, 80, reveals that she and Allen lived apart for 17 of their 35 years together.

#allen #brad #husband

Pierce Brosnan made a rare appearance with his 25-year-old son Paris at the MobLand premiere on September 10.
The actor wore a gray suit, while his son wore a leather jacket.
Brosnan shares Paris with his wife Keely Shaye Smith.
Pierce Brosnan and his son Paris Brosnan made a rare joint appearance in London on September 10. The pair posed together on the red carpet at the premiere of Pierce's show MobLand and looked move alike than ever. The 73-year-old actor wore a navy suit with a white shirt and dark gray tie. Meanwhile, Paris, a 25-year-old model and actor, looked a little more casual in a white T-shirt with brown cords and a distressed brown leather jacket.
Pierce Brosnan and son Paris Brosnan.
Credit: Getty

#brosnan #pierce #actor #made

Lando Norris took a superb pole position for McLaren at the Spanish Grand Prix, beating Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli and Red Bull's Max Verstappen in a breathless final few seconds of qualifying.
"Oh, what a lap, gorgeous," said an ecstatic Norris after pipping world championship leader Antonelli by just 0.011 seconds. "Oh, that might be my best one."
Verstappen was 0.140secs off the pace, as all three moved ahead of Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari.
The seven-time champion had held the top spot after the first runs in the final session.
Hamilton's team-mate Charles Leclerc was fifth, ahead of Mercedes' George Russell and the second McLaren of Oscar Piastri.

#mercedes

Week 3 of the 2026 Central Texas high school football season wasn't a great one for the American-Statesman's top area Class 6A teams: No. 1 Lake Travis, playing only its second game after the Cavaliers canceled their season opener, saw its road game against Cibolo Steele end in a 28-28 tie after lightning forced the game to be called in the third quarter. No. 2 Westlake suffered its first loss at Prosper. And No. 3 Dripping Springs lost at Round Rock.
For the second time in three weeks, weather played a factor in Friday night's games. Weather caused delay issues at a handful of matchups, including Lake Travis-Cibolo Steele in Schertz, Wimberley at New Braunfels Long Creek, Lehman at Lockhart and even Giddings at Smithville. Lehman-Lockhart was moved to Saturday.
Westlake defensive back Mateus Teixeira (29) tackles Trinity running back Marcus Turner (5) during the game at Westlake High School on Friday, Sep. 4, 2026 in Austin. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman)
Class 6A
Non-district

#game #travis #steele

Aryna Sabalenka is hitting the tennis court for the final showdown in the women's singles division of the US Open on September 12. She's the No. 1 seed in women's singles, but she's got to beat Kazakhstani player Elena Rybakina to win that coveted US Open trophy. If Sabalenka wins, the 28-year-old will be celebrating a three-peat in the division, having already won in 2024 and 2025.
Throughout the tournament, Sabalenka has had the support of her fiancé, Georgios Frangulis, who has been proudly watching from the stands. Below, we rounded up everything to know about Frangulis and his relationship with the Belarusian tennis star. Scroll down for more.
Frangulis is a Brazilian entrepreneur who founded the company Oakberry in 2016. Although he studied law in Brazil, he never completed his degree or took the bar exam.
Oakberry is a brand that specializes in açaí products. Açaí berries are harvested in the Amazon rainforest, the majority of which is located in Frangulis' home country of Brazil. Oakberry, which sells açaí bowls, smoothies, and more, has hundreds of stores in dozens of countries.
In August 2016, right before Oakberry was launching, Frangulis was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. He had surgery to remove a four-centimeter nodule that October.

#oakberry #tennis #september

India's road to the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2027 has become much clearer following the recent Tests that were played.
As every match affects the percentage points table (PCT), India still finds themselves in the race, but with very little to spare as they move forward towards the end of the cycle.
In the first of the two Tests that India played against Sri Lanka, the visitors registered a massive 165-run victory in Galle and then aimed to complete a whitewash. However, a valiant performance from Sri Lanka in the final day of the 2nd Test in Colombo helped them to hold the visitors to a draw in the final match of the series.
After a surprise win over Australia in the first Test, Bangladesh succumbed to an embarrassing loss in the second and final match of the series in Mackay. Till date, Bangladesh hold on to the fourth position but India can overtake them if they win the second match.
England moved to the sixth position, replacing Sri Lanka after their 3-0 whitewash win over Pakistan on September 12.

#bangladesh

Emily Blunt reunited with co-star Meryl Streep for an unforgettable high-fashion evening in New York City. Attending The Devil Wears Prada 2 Wardrobe Auction, the English actress commanded total attention on the red carpet. Captivating fashion lovers and photographers everywhere, she proved once again that classic black gowns can deliver maximum drama, movement, and modern playfulness.
For the high-profile charity auction, Blunt wore a striking runway piece straight from Christian Cowan's Spring/Summer 2027 collection. Her long-time stylist Jessica Paster curated the monochromatic look, which expertly balances modest coverage with daring sheer texture. The top portion of the dress features a sleek, form-fitting black turtleneck knit with snug long sleeves. Below the hips, the structured knit stops, giving way to sheer netting completely covered in cascading black fringe tassels.
The floor-length black fringe moved with every step, while crystal-embellished Dolce & Gabbana satin sandals added a subtle sparkle beneath the hem. The sandals' crystal straps were occasionally visible through the swinging fringe, complementing the otherwise monochromatic look.
Posing on the red carpet, Emily shared a warm moment with legendary co-star Meryl Streep. Emily wrapped one arm affectionately around Meryl's shoulder as both actresses smiled brightly for the camera line. Meryl looked equally chic in a patterned silk dress, creating an iconic reunion snapshot that delighted fans of the classic fashion film.
Emily's glam team kept her beauty routine polished and timeless to complement the dramatic dress. She wore her warm blonde hair pulled back into a neat, slicked-low bun. Her makeup featured radiant skin, soft bronzer, subtle winged eyeliner, and a glossy berry-pink lip. By contrasting a simple long-sleeved turtleneck with an ultra-fun fringe skirt, Emily Blunt executed high fashion with complete confidence.

#emily #meryl #black #high

This could be interesting. Rookie running back CJ Donaldson is expected to come up from the New Orleans Saints practice squad for Week 1's road game with the Detroit Lions, reports Nick Underhill for NewOrleans.Football. While the Saints will have Travis Etienne Jr. and Kendre Miller in the lineup, veteran rusher Alvin Kamara is questionable to play and Audric Estime has been preemptively ruled out with a thigh injury. This would be one of three times the Saints can elevate Donaldson from the practice squad before they're required to promote him to the 53-man roster.
Donaldson is a bigger back, listed at 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds, and the Saints took time to figure out what he could do during the preseason and training camp by moving him around the formation as a fullback and halfback. That's a role he's familiar with dating back to his time in college with Ohio State and West Virginia. We know that rookie tight end Oscar Delp isn't playing in Week 1 due to a hamstring injury so maybe Donaldson does more than take some handoffs in short-yardage situations. He could get some opportunities to pave the way as a lead blocker and stand up blitzing defenders in the backfield.
But that doesn't mean he won't get some carries. Even if Etienne is going to take the lion's share of rushing attempts, Kamara isn't likely to see many touches if he does get the green light, being so soon removed from a preseason knee injury. Miller has missed 30 of his 51 possible games with New Orleans because of injuries. It makes sense to have Donaldson available in case of an emergency, if for no other reason than to keep Kamara from being rushed into some unfavorable situations.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Report: Rookie RB to be called up from Saints practice squad vs. Lions

#rookie #squad #injury

Mavericks predicted to cut ties with $54M high-motor veteran rim runner, not Kyrie Irving originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Dallas Mavericks are at an interesting crossroads with their organization right now as they try to figure out the best moves for their future. They have a Rookie of the Year in Cooper Flagg, but the biggest question is about what they are building around him.
Kyrie Irving is set to be the point guard, but his time in Dallas may come to an end as early as this season.
"The Mavericks, as we've been writing since mid-June, have consistently swatted away trade interest this offseason in nine-times-an-All-Star guard Kyrie Irving. Rival teams, however, continue to wonder aloud about how firmly Dallas will stick to that stance once the season begins and the next in-season trade deadline on Feb. 11 gradually approaches. The primary factor fueling that curiosity, of course, is that fact that Irving is 34 and Mavericks star forward Cooper Flagg is 19. Not your average age gap between the team's two best players," The Stein Line's Marc Stein wrote.
While Irving could be on the trade block soon, PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford have also been mentioned. Heavy.com's Sean Deveney believes it will be Gafford that gets traded.

#irving

The Dodgers on Friday called up phenom Josue De Paula, their top prospect, and placed Shohei Ohtani on the 15-day injured list. Those were the expected moves, and took care of the active-roster component. But to make room on the 40-man roster for De Paula, the Dodgers transferred left-hander Eric Lauer to the 60-day injured list.
Lauer had been on the 15-day injured list with left elbow inflammation since September 2, one day after allowing seven runs in three innings in his worst start since joining the Dodgers. Moving him to the 60-day injured list means Lauer won't be eligible to pitch in the postseason. His 2026 campaign has concluded.
The 31-year-old left-hander was acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays on May 17 after Lauer was designated for **** ignment by Toronto, with the Jays paying all but $600,000 of his remaining $3.1 million salary the rest of the way. The Dodgers won each of Lauer's first nine appearances with the team, a stretch in which he did not allow more than three runs in any outing.
Lauer had two blow-up starts — six runs in four innings on August 5 at Wrigley Field, September 1 at home vs. Cardinals — but mostly did everything that was asked of him, lasting at least six innings in seven of his 13 outings, including 11 starts. In all, Lauer had a 4.50 ERA and 4.48 xERA in 72 innings with the Dodgers. Combining his numbers with the Blue Jays, Lauer on the season had a 5.23 ERA and 5.03 xERA in 22 games, including 18 starts, with 72 strikeouts and 35 walks in 108 1/3 innings, with 26 home runs allowed.
Ohtani was officially placed on the injured list with right biceps inflammation, which is what manager Dave Roberts mentioned Ohtani aggravated on a swing in Monday's game against the Cincinnati Reds, the only one of an eight-game stretch in which Ohtani played.

#lauer #ohtani

America's F1 hopeful Colton Herta pulls out of the sprint F2 race in Madrid with illness, but it comes after the FIA penalised him to start from the pitlane.
It is not going well for America's F1 hopeful Herta at all in the FIA Formula 2 (F2) Championship in 2026. Having taken a big step to move away from IndyCar in the hope of securing enough superlicence points to race in Formula 1, potentially with Cadillac, the season hasn't gone his way at all.
Racing for Hitech GP, Herta is 17th with 26 points after 10 rounds, with a best result of fifth. The American is racing at F1's new Madring circuit in Madrid on Spanish GP weekend. He started it well in fourth. He was doing well in qualifying in the Top 10 for the most part.
However, he dropped to 12th in the end after he suffered a crash at Turn 19 to end the session. Following the day's run, just before Restricted Period One kicked in for F2 teams, Hitech GP found a problem with the American's car, which they started to work on.
Since it was a priority, they continued working into Restricted Period One and therefore were in breach of Article 21.6a of the F2 regulations. The technical delegate reported the matter, and the stewards duly penalised him with a pitlane start in Madrid's sprint race on Saturday.

#herta #madrid

The Amgen Irish Open at Trump International Doonbeg has turned into a story of resilience and record-breaking golf. While the first round saw players battling wind and rain that made the course play brutally difficult, the second round brought a dramatic shift in fortune. Shane Lowry, the local favorite, didn't just survive the conditions; he absolutely dominated them. After airing his frustration with the slow pace caused by the weather in the opening round, Lowry produced a stunning performance to take the lead. Golf Monthly reports that Lowry shot a record-breaking 62 under much kinder conditions to take the lead at the midpoint. This score puts him two shots clear of the field and sets the stage for a thrilling weekend.
The contrast between the two rounds couldn't be starker. The first day was defined by struggle, with Golf Monthly noting that the brutal conditions contributed to slow play across the property. Players like Lowry had to wait for groups ahead, testing their patience. Yet, when the wind died down, Lowry found his rhythm. He isn't alone in the hunt, however. The chasing pack is packed with talent, including defending champion Rory McIlroy, two-time Major winner Jon Rahm, and Brooks Koepka, all of whom Golf Monthly confirmed will join Lowry in the third round. Joaquin Niemann, the first-round leader, also remains in contention to challenge the Irishman.
While Lowry's score grabs the headlines, the most compelling story of the week might be the rise of Niklas Nørgaard. The Danish golfer has moved into a tie for second place alongside Jacob Skov Olesen and Haotong Li after posting matching 64s, according to europeantour.com. This surge came from a fundamental change in how Nørgaard approached the game, not just better ball-striking. The pressure of competition often weighs heavy, but Nørgaard found a way to lighten the load. A shift in mindset this week earned praise for his caddie, as he disclosed that his coach is actually riding in the bag during this event.
Nørgaard explained his strategy directly to the media, and the result was immediate. Europeantour.com notes that Nørgaard received late applause from spectators after draining a vital putt on the 18th and finishing his round with a closing birdie to enter the chase. His back nine was a blur of birdies, specifically a burst from the 14th to 16th holes that propelled him up the leaderboard. You have to wonder if that mental shift is the only thing standing between him and a ***** le run, considering how tight the field really is.
Other players faced different challenges. Thomas Detry made an albatross at the par-5 10th in the opening round, a rare feat that should have boosted his day. However, he finished the first day with a 74 and ultimately missed the cut, according to Golf Monthly. On the other side of the field, David Puig struggled to find consistency. Following a 71 in the opening round that left him one over par, he posted the exact same score during the second rou

The Bees created a great chance following a flowing move in the second minute with Enrique Roca releasing Madden down the left. His cross found the opposite winger, Dwayne Mason, at the back post but he missed the target under pressure and on the stretch.
Kasujja then did well to fashion himself a sight at goal after a clever touch in the box allowed him to get a deflected strike off that Adam Brogan held on to at the second attempt.
Gary McDermott's side were much the brighter of the two in the opening ten, this time Jai Bansoodeb feinted past two Cherries defenders before forcing Brogan to save with his feet from a driven effort.
Tom Stuckey had Bournemouth's first sight at goal as they grew into the game, nodding wide from a floated free-kick when he could have headed back across goal to those waiting in red and black.
Then, on 17 minutes, the home side took the lead with skipper Waite striking across Felix Lyon into the bottom right corner.

#bees

In a recent appearance on the Rich Eisen Show, former All-Pro and current Thursday Night Football **** yst Andrew Whitworth said the Denver Broncos are on an upward trajectory heading into 2026
Whitworth acknowledged what could have been in the 2025 Super Bowl, while looking forward to Denver's 2026 season, especially against the Seattle Seahawks, a game which Whitworth will attend as part of the TNF crew.
"That's another one," Whitworth said of the Broncos-Seahawks matchup in Week 6. "I still think that's a game that could have been last year's Super Bowl, but it also could be this year's. Both those teams have the potential to be there again."
The big game against Seattle will be a pivotal one for the Broncos; it is the final game of a brutal six-game opening stretch; however, it will be potentially the best-looking game of the season, as both squads will wear their beautiful throwback uniforms.
Whitworth complimented the Broncos for their moves in the 2026 offseason, showing they can be contenders once again.

#bowl

The opening round at the Irish Open delivered a brutal test of patience and precision. Trump International Golf Links & Hotel, Ireland, saw play slowed significantly across the field as strong winds dominated the conditions. Defending champion Rory McIlroy managed to stay in the hunt, carding a 1-under 69 despite a costly double bogey on the 13th hole. While he sits four shots behind the leader, his position remains viable heading into the second day. The defending champion knows the margin for error is slim when the elements turn hostile. He remains tied for 17th place, a spot that offers hope but demands immediate improvement to challenge for the **** le.
According to GolfMagic, Joaquin Niemann seized the early lead with a spectacular 5-under 65. The LIV Golf standout made his move with four consecutive birdies from the 14th to the 17th holes. His drive on the 14th landed a mere three feet from the cup, creating a simple birdie opportunity that propelled his charge. Niemann's sole mistake was a bogey on the 12th following a three-putt. When asked about the experience, he noted, "It was a lot of fun out there."It's a really tricky course and a really fun golf course to play, especially with the Irish weather, he also praised the layout, stating. Despite the pressure of chasing the leader, Niemann capitalized on the scoring opportunities while others struggled.
Rory McIlroy's round told a different story of resilience. His tee shot at the 13th rolled into a bunker, hit the lip, and came back into the sand. His second shot then hit below the lip, skipped out of the sand, and landed on the fairway, yet the damage was done with a double bogey. Playing alongside Brooks Koepka, who shot a 75 after a triple bogey start, McIlroy faced a difficult back nine. Koepka's struggles on the opening hole highlighted how the high grass and wind punished errant shots. Despite his own errors, McIlroy managed to finish under par. "I hung in there, shot under par, and at least don't feel like I'm out of the tournament," he admitted. He added, "A good day tomorrow gets me right back in it."
Shane Lowry provided a local perspective on the day's difficulty. According to ESPN, Lowry finished at 67 and remained bogey-free on the back nine. He was tied with Shaun Norris. Lowry faced the same darkness issues as others, noting, "I honestly didn't think we were going to get finished." That's probably the longest round of golf I ever played, in a three-ball, anyway. I'm happy with my score."I felt like I did a solid job of making pars and trying to get to the clubhouse as quick as I could," he explained his strategy, saying. Meanwhile, Adrian Meronk was at 3 under but unable to finish before darkness fell. Patrick Reed shot 68 in the challenging conditions.
The gap between McIlroy and Niemann is significant but not insurmountable. Four shots is a manageable deficit in a four-round event, provided the weather cooperates. McIlroy's ability to recover from the bunker disaster

Eli Drinkwitz turned his postgame news conference in Lawrence toward a 90-second video on Friday night, a few hours after Missouri had settled the 122nd Border War 38-21 at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
The clip, ******* led "Heroes and Villains" and narrated by former Kansas nose tackle Gilbert Brown, went up on the Jayhawks' social accounts on Thursday and reached back to the Civil War fighting along the state line, splicing in images of John Brown and William Quantrill under a narration line about right and wrong, Kansas and Missouri.
Kansas ran it again on the videoboard shortly before kickoff. Drinkwitz was asked about it once the Tigers had moved to 2-0, and he did not stop at one sentence.
Oct 11, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz reacts during the second half of the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
"Disappointed in the rivalry, the turn that it took today. I thought that was uncalled for, and you know, this is about two teams playing football, and especially on 9/11 when we need more unity now than ever before. To be putting some stuff on your screen, celebrating. I mean, everybody's got complicated pasts, you know, and to make that an icon was bizarre to me. And so I'm just glad, you know, that this whole right versus wrong bullcrap that was started just got settled on a football field because it's a football game. It's an American football game that people love to come watch and cheer for their teams. It's not even deeper than that, and I get there's a past to it. But why are we stirring that bullcrap up? You know, it's 9/11. This country needs unity now more than ever, and I was embarrassed for them to be honest, and that's why I tried to embarrass them at the end."

#kansas #game #memorial #brown

Pakistan great Wasim Akram has expressed frustration over the country's continued struggles in Test cricket, arguing that the lack of quality batting talent emerging through the system has become a major concern.

Speaking to the media in Lahore on Friday, the former fast bowler said Pakistan's home-and-away Test series defeat to Bangladesh should have prompted the authorities to take immediate corrective measures. Instead, he felt little changed after what should have been a warning sign.

Akram pointed towards the Pakistan Super League (PSL), which has been running for a decade, and questioned whether the tournament had produced any significant batting talent for the national team.

"It has been 10 years since the PSL started, but has a single batter been produced by the PSL? Yes we have produced a few bowlers but tell me have we produced any noteworthy batting talent," he questioned.
Akram also highlighted the emergence of a 15-year-old batting talent in neighbouring India, an apparent reference to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, as an example of the kind of player Pakistan needs to produce.

"I think when we produce a batting talent like the 14-year old then we will see improvement coming through," Akram said.

While he felt Pakistan remained competitive in white-ball cricket, the former pacer was far less optimistic about the team's position in the longer format, describing the state of Test cricket as "bad".

Akram also played down the importance of who takes charge as Pakistan's coach, saying that whether the PCB appoints him or Gary Kirsten, the fundamental challenge would remain because the coach would still be working with the same pool of players.

Rather than repeatedly changing personnel, Akram called for the PCB's domestic structure to be given time to produce results. He believes the system should be allowed to operate for three to four years, with patience and long-term planning essential to any improvement.

Akram admitted that he was just as disappointed as any other Pakistani by the team's recent performances.

"Club cricket needs to be revived if we want improvement in red ball cricket. The PCB should spend 100 million rupees each in Karachi and Lahore, as talent comes from club cricket."

He also called for greater consistency in the national side, pointing out that Pakistan have continued to rotate players without addressing the underlying problems.

He said there should be consistency in the team, but the players remain the same -- they just keep coming and going.
Pakistan's ongoing Test series in England also came under scrutiny, with Akram criticising the team's approach against the home bowlers.

"In England in the ongoing series they didn't move their front foot forward, playing bowlers like Ollie Robinson while standing rooted in the crease. You need to play with courage, but for that, talent is essential."

Akram also offered his ******* sment of Pakistan's fast-bowling resources, arguing that raw pa

The Oklahoma Sooners take on the Michigan Wolverines on Saturday in a big-time road matchup in Ann Arbor, Mich. Both teams are looking to remain undefeated two weeks into the season.
The Sooners won the game in Norman a year ago behind a big game from John Mateer. In a 24-13 win in primetime, Mateer threw for 270 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. He also carried the ball 19 times for 74 yards and two touchdowns. The Sooners were up 14-0 at halftime before a 75-yard touchdown run from Justice Haynes on the first play from scrimmage of the second half cut the lead to 14-7.
Mateer and the Sooners made it 21-7 with 10 minutes to go in the third, and the defense stifled Bryce Underwood and the Wolverines to earn the 24-13 win. Oklahoma held Underwood to 9 of 24 for 142 yards passing and three carries for minus-1 yard rushing. Outside of the 75-yard run, Oklahoma held the Wolverines to just 2.29 yards per carry.
Oklahoma is expected to have a better offense than the one that beat the Wolverines in 2025. If the Sooners can get a similar defensive effort against a team that struggled to move the ball on the MAC's Western Michigan, it should be a good day for the boys in the crimson and cream.
More: 3 Keys to an Oklahoma Sooners win over the Michigan Wolverines

#Sooners #michigan #yards

Led by Elliot Anderson, reloaded Man City midfield gets first chance to impress in Manchester derby originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Manchester City were one of the biggest spenders in the free-wheeling 2026 summer transfer window, as the Premier League side made a host of big-money moves ahead of the current season.
Always known as one of the most lavish clubs in the world with their transfer budget, they went especially big this summer as they looked to refurbish the squad in a period of transition after the departure of legendary manager Pep Guardiola.
The club mainly focused on the central midfield position, where multiple key players departed and an immediate refresh was needed to keep the club's levels up.
With the new players now slotting into their established roles and Enzo Maresca's system beginning to become evident, Sunday's Manchester derby at Old Trafford is the perfect showcase for all the pieces to finally come together.

#manchester #transfer #players

Vitor Matos believes 39-year-old Jamie Vardy is still capable of making a mark in the Championship as the former England striker eyes a Burnley debut at Swansea City.
Vardy is set to be named in the Clarets squad to visit the Swansea.com Stadium, having joined Burnley this week after departing Italian club Cremonese.
And Swansea head coach Matos believes the former Leicester City frontman, who scored 200 goals in 500 Foxes appearances, still has the tools to thrive in the second tier.
"He is someone who understands how to score goals," said Matos, who is 14 months younger than Vardy.
"He moves really well - he always did that. He has a lot of talent - his finishing skills are there.

#matos #still

David Moyes has made it clear, Jack Grealish is in line to start for Everton against Tottenham this weekend. After a short outing from the bench in the recent defeat to Manchester United, the Everton manager believes the 31-year-old is now ready for a bigger role.
That matters, because Everton need quality and they need it quickly. Their transfer window closed with more frustration than progress. Grealish returned on loan for a second straight season, but the late collapse of a move for Monaco striker Folarin Balogun left Moyes with a squad short on numbers and light on attacking options.
Moyes did not overcomplicate the issue. "I think Jack is special – I think he is ready to play, yes," said Moyes. "I think Jack is probably a boy who needs the football [matches] more than he needs the training sometimes."
That sums up Grealish well enough. He is a rhythm player. He needs minutes, contact, pressure, and repetition. Training helps, but matches sharpen him. Moyes sees that clearly and added: "I think game time helps Jack. In ways, that's him still building up to his best but, I've got to say, he's had a good week of training and he's beginning to look ready to start."
Photo IMAGO

#everton #training #short

Barcelona are preparing to reward Gerard Martin for his rapid rise under Hansi Flick, with the club planning improved financial terms and a longer contract for the versatile defender, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Martin's current Barcelona contract runs until 2028 and contains a €100 million release clause, but the club wants to revise that agreement after the 24-year-old became an increasingly trusted member of Flick's squad.
The move forms part of Barcelona's focus on securing the futures of their younger players following a busy transfer window.
On that note, Hamza Abdelkarim has already renewed his contract, but the club's work on retaining trusted talents is continuing.
Martin is already aware of Barça's intentions and the fact that the proposed changes would include a higher salary and an increased release clause, while Barcelona also want to extend the deal beyond its current 2028 expiry.

#Barcelona #current

Liverpool have made a lot of changes to their squad this summer.
Some players such as Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones have been moved on, while others, such as Victor Munoz and Jeremy Jacquet have been brought in.
It's not just their playing staff what have changed either with a decent chunk of the Reds' backroom staff also being re-jigged.
Richard Hughes is now Al-Hilal's sporting director and Michael Edwards just decided to quit after Fenway Sports Group's multi-club model was thrown in the bin.
Even though all these changes have been made, it still feels like more needs to be done before Liverpool are ready to be seen as genuine contenders for the Premier League ******* le again.

#Liverpool #jones #victor

Here is every transaction for the Los Angeles Dodgers for the entire 2026 season, starting with the first day of spring training through the end of the team's postseason run.
We will keep track of every single transaction involving the 40-man roster here, including players getting called up or sent down to the minor leagues, as well as signings, trades, waiver claims, getting designated for **** ignment, or released.
Also here will be every injured list stint, though we will also track all the IL moves in their own post. We also have another post that keeps track of minor league options, with a limit of five times a player can be optioned to the minors beginning after opening day.
Each Dodgers transaction has its own section on True Blue LA, and you can click on any link below to get detailed information on each roster move. For more transactions from the 2025-26 offseason, click here. Here are all the roster moves from the 2025 season as well.
Note: On a mobile device, this table will show up best in landscape mode.

#here #track #roster #season