Sunday, 28 June 2026
ENGLAND SKIPPER BEN STOKES ANNOUNCES SHOCK RETIREMENT FROM INTERNATIONAL CRICKET
England captain Ben Stokes has announced his bombshell retirement from international cricket with the curtain set to fall after the end of the ongoing Test series against New Zealand.
England captain Ben Stokes has announced his bombshell retirement from international cricket with the curtain set to fall after the end of the ongoing Test series against New Zealand.
Stokes issued a statement shortly before tea on day four of the decisive third Test against New Zealand, having informed his team-mates in the dressing room at Trent Bridge before the start of play.
As the news broke, Stokes was in the middle of a mammoth bowling spell, with news filtering out into a stunned crowd as he stood at the top of his mark to start an 11th over.
The 35-year-old received a spontaneous standing ovation from all four corners of the crowd and then produced a quite remarkable piece of theatre – having Zak Foulkes caught at slip with his next ball.
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| GOODBYE: Ben Stokes will end his Test career after the ongoing match against New Zealand PICTURES: Joe Giddens/PA |
Cricket folklore
The fans roared in delight as the rest of the team mobbed him in a moment that will live long in English cricket folklore.
The shocking development comes in the immediate aftermath of the disciplinary incident that unfolded earlier this month, involving Stokes and Gus Atkinson in a London nightclub.
He was stood down from the second Test at the Kia Oval while the England and Wales Cricket Board conducted an investigation into the episode.
He was later handed a written conduct warning but escaped any further censure and immediately returned to lead the side in Nottingham.
Speaking for the first time since the saga began on Wednesday, he appeared to cast doubt over his long-term future, repeatedly focusing on the importance of the five days ahead.
Invited to clarify that he was not back in the side for one match only, he refused to do so.
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| JOY: England’s Ben Stokes (right) celebrates the wicket of New Zealand’s Zak Foulkes minutes after announcing he is to retire from international cricket |
One more trip
Informing his team that his long and storied England career was coming to an end in the next 48 hours, Stokes said in a clip shared by the ECB: “There’s something that I know is going to happen over the next two days, which is my last two days as your captain and my last two days representing England.
“Reasons can wait but I’ve had many trips to the well before for this team, for you blokes, for people beforehand and I’ve got one more trip to do.
“And the only thing that I ask, please, is can everyone please just do the same?
“We’ve done a lot of hard work still to do, and the only thing that I want is to be able to walk off the end of that field regardless of the result, knowing that I’ve had this group of men and one lady (fielding coach Sarah Taylor) give everything for the last two days.
“The only thing I want is just for everyone to give it not only for me, selfishly, but also for this team and everything else we’ve got going forward for you blokes.
“Let’s just go out there and f***ing give absolutely everything for another two days because that’s my only intention and that’s where all my energy is right now.
“(I’ve) got the emotional side out of it but now it’s time to go to work and everyone else, please just come with me.”
- The Cricket Paper Team
STEWARDS DELIVER FINAL VERDICT OVER HAMILTON FORCING VERSTAPPEN OFF TRACK IN AUSTRIAN GP
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| Photo: Race Pictures |
The stewards issued a no further action verdict for Lewis Hamilton after forcing Max Verstappen off the track during their battle for second place in the early stages of the Austrian Grand Prix.
On Lap 11, Hamilton and Verstappen went wheel to wheel in a fierce battle for second place. Verstappen briefly got ahead, but Hamilton immediately fought back, reclaiming the position before squeezing the Dutchman to the outside and almost into the gravel.
Verstappen quickly came on the radio to call for a penalty for the British driver, but the fight effectively ended two laps later when Hamilton pitted, moving out of his rival's way.
- Tobia Elia
LIONEL MESSI'S 1ST INSTAGRAM POST AFTER ARGENTINA'S WIN VS JORDAN TAKES INTERNET BY STORM
Lionel Messi struck a note of unity after Argentina wrapped up a perfect FIFA World Cup 2026 group-stage campaign.
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| Messi in action/ AFP |
Lionel Messi struck a note of unity after Argentina wrapped up a perfect FIFA World Cup 2026 group-stage campaign, with the captain declaring, "One more win to complete the group stage. We're still together," in an Instagram post following the reigning champions' 3-1 victory over Jordan. The message came after yet another historic outing for the 39-year-old, who continued to rewrite the World Cup record books with a trademark free-kick that made him the tournament's all-time leader in goals scored from outside the penalty area.
Introduced in the 60th minute, Messi curled home Argentina's third goal in the 80th minute to register his sixth World Cup strike from outside the box, surpassing Brazil legend Rivelino's long-standing record of five.
The goal also lifted Messi's overall World Cup tally to 19, extending his record as Argentina's leading scorer in the competition. It was his sixth goal of the ongoing tournament after a hat-trick against Algeria and a brace against Austria in the opening two group matches.
Messi also became the first men's player to score in seven consecutive FIFA World Cup appearances, adding another landmark to his glittering international career. The Argentine captain further joined an elite group by becoming only the fourth player to score in all three group-stage matches of a single FIFA World Cup since the current format was introduced in 1998, following Cristiano Ronaldo (2018), David Villa (2010) and Fernando Torres (2010).
Argentina's victory was equally significant for the team, as it marked the nation's 50th win at the FIFA World Cup, making La Albiceleste only the third country after Brazil and Germany to reach the milestone.
With qualification already assured, head coach Lionel Scaloni made nine changes to his starting XI, but Argentina remained in complete control. Giovani Lo Celso marked his World Cup debut with a stunning first-half free-kick before Lautaro Martinez converted a penalty after a VAR review.
Jordan briefly threatened through Musa Al-Tamaari's goal in the 55th minute, but Messi's introduction changed the tempo of the contest, and his brilliant late free-kick ensured Argentina completed the group stage with three wins from three. Argentina will face tournament debutants Cape Verde in the Round of 32 in Miami on July 4, while Jordan exited the competition after losing all three group-stage matches.
- ANI
SCOTLAND SEEK A NEW HEAD COACH AS STEVE CLARKE RESIGNS IN WAKE OF WORLD CUP EXIT
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| Clarke led Scotland to three out of the last four major tournaments. Photo: PA |
Scotland are looking for a new head coach after Steve Clarke stepped down from his post following their exit from the 2026 World Cup.
The Scots mustered three points from nine in Group C to end up behind Brazil and Morocco, with a minus three goal difference, but it was not enough to secure a place among the eight best third-placed teams who move through to the last 32 of the competition.
Soon after Croatia’s 2-1 win over Ghana on Saturday night confirmed Scotland’s wait for a first qualification from the group stages of a major tournament would continue, a statement on the national team’s official Twitter account read: “Scotland men’s head coach Steve Clarke has stepped down from his role.
“Our most successful national team head coach has called time on his seven years in charge following our participation at the FIFA World Cup 2026.”
Clarke led Scotland to three out of the last four major tournaments and it was the national team’s first appearance in the World Cup finals since 1998.
In a lengthy open letter to supporters on the Scottish Football Association’s website, the 62-year-old said: “The most emotional part of this goodbye is for my players, without whom we wouldn’t have had any of the memories that we’ve accumulated from 2019 until now.
“They deserve all the praise and adulation that they receive and it was truly an honour to be called their gaffer.
“Thanks for having me and good luck to my successor.”
Ian Maxwell, Scottish FA chief executive, thanked Clarke for his “record-breaking contribution”.
He said: “While we are all disappointed to have exited the World Cup at the group stage, we must not lose sight of the undeniable progress made during Steve’s seven years in charge.
“From starting as a pot four team in 2019 to topping our World Cup qualifying group, he has more than delivered on the remit to take Scotland back to a major tournament.
“We thank Steve for his record-breaking contribution and know that when the disappointment of World Cup elimination subsides, the Scotland supporters will be thankful for the memories of marching with pride at major tournaments once again.”
It is understood that the former West Brom, Reading and Kilmarnock boss had told his squad of his decision at their hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina, which has been their base during the tournament, before the announcement of his departure.
It is not yet clear if Clarke, his backroom staff and players will fly home on Sunday or Monday.
Nevertheless, the Scottish FA are looking for a new boss ahead of the Nations League campaign which begins in September.
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| Scotland were beaten by Brazil in their final group game (Martin Rickett/PA). |
There were eyebrows raised last month when the former St Mirren, Chelsea and Scotland defender signed a new contract which would have taken him through to 2030.
And there has been widespread criticism of Clarke after Scotland failed again to reach the knockout stages after finishing bottom of their group at Euro 2020 and Euro 2024.
The Scots started the campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Haiti then lost 1-0 to Morocco, both in at Boston Stadium.
A 3-0 defeat by Brazil in Miami in their final Group C fixture last Wednesday night left Clarke’s side needing a series of favours from other teams, which they did not get, with Croatia’s win over Ghana in Philadelphia sealing the Scots’ fate.
- Ronnie Esplin, Press Association
ROC NATION SPORTS CEO 'DROPPING' A DOCUMENTARY ON HBO SOON
Jay-Z is set to sit down with Rick Rubin for an eight-part documentary series titled “Jay-Z in 8,” premiering on HBO this fall: wp.me/pc8uak-1lHrIe
• Rubin will interview Jay-Z about his music, lyrics, life and creative process
• The two have a long history, as Rubin produced Jay-Z’s “99 Problems” for “The Black Album” in 2003
- Variety
ARGENTINA MILESTONE AT THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP
A new milestone for Argentina: 50 FIFA World Cup wins! 🇦🇷
They are the third team to have achieved this feat, after Brazil and Germany 👏
- FIFA
JARON 'BOOTS' ENNIS DROPS XANDER ZAYAS THREE TIMES BEFORE SEVENTH-ROUND STOPPAGE
Before a sold-out crowd of more than 16,000 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, Top Rank, Matchroom Boxing, and Boots Promotions presented a stacked DAZN Pay-Per-View card headlined by Jaron “Boots” Ennis challenging WBA and WBO champion Xander Zayas. Ennis dropped Zayas three times before the champion’s corner threw in the towel in the seventh round.
Zayas (23-1, 13 KOs), of Puerto Rico, was making the first defense of his unified titles against former IBF welterweight champion Ennis (36-0, 31 KOs), of Philadelphia.
On his birthday, Ennis opened in the southpaw stance and wasted little time making an impression. Just over a minute into the first round, he landed a left hand on the chin that sent Zayas to the canvas for an eight-count from referee Harvey Dock. Ennis switched back to orthodox in the second round and continued landing clean right hands while Zayas tried to recover.
The third round produced Zayas’ best moment of the fight when he connected with a hard right hand that briefly forced Ennis to hold. It was one of the few rounds where Zayas had genuine success. By the fourth, Ennis had settled back into his rhythm, repeatedly finding the target with straight rights while both fighters exchanged late in the round.
A right uppercut midway through the fifth produced another knockdown. Zayas beat the count again but was clearly taking punishment, and Ennis continued landing hard right hands before the bell.
Zayas showed plenty of courage in the sixth, remaining competitive despite trailing badly. In the seventh, Ennis landed a left hand followed by a barrage of unanswered punches that dropped Zayas for the third time. Although Zayas got back to his feet again, his corner wisely threw in the towel to prevent further punishment.
Vargas Stops Mills
In the co-feature, Emiliano “El General” Vargas (18-0, 15 KOs) stopped Bryce Mills (22-2, 9 KOs) in the fourth round to retain his regional titles.
The opening two rounds were competitive. Vargas switched to southpaw at times and landed the cleaner shots, while Mills had his best moment late in the second when a right hand briefly stunned Vargas.
Vargas broke the fight open in the third, scoring the first knockdown with a right hook. In the fourth, he dropped Mills again with a lead left before another barrage sent Mills down a third time, forcing referee Ricky Gonzalez to stop the contest.
Tucker Wins Close Decision
Jahi Tucker (17-1-1, 7 KOs) earned a majority decision over 2020 Olympian Euri Cedeno (14-1-1, 12 KOs) to claim the vacant IBF North American, WBC USA, and WBO NABO middleweight titles.
The fight was closely contested throughout. Tucker started quickly, Cedeno rallied, and the middle rounds featured steady back-and-forth action. Cedeno used his reach well in the seventh and eighth before Tucker closed strongly over the final two rounds despite suffering a bloody nose and swelling under his left eye.
The scores were 95-95, 97-93, and 98-92.
Whittaker Impresses In U.S. Debut
Olympic silver medalist Ben Whittaker (12-0-1, 9 KOs) needed less than two rounds to stop Richard “Popeye the Sailor Man” Rivera (27-3, 20 KOs).
Making his U.S. debut, Whittaker dominated from the opening bell before dropping Rivera with a chopping right near the end of the first round. Early in the second, a left hook sent Rivera down again. Although Rivera beat the count, referee Michael Griffin took one look at him and decided he had seen enough, waving off the contest.
Thompson Escapes With Split Decision
Dennis “HFUP” Thompson (11-0, 6 KOs) won an eight-round split decision over Edwin Rodriguez (12-12-3, 5 KOs).
Thompson boxed well early, but Rodriguez refused to cooperate with the script, turning the fight into a rugged battle and looking far better than his record suggested. The final round was close, and the judges returned scores of 79-73, 77-75 for Thompson, and 77-75 for Rodriguez.
Juanmita Ends It Early
Juanma “Juanmita” Lopez (6-0, 4 KOs), the son of former two-division world champion Juan Manuel Lopez, needed just one round to knock out Alberto Motos (6-3).
Lopez controlled the action before a straight left landed flush on Motos’ chin. Motos went down and failed to beat the count as referee Ricky Gonzalez completed the knockout.
Williams Outpoints Baxter
Quincey Williams (8-0, 6 KOs) defeated Jerome “Thoroughbred” Baxter (8-3, 3 KOs) over eight rounds.
Williams controlled most of the fight with his jab and movement, while Baxter earned respect by continuing to press forward despite falling behind on the scorecards. All three judges scored the contest 79-73 in Williams’ favor.
Note: The night’s final officiating crew included ring announcer David Diamante—not referee David Diamante, who somehow found his way into the original report.
- Ken Hissner
Saturday, 27 June 2026
EMMA RADUCANU ABANDONS WIMBLEDON TRAINING MATCH AND CANCELS MEDIA COMMITMENTS
Emma Raducanu may pull out of Wimbledon
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| Image: ADRIAN DENNIS, AFP via Getty Images |
Emma Raducanu has raised serious concerns over her Wimbledon prospects after cutting short a practice session. The British No.1 had two training sessions booked on Saturday - first hitting at Aorangi Park before playing a practice set with Anna Kalinskaya on Court 3.
However, Raducanu found herself 4-0 down before signalling to bring things to an end, leaving the court around 10 minutes ahead of schedule. Kalinskaya carried on with her own drills.
This follows reports that the 23-year-old had been spotted wearing a protective boot earlier in the week. These were her first on-site practice sessions since Monday, and her right ankle was strapped up throughout both.
Raducanu had been due to speak to the media on Saturday afternoon at the All England Club. Yet roughly 20 minutes after departing that practice session, her press conference was called off and rearranged for Sunday.
The former US Open champion was accompanied at both sessions by coach Andrew Richardson, hitting partner Alexis Canter, physiotherapist Emma Stewart and close friend and mentor Jane O'Donoghue.
The No. 30 seed has been drawn against world No. 60 Antonia Ruzic in the first round, with their match scheduled as the opening contest at 1pm on Court 1 on Monday - approximately 48 hours after that curtailed training session.
Raducanu is believed to have been nursing a niggle following her recent run to the Queen's final. The 23-year-old spent over two months on the sidelines with a post-viral illness before returning to the tour in May, where she lost two matches on clay.
She then finished runner-up at the WTA 500 event at London's Queen's Club earlier this month. Due to rain delays, Raducanu played three matches in the space of 28 hours, a considerable increase in workload after spending months sidelined.
Raducanu withdrew from the Nottingham Open the following week, citing a change in schedule. She also opted against taking a wildcard into this week's Eastbourne Open, choosing instead to use the time to prepare ahead of Wimbledon.
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| Emma Raducanu wore strapping on her ankle during two Wimbledon practice sessions(Image: Getty) |
However, she failed to train at the All England Club for four days.
It currently remains unclear when the 30th seed will speak on Sunday or whether she intends to practise beforehand.
Should Raducanu prove fit to face Ruzic on Monday afternoon, the challenges won't ease up. She will likely come up against 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko - also a former semi-finalist here - in the second round.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka could then be lying in wait in the third round.
The four-time Major champion defeated the British star at the same stage here last year.
- Yasmin Syed and Mikael McKenzie
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