Global Pulse

分类： sports

  • Australian skier Brown, 15, earns historic win

    Australian skier Brown, 15, earns historic win

    In a stunning display of athletic prowess, 15-year-old Australian freeskier Indra Brown has captured her maiden World Cup victory in women’s halfpipe competition at Calgary’s winter sports resort. The teenage sensation delivered an exceptional first-run performance scoring 85.20 points that remained unchallenged throughout the event, cementing her status as a rising star in winter sports.

    Brown’s breakthrough win marks the continuation of an extraordinary debut season that has seen her achieve podium finishes in all three of her initial World Cup appearances. This remarkable consistency matches a competitive benchmark previously established by Swedish athlete Jennie-Lee Burmansson during the 2017-18 season.

    The victory carries additional historical significance as Brown becomes both the youngest Australian ever to claim a World Cup title and the first from her nation to secure three consecutive podium placements in the discipline. Her performance propelled her to the top of the current season standings with 240 points, establishing a 55-point advantage over her closest competitor.

    China’s Zhang Kexin secured second position with 84.20 points, while American skier Svea Irving completed the podium with 83.20 points. Following her triumph, Brown expressed overwhelming excitement about her performance and future prospects in the sport.

    The Australian teen’s spectacular form arrives at a crucial juncture as Olympic team selections approach. With the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics commencing on February 6th, Brown awaits formal confirmation of her place on the Australian team following the final qualifying event in Aspen, Colorado from January 8-10.

  • Head? Stokes? Starc? Pick your team of the Ashes

    Head? Stokes? Starc? Pick your team of the Ashes

    As the 2025-26 Ashes series concludes with Australia retaining the urn and holding a commanding 3-1 lead heading into the fifth Test, BBC Sport has launched an interactive fan engagement initiative. The platform is inviting cricket enthusiasts worldwide to select their ultimate combined team from standout English and Australian performers throughout the historic contest.

    The selection process is structured across four distinct categories, requiring participants to strategically assemble their dream XI. Voters must choose two openers from options including Australia’s Travis Head, who leads with 437 runs at an average of 54.62 including two centuries, and England’s Zak Crawley (272 runs at 30.22). The middle order selection presents compelling choices between veteran excellence and emerging talent, featuring England’s Joe Root (306 runs at 43.71 with one century), Harry Brook (310 runs at 44.28), and all-rounder Ben Stokes (183 runs and 13 wickets at 21.69), alongside Australian mainstays Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne.

    The wicketkeeper position offers a clear statistical contrast between Australia’s Alex Carey, who has amassed 291 runs at 48.50 with 25 dismissals, and England’s Jamie Smith with 139 runs and 13 dismissals. The bowling department showcases exceptional depth with Mitchell Starc’s series-leading 27 wickets at 18.74 average, complemented by supporting pace from Scott Boland (17 wickets) and England’s Josh Tongue (12 wickets at 18.58). The selection also includes injury-affected stars like Pat Cummins and Mark Wood, who had limited participation.

    The finalized fan selections will be revealed across BBC Sport’s digital platforms, featured on The Ashes Debrief program, and discussed in-depth on the Test Match Special podcast as part of the comprehensive series post-analysis.

  • Fireworks guaranteed as Sam Curran, Kieron Pollard eye ILT20 season 4 trophy

    Fireworks guaranteed as Sam Curran, Kieron Pollard eye ILT20 season 4 trophy

    The Dubai International Stadium prepares to host the grand finale of DP World ILT20 Season 4 on Sunday, featuring a championship battle between the Desert Vipers and MI Emirates. This showdown presents a classic narrative of first-time glory versus historic achievement, with the Vipers seeking their maiden title while MI Emirates aim to become the tournament’s first two-time champions.

    Desert Vipers captain Sam Curran emphasized the team’s collective approach during pre-final preparations. “Our focus remains on executing team strategies rather than individual brilliance,” stated the English all-rounder. “Finals bring unique pressure and atmosphere, but these are precisely the moments we train for. We’re prepared mentally and tactically for this challenge.”

    MI Emirates skipper Kieron Pollard, drawing from previous final experience, projected calm confidence. “We’re comfortable embracing the underdog role,” Pollard remarked. “Cricket ultimately simplifies to performance execution on the day. We’ve earned this opportunity through resilience, and now we must maintain composure under pressure.”

    The statistical backdrop reveals remarkably balanced contention. The Vipers boast a slight historical advantage with 29 victories from 46 matches across four seasons, while MI Emirates follow closely with 27 wins. Their most recent encounter saw the Vipers secure a decisive 45-run victory in Qualifier 1, powered by Andries Gous’ spectacular unbeaten 120.

    Desert Vipers dominated the league phase with unprecedented consistency, becoming the first franchise to qualify for playoffs after six consecutive opening victories. They concluded the group stage with a record-breaking eight wins from ten matches, advancing to their second consecutive final.

    Curran has been instrumental in their campaign, contributing 323 runs including two half-centuries and claiming seven wickets. He received substantial support from Max Holden (318 runs) and Emirati bowler Khuzaima Tanveer, whose 15 wickets demonstrate the growing impact of local talent.

    MI Emirates’ journey to the final featured a remarkable mid-season resurgence. After winning only two of their initial five matches, the Season 2 champions mounted a five-match winning streak to secure second position. Their qualification was sealed through a comprehensive seven-wicket victory against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the eliminator.

    The Emirates’ campaign has been highlighted by Muhammad Waseem’s exceptional form, with the UAE international leading both batting (344 runs) and local player rankings. English batsman Tom Banton (320 runs) and bowler Allah Ghazanfar (15 wickets) have provided crucial support throughout the tournament.

    The championship carries significant prestige and financial rewards, with the winners claiming $700,000 and the runners-up receiving $300,000. Individual excellence will be recognized through specialized belts—Green (Best Batter), White (Best Bowler), Red (MVP), and Blue (Best UAE Player)—each accompanied by a $15,000 prize, underscoring the tournament’s commitment to recognizing both team and individual prowess.

  • England wins the toss and batting first in final Ashes test amid heavy security at SCG

    England wins the toss and batting first in final Ashes test amid heavy security at SCG

    SYDNEY — The fifth and decisive Ashes test commenced at Sydney Cricket Ground under unprecedented security measures following recent tragic events in Bondi Beach. England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bat first in what marks Usman Khawaja’s farewell appearance in his 88th and final test match for Australia.

    Both teams implemented strategic changes to their lineups. England introduced pace bowler Matthew Potts as replacement for injured Gus Atkinson, while Australia gave all-rounder Beau Webster his series debut in place of Jhye Richardson. Notably, Webster’s inclusion marks Australia’s first test at SCG without a specialist spinner since the 1887-88 season, a decision captain Steve Smith attributed to current pitch conditions favoring pace over spin.

    The match began with solemn tributes honoring victims and first responders of the recent Bondi Beach attack that claimed 15 lives three weeks prior. The emotional pre-game ceremony featured a guard of honor and collective applause from the capacity crowd.

    Security presence exceeded normal sporting event protocols, with tactical police units, mounted officers, and riot squad personnel deployed throughout the venue. England enters the final test having broken their losing streak with a four-wicket victory in the Boxing Day test, though previous matches saw Australia retain the Ashes within just 11 days of play.

    Lineups:
    Australia: Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (captain), Usman Khawaja, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Beau Webster, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland.
    England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith, Will Jacks, Matthew Potts, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue.

  • Littler masterclass seals back-to-back world titles

    Littler masterclass seals back-to-back world titles

    English darts prodigy Luke Littler has cemented his status as a sporting phenomenon with a spectacular 7-1 triumph over Dutch contender Gian van Veen, claiming his second consecutive PDC World Championship title at Alexandra Palace. The 18-year-old sensation delivered a masterclass performance that places him among the most elite company in professional darts history.

    Littler’s dominant victory makes him only the fourth player ever to achieve consecutive world championships, joining the legendary trio of Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis and Gary Anderson. This remarkable second title in just his third appearance at the prestigious tournament positions Littler behind only Taylor (14 titles) and Michael van Gerwen (3 titles) in the all-time PDC championship rankings.

    The young champion demonstrated extraordinary precision throughout the final match, maintaining an average exceeding 107 for extended periods and finishing with an impressive 106.02 average. His clinical performance left Van Veen, who managed a respectable but insufficient 100 average, struggling to compete. Littler capped his victory with a spectacular 147 checkout before unleashing an emotional roar to the capacity crowd that had supported him throughout the contest.

    Emotions overflowed as Littler secured the £1 million prize and received the Sid Waddell Trophy from Olympic cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy. The teenager’s immediate declaration that ‘we’ve got to keep adding more titles’ signals his ambition to pursue Taylor’s seemingly insurmountable record of 14 championships.

    Van Veen, who will rise to world number three and make his Premier League debut following his final appearance, started strongly with a 116 checkout to claim the opening set. However, Littler’s response was devastating – answering with checkouts of 145, 127 and a spectacular maximum 170 ‘big fish’ checkout that shifted momentum irrevocably in his favor.

    The Dutchman acknowledged Littler’s superiority, stating: ‘Luke wasn’t in the mood to give me any more chances. He played phenomenally. That’s why he’s world number one by a margin now and back-to-back world champion.’ Littler’s tournament statistics further underscore his dominance, with a championship-high 73 maximum 180s, including 16 during the final match.

  • Villa rebound from Arsenal defeat, Wolves claim first win

    Villa rebound from Arsenal defeat, Wolves claim first win

    In a dramatic Saturday of Premier League action, Aston Villa mounted a formidable comeback from their midweek defeat while Wolverhampton Wanderers secured their inaugural victory of the season in a stunning turnaround.

    Aston Villa demonstrated remarkable resilience at Villa Park, overpowering Nottingham Forest with a 3-1 victory that propelled them to second place in the league standings. Captain John McGinn delivered a spectacular brace, showcasing leadership and composure throughout the match. The scoring opened with English striker Ollie Watkins’ powerful strike just before halftime, followed by McGinn’s second-half double that sealed the crucial three points.

    This victory represents a significant recovery for Unai Emery’s squad following their 4-1 defeat against Arsenal earlier in the week. Villa’s impressive home record remains intact, having now secured 11 consecutive victories at Villa Park since August. The team now trails league leaders Arsenal by merely three points while maintaining a narrow advantage over defending champions Manchester City.

    Meanwhile, at Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton Wanderers achieved their breakthrough first win of the campaign with a commanding 3-0 performance against struggling West Ham United. The match saw early dominance from the hosts with Jhon Arias opening the scoring, followed by Hwang Hee-chan’s successful penalty conversion. Teenage sensation Mateus Mane sealed the historic victory with his maiden Premier League goal shortly before halftime.

    This result marks a devastating blow for West Ham, who have failed to secure victory since early November and now find themselves perilously close to the relegation zone. Wolves manager Rob Edwards praised his team’s progressive improvement, characterizing the win as “another step in the right direction” despite the club’s challenging position in the standings.

    Additional Saturday fixtures saw Brighton secure a 2-0 victory against Burnley through goals from Georginio Rutter and Yasin Ayari, further intensifying the Premier League’s mid-table competition.

  • Shreyas Iyer returns for India’s ODI series against New Zealand

    Shreyas Iyer returns for India’s ODI series against New Zealand

    MUMBAI, India — The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unveiled its provisional squad on Saturday for the upcoming one-day international series against New Zealand, marking significant returns and strategic player management decisions ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.

    In a major development, middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer received provisional selection following his recovery from a spleen injury sustained during October’s ODI against Australia in Sydney. His final participation remains contingent upon fitness clearance from BCCI’s medical team, with the potential to return as vice-captain for the three-match contest.

    Captain Shubman Gill makes his anticipated return after missing December’s ODI series against South Africa due to neck spasms suffered during the preceding Test matches. The squad welcomes back star veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, both having recently participated in the domestic Vijay Hazare Trophy to maintain competitive form.

    The selection committee implemented strategic resting policies for key personnel. Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah receives continued rest alongside all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who despite being fit, hasn’t achieved bowling readiness for full ODI quotas. Pandya’s absence creates opportunity for newcomer Nitish Kumar Reddy’s inclusion.

    Notable omissions include Ruturaj Gaikwad, despite his maiden ODI century against South Africa in Visakhapatnam, and Tilak Verma. Wicketkeeping duties will be shared between primary choice Lokesh Rahul—who previously captained against South Africa—and Rishabh Pant as secondary keeper-batter.

    Mohammed Siraj returns to lead the bowling attack after missing the previous series due to workload management protocols. The pace battery features Prasidh Krishna and Arshdeep Singh alongside spin options Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav.

    The white-ball engagement commences with three ODIs in Vadodara (January 11), Rajkot (January 14), and Indore (January 18), followed by a five-match T20 series beginning January 21, serving as crucial preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

  • Joshua returns to Britain after fatal crash in Nigeria

    Joshua returns to Britain after fatal crash in Nigeria

    Former unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has returned to the United Kingdom following a devastating vehicular incident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two key members of his training team. The British boxing icon arrived at London’s Stansted Airport via private aircraft on Friday evening according to reports from The Sun newspaper.

    The tragic collision occurred on Monday along the heavily trafficked Lagos-Ibadan expressway in southwestern Nigeria. Official statements from Nigerian police authorities indicate that the Lexus SUV carrying Joshua and his associates collided with a stationary truck under circumstances still under investigation.

    Nigerian law enforcement has formally charged driver Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, with dangerous driving resulting in fatalities. The accused is scheduled for court proceedings on January 20 to address the charges. While Kayode and Joshua sustained relatively minor injuries in the crash, strength and conditioning coach Sina Ghami and personal trainer Latif Ayodele tragically perished at the accident scene.

    Medical personnel treated Joshua at a local medical facility before his discharge on Wednesday. The boxing champion, who maintains strong familial connections to Nigeria, had been vacationing in the country following his decisive victory over Jake Paul in Miami on December 19. His return to Britain precedes memorial services planned for his deceased colleagues, both of whom had formed integral parts of his professional support network for years.

    The 36-year-old Olympic gold medalist (2012) now faces personal and professional challenges as he processes the loss of close companions while maintaining his elite athletic career trajectory.

  • BCCI instructs Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh’s Mustafizur

    BCCI instructs Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh’s Mustafizur

    The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has directed Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their squad. This unprecedented decision comes amid escalating diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh.

    BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the directive on Saturday, stating franchises may request replacement players subject to board approval. The 30-year-old left-arm pacer, acquired by KKR for a record 92 million Indian rupees in last month’s auction, now becomes the most expensive Bangladeshi player to be released from IPL commitments.

    The sporting decision follows deteriorating bilateral relations triggered by recent incidents. Last month, protests erupted near Bangladesh’s High Commission in New Delhi after Hindu factory worker Dipu Chandra Das was fatally assaulted in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district. The incident occurred amid allegations of derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad, resulting in twelve arrests.

    These developments compound existing diplomatic strains dating to 2024, when former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sought refuge in New Delhi following domestic protests against her administration.

    Mustafizur brings substantial IPL experience, having claimed 65 wickets across 60 matches for five franchises including Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, and Chennai Super Kings. His release occurs just before the nineteenth IPL edition commencing March 26, which follows the Twenty20 World Cup co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka beginning February.

  • MI Emirates claims spot in ILT20 final with 7-wicket win over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders

    MI Emirates claims spot in ILT20 final with 7-wicket win over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders

    Sharjah Cricket Stadium witnessed a commanding performance from MI Emirates as they clinched their place in the DP World ILT20 Season 4 final with a decisive seven-wicket triumph over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders during Friday’s Qualifier 2 encounter.

    The victory sets up a championship showdown against Desert Vipers scheduled for January 4 at Dubai International Stadium, marking MI Emirates’ second final appearance across the tournament’s four-season history.

    After winning the toss, MI Emirates’ bowling unit delivered a masterclass in containment, restricting the Knight Riders to a modest 120/8 from their allotted 20 overs. Young spinner Allah Ghazanfar emerged as the standout performer with impressive figures of 3/24, while Muhammad Rohid contributed significantly with 2/19. Despite the challenging conditions, Alishan Sharafu provided resistance for the Knight Riders with an unbeaten 50 from 40 deliveries, with Alex Hales adding 29 from 36 balls in their 47-run partnership.

    The chase began cautiously as MI Emirates navigated early pressure from Knight Riders’ bowling attack. The early departure of Andre Fletcher (5 off 6) in the second over created initial tension, but English batsman Tom Banton anchored the innings with an unbeaten 62 from 53 deliveries. The match turned decisively when Shakib Al Hasan joined Banton, with the duo assembling a game-changing 82-run partnership from just 53 balls. Shakib’s aggressive 38 from 24 deliveries, including a crucial 17-run over against Liam Livingstone, shifted momentum irreversibly in MI Emirates’ favor.

    Banton reached his half-century in 49 deliveries during the 15th over, effectively sealing the victory with 23 balls remaining. The comprehensive nature of the win underscores MI Emirates’ growing dominance in the tournament’s knockout stages.

    Post-match reflections highlighted the strategic approach that defined the contest. Player of the Match Shakib Al Hasan emphasized the importance of tactical batting: ‘The focus was on batting time and managing overs, especially against the spinners. That was my role today. In pressure games, losing wickets makes it very hard to recover.’

    Knight Riders captain Jason Holder acknowledged the challenging conditions while praising his team’s overall campaign: ‘It was a challenging wicket early on, and we struggled to build momentum. Still, considering where we were midway through the tournament, I thought it was a solid effort overall. The commitment throughout the campaign was excellent.’