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Harry Brook scored 91 runs out of 93 balls during the second day of the first Test match against Pakistan, showing a more controlled and focused batting style than before. Although he was considered to be a talented player on par with past greats like Kevin Pietersen and David Gower, he was not chosen to be England’s Test captain because of concerns about his maturity off the field.
Key Facts
Harry Brook scored 91 runs from 93 balls in the first Test against Pakistan.
His batting showed more control compared to earlier innings where he was more aggressive.
He is seen as a very talented player, comparable to Kevin Pietersen and David Gower.
Brook was considered as a potential England Test captain but was not selected.
The selection decision was influenced by concerns about his emotional and leadership maturity.
Joe Root remains the England Test captain for now, but his tenure might end after the next Ashes series.
Future captaincy may be open to Brook if he continues to mature and perform well.
Other players like Jordan Cox also showed good batting performances in this Test series.
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Geno Smith will start as the quarterback for the New York Jets in their upcoming preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Smith missed the Jets’ first preseason game due to ankle soreness, but the team expects him to play Friday night.
Key Facts
Geno Smith is the starting quarterback for the Jets in the Friday preseason game versus the Steelers.
Smith missed the Jets’ preseason opener against the Buccaneers because of ankle soreness.
Other quarterbacks who played in the opener were Brady Cook, Bailey Zappe, and Cade Klubnik.
The Jets lost their first preseason game 24-16 to the Buccaneers.
Smith was traded to the Jets from the Raiders in March and previously played four seasons with the Jets.
Jets coach Aaron Glenn said Smith is a competitor but the team wants to be careful with players’ health.
The Jets-Steelers preseason game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Friday.
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Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins missed two days of practice due to a minor injury. The team’s head coach said the injury is not serious and expects Judkins to return soon.
Key Facts
Quinshon Judkins missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday.
He was knocked down on Tuesday by defensive lineman Adin Huntington.
The Browns have not shared specific details about the injury.
Head coach Todd Monken said the injury is nagging but not related to the Tuesday incident.
Monken does not seem worried and said two days off is not a big concern.
Judkins missed practice as a precaution based on his condition.
The team hopes Judkins will return by early next week.
Last season, Judkins played 14 games, running 230 times for 827 yards and 7 touchdowns. He also caught 26 passes for 171 yards.
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Grant Holmes, a pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, almost pitched a no-hitter against the Chicago White Sox but lost it in the seventh inning when Andrew Benintendi got a hit. Holmes was then replaced by another pitcher, and the Braves were leading 2-0 after seven innings.
Key Facts
Grant Holmes pitched for the Braves in a makeup game against the White Sox in Chicago.
Holmes retired 18 of the first 20 batters but gave up a hit in the seventh inning.
Andrew Benintendi got a single that ended the no-hit bid.
Holmes walked three batters and struck out three in the game.
The Braves led 2-0 after seven innings.
Holmes was replaced by Didier Fuentes after giving up the hit.
Holmes has never pitched a full game in the major leagues.
Major League Baseball has had only one no-hitter this season, a combined effort by Houston pitchers.
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Carlos Alcaraz, the world No. 2 tennis player, said he will return to compete at the upcoming U.S. Open after missing four months due to a wrist injury. Alcaraz won the Australian Open earlier this year and is a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, including two U.S. Open titles.
Key Facts
Carlos Alcaraz has been out of play since April because of a right wrist injury.
He plans to return at the 2026 U.S. Open, starting August 30.
Alcaraz confirmed his comeback in a joint Instagram post with Fabrizio Romano.
He won the Australian Open in 2026 before his injury.
Alcaraz lost to Jannik Sinner at the Monte-Carlo Masters before withdrawing from the Barcelona Open.
The U.S. Open qualifying rounds start on August 24, with the main singles draw announced on August 27.
Alcaraz has won seven Grand Slam singles titles, including two U.S. Open championships.
Serena Williams reacted positively to Alcaraz’s return announcement on Instagram.
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Jim Harbaugh, head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, is excited about hiring Mike McDaniel as the team's new offensive coordinator. McDaniel, who coached the Miami Dolphins for four seasons, will work to help quarterback Justin Herbert improve and win his first playoff game.
Key Facts
Mike McDaniel joins the Chargers as offensive coordinator.
McDaniel coached the Miami Dolphins for four seasons before joining the Chargers.
He is 43 years old and a Yale University graduate.
The Chargers aim to help their quarterback, Justin Herbert, win his first playoff game.
Jim Harbaugh praised McDaniel's enthusiasm, knowledge of offense and defense, and personality.
McDaniel helped the San Francisco 49ers rank seventh in total offense in 2021.
Miami Dolphins went 11-6 in McDaniel’s second season and led the NFL in yards per game.
McDaniel was fired after a 7-10 season with the Dolphins but will get another chance in 2026 with the Chargers.
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Bears head coach Ben Johnson praised Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow after a joint practice session. Johnson called Burrow skilled at reading defenses and passing quickly, and noted his strong connections with his teammates.
Key Facts
The Chicago Bears practiced with the Cincinnati Bengals before their preseason game.
Bears coach Ben Johnson wants his offense to have a historic season and admires Burrow’s talent.
Johnson said Burrow is very good at staying aware under pressure and quickly figuring out the defense.
He called Burrow’s receiving teammates possibly the best in the league.
Johnson also mentioned positive comments about Burrow’s character from J.T. Barrett, a former Ohio State teammate.
Joe Burrow missed half of the 2025 season because of a serious turf toe injury.
In eight games last season, Burrow completed 66.8% of his passes for 1,809 yards, 17 touchdowns, and five interceptions.
The Bears and Bengals preseason game is scheduled for Saturday at 7 p.m. ET.
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Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia injured his hamstring during the first inning of a game against the Athletics. Garcia recently returned from a hand muscle injury but had to leave the game early due to this new injury.
Key Facts
Maikel Garcia injured his left hamstring while running the bases in the first inning.
Garcia had just returned from a hand muscle strain that kept him out from late June until Monday.
He hit a double in the first inning before the injury occurred.
Garcia’s performance this season has been average, with a .709 OPS, 3 home runs, and 32 RBIs in 73 games.
The Royals are currently last in their division and 13 games behind first place.
Veteran Josh Rojas and Nick Loftin are potential replacements at third base while Garcia recovers.
Loftin has played multiple positions, mostly third base, with a .684 OPS, 5 home runs, and 35 RBIs this season.
The Royals do not appear eager to rush Garcia back this year due to his injuries and the team’s current standing.
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Linda Cohn, a retired ESPN anchor, said Caitlin Clark deserves more attention for the WNBA MVP award over favorite A'ja Wilson. Clark leads in assists and scoring impact and has strong support from other sports writers. Although Wilson is a top player with multiple MVPs, some believe Clark’s overall value to her team is very high.
Key Facts
A'ja Wilson is the favorite to win her third straight WNBA MVP award.
Linda Cohn says she would vote for Caitlin Clark because Clark controls much of the Fever’s offense.
Clark averages 22.1 points and leads the league with 8.3 assists per game this season.
Clark’s teammate, Kelsey Mitchell, is second in scoring behind Wilson and together they make a strong team.
Other sports journalists also say Clark should be a top MVP candidate.
Wilson is a dominant player with multiple past MVP awards, leading in scoring and rebounding.
The debate revolves around what "most valuable" means in deciding the MVP award.
Clark was recently named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for her high points and rebounds in games.
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Diego Pavia had an outstanding college football season at Vanderbilt, setting records and earning top honors. New NCAA rules and ongoing legal cases could allow him to play a fifth college season, giving him a chance to improve his career prospects after going undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Key Facts
Diego Pavia completed 70.6% of his passes for 3,539 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions in 13 games.
He rushed for 862 yards and 10 touchdowns, helping Vanderbilt achieve a 10-3 record, the best in the school's history.
Pavia earned first-team All-SEC, first-team All-American, SEC Offensive Player of the Year, and was Heisman Trophy runner-up.
The NCAA adopted a new rule allowing athletes five years to play five seasons, replacing the old four-season limit.
Some athletes, including three former Ole Miss starters, received a temporary court order to allow returns to college football.
Pavia went undrafted in 2026 due to concerns about his size and playing style but attended the Baltimore Ravens' rookie camp.
The CFL's Winnipeg Blue Bombers hold his negotiation rights, but Pavia has not yet signed with them.
Returning to college football could be more financially beneficial for Pavia than playing professionally in the CFL or UFL.
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The New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers did not take part in a joint practice with the Miami Dolphins because the team wants to avoid uncontrolled situations during his recovery from a torn ACL. Nabers recently started full-speed drills and the Giants hope he can play in their first game of the season on September 13.
Key Facts
Malik Nabers is a wide receiver for the New York Giants.
Nabers tore his ACL in Week 4 of the 2025 season.
He returned to full-speed live practice drills earlier this week.
Nabers did not join Thursday’s joint practice with the Dolphins.
Coach John Harbaugh said the practice environment was less controlled than the team prefers for Nabers.
The Giants hope Nabers will be ready for Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys on September 13.
Nabers was the Giants’ 6th overall draft pick in 2024.
Before his injury, Nabers caught 109 passes for 1,204 yards and 7 touchdowns in 15 games and earned a Pro Bowl selection.
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Harry Brook scored 91 runs quickly after Pakistan dropped an early chance to get him out, helping England lead in the first cricket Test at Headingley. By the end of the rain-affected second day, England was 366-8, leading Pakistan by 195 runs after Pakistan scored only 171 in their first innings.
Key Facts
Harry Brook scored 91 runs off 93 balls, hitting 13 fours.
Brook was dropped by Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha early in his innings.
England was 366 for 8 wickets at stumps on the second day.
Pakistan scored 171 runs in their first innings.
Dan Lawrence scored 51 runs, partnering with Brook for 120 runs.
Jordan Cox made 73, and Joe Root scored 66 runs.
Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Ali Usman took 5 wickets for 92 runs.
The match is the first of a three-Test series between England and Pakistan.
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The Las Vegas Raiders will play the Houston Texans Thursday night in a preseason NFL game. Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the team's top draft pick, is set to start and play most of the first half as he continues to gain experience with the starting offense.
Key Facts
The Raiders face the Texans in Week 2 of the NFL preseason at 8 p.m. ET at NRG Stadium in Houston.
Fernando Mendoza, the Raiders’ first overall draft pick, will start the game and likely play most of the first half.
Aidan O’Connell is expected to play quarterback in the second half.
Mendoza previously played in the first preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals, completing 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and one touchdown.
Kirk Cousins started ahead of Mendoza in the season opener and led a successful opening drive.
The Texans have a strong defense, which will be a challenging test for Mendoza.
Mendoza’s performance in preseason could influence his playing time in the regular season.
The Raiders had a joint practice with the Texans earlier this week where Mendoza got significant reps with the first team.
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Harry Brook played very well, helping England take a strong lead of 195 runs against Pakistan in the first Test match. The second day was shortened, but England still gained control of the game.
Key Facts
Harry Brook was a key player for England in this match.
England built a lead of 195 runs over Pakistan.
The second day of the Test match was shorter than usual.
The match is the first Test between England and Pakistan.
England took control of the game by the end of the second day.
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Arsenal, the defending Premier League champions, will play against Coventry City at the Emirates Stadium in London on August 21. Coventry City recently earned promotion by winning the Championship, the league below the Premier League.
Key Facts
The match is the first game of the new Premier League season.
Arsenal won last season’s Premier League by seven points ahead of Manchester City.
Arsenal conceded the fewest goals last season, allowing only 27 goals.
Coventry City won the Championship by 11 points and scored 97 goals last season.
Coventry was last in the Premier League in the 2000-01 season before being relegated.
Arsenal recently beat Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield match.
Coventry won their last competitive game 4-0 against Watford, with striker Ellis Simms scoring three goals.
The game will be covered with live text commentary by Al Jazeera Sport starting from 16:00 GMT before kickoff.
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James Harden has agreed to a three-year contract worth $97 million to stay with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The deal includes a player option for the 2028-29 season and a trade kicker.
Key Facts
James Harden is a former NBA MVP and 11-time All-Star guard.
Harden’s new contract with the Cavaliers is for three years and $97 million.
The deal includes a player option for the 2028-29 season, meaning Harden can choose to continue or leave after that year.
The contract also has a trade kicker, which usually gives Harden extra money if traded.
Harden declined a $42.3 million player option this summer to get a longer contract.
He was traded to the Cavaliers from the Los Angeles Clippers in February, with Darius Garland going to the Clippers.
Harden averaged 20.5 points and 7.7 assists in 26 games for the Cavaliers last season.
Over his career, Harden has averaged 24 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 7.3 assists in 1,221 regular-season games for six teams.
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James Harden agreed to stay with the Cleveland Cavaliers by signing a three-year contract worth $97 million. The deal includes an option for Harden to continue for the 2028-29 season and a trade clause.
Key Facts
Harden declined a $42.3 million player option for the next season before signing the new contract.
The contract runs three years and is worth $97 million.
Harden has played 17 seasons in the NBA and is entering his 18th.
He joined the Cavaliers in February 2026 after a trade from the Los Angeles Clippers.
Harden averaged 10.7 points per game in the regular season and 19.7 points per game in the playoffs with Cleveland.
His turnovers increased during the playoffs, averaging 4.7 per game.
The Cavaliers’ likely starting lineup includes Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and Peyton Watson.
Harden was arrested in June 2026 for carrying a weapon in a vehicle, but the charge was dropped after he completed a court program.
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Two major college football coaches in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) signed new contracts before the upcoming season. Alabama extended coach Kalen DeBoer’s contract for seven years, while Oklahoma signed coach Brent Venables to a six-year deal through 2031.
Key Facts
Alabama gave coach Kalen DeBoer a seven-year contract worth $87.5 million.
Oklahoma signed Brent Venables to a six-year contract averaging $10.5 million per year.
Venables became Oklahoma’s head coach in 2022 and previously won two national titles as a defensive coordinator at Clemson.
Oklahoma made the College Football Playoff in 2025 for the first time since 2019 under Venables.
Oklahoma’s upcoming season schedule is tough, featuring six ranked opponents.
The contracts provide stability for the coaches before a challenging SEC conference season.
Oklahoma expects better offensive performance with returning quarterback John Mateer.
Both teams are preparing to compete strongly in the SEC and college football playoffs.
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Baltimore Ravens center Danny Pinter injured his knee tendon during practice, making him unable to play in the 2026 season. This injury affects the Ravens’ plans after losing their previous center, Tyler Linderbaum, in the offseason.
Key Facts
Danny Pinter suffered a torn patella tendon during practice with the Minnesota Vikings.
This injury will end Pinter’s 2026 season before it begins.
Pinter was expected to replace Tyler Linderbaum, who left the Ravens for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Ethan Pocic might replace Pinter, but he is also recovering from a torn Achilles tendon.
The team hopes Pocic will be ready to play more by the second week of preseason.
Pinter was a fifth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts.
He played six years for the Colts before joining the Ravens this year.
Pinter missed most of the 2023 season due to a broken ankle.
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Harry Brook scored 91 runs to help England build a big lead over Pakistan in the first Test at Headingley. Despite rainy weather and a delayed start, England reached 366 runs for 8 wickets, leading by 195 runs after Pakistan were all out for 171.
Key Facts
Harry Brook scored 91 runs and was critical in England's lead.
Dan Lawrence scored 51 runs after being recalled to the team.
Joe Root and Jordan Cox both scored over 60 runs but missed centuries.
England batted at a rate of 4.5 runs per over despite difficult weather conditions.
Pakistani bowler Ali Usman took 5 wickets, and Usman was the top bowler with 5-92.
England’s innings resumed late due to rain and poor weather.
A dropped catch early in Brook’s innings gave him a chance to score big.
England looks likely to finish the match within three days given their strong position.
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