Joe Root etched his name into England’s record books by becoming the first batter from the country to register six consecutive fifty-plus scores in One-Day Internationals during the series-deciding third ODI against India at Lord’s on Sunday. The former England captain continued his remarkable consistency with an unbeaten 74 off just 49 balls, extending an extraordinary run of scores that now reads 61, 75, 111 not out, 76 not out, 99 not out and 74. Root’s latest knock came as England piled up a daunting 387 for 3 after being asked to bat first in the final match of the three-match series. The innings also marked Root’s third successive half-century of the series, having remained unbeaten with scores of 76 and 99 in the opening two matches. His latest effort ensured he became the first England batter to record six successive ODI innings of 50 or more. England’s imposing total was built on a dominant 192-run opening partnership between Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell. Duckett led the charge with a magnificent 141, while Bethell contributed a fluent 91 as the pair dismantled an inexperienced Indian pace attack. India sorely missed Jasprit Bumrah, who was ruled out of the decider because of reactive swelling in his left knee following an impact injury sustained during the second ODI. Without their premier fast bowler, the visitors struggled to contain England’s batters, with the four-man pace attack conceding runs at regular intervals. After Duckett and Bethell laid the foundation, Root ensured England maintained the momentum. Accelerating through the closing overs, he struck another composed half-century before Jos Buttler added a blistering unbeaten 41 from only 13 deliveries to push England close to the 400-run mark. Root’s latest milestone further underlined his exceptional form in the format as England strengthened their position in the decisive encounter with another commanding batting display.
Jul 19, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez (44) runs the bases after a home run hit by Seattle Mariners second baseman Cole Young (2) (not pictured) during the seventh inning against the San Francisco Giants at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Although he abruptly exited his third game back from the injured list on Monday, Seattle Mariners star outfielder Julio Rodriguez didn’t sustain an injury in their 8-0 home defeat of the Cincinnati Reds.
Instead, it was simply what Mariners manager Dan Wilson deemed a precautionary move after Rodriguez was hit in the left leg by an errant throw while legging out a run-scoring infield single in the fifth inning.
“He’s good,” Wilson said. “Julio busting down the line, got the ball off the leg. We kinda had to make a quick decision and just thought that it was the best moment there (to take him out) just coming off what he’s coming off of to get him out and see how he is tomorrow. … Kinda hit the bag hard and the ball hit him, and it was just a good moment there to make a decision to give him a minute.”
Rodriguez hit a chopper between third and short that shortstop Elly De La Cruz backhanded. He double-clutched before making a throw that eluded first baseman Sal Stewart and struck Rodriguez.
Advertisement
Rodriguez returned to the lineup Saturday after being on the 7-day concussion list since July 2 when he was hit in the back of the helmet by a throw while sliding into second base. He’s 2-for-11 with two RBIs in his first three games back.
Wilson also shared postgame that Seattle infielder J.P. Crawford, who was scratched from the lineup shortly before Monday’s game, is day-to-day with wrist soreness
Zimbabwe’s skipper Sikandar Raza plays a shot during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 Group 1 match against India (ANI Photo)
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza believes his side is capable of matching India in the upcoming three-match T20I series, saying there is little to separate the two teams despite India’s reputation. The series begins on Thursday, with India looking to recover from disappointing T20I defeats against Ireland and England.Rejecting suggestions that India will dominate, Raza said Zimbabwe has been playing consistent and exciting cricket in recent months.“Both countries will have an equal chance in this series. But one thing I am very sure about is that because Zimbabwe has been playing very consistent and very entertaining cricket, I can say this for sure that this series will be very entertaining,” Raza told Star Sports.The experienced all-rounder pointed to Zimbabwe’s recent victories over Australia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh as proof that his team can compete with top sides.He added, “As far as winning or losing is concerned, both countries have an equal chance to win the series.”Raza believes both teams are going through a rebuilding phase, making the contest even more competitive.“Yes, India is going through a transition and to some extent you’ll see Zimbabwe is also gonna have a little bit of transition happening as well. I don’t see it as a one-sided series,” he said.India enter the series after suffering a 0-2 T20I defeat in Ireland and a 0-4 loss in England under new captain Shreyas Iyer, while also losing the ODI series 1-2 under Shubman Gill. The remaining two T20Is will be played on July 25 and 26.
NEW DELHI: Spain’s celebrations after winning the FIFA World Cup 2026 caught the attention of football fans around the world. Apart from the usual scenes of joy, hugs, cheers and trophy celebrations, one moment stood out at the New York New Jersey Stadium, officially known as MetLife Stadium. After beating Argentina 1-0 in extra time to lift their second World Cup title, several Spain players were seen cutting pieces of the goal net and taking them home as souvenirs.
Spain borrow a famous basketball tradition
The unusual celebration came after substitute Ferran Torres scored the only goal of the final in the 106th minute to seal a historic victory over defending champions Argentina.Once the celebrations began, Spain’s players borrowed one of basketball’s most famous traditions by cutting down the goal nets.
The pieces of the net became personal keepsakes, marking one of the biggest achievements of their careers.
Where did the tradition begin?
Cutting down the nets is a long-standing basketball tradition that began in the US state of Indiana.In the early 20th century, winning teams started taking the nets home as souvenirs to remember championship victories. The tradition became famous in 1947 when North Carolina State coach Everett Case celebrated his team’s Southern Conference Tournament title by climbing onto his players’ shoulders and cutting down part of the basket net.
Advertisement
Case spent 23 years coaching high school basketball in his home state of Indiana, winning four state championships before joining North Carolina State in 1946.After leading NC State to the Southern Conference Tournament title in 1947, Case cut down the net as a souvenir of the victory. The gesture quickly became one of basketball’s most iconic championship traditions and is now seen regularly during NCAA tournaments and other major competitions.
Spain’s players brought the tradition to football’s biggest stage, turning the goal net into a lasting reminder of their World Cup triumph at MetLife Stadium after defeating Argentina in the 2026 final.
Spain dominate FIFA World Cup 2026 final
Spain were crowned world champions for only the second time in their history after a dominant performance against Argentina.Although the scoreline was only 1-0, Luis de la Fuente’s side controlled the game from start to finish. Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez made a string of outstanding saves to keep his side in the contest before Ferran Torres finally broke the deadlock in the 106th minute after Nico Williams headed Pedro Porro’s cross into his path.
The Nigeria National League (NNL) side is searching for a new manager following the departure of Coach Lawrence Kingsley, with the club expected to resume preparations for the new season next week.
Although no official announcement has been made, Green is understood to be the favourite for the role.
Advertisement
Widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most promising young coaches, the appointment would mark Green’s first job as a substantive head coach. If confirmed, he will face high expectations as Godswill Akpabio United aim to secure promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
Coach Edward Green
Green recently left his role as Assistant Manager at Rivers United after the 2025/26 season, where he worked under former Super Eagles coach Finidi George.
Before joining the Port Harcourt club, he built an impressive reputation during five years at Akwa United, playing a key role in the club’s historic 2021 NPFL title triumph. He also coached Akwa United’s U-15 team and later served as an assistant coach at Sporting Lagos.
Coach Edward Green during a CAF Champions League match with Rivers United FC.
A UEFA C-licensed coach, Green is considered one of the few Nigerian tacticians with a European coaching qualification and is continuing to work towards higher coaching licences.
Godswill Akpabio United are expected to make an official announcement on their new head coach in the coming days.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 promised to open new doors, reach a wider audience, and mark the beginning of a new chapter with 48 teams participating for the first time. While there’s no denying that the expanded tournament gave hope to several of those nations that had stopped dreaming of participating in the ‘Greatest Show on Earth’, it also hinted at how catastrophic it could be if politics were allowed to infiltrate sports. As the tournament concludes with Spain’s triumphant performance against defending champions Argentina in the final, the sporting world isn’t only buzzing about the footballing drama that unfolded in North America, but also about the precedent set when commercial expansion and geopolitical realities diluted the most loved game on the globe.
For decades, international football federations have balanced the global expansion of the game against accessibility for local and international supporters. In 2026, the sheer cost of attending-from elevated ticket pricing to dynamic surges in host city accommodation-raised pertinent questions about whether traditional fans were being forced out of the game.
Even if the financial barrier was crossed, non-sporting political friction became the second hurdle that saw many fall.
Advertisement
The case of Somali referee Omar Artan, who was named the CAF’s Referee of the Year, drew international attention. Despite holding valid travel documentation, Artan was denied entry by US immigration authorities in Miami under strict border-vetting protocols. Even FIFA couldn’t intervene, leaving Artan with no option but to return home.
Similar geopolitical tension affected the Iranian national team, whose delegation faced stringent visa and logistical restrictions that required them to base operations in Mexico and commute under tight timelines for fixtures held in the US. Iran was even asked to return to its base in Tijuana immediately after the game, creating a logistical nightmare for players that they found tough to recover from between matches.
FIFA and global bodies have often advocated open-access ideals, but implementation is frequently overlooked.
Political Neutrality Blurred
In its rulebook, FIFA mandates political neutrality and states that football governance must remain independent of state interference. However, the lifting of USA striker Folarin Balogun‘s one-match ban is a prime example of how the line between politics and sports was blurred in this tournament.
After receiving a red card during a Round of 32 fixture against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Balogun was facing an automatic one-match ban. US President Donald Trump intervened and reportedly called FIFA chief Gianni Infantino three times, asking for his intervention in the matter. Eventually, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee froze the suspension under Article 27 of its code, placing Balogun on probation and clearing him to play in the Round of 16 against Belgium.
Advertisement
Though the decision arguably ended up putting more pressure on the US team and Balogun, European football authorities (including UEFA) and rival associations expressed concern over the precedent, saying the action was strictly against FIFA’s own anti-politics protocol.
A World Cup Broken To Suit US Taste
From an operational standpoint, the 2026 edition of the World Cup was broken and re-moulded into a format to match American broadcast and event-management standards.
With matches scheduled across extreme climate conditions and designed to maximise prime-time advertising slots, mid-half cooling breaks became standard practice, functionally altering the match rhythm into distinct quarters-breaking a flow that has been central to the way football is played for years.
What was mind-boggling was the fact that the FIFA World Cup final saw the half-time window being broadened to accommodate a show that purists, including Wayne Rooney, branded ‘crap’. The half-time break in the final lasted for nearly 30 minutes to accommodate large-scale musical performances, often witnessed in models used by North American sports leagues.
Critics strongly believe that this over-commercialisation prioritises broadcast revenue and corporate sponsors over the traditional integrity and physical demands of the 90-minute game. If the trend continues, football as we know it may start to go extinct.
Advertisement
What Next For Football?
While this World Cup has clearly demonstrated FIFA’s capability to stage an unprecedentedly large event, it has also exposed how far the sport’s governing body is willing to go to suit its commercial and political interests.
When financial growth and geopolitical influence dominate the conversation surrounding a World Cup, the reputation of an international sport like football is eroded. Restoring confidence before future expansion cycles will require FIFA to establish stronger safeguards, ensuring the soul of the game continues to be protected from outside interests.
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson celebrates with wide receiver Justin Jefferson after a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals at U.S. Bank Stadium. During the Sept. 21, 2025, contest in Minneapolis, the Vikings leaned on two of their premier offensive playmakers as the passing attack continued producing points in an early-season matchup. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
Some fans would say outside linebacker; others would shout backup guard. But NFL.com came along last week, claiming the Minnesota Vikings’ main roster need heading into 2026 is at tight end.
And that’s despite employing T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver at TE1 and TE2, respectively. Matt Okada just doesn’t think that’s enough firepower.
Hockenson’s Role Makes the Depth Question Easy to Miss
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) carries the ball after a reception while defended by Atlanta Falcons safety Billy Bowman Jr. (33) during second-half action on September 14, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Hockenson’s ability to gain yards after the catch remained central to Minnesota’s passing attack as the Vikings worked to establish offensive rhythm. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
NFL.com: Vikings Need TE Help
Okada combed through the NFL, identifying one roster need per team, landing on tight end for the purple team.
Advertisement
He explained, “Once upon a time (three years ago), T.J. Hockenson was a strong starting tight end. In two seasons since, he has totaled just 893 yards and three touchdowns. Vikings TEs accumulated the fourth-fewest receiving yards in the league in 2025.”
“And they did nothing to improve the position this offseason. While Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings are a strong wide receiver trio, a lack of production at tight end lowers the ceiling for the Vikings and their yet-to-be-named starting quarterback.”
Generally speaking, it’s unlikely that Minnesota would invest heavily in a tight end trade or signing this summer, aside from perhaps something minimal, like Darren Waller in free agency.
Advertisement
The Group Doesn’t Lack Options
Here’s the Vikings’ TE depth chart ahead of training camp:
TE1: T.J. Hockenson TE2: Josh Oliver TE3: Ben Yurosek TE4: Gavin Bartholomew TE5: Bryson Nesbit TE6: Marshall Lang
Hockenson, barring injury, is guaranteed to get the lion’s share of passing game targets from Kyler Murray or J.J. McCarthy. Oliver is Minnesota’s blocking-TE asset. And Yurosek and Bartholomew will do battle at training camp for the TE3 job.
Advertisement
Nov 10, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Josh Oliver (84) before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
Okada thinks the group is underwhelming or mid.
A Rebound Season for Hockenson?
Hockenson tore his ACL late in the 2023 season, and based on his production, he hasn’t quite been the same since. He totaled 960 receiving yards in 15 games that year, but in 2024 and 2025, he’s accrued 893 yards combined. Hockenson averaged about 35 receiving yards per game in those two seasons.
While his numbers from 2024 and 2025 are not bad, he’s paid among the richest tight ends in the NFL, and if a team spends top dollar on a TE1, that guy should get close to 1,000 yards per season or exceed it.
Instead, Hockenson’s role has changed, while his paycheck did not in 2024 and 2025, deployed more as a blocking tight end when offensive line injuries have arisen. Minnesota is due for a season with relatively sturdy OL health, so the working theory suggests that Hockenson can get back on track as a pass-catcher.
Advertisement
Nov 10, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) runs through a tackle by Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun (23) and safety Darnell Savage (6) during the fourth quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images.
And if his quarterback is Murray, well, Murray has a history of feeding tight ends, namely Trey McBride in Arizona. It would not be strange at all for Hockenson to deliver a bounce-back season with Murray under center.
Hockenson also took a pay cut this offseason.
2027 Best Time to Evaluate TE Need
If Okada has it right, and the Vikings end up needing a new tight end in 2027, the free-agent options are grim. Names like this are on tap for the open market:
Evan Engram
Hunter Henry
David Njoku
The 2027 NFL Draft is a bit more promising, with these players tentatively expected to be taken before the end of Round 3:
Trey’Dez Green (LSU)
Jamari Johnson (Oregon)
Peter Clarke (Temple)
Terrance Carter Jr. (Texas Tech)
Many expected the Vikings to entertain the idea of drafting Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq in April — which would go hand in hand with Okada’s theory — but the New York Jets beat the Vikings to it, and Minnesota selected defensive tackle Caleb Banks from Florida.
Hockenson turned 29 a couple of weeks ago.
Advertisement
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
Jul 20, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros pitcher Ronel Blanco (56) reacts after retiring the side against the Miami Marlins during the fourth inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Yordan Alvarez produced his fifth multi-homer game of the season to help the Houston Astros snap a four-game skid with an 8-5 win over the visiting Miami Marlins on Monday.
Alvarez finished 3-for-4 with a pair of solo home runs. He posted his 12th three-hit game of the season and his 27th career multi-homer game to send the Marlins to their seventh straight loss.
The Marlins seized a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning against Astros right-hander Ronel Blanco, who was reinstated from the 60-day injured list to make his first start since May 17, 2025. Blanco missed 15 months due to Tommy John surgery.
His season debut was uneven. Blanco recorded eight strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings and allowed only two hits. However, Blanco issued three walks, and the two hits were two-run home runs from Joe Mack and Liam Hicks.
Mack followed a two-out walk issued to Jakob Marsee with a 409-foot blast to right field in the second. Blanco opened that frame with strikeouts of Hicks and Griffin Conine, but Mack followed Marsee by drilling a 3-2 fastball for his eighth homer of the season.
Advertisement
The Astros fashioned an immediate response against Marlins right-hander Janson Junk (4-6). Taylor Trammell ignited a six-run second inning with an RBI single that bounced into right and scored LaMonte Wade Jr. Two batters later, Lucas Spence walked to load the bases with one out for Jeremy Pena, who rallied from an 0-2 hole by delivering his second career grand slam.
Pena went the opposite way to right for his seventh homer of the season. Alvarez followed with a titanic shot into the upper deck in right-center field, his 32nd home run covering 428 feet.
Hicks shaved that 6-2 deficit in half in the fourth when he followed a leadoff walk from Xavier Edwards with his 14th home run, a 393-foot shot to right. Blanco rallied and retired the ensuing five batters, but a two-out walk to Kyle Stowers in the fifth spelled the end of his 86-pitch outing.
Advertisement
Alvarez greeted Marlins reliever Lake Bachar with a 419-foot laser to right-center leading off the fifth. Junk allowed six runs on five hits and three walks with three strikeouts over four innings.
Jose Altuve added Houston’s eighth run with a two-out single in the seventh following Isaac Paredes’ triple. Astros closer Josh Hader gave up three hits in the ninth, including Heriberto Hernandez’s run-scoring single, before locking down the win.
Team India’s tour of the United Kingdom turned out to be an absolute disaster. The assignment started with the team losing all three T20Is against Ireland. Then came the five T20Is against England, which also saw Shreyas Iyer‘s men being hammered 4-0. India hoped to bounce back in the 3 ODIs against England, but the team could only muster up a solitary win in the second match. As the BCCI does a thorough analysis of the results on the tour, head coach Gautam Gambhir‘s decision-making is being severely criticised.
Former India cricketer Sadagoppan Ramesh questioned the Gambhir-led team management’s baffling decision-making in the third ODI against England at Lord’s, asking the logic behind benching Kuldeep Yadav even when Jasprit Bumrah wasn’t playing.
“Even England employed three spinners and the wicket was dry. Yet, without Bumrah, if Kuldeep Yadav can’t fit even in this bowling lineup, what logic is there? It is clear that this team management keeps making glaring errors in the overall selection and in picking the playing 11,” he said in a video on Instagram.
Advertisement
Kuldeep is arguably India’s premier white-ball spinner. He has 194 wickets in 121 ODIs for the national team, at an average of 27.04. He didn’t get to feature in a single match against England.
Ramesh, who featured for India in 24 ODIs and 19 Tests, was impressed by the way Rohit Sharma silenced critics, who were saying his days in the Indian team were coming to an end. Rohit ended up scoring a century, albeit in a losing cause as India couldn’t reach the target of 388 runs set by England.
“Despite the immense pressure on him, Rohit Sharma produced an extraordinary knock. Yet, despite him, Gill and Kohli playing brilliantly, we always felt India would slip somewhere because of the total they were chasing. But India produced an excellent chase as the pitch was more up and down in the second innings,” said Ramesh.
Featured Video Of The Day
France vs Morocco Highlights | Mbappé Inspires France to FIFA World Cup Semifinal Victory
Jul 19, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez (44) runs the bases after a home run hit by Seattle Mariners second baseman Cole Young (2) (not pictured) during the seventh inning against the San Francisco Giants at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez left Monday’s game after five innings against visiting Cincinnati after appearing to get hit in the left hamstring by a throw from Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz.
Rodriguez hit a chopper between third and short that De La Cruz backhanded. He double-clutched before making a throw that eluded first baseman Sal Stewart and struck Rodriguez. The Mariners’ star was credited with a run-scoring single to break a scoreless tie.
Rodriguez returned to the lineup Saturday after being on the 7-day concussion list since July 2 when he was hit in the back of the helmet by a throw while sliding into second base.
NEW YORK — Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Dennis Santana said he yelled at José Caballero for taking too long to get ready in the batter’s box, triggering a heated altercation in Monday night’s 8-5 loss to the New York Yankees.
Both benches and bullpens emptied after Caballero bounced into an inning-ending double play in the eighth. Santana got angry following the play, gesturing and shouting a few times at Caballero on the field.
“Just don’t (take) that long (at) home plate and that’s it,” Santana said when asked what he said to Caballero.
The right-hander was restrained by teammates Rafael Flores and Bryan Reynolds before order was restored after a few minutes without any punches or ejections.
Advertisement
“Dennis just got frustrated by something,” Pittsburgh manager Don Kelly said. “Thankfully it didn’t end up being a big deal.”
Since the pitch clock was implemented in 2023, hitters are required to be in the batter’s box and facing the pitcher with eight seconds remaining on the clock. Caballero was trying to wait until the last second available during his at-bat, which lasted three pitches.
“I just grounded into a double play, turning my back to the coach at first base to give my guards to him, and he was chirping at me,” Caballero said. “I was a little bit surprised about it.”
Caballero had two hits, including a two-run double, before his at-bat against Santana, who has a 6.05 ERA in 44 appearances and gave up a game-ending two-run homer to Cleveland rookie Travis Bazzana on Saturday.
Advertisement
“At this point, he’s lucky he doesn’t get a ball right away because at this point, it’s been four years with the same rules, which we all should know about the rules,” Caballero said. “The whole league should know who I am, what I do (in) the box, and they should be aware of it. For you to get mad at something that the league’s implementing — you shouldn’t be mad at me, you should be mad at someone else.”
During New York’s 8-3 win in Toronto on June 14, Caballero was issued a warning for intentionally delaying an at-bat. He was warned by plate umpire Stephen Jaschinski that he would get an automatic strike called if it happened again, and Yankees manager Aaron Boone spoke to Major League Baseball officials about it the following day.
“I know he does it every pitch. It’s his thing,” Reynolds said.
Caballero’s deliberate style in the batter’s box has periodically irked opponents, including the Yankees, who acquired him from Tampa Bay on July 31 last year.
Advertisement
As a rookie with the Seattle Mariners in June 2023, Caballero annoyed Yankees ace Gerrit Cole so much the right-hander threw a 97 mph fastball to him that landed high up on the backstop.
Cole’s pitch was in response to Caballero stepping out repeatedly during his first two plate appearances until the pitch clock was down to the eight-second requirement to be in the batter’s box and alert.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login