Roston Chase insisted that allowing his West Indies team to play their natural game was crucial in securing an emphatic series win over South Africa.
In a rain-affected third T20I on Tuesday, the Windies emerged victors by eight wickets as they chased down the Proteas revised 108 run target in just 9.2 overs.
The visitors reached 23 runs without loss before play was stopped at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, with Tristan Stubbs scoring 40 runs from 15 balls upon play resuming.
Aiden Markram (20) and Reeza Hendricks (27) also contributed to South Africa's total, with Romario Shepherd ending with figures of 2-14 for the Windies.
Despite the early loss of Alick Athanaze (one) after just the fourth ball, Shai Hope (42) and Nicholas Pooran (35) handed the hosts the advantage.
Shimron Hetmyer's 31 from 17 balls secured the triumph, with West Indies captain Chase pleased with his team-mates playing their natural game in the shorter format.
"It was a good one [leading this time]. We wanted to win the series 3-0. I just asked the boys to give me victory because you want to start well," Chase said.
"The powerplay, we were doing well. I just thought that today the guys came out and applied pressure early.
"In a shortened game, we want guys to go and play their natural game. Guys came out and played brilliantly."
Shepherd was named the man of the match with his impressive bowling display, securing the wickets of Ryan Rickelton (27) and Markram.
The 29-year-old was not part of the Windies squad for the T20 World Cup in June, but was happy to exact their three-wicket defeat against the Proteas at the tournament.
"It's just about sticking to the process. Today was quite difficult because of the wet ball. The wicket was sticky," Shepherd said.
"I think I'm 70% there. You are never 100% in T20 cricket. To come and clean sweep the team which knocked us out of the World Cup was great."
Former rugby union star Louis Rees-Zammit has not been selected for the Kansas City Chiefs' 53-man squad for the 2024 season.
Rees-Zammit, who quit rugby in January to pursue a career in the NFL, has been training with the Chiefs throughout the offseason.
The former Wales wing joined the NFL's International Player Pathway (IPP) program before signing a three-year deal with the back-to-back reigning Super Bowl champions.
He featured in all three preseason games against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears as he competed for a spot on the regular season team.
NFL teams had until Tuesday afternoon to cut their squads down to 53 players for the season, which kicks off on September 5 when the Chiefs take on the Baltimore Ravens.
However, Rees-Zammit will not be on the sidelines after failing to make the cut under head coach Andy Reid, but his dream of playing in the NFL this season is not over.
He will now be placed on waivers, meaning another franchise could sign him, but he is expected to continue training with the Chiefs as part of their practice squad.
Rees-Zammit was not at practice with the Chiefs on Tuesday as he battled a back injury and his number nine jersey was worn by new signing JuJu Smith-Schuster earlier this week.
Dani Olmo was delighted to help Barcelona end their Rayo Vallecano hoodoo after scoring the winner in their 2-1 win at the Estadio de Vallecas on Tuesday.
Olmo's strike eight minutes from time saw him become the first player to score on his LaLiga debut for Barcelona away from home since Sandro Ramirez did so in August 2014 against Villarreal.
Unai Lopez had given the hosts the lead in the ninth minute, only for second-half goals from Pedri and Olmo helping Hansi Flick maintain his unbeaten start to the season.
It also marked Barcelona's first league triumph at the home of Los Franjirrojos since a 3-2 win back in November 2018.
Having starred for Spain at Euro 2024, Olmo was forced to miss Barca's first two league games until he was able to be registered due to LaLiga's strict financial control rules.
But his return to the club where he spent seven years in the youth academy was worth the wait, according to the 26-year-old after full-time.
"I've been looking forward to my debut since for a long time and it couldn't have been in a better way," Olmo told DAZN.
"It's been many years since Barcelona won here, it's such a tough place to play so the end result is just unparalleled.
"I've felt very good, I was really looking forward to it. Today it finally happened, I'm very happy to have helped the team and even better to have scored. I'm delighted."
Barcelona top the standings on nine points from three games, two ahead of second-placed Villarreal. They next host Real Valladolid on Saturday.
Carlos Alcaraz insisted he is not thinking about Rafael Nadal's grand slam record following his triumph over Australian qualifier Li Tu at the US Open.
Alcaraz was able to overcome a scrappy second set to win 6-2 4-6 6-3 6-1 at Flushing Meadows, serving eight aces and producing 50 winners to his opponents' 19.
The Spaniard started strongly, finding himself a set and a break to the good before four double faults in the second allowed Tu a way back into the contest.
However, the world number three would recover, dominating the third as he confirmed his progression to the next round with a love game in the final set.
Alcaraz is aiming to become the third man in history after Rod Laver and Nadal to win the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open in the same calendar year.
"Well, after this interview I’m going to try to pretend I never heard that," Alcaraz told ESPN when asked about the statistic.
"Obviously it would be a great achievement if I make it, but it is going to be difficult."
The Olympic silver medallist faces Botic van de Zandschulp in the next round after the Dutchman defeated Denis Shapovalov in straight sets.
Data Debrief: Alcaraz continues grand slam winning streak
Alcaraz's triumph at Flushing Meadows was his 15th grand slam victory in a row, last losing in a major tournament against Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open quarter-finals.
Among players to begin their career in the Open Era, only John McEnroe (69) has achieved 60 men's singles match wins at grand slam events in fewer matches than Alcaraz (70), following the latter's win over Tu.
Emma Raducanu is hoping lessons will be learned from her first round defeat to Sofia Kenin at the US Open.
Raducanu, who won the tournament 2021, lost in three sets 1-6 6-3 4-6 to her American opponent at Flushing Meadows, reducing her to tears after the encounter.
After being outplayed by Kenin in the opening set, the world number 72 responded in the second to take the match the distance in New York.
However, despite serving four of her six aces during the contest in the final set, Kenin would prove too strong to secure an all-American encounter with Jessica Pegula in the round of 64.
"I feel down, I feel sad," an emotional Raducanu said. "Obviously, this is a tournament I really want to do well in.
"I was maybe a bit slow starting. I would have preferred to probably play, a little bit more before coming into the US Open."
"You know, I know when I have a lot of matches, just like every player, you feel really good. You feel like everything's automatic.
"So yeah, I think I can learn from it. And you know my manage my schedule slightly differently."
Data Debrief: Raducanu loses the battle of former grand slam winners
Raducanu's match against Kenin is the second R128 match at this year's US Open between two former women’s singles grand slam winners.
And while not at her best, Kenin was able to showcase her resilience that won her the Australian Open in 2020, saving six of the nine break points she faced.
Paul DeJong hit a two-run homer and Kansas City’s bullpen allowed one run over 7 1/3 innings as the Royals moved into a tie for the AL Central lead with a 6-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday night.
The Royals, who lost 106 games last season, improved to a league-best 23-13 since the All-Star break, when they trailed the Guardians by seven games.
Cleveland had been sitting alone in first place in the division since April 14 before dropping the first three games in this series. The Guardians have lost nine of 12 and are 17-21 since the break.
DeJong connected in the second inning off Gavin Williams, and the Royals tacked on three runs in the seventh on RBI singles by Maikel Garcia and Michael Massey, to go along with a wild pitch.
James McArthur struck out four in two innings, and the Royals' bullpen closed with five perfect innings in the combined three-hitter.
Royals starter Michael Lorenzen was forced to leave in the second inning after straining his left hamstring while covering first base.
Urias lifts Orioles over Dodgers
Ramon Urias hit a go-ahead two-run homer and Baltimore’s bullpen worked 4 2/3 scoreless innings in the Orioles’ 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Ryan O’Hearn also went deep for the Orioles, who moved within one game of the AL East-leading Yankees.
Cole Irvin allowed two runs and five hits over 4 1/3 innings before Matt Bowman retired all five batters he faced.
Cionel Perez pitched 1 1/3 hitless innings and Yennier Cano got the next two outs – both on strikeouts - before Seranthony Dominguez earned his sixth save by getting Chris Taylor to fly out with two runners on.
Urias took former teammate Jack Flaherty deep in the fifth after Jackson Holliday’s one-out single to give the Orioles a 3-2 lead.
Miguel Rojas had a sacrifice fly and Teoscar Hernandez singled home a run for the Dodgers, who had won six of seven.
Nola shuts down Astros
Aaron Nola pitched seven stellar innings and was backed by Nick Casellanos’ three-run homer as the Philadelphia Phillies won their fourth straight, 5-0 over the Houston Astros.
Nola ended a seven-start winless streak, a span that included five no-decisions and two losses. The right-hander allowed four hits with one walk and six strikeouts.
He notched his 56th career win at Citizens Bank Park, tying him with former Phillies ace Cole Hamels for most in the 21 seasons at the ballpark.
Philadelphia has won eight of 13 games and maintained its healthy lead in the NL East.
Nola had the run support he needed after the Phillies scored four times off Justin Verlander in the third inning.
Trea Turner poked a single to right that scored Austin Hays, who opened with a leadoff double. A night after his RBI single in the 10th inning off Houston closer Josh Hader won the game, Bryce Harper sliced a single to left that set the stage for Castellanos. Castellanos hit a curveball into the left field seats for his 18th homer of the year and a 4-0 lead.
AL West-leading Houston has lost four of five.
Jamaica’s shot putter Shaiquan Dunn and the mixed 4x400m relay quartet both failed to get the country on the medal board at the World Under-20 Championships despite credible efforts in their respective finals in Lima, Peru, on Tuesday.
With both finalists on the cards, expectations were high that Jamaica would bring the curtains down on the opening day of the five-day championships with at least one medal, but it was not to be.
The quartet of Demarco Bennett, Shanniqua Williams, Marcinho Rose, and Alliah Baker entered the final with the fastest time, but struggled to keep pace with the early front runners and had to settle for fourth at the end.
They clocked a season’s best 3:22.74, behind the Australians, who won in a national record of 3:19.27. Poland (3:20.44) and China (3:21.27) were second and third.
Meanwhile, Dunn, contesting the shot put final, took his time to get going and, as such, was unable to get anywhere close to his personal best of 20.01. He placed ninth as he failed to register a mark on his first attempt, but later hit 18.92m on his third round effort and just failed to squeeze into the top eight to secure three additional throws.
Cuba’s Emmanuel Ramirez was 10th with a best throw of 18.42.
The Caribbean will be well represented in the men’s and women’s 100m finals at the World Under-20 Championships as the main protagonists safely progressed from their respective semi-finals in Lima, Peru, on Tuesday.
Jamaica’s Deandre Daley cruised to victory in semi-final one to lead the men’s qualifiers with his 10.34s. Japan’s Naoki Nishioka (10.43s) also progressed.
Another Jamaican and medal favourite, Gary Card, was beaten into third in semi-final two, but his 10.39s was good enough for one of the fastest non-automatic qualifying spots. The race was won by Thailand’s Puripol Boonson (10.30s), ahead of South African Bradley Nkoana (10.30s). Carlos Brown Jr (10.63s) of the Bahamas missed out.
The other finalists are Bayanda Walaza (10.33s) of South Africa, Teddy Wilson (10.35s) of Great Britain, and China’s Jinxian He (10.36s).
On the women’s side, Kishawna Niles of Barbados easily progressed from semi-final one, which she topped in 11.39s ahead of Great Britain’s Nia Wedderburn-Goodison, who was also timed at 11.39s. Dominican Republic’s Liranyi Alonso (11.89s) finished down the track and missed out.
Jamaica’s Olympian Alana Reid expectedly topped semi-final two in 11.44s, ahead of Nigerian Justina Tiana Eyakpobeyan (11.56s).
British Virgin Islands Olympian Adaejah Hodge (11.59s) booked her spot in the final as she placed second in the third semi-final behind Germany’s Chelsea Kadiri, who won in 11.52s. Puerto Rico’s Frances Colon (11.74s) was fourth but failed to secure one of the fastest non-automatic spots.
The 100m finals are scheduled for 6:30pm Jamaica time on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Lebron James of Trinidad and Tobago and Dominica’s Addison Alickson James both failed to progress to the men’s javelin finals. Lebron James threw a best of 62.67m for 13th and Addison James mustered 60.58m for 15th in Group A.
Liam and Noel Gallagher have finally settled their differences to reunite Oasis next year, though their allegiances towards Manchester City have never altered.
Manchester's great duo are, after years of wait, heading back to England's biggest stages, with the news announced on Tuesday to confirm their comeback as definitely, not maybe.
Having last played at V Festival in late August 2009, the pair split just before their beloved City fired to centre stage, rising from the third tier to dominate the Premier League since the brothers' ill-tempered farewell.
With eight Premier League titles, one Champions League crown, three FA Cup wins and six EFL Cup successes, City have transformed their fortunes since Oasis' split.
Here, we unpick the data behind City's success, watching rivals Manchester United Slide Away from the top spot for the city's bragging rights since the Gallaghers parted ways on August 22, 2009.
Champion Supernova
City have lifted eight Premier League titles since Oasis' final performance, winning a massive 1,252 points across that period – 152 more than nearest challengers Liverpool in the same timeframe.
That points tally is also 163 more than neighbours United, with Supersonic City's 385 top-flight wins (219 at home, 166 away) in the aforementioned span far greater than second-placed Liverpool's 322.
The four-in-a-row champions have also managed 1,306 goals, a total that Liverpool (1,112), Arsenal (1,074), Chelsea (1,044) and Man Utd (1,008) can get nowhere near.
Pep's Masterplan
Pep Guardiola may be the only man in Manchester able to rival the Gallagher's fame, with the City boss leading his side to unprecedented heights since his arrival in England eight years ago.
In the same Oasis-less period, Guardiola's 227 Premier League wins are the most of any City manager, ahead of Roberto Mancini (82), Manuel Pellegrini (70), Mark Hughes (five) and caretaker Brian Kidd (one).
That dominance owes to the fact Guardiola is the longest-serving City boss of the span, though his winning percentage of 74% is once again greater than nearest rivals, Mancini (62%) and Pellegrini (61%).
Stop Crying Your Heart Out, Newcastle
Some Might Say no team can keep up with City in the Premier League, but Newcastle United are the side to have struggled most with the Oasis-stricken blues.
Man City have defeated Newcastle 22 times in the Premier League since that fateful last Oasis performance in 2009, suggesting the Magpies are at least Half The World Away from the Citizens' quality.
As Newcastle's hopes of a rare win over City appear to have faded away Little by Little, West Ham have also lost 21 games in that period against the Manchester club, with Villa third on 18 defeats.
Whatever the other teams have struggled with, Middlesbrough – now in the Championship – have suffered no such issues, remaining as the only Premier League side to have not lost against City in the period (two draws in two matches).
Gundowall
Ilkay Gundogan was, at least in jest, said to have played a part in Oasis' reunion after the same Gallagher brothers attempted to lure the Germany midfielder back to the Etihad Stadium.
His 44 goals for City in the period without Oasis rank him 11th on the list of Premier League scorers for the club, which is headed by Argentina's Rock 'N' Roll Star Sergio Aguero, on 184.
The striker's tally is more than double his nearest competitor, Raheem Sterling (91), who makes up the top five with Kevin De Bruyne (69), Erling Haaland (67) and Yaya Toure (62).
As for appearances, former midfielder David Silva answered City's call the most to Stand by Me, racking up 309 league appearances – ahead of Aguero, who is just behind on 275.
Liam and Noel Gallagher have finally settled their differences to reunite Oasis next year, though their allegiances towards Manchester City have never altered.
Manchester's great duo are, after years of wait, heading back to England's biggest stages, with the news announced on Tuesday to confirm their comeback as definitely, not maybe.
Having last played at V Festival in late August 2009, the pair split just before their beloved City fired to centre stage, rising from the third tier to dominate the Premier League since the brothers' ill-tempered farewell.
With eight Premier League titles, one Champions League crown, three FA Cup wins and six EFL Cup successes, City have transformed their fortunes since Oasis' split.
Here, we unpick the data behind City's success, watching rivals Manchester United Slide Away from the top spot for the city's bragging rights since the Gallaghers parted ways on August 22, 2009.
Champion Supernova
City have lifted eight Premier League titles since Oasis' final performance, winning a massive 1,252 points across that period – 152 more than nearest challengers Liverpool in the same timeframe.
That points tally is also 163 more than neighbours United, with Supersonic City's 385 top-flight wins (219 at home, 166 away) in the aforementioned span far greater than second-placed Liverpool's 322.
The four-in-a-row champions have also managed 1,306 goals, a total that Liverpool (1,112), Arsenal (1,074), Chelsea (1,044) and Man Utd (1,008) can get nowhere near.
Pep's Masterplan
Pep Guardiola may be the only man in Manchester able to rival the Gallagher's fame, with the City boss leading his side to unprecedented heights since his arrival in England eight years ago.
In the same Oasis-less period, Guardiola's 227 Premier League wins are the most of any City manager, ahead of Roberto Mancini (82), Manuel Pellegrini (70), Mark Hughes (five) and caretaker Brian Kidd (one).
That dominance owes to the fact Guardiola is the longest-serving City boss of the span, though his winning percentage of 74% is once again greater than nearest rivals, Mancini (62%) and Pellegrini (61%).
Stop Crying Your Heart Out, Newcastle
Some Might Say no team can keep up with City in the Premier League, but Newcastle United are the side to have struggled most with the Oasis-stricken blues.
Man City have defeated Newcastle 22 times in the Premier League since that fateful last Oasis performance in 2009, suggesting the Magpies are at least Half The World Away from the Citizens' quality.
As Newcastle's hopes of a rare win over City appear to have faded away Little by Little, West Ham have also lost 21 games in that period against the Manchester club, with Villa third on 18 defeats.
Whatever the other teams have struggled with, Middlesbrough – now in the Championship – have suffered no such issues, remaining as the only Premier League side to have not lost against City in the period (two draws in two matches).
Gundowall
Ilkay Gundogan was, at least in jest, said to have played a part in Oasis' reunion after the same Gallagher brothers attempted to lure the Germany midfielder back to the Etihad Stadium.
His 44 goals for City in the period without Oasis rank him 11th on the list of Premier League scorers for the club, which is headed by Argentina's Rock 'N' Roll Star Sergio Aguero, on 184.
The striker's tally is more than double his nearest competitor, Raheem Sterling (91), who makes up the top five with Kevin De Bruyne (69), Erling Haaland (67) and Yaya Toure (62).
As for appearances, former midfielder David Silva answered City's call the most to Stand by Me, racking up 309 league appearances – ahead of Aguero, who is just behind on 275.
Galatasaray were sent crashing out of Champions League qualification after Young Boys' 1-0 away win secured a 2-0 aggregate victory on Tuesday.
Carrying over a slender advantage from the first leg in Switzerland, Young Boys confirmed their passage to the new-look 36-team competition with the play-off success.
Alan Virginius scored the only goal in the 87th minute before Galatasaray goalkeeper Fernando Muslera was sent off for kicking out at the Young Boys substitute as he celebrated.
RB Salzburg are also set for their sixth straight appearance in Europe's top club competition after a 1-1 draw at home to Dynamo Kyiv wrapped up the tie 3-1 on aggregate.
Adam Daghim struck after just 12 minutes for the hosts before Vladyslav Vanat equalised for Kyiv, who were unable to overturn a 2-0 deficit from their first leg at home.
Sparta Prague were the other side to make it through Tuesday's qualifying, thanks to a 2-0 win over Swedish side Malmo that completed a 4-0 triumph on aggregate for the Czech champions.
Anders Christiansen missed a first-half penalty for Malmo before a late spot-kick from Lukas Haraslin and a goal for Albion Rrahmani sealed progression.
Wednesday will see four more sides fight for a place in the Champions League group stage.
Barcelona debutant Dani Olmo struck a late winner to steal a 2-1 comeback victory at Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday, as the LaLiga leaders continued their perfect start to the season with a third consecutive win.
Rayo dominated proceedings in the first half and took the lead with a strike by Unai Lopez in the ninth minute, but Barca were livelier after the break, with Pedri levelling from a counter-attack in the 60th minute.
Olmo, introduced as a substitute for his first outing since leaving RB Leipzig, scored the winner with a curling strike in the 82nd minute, snatching Barca a deserved win to maintain their momentum.
Barcelona top the standings on nine points from three games, two ahead of second-placed Villarreal, while Rayo are eighth on four points.
Data Debrief: Olmo impresses on maiden bow
Olmo is the first player to score on his debut for Barcelona in LaLiga away from home since Sandro Ramirez in August 2014 against Villarreal.
Yet a familiar face paved the way for the leveller, too, with Raphinha setting up Pedri for his 17th assist in 67 LaLiga outings.
Since his arrival at Barca in the 2022-23 campaign, only Antoine Griezmann (24) has provided more assists than the Brazilian in the competition (also 17 for Alex Baena).
Premier League sides cruised into the EFL Cup third round on Tuesday, but there was concern for Brighton over new signing Matt O'Riley.
Denmark midfielder O'Riley arrived from Celtic this week but lasted just nine minutes of his Seagulls debut, hobbling off with an apparent ankle injury against League One side Crawley Town.
That issue will leave Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler worried, though the performance from the rest of his side left little concern after a 4-0 victory.
Simon Adingra got things going in the first half before Jeremy Sarmiento, Julio Enciso and Adam Webster were on target after the interval in a routine second-round win.
In stark contrast to Brighton, Sean Dyche's Toffees are yet to win – or score – in the Premier League this season but dispatched League Two's Doncaster Rovers 3-0 at Goodison Park.
Tim Iroegbunam and Iliman Ndiaye both scored their first competitive goals for Everton before backup striker Beto sealed a routine victory, which came in similar fashion to Palace's 4-0 win over Norwich City.
Oliver Glasner's side are without victory in the top flight this campaign, too, but eased into the third round after Jean-Philippe Mateta scored twice, along with goals for Eberechi Eze and Daichi Kamada, at Selhurst Park.
Leicester City, another side without a point to their name in the top division yet, also overcame Tranmere Rovers 4-0 thanks to goals from new signing Jordan Ayew, Stephy Mavididi, Wilfred Ndidi and Harry Winks.
Jannik Sinner survived an early scare in the US Open first round after overcoming Mackenzie McDonald on Tuesday.
The Italian managed a 2-6 6-2 6-1 6-2 victory over the world number 140, having looked well off the pace in the opening set.
McDonald's fellow American Alex Michelsen awaits in the second round for Sinner, who triumphed in his first major match since an independent tribunal cleared any wrongdoing from positive tests for banned substances.
The world number one may have been impacted by those ongoing off the court and was slow to get going, dropping his serve three times en route to a first-set concession.
Sinner held off seven break-point opportunities from the home favourite in that opener, and improved from then on, losing on his serve just once in the second set.
The 23-year-old never looked back from that second-set clincher, easing to victory in just under two-and-a-half hours.
Data Debrief: Super Sinner flying
Sinner, who won his maiden major trophy at the Australian Open in January, is now 49-5 for the season after an impressive 2024.
That run includes lifting a third ATP Masters 1000 crown in Cincinnati last week, where he overcame his next opponent Michelsen in the pair's only ATP Tour meeting to date.
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