South Africa’s Tony de Zorzi will miss the rest of the three-match ODI series against England after sustaining a hamstring injury during the opening game in Leeds. De Zorzi dived to stop a Jos Buttler shot from reaching the rope. Although he successfully saved it, he was badly injured.
A replacement has not been named, as de Zorzi had only been drafted to cover Matthew Breetzke, who missed the last ODI in Australia and the first in England due to his own left hamstring issue. However, he has since recovered and is available for Thursday’s second ODI, where he is expected to slot back into the No. 4 role.
It was later confirmed that Tony de Zorzi would not return, and with South Africa chasing only 132, he was not required to bat anymore. He will now return home to assess the damage.
A group of ex-Premier League players say they lost tens of millions after trusting Kingsbridge Asset Management. They claim the firm advised them to invest in failed film and property projects, which left many bankrupt, homeless, and stuck with heavy tax debts. Danny Murphy, now a TV pundit, says he lost about £5 million. The group of retired footballers, known as V11, also includes Michael Thomas, Rod Wallace, and Brian Deane. Reports suggest as many as 200 players may have been affected by the same failed advice.
Rod Wallace, a former Leeds striker, went bankrupt in early 2024 after losing most of his savings. He said his family faced eviction with no money left in the bank. Sean Davis, who once played for Fulham, now works as a painter while paying off a tax bill of £330,000. He admits that depression and dark thoughts have followed him since.
Kingsbridge promoted these schemes as safe and tax-friendly, but many homes proved worthless or sold at false prices. Papers show the firm’s leaders had hidden ties to some projects. The two directors deny any blame, saying the losses came from tax changes and the 2008 crash.
Brian Deane says players were sold false hope and left with nothing. Police closed a probe in 2020 with no charges. The V11 group now calls for law reform so victims do not face tax on failed schemes.
For the third year in a row, Tundra Esports enters The International (TI) with a twist to its line-up. Support player Matthew ‘Whitemon’ Filemon will miss the stage in Hamburg after late visa issues cut his trip short. In his place, Austrian offlaner Tobias ‘Tobi’ Buchner steps in, tasked with holding the line when it matters most.
The move brings both doubt and hope to fans who know how slim the margins are at this level. Tobi has shown form with past squads and now gets his shot on the world’s top stage.
A pattern emerges: Tundra’s third consecutive TI with a stand-in
Tundra’s path to TI often comes with last-minute team shifts. In 2023, Martin ‘Saksa’ Sazdov had to step back for health, and Topias ‘Topson’ Taavitsainen came in. That run saw the squad fall short, ending in 13th–16th place.
The following year, Edgar ‘9Class’ Naltakian was held back by visa rules, which brought Saksa back to the line-up. His return pushed Tundra to 3rd place, a sharp rise that proved they could still fight at the top.
A seasoned replacement amidst uncertainty
Tobi has played for top squads like Team Liquid and Entity, and he’s no new face on the big stage. His most recent win came in July at the FISSURE Universe: Episode 5, where he showed sharp form. That boost gives Tundra hope, even with Whitemon’s late step out.
The preparation time has been short, yet Tobi has spent the last days grinding with the team. The swap brings risk, but it also adds calm and skill from a vet who’s played at the peak. Fans now wait to see if this change sparks Tundra’s run or slows their push.
The road to Hamburg: Overcoming logistical hurdles
Whitemon’s visa snag has forced him to sit out TI 2025, a blow that shows how hard travel rules can hit pro play. Such issues are not rare, as many teams have faced the same roadblock when they cross lands to join key bouts. It’s a stark sign that preps off the map can shape what fans see on stage.
Tundra made clear their thanks to Tobi, who jumped in at short notice to fill the slot. The squad now aims to blend fast and keep their run on track. The mood in camp is calm yet firm, as they set sights on Hamburg with one eye on the prize.
Can adaptability lead to triumph?
As TI 2025 nears, the squad faces one more trial on their path. For the third year in a row, they play with a sub, which has sparked talk of a ‘stand-in curse.’ How they cope with this swap may set the pace for their run in Hamburg.
Fans and foes will watch if the squad can stay sharp with less prep. Each game will press them to blend fast and strike with a clear plan. In the end, the key mark will be if grit and skill can lift them past the curse and deep into the event.
England fast bowler Jamie Overton has ruled himself out of the upcoming Ashes series in November 2025. This follows his indefinite break from red-ball cricket. The 31-year-old shared that the demands of Test cricket have become too much for him to commit to.
In an X (Twitter) post, Jamie mentioned that the year-round schedule in all formats took a toll on both his body and mind. By stepping back from Tests, he aims to focus on white-ball cricket. ‘…I will continue to give everything to play at the highest level for as long as I can,’ he remarked.
His decision comes as a surprise, even to some of his England teammates. Captain Harry Brook shared, ‘It is a little bit of a shock to be honest…I thought he did well in the last Test match at The Oval.’
Though missing out on the Ashes, Jamie will still play in Australia with the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League.
Napoli’s wage bill has hit a record €160 million for the new season, up from €110 million last year. La Gazzetta dello Sport cites fresh signings, contract renewals, and the club’s push to lock its spot among Europe’s elite as the main drivers of the rise.
Big-name signings have driven much of the rise. Kevin De Bruyne joins on €5.5m a year, while Rasmus Højlund will cost €5m. Romelu Lukaku, signed last summer, is one of the top earners at €6m, with Scott McTominay on €3m. New deals for Alex Meret, Frank Anguissa, and soon Matteo Politano have added more weight to the bill.
The €160m bill covers wages for both players and coaches, with Antonio Conte and his staff adding a large share. Club chief Aurelio De Laurentiis has backed Conte hard, set on giving the squad the tools to fight at the top level.
This 35% leap in spending shows De Laurentiis’ bold plan. Under him, Napoli rose from shaky finances to Scudetto champs. Now, building on last year’s crown, he aims to shape a squad built for lasting runs in Europe.
Still, the expense shows bold intent but brings clear risk. Holding a wage bill this high may depend on steady Champions League spots and deep runs in Europe.
The Fortnite Championship Series (FNCS) Global Championship 2025 has secured a major partnership. The tournament organiser BLAST has teamed up with Thomas Lyte, a world-famous trophy maker, to design the trophy and medals for this year’s event in Lyon, France.
The London-based company has created some of the most recognisable trophies in sports, including football’s FA Cup, golf’s Ryder Cup, and the original League of Legends Summoner’s Cup. Their move into Fortnite continues a growing connection between traditional trophy craftsmanship and esports.
Details of the FNCS Global Championship
The FNCS Global Championship will take place on September 6–7, 2025, and will feature 33 trios from around the world. Over two days, teams will play 12 matches, battling for a share of the $2 million (~£1.4m) prize pool. The event is expected to bring in a huge audience from Fortnite fans and the wider esports community.
This year’s championship will be hosted at the LDLC Arena in Lyon, a new and modern venue built for large-scale esports events. With space for thousands of fans, the arena will deliver the kind of live atmosphere that makes Fortnite competitions special.
Making esports trophies luxurious
For BLAST, working with Thomas Lyte is about giving the FNCS trophy the same weight as those in traditional sports. Just like lifting the FA Cup or Ryder Cup, holding the FNCS trophy is meant to symbolise excellence for Fortnite players.
The FNCS is already one of the most important competitions in the Fortnite calendar. It represents the final stage of a long and competitive season, where only the best players from each region qualify to compete. With so many players worldwide, reaching the Global Championship is an achievement on its own.
Celebrating wins in style
By bringing in Thomas Lyte, the FNCS Global Championship 2025 steps closer to bridging the gap between traditional sports and esports. The trophy will not only reward in-game skill but will also stand as a piece of craftsmanship from one of the world’s most respected silversmiths. The honour of owning a Thomas Lyte masterpiece is a big achievement that both the champion and the runners-up will enjoy.
South Africa is set to start their ODI series against England on Tuesday, September 2, without star fast bowler Kagiso Rabada. He has been ruled out of the opening match at Headingley due to an ankle injury he picked up from their recent tour of Australia.
Team captain Temba Bavuma confirmed Rabada’s absence. It seems the squad didn’t want to take risks with one of their key bowlers. The squad will also miss their opener, Matthew Breetzke. He currently has a hamstring strain and is resting as a precaution.
Playing without Rabada is a big blow for the Proteas, given his experience and strike power. Breetzke’s injury also adds to the challenge. This leaves the squad without one of their key batters.
Adding to the list of absentees, young bowler Kwena Maphaka will also not play in the first ODI. He’s part of South Africa’s T20 and ODI squads, so the team looks to manage his workload carefully.
Meanwhile, veteran batter David Miller is also out of the ODI squad. Still, he remains part of the T20 setup. He will also stay as a part of South Africa’s 2027 World Cup squad.
Aston Villa moved fast in the final days of the summer window, landing winger Jadon Sancho and midfielder Harvey Elliott on loan, and forward Evann Guessand on a deal. The squad, yet to net a league goal this season, needed fresh legs to spark their attack and add depth to midfield.
Club manager Unai Emery acted to strengthen key areas, hoping these new faces could lift Villa from its slow start. The signings show intent and urgency as the team seeks momentum in the Premier League.
Sancho joins Villa on his third loan in a row, after stints at Dortmund and Chelsea. He leaves Manchester United with Villa paying about 80% of his wages plus a loan fee. United had hoped to trade him this summer, with Roma and Dortmund also in the mix.
The England winger adds spark and skill on the flanks, filling the gaps left by loanees Asensio and Rashford and the exit of Leon Bailey. Emery now gains more options to push Villa forward.
Elliott arrives on loan with Villa set to buy next summer
Elliott joins Villa on a season-long loan from Liverpool, with a £35 million buy set for next summer. The England Under-21 star, once a Liverpool fan, shone at the European Under-21 Championship, netting five goals and earning Player of the Tournament. Villa gained a young, skilled midfielder ready to shape their play.
Limited time at Anfield last season pushed Elliott to seek regular play. The loan has a sell-on and buy-back clause, keeping Liverpool in future talks. Villa won the race for his signature, beating RB Leipzig. Before that, West Ham and Fulham had also shown interest. The deal gives Elliott a chance to grow and Villa a key midfield boost.
In early August, Villa signed Evann Guessand from Nice for around €35 million. The 24-year-old striker, once a French youth international, scored 22 goals and set up 16 in 120 Ligue 1 matches, including 12 last season. Guessand chose Villa over a big offer from Saudi side Neom SC, signing a five-year deal. He praised the club for its ‘history, pride, passion’.
Martínez remains at Villa after loan move fails
Meanwhile, Villa goalkeeper Emi Martínez stays after a move fell through. He missed the 3-0 loss to Crystal Palace as Man United’s loan bid was denied, and Saudi and Turkish interest has yet to turn into offers. Marco Bizot, the new No. 2, started but gave away a first-half penalty. Martínez’s presence keeps experience in goal as the squad shifts.
Aston Villa have also signed defender Victor Lindelöf from Man United on a free transfer, agreeing on a two-year deal. The 31-year-old can play at centre-back or right-back, giving Emery more options in defence. Villa hopes his experience helps the team recover after a tough start in the Premier League.
Professional Dota 2 has been around for well over a decade. During that timeframe, the esports scene has seen its fair share of amazing teams. A good metric to measure those teams is how they step up under pressure. A few squads have set themselves apart and left a mark on the game’s history.
Defining greatness in Dota 2
For a Dota 2 team to be considered great, it goes beyond the one-off victories. The best teams usually combine consistency across multiple events with an affinity for succeeding in this game’s biggest event, called The International. This is the most prestigious event in Dota 2 and arguably the entirety of esports.
OG
As one of the most popular teams in Dota 2 history, OG captured people’s hearts quite often during their heyday. From the mid-to-late 2010s, OG was a dominant side. They were winning many Valve Majors early on, but they could not get past their troubles at TI.
That was problematic enough that their co-founder and captain Tal ‘Fly’ Aizik left the team to join Evil Geniuses. This left co-founder Johan ‘N0tail’ Sundstein to pick up the scraps and lead the team as captain. It was a blessing in disguise as N0tail would form the team that would end up winning both TI8 and TI9.
This team was more than amazing; they were powered by a wholesome friendship between the players. It made them the prime example of a good Dota 2 team and a great esports story.
Team Spirit
Team Spirit has become the face of consistent top-level Dota 2 in the 2020s. They won TI in 2021. They might have lost in 2022, but they regrouped around their core of Illya ‘Yatoro’ Mulyarchuk, Magomed ‘Collapse’ Khalilov, and Yaroslav ‘Miposhka’ Naidenov, who have combined raw skill with superb discipline that made them into a modern powerhouse.
They also have two TI wins under their belt. This consistency across different years has made them one of the most feared teams in Dota 2 history. Team Spirit’s success has proven that youth, talent, and composure have helped them overcome the most seasoned opponents possible.
With most of this team still intact, they could surpass OG and become the definitive team in Dota 2 history.
Team Liquid
Few organisations in esports have showcased longevity like Team Liquid. They had the 2017 roster led by Kuro ‘KuroKy’ Salehi Takhasomi that won The International. Fast forward to 2024, they won TI again, albeit with a different roster led by the likes of Michael ‘miCKe’ Vu and Samuel ‘Boxi’ Svahn.
Team Liquid is the embodiment of enduring success in the history of Dota 2’s competitive scene. That sustained excellence across years and different rosters shows the org’s quality.
Sharjah hosts the first game of the Bank Alfalah T20I Tri-Series, featuring a big clash between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with the UAE completing the three-team lineup.
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan asked fans not to cause trouble, saying cricket ‘brings people and nations together’. In 2022, Pakistan won against Afghanistan by only one wicket. The close game was exciting, but fights broke out among fans. The Pakistan Cricket Board complained, and local officials had to step in to control the situation.
Before the series, Rashid said Afghanistan would focus on delivering strong performances rather than worrying about form or momentum. He added that ‘one or two players can change the whole game’. Afghanistan’s rise in T20 cricket, shown by their semi-final run in the recent World Cup, comes from a strong top order that performs well in key moments.
Led by new captain Salman Agha, Pakistan has a young team that is still learning. Yet, they also have some experienced players who know Sharjah well. Both teams see this series as useful practice for the Asia Cup next month. Afghanistan wants to play steady cricket, while Pakistan is giving young players a chance to learn how to handle pressure.
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