New Zealand have eliminated co-hosts Sri Lanka from the T20 World Cup with a commanding 61-run victory that significantly boosts their own chances of reaching the semi-finals.
Black Caps stifle home side
The tourists successfully defended a total of 168-7 by restricting the Sri Lankans to a struggling 107-8 in reply.
It was a disciplined bowling performance from the Black Caps that silenced the home crowd and effectively dismantled the run chase before it could gain momentum.
Defeat ensures the co-hosts exit the tournament at the Super 8s stage after suffering losses in their opening two fixtures of the round.
Semi-final permutations
The result leaves the Kiwis in a strong position to progress, though they face a crucial final group match against England this Friday.
Qualification is not yet mathematically guaranteed, as Pakistan could still overhaul them on net run rate should they secure a heavy win over the now-eliminated Sri Lankans in their final game.
England have already booked their place in the knockout stages following impressive victories against both Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
England scrum-half Alex Mitchell has been ruled out of the remainder of the Six Nations campaign after suffering a hamstring injury during the defeat by Ireland.
The Northampton Saints number nine was forced off in the 24th minute of Saturday’s 42-21 loss at Allianz Stadium.
It serves as a significant blow to head coach Steve Borthwick, who has started Mitchell in the national side’s last 10 championship fixtures.
Replacements and squad updates
Leicester Tigers’ Jack van Poortvliet, who replaced Mitchell off the bench at the weekend, is likely to feature heavily moving forward.
Bath captain Ben Spencer remains in the wider squad, while Sale Sharks’ Raffi Quirke has been called up to provide additional cover.
Mitchell’s absence increases the likelihood of a completely new half-back pairing for the match against Italy on 7 March.
George Ford is currently under pressure from rival Fin Smith following an underwhelming display against the Irish.
Lawrence and Furbank assessments
Elsewhere in the squad, centre Ollie Lawrence will miss a two-day training camp this week due to a knee issue.
However, the medical team remains hopeful the powerful midfielder will recover in time for the trip to Rome.
Full-back George Furbank will return to Northampton to play in Saturday’s Premiership Rugby Cup match against Saracens to gain match fitness.
Should he come through that fixture unscathed, the back is in line for a return to the matchday squad following a difficult run of injuries.
Seeking stability in Rome
England entered the tournament with high expectations after 11 successive victories but have seen their title hopes ended by losses to Scotland and Ireland.
Borthwick’s men now head to the Italian capital attempting to regain stability rather than competing for silverware.
While England have won all 32 previous meetings between the sides, the Azzurri have enjoyed an impressive campaign, including a victory over Scotland.
Beau Greaves has become the first female player to hit a nine-dart finish on the PDC Pro Tour during her match against Mensur Suljovic in Leicester.
The 22-year-old achieved the historic feat at Players Championship 6 on Wednesday afternoon.
She found perfection in the second leg of her contest against the Austrian veteran.
A perfect finish
Greaves started the leg with back-to-back maximums to set up a potential 141 finish.
‘Beau n Arrow’ kept her composure to nail Treble 20, Treble 19 and Double 12.
It marks a significant milestone in the sport as the Doncaster thrower etches her name into the PDC record books.
Strong form in Leicester
Prior to her clash with the former major winner, Greaves had already displayed impressive form at the Mattioli Arena.
She secured a narrow 6-5 victory over Dutchman Chris Landman in the first round.
Greaves continues to assert herself as a dominant force in the sport, breaking new ground on the professional circuit.
Katie Taylor has confirmed she will bring the curtain down on her decorated career after a farewell fight in Dublin this summer.
The undisputed lightweight champion is set to hang up her gloves after one final appearance on home soil later this year.
A legendary career
The Irish sporting icon has enjoyed a trailblazing tenure in the ring, becoming a two-weight undisputed world champion.
She is widely regarded as one of the greatest female boxers of all time, having also secured Olympic gold at London 2012.
The decision marks the end of an era for Irish sport as the Bray fighter prepares to step away from professional competition.
Homecoming farewell
Details regarding the specific opponent or venue for the summer bout have not yet been announced.
However, the event in the Irish capital promises to be an emotional occasion for the 37-year-old.
Taylor most recently fought in Dublin in November, avenging her only professional defeat against Chantelle Cameron.
Zimbabwe have secured their place in the second stage of the 2026 T20 World Cup, marking a triumphant return to cricket’s elite level after decades of political and financial turmoil.
For those of a certain generation, the idea of the Chevrons succeeding on the global stage is entirely plausible.
Reaching the latter stages of a major tournament once seemed an expected achievement for the African nation.
The late 1990s witnessed a golden era featuring Test series victories against giants like India and Pakistan.
At the 1999 World Cup, a side featuring the likes of Andy Flower and Heath Streak finished an admirable fifth in the Super Six stage.
However, the future that once looked so bright was quickly obscured by a long period in the wilderness.
From golden era to collapse
The trajectory of Zimbabwean cricket shifted dramatically following the 2003 World Cup hosted in South Africa.
Flower and Henry Olonga famously wore black armbands to protest the ‘death of democracy’ under former leader Robert Mugabe.
Both men were subsequently forced to flee the country.
A year later, 14 senior players resigned in protest at political interference and selection quotas.
By 2006, mounting off-field struggles and heavy defeats led the board to voluntarily suspend its own Test status.
The national governing body accumulated debts reportedly as high as $27m (£20m), leaving the sport on the brink of total collapse.
Former all-rounder Sean Williams reflected on the organization’s darkest days in an interview with the BBC in 2023.
“There were more office members employed than players. It was a nightmare.”
Sean Williams, Former Zimbabwe all-rounder
“People knew how much money Zimbabwe Cricket was getting paid but nothing was happening,” Williams added.
“It looked like it was dying at that time – if not dead.”
The road to recovery
The nadir arguably came in 2019 when the International Cricket Council (ICC) suspended the board, barring them from global qualifiers.
However, the road back began under the stewardship of chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani.
Finances were tackled aggressively to leave the administration almost debt-free, albeit operating on a shoestring budget.
Staff made huge sacrifices to right a ship that had seemingly hit rock bottom.
Former captain Tatenda Taibu believes the current success at this tournament proves hope was never truly lost.
“Even when things seem to be going southward, there is a certain statement that’s often said in Zimbabwe: ‘I will make a plan’.”
Tatenda Taibu, Former Zimbabwe captain
Taibu insists the resilience of the nation has been key to their sporting revival.
“There have been a lot of ups and downs from the 2000s, but anyone who knows Zimbabweans, you know Zimbabwe will bounce back.”
Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson hope their performances at the Winter Olympics will reignite Great Britain’s passion for figure skating despite missing out on a medal in Italy.
The British duo finished seventh in the ice dance competition at Milano Cortina, having arrived as genuine contenders following their world bronze medal in 2025.
Although mistakes in the free dance cost them a shot at the podium, the pair became crowd favourites with routines featuring the Spice Girls and Scottish anthems.
Inspiring the next generation
Fear and Gibson are determined to ensure their time on the Olympic ice leaves a legacy beyond the final standings.
The ice dance partners want to replicate the impact of previous Games to encourage participation across the UK.
“A huge mission of ours is to get people involved in the sport and we know that the Olympics can do that,” said Fear.
“There is this reignition of the love of ice dance and figure skating in Great Britain that has always been there, it is so exciting. Let’s keep that momentum.”
Focus shifts to World Championships
The pair sat fourth after the rhythm dance but slipped down the rankings, extending the wait for a British Olympic figure skating medal since Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean in 1994.
Attention now turns to next month’s World Championships in Prague where they intend to climb back towards the podium.
“We know we can do it. It was so close, that’s why it is so devastating,” Fear added.
“It was within reach for the first time in our career. Why not aim higher for the next one?”
Entertaining the crowd
Gibson insists their unique style and energy will remain unchanged regardless of the result in Italy.
The skater believes their unconventional path resonates with audiences who enjoy the entertainment factor of their routines.
“We did it our way; choosing music we wanted to dance to, we didn’t have conventional paths to come together,” Gibson explained.
“It is really cool that we were able to do it for us and I think that’s what resonates with people, the enjoyment that we have doing this sport.”
Despite the competitive disappointment, the team embraced the atmosphere of the Games.
“Everything happened in those couple of weeks, from high highs to low lows,” said Fear.
“We had a celebration no matter what at the end and really took in the Olympic experience.”
The case against the driver involved in the fatal car crash that injured Anthony Joshua has been adjourned by a court in Nigeria until March.
Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode appeared at Sagamu Magistrates Court in Ogun state on Wednesday.
The 46-year-old faces multiple charges, including causing death by dangerous driving and driving without a valid licence.
Proceedings have been paused until 13 March after prosecutors requested further time to prepare evidence.
Tragic loss for boxing star
The two-time world heavyweight champion was a passenger when the Lexus SUV collided with a stationary lorry on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
Latif Ayodele, Joshua’s personal trainer, and Sina Ghami, his strength coach, both died at the scene on 29 December.
Joshua, 36, spent two days in hospital receiving treatment for his injuries before being discharged.
Legal proceedings update
Kayode was making his second appearance in court regarding the incident in south-west Nigeria.
He has yet to enter a formal plea to the charges, which also include reckless and negligent driving.
Cyril Linette has resigned as chief executive of the French Alps 2030 Winter Olympics organising committee following a period of internal governance instability.
Organisers confirmed the departure on Wednesday after the decision was formally acknowledged during an executive board meeting last weekend.
The exit follows a reported public dispute between Linette and the committee’s chairman, Edgar Grospiron.
Leadership tensions escalate
Grospiron, a former Olympic freestyle skiing champion, had been involved in an open conflict with the outgoing chief executive.
Organisers stated the resignation reflects a desire for “new momentum through renewed governance” as the project enters a critical stage.
The organisation has been hit by a wave of high-profile departures in recent months.
Chief operating officer Anne Murac and communications director Arthur Richer have also left their posts.
Bertrand Méheut, who oversaw the remuneration committee, is another significant figure to have stepped down.
Logistical challenges ahead
Global attention has shifted to the 2030 event following the conclusion of the Milan-Cortina Winter Games on Sunday.
The French Alps bid faces a demanding schedule to prepare for the spectre of the Games.
A unique geographical split is planned, with snow sports in the mountains and ice events in Nice on the French Riviera.
Cost-cutting measures mean speed skating will likely take place outside France to avoid new construction expenses.
Existing venues such as the Thialf Arena in the Netherlands or Turin’s Oval Lingotto are being considered.
A definitive map of the host sites is expected to be finalised by the end of June.
Despite the administrative upheaval, officials remain outwardly confident regarding the delivery of the Games.
“The stakeholders reaffirm their commitment to the success of the 2030 French Alps Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.”
The committee added that the collective priority remains the “continuation of the work already underway”.