Kate Abdo has admitted being "hurt" by the joke Jamie Carragher made on CBS Sports about her relationship with former US boxing pro Malik Scott.

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Carragher joked about Abdo's not being 'loyal' on airAbdo addressed awkward moment the following nightCBS presenter admits she was 'hurt' at timeWHAT HAPPENED?

Fans on social media reacted fervently to the original incident, when Carragher made things awkward with a misjudged on-air jibe at his fellow broadcaster during CBS Sports' coverage of Arsenal vs Porto in the Champions League in March. Abdo put the matter to bed in a broadcast the following night, but has since revealed that it did have an impact on her.

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According to Abdo, "What Jamie said came from nowhere. It was just a quick line, it was meant to be funny, sometimes they hit, sometimes they don't. Speaking to iFLTV, she continued: "That one went a little bit sideways. I felt a little bit hurt but it is what it is. You move on. We talked about it, we're all good, nothing really to talk about."

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In the aftermath of the incident, Abdo's boyfriend Malik Scott – a former boxing pro who now coaches Deontay Wilder – warned Carragher not to overstep the line, saying "her being irritated by it a little bit is what really got to me… If Kate gets upset then it's a really big deal to me and I'll give him a call and if he doesn't pick up my call, then I’ll show up in a physical manner." However, Abdo smoothed things out in her interview with iFLTV, insisting "Malik does not want to fight Jamie".

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Carragher's comment may have understandably hurt Abdo, but it appears to be water under the bridge, with the pair still cracking jokes and getting on during CBS' acclaimed Champions League coverage. After watching Madrid squeeze past Manchester City earlier this week, they'll no doubt be looking forward to the Spanish giants' semi-final clash against Bayern Munich on 30 April.

South Africa overtake Australia and England to go third while Nepal snatch 14th place from UAE

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Feb-2019India left-arm wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav has leapfrogged fellow wristspinner Shadab Khan to move to No. 2 on the ICC’s T20I rankings for bowlers. Rashid Khan, who is on top, has a 65-point lead over Kuldeep. Pakistan’s left-arm spinning allrounder Imad Wasim has jumped up five places to fourth after claiming three wickets in as many matches in South Africa at an outstanding economy rate of 4.25.New Zealand left-arm spinning allrounder Mitchell Santner, too, was among the major gainers, breaking into the top 10. He was the joint-highest wicket-taker in the T20I series against India, ending with four wickets in three matches at an economy rate of 8.00.Pakistan’s Faheem Ashraf is the only seamer in the top ten, which is dominated by wristspinners.Among the batsmen, Tim Seifert, who struck 139 runs in three innings at a strike rate of 173.75 against India, has vaulted up 87 places to 83rd, while Rohit Sharma moved from tenth to seventh.Having clinched the series 2-1 against Pakistan, South Africa overtook Australia and England to go third while Nepal snatched 14th place from UAE after securing a 2-1 series win over them.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag banned three newspaper journalists from asking questions in his press conference on Friday.

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United manager resumes crackdown on mediaThree newspapers prevented from asking questionsTen Hag had called analysis of FA Cup win "a disgrace"WHAT HAPPENED?

The Dutchman, who cracked down on negative stories earlier this season, refused to take questions from , and the in his media briefing ahead of United's game against Burnley. The journalists were allowed to attend the press conference but were informed before it started that they would not be invited to ask questions.

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The outlets were also not allowed to ask questions after the 4-2 win over Sheffield United. Ten Hag is believed to have been upset with the coverage from the outlets after United's narrow victory over Coventry City in the FA Cup semi-final on penalties after throwing away a 3-0 lead. He had called the media analysis of that victory "embarrassing" and a "disgrace". A United source said: "It’s not a hard ban. It’s our prerogative who we invite questions from."

DID YOU KNOW?

Ten Hag banned theand from attending a press conference in December ahead of United's game against Chelsea for publishing stories of a dressing room revolt against the manager without asking for the club's side of the story. Alex Ferguson was infamous for banning journalists for publishing stories he did not agree with.

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United came from behind to beat Sheffield United on Wednesday, winning their first league match since March 9. They will be looking for a second consecutive victory against struggling Burnley on Saturday.

Steve Waugh believes Australia’s one-day side was wrong to go ahead with their recent series against Zimbabwe, putting him at odds with his immediate successor as Test captain, Ricky Ponting.Speaking to the media in Mumbai, Waugh supported the decision to call off the Test series and said it should have been extended to the three one-day matches too.”I’m definitely happy that the Test series was deferred,” he said. “I think the players were uncomfortable with the situation. When a team is picked on the basis of colour they shouldn’t be allowed to play. And that’s exactly what’s happening in Zimbabwe.”I’m disappointed that the one-day series went on. The same logic that applied to the cancellation of the Tests applied here also. I’m a bit unclear as to why they played the one-day series. As a player you look to your board and the ICC to make these tough decisions.”But Ponting is standing by his team’s choice to play Zimbabwe, compromised selection process and all. “I’ve got no doubt it was the right decision,” he said upon arriving home on Monday.”We went there to do our job, which is to play cricket. We didn’t get involved in anything political but that’s not saying we turned a blind eye.”Australia’s vice-captain Adam Gilchrist also defended the tour, while acknowledging that it rated among the least meaningful of his career. “The positive to take out is that it has exposed cracks in the system and posed questions that need to be answered in a strong fasion. Hopefully the ICC will be able to do that.”Waugh is visiting India as a brand ambassador for the insurance company AMP Sanmar. He took the time to open up on various other contentious issues.On several people, including John Howard, the Australian prime minister, calling Muttiah Muralitharan a chucker
Who’s called him a chucker? I’m not sure John Howard called him a chucker, I didn’t hear him say it so I can’t comment on it. But, I can say it’s for the ICC to make the decision. It’s not up to me or you or John Howard to make that call. They’re the governing body and they have to decide. They’ve done some tests recently that have shown that the doosra is a problem and he can no longer bowl it. I think he’s a better bowler when he just bowls offspin and does not bowl the doosra. I think it will make him a more dangerous bowler. It’s a great achievement to get the world record. He should be celebrated for the fact that he’s taken so many wickets. He makes Sri Lanka a very competitive side, he gets people through the gate to watch the game, and he’s also a nice guy.On Sourav Ganguly’s suggestion of a two-tier system for Tests
I think it’s worthy of consideration. It’s a good idea for one-day cricket because there are more sides playing that, and they’re looking to inject more sides all the time. For Test cricket though, I’m not so sure. There are only nine or ten sides, so if you split them up into two tiers the teams will get sick and tired of playing the same opposition year in and year out. I’m not sure how the teams in the lower tier will improve enough to move up. If you look at the history of Test cricket there have always been weak sides. Remember New Zealand took 26 years to win a Test match. I think we’re getting a bit carried away because a couple of sides aren’t doing too well.On the proposed innovations and changes to one-day cricket
In domestic cricket in Australia we’ve tried a number of things. We had 12 players interchangeable and that worked very well. We had different fielding restrictions. I think most players would welcome the possibility that you can change the rules and improvise a bit. Perhaps one-day cricket does stagnate sometimes.On failing to conquer `the final frontier’, a Test series win in India
First of all, I’m not sure I ever said winning in India was the final frontier. Someone said it, made it up and it stuck. But it’s not a bad line. I didn’t play a lot of Test cricket in India. After the tied Test in 1986 there was a gap of eight or nine years and that’s a ridiculously long time. I’m more than happy with what we achieved in India in my career. I think I played in probably the greatest Test series ever when we were last here, and we won the World Cup in 1987.On who he thought are the second-best team in the world
I don’t think there’s much value in being No. 2. Anyone can lay claim to it, and I’m not sure who really is. India have to be somewhere in the running on current form – they drew in Australia and won in Pakistan. England are playing well. South Africa will be a force again shortly as well. Pakistan are unpredictable – at any time they can beat anyone.On the Australians playing their cricket aggressively
I don’t think we’re aggressive. I think we play in the right spirit. Most Australians are very approachable and happy-go-lucky, but once you get them on the field the gloves are off. We play hard, we play to win, we play fair and we play with spirit and passion. That’s just the way Australians play, even if it is in the backyard against our brothers. That’s the way we’re brought up.On the state of Test cricket at present
I think Test cricket is in a pretty healthy state. The cricket that’s being played at the moment is among the most aggressive that has been played in the history of Test cricket. There are results almost all the time and it’s exciting. Perhaps we need to do something to help the bowlers. They seem to be struggling at the moment. The pitches are very flat, the outfields are getting smaller and the bats bigger so you probably have to keep an eye out in that direction.On Brian Lara’s record-breaking 400 not out
It’s an outstanding personal achievement. To hold the world record twice and score 400 is like being Roger Bannister, the first runner to break the four-minute mile. It is a record that may never be broken again. You have to have a great level of skill, concentration and desire to get there. And particularly in a losing side it’s a great effort.On being invited to light the cauldron at the Athens Olympic games
I thought that was a secret till I saw it in the papers this morning. That is a massive honour. I can’t believe I’ve been chosen to do that. When the Olympics were held in Australia I was involved in the torch relay. I carried down George Street, one of the main streets in Sydney with 500 people watching, and that was one of the highlights of my life so I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like to actually light the cauldron.

Erik ten Hag may get the chance to work with Harry Kane after all, with the Manchester United boss reportedly on Bayern Munich’s managerial shortlist.

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• Red Devils wanted England striker in 2023
• Set to be working with new boss next season
• Two experienced coaches may trade places

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Dutch tactician has admitted that his current employers tried to sign prolific England international Kane in the summer of 2023, only to see him end up at the Allianz Arena. Their paths could, however, end up crossing some 12 months on.

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  Questions continue to be asked of how long Ten Heg will fill his current post, with United said to be mulling over another change in the dugout. According to , that situation is interesting Bayern.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  They have seen Thomas Tuchel state his intention to step down at the end of the season, with the former Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain boss saying that agreement “still stands”. Ten Hag – who took charge of Bayern's reserve team between 2013 and 2015 – is now said to be an option that Bundesliga giants are considering, with the likes of Xabi Alonso, Julian Nagelsmann and Ralf Rangnick distancing themselves from roles in Bavaria.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  In a quirky twist of fate, it is claimed that Ten Hag and Tuchel could end up trading places. United are looking for a proven winner to inherit their reins, with Champions League winner Tuchel fitting that bill, and the German is said to be open to the idea of returning to England two years after seeing a stint at Stamford Bridge come to a close.

Durham coach says Bancroft showed ‘mental toughness, skill and attitude to excel’ upon return to first-class cricket

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Mar-2019

Cameron Bancroft will captain Durham as he continues his comeback from a ban for his part in the Newlands ball-tampering scandal close to a year ago.Bancroft, who was suspended for nine months over his role in the affair against South Africa in Cape Town, which saw Steven Smith and David Warner banned for one year, agreed in July to join Durham as their overseas signing for 2019. Bancroft’s ban ended in December, while March 29 marks the end of the international bans for Smith and Warner, who are both preparing to play in the IPL.Bancroft replaces Paul Collingwood as captain of Durham’s County Championship and Royal London Cup sides following Collingwood’s retirement at the end of the 2018 season.Durham coach James Franklin believed Bancroft’s international and franchise experience with Perth Scorchers in the BBL would be an asset.”We’re delighted to have Cameron with us for the season and we’re confident he has the attributes to lead this exciting young Durham dressing room,” Franklin said. “He has invaluable experience at the top level and has enjoyed a successful spell in England before, during his time with Gloucestershire (in 2016-17).”He’s proven since returning to first-class cricket over the last few months that he has the mental toughness, skill and attitude to excel at the highest level and I’m sure he will relish the challenge we have at Durham this season.”The 26-year-old Bancroft scored an unbeaten 138 during his first-class return with Western Australia last month. He has played eight Test matches scoring 402 runs at an average of 39.92 and opening the batting against England in the 2017 Ashes.Bancroft will join Durham for their second County Championship fixture against Sussex on April 11, missing the season opener at Derbyshire from April 5 reportedly because Western Australia want him to attend their post-season awards. Alex Lees will captain the side in his absence.

Protocol required, says Tony Irish, to prevent host broadcasters from exploiting players’ comments

Nagraj Gollapudi14-Feb-2019The head of FICA, the international cricketers’ association, says that a protocol for the use of stump microphones must be introduced to avoid the “selective use” of incriminating audio by broadcasters.Tony Irish’s comments come after the West Indies fast bowler, Shannon Gabriel, and the Pakistan captain, Sarfaraz Ahmed, were both handed four-match bans by the ICC after being overheard making derogatory comments in separate on-field incidents.On Wednesday, Gabriel admitted to making homophobic comments in an altercation with the England captain, Joe Root, during last week’s third Test in St Lucia, while Sarfaraz was caught making a racist comment to the South Africa allrounder Andile Phehlukwayo during an ODI in Durban in January.The incidents are the first to cause controversy since the decision was taken, at the ICC annual conference in July, to broadcast stump microphone audio “at any time, including when the ball is dead”. That move came as part of the ICC’s drive to fight player misbehaviour, with new offences introduced such as personal abuse and audible obscenity.The ICC also factored in fan engagement as a big part of live sport, and the fact that cricket needs to embrace that. During the discussions involving the ICC and the various member boards’ chief executives, it was agreed that turning up the stump mic turns the focus not just on spirit of the game, but also allows for greater engagement for the fan watching at home. It brings them into the middle with the players.*While Irish, the executive chairman of FICA, believes that players will be willing to buy into the usage of stump mic audio, he says it is vital that broadcasters are consistent and universal in how they apply the technology.”The issue to be discussed is how they are used, including when they are turned up and when they are turned down,” Irish told ESPNcricinfo. “What I can say is that, when it comes to a matter such as this, players are generally in favour of consistency, which suggests to me that a protocol on how they are used is necessary.”Asked about the potential for a host broadcaster to exploit the feed captured on the stump mic, Irish said that was the players’ biggest fear. “When there is inconsistent use of the stump mic, then there is potential for selective use, which I think players naturally fear. That is not to say all broadcasters do that but the potential and opportunity is there.”The prospect of increased stump-microphone usage has already divided opinions among international teams. England’s head coach, Trevor Bayliss, is not in favour, arguing that “sometimes in the heat of battle things are said”, whereas Moeen Ali, the England allrounder, believes that the volume should be turned up at all times because “it’s time for people to behave themselves”.Irish recognised that there was a danger that some players could seek to use the stump mic to their advantage by setting up an opponent, but added that it remained the players’ responsibilities to ensure the line was never crossed.”Players have an obligation to play within the spirit and rules of the game, much of which relates to the way players treat each other on the field,” said Irish, “and I think a consistent protocol shouldn’t present opportunity for players to disregard that.”In a cricket match, and particularly a Test match, long periods are spent in the field, there are intense contests between bat and ball and a lot goes on. On-field characters have been a hallmark of cricket over the years and most of what goes on is within the rules and spirit of the game. It should stay that way.”

Queensland quicks hit back to reduce visiting side to 7 for 67 after folding for 115

The Report by Daniel Brettig11-Mar-2019Shane Warne’s favoured maxim “if it seams it spins” held true on day one of the Sheffield Shield match between Queensland and South Australia at the Gabba, as left-arm orthodox tweaker Tom Andrews plucked six wickets in the hosts’ paltry 115 before the Redbacks tumbled to 7 for 67 at the hands of the local pace attack in reply.Andrews was one of the inclusions as SA sought to pull themselves out of a pronounced rut this season – the experienced duo of Callum Ferguson and Tom Cooper were among the jettisoned players. His accurate finger spin delighted in the bounce and deviation available on a fresh Gabba pitch, the ground the last of the major ones still playing a part in the Shield competition during March with all the rest handed over to football.Having elected to bat, Queensland lost opener Matt Renshaw to Nick Winter’s left-arm swing early on, and Joe Burns was Andrews’ first victim when he was well held at mid-on, before seeming to steady via Marnus Labuschagne. However, his exit, pouched at gully when Andrews extracted steep lift, led to a slide that saw the final eight wickets go down for a mere 64 runs.Andrews’ haul was his first of five wickets in a first-class match, after he started the season behind wristspinner Lloyd Pope, who had also enjoyed himself against Queensland with a first-innings collection of seven wickets in the earlier head-to-head fixture at Adelaide Oval.Queensland had wriggled out of that match with a draw, and their defence of a meagre total in Brisbane was to be fired by regular wickets to Michael Neser, Luke Feldman, Cameron Gannon and Mark Steketee, while Jake Weatherald, Kelvin Smith and Travis Head all had reason to ponder their shot selection in hanging their bats out at balls angled across them.

The PCB’s first-ever board of governors meeting in Quetta had to be adjourned after five members walked out, demanding, among other things, the removal of managing director Wasim Khan

Danyal Rasool17-Apr-2019

A schism within the PCB Board of Governors erupted in Quetta today, leading to five BoG members demanding the removal of PCB Managing Director Wasim Khan, and walking out of the meeting, forcing its adjournment. The 53rd meeting of the PCB BoG, notable for being the first to be held in Quetta, was attended by eight of its ten members.Fve of them – Shahraiz Rokri from Lahore, Noman Butt from Sialkot, Shah Dost from Quetta, Kabir Khan from Fata and KRL’s Ayaz Butt – presented a resolution not initially on the agenda of the meeting. It listed six demands they wanted the BoG to adopt, most notably the appointment of Wasim to be declared null and void, terming the position unconstitutional. The resolution also called for the rejection of any move to abolish departments and regions in domestic cricket, and the setting up of a domestic cricket restructuring committee within the next 10 days, comprising all four members of the four regions.A PCB statement said, “The meeting was then adjourned for a brief period pursuant to five members attempting to table a resolution, which was not part of the agenda. The PCB Chairman had proposed any business other than the agenda could be considered under Any Other Items at the end of the meeting. However, the Khan Research Laboratory (KRL) and the four regional representatives refused to return to complete the meeting.”PCB chairman Ehsan Mani, who, along with Asad Ali Khan and Ex-Officio Akbar Durrani, was the only remaining BoG member present, declared himself “hugely disappointed”, warning that Pakistan cricket must not “get derailed by personal agendas”.”I was looking forward to an interactive, productive and constructive discussion, which was aimed at taking Pakistan cricket forward. Yesterday, we called on the honourable Chief Minister of Balochistan and engaged in fruitful and enlightening discussions to promote cricket in Balochistan. It is, therefore, particularly disappointing that the representative from Balochistan also refused to return for the BoG meeting.”Leicestershire chief executive Wasim Khan•PA Photos

The abandonment of the meeting poses a potential broader problem for the PCB. One of the items on the agenda was the approval of audited accounts for 2017-18 to be sent to the ICC, which form the basis of the ICC releasing Pakistan’s share of revenue for the year. That, ESPNcricinfo understands, amounts to USD 5 million, and with the failure to approve the release of audited accounts, that funding could be delayed. The threat of a delay isn’t acute for now though if divisions linger on, it could become pressing. At least part of that money would be spent on regional cricket associations, some of whom walked out of the meeting.Board officials expressed frustration at the demand to oust Wasim, whose arrival was seen as something of a coup for the board, particularly since he had been asked by the ECB to apply for a similar position.In October, the BoG approved the creation of the position of managing director, aimed at separating the positions of chief executive and chairman. Under the current PCB set-up, the chairman is also its chief executive, which was seen as a conflict of interest. However, a separate position for chief executive requires a constitutional amendment, and on that basis, the BoG approved the search for a managing director, who would assume the role of chief executive once the position was created. It was then the PCB began shortlisting candidates for the position, finally settling on Wasim.

The saga has an unmistakeable realpolitik whiff. The current prime minister and patron of the board Imran Khan has been vocal about his intentions to downgrade and, if possible, completely eliminate departments in domestic cricket. It was notable that a guarantee against that was the first item on the proposals the five dissenting members moved. Just three weeks ago, Imran Khan had given short shrift to a new model the PCB proposed that still aimed to retain departments in domestic cricket, insisting they had no role in the game.Mani and Imran Khan are scheduled to meet later this week to discuss issues related to the infrastructure development of the Pindi cricket stadium, which is owned by the province of Punjab rather than the PCB. With the ground being looked at as a potential venue for the next edition of the PSL, its dereliction was a cause for urgent concern. However, with half the BoG membership rejecting the patron’s explicit demands with respect to departmental involvement in the domestic game, it seems hard to believe that will not be a key item of discussion when the pair meet.

Jude Bellingham will be “at Wembley for the 15th” after helping Real Madrid to reach another Champions League final in the most dramatic of fashions.

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• Blancos trailed Bayern in semi-final tie
• Joselu stepped off the bench to bag a brace
• England star heading to familiar venue

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Blancos have made a habit down the years of completing remarkable European rescue missions. That was the case once again in 2024 during a semi-final showdown with Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich at Santiago Bernabeu.

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  Real trailed to an Alphonso Davies goal with just three minutes left on the clock, but had turned the tie on its head by the 91st minute thanks to a deadly double from substitute Joselu. They are now heading to the home of English football for a final showdown with Borussia Dortmund on June 1.

• WHAT BELLINGHAM SAID

  Bellingham is revelling in a stunning debut season In the Spanish capital, with the 20-year-old enjoying a dream run since completing a 2023 transfer from Dortmund. He has posted on Instagram of lining up another shot at continental glory for record-breaking Real: “How could i not love you? At Wembley for the 15th.”

• WHAT NEXT?

  Bellingham has already savoured Spanish Super Cup and La Liga title glory during his first season with the Blancos. He now has the biggest prize of all in his sights, with England team-mate Harry Kane being downed en route to what will be an 18th European Cup final for Real.