Jamie Vardy still knows how to score in the Premier League.
The 37-year-old striker rescued a point for Leicester in its return to the Premier League on Monday by heading home a second-half equalizer in a 1-1 draw against Tottenham, which had largely dominated the first half.
Tottenham had plenty of opportunities to build a bigger lead but new signing Dominic Solanke was among those guilty of missing chances.
Instead it was Spanish defender Pedro Porro who made Tottenham’s early superiority count after 29 minutes when he got between two Leicester defenders to head James Maddison’s cross into the net at the far post.
But Vardy, who was key to Leicester’s stunning Premier League title win in 2016 and has remained with the club since then, was left unmarked to head home an equalizer.
A corner count of 9-0 gave some indication of Spurs’ dominance in the first half but Vardy’s goal changed the game completely.
Steve Cooper’s team suddenly looked a lot livelier and both teams had chances to win in a busy last half hour.
“Tottenham are a really good team but we gave them too much respect, and we started getting after them and it changed the momentum,” Vardy told Sky Sports.
Vardy spurned a good chance in the 70th minute when he was able to run clear on goal but his low shot was saved by Guglielmo Vicario. At the other end, Richarlison sent a header wide deep into injury time with the last chance of the match.
“It is a disappointing night for us,” Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou said. “We need to be more ruthless in front of goal. We were that dominant, we should have been well away from the opposition. To be that wasteful tonight when we had so much of the ball and territory, it is disappointing.”
The game was halted for eight minutes late in the second half after Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur sustained a head injury. The Uruguayan received oxygen and taken off on a stretcher, but Postecoglou said he was “conscious and communicating.”
Vardy scores on Premier League return as Leicester holds Tottenham to 1-1 draw
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Vardy scores on Premier League return as Leicester holds Tottenham to 1-1 draw
Sinner sends message by demolishing Ruud to reach Italian Open semis
The 23-year-old demolished sixth seed Ruud in just over an hour with an ominous display of tennis
ROME: Jannik Sinner marched into the semifinals of the Italian Open on Wednesday after destroying Casper Ruud in straight sets 6-0, 6-1 and sending a warning that the world number one is officially back.
Ruud was supposed to be Sinner’s toughest test in Rome since he came back from his three-month doping ban, as the Norwegian came into the match in hot form on clay after winning in Madrid earlier this month.
In his previous matches Sinner looked to be still finding his feet after his suspension, accepted from the World Anti-Doping Agency for testing positive for traces of clostebol in March last year.
But the 23-year-old demolished sixth seed Ruud in just over an hour with an ominous display of tennis, his domination such that the home fans at the packed center court, seemingly out of sympathy, began to cheer the rare points that Ruud won.
Ruud even got the loudest cheer of the match when he held his serve for the only time, in game three of the second set, holding his arms aloft in ironic celebration.
“I was feeling great on court today. I think we all saw that,” said Sinner.
“How I felt today was very, very positive signs for me... I was serving well and also returning well. Moving great on the court, so I’m very happy about that.”
Tommy Paul, a 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 winner over Hubert Hurkacz in the day’s first match, will have wondered what on earth he can do to stop Sinner if the Italian brings that form to Friday’s last-four clash.
Sinner won the first set in just 27 minutes, giving up only seven points as he stalked the court with intent, dressed all in black as he has been all week.
And he then maintained his record of not dropping a set in the tournament to not so much stroll as smash into the last four, and send a message to Carlos Alcaraz.
Spaniard Alcaraz, Sinner’s key Grand Slam rival ahead of the French Open, will contest the other semifinal with Lorenzo Musetti on Friday afternoon, with the blockbuster final tennis fans wanted still on.
Home hope and sixth seed Paolini became the third Italian woman to reach the Foro Italico final, and the first since her doubles partner Sara Errani was thumped by Serena Williams in 2014.
Late bloomer Paolini, 29, will face one of Coco Gauff and China’s Zheng Qinwen, who beat world number one Aryna Sabalenka on Wednesday night, after beating Peyton Stearns 7-5, 6-1.
“It’s a privilege to be in this position. I matured late as a tennis player but everyone has their own path. Some mature earlier and some later,” said Paolini.
“I’m just enjoying it without thinking too much about the past.”
Paolini was favorite to get past unseeded Stearns but early on her American opponent showed why she got to her first 1000 series semifinal by knocking out a succession of big names including Naomi Osaka and fifth seed Madison Keys.
Paolini looked way off the pace when she lost the first three games of the match in surprisingly timid fashion, serving weakly and mishitting a host of simple shots.
But she slowly began to force herself back into the contest, putting pressure on Stearns to find shots with her serving and finding both more power and accuracy on her forehand.
Stearns’ frustration was clear to see after being broken to allow Paolini to serve for the set, lashing her racket into her bag before giving herself a telling off in her seat.
And a break of serve in the third game of the second set deflated Stearns, whose fate was sealed two games later when Paolini took the third of three break points, roaring her joy to her delighted supporters in the center court stands before comfortably seeing out the match.
Paolini could yet win both the singles and women’s doubles tournaments, with her and Errani taking on Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider in the semifinals on Friday.
Sports minister approves formation of Saudi Boxing Federation’s board of directors
- Turki bin Abdulmohsen Alalshikh chairs the board
- The step marks an important move to enhance Saudi Arabia’s presence on the global sports stage
RIYADH: Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, minister of sports and president of the Saudi Olympic & Paralympic Committee, approved the formation of the Saudi Boxing Federation’s board of directors on Thursday.
Turki bin Abdulmohsen Alalshikh will chair the board, which was formed in a step that marks an important move to enhance Saudi Arabia’s presence on the global sports stage and develop the sport of boxing locally, said a media statement.
The board also includes Eng. Faisal Bafarat, Dr. Rakan Al-Harthy, Mohammed Al-Khereiji, Abdulrahman Al-Hamoud, Majid Al-Gharabi, Mohammed Al-Hamdan, Firas Moaddan, and Sultan Alalshikh.
The members bring with them a range of expertise and experience, according to the statement, that will significantly contribute to the growth of the sport and help expand its presence in the Kingdom, paving the way for global aspirations.
Alalshikh extended his thanks and appreciation to Prince Abdulaziz and to Prince Fahad bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed, the committee’s vice president, for their trust and continued support in developing Saudi sports in general, and boxing in particular.
This appointment aligns with a comprehensive vision aimed at expanding the base of boxing practitioners in the Kingdom, raising the level of competitiveness, and hosting international tournaments that reinforce Saudi Arabia’s status as a leading destination for major global sports events.
The decision comes at a time when the sports sector in the Kingdom is witnessing a major leap in terms of investment and event hosting.
Boxing has received considerable attention following the organization of several world class bouts that drew global audiences, in addition to the participation of Saudi champions in various continental and international championships, concluded the statement.
Spurs’ Kulusevski out for a few months after knee surgery, Postecoglou says
- The Sweden international was injured in the 2-0 Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace
- “Obviously disappointing news,” Postecoglou told reporters
LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur attacking midfielder Dejan Kulusevski will be out for a few months after having knee surgery, said manager Ange Postecoglou, and will miss Wednesday’s Europa League final.
The Sweden international was injured in the 2-0 Premier League defeat at home to Crystal Palace at the weekend
“Obviously disappointing news. Initially we thought it wasn’t too serious ... it kind of blew up the day after and we knew there was an issue,” Postecoglou told reporters on Thursday.
“He’s had the surgery which will put him out for at least a few months.”
Asked if Kulusevski would be back for the start of next season, Postecoglou said it was too early to say.
“We’ll see. I only have basic information at the moment in terms of recovery, but it’ll certainly put him out for a while,” he added.
Spurs face fellow Premier League strugglers Manchester United in the Europa League final in Bilbao.
Infantino’s late arrival from Trump tour in Middle East delays start of FIFA annual meeting
- FIFA said a new start time was set for three hours later
- Qatar hosted the men’s World Cup in 2022 and Saudi Arabia will host in 2034
ASUNCION: FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s late arrival from the Middle East, where he joined US President Donald Trump’s state visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar this week, delayed the opening of FIFA’s annual meeting of 211 member federations on Thursday.
Infantino’s flight in a private jet to Paraguay from Doha, via a stop in Nigeria, was still in the air at the 9:30 a.m. local time (1230GMT) scheduled start of the meeting he was to address in Asuncion.
FIFA said a new start time was set for three hours later.
Officials from the national federations have gathered in Paraguay all week ahead of the last FIFA Congress before the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Infantino opted to join President Trump on the first legs of the tour instead of meeting with his voting members. Qatar hosted the men’s World Cup in 2022 and Saudi Arabia will host in 2034.
On Wednesday in Doha, Qatar’s ruling Emir — a fellow member of the International Olympic Committee with Infantino — hosted the visiting delegations at a state dinner at Lusail Palace.
Infantino has built close ties to both Trump administrations. President Trump is set to present the trophy at the finals in New Jersey of both the Club World Cup in July and the World Cup next year.
Cricket’s international integrity is under severe pressure
- The Pakistan Super League and Indian Premier League were recently suspended as geopolitical tensions hung over the region
At times of political turbulence between nations that involves loss of life and suffering, it seems inappropriate to talk about sport, despite its capacity to build bridges between peoples.
Yet, during the recent outbreak of hostilities between India and Pakistan, it has been impossible to ignore the effect that the escalating crisis has had on the sport.
In part, this was because both the Pakistan Super League and the Indian Premier League were suspended. In part, it was because cricket has been swept up inexorably as an actor in the unfolding geopolitical drama.
The flashpoint for the IPL occurred in Dharamsala during a match on Thursday May 8. A blackout in the stadium occurred after 10.1 overs had been bowled, later attributed to power failure caused by air raid sirens warning of possible strikes in neighboring Jammu.
Evacuation of the estimated 17,500 crowd was ordered because of security concerns. I can testify that this is a ground with difficult access and egress. It must have been a terrifying experience and many have wondered why the match was allowed to start, given that one at the same location the following day had already been rescheduled.
Suspension of the league was announced on May 9.
The PSL’s flashpoint was on Wednesday May 7 following reports of Indian drones entering Pakistan airspace. One of them was shot down at the food street adjacent to the Rawalpindi stadium, where a match was due to take place.
This was rescheduled, but widespread reservations were expressed by the 37 foreign players involved in the PSL. Most of them were not happy to stay in Pakistan, a sentiment sufficient to persuade the Pakistan Cricket Board that suspension was necessary.
On May 8, Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB chair announced that the remainder of the tournament would be shifted to the UAE, so “the domestic, as well as foreign cricketers, who are our precious guests, can be saved from the possible reckless targeting by India.”
In his view, India’s actions were “manifestly done to disrupt the ongoing HBL Pakistan Super League X.” This may be stretching the point but what happened next is a source of conjecture.
The Emirates Cricket Board seemed to have been prepared to host the remainder of the PSL, with some players quickly transferring to Dubai. However, the next day, this plan was shelved. Various explanations have been advanced.
One is that, since the UAE has almost four million Indians, who account for 35 percent of the population, there was no appetite to run the risk of transferring tensions or stirring unrest. Another is that pressure was exerted by a combination of the International Cricket Council and the Board for Control of Cricket in India.
As is well known, the ICC’s chair is the former secretary of the BCCI and son of India’s interior minister. Together, the ICC and BCCI form the powerbase of international cricket, with access to the top of the Indian political process.
Quite frequently, announcements by the BCCI are openly predicated on the basis of having taken advice from the government. Whether this linkage assisted in being able to swiftly communicate to franchises the announcement of a ceasefire effective from 5 p.m. Indian Standard Time on May 10 is unknown.
Although a number of foreign players and coaches had left India, following the announcement of suspension on May 9, others were at airports or aboard planes standing on tarmacs. The whole suspension process was turbo-thrust into reverse, even to the extent of individuals leaving tarmac-bound planes.
From a distance, it may seem difficult to comprehend what appears to be the unseemly haste with which the BCCI sought to restart the IPL on May 17. Some Australian players and coaches had only just reached their homes when messages were received to turn around and resume their IPL obligations.
Quite what this whole imbroglio has done to trust levels between foreign players/coaches and the IPL remains unsaid, for contractual reasons.
The same may apply to the PSL, which has announced resumption, also on May 17, with or without its foreign players, although the PCB seems to be taking a more emollient line.
Both the IPL and PSL are symbols of national pride, their resumptions an indicator of resilience and unity. Ironically, this situation would not have existed had the two leagues not been played simultaneously this year for the first time.
The ongoing fractious relations between Indian and Pakistan cast a long shadow over cricket, not just now, but for the foreseeable future. Cricket does not cause these tensions but, increasingly, finds itself caught in the crossfire.
However, it is also perfectly capable of creating troubles in its own right. A prime example occurred in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifying 2025 tournament in Bangkok last week.
Teams from nine countries are competing to land one of two qualifying spots to progress to the next stage of the tournament, due to be held in England in 2026.
The teams are divided into three groups: A comprises Bhutan, Kuwait and Thailand; B has Malaysia, Qatar and the UAE; and C consists of Nepal, Hong Kong (China) and Bahrain. Each team plays the other teams in their group twice.
The pressure to progress from the event was illustrated vividly by the UAE against Qatar. In 16 overs the UAE scored 192 for no wickets. Then, with sounds of thunder and threats of rain, the team’s management became concerned that the match might not be completed. In that case the two points on offer would be shared.
Two weeks ago, I wondered in my column if the modern generation of cricketers, brought up on short formats, which do not allow declarations of innings, knew the meaning and origins of declaration cricket.
The UAE coach enquired if a declaration was possible and when informed that it was not, hatched an alternative strategy. This was to instruct his batters to retire out, according to Law 25.4, which states that a batter may retire at any time during his or her innings when the ball is dead.
The umpires need be informed of the reason. Normally, that is because of illness, injury or any other unavoidable cause. In these cases, a batter is entitled to resume his or her innings. If for any reason this does not happen, that batter is to be recorded as “Retired — not out.”
If a batter retires for any other reason, the innings of that batter may be resumed only with the consent of the opposing captain. If for any reason his or her innings is not resumed, that batter is recorded as “Retired — out.”
This was the strategy adopted by the UAE, leading to the farcical sight of a succession of batters, some without equipment, rushing to the pitch to inform the umpires of their decision. The resultant scorecard displayed nine batters as “Retired Out, 0” in a score of 192 all out.
One cricket website suggested this is a world record number of ducks in a single innings. This rather facile statement is unlikely to be shared by others more concerned with the game’s integrity.
The rain and thunder relented sufficiently for Qatar to start its innings which lasted only 11.1 overs, the team bowled out for a paltry 29. The UAE’s strategy has been variously described as clever, shocking and surprising. Others may see it as being against the spirit of the game, however that is defined.
The original purpose of the law was to allow batters to retire out in practice matches. More recently, it has crept into T20 cricket when a batter has been deemed to be scoring too slowly and the coach wishes to introduce a replacement capable of scoring more quickly.
No doubt, consequent on the UAE’s action, there will be calls for a revision of the law relating to retired out. Traditionalists regard the act as taking away the essence of the game, the battle between bowler and batter.
Revision is within the control of cricket’s administrators. Resolving the conflict between India and Pakistan is not. However, making decisions of integrity for the management of the game are, or should be, paramount.
It is hard to resist a sense that neither mass retired outs nor the incorporation of cricket into the conduct of national conflicts will assist in enhancing perceptions of the game’s integrity.
