Less than 24 hours after guiding Ireland to a 2-0 T20I series win over India, head coach Heinrich Malan stepped down from his role with immediate effect.Ireland completed a 2-0 sweep after beating India by one run in the second T20I on Sunday. It was Ireland’s first-ever series win over India in any format. They had won the opening match by 34 runs a few days earlier against the reigning T20 world champions. Batting first, Ireland scored 154 for eight in 20 overs. India finished on 153 for nine despite Prince Yadav hitting a six off the final ball of the innings.“It has been an absolute privilege to work with these players, staff and the wider Irish cricket community. My family and I have had a wonderful experience living here, and we will look back on our time involved in Irish cricket with great affection,” Malan said in a statement.“On the field, we can look back with great pride on our historic T20 World Cup victory against England in Melbourne, our first-ever Test victory against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi, the first home Test win vs Zimbabwe in Belfast, the historic T20 series win at home vs India and beating Pakistan, West Indies, South Africa as well as direct qualifications for T20 WC’s through our consistent ability to challenge and beat the world’s top teams.”Malan’s contract was due to run until early 2027, but the 45-year-old South African decided to leave early. Cricket Ireland said Malan believed it was the right time for a new coach to take charge and prepare the team for qualification for next year’s ODI World Cup.Malan was appointed Ireland’s men’s head coach in January 2022 on a three-year deal, which was extended in 2024. During his time in charge, Ireland qualified for three straight T20 World Cups in 2022, 2024 and 2026. One of the team’s biggest results came in Melbourne in 2022, where Ireland defeated eventual champions England.He also led Ireland during all three of the country’s Test victories, including their first-ever Test win.Ireland will next host Afghanistan for a five-match ODI series in August.Meanwhile, Cricket Ireland later appointed Gary Wilson as head coach of the men’s cricket team. Wilson, 40, represented Ireland 292 times across a distinguished 15-year international career before retiring in 2020.

Maja Chwalinska’s French Open fairytale turned into a Wimbledon nightmare after the Roland Garros runner-up was knocked out in the first round by Thai qualifier Mananchaya Sawangkaew.

Last month, Chwalinska made history by becoming the first play to advance to the French Open final as a qualifier, losing to Mirra Andreeva while ranked as the world No 114 in Paris.

Due to Chwalinska’s historic run coming after the direct cut-off for Wimbledon, the Polish player was in the extremely rare position of requiring a wildcard but entering the singles draw as the 20th seed.

However, the 24-year-old crashed down to earth as she lost 2-6 7-5 6-2 to the Thai qualifier Sawangkaew, who is ranked 164th in the world. Chwalinska took a medical timeout after winning the first set after slipping and hurting her ankle.

Just a month ago, Chwalinska became just the second player to make a grand slam final as a qualifier, after Emma Raducanu at the US Open in 2021.

Sawangkaew as making her Wimbledon debut and just appearance at a grand slam, following a first-round defeat to Raducanu at this year’s Australian Open.

A modest placing in midweek racing might not appear to be the ideal form guide for the Stayers Cup, but trainer Adrian Bott is relying on Centenario’s natural progression and fitness to handle the step up in class.

The former New Zealander secured third place over 2400 metres at the Kensington track in his most recent outing. With the benefit of that run at the distance, combined with a significant 6-1/2 kilogram weight advantage, Bott anticipates Centenario will be better prepared for Saturday’s test at Rosehill.

“He’s a bit out of his grade, but true weight can hopefully help offset that,” Bott said. “I feel he’s improving nicely, and he may have needed that strong run at the distance last start because he has come on well. I expect to see continued improvement from him, and it’s the right time of the preparation to be testing him.”

Bott and co-trainer Gai Waterhouse are also set to field three-year-olds Albany Road and Lady Invictus in the Kia Ora Bloodlines to Headlines Handicap over 1100 metres.

Albany Road achieved consecutive victories over the 1100m distance during the summer. Provided he can overcome a difficult barrier draw, Bott believes he is capable of a strong fresh performance.

“It took us a while to figure him out,” Bott commented. “It’s an awkward draw for him, but he’s a horse that gets back in his races anyway and enjoys the speed on. He might need a bit of luck, but he has come back better this time around.”

Lady Invictus has earned her place in Saturday grade following a sharp first-up win at midweek level.

This was only her second career start, and Bott indicated that the daughter of acclaimed sire I Am Invincible has continued to impress them in training.

“That was a really good win. She’s up quickly in grade, but she has improved nicely, and there was a lot to like about her performance at Warwick Farm,” he remarked. “She has trained on the right way, and it looks a nice race for her. It’s a good time of year for these three-year-olds to try to step up into that grade and take that next step in their careers.”

Explore Australian betting sites for the best odds on the Stayers Cup.

Dylan Gibbons, a jockey, has opted to postpone his end-of-season holiday to ride the emerging stayer Thebudgiesmugla in the upcoming Caloundra Cup.

Gibbons had planned an overseas trip following this Saturday’s Tattersall’s Tiara meeting at Eagle Farm. However, this break has been deferred after Luke Hilton, racing manager for trainer Bjorn Baker, confirmed Thebudgiesmugla’s participation in the Sunshine Coast feature.

“I pushed my holiday back to ride him in the Caloundra Cup once Luke Hilton mentioned it,” Gibbons explained. “I came in Tuesday morning and galloped him, and I was amazed how he’d come through his last run. After a 2400 metre run, he galloped close enough after that, and just felt amazing. As long as he can hold that into the race he’ll run well.”

Thebudgiesmugla has been a consistent performer since his arrival from New Zealand last year, winning four of his eight starts for Baker. He secured his first stakes success in the Winter Cup (2400m), with Gibbons in the saddle.

The gelding boasts an unblemished record over the 2400m journey. Gibbons is confident that a strong performance in the Caloundra Cup could propel him towards greater challenges next season, much like Half Yours, who won the same race a year ago before completing the Caulfield-Melbourne Cups double.

“If he can take care of business next Saturday, they can aim higher with him,” Gibbons stated. “The staying ranks do thin out a bit in Australia, and I think he’s the right horse to continue going through the grades. He has ticked the 2400 metre box a few times and won in Listed grade, so hopefully he can start to step up and take on the better horses.”

Thebudgiesmugla’s ability to perform on various surfaces, from good to heavy, is a significant advantage, especially considering the unpredictable Queensland winter weather, according to Gibbons.

“The wetter the better, but he can do it on top of the ground,” he remarked. “He’s got a great racing style, and he is flying at the minute.”

With the Caloundra Cup on the horizon, punters can get involved by checking out the racing betting markets available from various providers.

You would think after all these years that Johnny Manziel‘s heart may have softened toward the Cleveland Browns, and you’d be wrong; in fact, really wrong.

If anything, Manziel’s heart has hardened against the franchise. Manziel hates Cleveland a lot, as he told Shannon Sharpe and Chad Ochocinco on their podcast Nightcap, he has nothing but contempt for the whole organization.

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“I sit here today and I go back on forth, am I going to let Cleveland off the hook, let it go or am I going to sit here with hate and animosity in my heart for the rest of my life,” Manziel admitted. “I finally sit here today, and I’m like, [Expletive] it, I think I’m gonna be pissed at them and hate them forever. It is what it is man, no love for the Browns.”

It was just two years ago that Munhamek triumphed in the Listed Winter Championship Series Final, a feat that now feels like a distant memory for trainer Nick Ryan.

The enduring eight-year-old gelding achieved that Flemington success, and Ryan is now hopeful that another eight-year-old, Highlights, can emulate that performance this Saturday.

Both horses joined Ryan’s stable under different circumstances. Munhamek came from Hong Kong, while Highlights transferred from the Guy stable in Queensland and, more recently, from Bjorn Baker’s stable in Sydney. Both have used the David Bourke Handicap (1620m) as their preparatory run.

Highlights put forth his strongest run for the new yard in the David Bourke Handicap, finishing third and being beaten by a mere head by Seafall. Ryan mentioned that integrating the horse into the stable has been a learning process.

“His form with me has been a little bit patchy, but he’s had excuses every time he’s run badly,” Ryan said.

“He looked the winner the other day, and he’s come through the run well, so no doubt we’ll head to the final on Saturday.

“He’s very structurally good, he’s a little bit quirky… he trialled well nude with no gear on at Werribee so we just stripped everything back, left the tongue tie on, but I think it certainly helped.”

The David Bourke Handicap has served as a reliable form guide for the Winter Championship Series Final in recent years, with Jimmy The Bear mirroring Munhamek’s achievement by winning both races last year, and Tuvalu doing the same in 2022.

“I did it with Munhamek, he won that race and went on to win the final so it’s generally the right way to go,” Ryan commented.

“Like I said, his form does look patchy but he’s had excuses every time. Hopefully he’ll improve off that run and be a lightweight chance in the final.”

With Highlights showing promise, new Australian betting sites might offer competitive racing betting markets.

Nigeria Premier Football League side Rivers United have completed the signing of highly-rated goalkeeper Clinton Ezekiel from Bayelsa United ahead of the new season.

The talented shot-stopper joins the Port Harcourt club after an impressive campaign with Bayelsa United, where he established himself as one of the team’s first-choice goalkeepers despite their struggles in the league.

Ezekiel began his football career with Calabar Rovers before securing a move to Bayelsa United for the 2024/25 season. During the 2025/26 NPFL campaign, he made 25 league appearances and kept six clean sheets.

Although Bayelsa United suffered relegation after finishing 19th on the table with 43 points from 38 matches, Ezekiel’s performances stood out throughout the season. The Yenagoa-based club recorded 11 wins, 10 draws and 17 defeats.

His impressive displays attracted interest from several clubs in the NPFL, but Rivers United eventually won the race for his signature.

The arrival of Ezekiel is another important addition for head coach Finidi George, who continues to strengthen his squad ahead of a busy season that will include domestic competitions and the CAF Champions League.

The former Super Eagles coach is building a team capable of competing for major honours, and the signing of the young goalkeeper will increase competition in the goalkeeping department while adding quality and depth to the squad.

After experiencing the disappointment of relegation with Bayelsa United, Ezekiel now has the opportunity to compete at the highest level of Nigerian football and also test himself in continental competition.

Having shown composure, sharp reflexes and consistency during his time at Bayelsa United, the young goalkeeper will be hoping to establish himself at Rivers United and help the Port Harcourt club challenge for the NPFL title and make a strong impact in the CAF Champions League.

Kidambi Srikanth (AFP Photo)

NEW DELHI: India’s Kidambi Srikanth finished runner-up at the US Open Super 300 badminton tournament after losing a hard-fought men’s singles final to Chinese Taipei’s Su Li-yang. The 33-year-old former world No. 1 showed great fighting spirit by recovering after losing the opening game, but eventually went down 15-21, 21-16, 9-21 in a physically demanding contest that lasted just over an hour.Playing his first final of the season, Srikanth started brightly but lost momentum after an unusual error when his racquet crossed the net during a rally. Although he battled back to level the score midway through the opening game, Su raised the intensity after the break, using his speed and deceptive shot-making to take control and secure the first game.The second game was a much tighter affair, with both players matching each other point for point. Srikanth showcased his experience and sharp net play, taking control during the middle stages of the game. Despite a late challenge from Su, the Indian held his nerve, earning multiple game points before sealing the game with a powerful down-the-line smash to force a deciding third game.

Su dominates final game to claim maiden title

The decider, however, belonged to the younger Su, who came out aggressively and never allowed Srikanth to settle. The Chinese Taipei player maintained a relentless pace and built a comfortable lead. Srikanth mixed brilliant winners with unforced errors and was also left frustrated after being denied permission by the chair umpire to change his shirt during the game.Su continued to dominate the rallies and eventually earned 12 championship points. Although Srikanth saved one, Su closed out the match to win the first BWF World Tour title of his career, while Srikanth had to settle for another runner-up finish.