Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Moeen Ali reveals he was called 'Osama' by Australian player

Cricket Australia are to seek clarification from their English counterparts about an incident in which England all-rounder Moeen Ali says he was called "Osama" by an Australian player during an Ashes test in 2015.

Moeen, who is a Muslim, made the allegation in his autobiography, which is being serialised in The Times newspaper, saying the apparent reference to Islamist militant Osama bin Laden came during his Ashes debut in Cardiff.


"An Australian player ... turned to me on the field and said, 'Take that, Osama'," he recalled. "I could not believe what I had heard. I remember going really red. I have never been so angry on a cricket field.

"I told a couple of the guys what the player had said to me and I think (England coach) Trevor Bayliss must have raised it with Darren Lehmann, the Australians' coach. Lehmann asked the player, 'Did you call Moeen 'Osama'?". He denied it, saying, "No, I said: 'Take that, you part-timer'.

"... obviously I had to take the player's word for it, though for the rest of the match I was angry."

Moeen, who scored 92 runs and took five wickets as England won the match on their way to series triumph, said he spoke to the Australian at the end of the series and received another denial that the player had used the word "Osama".

A Cricket Australia official told the cricket.com.au website on Saturday that the body would seek "further clarification" from the England and Wales Cricket Board "as a matter of urgency".

"Remarks of this nature are unacceptable and have no place in our sport, or in society," the official said.

"We have a clear set of values and behaviours that comes with representing our country. We take this matter very seriously ... "

Moeen, who endured a miserable 2017-18 Ashes series Down Under, said in another extract from the book that he had no sympathy for the three Australian cricketers banned earlier this year and found the whole team "rude".

Australian captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and batsman Cameron Bancroft were banned for lengthy spells after a ball-tampering scandal during a test in South Africa.

More For You

Alcaraz-Wimbledon-Getty

Carlos Alcaraz plays a forehand against Novak Djokovic in the Gentlemen's Singles Final on July 14, 2024. (Photo: Getty Images)

Wimbledon draw: Alcaraz opens against Fognini, Sabalenka faces qualifier

CARLOS ALCARAZ will begin his attempt to win a third straight Wimbledon title against Italian Fabio Fognini, while women’s top seed Aryna Sabalenka opens her campaign against Canadian qualifier Carson Branstine.

The draw, held on Friday at the All England Club, featured several notable first-round matchups.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sir Sajid Javid leads commission 'tackling social divisions'

Sir Sajid Javid (Photo by Tom Nicholson-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Sir Sajid Javid leads commission 'tackling social divisions'

A cross-party group has been formed to tackle the deep divisions that sparked last summer's riots across England. The new commission will be led by former Tory minister Sir Sajid Javid and ex-Labour MP Jon Cruddas.

The Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion has backing from both prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and Tory leader Kemi Badenoch. It brings together 19 experts from different political parties and walks of life.

Keep ReadingShow less
Prabhas Kalki 2898 AD anniversary

Kalki 2898 AD showcased Prabhas in a genre-blending sci-fi mythological role

One year of 'Kalki 2898 AD': How Prabhas reminded everyone he’s still the pan-India superstar

It’s been a year since Kalki 2898 AD hit theatres, and whether you loved it, questioned it, or are still figuring out what you watched, one thing’s clear: it cemented Prabhas’ place at the top. A unique experiment packed with mythology, sci-fi, and big-screen ambition, Kalki didn’t just push boundaries—it made sure everyone was paying attention.

Here’s how Kalki quietly reinforced what audiences across India (and beyond) already suspected: Prabhas isn’t going anywhere.

Keep ReadingShow less
​Masum

Masum was seen on CCTV trying to steer the pram away and, when she refused to go with him, stabbed her multiple times before walking away and boarding a bus. (Photo: West Yorkshire Police)

West Yorkshire Police

Habibur Masum convicted of murdering estranged wife in front of baby

A MAN who stabbed his estranged wife to death in Bradford in front of their baby has been convicted of murder.

Habibur Masum, 26, attacked 27-year-old Kulsuma Akter in broad daylight on April 6, 2024, stabbing her more than 25 times while she pushed their seven-month-old son in a pram. The baby was not harmed.

Keep ReadingShow less
Shreena Patel

Shreena Patel

Shreena Patel on turning pain into paint and becoming a voice for British South Asian art

In her own words, the London-based artist shares 10 defining moments that turned glitter into grit, pain into power and creativity into connection.

Shreena Patel has built a vibrant, shimmering world with her signature metallic-sparkle acrylics, one canvas at a time. A graduate of the prestigious University of the Arts London, the London-based abstract artist has earned acclaim both in the UK and internationally, creating bespoke pieces for celebrities, private collectors and public institutions.

Keep ReadingShow less