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 – Warming Heady’s seat – Maxwell expects opening role will be short-lived Glenn Maxwell anticipates his stint as an opener in the T20I series against West Indies will be temporary, with Travis Head expected to return for the home series against South Africa in August. Maxwell’s recent performances at the top of the order have been promising, but he acknowledges that the team’s preferred line-up will likely see Head and Mitchell Marsh as…

Read More

Cliff Notes – cricket must be played by the rules, not Stokes’ moral code Cricketers often exhibit a double standard, accepting aggressive tactics like sledging while being offended by actions within the laws of the game, such as running out a batter backing up. Ben Stokes, despite being a fierce competitor and a respected player, displayed moral posturing by insisting on a draw offer from India, which contradicted the game’s rules and spirit. The incident…

Read More
Mercedes to hold “big meeting” over F1 performance drop F1

George Russell to Hold “Big Meeting” with Mercedes Over Dip in Performance George Russell is set to engage in a crucial meeting this week with Mercedes officials to dissect the team’s worrying decline in performance in the Formula 1 season. Following a lacklustre showing at the recent Belgian Grand Prix, where Russell finished fifth after starting from a promising position, the British driver is keen to address the challenges that have seen the once-dominant team…

Read More

Cliff Notes – Weary England show their frustrations as Test ends on sour note Ben Duckett’s sarcastic remark about Jadeja and Sundar’s quest for centuries highlights England’s frustration, with Zak Crawley calling the situation “embarrassing” as the match concluded in a draw. Despite England’s irritation, Jadeja and Sundar’s impressive rearguard performance was celebrated by a predominantly Indian crowd, showcasing India’s resilience in the face of adversity. England’s bowling unit struggled to create opportunities, with missed…

Read More
Dominant Oscar Piastri wins Belgian GP; extends F1 championship lead F1

Oscar Piastri Dominates Belgian GP, Extends Championship Lead SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium – Oscar Piastri showcased remarkable control and strategy to clinch victory at the Belgian Grand Prix, besting teammate and title rival Lando Norris by 3.41 seconds. This triumph marks Piastri’s sixth win of the season and elevates his championship lead to 16 points, while also thwarting Norris’s bid for a third consecutive victory. Race Overview Piastri’s victory was secured with a decisive early overtake, a…

Read More

Cliff Notes – Jess Carter starts for England against Spain Jess Carter returns to England’s starting XI for the Euro 2025 final, replacing Esme Morgan in defence after being dropped for the semifinal. Lauren James has recovered from an ankle injury and is set to start, alleviating concerns over her fitness following the semifinal. Spain has made two changes to their lineup, with Laia Aleixandri returning from suspension and Athenea del Castillo coming in for…

Read More

Cliff Notes – Gill, Rahul keep India alive and kicking through wicketless session Shubman Gill and KL Rahul navigated a challenging middle session without losing a wicket, reaching 86 for 2 at tea, still trailing England by 225 runs. Ben Stokes’ century propelled England to a formidable total of 669, marking their fifth-highest score in Test history, while Chris Woakes claimed two early wickets to set the tone for the innings. Gill, Rahul keep India…

Read More
The Red Bull gamble which boosted Tsunoda in Belgian GP qualifying F1

Tsunoda Thrills with Q3 Performance at Belgian GP After Red Bull Upgrade Yuki Tsunoda secured a remarkable seventh-place qualifying position at the Belgian Grand Prix, following a crucial upgrade to his car that reflects Red Bull’s renewed commitment to the Japanese driver’s Formula 1 campaign. This development comes amid ongoing struggles for Tsunoda, who has faced challenges since taking over the RB21 from Liam Lawson earlier this year. Red Bull’s Strategic Gamble In a bold…

Read More

Cliff Notes – Viktor Gyökeres joins from Sporting CP Arsenal has signed striker Viktor Gyökeres for €63 million, with potential add-ons of €10 million, on a five-year contract. Gyökeres, who scored 54 goals last season, is expected to enhance Arsenal’s attacking options following a challenging previous season marred by injuries. Arsenal transfers: Viktor Gyökeres joins from Sporting CP Arsenal have completed the signing of highly sought-after striker Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting CP, the club announced…

Read More
Belgian GP: Lando Norris leads McLaren 1-2 in Spa qualifying F1

Norris Secures Pole Position at Belgian Grand Prix with Mclaren 1-2 Lockout Lando Norris delivered a stunning performance at Spa-Francorchamps, clinching pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix and leading a remarkable 1-2 for McLaren. With a blistering lap time of 1:40.562, Norris outpaced his teammate Oscar Piastri, who was just 0.085 seconds behind, setting the stage for an exciting race on Sunday. Dominant McLaren Performance In a display of supremacy, McLaren’s Norris and Piastri…

Read More
Is Piastri right to be worried about the “worst place” to start on Spa F1 pole? F1

Piastri Cautious Ahead of Belgian Grand Prix Sprint Despite Pole Position Oscar Piastri’s impressive performance secured him pole position at the Belgian Grand Prix, but the Mclaren driver tempered his excitement with concerns about the challenges posed by Spa-Francorchamps. “Spa’s probably one of the worst places to have pole position,” Piastri remarked after outpacing Max Verstappen and teammate Lando Norris. As the anticipation builds for Saturday’s sprint race, Piastri faces a formidable task to maintain…

Read More

Cliff Notes – Euro 2025: England blocking out pressure ahead of final Toone Ella Toone emphasised that England is focusing on their own performance, blocking out external pressures ahead of the Euro 2025 final against Spain. Toone highlighted the importance of Sarina Wiegman’s motivational speeches in fostering team confidence and unity throughout the tournament. Euro 2025: England blocking out pressure ahead of final – Toone Ella Toone has said England are blocking out any talk…

Read More
Belgian GP: McLaren’s Oscar Piastri on pole for sprint race F1

Piastri Claims Pole at Belgian Grand Prix Ahead of Sprint Race SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium – Mclaren’s Oscar Piastri will start from pole position in Saturday’s sprint race at the Belgian Grand Prix, following a dramatic qualifying session that saw him outpace championship rivals Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. Piastri registered a lap time of 1:40.510, showcasing his remarkable form as he aims to bolster his lead in the championship standings. Piastri’s Thrilling Qualifying Performance Piastri’s journey…

Read More

Cliff Notes – India’s tactics, selection and bowling depth all fail them in Manchester India conceded 500 runs in a Test match outside Asia for the first time in over a decade, highlighting a significant decline in their bowling performance. 💧 Debutant Anshul Kamboj’s disappointing pace and ineffective spells raised questions about selection decisions, as he failed to deliver on the expectations set by his previous performances. The team’s lack of clarity in strategy and…

Read More

Cliff Notes – Man United boss Amorim offers way back for squad outcasts Ruben Amorim has stated that outcasts like Alejandro Garnacho will be reintegrated into Manchester United if suitable transfer offers do not materialise before the deadline. Players such as Garnacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho, and Tyrell Malacia are currently excluded from the summer tour, while Marcus Rashford has been loaned to Barcelona. Amorim emphasised the importance of competition for places, noting that players must…

Read More

Cliff Notes – Root and Pope cement England’s command on Manchester Test Joe Root ascended to third on Test cricket’s all-time run-scoring charts, surpassing Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis, as he remains unbeaten on 63 runs. Root and Ollie Pope established a formidable partnership, with their stand of 135 marking their sixth century partnership under Ben Stokes’ captaincy. India’s bowling struggled with consistency, highlighted by missed opportunities and errors, as they faced the prospect of…

Read More
What’s got drivers so agitated about “strange” 2026 F1 cars? F1

Drivers Express Concerns Over 2026 F1 Regulations Ahead of Belgian Grand Prix As Formula 1 gears up for the 2026 season, drivers have voiced significant concerns regarding the newly proposed regulations, leading to a wave of agitation within the paddock. With an emphasis on a 50:50 split between electrical and internal combustion engine power, the complexities of these changes have given rise to doubts about their impact on competition and driving dynamics. What’s Got Drivers…

Read More

Cliff Notes – Atlético Madrid sign Dávid Hancko after Al Nassr move collapses Atlético Madrid has signed centre-back Dávid Hancko from Feyenoord on a permanent transfer, with a contract lasting until June 2030. Hancko, the first Slovakian player in the club’s history, will join the first team’s pre-season training camp immediately. The 27-year-old’s transfer to Al Nassr fell through earlier this month, leading to his move to Atlético as part of a squad overhaul by…

Read More

Cliff Notes – ‘I loved that little eight-minute passage at Lord’s’ – Crawley senses another chance to rile India Zak Crawley embraced his role in the timewasting controversy at Lord’s, feeling it added competitive spirit to the match against India. Despite accusations from India’s captain Shubman Gill regarding the “spirit of the game,” Crawley dismissed the claims, stating he enjoyed the banter and competitive nature of cricket. Crawley acknowledged his recent struggles with form but…

Read More
Norris praises Open Championship winner Scheffler for honest comments F1

Norris Lauds Scheffler’s Honesty on Success After Open Championship Win Formula 1 title contender Lando Norris has offered high praise to golf star Scottie Scheffler for his candid reflections on the nature of success in sports. In the lead-up to his recent triumph at the Open Championship, Scheffler expressed feelings of a lack of fulfilment despite his achievements, sparking a conversation about the pressures faced by elite athletes. Just days prior to securing the Open…

Read More

Cliff Notes – Mason Mount confident of role in new-look Man United team Mason Mount expresses confidence in securing a position as one of the No. 10s in Ruben Amorim’s revamped Manchester United squad, despite recent signings. Following an injury-plagued season, Mount aims to help the team recover from last year’s disappointing performance and return to European competition. Mason Mount confident of role in new-look Man United team CHICAGO — Mason Mount is backing himself…

Read More

Cliff Notes – Duckett, Crawley turn up the heat on India after Stokes five-for England’s openers, Duckett and Crawley, forged an unbroken partnership of 77 runs, scoring at over five an over, significantly reducing India’s first-innings lead. Rishabh Pant’s courageous half-century on a fractured foot highlighted India’s fighting spirit, despite a disappointing bowling display in favourable conditions. Ben Stokes achieved his first five-wicket haul in eight years, showcasing his all-round capabilities and surpassing his previous…

Read More

Cliff Notes – Liverpool transfer spree ‘years in the making’ says CEO Liverpool’s recent £79 million acquisition of striker Hugo Ekitike reflects a shift towards aggressive investment, with total transfer spending nearing £300 million this window. CEO Billy Hogan emphasised that this strategy is part of long-term planning, aiming to position Liverpool as a modern football powerhouse while maintaining financial sustainability. The club’s ambition is to attract global stars and enhance its reputation, following their…

Read More

Cliff Notes – When left is right for Jofra Archer Jofra Archer has shown a significant advantage against left-handed batters, averaging 21.66 compared to 35.48 against right-handers in Test cricket, with 40% of his wickets coming from lefties despite bowling only 30% of his deliveries to them. Archer’s bowling strategy includes using both around-the-wicket and over-the-wicket angles, effectively challenging left-handers with varied modes of dismissal and maintaining tight lines to the stumps. As Archer continues…

Read More
Beating Hamilton not a target until Ferrari starts fighting higher up in F1 F1

Leclerc: Beating Hamilton Not a Target Until Ferrari Aims Higher Charles Leclerc has downplayed the importance of competing with his Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton, insisting that their current focus is on improving the team’s standing in Formula 1. With both drivers struggling to contend for podiums this season, Leclerc emphasized that their priority lies in propelling Ferrari toward the front of the grid rather than engaging in intra-team battles for lower points finishes. Ferrari’s Performance…

Read More