The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is where Scott Boland truly feels at home.
Out of his 40 Test wickets so far, the most memorable debut came at this very ground. Boland's first impression was so strong that it remains the most lasting one to date -- blowing away England with figures of 6 for 7 in the second innings during his debut, buoyed by his loyal supporters.
Now, as another Boxing Day Test approaches at the 'G', Boland is ready to step in once again for Josh Hazlewood, continuing the role of the perfect first substitute that has defined his 11-Test career.
And just like a true workhorse, his practice sessions are as regimented as they come. On Monday, during Australia's first session ahead of the fourth Test, Boland's focus was clear.
Known for hitting hard lengths, Boland practiced single-net spot bowling without any batters. His aim was to fine-tune the length ideal for the MCG track.
Boland is not a conventional swing bowler and relies more on pace and movement off the 

Scott Boland, Australia cricket team

As another Boxing Day Test approaches at the 'G', Boland is ready to step in once again for Josh Hazlewood, continuing the role of the perfect first substitute that has defined his 11-Test career.

In 2024, Indian women's cricket saw Royal Challengers Bangalore take home the Women's Premier League trophy, and Richa Ghosh's T20I milestone, but faced disappointment with a T20 World Cup exit

India women's cricket team, Harmanpreet Kaur

England captain Ben Stokes has been ruled out of cricket for at least three months because of a torn left hamstring.
Stokes will undergo surgery on the hamstring next month, the England and Wales Cricket Board said in a statement on Monday.
He was injured a week ago during the third test loss to New Zealand in Hamilton.
The 33-year-old allrounder had already been left out of England's squad announced on Sunday for the Champions Trophy in February and March in Pakistan.
Hamstring issues previously forced Stokes to miss the home summer series against Sri Lanka and the first test in Pakistan in October.

Ben Stokes

Stokes will undergo surgery on the hamstring next month, the England and Wales Cricket Board said in a statement on Monday.

Kotian, currently playing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in Hyderabad, is expected to fly out to Australia on Tuesday

Tanush Kotian

Tanush Kotian, currently playing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in Hyderabad, is expected to fly out to Australia on Tuesday

Former India cricketer Vinod Kambli has been admitted to a hospital here due to deterioration in his health.
The 52-year-old was brought to the hospital by one of his fans who also owns the hospital in Bhiwandi's Kalher area in Thane district and his condition is said to be stable, even though the exact reasons for his hospitalisation could not be ascertained.
Kambli was admitted to the hospital on Saturday.
Kambli, who played 17 Tests and 104 ODIs for India between 1993-2000, had recently attended the inauguration of legendary coach Ramakant Achrekar's memorial at the Shivaji Park here.
The former India cricketer, who has been struggling with health-related issues for quite some time, appeared frail in the function which was also attended by his long-time friend Sachin Tendulkar.

Vinod Kambli

The 52-year-old was brought to the hospital by one of his fans who also owns the hospital in Bhiwandi's Kalher area in Thane district and his condition is said to be stable

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka is expected to be out for many weeks with a hamstring injury, manager Mikel Arteta said Monday.
Saka limped off during the first half of Arsenal's 5-1 win at Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday and was pictured leaving the stadium on crutches after the match.
It is not looking good. He will be out for many weeks, Arteta told a news conference ahead of Thursday's home game against Ipswich. I cannot be too specific because I don't know, but it will be many weeks.
Arsenal is third in the Premier League heading into the busy Christmas schedule, with a home game against Manchester United in the FA Cup and the League Cup semifinals against Newcastle also on the horizon in January.
Making matters worse for Arsenal is that fellow right winger Raheem Sterling will also be out for weeks with a knee injury, Arteta said.
(Sterling) needs some further testing tomorrow to understand the extent of the injury, Arteta said. It's his knee and we have to wait 

Bukayo Saka

Saka limped off during the first half of Arsenal's 5-1 win at Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday and was pictured leaving the stadium on crutches after the match.

Dabang Delhi KC secured the second semi-final spot in Pro Kabaddi league with a commanding 41-35 victory over Gujarat Giants here on Monday.
Delhi, the season 8 champions, extended their unbeaten streak to 15 matches, a record for any team in PKL history.
Ashu Malik was the standout performer once again, leading the charge with 14 points, including his 18th Super 10 of the season.
Gujarat Giants drew first blood through Rakesh's toe touch, building an early 4-2 advantage. They maintained pressure and executed an ALL OUT on Dabang Delhi, extending their lead to 10-5 by the 8-minute mark.
However, Dabang Delhi mounted a strong comeback in the latter stages of the half. The turning point came through Ashu Malik's Super Raid, where he scored four crucial points.
Despite Gujarat's unsuccessful review challenging a boundary line decision, Delhi's momentum continued to build.
Ashu Malik proved particularly effective, securing multiple points through running hand touches and kicks. The .

PKL, Kabaddi, Jaipur Pink Panthers, Dabang Delhi

Delhi, the season 8 champions, extended their unbeaten streak to 15 matches, a record for any team in PKL history.

The world soccer players' union disagreed with FIFA's temporary changes to transfer rules on Monday following the landmark Lassana Diarra judgement.
Former France international Diarra challenged FIFA 's rules due to a dispute with a club dating to 2014, and the European Court of Justice ruled in October that some rules were contrary to European Union law because they restricted freedom of movement and were anti-competitive.
FIFA then opened a global dialogue and on Monday published interim amendments which take effect in time for the January transfer window. They strike a balanced compromise, FIFA said in a statement.
But global players' union FIFPRO was against the changes, and accused FIFA of failing to reach consensus.
Following Lassana Diarra's successful challenge against the legality of Article 17 of the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, FIFPRO informed FIFA of the conditions under which it could negotiate the amendments to the regulations to reflect the

football

Former France international Diarra challenged FIFA 's rules due to a dispute with a club dating to 2014.

Dabang Delhi will aim for a top-two finish when they take on Gujarat Giants on Monday in their last league game

PKL 2024 December 23 matches

Both Liron and Aditya Patnaik completed a grand double on a day which witnessed a dramatic sequence of events

Momentum Motorsports was pleased to take home the team championship with 63 points to its kitty.

Not many sports are inseparably linked with an individual, but Mirabai Chanu has been that one name in Indian weightlifting for several years now and 2024 was no different as she carried the weight of the nation's aspirations for Olympic glory once again.
However, this time those dreams ended in heartbreak not just for her but also for the sport that has struggled to find a worthy successor to her.
Chanu, who etched her name in history by ending India's 21-year Olympic medal drought in the sport with a silver at the Tokyo Games, embarked on a quest this year to achieve an extraordinary feat -- a second consecutive Olympic medal in weightlifting.
While no other Indian lifter came close to qualifying for the Paris Games, Chanu secured her spot with an underwhelming 184kg (81kg + 103kg) at the Phuket World Cup, while making a remarkable return from a six-month injury layoff.
Her journey to Paris was fraught with challenges.
At 29, Chanu faced an uphill battle against an injury-ravage

Mirabai Chanu, Mirabai, Chanu

At 29, Chanu faced an uphill battle against an injury-ravaged body, sub-optimal preparation, and an intensely competitive field

Olympiad gold-winning Indian chess player Tania Sachdev on Monday lamented the "lack of recognition" from the government of Delhi, prompting chief minister Atishi to reach out to her for "thoughts and suggestions" on the matter.
The 38-year-old Arjuna Awardee, who is based in the national capital, said the Delhi government is yet to acknowledge her achievements.
"Having played for India since 2008, it's disheartening to see a lack of recognition from the Delhi government for achievements in chess. States that support and celebrate their champions, directly inspire excellence and motivate talent. Sadly, Delhi has yet to take this step," she posted on her 'X' account.
"In 2022 Chess Olympiad I came back with a historic team bronze and an individual medal. Two years later 2024, the historic Chess Olympic gold, and till date there has been no acknowledgment or recognition by the state govt," she said.
She tagged Atishi and her ruling Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal, urging them

Atishi marlena, Atishi, Delhi CM

The 38-year-old Arjuna Awardee, who is based in the national capital, said the Delhi government is yet to acknowledge her achievements

Two-time Grand Slam winning doubles player Max Purcell has entered a voluntary provisional suspension under tennis' anti-doping rules.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency announced the sanction in a statement on Monday after the 26-year-old Australian admitted to violating Article 2.2 of the Tennis Anti-Doping Program relating to the use of a Prohibited Method.
The ITIA said the suspension came into effect on 12 Dec., and time served under provisional suspension will be credited against any future sanction. The length of time of the voluntary suspension was not specified by the ITIA.
During the provisional suspension, Purcell is prohibited from playing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis event authorized or sanctioned by the members of the ITIA (ATP, ITF, WTA, Tennis Australia, Fdration Franaise de Tennis, Wimbledon and USTA) or any national association," the ITIA statement read.
Purcell, with compatriot Jordan Thompson, won the U.S. Open in September and won Wimbledon w

US Open

The International Tennis Integrity Agency announced the sanction in a statement on Monday after the 26-year-old Australian admitted to violating Article 2.2 of the Tennis Anti-Doping Program

Kylian Mbapp added to his scoring streak with a superb strike in Real Madrid's 4-2 win over Sevilla in the Spanish league to finish the year on a positive note after hitting what he called "rock bottom in early December.
Mbapp sent a right-footed shot into the upper corner 10 minutes into the match for his fourth goal in as many games with Madrid in all competitions. It was Mbapp's sixth goal in his last eight matches with Madrid.
He struggled early on with his new club, and Mbapp said his lowest point came when he missed a penalty kick in the team's 2-1 league loss at Athletic Bilbao on Dec. 4.
I know I have a lot more to give, Mbapp said Sunday. The last few games I've played better, I took a lot of positives from the Bilbao game, when I hit rock bottom.
The France star said that made him realize "I have to give my all for this jersey and play with personality.
Mbapp said he feels his period of adjustment with the club is finally over.
I think we now know each other better," he

Mbappe and Vinicius

He struggled early on with his new club, and Mbapp said his lowest point came when he missed a penalty kick in the team's 2-1 league loss at Athletic Bilbao on Dec. 4.

NorthEast United FC came from two goals behind to secure a 5-2 victory against Hyderabad FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) here on Monday.
Hyderabad FC, who had conceded six goals post the 60th minute mark this season prior to this match, added three more to that tally as NorthEast United FC struck thrice in the final 30-odd minutes.
Hyderabad FC pressed on the offensive from the beginning, as Edmilson Correia took the onus with a solo effort in the fifth minute. He dazzled into the box from the left flank and beat challenges from Dinesh Singh and Asheer Akhtar with some quick footwork to drill the ball into the bottom left corner to get an early lead.
Seven minutes later, Cy Goddard controlled the ball impeccably in a pocket of space down the middle outside of the 18-yard box. He played a pass for Sourav K on the right flank and his perfectly weighted cross was met on the bounce by Correia before he dispatched it into the bottom right corner to notch his brace.
While the home si

NorthEast United FC came from two goals behind to secure a 5-2 victory against Hyderabad FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) here on Monday.

Liverpool heads into Christmas with a four-point lead, a game in hand and as the overwhelming title favorite in the Premier League on the back of a wild 6-3 win at Tottenham.
As for Manchester United and its new manager Ruben Amorim, they stumble into the festive period in 13th place  as low as they've been at Christmas since the 1989-90 season  and with a familiar sinking feeling.
United lost 3-0 at home to Bournemouth for the second straight season, the latest statistic to show just how far this English giant has fallen and the job Amorim has to turn around its fortunes.
Worse for United, it seems like great rival Liverpool cannot be stopped.
Make that 21 games in all competitions without defeat after the Reds' biggest league win of the season, with Mohamed Salah netting two of the goals to move above Manchester City's Erling Haaland to the top of the scoring charts.
Liverpool has 39 points from 16 games and stretched its lead over second-place Chelsea, which could only draw 0-0

Liverpool

As for United and its new manager Ruben Amorim, they stumble into the festive period in 13th place as low as they've been at Christmas since the 1989-90 season and with a familiar sinking feeling.

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone ran down the touchline in joy while Barcelona players sunk to the turf in dismay.
Super sub Alexander Srloth struck again deep in stoppage time to hand Atletico a 2-1 comeback win at Barcelona and ensure Atletico will spend La Liga's short winter break on top of the table.
Atletico's 12th straight win in all competitions lifted it three points above Barcelona.
Barcelona has only two wins in its last nine games and could find itself third on Sunday if Real Madrid beats Sevilla.
Simeone, coaching Atletico since 2011, celebrated winning at Barcelona for the first time.
We finally did it," Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak said. We are playing well, we started poorly but we knew our chances would come. And in the last minute Srloth came through. Thanks to him we finally won here. He is the striker we needed.
It was a much more impressive performance from Barcelona, which dominated for long periods and took a deserved lead in the 30th minute.
Pedri sta

FC Barcelona

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone ran down the touchline in joy while Barcelona players sunk to the turf in dismay.

Center back John Stones sustained a fresh injury setback in Manchester City's 2-1 loss to Aston Villa in the Premier League.
The England player was substituted at halftime after his first start in a month due to a foot issue. That injury flared up again, City manager Pep Guardiola said.
Guardiola has cited injuries as a factor in the four-time defending champion's alarming slump, which has seen it lose nine of its last 12 games in all competitions.
It was confirmed on Friday that Ruben Dias will be out for up to four weeks because of a muscle injury.
We have just one central defender fit, that is difficult, Guardiola said on Saturday.

Manchester City

The England player was substituted at halftime after his first start in a month due to a foot issue. That injury flared up again, City manager Pep Guardiola said.

BCCI, through a press release on Monday, confirmed that Shami will not join Team India in Australia

Mohammed Shami

Katich said that going for boundaries against Bumrah will lead to losing early wickets for Australia

Jasprit Bumrah celebrating after taking wicket at Perth. (Photo: PTI)

Coming off one of their biggest wins in terms of runs, fancied India will look to guard against complacency when they take on a beleaguered West Indies side with an aim to bag the three-match series in the second Women's ODI here on Tuesday.
India will be entering the game on the back of a massive 211-run victory over the visitors in the series opener in which the Harmanpreet Kaur-led team ticked almost all the boxes.
Every match the teams play in the coming months will be significant as the ICC World Cup is scheduled to be held in the country next year.
India, who have never won a women's World Cup, are desperate to end their ICC title drought at home and they are aware that a strong build-up is extremely important for them to head into the mega event as one of the contenders alongside the 'usual suspects', Australia and England.
Though India have not begun their preparations for the big tournament in earnest, having suffered a 0-3 whitewash in Australia, they bounced back in styl

India will be entering the game on the back of a massive 211-run victory over the visitors in the series opener in which the Harmanpreet Kaur-led team ticked almost all the boxes

Donald also gave his take on having India's Dinesh Karthik as part of the SA20 in season three, hailing it as a masterstroke by SA20 management

Allan Donald

With an investment of Rs 850 crore in energy and e-mobility, Lauritz Knudsen strengthens its role in India's sustainable growth, says Deepak Sharma, MD & CEO of Schneider Electric India

Deepak Sharma, Zone President, Greater India, MD & CEO of Schneider Electric India with Mahela Jayawardene, Head Coach, Mumbai Indians.

Global transportation company Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) has signed a multi-year agreement to become the principal sponsor and official logistics partner for the IPL team Chennai Super Kings, the company said.
Besides the IPL Team in India, the company would also be the principal sponsor for the professional Twenty20 cricket team Johannesburg Super Kings in South Africa, FedEx Airline, said Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer (International) Richard Smith.
The association with the Super Kings further strengthens FedEx's ties to high-profile sports, blending the excitement of cricket with the company's hallmark values of trust and reliability, the statement issued on Friday added.
"Sports transcend borders, uniting communities through passion, resilience, and shared experiences. Cricket is the heart and soul of India, a strategic market for FedEx, and this collaboration reflects our dedication to energising the growth and prosperity of businesses and people .

Chennai Super Kings

Besides the IPL Team in India, the company would also be the principal sponsor for the professional Twenty20 cricket team Johannesburg Super Kings in South Africa

As the team's principal partner, Lauritz Knudsen's logo will feature prominently on the front of the MI's official jersey and training gear starting in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season.

Mahela Jayawardene, Head Coach, Mumbai Indians along with Lauritz Knudsen leadership unveils the logo that will feature on Mumbai Indians jersey

Veteran Indian seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood have expressed their excitement at returning to Royal Challengers Bengaluru ahead of the next edition of IPL.
Both players were picked by RCB at the mega auction last month in Riyadh.
Bhuvneshwar, who began his IPL journey with RCB in 2009, is looking forward to shoulder the team's bowling responsibilities for the first time since he started playing in the league.
"Really happy to be part of RCB, it's where I started in 2009. I want to thank RCB management for considering me and a big shout out to the RCB fans for showing so much love. Looking forward to a great season," said Bhuvneshwar in a release.
For Hazlewood, his previous stint with RCB was during the COVID pandemic, when matches were not played in Bangalore.
Despite this, he left a lasting impression, taking 23 wickets in 15 games at an economy of 8.26.
Reflecting on his return, Hazlewood said, "We've got the best fans in the competition, every ga

Bhuvneshwar Kumar leaves the field after getting his hamstring pulled. Photo: Reuters

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar, who began his IPL journey with RCB in 2009, is looking forward to shoulder the team's bowling responsibilities for the first time since he started playing in the league

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