England fast bowler Jofra Archer has been cleared to return to training, it was announced Tuesday, after he had surgery to remove a fragment of glass from his finger last month.
But just how much of a part the Sussex quick will play in this year's edition of the Indian Premier League remains uncertain.
Archer, 26, suffered the injury when he smashed a fish tank while trying to clean it.
He played two Tests and all five Twenty20s during England's recent tour of India but was ruled out of the one-day series because of a problem with his right elbow.
Both those injuries led to Archer's absence from the early stages of the IPL, where he is reigning most valuable player, and on an £800,000 ($1.1 million) contract with Rajasthan Royals.
England, however, hope the multi-format star will be able to up his bowling "intensity" from next week.
An England and Wales Cricket Board statement said: "England and Sussex bowler Jofra Archer has been given the all-clear by his hand consultant to resume training after his right hand continues to heal following his operation on Monday 29 March.
"He will return to light training this week, working closely with the Sussex and England men's medical teams.
"It is hoped that he will be able to up his intensity with his bowling from next week.
"A further update on his elbow injury will be provided once he has returned to bowling to assess the effectiveness of his recent injection.
"No decision has been made as yet on when Archer is due to return to playing."
Kumar Sangakkara, the Royals' director of cricket and a former Sri Lanka captain, said recently the franchise would not risk Archer's fitness in a year where England will want him playing in both the T20 World Cup and the Ashes.
"His value to world cricket and to England cricket is always part of our decision-making process and we are always guided by the experts in English cricket who look after Jofra to guide us on how we could support that journey," insisted Sangakkara.
"It's not something we look at selfishly in terms of playing in the IPL.
"We understand the value of Jofra and we take a holistic view of how important Jofra is not just to our cause but to England cricket and world cricket as well."
MANCHESTER UNITED FOUNDATION has appointed two new trustees to its board, including a communications expert with experience in music and government.
Jonathan Badyal, a partner at Trafalgar Strategy and former Universal Music UK director of communications, joined the board in March alongside Professor Saul Becker from Manchester Metropolitan University, a statement said.
The pair met other board members at Old Trafford on Wednesday (18), led by chair of trustees Collette Roche, who also serves as chief operating officer of Manchester United.
Badyal brings wide-ranging experience from his career in communications and strategy. He spent eight years at Universal Music, finishing as director of communications for the UK business. Before that, he worked for five years advising the UK government's culture and digital minister on policy and communications.
During his government role, Badyal developed a focus on widening access for young people to creative industries. He currently advises chief executives and creatives on communications and reputation through his work at Trafalgar Strategy.
His other roles include senior adviser to executive search firm Saxton Bampfylde, deputy chair of the Black Country Living Museum, and interim chair at the National Academy for Social Prescribing.
"As a lifelong Manchester United fan I have admired the work of the foundation from afar," Badyal said. "One thing that has been a constant and passionate focus of mine during my career is supporting young people and improving life chances, so to be able to support the life-changing work the Foundation delivers is truly an honour and I can't wait to get stuck in."
The foundation runs programmes in technology, medicine, media, retail and music alongside football coaching sessions and education courses. It partners with businesses in these areas to help young people find jobs, the statement added.
Badyal said his background in arts and creative industries could help the foundation's work. "The foundation's values strongly align with my own in terms of nurturing ambition and creativity, and offering opportunities to young people of all backgrounds," he said.
Roche said, "It gives me great pleasure to welcome Jonathan and Saul to Manchester United Foundation. Not only do they bring to the board a wealth of experience and expertise, but a dedicated passion for improving the lives of young people."
She added that the foundation needs to keep developing as an organisation. "I'm sure they will offer an invaluable new perspective to the governance and future of the Foundation," she said.
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Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have recently announced their retirements from Test cricket. (Photo: Getty Images)
INDIA will miss Virat Kohli more than Rohit Sharma in the upcoming Test series against England, according to former England captain Geoffrey Boycott. Kohli and Rohit’s recent retirement from the format will affect India’s chances in the five-match series starting Friday, he said.
The two teams begin their new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle with this series, which will be played over six weeks.
“The retirement of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma hurts the chances of India beating England. Kohli is the biggest loss as he has been their best batsman and talisman in all three formats,” Boycott wrote in his column for the Daily Telegraph.
“With so much international cricket played by India, and so little rest, it takes its toll and the mind becomes fatigued.”
'Kohli won’t be easy to replace'
Boycott called Kohli’s exit a bigger loss, saying mental freshness is key in Test cricket.
“It does not matter how much talent or experience you have, if you are not mentally fresh and up for the challenge then it becomes draining.
“Rohit was a superb batsman. At his best, a beautiful stroke player, but he won't be missed as much as Kohli because his Test record was good rather than exceptional. In the last couple of years his batting was a little inconsistent, which was not surprising in his late 30s.
“Rohit was never a natural athlete like Kohli and he knows that opening the innings in England can be pretty tough because the new ball moves around more. You really have to be up for the challenge to have any chance of success.
“I just think that over time the wear and tear of opening the innings and being captain in all three formats wore him down,” Boycott wrote.
'England need to control Bazball'
Kohli and Rohit announced their retirement from Test cricket last month. Shubman Gill has since been appointed captain in Rohit’s place. India last won a Test series in England in 2007. England are coming into the series after winning a one-off Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge.
Boycott advised the Ben Stokes-led side to moderate their attacking ‘Bazball’ approach.
“England should beat India if they temper Bazball and use some common sense. At times their cricket has been thrilling and super enjoyable but also reckless batting has lost them Test matches.
“Their only thought should be winning because it is no use telling us how good you are when the last three World Test Championship finals have been played in our country but England have not qualified for any of them. They should be embarrassed. Their aim should be to make the next WTC final.
“The new cycle starts now and somebody needs to get through to the England players that being a winner is better than being known as an entertainer. If you can win and entertain, that is a bonus. At the moment England are like a one-trick-pony.”
'Don’t get complacent'
Boycott also warned England against taking India lightly, even in the absence of their senior players.
“It’s Bazball or Bazball and that is the way we play; take it or leave it. They don’t want to change or learn from their losses. It doesn’t seem to make any difference that so many top class ex-England Test players keep telling them to moderate their batting.
“So please, get your act together, bring your best game and apply some cricket nous,” Boycott wrote.
An inspiring evening of sport, solidarity, and celebration unfolded on Friday (13) as Her Excellency Nimisha J Madhvani, High Commissioner of Uganda to the UK, hosted a dynamic fundraising event for the Tritons Uganda Rugby Tour 2025. The fundraiser drew attention to a groundbreaking moment in UK and Ugandan rugby relations, the first ever UK women’s rugby team set to tour Uganda.
The high-energy evening included guest appearances by celebrated rugby personalities Simon Shaw, a former England lock and British & Irish Lion, and Shaunagh Brown, an inspirational former England Red Roses international.
Set to take place from 19th to 23rd November 2025, the Tritons Uganda Tour will see both a men’s and women’s UK team travel to the "Pearl of Africa" to face the Uganda Club Select and National Select XVs. The tour, organised by Tritons Sports in collaboration with the Uganda Rugby Union, is poised to make history, marking the first ever UK women’s rugby team to play in Uganda.
Last year’s men’s match against the Ugandan National Veterans XV left an indelible mark. The 2025 tour is expected to build on that legacy with renewed purpose, inviting players and supporters alike to “Play. Explore. Make History.”
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Temba Bavuma of South Africa lifts the ICC World Test Championship Mace with teammates following his team's victory on Day Four of the WTC final against Australia at Lord's Cricket Ground on June 14. (Photo: Getty Images)
AIDEN MARKRAM's century helped South Africa secure a five-wicket win over Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s on Saturday. With this result, South Africa claimed their first major global title in men’s cricket.
Set 282 to win, South Africa reached the target before lunch on the fourth day, finishing on 282-5. Markram was dismissed for 136 after bringing his team to within six runs of victory.
The Proteas resumed on 213-2, needing 69 runs more. Markram, who had been out for a duck in the first innings, was unbeaten on 102 at the start of the day. Captain Temba Bavuma was on 65 despite struggling with a hamstring injury.
South Africa’s history in knockout games had often been marked by defeats, including 18 failed attempts in previous ODI and T20 World Cups. They had only reached one final before this – last year’s T20 World Cup in Barbados, where they lost to India after requiring just 30 runs from the last 30 balls with six wickets in hand.
On Saturday, however, South Africa held on to win. A team without many big names succeeded where players like Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock, AB de Villiers and Jacques Kallis had not.
South Africa had an early setback when Bavuma, adding only one run to his overnight score, was caught behind off Australia captain Pat Cummins. His partnership with Markram ended at 147, but South Africa were still in control at 217-3.
With clear skies and a flat pitch, conditions were in the batters’ favour. Markram continued, cutting Cummins for four and later pulling him again to bring the target down to 50.
Cummins brought on Nathan Lyon, hoping for spin. But it was Mitchell Starc who got a breakthrough, bowling Tristan Stubbs for eight with a delivery that cut in sharply.
Australia took the new ball with South Africa at 268-4, needing just 14 more runs. Markram then drove Josh Hazlewood’s first ball for four and followed it up with three more runs off the next.
He fell shortly after, pulling Hazlewood to Travis Head at midwicket. His 207-ball innings included 14 fours.
Markram walked back to a standing ovation. Several Australian players shook his hand.
Kyle Verreynne then scored the winning run. He might have been out had Australia had any reviews remaining. South Africa’s 282-5 became the second-highest fourth-innings chase in a Lord’s Test, behind the West Indies’ 344-1 against England in 1984.
Kagiso Rabada also played a key role in the victory, finishing with match figures of 9-110.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Virat Kohli (C), along with his teammates, celebrates with the trophy after winning the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 final cricket match against Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 4, 2025. (Photo by ARUN SANKAR/AFP via Getty Images)
BRITISH giant Diageo is exploring the sale of its controlling stake in India's Royal Challengers Bengaluru cricket team, potentially valuing the newly-crowned champions at up to £1.6 billion ($2bn).
The maker of Guinness and Johnnie Walker whisky is weighing its options for the Indian Premier League franchise, including selling part or all of its ownership through United Spirits, its Indian subsidiary where it holds a 55.9 per cent controlling interest, reported the Bloomberg.
Reports said that the London-based company has been in talks with potential advisers about various possibilities for the team, though no final decision has been made and Diageo may choose to keep the franchise.
United Spirits quickly dismissed the speculation in a stock exchange filing, calling reports of a potential sale "speculative in nature" and adding it was "not pursuing any such discussions". Diageo declined to comment when approached.
The timing of these discussions coincides with mounting pressure from India's health ministry, which is pushing to ban all tobacco and alcohol advertising from the IPL. Current Indian law already prohibits direct promotion of these products, forcing companies like Diageo to advertise alternative products using cricket stars instead.
However, the triumph was overshadowed by tragedy when a deadly stampede during the team's victory celebrations in Bengaluru killed at least 11 people, creating reputational challenges for the franchise owners.
Diageo's connection to the team traces back to troubled aviation entrepreneur Vijay Mallya, once known as "India's Richard Branson" and "the king of good times".
Mallya was forced to sell his spirits empire to Diageo for £60 million thirteen years ago to raise funds for his failing Kingfisher Airlines, which eventually collapsed in 2012 owing roughly £1bn to banks.
The potential disposal fits with Diageo's broader strategy to streamline its global portfolio. Finance chief Nik Jhangiani recently outlined plans for "substantial" disposals beyond the "usual smaller brand disposals" as part of a £400m cost-cutting programme.
"It's clearly going to be above and beyond the usual smaller brand disposals you've seen over the last three years," Jhangiani said during the company's third-quarter update.
The company has already begun reducing its exposure in various markets, selling its Nigerian and Ghanaian Guinness operations last year and swapping Cîroc vodka rights for basketball star LeBron James-backed tequila brand Lobos 1707 in April.
Any sale would come at a time when IPL team valuations are soaring, making franchises among the most coveted assets in global sport. The league has grown into a commercial powerhouse rivalling the NFL and Premier League, with its short three-hour matches attracting hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide.
Diageo aims to generate around £2.4bn in free cash flow from 2026, supported by its cost-saving programme, to fund further investments and improve its financial position amid challenging market conditions in key regions like the US.