Ravichandran Ashwin has become the first former Indian national team player to join Major League Cricket after signing with the San Francisco Unicorns for the upcoming season.

The 39-year-old will feature in the third edition of the American T20 tournament, which concludes with the final at the Oakland Coliseum on 18 July.

His arrival represents a significant milestone for the growing sport in the United States ahead of cricket’s return to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics after a 128-year absence.

‘Very exciting’ potential for American cricket

The veteran off-spinner recently participated in an exhibition match in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, an experience that convinced him to make the historic switch.

“Just looking at the reception that the Asian diaspora was able to bring for that game just showed me what the potential of American cricket could very well be,” Ashwin told ESPN.

The World Cup winner arrives in North America as one of the most decorated bowlers in the history of the international game.

He currently sits eighth in the all-time list for Test match wickets and played a crucial role in securing his country’s second global 50-over title in 2011.

A major coup for the expanding franchise league

The US-based competition has previously attracted high-profile international stars including South Africa’s Faf du Plessis, West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard and New Zealand pace bowler Trent Boult.

However, securing a legendary figure from the subcontinent marks a genuine breakthrough moment for the six-team franchise system.

“This will be the first time he’s played in a major global franchise competition outside of India,” said MLC chief executive Johnny Grave.
“For us to be the first league to attract a player of this calibre is a testament to how the league’s developed since it was launched back in 2023.”

Capitalising on a booming US audience

The accomplished bowler was previously slated to join Australia’s Big Bash League but was forced to withdraw following a knee injury that required surgery.

He now steps into a market that recently co-hosted the 2024 T20 World Cup to record-breaking domestic crowds.

India’s dramatic group stage victory over Pakistan attracted 34,028 fans to a temporary stadium in New York, setting a new US attendance record for the sport.

American franchise executives hope the enormous social media reach of their newest signing will help further expand that rapidly growing international fanbase.

Gary Woodland holds a three-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Houston Open as Nicolai Hojgaard chases him down in a bid to secure qualification for The Masters.

The American shot a superb seven-under-par 63 to reach 13 under ahead of the weekend at Memorial Park.

Hojgaard sits tied for second alongside Jackson Suber after matching the round of the day with an eight-under 62.

Hojgaard focuses on Augusta return

The 25-year-old Dane must remain inside the top 50 of the world rankings after this week’s tournament to receive an invitation to Augusta National.

He is currently ranked 47th globally and strengthened his position with a stellar Friday round featuring an eagle and seven birdies.

Four of those birdies came in consecutive holes to close out his round, leaving the former Ryder Cup star in prime position.

“It’s so easy to say The Masters is not on my mind and good golf will take care of it,” said Hojgaard.
“It’s on my mind 100 per cent, we all want to be there.”

The lightning-fast start in Texas is a welcome boost for the European, who missed the cut on his Masters debut last year.

Woodland feeding off crowd support

Tournament leader Woodland is also playing for a prestigious spot at the first major of the year, which he will secure if he claims the title in Houston.

The 41-year-old is pursuing his first victory on the PGA Tour since winning the US Open at Pebble Beach in 2019.

His resurgence comes after undergoing brain surgery in 2023, following which he has spoken openly about battling post-traumatic stress disorder.

“This as much as any week, I feel like I’ve had a lot of support,” Woodland told reporters.
“The fans have been amazing. I kind of need that energy to help me through the day, that definitely helps.”

Injury heartbreak for Coody

Elsewhere, Pierceson Coody faces an anxious wait to see if he will qualify for Augusta after withdrawing from the event with a back injury.

The grandson of 1971 Masters champion Charles Coody is projected to fall right on the cut-off mark in 50th place.

Meanwhile, world number 56 Michael Thorbjornsen remains firmly in contention for a Masters spot after moving to eight under par.

Former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya faces a crucial test for his career survival when he takes on rising American contender Joe Pyfer at UFC Seattle this weekend.

The 36-year-old enters the octagon on a concerning three-fight losing streak.

A defeat in Washington state could genuinely spell the end of the Nigerian-born New Zealander’s illustrious tenure in the promotion.

He last competed in February, suffering a devastating technical knockout defeat at the hands of Nassourdine Imavov.

A dangerous rising star

Standing across the cage is an opponent operating at the opposite end of his career trajectory.

The 29-year-old boasts an impressive 6-1 record since joining the Ultimate Fighting Championship and is currently riding a three-fight winning streak.

The powerful American has built a fearsome reputation, securing 13 of his 15 professional victories via stoppage.

That recent run included a notable decision victory over former title challenger Kelvin Gastelum.

The former kickboxing king must rely on his trademark slick movement to avoid joining that stoppage list.

Schedule and broadcast details

The preliminary bouts are scheduled to begin at 21:00 GMT on Saturday evening.

Fans in the UK can watch the main card action unfold from midnight on Sunday via TNT Sports.

US audiences will be able to stream the entire event live on Paramount+.

Main Card Line-up

The scheduled main card for the Seattle event features several high-profile match-ups alongside the headline attraction.

England captain Ben Stokes will miss the first month of the county cricket season as he continues his recovery from a broken cheekbone sustained during a training accident.

The 32-year-old suffered severe facial injuries, including cuts and bruising, after being struck by a ball in the nets at Chester-le-Street last month.

Although the all-rounder declared his subsequent surgery a success, the required rehabilitation period has forced a delay to his scheduled return to domestic action.

Delayed comeback for the national skipper

The influential left-hander has not featured competitively since the final match of a bruising 4-1 Ashes defeat to Australia in January.

He had originally intended to make his comeback for Durham against Kent in the opening round of the County Championship next week.

Medical specialists have instead ruled him out of the first four matches of the English summer.

A return is now pencilled in for May, where he is expected to face Worcestershire and Kent in preparation for the upcoming New Zealand Test series.

Cheekbone impact prevented catastrophic injury

Durham head coach Ryan Campbell revealed the training strike from academy prospect Robbie Bowman was incredibly powerful and could have caused permanent damage.

“The initial whack was bad and if it hits him in the eye, it could have been horrific.”

Ryan Campbell

The Australian coach noted that his star player’s cheekbone successfully absorbed the impact, caving in to protect the rest of his face.

Campbell admitted the traumatic incident has understandably left the veteran cricketer slightly flinching at high-speed deliveries during recent net sessions.

Ashes disappointment driving recovery

When the talismanic leader eventually returns to the crease, Durham expect him to use the disappointing winter campaign in Australia as powerful motivation.

“He has a lot to prove and you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know the Ashes didn’t go so well.”

Ryan Campbell

The coach described the national captain as a deeply proud competitor who is utterly determined to ensure England remain a dominant force in world cricket.

“He is going to train his arse off and is going to come back as the best all-rounder in the world that we know he can be,” Campbell concluded.

Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto has announced her retirement after winning a fourth women’s individual title at the World Figure Skating Championships in Prague.

The 25-year-old triumphed with a personal best score of 238.38 to sign off from the sport in spectacular fashion.

Her dominant victory makes her the first woman to secure four individual world titles since American great Michelle Kwan achieved her fifth in 2003.

A perfect farewell on the ice

There are no regrets at all. I can say goodbye with this performance. I gave it all I have.

Kaori Sakamoto

The newly crowned world champion arrived in the Czech Republic having won an Olympic silver medal just last month.

She capitalised brilliantly on the absence of Olympic gold medallist Alysa Liu, who opted not to compete at the season-ending event.

Podium finishes and American struggles

Compatriot Mone Chiba, who narrowly missed out on a medal with a fourth-place finish at the Winter Games, took silver with a score of 228.47.

Belgium’s Nina Pinzarrone completed the podium by claiming the bronze medal after recording a final score of 215.20.

It was a difficult session for American contender Amber Glenn, who slipped dramatically from third to sixth place during the free skate.

British duo chasing ice dance medals

In the separate ice dance event, Great Britain’s Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson sit in third place following the rhythm dance.

The British pair scored 85.09 to stay firmly in contention for a podium finish ahead of Saturday’s decisive free dance.

Olympic champions Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron currently lead the discipline’s standings on 92.74 points.

The leaders hold a commanding advantage over Canada’s Olympic bronze medallists Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, who sit second with 86.45.

Golf legend Tiger Woods was involved in a rollover car crash near his Jupiter Island home in Florida on Friday, with police currently investigating the incident.

Police investigation underway

The Martin County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the afternoon collision but has not yet released any details regarding the cause of the accident or the condition of the 15-time major champion.

Emergency services responded to the scene just after 14:00 local time in the same coastal town where the golfing icon resides.

Law enforcement officials are currently conducting a thorough investigation, and a county sheriff is scheduled to provide a public briefing at 17:00 ET.

Return to competitive golf interrupted

This latest incident comes as the American sports star was actively working towards resuming his professional career following multiple physical setbacks.

The former world number one ruptured an Achilles tendon in March 2025 before undergoing further back surgery in October.

He recently made his first competitive appearance in over a year during Tuesday’s TGL finals.

During that indoor team event, his Jupiter Links GC franchise suffered a defeat against the Los Angeles Golf Club.

History of serious vehicular accidents

Tragically, the celebrated athlete is no stranger to severe road traffic collisions.

In February 2021, the legendary player suffered significant leg injuries in a devastating one-car crash in Southern California.

That previous vehicle rolled several times, leaving him trapped inside before emergency responders could safely extract him.

He subsequently required extensive emergency operations to treat open fractures to his lower right leg, alongside the insertion of a rod into his tibia and multiple pins in his foot and ankle.

The lingering effects of that severe trauma necessitated at least one additional surgical procedure in April 2023.

Legendary long jumper Mary Rand, the first British woman to win Olympic gold in track and field, has died in California at the age of 86.

Great Britain’s original “golden girl” made sporting history at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics by topping the podium with a world-record leap of 6.76m.

The Somerset-born athlete secured a remarkable three medals during those Games, adding pentathlon silver and 4x100m relay bronze to her historic gold.

This phenomenal single-Games haul by a British female competitor remained unmatched for six decades until cyclist Emma Finucane replicated the feat at Paris 2024.

A trailblazing career and lasting legacy

Born in Wells in February 1940, the versatile track star spent her final years living in the United States alongside her husband John Reese.

Following her triumphant performances in Japan, she was voted the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 1964 and subsequently awarded an MBE.

The decorated jumper also claimed Commonwealth Games gold in Kingston in 1966, upgrading the silver medal she won eight years prior in Cardiff.

Her consistent international success additionally included two bronze medals secured at the 1962 European Championships.

Tributes paid to an unmatched talent

A severe Achilles tendon injury ultimately forced the former world record holder to retire from competitive sport shortly before the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.

UK Athletics released a statement expressing deep sadness at the passing of the highly revered European and Commonwealth champion.

Ann Packer, who shared a room with her team-mate while winning her own gold medal in Tokyo, described her as the most gifted athlete she had ever seen.

“She was as good as athletes get, there has never been anything like her since, and I don’t believe there ever will.”

Ann Packer

The £23m Dubai World Cup meeting will proceed as planned at Meydan this Saturday, despite regional missile threats and recent heavy storms disrupting preparations.

The prestigious racing fixture in the United Arab Emirates continues a business-as-usual approach even as neighbouring conflicts escalate.

Local authorities state air defence systems have intercepted more than 2,200 missiles and drones since the onset of the current regional war.

Extreme weather has also hampered the buildup, with 58mm of overnight rain forcing the closure of the training track on Friday.

Global equine stars gather for lucrative prizes

Despite these geopolitical and meteorological challenges, the event has successfully attracted 101 runners from 16 different nations.

Three of the four highest-rated thoroughbreds on the planet will compete during the 30th running of the spectacular showcase.

Japanese sensation Forever Young enters the £9m marquee race as the overwhelming favourite to claim the ultimate prize.

Victory for the international globetrotter would remarkably push his career earnings past the £28m mark.

Ombudsman and Calandagan renew rivalries

British hopes rest largely on Ombudsman, who represents Sheikh Mohammed’s formidable Godolphin operation in the Dubai Turf.

The highly-rated raider returns to action 161 days after suffering defeat to Calandagan in the Champion Stakes at Ascot.

Trainer John Gosden previously secured three victories in this specific contest with stable star Lord North.

“This has been the plan since last October. He had a little away day at Chelmsford and we are happy with him,” Gosden said.

Calandagan himself will contest the Sheema Classic later in the evening to launch his seasonal campaign.

The French-trained gelding enjoyed a magnificent Group One-winning spree last year, culminating in a famous Japan Cup triumph.

Mullins sends Breeders’ Cup hero to Middle East

Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard remains unconcerned by the softened turf conditions awaiting his star performer.

“There has been a lot of rain and I don’t think that will bother Calandagan, though I don’t expect it will become really deep ground like we have in Europe,” Graffard noted.

Willie Mullins also brings high-profile representation with surprise Breeders’ Cup Turf victor Ethical Diamond.

“It’s the start of a long year for him but we’ve tried to get him as fit as we can,” the legendary Irish handler explained.

The elite field is completed by Giavellotto, making a fourth career appearance at the desert venue for Marco Botti.