Devdutt Padikkal stole the spotlight on a memorable opening day as India finished 288/2 against Sri Lanka in the first Test at the Galle International Cricket Stadium on Saturday. On a rain-interrupted day that marked India's 600th Test match, Padikkal produced a sublime unbeaten 131 to put India firmly in control. Rishabh Pant was unbeaten on 27 at stumps, while Sri Lanka's bowlers struggled to make an impact on a pitch offering some assistance to spin.Jaiswal's aggressive start ends in run-outIndia captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bat first. Yashasvi Jaiswal provided an aggressive start before his innings was cut short by a costly mix-up with KL Rahul. Jaiswal, who had raced to 32, was run out as India lost their first wicket for 47.Padikkal then joined Rahul at the crease after coming into the playing XI at No. 3 following Sai Sudharsan's injury setback. The pair steadied India's innings and guided the visitors to 101/1 before rain forced an early lunch break.After the resumption, Padikkal and Rahul took control of the contest. The Karnataka duo negotiated Sri Lanka's spin attack with confidence, rotating the strike and finding the boundaries whenever opportunities presented themselves. Both batters brought up their half-centuries as their partnership grew rapidly.By the tea interval, India had reached 197/1, with Padikkal and Rahul having added 150 runs for the second wicket.However, Rahul's excellent innings came to an unfortunate end when he was forced to retire hurt on 77 after suffering severe cramps and discomfort in his right hand. Rahul's knock came from 162 balls and included nine fours and a six.Padikkal completes maiden Test centuryWith Rahul off the field, Gill joined Padikkal in the middle. The left-hander continued to dictate terms and accelerated against the Sri Lankan attack. Padikkal brought up his maiden Test century off 134 balls, celebrating a landmark moment in his young Test career.His century was particularly significant as he became the first Indian batter to score a Test hundred on Independence Day and only the second Indian to score an international century on August 15 after Virat Kohli. Padikkal also became only the second Indian left-hander in the 21st century to score a Test century from No. 3, after Sourav Ganguly.Gill falls, Pant joins PadikkalGill's stay at the crease was brief as he was dismissed for 16, with Prabath Jayasuriya providing Sri Lanka with their only bowler-credited wicket of the day. Rishabh Pant then joined Padikkal and immediately injected momentum into the innings, finishing unbeaten on 27 off 36 balls, with three fours and a six.Padikkal remained unbeaten on 131 off 178 balls, having struck 12 fours and a six. The pair added an unbeaten 52-run partnership as India reached 288/2 in 73 overs at stumps.

Carragher: Midfield Huge Problem For LiverpoolCarragher Warns Liverpool Midfield Could Become a Huge ProblemJamie Carragher has rarely been shy when it comes to identifying Liverpools weaknesses, and his latest concern feels increasingly difficult to dismiss.For all the movement elsewhere in the squad this summer, Liverpools midfield remains largely untouched. Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo have strengthened the defence, Victor Munoz has arrived to bolster the attacking options, while Kostas Tsimikas and Harvey Elliott have returned from loan.Yet the most structurally important area of Andoni Iraolas side may still be missing a specialist.Carragher believes Liverpool need a recognised No. 6, and he has described the current midfield situation as a huge problem.Carragher Questions Liverpool Midfield BalanceLiverpool were linked with Adam Wharton earlier in the year, while Elliot Anderson was also discussed before his move to Manchester City. Even so, adding a defensive midfielder has not appeared to be among the clubs immediate priorities.Carragher thinks that approach carries considerable risk.The midfield issue for me is still a huge problem for Liverpool, he said on The Overlap.Ryan Gravenberch performed the No. 6 role during Liverpools title-winning campaign, yet last season exposed some of the difficulties involved in asking him to control large areas of midfield under a different tactical structure.Carragher believes those spaces could remain an issue if Gravenberch partners Dominik Szoboszlai in a deeper midfield pairing.The problem Liverpool had last season was there was space everywhere in Liverpools midfield, Carragher started. That has not gone away at all.Thats only going to get bigger with the deployment of Szoboszlai in midfield it looks like theyre going to play him (there), rather than as a No. 10, almost as a central midfield player alongside Gravenberch, and that is just pure box-to-box.I look at that midfield three and I worry about Liverpool.Quality Alone May Not Solve Liverpool ProblemThere is an interesting contradiction within Liverpools midfield options. Gravenberch, Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz all possess considerable individual quality, yet their collective instincts may leave the side vulnerable.Carragher explained:When you name six or seven of Liverpools players, you cant say theyre not top players.You cant say Gravenberch is not a really good player, or Wirtz, or Szoboszlai.But as a midfield three, I look at that and think, oh no theres almost too much quality, but they all want to go and play and run.And even in pre-season, the space is coming through the middle.That may be the central issue. Midfields are rarely assembled simply by putting three gifted footballers next to each other. Roles matter, positioning matters, discipline matters.Liverpool currently have plenty of players capable of carrying the ball, pressing forward and influencing attacks. Carraghers concern is whether anybody is truly equipped to remain behind the play and protect the spaces others vacate.Mac Allister Role Comes Under ScrutinyAlexis Mac Allister complicates the picture further.Carragher questioned exactly how the Argentine fits into Iraolas midfield structure, particularly if Liverpool intend to rely heavily on Gravenberch and Szoboszlai.Whats the point of Mac Allister if hes not your passer? Because hes not running everywhere hes supposed to sit in midfield and dictate the play, Carragher continued.But number two, Gravenberch isnt what youd call a complete midfielderhes not a Caicedo hes probably got a slightly different game. Hes not just an out-and-out No. 6.We need to buy that type of player, not just to play every week, but what if Gravenberch gets injured?Youre telling me that Liverpools central midfield will only be Mac Allister and Szoboszlai!?Midfield Signing Could Define Liverpool SeasonLiverpools remaining transfer priorities appear focused heavily on attacking reinforcements, particularly in wide areas.Carraghers argument is that a No. 6 could prove equally important.Liverpool have enough creativity, running power and technical ability across midfield. What they may lack is someone whose primary responsibility is control.That difference can seem subtle in August. Over the course of a Premier League season, it can become decisive.For Iraola, the challenge is ensuring Liverpools midfield has enough structure to match its talent. Carragher clearly believes that balance has not yet been found.

The countdown to football season has started as the Jacksonville Jaguars take the field Saturday for their first preseason matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Local fans are already getting geared up for the new season. At Sports Mania on Beach Boulevard, the sales floor is currently a sea of teal, black, and gold. The high energy follows a historic previous season where the Jaguars clinched the AFC South title and made a deep playoff run. Anything Jags-related last year blew out the doors, blew out of the tent, blew out to the parking lot, blew out everywhere we had a chance to sell it, said Trevor Ellsworth, store manager at Sports Mania. This year we almost had to do a full reset, because with the playoff run last year, the cupboards were bare, Ellsworth said. For fans navigating the packed racks of jerseys, hats, and accessories, the sheer volume of choices is something fans like to see. Its hard to make a decision what to get, said Jags fan Jack Flickinger, who stopped by the store ahead of todays game. I was just down in the area, figured Id get some new Jags swag for the car for the season. While fans are riding a wave of optimism, the high stakes of maintaining last years winning drive also bring plenty of pressure. If this season starts like last season ended, this beards gonna be completely white by the end of the first quarter, Ellsworth joked. Despite a schedule featuring fewer true home games and reduced stadium capacity this year, Sports Mania managers say they are fully prepared to keep the fan base equipped. Management confirmed that even more merchandise is scheduled to hit the shelves soon, with additional shipments of gear already on the way to sustain Duval pride all season long. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks][SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.

St. Louis Cardinals rookie Joshua Bez made a strong first impression in his major-league debut on Saturday. Bez, ranked as the Cardinals No. 3 prospect by MLB.com, was called up from Triple-A Memphis on Friday night and penciled into Saturdays starting lineup versus the Chicago Cubs by manager Oliver Marmol. Batting fifth and playing left field, Bez quickly announced his MLB debut by hitting the first pitch he faced from Cubs starter Matthew Boyd for a home run. Boyd left a 93 mph fastball out over the plate where Bez could extend his arms and he did not miss. pic.twitter.com/jLVRPxebYS St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) August 15, 2026The 3-run homer from Bez gave the Cardinals an early 3-0 lead. St. Louis first got on the board following a leadoff walk by JJ Wetherholt andIvn Herrera getting hit by a pitch. Alec Burleson then drove in a run on a groundout. One pitch later, Bez gave the Cardinals a 3-0 lead. Bez, 23, was St. Louis 2021 second-round pick out of Dexter Southfield School in Brookline, Massachusetts. Before his call-up, he hit 34 home runs with 90 RBI and a .256/.328/.573 slash average for the Redbirds. This story will be updated with more information.

KL Rahuls condition after retiring hurt on the opening day of Indias first Test against Sri Lanka is not a major concern, with batting coach Sitanshu Kotak saying the senior batter is fine now after suffering cramps.Rahul scored a patient 77 off 162 balls before leaving the field during the final session. He had formed a crucial 150-run partnership with Devdutt Padikkal, helping India take control of the contest.KL batted really well, was getting cramps everywhere. fine now, Kotak told reporters after the days play.Padikkal shines on Test comebackThe biggest highlight of Indias batting effort was Padikkals unbeaten 131, his maiden international century. Returning to Test cricket after last playing against Australia in Perth in 2024, the Karnataka batter looked confident and composed throughout his innings.Kotak praised the work Padikkal has put in over the past two years and also highlighted Sai Sudharsans progress.Credit to Devdutt Padikkal for preparing & working hard in last 2 years. Both he, Sai are batting well. They are new ball batter, he added.Padikkal reached his hundred from 134 balls and struck a variety of shots against Sri Lankas pace and spin attack. He was particularly effective against left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, using sweeps, punches and attacking shots to keep the bowlers under pressure.[To me] its important how they bat in different phases, Kotak said, underlining the importance of adapting to changing conditions during an innings.India finish day in commandIndia ended the day at 288 for two, with Padikkal unbeaten on 131 and Rishabh Pant on 27. Shubman Gill made a valuable contribution before being dismissed by Jayasuriya.Rahuls departure was the only concern for India, although Kotaks update should ease worries about the batters condition. Padikkal also battled dehydration late in the humid day but continued his innings.With India firmly in control after the opening day, attention will now turn to whether Rahul is fit to return and how Padikkal and Pant build on the strong platform. 133264997

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Arteta hints at Nwaneri loanThe Arsenal boss praised Nwaneris development but admitted there is little value in keeping him if first-team opportunities cannot be guaranteed.Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty ImagesMikel Arteta has indicated that Ethan Nwaneri could spend another season away from Arsenal, admitting the teenager must play regular football if he is to continue the impressive progress he has made so farNwaneris future has been one of the biggest talking points of Arsenals summer, with reports suggesting the Premier League champions have even considered a permanent sale.Yet Artetas latest comments ahead of the Community Shield against Manchester City point towards a different outcome.Rather than hinting at an exit, the Arsenal manager suggested another temporary move could be the best solution if first-team opportunities at the Emirates cannot be guaranteed.Reflecting on the midfielders development, Arteta praised the impact of his time away from north London.I dont know the plans [for Nwaneri], but certainly he opens your eyes in terms of how much a young player can evolve in such a short period, Arteta said.Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty ImagesWork and experience abroad come with certain difficulties and challenges, what you can really get out of that, and I think hes done it in a brilliant way. Its unquestionable the talent, the desire, the love and the passion he has for the game. Its something that I always loved about Ethan. I think he had some great games and hes shown everybody that he has the ability to be here.The Arsenal manager stopped short of confirming where Nwaneri will spend the coming season, but he made it clear that playing time, rather than simply remaining in the squad, will determine the clubs decision.I want him to be at the club, but in the middle, long term, what is best for the player? Arteta said. Ethan needs to play football, and if he stays here, its because we can guarantee that he can have those minutes. Otherwise, its just something that is not good for anybody, I think.Photo by David Rogers/Getty ImagesArteta made clear he believes Nwaneri has already demonstrated he possesses the talent to succeed at Arsenal. The question now is whether there is enough room in an increasingly competitive squad for the youngster to receive the regular minutes his manager believes are essential.With the transfer window still open, Arsenals decision will ultimately depend on whether Arteta can offer Nwaneri a meaningful role this season.If not, another spell away from the club increasingly looks like the most likely outcome.Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Is preseason worth watching? For an outfit that just took the league title, youd think the backups wouldnt really matter in the grand scheme of things but they do! From the collective horses (Hawks?) mouth itself.Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald on the rookie class: This has been a great rookie class. Theyre different than last year; its a little bit smaller group, but different personality. Those common threads that we want in our program, like respect, honest work theyre very talented in their own right. They have all those things. He goes on to talk about how, one of the messages to the team right now is: this is a new team. Even though you are a rookie there is a responsibility to add to who were gonna become. We dont know what thats going to be yet, so were trying to create that space for them to be themselves and add to our team so that we become the best version of ourselves.Macdonald ended that thought by stating plainly: Were going to need them this year, so our vets are doing a great job of fostering as well.One of those vets is safety, Julian Love. A versatile, cerebral and reliable player on the back-end, Love spoke on the same concept, of having a new team.Those pillars we had last year its like, okay. Do we want to create new ones? Do we want to have that same kind of umbrella, but really think differently about what makes it up, who we are in this current day? I think we want to shape this thing and learn it and start from ground level and incorporate everybody along. Love says, This whole uniteveryone is going to be incorporate in how we build things. Its a conscious choice. It could be real easy to be like: lets keep on going with what we did last year!Its not just the rookies (Jadarian Price, Bud Clark and Julian Neals pro debuts excite the PNW mind), it would be nice to see some of the new additions get some run and get into the flow of this team. Emmanuel Wilson at running back, Noah Igbinoghene as an inside/outside DB, and Dante Fowler Jr. as a 4th established edge rusher all have shots to be contributors. Fowler Jr. wanted to be here.Fowler discussed the idea of adding to the formula: Theyre bringing all the new guys and the young guys along really well, Fowler said. But you know like I just fall in line and do what Im supposed to do. They already had a great defense before we got here, and they won a Super Bowl. It was the best defense in the world last year. So my job is to just fall in line and do whatever I gotta do to make this defense upgrade a little bit more.Hard Knocks Ep.1Mike Macdonald is shown addressing his team in the debut of the Seattle Seahawks version of Hard Knocks. He talked to his team about how Michael Jordan was always supremely talented, but he didnt win a title until Phil Jackson became coach and started structuring the team around team basketball. Jordan then went on to achieve a 3-peat. Macdonald goes on to state that he believes that the secret sauce of the NFL is connection.The directive is clear: to make it back to the mountaintop, and go on a special run, Macdonald believes that theyll need to commit to team ball.Coachs money is where his mouth is later in the episode, when a fight broke out.Second year guard, Bryce Cabeldue went after safety Rodney Thomas II after he decked a ball-carrying Velus Jones Jr. Bedlam ensues, when Tyrice Knight, Leonard Williams, and Derick Hall subsequently came to RTIIs defense, going at Cabeldue before Josh Jones finally came in to stand up for B.C. Josh Jobe came in and even swung a helmet.Cameras showed Coach Macdonald addressing the fight at a macro level, then addressing a hurtful comment that was said (Brady Russell to Derick Hall, according to DC, Aden Durde) at the micro level. He was more worried about preserving harmony and team flow than the actual physical fight.The slogan, 12-as-1 is personified in each level of the organization.John Schneider talked, pre-draft, about the search for players that want to come in and compete at a high level and not be enamored by the guys they just saw playing in the Super Bowl. In a less formal instance (the leagues annual meeting) John Boyle quoted Schneider as saying they want guys who possess the attitude of: I want to take their jobs.Are those types of dawgs present among the young and the (current) backups on this roster?Remember how guys like Josh Jobe, Drake Thomas, Ty Okada, Brandon Pili, Jalen Sundell, George Holani, Eric Saubert and even A.J. Barner rose from relative obscurity to help push the Seattle Seahawks towards a Lombardi Trophy? That shouldnt stop now, and it feels like Schneider is on a mission to make sure he learns from being in this position before.This time last year, Tyrice Knight (if healthy) over Drake Thomas felt like a given. Mike Macdonald has been quoted as saying, Players are allowed to get better, our guys are going to get better, theyre going to develop. You love to hear it.Who will be the ones to make unexpected contributions this year? The Seattle Seahawks are banking on those coming through in multiple spots. The reality of a rough and tumble NFL says that they are a necessity. Some are hungry. Others are starving to make their mark."Anytime I'm tired now, I just think 'A year ago I would have done anything to get the opportunity to go out and play.'"Rylie Mills describes to @BrockHuard & @TheMikeSalk how missing most of last season has helped shape his perspective and motivation heading into his 2nd pic.twitter.com/J4yrUcgOG7 Seattle Sports (@SeattleSports) August 6, 2026Seahawks Fan FestWhile rookie DBs Bud Clark (who Mike Macdonald called, a really smart guy) and Michael Dansby have gotten early training camp hype (and made plays in the Lumen Field atmosphere as well), two pass catchers caught my eye at Seahawks Fan Fest 2026. I saw 2nd-year TE, Elijah Arroyo catch a red zone TD and a competition period one-on-one pass against Clark, and I saw 6th-Round WR, Emmanuel Henderson Jr. catch a red zone TD and a competition period one-on-one pass against Dansby.Not overreacting to manufactured situations, but Arroyo and Henderson are two players I will keep my eyes on in the passing game. Henderson Jr., in particular enters battle against Cody White, Montorie Foster Jr. and Ricky White III for possibly the last wide receiver spot on the roster.I saw OGs, Bryce Cabeldue and Christian Haynes early on, working with the 2nd-team offensive line. Can Haynes ever find any of that potential that surrounded him coming out of the 3rd Round in 2024? How do Mason Richman and Beau Stephens figure in?Amari Kight will have to fight with all his might if he wants to ensure a spot, with (at least) veteran OT, Bobby Hart now in the fold. Depth on the O-line is a must, and a battle royale could baptize this unit by fire.After the in-stadium scrimmage/practice, new free agent running back, Emmanuel Wilson was asked about a guy that will most likely be his main competition for snaps come the season opener. J.J. McCarthy went slightly viral for his answer to a similar question in Minnesota, but Wilson struck a different (more effusive) tone: Hes got great feet. And also, the way he tracks the ball when hes catching, hes wonderful. Jadarian, hes got a lot to him. Hes going to be a great back in this league.Two players who may have bigger roles on their respective sides of the ball looked good at times as well: CB, Nehemiah Pritchett and WR, Tory Horton. AJ Finley and Rodney Thomas II may be competing for the final safety spot, and they both came up with interceptions!These are just a few of the storylines that I cant wait to add more data and insight to. This Seahawks team has shown investment in a complete roster in everything they do. Theres a long history of even undrafted guys stepping up and becoming factors.This team doesnt feel like it is going to lose its edge anytime soon.Hard Knocks Ep.2Coach Macdonald: Young guys: when we talk about the fog, this is the fog. We got a stadium practice on Friday, we got a good practice tomorrow morning, then a week from Saturday we get to go play another team. Okay? It might take you a play or a series or whatever but at some point, youre going to realize during that game that were just going to play football, and Ive been training for the last five months.He goes on to say that, If Im a young guy right now, I should be not satisfied with where Im at. Okay, I should feel a pull to get better and take my game to another level and try to play to our standard all the time. But I should also be excited about where Im going and confident that I can play great football when given the opportunity.We should all be excited to see what the next phase of Seahawks football can look like. It started in OTAs, but it will continue to manifest in preseason action!There is a side to hard knocks that we underestimatedPlayer recruitment. Seahawks have come off looking like a fun, hard coached, successful team with a strong culture. If Arnold gets a favorable decision in his case, Seahawks have good PR right now. https://t.co/mOa9HUQzg4 Seaside Joe: Daily Seahawks Newsletter (@seasidejoenews) August 13, 2026

Joshua Bez made sure his major league debut somehow exceeded the wild expectations that preceded it.Bez's emotional journey to the St. Louis Cardinals' lineup culminated Saturday, Aug. 15 when he hit a towering two-run home run on the first pitch he saw from Chicago Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd at Wrigley Field, sending the visiting dugout into padding-pounding pandemonium and the more than two dozen family members on hand from around the USA and Dominican Republic into unabashed glee.Bez, 21, was already sporting a wide and disbelieving grin as he rounded first base, the perfect welcome-to-the-big-leagues moment for the Cardinals' No. 3 prospect. After all, Bez had already shown his flair for the emotional. Bez Bombs are here, St. Louis! pic.twitter.com/TENioKu6gr St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) August 15, 2026Bez was a third-round pick of the Cardinals in 2021, out of Dexter School in Brookline, Mass. He was midway through his second full pro season, at Class A Palm Beach, when his father, Jose Manuel, who'd had a profound impact on his baseball development, passed away.Bez continued climbing the Cardinals' system and the prospect charts, rising to No. 56 in Baseball America's top 100 ratings this summer. And then came June 16, and the third anniversary of his father's death. The Cardinals outfield prospect marked the occasion by hitting four home runs for Class AAA Memphis, pointing to the sky after each of them. "I was just trying to push through, and it's just insane I was able to hit four home runs in one night," he said then. It was a significant step in doubling down on his 2025 power breakout, when he hit 20 homers and got on the Cardinals' big league radar. This year, he's crushed 34 home runs and driven in 90 runs for Memphis, all but daring the Cardinals to ignore him.That's proven impossible with every level Bez climbs. And now, he's reached the highest in dramatic fashion. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cardinals prospect Joshua Bez homers on first MLB pitch he sees | Watch