Category: 6. Sports

Maro Itoje returns to captain a strong British and Irish Lions team named Monday to face the ACT Brumbies, while Finn Russell and Jamison Gibson-Park are restored as the half-back combination.

After two commanding wins to open their Australia tour, the Lions were scrappy in their last game against the NSW Waratahs.

Final tickets still available! Get your tickets for the British & Irish Lions tour here

They got over the line 21-10, but coach Andy Farrell is taking no chances on Wednesday against the Brumbies, who are Australia’s strongest Super Rugby side but will be without a slew of Wallabies.

The Canberra-based side were the only provincial team to beat the tourists on their last tour to Australia in 2013, upsetting Warren Gatland’s side 14-12.

“In 2013 the Brumbies beat the British and Irish Lions in Canberra and this year they were the leading Australian team in Super Rugby,” said Farrell.

“So we are fully aware of the challenge in front of us.”

England’s Itoje, who was immense in their 52-12 thrashing of the Queensland Reds, will once again be partnered by Ireland’s Joe McCarthy in the second row.

The front row boasts England loosehead Ellis Genge and Ireland pair Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong at hooker and tighthead.

Jack Conan gets a chance No.8, with English duo Tom Curry and Ollie Chessum making up the back row.

Ireland’s Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose form a familiar partnership in the centres, with Scotland’s Blair Kinghorn at fullback and England’s Tommy Freeman and Ireland’s James Lowe on the wings.

There was no room in the matchday 23 for Owen Farrell, who was controversially called up last week as injury cover after utility back Elliot Daly was ruled out of the tour with a fractured arm.

British and Irish Lions (15-1): Blair Kinghorn; Tommy Freeman, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park; Jack Conan, Tom Curry, Ollie Chessum; Joe McCarthy, Maro Itoje (capt); Tadhg Furlong, Dan Sheehan, Ellis Genge

Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Will Stuart, Josh van der Flier, Henry Pollock, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith, Mack Hansen

Sri Lanka Squad:

Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamika Karunaratne, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Binura Fernando, and Eshan Malinga.

Series schedule:

July 10 – 1st T20I, Pallekele

July 13 – 2nd T20I, Dambulla

July 16 – 3rd T20I, Colombo

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Sanjog Gupta as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO). A highly respected figure in global media & entertainment and sports ecosystems, Sanjog will assume office on July 7th, 2025, becoming the seventh CEO of the ICC.

Sanjog Gupta currently serves as CEO – Sports & Live Experiences at JioStar and brings with him over two decades of cross-functional experience. Sanjog is a visionary leader with proven expertise in building successful consumer franchises and is widely regarded as one of the architects of the modern sports ecosystem in India.

ICC Chairman, Jay Shah said: “I am pleased to announce that Sanjog Gupta has been appointed as the CEO of the ICC. Sanjog brings extensive experience in sports strategy and commercialisation, which will be invaluable for the ICC.

“His deep understanding of the global sports as well as M&E landscape combined with his continued curiosity about the cricket fan’s perspective and passion for technology will prove essential in our ambition to grow the game in the coming years. Our goal is to move beyond traditional boundaries and establish cricket as a regular sport in the Olympics, growing its expanse across the world and deepening its roots in its core markets.

“We considered several exceptional candidates for this position, but the Nominations Committee unanimously recommended Sanjog. The ICC Board Directors look forward to working closely with him, and I would like to welcome him on behalf of everyone at the ICC.”

Sanjog’s appointment follows a global recruitment process launched by the ICC in March. The role attracted over 2,500 applications from candidates across 25 countries, reflecting the international appeal and significance of the position. Candidates ranged from leaders associated with sport’s governing bodies to senior corporate executives from across sectors.

The ICC’s HR & Remuneration Committee carefully reviewed and shortlisted 12 candidates, whose profiles were then shared with the Nominations Committee comprising ICC Deputy Chair Imran Khwaja, ECB Chair Richard Thompson, SLC President Shammi Silva, and BCCI Honorary Secretary Devajit Saikia. After a rigorous short-listing process, the Nominations Committee unanimously recommended Mr Gupta. This recommendation was subsequently approved by ICC Chairman Mr Jay Shah after further assessment and evaluation, after which it was ratified by the full ICC Board.

Sanjog Gupta, ICC CEO-designate, commented: “It is a privilege to have this opportunity, especially at a time when cricket is poised for unprecedented growth and enjoys the passionate support of almost 2 billion fans worldwide. These are exciting times for the sport as marquee events grow in stature, commercial avenues widen and opportunities such as the women’s game scale in popularity. Cricket’s inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and the rapid acceleration of technology deployment/adoption could act as force-multipliers for the Cricket movement around the world .”

“I look forward to contributing to the next phase of cricket’s evolution, expanding its global footprint, enhancing the fan experience, and working closely with ICC Member Boards to build on our strong foundations.”

Sanjog Gupta has been a driving force behind the transformation of sports broadcasting in India and globally. Sanjog has played a pivotal role in shaping the continued growth of marquee Cricket properties such as ICC events & IPL, establishing domestic sports leagues like PKL and ISL, furthering the popularity of global sporting events such as Premier League and Wimbledon and scaling the business across consumer and commercial objectives.

He began his career as journalist and joined Star India (now JioStar) in 2010. Over the years, he held multiple leadership roles in content, programming and strategy before becoming Head of Sports at Disney & Star India in 2020. Under his stewardship, the Sports portfolio at Star India scaled across consumer and commercial objectives with a strong emphasis on long-term growth and operational efficiency. Notably, he played a crucial role in developing and executing multi-language, digital-first, and women-centric sports coverage.

Sanjog was appointed CEO of JioStar Sports in November 2024 following the merger of Viacom18 and Disney Star, forming a powerful new sports media entity. Known for combining business acumen with creative storytelling, he has consistently delivered innovation-led growth across media and sports ecosystems.

The ICC welcomes Sanjog Gupta as he prepares to lead cricket’s global journey into a transformative future.

All roads lead back home and academy graduate Taylor Hinds is back in an Arsenal shirt once more.

The 26-year-old full-back has officially signed a permanent deal with the club, having spent six years here previously working through the youth ranks.

“I’m just buzzing to be here. Where I am right now, I want to push, I want to compete, and I want to be winning trophies,” said Taylor in her first interview back as a Gunner. “Obviously, the girls just won Champions League. This club – not just the women’s team, but as a whole – you can see what direction they’re going in and that they want to push for more, and I want to push for more.”

As a vice captain at Liverpool, Taylor brings a wealth of WSL and leadership experience to the side.

“It’s really matured me. I think you don’t just think of yourself, you think of others, and I think that’s what really changed me throughout the years. I was grateful for that opportunity, and hopefully, I can bring that here as well.”

With her history at the club, there will be plenty of friendly faces in the dressing room when Taylor returns.

“You make friends in football, you go away and come back, and they’ll be your teammates again! When I was younger, Leah used to bring me into training! And obviously, I grew up with Lotte and Alessia as well, so I’m excited to be back on the team with them.”

To hear more from Taylor in our exclusive interview, click the play button above.

We’re delighted to announce the signing of Jamaica international Taylor Hinds on a permanent deal.

The 26-year-old full-back returns to us for her second spell at Arsenal, following the expiry of her contract with Liverpool.

Taylor’s Arsenal journey began with our academy at the age of 11 in 2010. Over the following seven years, Taylor showed strong progression through our youth ranks, developing into a versatile player capable of playing at both full-back and in midfield.

Taylor’s break into our first team came in the 2017/18 season, making her debut from the bench in our 7-0 League Cup win over London Bees in October 2017. A full debut followed in a 5-2 defeat of Millwall Lionesses in the same competition the following month.

Taylor joined Everton on a permanent transfer in January 2018, making 30 appearances and scoring one goal across two and a half seasons with the Toffees, before crossing Merseyside to join Liverpool in July 2020.

The full-back played an integral role in Liverpool’s Women’s Championship title win in the 2021/22 season, becoming vice-captain in 2023 and helping the team secure a fourth-place WSL finish in 2023/24. In total, Taylor made 131 appearances in five seasons with Liverpool, scoring eight goals.

Now a Jamaica international, Taylor represented England at youth level and represented England at both the U17 and U20 FIFA World Cups in 2016 and 2018 respectively. She received her first call-up to the Jamaica squad in October 2024, making her debut in a friendly against France that month.

“I’m so proud to have signed for Arsenal,” said Taylor. “I want to push, compete and be winning trophies – and this club encompasses all of that both on and off the pitch. You can see what direction Arsenal is going in and everyone at the club wants to win.

“This is a full-circle moment for me and I’m grateful to come back to a place I called home when I was younger. I can’t wait to get started and to step out on the pitch at Emirates Stadium in front of all our incredible supporters.”