England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt will miss Trent Rockets' initial two Hundred matches against Birmingham Phoenix and London Spirit due to workload management and a calf injury sustained in April. This injury previously caused her to miss England series and play as a specialist batter in the T20 World Cup.
Birmingham Phoenix were bowled out for a mere 64 runs by Trent Rockets in The Hundred women's competition at Edgbaston, marking one of the lowest totals in the tournament's history. Trent Rockets chased the target comfortably in just 31 balls, winning by nine wickets, with Sophia Dunkley leading the charge with 43* off 17 balls.
The Hundred cricket tournament, now in its fifth year, navigates a manufactured identity and increasing influence from IPL owners. Teams like Manchester Super Giants adopt existing branding, while private equity investment raises questions about the tournament's long-term goals and alignment with English cricket's interests, despite its success in attracting families and mainstream attention.
London Spirit's men's and women's teams suffered opening defeats at Lord's in The Hundred, continuing a trend of poor starts despite new personnel. Liam Livingstone's 69 for the men and a low-scoring women's match were overshadowed by Manchester Super Giants' victories, alongside an unexpected Tinie Tempah performance.
Manchester Super Giants defeated London Spirit by seven runs in The Hundred at Lord's. Tim Seifert's 67 for Super Giants set a target of 139, which London Spirit failed to chase despite captain Liam Livingstone's 69 off 40 balls, falling short at 131-6.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is reportedly considering investing in Liverpool FC, potentially joining other interested parties like Amit Bhatia, who recently departed the QPR board. The speculation highlights the ongoing trend of ultra-wealthy individuals and state-backed entities investing in major football clubs.
The Hundred cricket tournament began its sixth edition on July 21, 2026, in England, featuring new ownership by Indian conglomerates and a significant £520 million investment. The league aims to attract families with affordable pricing and double-header matches, with MI London winning the men's opener.
A Chinese food delivery rider won a top literary award, signaling a resurgence of worker-authored literature. This new wave, distinct from Maoist-era writing, details exploitation and despair, resonating with readers both inside and outside China, despite Communist Party censorship.
Southern Brave secured an eight-run victory against Welsh Fire in The Hundred women's competition at Utilita Bowl, Southampton. Fire, chasing 127, dramatically collapsed from 109-3 after Georgia Voll's dismissal, losing five wickets for just six runs.
Welsh Fire, led by captain Phil Salt's unbeaten 47 runs, secured a six-wicket victory against Southern Brave in Southampton, marking a winning start to their 2026 Hundred season. Fire successfully chased 136 runs with two balls to spare.
England cricket legend Alastair Cook has reignited the debate over Jacob Bethell's IPL participation, asserting international cricket should take precedence over franchise leagues. His comments resurfaced after Bethell's knee injury ruled him out of The Hundred, raising doubts for England's Test series against Pakistan.
John Newman performed at The Hundred cricket match, contrasting his past chart-topping success with a subdued reception from the crowd. The event also featured exciting cricket, including Nicholas Pooran and Sam Curran's record partnership for MI London, and a women's game victory for SunRisers Leeds.
A federal judge ruled Donald Trump must disclose detailed financial information from his businesses as part of his $10bn defamation lawsuit against the BBC. The ruling, which could reveal his family trust's finances, also allows the BBC to subpoena Trump's inner circle.
England all-rounder Jacob Bethell has been ruled out of The Hundred 2026 due to a right knee injury sustained during the ODI series against India. Birmingham Phoenix, who had retained Bethell and appointed him captain, announced Donovan Ferreira will take over the captaincy for the upcoming season.
Sunrisers Leeds secured a dominant seven-wicket victory over MI London at The Oval, opening the new era of The Hundred women's competition. Phoebe Litchfield top-scored with 43 runs, but the win was marred by an injury to bowler Kate Cross, who will undergo a scan.
JioStar acquired exclusive TV and digital rights for The Hundred 2026 cricket tournament in India, covering all 68 men's and women's matches. This strengthens JioStar's international cricket portfolio, with several Indian women's team players also featuring in the competition.
The 2026 Hundred cricket competition introduces significant changes, including new team ownerships, rebranded names and kits for several teams, and a player auction featuring high-value signings like Harry Brook (£460k) and Sophie Devine (£210k). The season begins July 21.
England's cricket management faces challenges after a poor Test season and Ben Stokes' retirement, despite white-ball victories against India. The team lacks a Test coach and captain, with Harry Brook and Joe Root considered options, raising questions about a split-coach approach.
Andrea Bajani's award-winning novel, The Anniversary, explores a son's 20-year struggle with an oppressive father and passive mother, culminating in a complete break. The book, lauded for challenging family loyalty taboos, uses a fragmented narrative to give voice to the silenced mother, though its therapeutic framing is critiqued.
The latest IUCN Red List reveals many species, including deep-sea molluscs and the desert rain frog, are threatened by human activities like deep-sea mining and diamond mining. Conservation efforts have helped the numbat rebound, but five Australian marsupials are now extinct.
Tammy Beaumont has announced her retirement from international cricket, with her final match being the historic first Test at Lord's against India. The decision comes after being omitted from the T20 World Cup squad and reflects a desire to move on from the international stage.
Pakistan women's cricket captain Fatima Sana has received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the PCB to play for Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred. She will miss the T20I series against Sri Lanka but remain available for ODIs, marking a career milestone as the first Pakistani woman to earn a contract in the tournament.
Wimbledon maintains its strict policy against showing football matches on its grounds, even during major tournaments, leading to staff and attendees discreetly following England's Euro 2024 game. This tradition highlights the championship's unique stance amidst national sporting obsessions.
Chinese fans support global stars at the World Cup amidst their nation's absence. US-India tensions threaten the Quad's critical mineral goals. Japan and South Korea's elites currently oppose nuclear weapons, but a policy shift in one could alter the other's stance.
