Australia Test captain Pat Cummins believes Justin Langer had no need to apologise for his intensity but insists he will always stick up for his mates amid a backlash to his sacking as head coach.
Former opener Langer guided his country to T20 World Cup success last November before overseeing a 4-0 Ashes thrashing of England across December and January.
However, the 51-year-old rejected a short-term extension on his contract, which was due to expire in June, and resigned as head coach of Australia last week.
Mitchell Johnson, Usman Khawaja and Shane Warne headed a host of names in Australian cricket to question the treatment of Langer, who has recently been linked with the vacant England head coach role.
But Cummins responded by emphasising his defence of his team-mates and Cricket Australia on Wednesday as he addressed the matter for the first time with a statement and later at a news conference.
The fast bowler wrote: "Justin has acknowledged that his style was intense. And it was. He has apologised to players and staff for his intensity.
"I think the apology was unnecessary because the players were okay with JL's intensity. It came from a good place - his fierce love of Australia and the baggy green - something which has served Australian cricket well for three decades.
"I take this responsibility seriously. I live and breathe it. We also have a duty to our mates. Many former players have reached out to me and silently offered me their advice, which is welcome.
"Some others have spoken in the media – which is also welcome and comes from a love of the game and their support of a mate.
"To all past players, I want to say this: Just as you have always stuck up for your mates, I'm sticking up for mine."
Cummins, who also explained it would not have been right for him to make "public comment" on the topic earlier, praised Langer's efforts, though he is now looking forward to a new era of Australian cricket.
"I think this group looking forward, a few things through the review process we really wanted and found important to get the best out of our players is I think the players benefit from a more collaborative approach," Cummins told reporters.
"A big theme this summer was to be more calm, more composed. That's been the feedback from the players, staff and Cricket Australia that that's the direction we want to take the team.
"I think he tweaked and changed quite a bit. He deserves a lot of credit for that. I think the question then became do we think that it's sustainable. We thought it is the right time to make a change.
"I think some of these skill sets are perhaps a little bit different to perhaps his traditional coaching style.
"I think he tweaked his coaching style in the last six months and did a really good job, but we think now is the right time for a different direction. It's a matter of opinion but we think it's the right one."
Andrew McDonald has been promoted from assistant coach in the interim and is expected to lead Australia when they tour Pakistan in March.
CONCACAF Champions League winners Monterrey sealed a fifth-place finish at the FIFA Club World Cup after cruising to a deserved 3-1 win over Emirati outfit Al Jazira.
Backed by a vocal group of travelling fans, the Mexican outfit took just three minutes to take the lead, when a weak shot deflected against Al Jazira defender Zayed Sultan and spun across the goalline by a matter of inches.
The Liga MX side looked determined to atone for their wasteful loss to Al Ahly last week, and doubled their advantage soon afterwards, when impressive striker Rogelio Funes Mori rounded the goalkeeper and tapped into an open net after 11 minutes.
Monterrey were utterly dominant throughout the opening period and racked up a third goal with 25 minutes gone, when captain Cesar Montes headed home from Arturo Gonzalez's free-kick.
With the contest effectively wrapped up by the break, the Mexican side made a number of changes early on in the second half, before drawing three strong saves from Al Jazira shot-stopper and captain Ali Khaseif without adding a fourth goal.
Although Monterrey certainly warranted their victory, racking up 18 attempts at goal to their opponents' six, the Emirati champions did claim a late consolation goal, when Brazilian winger Bruno De Oliveira raced onto a low cross to tap home in stoppage time.
West Ham have confirmed Kurt Zouma has been fined "the maximum amount possible" while the club assist an investigation from the RSPCA into a video showing the defender kicking and slapping his cat.
The disturbing clip surfaced on Monday, with Zouma's actions condemned by the Hammers, RSPCA and other animal welfare groups.
While a statement from Zouma said he was "deeply sorry", he was still selected by David Moyes for Tuesday's match against Watford, which West Ham won 1-0.
"It is certainly ongoing and the club are dealing with it," Moyes told BT Sport after the match, and a statement followed from West Ham on Wednesday.
Both the club and the RSPCA confirmed Zouma's two cats had been taken into care, while his fine – reported to be worth £250,000 – will be donated to charity. Further punishment may follow the RSPCA's investigation.
West Ham said: "West Ham United can confirm that the club is supporting an RSPCA investigation into the actions of Kurt Zouma in the video circulated online this week.
"Kurt and the club are co-operating fully with the investigation and the player has willingly complied with the steps taken in the initial stage of the process, including delivering his family's two cats to the RSPCA for assessment.
"Kurt is extremely remorseful and, like everyone at the club, fully understands the depth of feeling surrounding the incident and the need for action to be taken.
"Separate to the RSPCA's investigation and pending further sanction once the outcome of that process is determined, West Ham United can confirm that Kurt Zouma has been fined the maximum amount possible following his actions in the video that circulated.
"The player has immediately accepted the fine and has requested that it is donated to animal welfare charities.
"West Ham United would like to reiterate our condemnation of Kurt's actions and make it clear that the matter continues to be handled with the utmost seriousness.
"However, we believe it is now important to allow the RSPCA to conduct their investigation in a fair and thorough manner, and will be making no further comment at this stage."
The RSPCA said in a short message on Twitter: "We'd like to reassure people that we're investigating and the cats are safe and in our care.
"We have been dealing with this since before the clip went viral online and we need to follow the proper legal process and not discuss due to UK GDPR laws."
Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri has revealed that Leonardo Bonucci and Mattia Perin will start the Coppa Italia quarter-final fixture against Sassuolo, and hinted that Dusan Vlahovic could be rested ahead of a huge Serie A clash with top-four rivals Atalanta.
In-form Juventus are unbeaten in 10 league games since losing at home to Atalanta in late November, but will shift their focus to reaching a 10th Coppa Italia semi-final since 2006-07 when Sassuolo travel to Turin.
Allegri, who lifted Italy's domestic cup in four successive seasons during his previous spell at the helm, said the Bianconeri were determined to reach the final four, but spoke openly about his intention to ring the changes for the quarter-final match-up.
"Sassuolo play well technically, they lost their last game 4-0 [against Sampdoria], so they’ll be looking for revenge," he said.
"We need a serious performance, which would help us to prepare for the match against Atalanta.
"I am happy to be back and to be in the race for all the targets. The enthusiasm is back after the last game, but we can’t go too far. Too much confidence is not okay.
"Our target is to go as far as possible in the Champions League and to finish in the top four."
The speculation around Ben Simmons and what his situation means for the rest of the Philadelphia 76ers has been unhelpful, coach Doc Rivers acknowledges.
The NBA trade deadline passes on Thursday – in theory meaning an end to Simmons gossip at least until the end of the season.
Led by MVP candidate Joel Embiid, the 76ers are an impressive fifth in the Eastern Conference despite being without second man Simmons for the whole year so far.
The former number one overall pick has been the subject of trade talk for over a year and has actively pushed for a trade since before this season started.
The 76ers have not yet managed to find a deal that suits them, although the looming deadline may focus minds.
Potential trade options are seemingly decreasing, however, with the Sacramento Kings pulling out of talks and the Washington Wizards' Bradley Beal out for the year.
That might mean Simmons staying in Philly, but Rivers is just keen to get to the end of the week regardless.
"Absolutely," Rivers said of anticipating the deadline. "Especially this year, just because of the situation we're in.
"I know our guys are NBA players and all that, but they're human.
"I can't imagine the amount of names that have been thrown in. So every single guy goes to bed tonight thinking this may be his last night or whatever, so that's tough. It really is."
Should Simmons go elsewhere or stay on the sideline, the Sixers will require reinforcements at point guard. Rivers said the team "have to" add depth behind Tyrese Maxey, a breakout star in Simmons' absence.
But there is also the possibility Simmons himself could be the man to bolster Rivers' roster, making an improbable return to action.
Team-mate Embiid said after Tuesday's defeat to the Phoenix Suns: "Like I've been saying since the season started, I'm happy.
"Whoever wants to play is welcome. If someone wants to play, they're welcome. But we've got guys here that want to be here, that show up every single night."
The center was speaking in response to a question on Simmons, who he criticised following last year's playoff loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
In a lengthy answer, Embiid added: "If you want to be part of us, I am sure everybody is going to be fine with it, but you've got to show up. You've got to want to be there. And I'm sure everybody is going to accept whoever that is."
Gianluigi Donnarumma stands by his decision to leave Milan for Paris Saint-Germain despite having to share goalkeeping duties with Keylor Navas since arriving in France.
Italy's Euro 2020 hero Donnarumma has only made 10 league starts since joining PSG on a free transfer last year, while Costa Rican competitor Keylor Navas has appeared between the sticks in 13 of the side's Ligue 1 outings.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Donnarumma, who made 215 Serie A appearances at Milan after coming through the Rossoneri's youth ranks, thanked his former club for their role in his development, but stressed that he was happy with life at PSG.
"I can only thank the club for what they did for me", the 22-year-old said. "I improved as a man and as a footballer in Milan.
"I think PSG was in my destiny.
"They had been following me for many years and have always made sure I knew about their interest. Everyone at the club makes me feel important, from President Al-Khelaifi to director Leonardo. I am happy and proud to be here.
When asked about his competition with Navas, Donnarumma responded: "I knew that this was the situation when I signed with PSG.
"I don't know what he [Navas] thinks, but I am okay with it because everyone here always makes me feel important.
"It's not true that we are not on good terms, there is an excellent rapport between us, he is a good guy and there are no problems."
Marco Asensio insists he "didn't think about" leaving Real Madrid despite being linked with a move away after struggling for consistent game-time earlier this season.
The 26-year-old was touted with an exit when Carlo Ancelotti returned to the Santiago Bernabeu at the beginning of the campaign, but has since provided six league goals for Los Blancos despite starting just 11 games in LaLiga.
Ancelotti recently singled Asensio out for praise, calling him "an important player" after his winning goal against Granada stretched Real's lead at the LaLiga summit to six points, but the Italian also admitted that he was not sure if the Spain international could be classed as a regular starter.
Asensio, though, always believed he could have a big role to play for Madrid this season.
"I didn't think about it [leaving]", Asensio told Spanish radio station Cadena SER.
"I still have this and another year left [on my contract], and I have confidence in myself.
Asensio, who has won two LaLiga titles and featured in two Champions League triumphs since joining the club, also hailed Ancelotti's impact on his performances.
"I had several conversations with the coach, and he gave me confidence," he added.
"I feel very comfortable with what he asks of me on the pitch. His ideas and the confidence that he has shown me helps a lot when it comes to being on the pitch.
"I knew that the season was going to start differently because of [my involvement in] the Olympics, and I had to do a mini-preseason.
"At first, I didn't play [as much as I wanted], but then I had to take advantage when I did.
"I want to continue growing, and I feel that I am contributing to the team."
Asensio is Real Madrid's third-highest goalscorer in LaLiga this season behind only Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior, and his six strikes have come from an expected goals rate of 4.96.
Tom Brady is at peace with his decision retire after 22 seasons in the NFL but the legendary quarterback will "never say never" about the possibility of a sensational comeback.
The 44-year-old,who became the first man to be named Super Bowl MVP with two different franchises when winning Super Bowl LV with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year, announced his retirement from the sport last week in the aftermath of the Bucs' 30-27 playoff defeat to the LA Rams.
Speaking publicly for the first time after announcing his intention to quit the sport, Brady said he is looking forward to challenges outside of football even if the prospect of a return will never be completely off the table.
"I'm just going to take things as they come," Brady told Jim Gray on the "Let's Go!" podcast. "I think that's the best way to put it, and you never say never.
"At the same time, I feel very good about my decision. I don't know how I'll feel six months from now.
"I try to make the best possible decision I can in the moment. And, again, I don't think it's about looking to reverse course. I'm definitely not looking to do that.
"But at the same time, I think you have to be realistic and you never know what challenges there are going to be in life. I loved playing, [but] I'm looking forward to doing things other than playing."
Brady, who led the New England Patriots to 17 division titles between 2000 and 2019, cited a desire to spend more time with his family as a major factor in his decision to retire.
"Everything certainly comes at a cost," he said. "The cost is, 'what am I missing out on in other aspects of my life?'
"As you get older, you experience things outside of the sport that demand the level of attention and energy that football has always gotten, and it's time for me to commit to those types of things.
"I felt like it was just the right time to do it.
"There's a time and a place for everything. I've had an amazing time, and I'm really excited for what's ahead. I don't know what that means or where it will take me, but I know that it'll be fun and exciting, and I'm going to make the most of whatever opportunities present themselves."
Brady, who would remain under contact with the Bucs for the 2022 season if he did opt to reverse his retirement decision, led the NFL for both passing yards and passing touchdowns in 2021's regular season, and maintained his record of never experiencing a losing season in his career.
Bayern Munich have announced that midfielder Jamal Musiala has tested positive for coronavirus.
The 18-year-old was absent from training on Tuesday and it was confirmed by Bayern on Wednesday he has contracted the virus.
Musiala will serve a period of self-isolation and is set to sit out Saturday's Bundesliga trip to Bochum, as well as next week's Champions League last-16 first leg with Salzburg.
That is a blow for Julian Nagelsmann as Musiala has played in 27 of Bayern's 30 matches in all competitions this season – only five others have featured more regularly.
The Germany international has been directly involved in 10 goals – six of his own and four assists – which is the sixth-most of any Bayern player in 2021-22.
Musiala's 53 dribbles completed this season, meanwhile, is behind only Leroy Sane (71) and Alphonso Davies (83).
Nagelsmann is well accustomed to dealing with player absentees through COVID-19, however, having had to make do without nine first-teamers at the start of the year.
Mikel Arteta insists he was "the solution, not the problem" in an apparently fractious relationship with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The forward, who scored 92 goals in 162 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal after joining from Borussia Dortmund in January 2018, was released from his contract and joined Barcelona on deadline day.
It was a move that came about after the Gabon international had been stripped of the captaincy at Emirates Stadium following a disciplinary breach.
Aubameyang suggested that Arteta was the one at fault for the falling out, declaring at his Camp Nou presentation: "I think it was a problem just with him [Arteta].
"He made the decision. I can't say much more. He wasn't happy, I stayed very calm and that's it."
However, speaking ahead of the Gunners' trip to Wolves in the Premier League on Thursday, Arteta put a different spin on events.
"That's his opinion, that’s what he said and you have to respect that," he said.
"I’m extremely grateful for what Auba has done and his contribution.
"The way I see myself in that relationship is the solution, not the problem."
Aubameyang's departure came at the end of a transfer window in which Arsenal failed to strengthen, with January having also brought little cause for cheer on the pitch.
Arsenal were winless across five games in all competitions last month, exiting the FA Cup and EFL Cup along the way.
Despite the lack of incoming players, Arteta defended the club's approach.
"We did what we believed was the right thing to do," he said. "The squad composition and contracts were catching up, be fair with players who haven't had a lot of minutes.
"We had a clear plan of what we can do, but then it has to be doable.
"Edu [technical director] and his team have done a great job. We are very clear we only want the best people and the best players at this club.
"When we are in a rush and the reasons to get a player on board are not the right ones we didn’t do it."
Arteta's side sit sixth in the table, four points behind fourth-placed West Ham but with three games in hand.
Lando Norris has agreed to extend his stay with McLaren through to 2025, the team announced on Wednesday.
It was confirmed by the British constructor back at the Monaco Grand Prix that an option to prolong Norris' stay for multiple years had been exercised.
An agreement has now been reached for the Briton to stay with McLaren for the next four seasons, starting in 2022.
"Teams are about people, and I love the people and feel at home at McLaren. I have grown up in this team and I'm part of this journey we're all on," Norris said via a McLaren statement.
"Last season was another great step, both in my career and the team's performance, and I see and feel all the work, investment, and commitment for the team to be in a position to challenge for wins and titles in the future.
"This all gives me huge confidence looking forward, so it was a natural decision to extend our relationship for the next few years."
Norris has a relationship with McLaren dating back to 2017 and was reserve driver for two years before gaining a full seat in 2019.
There has been steady progression of the past three seasons, with Norris finishing 11th in his debut campaign, ninth in 2020 (which also yielded a first podium), and sixth in 2021 where he had four podium finishes and a first pole position.
Team principal Andreas Seidl added: "The opportunity to extend our relationship with Lando reflects not only our commitment but our belief and confidence in his talent.
"It is also a strong sign of trust and commitment from Lando in us as a team and our journey to world championship contention.
"Lando has shown impressive growth as a Formula One driver over the past four years and has been an instrumental part of the team's momentum and performance trajectory.
"We are still on our journey to fight at the front and Lando is a key element of our plan, so to lock him into place, alongside Daniel and our senior leadership, gives us stability and continuity as we build towards our ultimate shared goal of world championships."
The new F1 season begins with the Bahrain Grand Prix next month.
Russell Westbrook does not feel he has anything to prove as he made light of being booed by his own Los Angeles Lakers fans during Tuesday's loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
The nine-time NBA All-Star was benched in the fourth quarter for the second game running as the Lakers fell to a fifth defeat in seven outings, going down 131-116.
With nine minutes remaining at the Crypto.com Arena and his side down by 24 points, Westbrook was jeered after making two turnovers in the space of 12 seconds.
But Westbrook, who was traded to the Lakers from the Washington Wizards last August, is not letting the negative reaction get to him.
"It's a sign of respect," he said while smiling. "My mindset and how I think about this game and what I've been able to do for this game is not predicated on boos.
"I've a platform that I'm able to use to be able to do other things that God has blessed me to be able to do and I will continue to do those things.
"That's regardless of whether people boo for me, cheer for me, cuss me out, call me names, it doesn't really matter.
"The most important part is that I continue to use my gift to be able to play basketball and use that platform to be able to help other people around the world. That's all I can do."
Westbrook had 10 points off 3-of-11 shooting, 10 assists and four turnovers on another disappointing day for the Lakers' former MVP.
He has 1,006 points for the season, a tally bettered only by LeBron James (1,103) among Lakers players.
But Westbrook's 18.3 average through 55 games is his lowest since 2009-10, and down from the 31.6 managed with Oklahoma City Thunder in 2016-17 when crowned MVP.
However, responding to criticism regarding his loss of form, Westbrook said: "I shouldn't have to prove anything to anyone, to be honest.
"I've put so much work into my game and I've earned so much respect in the league. I don't have to prove anything to anyone.
"I've earned the right to be in the closing line-up standing.
"The numbers confirm it. I don't have to go into it any further. But I don't have to decide, that's the decision of the coach. Unfortunately, I just have to see how I deal with it."
Westbrook was on the court for just 26 minutes against the Bucks and suggested after the game he is not happy with Frank Vogel's constantly changing line-ups.
"You never know when you're coming in, you never know when you're coming out," he said. "You never know when you're playing, you never know... a bunch of things.
"I'm speaking personally, so it's a difficult process to be able to figure out and create some rhythm and some consistency where we can see what we're able to do as a team.
"But those decisions are made by him and his coaching staff, and you've got to live with it and move on."
Giannis Antetokounmpo produced another eye-catching display to help the Milwaukee Bucks to victory over the Los Angeles Lakers and was hailed by team-mate Khris Middleton for "making it look easy".
The two-time NBA MVP scored 44 points on 17-for-20 shooting, while registering eight assists and 14 rebounds as the Bucks earned a 131-116 victory in Tuesday's contest at the Crypto.com Arena.
In doing so, Antetokounmpo joined legendary figures Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as only the third person with 40+ points, 10+ rebounds and five-or-more assists on 85-per-cent-plus shooting in a game.
Indeed, the 27-year-old has now had three games with 40+ points, 10+ rebounds, five-plus assists and no turnovers. Over the past 30 years, only David Robinson and Dirk Nowitzki have achieved that feat, doing so once each.
Middleton, who scored all 21 of his points in the first half, was blown away by the ease in which Antetokounmpo took apart the lacklustre Lakers, who had LeBron James and Anthony Davis in their line-up.
"He made it look easy, honestly," Middleton said. "That just shows the level of how he's playing.
"He was knocking down his jump shot. He's got guys going for his pump fake. Just the way he let the game come to him and stay patient, it was pretty fun to watch."
The 44 points registered by Antetokounmpo was his second-highest tally of the season, behind only the 47 he managed against the same opponents on November 17.
He is third in terms of points scorers in NBA this season with 1,343, behind DeMar DeRozan (1,360) and Trae Young (1,364), while only Joel Embiid (29.4) averages more points per game than his 29.2.
Reflecting on another good day both personally and for the Bucks, who have now won four in a row to move to 35-21 for the campaign, Antetokounmpo said: "Obviously when you make shots, the game is a lot easier, looks a lot better.
"I know I'm going to try to get my team-mates involved and look for the best way to help the team, but sometimes when you start making shots, you feel better about yourself, you defend better. Today was one of those games."
The victory was perhaps not as straightforward in the end as it might have been for the Bucks, who led by 30 points midway through the third quarter, only to let the Lakers back into the game.
But the hosts could only claw back to within 10 points of their opponents and have now lost five of their last seven games, seeing them fall back to three games below .500.
"We played a terrible defensive half," Lakers coach Frank Vogel said. "Disposition, competition, the level of competitive spirit we showed for a big game was very disappointing.
"Two straight games we started with a terrible defensive half. We've got to get that right."
The Lakers will get that opportunity to put it right when they take on the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday, while the Bucks are next in action on Thursday with a showdown against the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns.
Mikaela Shiffrin will try to "reset" after suffering a second consecutive disqualification at the Winter Olympics.
The American missed a gate in her first run in the women's slalom on Wednesday, compounding her woes after skiing out of Monday's giant slalom.
Shiffrin, the overall World Cup leader and heavily fancied in both events, had only failed to finish 14 times in 229 starts across all disciplines at World Cup, Olympic and World Championship events ahead of competing in Beijing.
But these two setbacks have left the two-time Olympic gold medal winner questioning herself.
"I was pushing and maybe it was just past my limit," she said.
"I feel that I have to question a lot now. I will try to reset again and maybe try to reset better this time.
"But I also don't know how to do it better. Because I just don't – I've never been in this position before, and I don't know how to handle it."
Shiffrin struggled to fight back tears as she reflected on a dismal start to the Games, where she had started with hopes of medals in five events.
"It's so stupid to care this much,” she said. "It feels like a really big let-down.
"There were some people who expected I might win, maybe hoped I might win.
"I know that, for the people working closest to me, we were all crossing our fingers, and also doing all the work I could possibly do to give myself the best chance.
"We came all this way. And we're not done yet. But GS and slalom, those were my biggest focuses. It really feels like a lot of work for nothing."
The 26-year-old can still salvage medal glory in her remaining events – the super-G, downhill and combined.
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