Author: WTX Sports Team

Cliff Notes – After difficult Test debut, Kamboj returns with a display of quiet control Anshul Kamboj showcased a controlled bowling performance in the Duleep Trophy semi-final, recovering from a challenging Test debut in July. Emphasising the importance of off-season preparation, Kamboj highlighted the need for mental and physical fitness to sustain performance throughout the season. After difficult Test debut, Kamboj returns with a display of quiet control Every few minutes, a flight takes off…

Cliff Notes – New loyalties – Ross Taylor joins growing list of dual-internationals Former New Zealand captain Ross Taylor’s decision to un-retire and play for Samoa highlights a trend of cricketers representing multiple countries, a practice dating back to the 19th century. Since the late 1990s, 25 male cricketers have switched national allegiances, with notable examples including Tim David and Eoin Morgan, who have achieved significant success with their new teams. The phenomenon of dual…

Colton Herta Makes Bold Move to Formula 2 in Bid for F1 Dream American driver Colton Herta is set to take a significant step back in his racing career by moving to the highly competitive FIA Formula 2 Championship in 2026. The 25-year-old IndyCar star, who has previously been on the cusp of a Formula 1 seat, views this transition as his “last shot” at achieving his long-held dream of competing in the sport’s top…

Cliff Notes – Sam Kerr to make Chelsea return after 20 months out Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor confirmed that Sam Kerr will be included in the squad for the WSL opener against Manchester City after nearly two years out due to a knee injury. Bompastor emphasised the need for patience regarding Kerr’s performance, acknowledging her leadership while recognising the challenges of returning from a lengthy absence. Sam Kerr to make Chelsea return after 20…

Cliff Notes – All you need to know about the men’s T20 Asia Cup The 17th edition of the Asia Cup runs from September 9 to September 28, 2023, in the UAE, featuring eight teams for the first time, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong. India, the defending champions, will compete in Group A alongside Pakistan, Oman, and UAE, while Group B consists of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, and…

Cliff Notes – Australia and New Zealand play for the ‘Soccer Ashes’ The ‘Soccer Ashes’ trophy, originating from a 1923 match, symbolises the competitive spirit between Australia and New Zealand in football. Matches for the Soccer Ashes honour the shared history and sporting rivalry, with the trophy representing camaraderie alongside competition. Why do Australia and New Zealand play for the ‘Soccer Ashes’? The term ‘Soccer Ashes’ draws inspiration from the cricket series between the two…

Verstappen Keeps Door Open for Future Ferrari Move Max Verstappen has hinted that a future move to Ferrari could be on the cards, despite expressing uncertainty about how long he will remain in Formula 1. While the reigning world champion is committed to Red Bull until 2026, he acknowledges that numerous possibilities lie ahead in his racing career. Current Commitments and Future Speculations Verstappen, who is currently third in the drivers’ championship, has faced ongoing…

Cliff Notes – Bhatia ruled out of Australia series and World Cup with knee injury Yastika Bhatia has been ruled out of the ODI series against Australia and the ODI World Cup due to a left knee injury sustained during a preparatory camp in Visakhapatnam. Uma Chetry, who has played seven T20Is but no ODIs, replaces Bhatia in both squads and has been withdrawn from the India A side for the World Cup warm-up match.…

Colton Herta Makes Shock Switch from IndyCar to Formula 2 Colton Herta is set to make a surprising transition from IndyCar to Formula 2 in 2026, as announced by Cadillac Formula 1 team CEO Dan Towriss. The announcement comes on the heels of Cadillac’s recruitment of F1 veterans Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas as primary drivers for its inaugural campaign. Herta’s Unconventional Path to Formula 1 The 24-year-old American, who finished as the 2024 IndyCar…

Cliff Notes – 2026 World Cup tickets FIFA confirms use of dynamic pricing FIFA has announced a presale draw for World Cup tickets from September 10-19, with prices ranging from $60 to $6,710, subject to change based on demand. Fans can purchase a maximum of four tickets per match, with a total cap of 40 tickets for the tournament; further sales phases will follow in the coming months. Dynamic pricing will be employed, reflecting demand,…

Verstappen Questions Red Bull’s Performance After Zandvoort Battle Max Verstappen has voiced his concerns regarding Red Bull Racing’s performance, stating that the battle between his team and Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar at the Dutch Grand Prix “shouldn’t be happening”. Both drivers finished on the podium at Zandvoort, but Verstappen highlighted a troubling lack of pace compared to their rivals, particularly the Mclaren team. Performance Concerns Highlighted Verstappen, who ended the race in third place, attributed…

Cliff Notes – How did Liverpool afford their £450m summer of spending Liverpool’s record £450m summer spending was facilitated by strong revenues, including nearly £90m from the Champions League and significant player sales, generating around £260m. The club’s strategic financial planning and compliance with profit and sustainability rules allowed for substantial investment while maintaining adherence to Premier League and UEFA regulations. How did Liverpool afford their £450m summer of spending? Beth LindopSep 2, 2025, 12:25…

Cliff Notes – Cummins may ‘take a few risks’ to be able to play Ashes Australia captain Pat Cummins is considering an aggressive approach to recover from a lumbar bone stress injury ahead of the Ashes series starting November 21. Despite missing upcoming white-ball matches, Cummins is confident he can prepare for the first Test without match practice, relying on his experience to get up to speed quickly. Cummins may ‘take a few risks’ to…

Cliff Notes – Chelsea-Fulham VAR decision ‘wrong’ Howard Webb stated that VAR guidance was not properly followed during the disallowed goal for Fulham’s Josh King, leading to a significant error in officiating. The PGMOL acknowledged the mistake and promptly removed VAR Michael Salisbury from his next appointment, with Fulham’s manager Marco Silva expressing disbelief at the decision. Webb emphasised the need for a high threshold for VAR interventions, asserting that goals should only be disallowed…

Lewis Hamilton’s Move to Ferrari Shocks F1 World Lewis Hamilton’s surprise switch from Mercedes to Ferrari for the 2025 season has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 paddock. While his early performances with the Scuderia have not met expectations, the transition has spared Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff from what he described as “difficult conversations” regarding Hamilton’s future with the team. Hamilton’s Inconsistencies at Ferrari After claiming victory in the sprint race at the Chinese…

Cliff Notes – Viktor Gyökeres Arsenal easy choice despite ‘other’ interest Viktor Gyökeres confirmed he turned down multiple clubs, including Manchester United and Juventus, before joining Arsenal for €73 million. The striker expressed confidence in his decision, stating it was not a difficult choice to return to the Premier League, which he views as the best league in the world. Gyökeres emphasised the importance of team cohesion for Arsenal’s success, highlighting the need for a…

Cliff Notes – England quicks await India acid test after two-year changing of the guard England’s seam attack faces a pivotal challenge in the fifth Test against India, marking a significant transition following the retirements of Anderson and Broad. With Stokes absent due to injury, the new trio of Tongue, Atkinson, and Overton must step up to secure England’s first series victory over India since 2018. England quicks await India acid test after two-year changing…

Cliff Notes – Crystal Palace Europa League appeal at CAS set for Aug 8 A closed-door hearing regarding Crystal Palace’s appeal against UEFA’s demotion to the Conference League will take place on August 8 at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Lyon, majority-owned by Eagle Football Group’s John Textor, retains its Europa League spot despite Palace’s appeal, with Nottingham Forest set to replace Palace if the appeal fails. A ruling from CAS is expected…

Cliff Notes – Sunderland sign ex-Arsenal man Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen Sunderland have secured Granit Xhaka for a reported fee of £17 million, marking his return to the Premier League after two successful years in Germany. The Switzerland captain played a pivotal role in Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten Bundesliga title and DFB-Pokal double in the 2023-24 season. Xhaka’s signing is seen as a significant step in Sunderland’s ambition to establish themselves in the Premier League following…

Hungarian Grand Prix 2025 Preview: Countdown to the Summer Break The 2025 Formula 1 season reaches a pivotal juncture this weekend with the Hungarian Grand Prix, where teams and drivers will compete fiercely before the sport’s summer break. As the last race of the first half of the season, all eyes will be on the Hungaroring in Budapest, where championship leader Oscar Piastri aims to secure a second consecutive victory amid mounting pressure from his…

Cliff Notes – Bharat Arun set to become LSG bowling coach Bharat Arun will join Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) as their bowling coach for IPL 2026, concluding a four-year stint with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). In addition to coaching, Arun will oversee the development of young fast bowlers and scouting within the LSG framework. LSG is also expected to appoint Carl Crowe as a spin consultant, following a disappointing IPL 2025 season where they finished…

Cliff Notes – Transfer rumors, news: Dortmund eye permanent move for Sancho Borussia Dortmund is reportedly considering a third attempt to sign Jadon Sancho from Manchester United, with discussions ongoing about a potential €20 million transfer. Newcastle United’s interest in Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson may facilitate Alexander Isak’s move to Liverpool, as Isak is open to leaving the club after a successful season. Transfer rumors, news: Dortmund eye permanent move for Sancho Borussia Dortmund are considering…

Cliff Notes – Owen earns ODI call-up to face South Africa, Labuschagne retained Mitchell Owen has received his first ODI call-up following impressive performances in T20Is, including a debut half-century against the West Indies. Marnus Labuschagne retains his place in the ODI squad after being omitted from the Test team, as Australia prepares for a series against South Africa. Owen earns ODI call-up to face South Africa, Labuschagne retained Andrew McGlashanJul 30, 2025, 02:09 AMCloseDeputy…

Cliff Notes – Mbeumo: Amorim conversation convinced me to join Man United Bryan Mbeumo chose Manchester United over Newcastle and Tottenham, citing a compelling project presented by manager Ruben Amorim. The transfer from Brentford, worth up to £71 million, faced delays due to fluctuating valuations and negotiations, but Mbeumo remained optimistic throughout. Mbeumo: Amorim conversation convinced me to join Man United CHICAGO — Bryan Mbeumo has revealed he spoke to other managers before moving to…

Haas F1 Team Criticised for Strategy Errors at Belgian GP Haas Formula 1 team principal Ayao Komatsu has expressed frustration with his team’s strategic blunders during the Belgian Grand Prix, echoing past shortcomings from the British GP. The team’s inability to execute pivotal decisions at critical moments has drawn sharp criticism, particularly regarding their tire choices in adverse conditions. Ocon’s Frustration: “Big and Costly Mistake” Esteban Ocon did not hold back when addressing Haas’ strategic…