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Australia opts for all-pace attack in fourth Ashes Test

Australia will take an all-pace attack into the fourth Ashes Test, skipper Steve Smith said Thursday, while Josh Inglis was dropped with selectors preferring Usman Khawaja.

Diallo and Mahrez strike at AFCON as Ivory Coast, Algeria win

Amad Diallo and Riyad Mahrez starred as defending champions Ivory Coast and former winners Algeria had contrasting victories on Wednesday when the first round of African Cup of Nations (AFCON) group matches concluded in Morocco.

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Messi signs Inter Miami contract extension: MLS

Lionel Messi has agreed a contract extension with Inter Miami, Major League Soccer confirmed on Thursday.

NBA coach, player arrested in illegal gambling probes

NBA coach Chauncey Billups of the Portland Trail Blazers and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier were arrested on Thursday for alleged involvement in illegal gambling, US officials said.

Marathon world record holder Chepngetich gets three-year doping ban

Kenya's marathon world record holder, Ruth Chepngetich has been banned for three years for doping, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced on Thursday.

Saudi Arabia to host ATP Masters 1000 tennis event from 2028

The ATP announced Thursday the creation of a new Masters 1000 event which will take place annually in Saudi Arabia from as early as 2028.

Injured MotoGP champion Marquez to miss rest of season

MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez will miss the rest of the season due to an injured shoulder, his Ducati team announced on Thursday.

Short and Connolly star as Australia beat India to seal ODI series

A composed 74 from Matt Short and a maiden half-century by Cooper Connolly steered Australia to a two-wicket win over India on Thursday, sealing the three-match one-day series with a game to go.

Wembanyama's height sparks debate once again in NBA

After making a thunderous return to the court on Wednesday with a 40-point performance, French phenomenon Victor Wembanyama has not escaped the eternal debate about height in the NBA -- where measurements are often surrounded by a certain amount of mystery.

Thrill-a-minute DJ gets the crowds pumping at new Philippines event

Former world number one Dustin Johnson rolled in nine birdies Thursday at the inaugural International Series Philippines with a thrilling opening round that had a dash of everything.

Pogacar, peloton face Alpe d'Huez twice as Tour de France 2026 route unveiled

From Montjuic in Barcelona to Montmartre in Paris, the 2026 Tour de France presents champion Tadej Pogacar and his rivals with a plethora of mountain passes and peaks, including two stages tackling the revered Alpe d'Huez.

Pakistan spin lessons good for South Africa, says Markram

Skipper Aiden Markram says lessons learnt from the spin-dominated drawn Test series in Pakistan will put South Africa in good stead for their tour of India next month.

Eddie Jones plots shock against much-changed Australia in Tokyo

Australia made 13 changes and named Nick Champion de Crespigny captain as they begin a five-Test tour on Saturday in Tokyo against Eddie Jones's Japan, with the former Wallabies coach plotting a shock.

La Liga's Miami match: Why did it fail and what happens next?

La Liga's plan to move Barcelona's trip to face Villarreal in December to Miami in the United States collapsed this week under heavy pressure within Spain. AFP Sport looks at how, why and what happens next.

Third T20 between New Zealand and England washed out

The third T20 between New Zealand and England was rained off on Thursday with only 22 balls bowled in Auckland.

Injured Italian skier Bassino out of home Winter Olympics

Two-time world champion Marta Bassino will miss her home Winter Olympics following surgery on Thursday on a broken leg she suffered during a training fall this week.

Eddie Jones says 'I enjoy beating Australia' ahead of Tokyo reunion

Eddie Jones said facing his native Australia brings out his "extreme competitive spirit" as the Japan coach plots a surprise win over his old team on Saturday in Tokyo.

Rohit stars as India make 264-9 in 2nd ODI against Australia

Rohit Sharma hit a patient 73 as India posted 264-9 in the second one-day international against Australia Thursday, but fellow veteran Virat Kohli was again out for a duck.

Harmer stars as South Africa beat Pakistan to draw series

South Africa beat Pakistan by eight wickets in the second Test in Rawalpindi on Thursday to draw the series 1-1 with Simon Harmer taking a maiden five-wicket haul.

Indonesia defiant after IOC calls for no events over Israeli gymnast ban

Indonesia vowed Thursday to play an "active role" in global sports after the IOC urged federations not to stage events there following the country's ban on Israeli gymnasts.

South Africa close on win after six-wicket Harmer rocks Pakistan

Off-spinner Simon Harmer took six wickets to help dismiss Pakistan for 138, giving South Africa a 68-run target to win the second Test in Rawalpindi on Thursday and draw the series.

Champion de Crespigny to captain Australia against Eddie Jones's Japan

Nick Champion de Crespigny was named Australia captain to face Japan in Tokyo on Saturday in just his third Test, with prop Zane Nonggorr earning his first start in a much-changed side.

Chicago Fire, Portland Timbers advance with MLS Cup wild card wins

Hugo Cuypers scored twice as the Chicago Fire kicked off their first MLS Cup playoff appearance since 2017 with a 3-1 wild card match win over Orlando City on Wednesday.

Spurs' Wembanyama scores 40 in triumphant NBA return

Victor Wembanyama scored 40 points in a sensational NBA return on Wednesday, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a 125-92 season-opening victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

Chicago Fire top Orlando 3-1 to advance in MLS Cup playoffs

Hugo Cuypers scored twice as the Chicago Fire kicked off their first MLS Cup playoff appearance since 2017 with a 3-1 wild card match win over Orlando City on Wednesday.

Napoli's title defence creaking ahead of clash with rivals Inter

Cracks are already starting to appear in Napoli's Serie A title defence as the champions prepare to host red-hot Inter Milan on Saturday after a drubbing at the hands of PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.

Verstappen chasing glory as McLaren duo bid to bounce back

Max Verstappen chases a fourth win in five starts this weekend as he bids to heap more pressure on McLaren duo Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris at the Mexico City Grand Prix, one of his most rewarding tracks.

U.S. Polo Assn. Wins Gold and Silver Stevie Awards at the 2025 International Business Awards in Lisbon, Portugal

U.S. Polo Assn. was celebrated during an elegant gala event at the Corinthia Hotel in Lisbon, Portugal, on Friday, October 10, attended by leadership from USPA Global and the brand's strategic partners in the region. The global event hosted over 350 guests from more than 30 nations, including many of the world's top companies and Stevie winners, including Coca-Cola, Starbucks, Lenovo, Kendra Scott, IBM, and Turkish Airlines.

Lakers feel lack of LeBron in NBA season-opening loss

Coach JJ Redick says the Los Angeles Lakers must find a way to win without LeBron James, but even he felt the absence of his injured superstar in an NBA season-opening loss to the Golden State Warriors.

Liverpool back on track while Real, Bayern and Chelsea win in Champions League

Hugo Ekitike scored against his old club as Liverpool got back on track with a 5-1 victory at Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on Wednesday while Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich were among the night's other winners.

Chelsea teenagers shine in rout of 10-man Ajax

Chelsea took full advantage of an early red card for Ajax captain Kenneth Taylor to thrash the Dutch giants 5-1 in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

Liverpool end losing streak with thumping win at Eintracht Frankfurt

Liverpool broke a four-game losing streak with a 5-1 win at Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on Wednesday, with Hugo Ekitike scoring for the English champions against his former club.

Chelsea hit 10-man Ajax for five