Author: WTX Sports Team

The Sports Team is responsible for delivering your Sports Brief. Weekly roundup to cover all things Football, Cricket, Tennis Formula 1, Boxing and Olympics and more.

Cliff Notes – Kohli: ‘Boucher had the biggest impact on me as a young kid’ Virat Kohli credited Mark Boucher as having the most significant influence on his early career, highlighting Boucher’s proactive approach in identifying and addressing his weaknesses. Kohli recalled Boucher’s intense training sessions, particularly focusing on improving his ability to handle short balls, which he deemed essential for succeeding at the international level. Kohli: ‘Boucher had the biggest impact on me as…

Read More

Cliff Notes – How many players have scored a century and taken a five-for on the same day of a Test? Mehidy Hasan Miraz achieved a remarkable feat by scoring 104 runs and taking 5 wickets in a single day against Zimbabwe, levelling the Test series. This performance is among the best all-round displays in a single day of Test cricket, with only Jimmy Sinclair’s 1899 performance as a historical contender. Currently, Mehidy Hasan is…

Read More
Ferrari boss Vasseur defends team’s strategy at F1 Miami GP F1

Ferrari Chief Defends Strategy at Miami GP Amid Driver Frustration Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has staunchly defended his team’s decision-making during the Miami Grand Prix, amid criticism from drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. Following the race, Vasseur acknowledged the drivers’ frustrations, but insisted that the team’s strategy was sound and aligned with Ferrari’s overarching goals. A Controversial Call in Miami During the race, Ferrari orchestrated a plan to swap Leclerc and Hamilton to…

Read More

Cliff Notes – Lauren Winfield-Hill ‘I’m going to play until my body’s buggered’ Lauren Winfield-Hill emphasises the importance of athleticism and physicality in cricket, arguing that fielding is a collective responsibility that reflects commitment to the team. She advocates for a performance-driven selection process in England cricket, highlighting the need for players to excel in domestic competitions to earn international spots. Lauren Winfield-Hill: ‘I’m going to play until my body’s buggered’ Valkerie BaynesCloseValkerie Baynes is…

Read More
Miami GP: George Russell keeps podium as Red Bull protest thrown out F1

Russell Retains Podium Finish as Red Bull Protest Dismissed at Miami Grand Prix MIAMI GARDENS, Fla – George Russell has successfully retained his hard-fought podium finish at the Miami Grand Prix after stewards dismissed a post-race protest from Red Bull. The team had alleged that Russell violated yellow flag protocols during the race, but their claims were ultimately found to be unfounded. Red Bull’s Protest Explained Following the race, Red Bull contended that Russell did…

Read More

Cliff Notes – A spell from hell: Arshdeep finds a new high in Dharamsala Arshdeep Singh delivered a remarkable performance, taking 3 wickets for just 10 runs in three overs, significantly impacting the match against Lucknow Super Giants. His ability to swing the ball both ways, combined with precise control, created immense difficulty for batters, forcing early commitments and errors. With this performance, Arshdeep has risen to third on the Purple Cap leaderboard, showcasing his…

Read More

Cliff Notes – European soccer review: Arteta zigs while everyone else zags Arsenal’s decision to field a full-strength team against Bournemouth resulted in a surprising 2-1 defeat, contrasting with other clubs prioritising squad rotation ahead of European fixtures. Bayern Munich secured the Bundesliga title without playing, as Bayer Leverkusen’s draw against Freiburg confirmed their championship status, despite Bayern’s own match ending in a dramatic equaliser. Leeds United clinched the Championship title with a last-minute winner,…

Read More

Cliff Notes – No rush, just Russ: measured mayhem is KKR’s new mantra Andre Russell showcased his ability to adapt by patiently building his innings before unleashing powerful shots, finishing with 57 runs off 25 balls. His strategic approach against spin and calculated aggression against pace highlighted his versatility, reinforcing his importance to Kolkata Knight Riders’ batting lineup. No rush, just Russ: measured mayhem is KKR’s new mantra Andre Russell has built a reputation that…

Read More
Not just a tonne of bricks – F1 drivers parade around Miami GP track in full-size LEGO cars F1

F1 Drivers Dazzle in LEGO Cars at Miami Grand Prix Formula 1 has once again pushed the boundaries of fan engagement by replacing the customary driver parade truck with stunning full-scale LEGO cars at the Miami Grand Prix. The innovative move aims to enhance the American fan experience as the 20 drivers showcased their bespoke LEGO replicas ahead of Sunday’s race. Not just a tonne of bricks – F1 drivers parade around Miami GP track…

Read More

Cliff Notes – Luke Wright on Sam Cook ‘He’s the one top-order batters fear most’ Sam Cook, at just 27, has consistently excelled in county cricket, achieving 300 first-class wickets with an impressive average below 19, yet remained overlooked for England selection until now. His recent call-up is attributed to his exceptional skill set, including accuracy and the ability to swing and seam the ball, which provides a valuable complement to England’s bowling attack. Luke…

Read More

Cliff Notes – Manchester United face Brentford Manchester United fielded a significantly altered lineup against Brentford, prioritising squad rotation ahead of their crucial second leg against Athletic Club. Ruben Amorim’s tactical adjustments reflect a strategic focus on managing player fitness and performance in the lead-up to the European fixture. Live updates indicate a competitive match atmosphere, with both teams seeking to assert dominance in this pivotal encounter. LIVE: Manchester United face Brentford Manchester United face…

Read More

Cliff Notes – Kevin Pietersen is helping make Delhi Capitals’ players better cricketers and loving it Kevin Pietersen, now a mentor for Delhi Capitals, is focused on developing young players, emphasising the importance of fundamentals and modern T20 techniques. Despite missing initial games due to prior commitments, he has quickly adapted to his coaching role, fostering a positive environment for both experienced and emerging talents. Kevin Pietersen is helping make Delhi Capitals’ players better cricketers…

Read More
Red Bull claims to create “miracles” with Verstappen’s F1 displays F1

Mclaren Chief Questions Red Bull’s "Miracles" in F1 Miami Grand Prix: Tensions Rise as Andrea Stella Challenges Red Bull’s Dominance McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has criticized Formula 1 rival Red Bull for creating a "narrative" that positions them as miracle-makers in this season’s championship race. Stella’s comments come after Max Verstappen secured his third pole position of 2025, solidifying his bid for another victory at the Miami Grand Prix, as he seeks a fifth…

Read More
Max Verstappen says becoming a dad ‘hasn’t slowed me down’ F1

Verstappen Storms to Pole Position After Becoming Father MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Max Verstappen has shown that fatherhood is not affecting his performance on the track, as the four-time Formula 1 world champion secured pole position ahead of the Miami Grand Prix just days after welcoming his daughter, Lily, in Monaco earlier this week. Verstappen says becoming a dad "hasn’t slowed me down," dispelling the myth that parenthood has a detrimental impact on a racer’s…

Read More

Cliff Notes – Mikel Arteta: Arsenal must use ‘rage’ over Bournemouth loss vs PSG Mikel Arteta urged his players to channel their frustration from the 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth into a strong performance against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semifinal. Despite Declan Rice’s opening goal, Arsenal conceded two quick goals in the second half, jeopardising their momentum ahead of the crucial second leg in Paris. Arteta acknowledged the need for Arsenal to secure six…

Read More

Cliff Notes – Powerplay malfunction puts SRH on the brink The 87-run partnership between Shubman Gill and B Sai Sudharsan showcased exceptional batting, achieving 82 runs without any slogs, highlighting both skill and poor bowling from SRH. SRH’s bowlers, particularly Mohammed Shami and Pat Cummins, struggled with line and length, contributing to a high economy rate of 10.65, the worst in IPL 2025. The team’s inability to control the powerplay overs has been a significant…

Read More

Cliff Notes – Reading takeover by ex-Wycombe owner agreed in principle Former Wycombe Wanderers owner Rob Couhig has reached an agreement to purchase Reading FC, with the deal expected to be finalised soon. The takeover includes the Select Car Leasing Stadium and Bearwood Park Training Ground, pending final legal formalities. The EFL has extended the deadline for the sale of Dai Yongge’s shares until May 8, following his disqualification under ownership regulations. Reading takeover by…

Read More
Why Verstappen has a new floor in Miami – but his engine could be holding him back F1

Verstappen Faces Challenges Amid New Floor Update in Miami Max Verstappen, driving for Red Bull Racing, is set to debut a significant new floor update at the Miami Grand Prix this weekend. However, despite the promise of enhanced downforce, there are concerns that an ageing engine might limit his performance on the track. Why Verstappen Has a New Floor in Miami As confirmed by Autosport, Red Bull Racing is implementing a phased update to its…

Read More

Cliff Notes – Brazil-linked Jorge Jesus leaves Saudi Pro League Al Hilal Al Hilal has mutually terminated the contract of head coach Jorge Jesus following their recent elimination from the Asian Champions League semifinals. Jesus is reportedly a candidate for the vacant Brazil national team position amid ongoing negotiations regarding Carlo Ancelotti’s future at Real Madrid. With five matches remaining in the Pro League, Al Hilal sits second in the table, six points behind leaders…

Read More
No penalty for Max Verstappen after sprint qualifying incident F1

Max Verstappen Escapes Penalty After Sprint Qualifying Incident Max Verstappen has narrowly avoided a grid penalty ahead of the Miami Grand Prix sprint race following an investigation into his slow outlap during SQ2, with Red Bull Racing receiving only a reprimand instead. Investigation Details The FIA’s inquiry arose from Verstappen allegedly driving unnecessarily slowly, exceeding the maximum allowed lap time by six seconds. During the investigation, stewards determined this was due to a programming error…

Read More