Alyssa Healy has bowed out of international cricket with a resounding 10-wicket victory as Australia thrashed India inside three days at the Waca.
The 35-year-old captain was chaired off the field by her team-mates after openers Phoebe Litchfield and Georgia Voll chased down a target of 25 in under five overs.
This comprehensive win in the day-night Test ensured the hosts claimed the multi-format series 12-4.
It marks the end of a golden era for the wicketkeeper-batter, who finishes her 299-match international career with 7,333 runs and 276 dismissals across all formats.
Healy’s glittering career ends on a high
Healy leaves the game as one of Australia’s most decorated players.
Her trophy cabinet includes two 50-over World Cups and six T20 World Cup titles.
The retiring skipper famously struck 170 against England in the 2022 World Cup final, which remains the highest individual score in the tournament’s history.
Her leadership record is equally impressive, having guided the side to a historic 16-0 Ashes whitewash in 2025.
Although Beth Mooney took the gloves for this specific match, Healy remained central to the action until the very end.
India crumble on day three
India resumed play in Perth on 105-6 but offered little resistance against the pink ball during the first hour.
The tourists lost their final four wickets for just 44 runs to be bowled out for 149.
Spinner Ash Gardner broke a frustrated 50-run stand to bowl Sneh Rana for 30.
Fittingly, Healy claimed a catch to dismiss Kashvee Gautam for a duck off the bowling of Alana King.
Opener Pratika Rawal, who top-scored with a defiant 63, was the last wicket to fall after being caught by Annabel Sutherland off Gardner.
The defeat brings a halt to India’s nine-match winning streak in red-ball cricket.
It is their first loss in the longest format since a defeat against the same opponents in Adelaide in February 2006.
New Zealand bowler Brett Randell has become the first player in the 254-year history of first-class cricket to take five wickets in five consecutive deliveries.
The 30-year-old seamer achieved the unprecedented feat while playing for Central Stags against Northern Districts in the Plunket Shield.
Randell’s devastating spell occurred across two overs on the second day of the match.
He claimed his first victim with the final delivery of his second over before removing four batters with the first four balls of his third.
‘A pinch-me moment’
The right-arm medium pacer’s onslaught caused Northern Districts to collapse spectacularly from 4-0 to 9-5.
“I’m pretty blown away,” said Randell following the day’s play.
“The high was pretty crazy, it was like a pinch-me moment.”
Despite the chaos unfolding around the batters, Randell focused on maintaining his discipline.
“I was trying to stay level-headed and keep putting the ball in the same area and then after the actual hat-trick, just the same things – trying to put the ball in the same area,” he explained.
An unprecedented spell
At the height of the drama, the Central Stags bowler sat on remarkable figures of 5-2.
He continued to press the advantage, taking a wicket with the first ball of his next over to record six wickets in just eight deliveries.
Randell eventually finished the innings with figures of 7-25.
“It gets drummed into us a lot that we don’t want to go searching for wickets, so I was trying to just keep bowling the same ball, and our ‘Plan A’ that we’d talked about, and it came off,” Randell added.
“I had no idea that it was the first time it had happened in the world, it’s seriously cool.”
“I mean, I don’t really have any words at the moment, to be honest. I’ll take it.”
Rare company
While Randell stands alone in the first-class record books, similar milestones have recently been reached in limited-overs formats.
Ireland international Curtis Campher became the first male player to achieve the feat in a professional match during a domestic T20 game in July 2025.
Additionally, Zimbabwe Women’s all-rounder Kelis Ndhlovu took five wickets in five balls during a domestic under-19 T20 fixture in 2024.
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell believes a collective sense of ownership within his squad is driving their bid for a Triple Crown against Scotland on Saturday.
The Men in Green have recovered from an opening-round defeat by France to secure three consecutive victories in the Six Nations.
A hard-fought 27-17 bonus-point win over Wales has set up a tantalising finale at the Aviva Stadium this weekend.
Farrell has utilised 33 players throughout the championship, a testament to the depth currently available to the Irish management team.
“You’ve got to find out about people but these [caps] are not freebies – we’ve given starts and the chances out to people who deserve it,” said Farrell.
“It just shows that the whole of the squad is hungry to be part of it, and grow the squad.”
“It’s nice to feel that the whole squad thinks it’s their team and that they’re all trying to contribute to us pushing forward.”
Backing up big performances
The head coach was particularly impressed by those who maintained high standards following the emphatic victory over England at Twickenham.
Farrell highlighted the contribution of Ulster winger Robert Baloucoune, who retained his place after shining in London.
“For people to back up good performances at this level that haven’t had that much exposure, that’s pretty impressive,” he added.
“We’re probably talking about Robert Baloucoune. To have a performance like he did in the last game and then to back it up this week is what you want.”
There was also praise for Jack Conan, who returned to the starting XV after missing the England clash through illness.
“I thought Jack Conan, he’d have been a bit peeved off, so to get his start he showed up really well.”
The impact of the replacements, including Josh van der Flier and Joe McCarthy, was also noted as crucial to the team’s consistency.
Refining the exit strategy
Despite the positive results, the coaching staff have identified the exit strategy as a key area requiring attention before the Scottish test.
Farrell admitted the team struggled to clear their lines effectively under pressure against the Welsh.
“I thought we didn’t exit quite as well as we did in the past,” Farrell admitted.
“They obviously pressured Jamison [Gibson-Park] quite a bit and got some rewards from that.”
The hosts were guilty of overplaying inside their own territory rather than establishing field position.
“Sometimes you have to respect what the opposition are doing well, and they were defending pretty well,” said the 48-year-old.
“A bit of territory is what we needed to take the pressure off I would have thought.”
Farrell insists the players will take the lead in the video review sessions to correct these tactical oversights before Saturday’s kick-off.
“We’ll obviously review it and talk about it, but they will come up with it themselves,” he concluded.
Italy have claimed a historic first victory over England at the 33rd attempt, triumphing 23-18 in a raucous Six Nations encounter at the Stadio Olimpico.
Prior to Saturday’s clash, this fixture was widely considered the most predictable in the championship.
The Azzurri had lost every one of their previous 32 meetings with the Red Rose across all competitions.
However, that miserable run finally ended as the hosts capitalised on second-half yellow cards for Sam Underhill and Maro Itoje to seal an emotional win.
Menoncello inspires famous upset
Steve Borthwick’s side arrived in the Italian capital under immense pressure following back-to-back defeats.
This increased the home side’s belief that a historic upset was possible against the struggling visitors.
Tommaso Menoncello was instrumental in the result, carving straight through England’s defence for a first-half score.
The centre later powered his way up the wing to set up Leonardo Marin for the vital late try.
Paolo Garbisi added the extras, kicking three penalties to ensure the hosts grabbed hold of the game when it was on the line.
‘Writing Italian history’
Scenes at the final whistle were jubilant, with several players jumping into each others’ arms.
Others fell to the floor, overcome with the enormity of the result.
“At the start of the game, there was a lot of tension, but I am really proud of the boys,” captain Michele Lamaro told BBC Sport.
“It is amazing to keep writing Italian history. It’s something we are proud of.”
“We are doing this to inspire Italian people to come and play for this team.”
Quesada completes the set
The victory means Italy have now defeated all five of their Six Nations rivals since entering the competition in 2000.
It marks a significant turnaround under head coach Gonzalo Quesada, whose appointment in 2024 has sparked a revival.
The Argentine has overseen a transformation from a side that collected a record 18th Wooden Spoon in 2023 to one capable of beating the tournament powerhouses.
Investment in the under-20 pathway and domestic franchises is now reaping dividends on the international stage.
While the Azzurri struggled with expectations last year, recent performances against Ireland and France suggested a breakthrough was imminent.
Rory McIlroy has withdrawn from the Arnold Palmer Invitational prior to the third round, marking only the second mid-tournament exit of his PGA Tour career.
The four-time major winner was sitting in a share of ninth place on four under par when the decision was announced on Saturday.
McIlroy had been seen briefly hitting balls on the driving range at Bay Hill but opted not to tee off for his scheduled round.
Concerns ahead of Players Championship
No official reason has yet been provided regarding a potential injury for the Northern Irishman.
The timing of the withdrawal raises concerns as he is scheduled to defend his Players Championship title at TPC Sawgrass next week.
This abrupt exit comes after the 36-year-old had looked in strong form, signing for rounds of 72 and 68 over the first two days.
A rare occurrence
Walking away mid-competition is a distinct rarity for the Ryder Cup star.
His only previous withdrawal during a PGA Tour event occurred more than a decade ago at the 2013 Cognizant Classic at the Palm Beaches.
Before leaving Bay Hill, the defending Players champion had carded five birdies during a promising display in Friday’s second round.
Olympic champion Alysa Liu has withdrawn from the upcoming World Figure Skating Championships in Prague following her historic success at the Milan Cortina Games.
The 20-year-old recently became the first American woman to win Olympic gold since Sarah Hughes in 2002.
Sarah Everhardt has been called up to replace Liu on the United States team after first alternate Bradie Tennell declined the invitation.
A golden return to the ice
Liu’s withdrawal comes at the end of a remarkable comeback season for the skater.
Having retired after the Beijing 2022 Games, she returned to the sport to win the world title in Boston last year.
The American star cemented her legacy in Italy last month by claiming two gold medals, helping the US defend its Olympic team title alongside her individual triumph.
Liu would have competed alongside team-mates Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito when the event begins on 24 March at the O2 Arena.
Post-Olympic exodus
It is not uncommon for Olympic medallists to skip the World Championships immediately following the Winter Games.
Many elite skaters choose to begin their off-season early to recover from the physical and mental exertion of the Olympic cycle.
Liu is not the only high-profile name to pull out of the competition in the Czech Republic.
Japanese Olympic pairs champions Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara have also confirmed their withdrawal.
Loena Hendrickx of Belgium, who finished 14th in Milan following an injury-plagued season, will also be absent from the women’s event.
England flanker Tom Curry has been ruled out of the Six Nations clash against Italy after suffering a significant injury during the pre-match warm-up.
The back-row forward required support from two medics to help him down the tunnel at the Stadio Olimpico.
Curry appeared to sustain a leg issue while preparing to start on the openside flank in Rome.
Underhill promoted to start
Sam Underhill has been moved from the bench into the starting XV as a direct replacement.
Chandler Cunningham-South joins the matchday squad to fill the vacancy among the substitutes.
Head coach Steve Borthwick has maintained his strategy of keeping six forwards on the bench for the encounter.
Late disruption
The withdrawal serves as a major blow to England following successive defeats against Scotland and Ireland.
Borthwick had already made an unprecedented nine personnel changes to his starting side, with Underhill’s late inclusion marking a tenth alteration.
Despite the disruption, England hold a formidable record having never lost to Italy in 32 previous meetings.
Tadej Pogacar has secured a record-breaking fourth victory at Strade Bianche after launching a stunning solo attack with 78km remaining in Tuscany.
The world champion produced a dominant performance to open his 2026 season, distancing his rivals on the Monte Sante Marie gravel sector.
It marks a third consecutive win at the Italian classic for the Slovenian, who moves clear of Fabian Cancellara’s previous record of three titles.
A history-making solo break
Pogacar, sporting a new bleach-blonde hairstyle, repeated his tactics from 2024 by attacking from distance.
French teenager Paul Seixas was the only rider capable of initially following the surge, briefly clawing his way back to the 27-year-old’s wheel.
However, the UAE Team Emirates leader accelerated again to drop the 19-year-old and ride clear for a comfortable victory.
Unlike last year’s bloodied battle following a crash, this was a serene procession for the cycling superstar.
He had time to bow theatrically to the crowd in Siena’s Piazza del Campo before punching the air in delight.
‘Young bullets’ impress
Seixas held on to finish second, one minute behind the winner, dropping Pogacar’s teammate Isaac del Toro on the steep Via Santa Caterina climb.
Del Toro, the runner-up at last year’s Giro d’Italia, finished nine seconds further back to complete the podium.
It was a tactical masterclass from UAE Team Emirates-XRG, who placed three riders in the top six.
“Chapeau to the teammates today, everybody did an incredible job,” said Pogacar.
“Also the young bullets, Jan [Christen] and Isaac, what a job for them. It was an honour to ride with such a team today and to deliver the win, so I’m super happy.”
On the moment he broke away, Pogacar added: “I saw that [Seixas] was chasing really hard on the steepest part of the climb on Sainte Marie, but I said to myself I would go all out to the top and then see if he can bridge.
“Either he will come to my wheel or he will explode. In the end I saw it’s enough.”
Pidcock’s mechanical frustration
Tom Pidcock, the 2023 winner, endured a difficult day plagued by mechanical issues.
The British rider dropped his chain just as the decisive move was made on the Monte Sante Marie, preventing him from following the leaders.
Despite fighting back into the chasing group, the Ineos Grenadiers rider faded on the final climb to finish seventh, more than two minutes adrift.