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Lukhan Salakaia-Loto: Northampton Saints lock leaves to return to Australia
Northampton lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has left the Premiership club to return to Australia for family reasons.
The 26-year-old Australia international made 24 appearances in his solitary season at Franklin's Gardens after arriving form Super Rugby side Queensland Reds.
He has been linked with a move to Melbourne Rebels.
"Family always has to come first, so we understand Lukhan's decision," said Northampton boss Phil Dowson.
"He made it clear that, while he has enjoyed every moment of his time as a Saint, his family have not settled so far away from home."
Salakaia-Loto said he is "leaving Saints with a heavy heart" and that he will "always cherish" his spell in English rugby.
He helped Saints finish fourth in the Premiership table and came off the bench in their semi-final defeat by Saracens earlier in the month.
"I believe the club has everything in place to challenge for major silverware in the years ahead, but you have to put your family before everything else, and being on the other side of the world from the rest of our loved ones has been difficult," Salakaia-Loto told the club website.
Israel Folau: Steve Hansen praises RFU decision to raise Pride flag at Twickenham
Steve Hansen has praised the Rugby Football Union's decision to raise the Pride flag above Twickenham on Sunday.
World XV coach Hansen says the stance is a "positive consequence" of his controversial selection of Israel Folau against the Barbarians.
Folau, 34, was sacked by Rugby Australia (RA) in 2019 for making anti-gay social media posts.
"They [the RFU] wouldn't be flying the flag if he [Folau] wasn't [selected]," Hansen told BBC Sport.
"The flag is being brought to the attention of people, and the awareness of why it is there is to support the people that are judged and treated poorly because of who they are.
"They deserve to be loved and cared for as much as anybody else. If we all did that it'd be a happy place, wouldn't it?
"The big lesson there is just treat everyone with kindness and love."
Hansen's World XV meet Eddie Jones' BaaBaas at Twickenham on Sunday, 28 May.
The RFU will raise the rainbow flag before the match as a show of support for the LGBTQ+ community.
Once one of the world's best full-backs, dual-code international Folau was embroiled in a lengthy dispute with his former employers after a "high-level" breach of their code of conduct over the online posts.
His contract with Rugby Australia was ripped up in May 2019, and he has since played rugby league for Catalans Dragons and club rugby union in Japan.
He has switched international allegiance to Tonga and is in line to play at this year's Rugby World Cup.
Hansen, who coached New Zealand to victory at the 2015 World Cup, says he understands why Folau's selection will "hurt" some people, but that he deserves to be involved.
"Israel Folau is a very good rugby player," said Hansen. "He's world class. And I know by picking him that there will be some people hurt -and I get that.
"However, I want those people to understand that Israel's belief and views are not ours. And we don't agree with them.
"But he's a rugby player first and foremost and he's been sanctioned.
"Those sanctions have finished, he's playing rugby, he's probably going to go to the World Cup so my job is to pick the best team I can pick and that's what I've done."
TAMPERE, Finland -- Dylan Samberg scored in overtime as the United States beat Sweden 4-3 Tuesday to finish the group stage with a perfect record at the ice hockey world championship.
Samberg's winner from the slot 1:37 into overtime clinched first place for the United States in Group A, two points in front of Sweden, ahead of Thursday's quarterfinal games.
The Americans led 3-1 in the third period, but Leo Carlsson scored his second goal before Timothy Liljegren equalized with 2:31 left to force overtime.
Nick Bonino and Conor Garland had answered Carlsson's opener with power-play goals, and Lane Hutson stretched the advantage to 3-1 on a breakaway.
In Latvia's capital of Riga, Canada defeated the Czech Republic 3-1 to finish second in Group B.
Peyton Krebs gave Canada an early 1-0 lead, and Tyler Myers scored the go-ahead goal in the third after Martin Kaut tied it in the second. Lawson Crouse finished it off with an empty-net goal.
Canada completed the group with 15 points and will play defending champion Finland, which finished third in Group A.
The Czechs are third with 13 points.
Germany shut out France 5-0 in its final group game to clinch a place in the quarterfinals.
John Peterka had a goal and an assist and goaltender Mathias Niederberger stopped 13 shots for the shutout as Germany finished fourth in Group A with 12 points.
The Germans will next face Group B winner Switzerland.
Slovakia kept its quarterfinal hopes alive by beating Norway 4-1 in Riga. Slovakia is tied for fourth in Group B with co-host Latvia, which takes on Switzerland later Tuesday.
In Group A, co-host Finland plays Denmark.
Power rankings, Charles Schwab Challenge: Scottie Scheffler leads notable field
The fifth and final Texas event of the PGA Tour season will take place this week at Colonial Country Club.
It's the week after a major championship but a strong field is still headed to the Lone Star State. The event is headlined by world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Jordan Spieth, but there are at least a dozen other notable names making the trip.
As an invitational, the field is limited to just 120 players to start the week. The low 65 and ties will still advance through the 36-hole cutline.
Michael Block wouldn't normally fall in the "notable names" bucket but he became a fan favorite at Oak Hill last week and his story is getting shared across the country, not being limited to just golf fans. The PGA club pro, who tied for 15th during a remarkable performance at the PGA Championship, received a sponsor's invite to play Colonial, so we'll see if he can build on that momentum from last week.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Scottie Scheffler
You have to go back to October to find the last finish outside of the top 12 for Scheffler. He regained the world No. 1 title after last week's runner-up finish at Oak Hill. He also posted a runner-up finish at Colonial last year. That really improved his course resume, which previously only featured a T-55 (2020) and a missed cut (2021). He's the clear betting favorite to start the week, and for good reason, when you look at his body of work this season.
Jordan Spieth
He's had to overcome wrist troubles in the last few weeks but played all four rounds at Oak Hill without having to withdraw. He was optimistic after his T-29 finish at the PGA Championship, saying, "I feel good. I feel like I'm going to just trend back upwards in that direction that I was a month ago." Spieth has posted top-15s in nine of 10 starts at Colonial, so he's a top target in all formats, as long as there are no setbacks with the wrist.
Sam Burns
The LSU product was hovering near the bottom of the leaderboard last week at the PGA Championship and he missed the cut in his previous start (Wells Fargo Championship). The bookmakers aren't forecasting a prolonged slump, though, as they have him priced eighth on the odds board. He's the defending champ, so he will have some good vibes as he attempts to snap out of this little lull.
Rickie Fowler
Had his first down week of 2023, missing the cut at Oak Hill. He's been trending toward a big finish all season, so it wouldn't be too surprising to see him bounce back right away. On the flip side, he has just three top-35s in nine tries at Colonial Country Club.
Tony Finau
Colonial is considered a less-than-driver layout by most, but Finau is someone that really takes an aggressive route at this classic course and it's paid off in the past. "I do think it's a golf course you have the opportunity to push it up if you want to, and I was able to take advantage of some of my length," he has said. He's bagged top-35s in all seven trips to Colonial, including a runner-up finish in 2019 and T-4 last year.
RANKING THE FIELD
1. Scottie Scheffler
2. Tony Finau
3. Viktor Hovland
4. Collin Morikawa
5. Jordan Spieth
6. Max Homa
7. Sungjae Im
8. Justin Rose
9. Tommy Fleetwood
10. Rickie Fowler
11. Chris Kirk
12. Sam Burns
13. Denny McCarthy
14. Si Woo Kim
15. Russell Henley
16. Brendon Todd
17. Cam Davis
18. Davis Riley
19. Brian Harman
20. Tom Hoge
PGA Tour Q-School officially headed to TPC Sawgrass, dates set
The PGA Tour announced Tuesday more details for the return of PGA Tour Q-School this December.
Notably, the 72-hole final stage will take place Dec. 14-17 at TPC Sawgrass’ Dye’s Valley Course and nearby Sawgrass Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Golf Channel will also provide eight hours of live television coverage over the final two rounds, with Shane Bacon hosting and James Nitties serving as the main analyst.
As previously announced, the top five finishers and ties at final stage will earn PGA Tour cards for the following season. Now, it’s revealed that the rest of the top 25 and ties will be exempt on the Korn Ferry Tour until the third reshuffle while the remaining top 40 and ties will be subject to the second reshuffle.
Furthermore, medalists and ties at each second stage site will receive KFT status equivalent to finishing among the top 40 and ties, though they can improve their status at final stage.
Still to be decided is how large the final-stage field will be and how that field will be filled. That is expected to be announced as soon as next month.
FICA president Sthalekar: men's calendar 'reaching a point where things may break'
There is the matter of franchise T20 leagues taking over larger chunks of the calendar with each passing year, and also the reports of ongoing informal discussions between IPL franchise owners and international cricketers about long-term contracts.
"The game is changing at a rapid rate. These conversations have been happening for a while behind closed doors [between the ICC, the cricket boards and FICA]. We are getting to a point where things may break," Sthalekar, in Dhaka for a three-day visit at the invitation of the Cricketers' Welfare Association of Bangladesh, said. "I know that the ICC is speaking to the national boards. We are speaking to the ICC as well. We have to wait and see how that happens.
"We all see the benefit of T20 cricket. We understand players have a small window to maximise their earnings. A lot of our players are enjoying playing bilateral cricket, ICC events and the T20 leagues. We understand that the men's calendar is getting quite big. We are urging the ICC and national boards to come together because it is not a solution that can be solved straight away. Certainly, the players would like to play a role in that, to see if there's a way forward for everyone to have their cake and eat it as well."
Sthalekar said that the national boards would want to keep their best players for international cricket, with the FICA trying to make decision-making easier for the players so that they are not forced to choose.
'We represent a big proportion of players that travel around the world. We want to make their decisions easier so that they don't have to choose one or the other"
Lisa Sthalekar
"The challenge is not for FICA; it is the national boards wanting to keep their players to play for the country," Sthalekar said. "Ideally, we want a strong competition internationally where countries want their best players to play against each other. We are seeing a number of leagues come up, which clash with bilateral cricket.
"Men's calendar is getting pretty full. We are working with the ICC. We are happy to work with the national boards. We represent a big proportion of players that travel around the world. We want to make their decisions easier so that they don't have to choose one or the other."
Sthalekar: Women's cricket 'can learn some lessons from the men's calendar'
The same is not the issue, at the moment, with women's cricket where T20 leagues are yet to break into the playing calendar in a big way. Sthalekar would like it to remain that way.
"People have been crying out for the WPL for a long time. It was very successful. The appetite was great. Crowds came in, the broadcast numbers were excellent," she said. "The great thing is that female players can earn a decent living playing the game. When I was playing - I retired ten years ago - I had to have a full-time job [outside the game]. It is no longer the case for a lot of cricketers. Obviously, there's still a long way to go.
"Ideally we would like to see the women's calendar fit in T20 leagues, bilaterals and ICC events so that players don't have to choose one or the other. We can learn some lessons from the men's calendar. We have to nip things in the bud before it gets too big."
Sthalekar's Bangladesh visit will include a meeting with some of the leading women's cricketers, including national captain Nigar Sultana and star quick bowler Jahanara Alam.
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo's Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84
Danni Wyatt leads Southern Vipers charge over South East Stars
Southern Vipers 171 for 4 (Wyatt 40, Bouchier 30) beat South East Stars 169 for 6 (Smith 83, Dunkley 53, Bell 2-25) by six wickets
Opening batter Wyatt plundered five fours and a pair of sixes to put Vipers on track in their pursuit of 170, the highest successful chase in Charlotte Edwards Cup history.
Having been stuck in by Vipers, it was Dunkley that began the first-wicket blitz with a drilled boundary off her first ball but Smith soon took over. The Stars captain was brutal in her ball striking on a belting hard wicket with a quick outfield at the picturesque and friendly Falkland Cricket Club.
The boundary was lined with about 400 spectators including 160 students from local schools - many of which used the net facilities and practised their cricket skills. They cheered on Smith as she rushed to her half-century in 26 balls with her 11th four.
Vipers offered a series of chances: Dunkley was dropped on 35 and 36 while Linsey Smith couldn't hold a Smith skier before thumping back-to-back sixes as 200 looked on the cards.
The only way to part the openers was by their own misadventure, and that came when Alice Monaghan speared in a throw from deep square leg to run out Smith for 83. It ended a 134-run stand and sparked a slowdown which saw only 35 runs added and six wickets fall over the last six overs.
Dunkley reached her maiden Charlotte Edwards Cup half-century, and 11th in T20s, in 42 balls but was soon caught behind giving herself room to cut.
Paige Scholfield spooned to deep square leg before three wickets in the final over - Alice Davidson-Richards and Tash Farrant bowled by Bell and Kira Chathli run out to leave the visitors on 169.
Like the Stars, the Vipers' openers - Bouchier and Wyatt - tonked the ball around in the powerplay. Both had struck maximums before the end of the third over as their fifty stand arrived in 24 balls.
Like Smith, Bouchier was run out in full flow - for an 18-ball 30, but Wyatt kicked into overdrive with an effortless hoick for a second six as the Vipers stormed to 79 for one off the powerplay.
Australian Nicole Faltum was brilliantly caught at cover by Dunkley before Wyatt skewed to backward point for 40 as Stars dragged things back in the middle overs.
Georgias Adams and Elwiss put Vipers in control again with a 48-run stand, but the former was the fourth batter to be run out with 29 runs still needed.
The earlier heavy scoring had meant the rate was roughly a run-a-ball for the death and Elwiss and Dean carefully took their side to victory and condemned Stars to a second defeat in two matches.
Bowlers keep Diamonds' bright start intact with narrow win against Sparks
Northern Diamonds 135 (Dobson 41, Davis 3-13) beat Central Sparks 132 for 7 (E. Jones 30, Tryon 3-30) by three runs
Northern Diamonds maintained their 100 percent start to the 2023 Charlotte Edwards Cup with a three-run victory over Central Sparks at Edgbaston.
With both sides having won their first game, something had to give and it was Diamonds who preserved their perfect record thanks principally to an impressive bowling display.
Only Eve Jones and Arlott passed 25 as tight bowling and a sluggish, used-pitch combined to make run-scoring difficult.
After Sparks chose to bowl, they soon struck a big blow when Lauren Winfield-Hall lifted the seventh ball of the innings, from Arlott, to extra cover.
Dobson and Hollie Armitage responded positively and raised the 50 from 37 balls. Their well-constructed stand stood at 68 from 43 balls when Davis bowled Dobson through an attempted leg-side flick.
That wicket started a big slide as four fell for 19 runs in 23 balls. Davis had Sterre Kalis smartly stumped by Amy Jones, Bess Heath was brilliantly run out by Katie George's direct hit from midwicket and Armitage skied Burns to mid off.
Davis had her third victim when Tryon lofted to deep midwicket and only Fraser kept the innings from complete freefall. Fraser was ninth out when she top-edged a return catch to Burns and the last pair mustered just a single from five balls before Grace Hall was superbly caught by Davina Perrin at point off Arlott.
Diamonds also took an early wicket when Perrin lofted Fraser to mid off and the bowlers applied good pressure as only four fours arrived in the first eight overs. England star Amy Jones was never fluent before she was deceived by a lovely flighted ball from Tryon and bowled off her pads.
Katie Levick cranked up the pressure by conceding just six runs in two overs which also brought the crucial wicket of Eve Jones, caught at midwicket. Burns also fell on the offensive when she was well caught at wide long on by Abi Glen off Tryon.
As the required rate escalated, Sparks, with half their batters out, required 38 from the last 18 balls. Abbey Freeborn struck the first four of those 18 for four to dent Scott's figures but then lifted the fifth ball to point and 13 from the final over, delivered with great composure by Tryon, proved too many.
Sanjay Patel to leave role as Hundred managing director
Sanjay Patel is to leave his position as managing director of the Hundred following the conclusion of this year's competition.
Patel, the man behind the ECB's introduction of 100-ball cricket, was previously chief sales and marketing officer before taking charge of the Hundred when it was unveiled as a concept in 2018.
His departure comes at a time of uncertainty over the future of the competition, with newspaper reports in recent weeks suggesting the ECB could drop the format and refocus its attention on its T20 offering.
"I'd like to thank Sanjay for all his work and dedication at the ECB over many years, and wish him the very best for the future," Richard Gould, the ECB's chief executive officer, said.
"There's no doubt that the Hundred has been a success, helping cricket reach new audiences, bringing in important revenue and propelling the game forwards. It plays an important role in our game and I'm looking forward to a very long and successful future for the Hundred."
The Hundred has been controversial from the start, with the ECB accused of alienating cricket's traditional fanbase in pursuit of new audiences. Its launch was pushed back a year to 2021 by the Covid-19 pandemic, while a recent report by Fanos Hira, Worcestershire's chairman, suggested the competition had made a £9 million loss in its first two seasons.
However, the return of cricket to free-to-air TV, via the BBC, and its role in giving the women's game a higher profile have been credited with creating a more diverse appeal.
Patel said: "I would like to thank Sky, the BBC, and all our commercial partners for their support.
"I would also particularly like to thank my whole team for their hard work and dedication in launching the competition. I will always be grateful for their support and friendship. We have come a long way in a short space of time and it is down to their brilliance.
"I will miss this job and the people immensely but once we've completed the third season of The Hundred I believe the time will be right for me to look for a new adventure."
West Indies batter Devon Thomas suspended for corruption
The charges against 33-year-old Thomas are with regard to his conduct while playing in three franchise-based tournaments: the Lanka Premier League (LPL), the Abu Dhabi T10 and the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
In a media statement on Tuesday, the ICC said Thomas had breached the anti-corruption codes at all three tournaments and its anti-corruption unit had been authorised by all three boards in question - Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket West Indies (CWI) - to conduct the investigation on their behalf. In a media statement, CWI said it would fully support the ACU investigation and that it was resolute about "denouncing corruption" in cricket.
The most serious charge against Thomas - of attempting to fix a match - is from the 2021 edition of the LPL when he played for Kandy Warriors. Incidentally, Thomas played just one game in that edition of the LPL.
Overall, Thomas faced four charges under the SLC anti-corruption code on his conduct in that tournament. The four charges are of "contriving or being party to an agreement to fix or attempt to fix, contrive or influence improperly the result, progress, conduct or other aspects of matches", "failing to disclose […] full details of an approach" to the ACU, "failing or refusing, without compelling justification, to cooperate" in an ACU investigation, and "obstructing or delaying" the investigation by "concealing, tampering with or destroying any documentation or other information".
Thomas also faced a single charge under the ECB code for failing to disclose details of an approach made to indulge in corrupt conduct during the 2021 edition of Abu Dhabi T10, when he was a part of the Pune Devils team.
The remaining two charges are from the last two editions of the CPL when he played for St Kitts & Nevis Patriots and Barbados Royals, respectively. One of the charges concerns, again, failing to disclose an approach. The second charge is about failing to report the "receipt of any gift, payment, hospitality or benefit (a) that he knew or should have known was made in order to procure a breach of the CPL Code, or (b) could have brought the player or the game of cricket into disrepute".
Thomas last played for West Indies in the day-night Adelaide Test against Australia in December 2022, his only appearance in the format. He has also turned out for West Indies in 21 ODIs and 12 T20Is since his international debut in 2009.
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