England Test captain Ben Stokes has been medically cleared to return to competitive cricket following a severe facial injury sustained in February.
The 34-year-old suffered a broken right cheekbone after being struck by a ball while coaching Durham academy players.
He subsequently underwent surgery to repair the extensive damage and has now confirmed his impending comeback.
Targeting domestic return before international duties
Taking to social media, the all-rounder announced that specialists had finally approved his return to action.
“Doc gave the all clear. Eyes good. See ya soon,”
Stokes posted on Instagram.
The influential skipper is now targeting two County Championship fixtures for Durham next month to build vital match fitness.
These domestic appearances will serve as crucial preparation ahead of a demanding international summer.
A narrow escape from serious tragedy
The initial training ground incident sparked significant concern regarding the player’s long-term health and vision.
Speaking earlier this month, the World Cup winner admitted the freak accident could have been fatal.
“I copped one straight in the face,” he explained in an interview with the England and Wales Cricket Board.
“Pretty nasty but, funnily, probably the best result of a bad situation, to be honest.”
“Just a couple of inches one way or the other, I might not be here doing this interview, if I didn’t turn my head round.”
Lord’s Test match on the horizon
England’s red-ball leader is now firmly on track to captain his country in the first Test against New Zealand.
The opening match of the highly anticipated summer series is scheduled to begin at Lord’s on June 4.
His commanding presence will provide a major psychological boost to the national side as they look to assert dominance on home soil.
Streaming giant Disney+ has secured the rights to broadcast live men’s Champions League football for the first time across multiple international markets for the 2027-31 cycle.
The platform emerged as the preferred bidder in several regions following a highly competitive tender process conducted by European football’s governing body.
The Walt Disney Company’s subscription service will show Europe’s elite club competition in Brazil, Mexico, Central America and South America.
They have also secured the lucrative broadcasting rights in the European markets of Denmark and Sweden.
Shift towards streaming platforms
This agreement highlights a continuing shift away from traditional television broadcasters towards digital-first media organisations.
It follows a November announcement confirming that Paramount+ had successfully acquired the 2027-31 rights for both the United Kingdom and Germany.
UEFA noted that the evolution of their broadcasting model is being heavily driven by the global growth of these digital services.
The total value of the governing body’s television rights is expected to exceed €5bn (£4.3bn) annually once all current tender processes conclude.
Expanding sports portfolio
The entertainment conglomerate is already building a substantial portfolio of live sporting events across the continent.
It currently holds the European broadcasting rights to the Women’s Champions League until 2030.
The network also shows the Europa League, Conference League and various domestic cup competitions across Scandinavia.
Karl Holmes, general manager of Disney+ EMEA, welcomed the historic agreement.
“UEFA club football brings some of the most exciting nights in sport – the midweek games, the knockout ties, the energy around the biggest fixtures – moments that stay with you long after the final whistle.”
“We’re particularly proud to bring our customers in Sweden the UEFA Champions League men’s and women’s competitions.”
Duke University has agreed a groundbreaking broadcasting and retail partnership with Amazon that will see three marquee men’s basketball games streamed exclusively on Prime Video starting in the 2026-27 season.
The historic agreement marks the retail giant’s first foray into broadcasting live collegiate sports.
Beginning next year, the streaming service will hold exclusive rights to three neutral-site non-conference fixtures per campaign.
The initial slate of high-profile matchups features clashes against UConn in Las Vegas, reigning champions Michigan at Madison Square Garden, and Gonzaga in Detroit.
A new era for collegiate broadcasting
This innovative enterprise partnership includes extensive Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities for student-athletes.
In an era where universities face intense financial pressure to compensate players, the collaboration offers the Blue Devils a significant new revenue stream.
Players will be permitted to actively promote the televised fixtures, while a broader retail partnership is expected to be unveiled soon.
The Seattle-based corporation has steadily expanded its live sports portfolio, already holding exclusive rights to the NFL’s Thursday Night Football alongside a recently acquired NBA package.
Balancing existing television commitments
The five-time NCAA champions collaborated closely with the Atlantic Coast Conference and ESPN to facilitate this unique scheduling arrangement.
In exchange for participating in these standalone streaming events, the university has committed to featuring in select ESPN-owned showcases during the 2027-28 and 2028-29 campaigns.
Nina King, the university’s athletic director, praised the initiative as a major step forward for the global reach of the programme.
“As Prime Video’s first college sports partner, this collaboration not only expands the global reach of Duke Men’s Basketball, but also creates meaningful opportunities for our student-athletes in a way that reflects innovation and excellence.”
Continuing a tradition of demanding schedules
Under head coach Jon Scheyer, the North Carolina-based programme has consistently assembled one of the most challenging non-conference fixture lists in the nation.
Last season, the team tested themselves against elite opposition including Florida, Michigan State, Arkansas, and Kansas outside of their standard conference obligations.
Only one of those premium non-conference encounters took place at their storied Cameron Indoor Stadium home.
Industry experts believe this unprecedented streaming agreement could serve as a catalyst for other tech giants to aggressively pursue collegiate broadcast rights.
Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha has returned to group training ahead of Sunday’s crucial Premier League encounter against Liverpool at Old Trafford.
The Brazilian attacker was sidelined for the recent 2-1 victory over Brentford after sustaining a minor hip flexor issue.
That setback temporarily halted an impressive run of form for the player, who netted the decisive goal during his previous appearance against Chelsea.
Head coach Michael Carrick had consistently expressed optimism that the ailment would not result in a prolonged absence.
“(Cunha) just had a bit of a sore hip flexor after the Chelsea game the other day,” Carrick explained to reporters.
“He was looking promising during the week, so we thought he might have been OK, but he just didn’t quite recover quick enough.”
Selection dilemmas for Carrick
The dynamic number 10 participated fully in Thursday’s session, raising hopes of an immediate recall to the starting lineup.
If he regains his place, attacking counterparts Bryan Mbeumo or Amad Diallo could find themselves relegated to the bench following Benjamin Sesko’s goalscoring contribution on Monday.
The manager is scheduled to announce his final team selection on Sunday afternoon shortly before the highly anticipated kick-off.
Champions League qualification beckons
A victory this weekend would see the Red Devils secure a prestigious league double over their fiercest historical rivals.
They previously triumphed 2-1 in the reverse fixture at Anfield, where a late Harry Maguire header sealed a dramatic three points after Cody Gakpo had equalised.
Depending on results elsewhere involving Brighton and Bournemouth, defeating the Merseyside outfit will mathematically confirm a top-five finish and a return to Europe’s elite competition.
Fulham manager Marco Silva has confirmed that three players, including Ryan Sessegnon, will miss Saturday’s Premier League trip to title-chasing Arsenal due to injury.
The Cottagers make the short journey across the capital hoping to bolster their European qualification ambitions.
A surprise victory at the Emirates Stadium could seriously dent the championship hopes of Mikel Arteta’s side.
Sessegnon faces spell on the sidelines
Sessegnon recently secured all three points for his team by scoring the winning goal against Aston Villa.
However, the 25-year-old winger has now been ruled out of the upcoming London derby alongside teammate Kevin and former Gunners midfielder Alex Iwobi.
The wide player is also expected to sit out the club’s penultimate home fixture of the season against Bournemouth on May 9.
“It’s not good news about him,” Silva told reporters on Thursday.
“Sessegnon is going to be out of the next game, and probably the one after will be the same story for him, and then we will have to assess him day by day.”
“Alex is out still, plus Kevin.”
European push meets title race
The west London outfit currently sit tenth in the table on 48 points, remaining firmly in the hunt for a Europa League qualification spot.
A highly competitive midfield battle currently sees just four points separating sixth-placed Brighton from Sunderland in 12th.
Despite the offensive absentees, the Portuguese head coach did deliver some positive news regarding his defensive options.
Tete edges closer to return
Dutch full-back Kenny Tete is available for selection once again after missing the last four domestic fixtures.
The defender has been sidelined since a goalless stalemate against Nottingham Forest on March 15.
While the returning right-back will not be rushed into the starting lineup in north London, he remains in contention to make the matchday squad.
“Kenny, we will have to see how he reacts from the last two sessions,” Silva explained.
“He can probably be involved in the game.”
The coaching staff will conduct late fitness tests on a few remaining squad members to determine the final travelling party.
“We have some doubts on some players, but we will assess them tomorrow to see how they react from things that happened in the week,” the manager concluded.
The World Anti-Doping Agency has imposed more than 300 sanctions on Russian athletes following a comprehensive investigation into the country’s state-orchestrated doping programme.
The global watchdog announced that its ‘Operation LIMS’ inquiry resulted in 302 penalties across 291 competitors, with 11 individuals committing multiple violations.
President Witold Banka described the exhaustive review of Moscow laboratory data as the most successful anti-doping investigation ever conducted.
“An incredible 302 sanctions have now been imposed in the wake of Russia’s institutionalised doping scheme.”
Weightlifting and athletics heavily implicated
The sweeping punishments have been distributed across 22 different sports, demonstrating the vast scale of the illicit practices within the eastern European nation.
Weightlifting recorded the highest number of infractions with 107 cases.
Track and field disciplines followed closely behind, accounting for a further 93 separate rule violations.
A total of 23 separate regulatory bodies were involved in administering the punishments, while four additional cases still await final judgement.
Controversial reinstatement vindicated
The Russian Anti-Doping Agency was initially declared non-compliant nine years ago after evidence of widespread cheating first emerged.
A highly scrutinised decision to conditionally reinstate the national authority in 2018 ultimately provided international investigators with access to 24 terabytes of crucial database files.
Banka staunchly defended that divisive move, arguing it was an essential strategic step required to uncover the full truth behind the scandal.
“Without that decision, we would never have been able to obtain the critical evidence from the Moscow Laboratory needed to prosecute these cases.”
Officials have now confirmed the complete conclusion of the landmark probe, closing a definitive chapter that has fundamentally reshaped the integrity of international sport.
Lindsey Vonn is considering retirement from competitive skiing after a devastating Winter Olympics crash left her needing eight surgeries to save her leg.
The 41-year-old suffered a complex left tibia fracture during the women’s downhill race in Cortina on 8 February.
The severity of the incident nearly necessitated an amputation, and she still faces at least one further operation to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
‘Not emotionally ready’ to decide future
A return to the slopes would take at least 18 months of intensive rehabilitation, placing immense doubt over her career.
“I just don’t want to jump to any conclusions or even speculate on what I might do.”
Speaking to the Associated Press, the three-time Olympic medallist admitted that walking away from the sport remains a distinct possibility.
“I may retire. I may never race again and that would be completely fine, but I’m not in a position emotionally to make that decision at this point.”
A comeback cut brutally short
The American icon had recently ended a six-year absence from alpine skiing, primarily to compete on the renowned Italian course ahead of the Milan Cortina Games.
Prior to the accident, the 2010 downhill gold winner had been enjoying a stellar comeback season, leading the World Cup downhill standings and never finishing outside the top four.
However, her race in Cortina lasted just 13 seconds before a terrifying fall shocked the watching crowds and abruptly halted her resurgence.
Enduring unprecedented pain
Despite a heavily documented history of overcoming major physical setbacks, including a titanium implant in her right knee, the legendary speed specialist says this trauma is fundamentally different.
The eight operations required for this single fracture are just one shy of the total procedures she had undergone throughout her entire career previously.
“It’s a much different injury in that way, again, like the severity of the injury and understanding that I could have lost my leg and how bad things were.”
While she continues to progress in her rehabilitation from a wheelchair to crutches, the recovery timeline remains arduous and frustrating.
Former England and Chelsea captain Millie Bright has retired from professional football at the age of 32, concluding a decorated career heavily impacted by severe online abuse and long-term injuries.
The defender confirmed her decision shortly after departing Stamford Bridge, where she amassed an incredible 294 appearances.
She has now returned to her family’s farm in Sheffield to focus on her personal wellbeing following a grueling two-year period.
Toll of injuries and online abuse
The highly decorated centre-back revealed that physical and mental exhaustion ultimately forced her to step away from the sport.
A withdrawal from the upcoming 2025 European Championship squad triggered a wave of unwarranted criticism that deeply affected the Yorkshire-born star.
“The mental side of things for me, personally… life’s been very difficult, and the amount of abuse I have dealt with has been too much to handle,” she told BBC Sport.
Rather than facing another gruelling pre-season rehabilitation period, the veteran opted for peace away from the pitch.
She had already undergone two knee surgeries and had not featured for her club since February due to a persistent ankle problem.
A transformative legacy in women’s football
The defensive stalwart bridged two distinct eras of the women’s game, beginning her journey with Doncaster Belles in front of modest crowds.
Her eventual transfer to London yielded immense success, resulting in eight Women’s Super League titles, six FA Cups, and four League Cups.
On the international stage, the towering defender was instrumental in securing the historic Euro 2022 triumph for the Lionesses.
She also etched her name into the history books by becoming the first player since Bobby Moore to captain a senior English side in a World Cup final.
Protecting the future of the game
Despite her phenomenal on-field achievements, the recent hostility she faced has left a lingering mark on her mental health.
“I expected people to be like: ‘Why are you making this decision?’ I can tolerate that, but to question my integrity, my passion and dedication as a player… I can’t ever accept that,” she explained.
The six-time FA Cup winner admitted that it took a significant amount of time to rebuild her identity after losing herself over the past year.
Looking ahead, the retired trailblazer hopes the sport will actively protect its players from the toxicity she endured.
“I just hope we look after the game and we don’t allow it to become a toxic place,” she warned.