Graeme Smith, South Africa’s director of cricket and former Test captain, has hit back through his lawyer at accusations of racial prejudice contained in a report by an ombudsman. David Becker, former International Cricket Council head of legal and Smith’s personal lawyer, issued a statement on Friday in which he disputed findings by Advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza,
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7:00 AM ET It’s probably best to forget about Kris Bryant‘s extraordinary first three years in the big leagues, when he captured a Rookie of the Year Award in 2015, was named the National League’s Most Valuable Player in 2016 and boasted a .946 OPS in 2017. We might never see that guy again, and
7:00 AM ET ESPN staff College football bowl season is here! Here are the key players and storylines you need to know for every team in every game, starting this week and running all the way through the College Football Playoff. Friday, Dec. 17 Bahamas BowlMiddle Tennessee vs. Toledo Thomas Robinson Stadium, Nassau, BahamasNoon, ESPN
7:00 AM ET For the first time since the 2014 Sochi Games, the NHL is allowing its players to participate in the Winter Olympic men’s hockey tournament in Beijing next February. National pride and gold-medal glory are on the line for the best players in the world — provided they actually make it to China.
12:31 AM ET Tim BontempsESPN NEW YORK — With his Philadelphia 76ers trailing by nine points to the Brooklyn Nets and three seconds left in the fourth quarter Thursday night at Barclays Center, coach Doc Rivers called timeout. His goal, however, wasn’t to try to draw up a play. Instead, it was to deliver a
After a tough opening day of the ongoing second Ashes Test against Australia at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday, England made a strong fightback on Day 2, claiming the wickets of Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head and Cameron Green in the first session. However, it was Green’s dismissal which caught the eye of the cricketing fraternity.
11:47 PM ET As the NBA tries to fortify itself against waves of positive COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, the league will increase daily testing and face mask use for players and staff through the holiday season, according to a memo obtained by ESPN. The NBA and National Basketball Players Association agreed to elevate testing
12:16 AM ET Associated Press CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Guardians said minor league catcher Andres Melendez died Thursday in Miami. He was 20. The team said Melendez died suddenly. There was no immediate word on the cause of his death. The Venezuela native began his career with Milwaukee’s organization in 2018. He spent two seasons
9:21 PM ET Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett said Thursday he will opt out of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl and begin preparations for the NFL draft. In a message posted on social media, Pickett thanked the university, coach Pat Narduzzi and his teammates. Forever a Pitt Man #H2P pic.twitter.com/fq0Sw06dIa — Kenny Pickett (@kennypickett10) December 17, 2021
11:51 PM ET INGLEWOOD, Calif. – With three defensive starters out of their lineup, the Kansas City Chiefs needed a big game from Patrick Mahomes in Thursday night’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers for first place in the AFC West. After a shaky first three quarters, he delivered. Mahomes threw two touchdown passes and
10:38 PM ET Mike CoppingerESPN David Benavidez and David Lemieux have signed contracts for a 168-pound bout slated for springtime on Showtime, a source told ESPN, an event that likely will land in Benavidez’s native Phoenix. The battle of former champions could move Benavidez one step closer to a shot at Canelo Alvarez. The volume-punching
4:56 PM ET LONDON — It felt like everyone involved in Chelsea‘s 1-1 draw with Everton was either chewing their fingernails, or holding on by them. Chelsea will lament the two points dropped and ground conceded in the title race, partly through their own profligacy but also due to a series of brilliant saves from
6:42 PM ET Associated Press PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks announced more than two dozen changes to their front office staff Thursday, including the addition of veteran baseball operations executive Jason McLeod. McLeod’s title is Special Assistant to D-backs Executive Vice President & General Manager Mike Hazen. McLeod has 26 years of baseball experience, including
8:58 PM ET Associated Press VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Vancouver Canucks president and interim general manager Jim Rutherford continued to fill out his front office Thursday, making Stan Smyl vice president of hockey operations. The 62-year-old Smyl, a star player for the Canucks from 1978-91, will work closely with Rutherford on all hockey operations matters,
5:51 PM ET The Carolina Hurricanes have been able to transport their COVID-19 positive players out of Canada and get them en route home, the team has confirmed. Hurricanes forwards Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis, along with massage therapist Mike Maresca, tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday while Carolina was in Vancouver, British Columbia. In
4:53 PM ET Associated Press PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have hired former Milwaukee assistant Andy Haines as hitting coach. Haines replaces Rick Eckstein, who was fired in August. Haines spent the last three seasons as the hitting coach in Milwaukee before being let go in October. Haines joins one of the worst offensive teams
3:52 PM ET The NFL and the NFL Players Association have negotiated changes to the league’s COVID-19 protocols, some of which are being put in place immediately and could help teams whose rosters have been decimated this week. Effective immediately, all 32 NFL teams will be placed in intensive COVID-19 protocols until the conclusion of
4:13 PM ET ORLANDO, Fla. – It is no surprise that Justin and Mike Thomas will be paired with Tiger Woods and his son, Charlie, during the opening round of the PNC Championship on Saturday. They did so during the first round a year ago, and are neighbors in South Florida. But what was interesting