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Deadspin | Brotherly love: Matt, Alex Fitzpatrick capture meaningful Zurich win  Apr 25, 2026; Avondale, Louisiana, USA; Matt Fitzpatrick hits tee shot on hole 2 during the third round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images   Brothers Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick of England birdied the final hole after their three-stroke lead vanished on the back nine Sunday, leading them to win the Zurich Classic of New Orleans at Avondale, La.  The birdie on the par-5 18th hole gave them a 1-under-par 71, pushing their tournament total to 31-under 257 at TPC Louisiana in the PGA Tour’s only team event.  Matt is a PGA Tour winner on back-to-back Sundays after winning the RBC Heritage a week earlier. As for Alex, a DP World Tour player, he’ll receive a PGA Tour card through 2028 and a number of exemptions, including into the PGA Championship.  Sitting in a three-way tie going to the last hole, Alex’s approach went into a bunker in front of the 18th green for the team’s second shot, but on the next swing Matt put the ball within 2 feet of the cup and they avoided a playoff.  Alex Smalley/Hayden Springer (68) and the Norwegian pair of Kristoffer Reitan/Kris Ventura (65) shared second place at 30 under.  Reitan and Ventura pulled even with an eagle 3 at the 18th. Reitan’s shot onto the green left Ventura less than 7 feet for the putt.  Smalley/Springer were tied atop the leaderboard until a bogey on No. 17. They recovered to forge a three-way tie at the top when Springer’s approach shot on the 18th left Smalley a tap-in for birdie.   The Fitzpatrick team still had two holes to finish and they cashed in on the final one.  The Fitzpatrick brothers, who began the day with a four-shot lead, played the first 11 holes in a bogey-free 3 under. Then a double bogey on the 12th — initiated with Matt’s tee shot into the rough and taking a stroke for a drop — and a bogey on the 14th suddenly wiped out their advantage.  The Fitzpatricks set a tournament record by posting 57 in Saturday’s four-ball competition.  Ben Martin/Trace Crowe (66) and the Danish tandem of Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen/Jacob Skov Olesen (66) tied for fourth place at 28 under. Martin/Crowe had eight birdies but two bogeys, while Neergaard-Petersen/Skov Olesen did not make a bogey.  There was a three-way tie for sixth place at 27 under with Billy Horschel/Tom Hoge (68), Eric Cole/Hank Lebioda (68) and Doug Ghim/Jeffrey Kang (70).  The start of the final round was delayed a couple of hours because of morning storms. That led to adjustments with groups beginning on Nos. 1 and 10.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Brotherly #love #Matt #Alex #Fitzpatrick #capture #meaningful #Zurich #win

Deadspin | Brotherly love: Matt, Alex Fitzpatrick capture meaningful Zurich win
Deadspin | Brotherly love: Matt, Alex Fitzpatrick capture meaningful Zurich win  Apr 25, 2026; Avondale, Louisiana, USA; Matt Fitzpatrick hits tee shot on hole 2 during the third round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images   Brothers Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick of England birdied the final hole after their three-stroke lead vanished on the back nine Sunday, leading them to win the Zurich Classic of New Orleans at Avondale, La.  The birdie on the par-5 18th hole gave them a 1-under-par 71, pushing their tournament total to 31-under 257 at TPC Louisiana in the PGA Tour’s only team event.  Matt is a PGA Tour winner on back-to-back Sundays after winning the RBC Heritage a week earlier. As for Alex, a DP World Tour player, he’ll receive a PGA Tour card through 2028 and a number of exemptions, including into the PGA Championship.  Sitting in a three-way tie going to the last hole, Alex’s approach went into a bunker in front of the 18th green for the team’s second shot, but on the next swing Matt put the ball within 2 feet of the cup and they avoided a playoff.  Alex Smalley/Hayden Springer (68) and the Norwegian pair of Kristoffer Reitan/Kris Ventura (65) shared second place at 30 under.  Reitan and Ventura pulled even with an eagle 3 at the 18th. Reitan’s shot onto the green left Ventura less than 7 feet for the putt.  Smalley/Springer were tied atop the leaderboard until a bogey on No. 17. They recovered to forge a three-way tie at the top when Springer’s approach shot on the 18th left Smalley a tap-in for birdie.   The Fitzpatrick team still had two holes to finish and they cashed in on the final one.  The Fitzpatrick brothers, who began the day with a four-shot lead, played the first 11 holes in a bogey-free 3 under. Then a double bogey on the 12th — initiated with Matt’s tee shot into the rough and taking a stroke for a drop — and a bogey on the 14th suddenly wiped out their advantage.  The Fitzpatricks set a tournament record by posting 57 in Saturday’s four-ball competition.  Ben Martin/Trace Crowe (66) and the Danish tandem of Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen/Jacob Skov Olesen (66) tied for fourth place at 28 under. Martin/Crowe had eight birdies but two bogeys, while Neergaard-Petersen/Skov Olesen did not make a bogey.  There was a three-way tie for sixth place at 27 under with Billy Horschel/Tom Hoge (68), Eric Cole/Hank Lebioda (68) and Doug Ghim/Jeffrey Kang (70).  The start of the final round was delayed a couple of hours because of morning storms. That led to adjustments with groups beginning on Nos. 1 and 10.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Brotherly #love #Matt #Alex #Fitzpatrick #capture #meaningful #Zurich #winApr 25, 2026; Avondale, Louisiana, USA; Matt Fitzpatrick hits tee shot on hole 2 during the third round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Brothers Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick of England birdied the final hole after their three-stroke lead vanished on the back nine Sunday, leading them to win the Zurich Classic of New Orleans at Avondale, La.

The birdie on the par-5 18th hole gave them a 1-under-par 71, pushing their tournament total to 31-under 257 at TPC Louisiana in the PGA Tour’s only team event.

Matt is a PGA Tour winner on back-to-back Sundays after winning the RBC Heritage a week earlier. As for Alex, a DP World Tour player, he’ll receive a PGA Tour card through 2028 and a number of exemptions, including into the PGA Championship.

Sitting in a three-way tie going to the last hole, Alex’s approach went into a bunker in front of the 18th green for the team’s second shot, but on the next swing Matt put the ball within 2 feet of the cup and they avoided a playoff.

Alex Smalley/Hayden Springer (68) and the Norwegian pair of Kristoffer Reitan/Kris Ventura (65) shared second place at 30 under.

Reitan and Ventura pulled even with an eagle 3 at the 18th. Reitan’s shot onto the green left Ventura less than 7 feet for the putt.


Smalley/Springer were tied atop the leaderboard until a bogey on No. 17. They recovered to forge a three-way tie at the top when Springer’s approach shot on the 18th left Smalley a tap-in for birdie.

The Fitzpatrick team still had two holes to finish and they cashed in on the final one.

The Fitzpatrick brothers, who began the day with a four-shot lead, played the first 11 holes in a bogey-free 3 under. Then a double bogey on the 12th — initiated with Matt’s tee shot into the rough and taking a stroke for a drop — and a bogey on the 14th suddenly wiped out their advantage.

The Fitzpatricks set a tournament record by posting 57 in Saturday’s four-ball competition.

Ben Martin/Trace Crowe (66) and the Danish tandem of Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen/Jacob Skov Olesen (66) tied for fourth place at 28 under. Martin/Crowe had eight birdies but two bogeys, while Neergaard-Petersen/Skov Olesen did not make a bogey.

There was a three-way tie for sixth place at 27 under with Billy Horschel/Tom Hoge (68), Eric Cole/Hank Lebioda (68) and Doug Ghim/Jeffrey Kang (70).

The start of the final round was delayed a couple of hours because of morning storms. That led to adjustments with groups beginning on Nos. 1 and 10.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Brotherly #love #Matt #Alex #Fitzpatrick #capture #meaningful #Zurich #win

Apr 25, 2026; Avondale, Louisiana, USA; Matt Fitzpatrick hits tee shot on hole 2 during the third round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Brothers Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick of England birdied the final hole after their three-stroke lead vanished on the back nine Sunday, leading them to win the Zurich Classic of New Orleans at Avondale, La.

The birdie on the par-5 18th hole gave them a 1-under-par 71, pushing their tournament total to 31-under 257 at TPC Louisiana in the PGA Tour’s only team event.

Matt is a PGA Tour winner on back-to-back Sundays after winning the RBC Heritage a week earlier. As for Alex, a DP World Tour player, he’ll receive a PGA Tour card through 2028 and a number of exemptions, including into the PGA Championship.

Sitting in a three-way tie going to the last hole, Alex’s approach went into a bunker in front of the 18th green for the team’s second shot, but on the next swing Matt put the ball within 2 feet of the cup and they avoided a playoff.

Alex Smalley/Hayden Springer (68) and the Norwegian pair of Kristoffer Reitan/Kris Ventura (65) shared second place at 30 under.

Reitan and Ventura pulled even with an eagle 3 at the 18th. Reitan’s shot onto the green left Ventura less than 7 feet for the putt.

Smalley/Springer were tied atop the leaderboard until a bogey on No. 17. They recovered to forge a three-way tie at the top when Springer’s approach shot on the 18th left Smalley a tap-in for birdie.

The Fitzpatrick team still had two holes to finish and they cashed in on the final one.

The Fitzpatrick brothers, who began the day with a four-shot lead, played the first 11 holes in a bogey-free 3 under. Then a double bogey on the 12th — initiated with Matt’s tee shot into the rough and taking a stroke for a drop — and a bogey on the 14th suddenly wiped out their advantage.

The Fitzpatricks set a tournament record by posting 57 in Saturday’s four-ball competition.

Ben Martin/Trace Crowe (66) and the Danish tandem of Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen/Jacob Skov Olesen (66) tied for fourth place at 28 under. Martin/Crowe had eight birdies but two bogeys, while Neergaard-Petersen/Skov Olesen did not make a bogey.

There was a three-way tie for sixth place at 27 under with Billy Horschel/Tom Hoge (68), Eric Cole/Hank Lebioda (68) and Doug Ghim/Jeffrey Kang (70).

The start of the final round was delayed a couple of hours because of morning storms. That led to adjustments with groups beginning on Nos. 1 and 10.

–Field Level Media

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5 NFL teams who got better in the 2026 Draft, and 5 who didn’t do enough <div id="zephr-anchor"><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Welcome to my way too early 2027 mock draft.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Just kidding, that sounds terrible and we should federally prosecute those who do that.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Over the course of the 2026 NFL Draft, there was a lot to love in terms of what specific teams did over the course of the three-day event. The other side of that coin being that there were also teams who kept making the wrong choice at such a consistent degree to where it became almost impressive. Here’s a look and the good and the bad of the 2026 NFL Draft.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Took every bit of willpower in my body not to slam my computer against my desk like Jake Gyllenhaal in <em>Prisoners</em> while writing this. It’s insufferable listening to everyone go “HoWiE dOeS iT aGaIn” after just… drafting good players who fell in his lap. But his season, Roseman and the Eagles did the equivalent of a Money in the Bank cash in, jumping in front of the Steelers to steal Makai Lemon from their grasp as general Manager Omar Khan was on the phone with the former USC star. They then selected Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers, who will serve as an instant upgrade over Grant Calcaterra and an eventual replacement for Dallas Goedert <em>and </em>got Miami offensive tackle Markel Bell at the beginning of the third round after a trade with the Jets. To go three-for-three in the first three rounds of the draft is a job well done.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">I said it on Thursday, and I’ll say it again – the Saints are winning the NFC South. They added the most explosive receiver in the class in Jordyn Tyson, and double-dipped by adding Bryce Lance in the fourth round. They also added some young talent on defense, taking Georgia defensive tackle Christen Miller in the second round and Ohio State safety Lorenzo Styles in the fifth. These pieces, combined with Travis Etienne in free agency and the emergence of Tyler Shough, the Saints will be eating beignets, tossing beads, and doing other New Orleans tropes in the playoffs. And yes, I had to Google how to spell beignet by typing “binyay” and assuming it would give me the correct spelling, which worked.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Their defense was the Washington AARP cards in 2025. Bobby Wagner, Marshon Lattimore, Von Miler – that would have been a legitimately great core in 2019. They selected perhaps the most athletic linebacker in this class in Sonny Styles with the No. 7 overall pick, and also got some offensive help for Jayden Daniels with wide receiver Antonio Williams in round three and running back Kaytron Allen in round six. The Commanders didn’t have a ton of picks to work with, but they made the most of their selections and got multiple instant difference-makers.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Dolphins snagged two of my favorite players in the draft, and they play the same position. Getting Jacob Rodriguez in round two and Kyle Louis in round 3 gives them two players in the middle of their defense they can build around as they lay the foundation for the future. Landing Kadyn Proctor at tackle in the first round, as well as Chris Bell at receiver in round three gives the Dolphins a good young corps to move into this new era.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">This is the second straight year I’ve loved the Browns’ draft. They get Spencer Fano to be their new staple at left tackle, and then double dipped at receiver with KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston to strengthen arguably the weakest unit on their roster. Getting Toldeo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren at the tail end of the second round was tremendous value, and I like the addition of the uber-athletic quarterback Taylen Green out of Arkansas. If this can finally start translating into wins for the Browns, we’ll look back on these last two drafts very fondly.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">If you are reading this, check your phone – there is a greater than zero chance that James Gladstone like what he saw in your lateral movement skills at the catering table at the packed corporate event. You kept everything together, you went from chicken to lettuce wraps in a flash, and they really think you can be a nice asset in their pass protection.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Yeah, God only knows what the Jaguars saw in a few of these guys. They drafted the No. 678 player on the consensus big board in the sixth round in Stanford wide receiver C.J. Williams. Then in the seventh, they took player No. 679 in Middle Tennessee State linebacker Parker Hughes. Additionally, with their first pick (No. 56 overall), they took tight end Nate Boerkricher, who had 38 receptions in five collegiate seasons. They did land Oregon guard Emmanuel Pregnon in the third round, which was a good value selection, but the vast majority of their picks were reach after reach.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Find someone who loves you as much as Brandon Beane loves trading down in the draft and subsequently passing up on good players. The chair of the 26th pick was too big, so Buffalo traded it to the Texans. The 28th pick chair was too small, so they traded it to the Patriots. God only knows what was wrong with the 31st pick, but they moved out of that one, as well. Finally, after finding the perfect recliner to sit in, the Bills stayed put at pick No. 35. However, if there is one thing Brandon Beane loves, it’s an underwhelming edge rusher, so they took T.J. Parker instead of Kayden McDonald, who would have filled a major need at defensive tackle. Later on, Buffalo moved up four spots in the second round to draft Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun, a player they likely could have gotten in the fourth round. Beane is bad at drafting, that’s not exactly news, but even their good picks, like Skyler Bell, are hard to get excited for after Joe Brady talked about how good he is in the screen game. That high-pitched ringing sound you just heard was all of Bills Mafia screaming in unison.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">“Give me more money” Jacoby Brissett, “Trailer Park Jake Plummer” Gardner Minshew, and “I can’t throw that far” Carson Beck – what a quarterback room. Taking Beck to kickoff the third round is a massive reach for a limited quarterback who lacks a big arm and athleticism to make plays outside the pocket. Jeremiyah Love is a tremendous player, but giving him north of $50 million guaranteed before he ever takes a snap is bizarre. Plus, taking a running back in the top five as a bad team with several holes is a big no no, especially after they just signed Tyler Allgeier and still have James Conner. Any good they did do is largely negated due to two bad decisions in the first three rounds.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Credit to Grant Cohn for flat out asking John Lynch why the 49ers constantly reach on players because it’s amazing how the 49ers overcome their terrible drafts year in and year out. They took Ole Miss wideout Deshaun Stribbling with the 33rd overall pick when he was considered a late Day Two, early Day Three guy. And, as is tradition, they took a running back in the third round when he was a late fourth round projected player. It’s just incredible that the 49ers constantly win despite their inability to draft well.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Yeah, the Ty Simpson pick will either make the Rams look like geniuses or he’ll be shipped to the Bengals along with four first-round picks when they trade for Joe Burrow in 2027. Which, if that happens and it was all a big-brain decision to draft Simpson solely for that purpose, props to Les Snead. But reaching for tight end Max Klare in the second round was unnecessary and marked the second straight year they over-drafted a tight end in round two. 25 year-old tackle Keagan Trost in round three also felt like a bit of a reach, especially when he probably needs to be kicked inside to guard.</p></div></div> #NFL #teams #Draft #didnt

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India suffered yet another batting meltdown in a modest 156-run chase as South Africa rode on skipper Laura Wolvaardt’s sublime unbeaten 92 to clinch a convincing 23-run win and seal the T20I series 4-1.

Wolvaardt, who notched up two fifties and a century earlier in the series, struck 11 fours and two sixes in her 56-ball knock, carrying her bat despite wickets falling around her.

Her late flourish—two sixes off the final two balls—lifted South Africa past the 150-mark after a middle-overs slowdown.

In reply, India was restricted to 132 for eight, with its experienced batters once again failing to deliver.

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur laboured to 22 off 28 balls, while Shafali Verma (4), Jemimah Rodrigues (1) and Deepti Sharma (8) fell cheaply.

It was left to Bharti Fulmali to provide some fight with a counter-attacking 40 off 30 balls (4×4, 2×6), but India’s middle-overs stagnation, following a poor start, proved costly.

South Africa’s bowlers were disciplined throughout, with Nonkululeko Mlaba leading the charge with an impressive 2/15, including a maiden, and accounting for Harmanpreet. Nadine de Klerk also picked up two wickets.

It was a reality check for the WODI champion India ahead of the T20 World Cup as frequent changes in the XI and lack of consistency continued to hurt its campaign.

India got off to a poor start, losing Shafali and Rodrigues in quick succession to slump to 21 for two in four overs.

Shafali’s attempted sweep off Eliz-Mari Marx found Chloe Tryon at fine-leg, who held on to a sharp catch.

Rodrigues followed soon after, mistiming a pull off Ayabonga Khaka, with Tryon once again impressing with a well-judged running catch at deep square-leg.

With India in trouble early, Harmanpreet and opener Anushka Sharma attempted to rebuild cautiously.

However, with the required rate climbing, Anushka fell to a well-disguised slower ball from De Klerk, leaving India at 38 for three in 7.3 overs. Their 17-run stand consumed 24 balls, adding to the pressure.

Fulmali then injected some momentum with her aggressive strokeplay, even as Harmanpreet struggled to accelerate before being dismissed by Mlaba in the 13th over.

Needing 79 runs off the last seven overs, India’s task was steep. Fulmali kept its hopes alive briefly, but South Africa continued to chip away at regular intervals, and her dismissal in the 16th over effectively ended the contest.

Earlier, the Indian spin duo of Shree Charani (2/22) and Deepti Sharma (2/37) turned the game with timely breakthroughs while Renuka Singh (2/21) stepped up at the death.

Charani removed Sune Luus (23) and Tazmin Brits (2) in successive overs as South Africa slipped from 70 for no loss in eight overs to lose three wickets in the next four.

Renuka Singh then struck at the death, picking up two wickets in three balls as South Africa struggled to break free.

However, Wolvaardt held firm and finished with a flourish, taking on Deepti with back-to-back sixes in the final over.

Opting to bat, Wolvaardt was at her elegant best from the outset, taking charge in Kranti Goud’s opening over with two boundaries in an 11-run start.

She barely put a foot wrong, continuing her exquisite strokeplay against the new ball, including consecutive fours off Renuka—one powered through midwicket and another crisply driven through point, showcasing her range on both sides of the wicket.

India captain Harmanpreet introduced spin through Charani, but Wolvaardt maintained the momentum, stepping out for a boundary and following it up with a drive past mid-off.

South Africa ended the PowerPlay at 49 for no loss, with Wolvaardt in full control.

India finally broke through when Charani deceived Luus in flight, with Richa Ghosh completing a stumping after a brief fumble.

The run-rate dipped sharply thereafter, and Charani struck again in her next over, knocking over Brits with a fuller delivery.

Deepti then returned to dismiss Annerie Dercksen for a duck, as South Africa lost three wickets for just 14 runs between the ninth and 12th overs, derailing its innings before Wolvaardt’s late surge.

Published on Apr 27, 2026

#INDW #5th #T20I #India #falters #chase #Wolvaardt #powers #South #Africa #series #win">SA-W vs IND-W 5th T20I: India falters in chase as Wolvaardt powers South Africa to 4-1 series win  India suffered yet another batting meltdown in a modest 156-run chase as South Africa rode on skipper Laura Wolvaardt’s sublime unbeaten 92 to clinch a convincing 23-run win and seal the T20I series 4-1.Wolvaardt, who notched up two fifties and a century earlier in the series, struck 11 fours and two sixes in her 56-ball knock, carrying her bat despite wickets falling around her.Her late flourish—two sixes off the final two balls—lifted South Africa past the 150-mark after a middle-overs slowdown.In reply, India was restricted to 132 for eight, with its experienced batters once again failing to deliver.Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur laboured to 22 off 28 balls, while Shafali Verma (4), Jemimah Rodrigues (1) and Deepti Sharma (8) fell cheaply.It was left to Bharti Fulmali to provide some fight with a counter-attacking 40 off 30 balls (4×4, 2×6), but India’s middle-overs stagnation, following a poor start, proved costly.South Africa’s bowlers were disciplined throughout, with Nonkululeko Mlaba leading the charge with an impressive 2/15, including a maiden, and accounting for Harmanpreet. Nadine de Klerk also picked up two wickets.It was a reality check for the WODI champion India ahead of the T20 World Cup as frequent changes in the XI and lack of consistency continued to hurt its campaign.India got off to a poor start, losing Shafali and Rodrigues in quick succession to slump to 21 for two in four overs.Shafali’s attempted sweep off Eliz-Mari Marx found Chloe Tryon at fine-leg, who held on to a sharp catch.Rodrigues followed soon after, mistiming a pull off Ayabonga Khaka, with Tryon once again impressing with a well-judged running catch at deep square-leg.With India in trouble early, Harmanpreet and opener Anushka Sharma attempted to rebuild cautiously.However, with the required rate climbing, Anushka fell to a well-disguised slower ball from De Klerk, leaving India at 38 for three in 7.3 overs. Their 17-run stand consumed 24 balls, adding to the pressure.Fulmali then injected some momentum with her aggressive strokeplay, even as Harmanpreet struggled to accelerate before being dismissed by Mlaba in the 13th over.Needing 79 runs off the last seven overs, India’s task was steep. Fulmali kept its hopes alive briefly, but South Africa continued to chip away at regular intervals, and her dismissal in the 16th over effectively ended the contest.Earlier, the Indian spin duo of Shree Charani (2/22) and Deepti Sharma (2/37) turned the game with timely breakthroughs while Renuka Singh (2/21) stepped up at the death.Charani removed Sune Luus (23) and Tazmin Brits (2) in successive overs as South Africa slipped from 70 for no loss in eight overs to lose three wickets in the next four.Renuka Singh then struck at the death, picking up two wickets in three balls as South Africa struggled to break free.However, Wolvaardt held firm and finished with a flourish, taking on Deepti with back-to-back sixes in the final over.Opting to bat, Wolvaardt was at her elegant best from the outset, taking charge in Kranti Goud’s opening over with two boundaries in an 11-run start.She barely put a foot wrong, continuing her exquisite strokeplay against the new ball, including consecutive fours off Renuka—one powered through midwicket and another crisply driven through point, showcasing her range on both sides of the wicket.India captain Harmanpreet introduced spin through Charani, but Wolvaardt maintained the momentum, stepping out for a boundary and following it up with a drive past mid-off.South Africa ended the PowerPlay at 49 for no loss, with Wolvaardt in full control.India finally broke through when Charani deceived Luus in flight, with Richa Ghosh completing a stumping after a brief fumble.The run-rate dipped sharply thereafter, and Charani struck again in her next over, knocking over Brits with a fuller delivery.Deepti then returned to dismiss Annerie Dercksen for a duck, as South Africa lost three wickets for just 14 runs between the ninth and 12th overs, derailing its innings before Wolvaardt’s late surge.Published on Apr 27, 2026  #INDW #5th #T20I #India #falters #chase #Wolvaardt #powers #South #Africa #series #win

Deadspin | Yandy Diaz, 4 pitchers help Rays complete sweep of Twins  Apr 26, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Yandy Díaz (2) reacts after hitting a two-run home run against the Minnesota Twins in the third inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images   Yandy Diaz belted a two-run homer to highlight a four-run third inning, helping the Tampa Bay Rays complete a three-game series sweep of the Minnesota Twins with a 4-2 victory on Sunday afternoon in St. Petersburg, Fla.  Chandler Simpson went 3-for-4 with a stolen base and a run and Jonathan Aranda joined Diaz with two RBIs to pace Tampa Bay to its fourth straight victory.  Jesse Scholtens (2-1), who relieved opener Griffin Jax with one out in the third, allowed two runs on three hits over 4 1/3 innings. He walked three and struck out two.  Jax permitted one hit and walked one while striking out two during 2 1/3 scoreless innings. Cole Sulser struck out two and allowed one hit in 1 1/3 innings of relief before turning it over to Bryan Baker, who pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to pick up his sixth save.  Brooks Lee hit a two-run homer for Minnesota, which lost its fifth straight game and fell to 1-9 over its last 10 games. The Twins have been outscored, 29-15, during their losing streak.  Simeon Woods Richardson (0-4) suffered the loss, allowing four runs on eight hits in 4 1/3 innings. He walked three and struck out two.   Tampa Bay parlayed four hits into a 4-0 lead in the third inning.   Hunter Feduccia led off with a broken-bat infield single, advanced to second on a throwing error by Woods Richardson and took third on a single by Simpson, who then stole second.   One out later, Aranda singled to center to drive in both Feduccia and Simpson. Diaz followed with his fourth home run of the season, a 359-foot opposite-field drive into the right field bleachers.   Minnesota trimmed the lead to 4-2 in the seventh inning. James Outman lined a two-out double into the right-field corner and Lee followed with his fifth home run, a 333-foot drive that landed near the bottom of the foul pole.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Yandy #Diaz #pitchers #Rays #complete #sweep #TwinsApr 26, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Yandy Díaz (2) reacts after hitting a two-run home run against the Minnesota Twins in the third inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Yandy Diaz belted a two-run homer to highlight a four-run third inning, helping the Tampa Bay Rays complete a three-game series sweep of the Minnesota Twins with a 4-2 victory on Sunday afternoon in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Chandler Simpson went 3-for-4 with a stolen base and a run and Jonathan Aranda joined Diaz with two RBIs to pace Tampa Bay to its fourth straight victory.

Jesse Scholtens (2-1), who relieved opener Griffin Jax with one out in the third, allowed two runs on three hits over 4 1/3 innings. He walked three and struck out two.

Jax permitted one hit and walked one while striking out two during 2 1/3 scoreless innings. Cole Sulser struck out two and allowed one hit in 1 1/3 innings of relief before turning it over to Bryan Baker, who pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to pick up his sixth save.

Brooks Lee hit a two-run homer for Minnesota, which lost its fifth straight game and fell to 1-9 over its last 10 games. The Twins have been outscored, 29-15, during their losing streak.


Simeon Woods Richardson (0-4) suffered the loss, allowing four runs on eight hits in 4 1/3 innings. He walked three and struck out two.

Tampa Bay parlayed four hits into a 4-0 lead in the third inning.

Hunter Feduccia led off with a broken-bat infield single, advanced to second on a throwing error by Woods Richardson and took third on a single by Simpson, who then stole second.

One out later, Aranda singled to center to drive in both Feduccia and Simpson. Diaz followed with his fourth home run of the season, a 359-foot opposite-field drive into the right field bleachers.

Minnesota trimmed the lead to 4-2 in the seventh inning. James Outman lined a two-out double into the right-field corner and Lee followed with his fifth home run, a 333-foot drive that landed near the bottom of the foul pole.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Yandy #Diaz #pitchers #Rays #complete #sweep #Twins">Deadspin | Yandy Diaz, 4 pitchers help Rays complete sweep of Twins  Apr 26, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Yandy Díaz (2) reacts after hitting a two-run home run against the Minnesota Twins in the third inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images   Yandy Diaz belted a two-run homer to highlight a four-run third inning, helping the Tampa Bay Rays complete a three-game series sweep of the Minnesota Twins with a 4-2 victory on Sunday afternoon in St. Petersburg, Fla.  Chandler Simpson went 3-for-4 with a stolen base and a run and Jonathan Aranda joined Diaz with two RBIs to pace Tampa Bay to its fourth straight victory.  Jesse Scholtens (2-1), who relieved opener Griffin Jax with one out in the third, allowed two runs on three hits over 4 1/3 innings. He walked three and struck out two.  Jax permitted one hit and walked one while striking out two during 2 1/3 scoreless innings. Cole Sulser struck out two and allowed one hit in 1 1/3 innings of relief before turning it over to Bryan Baker, who pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to pick up his sixth save.  Brooks Lee hit a two-run homer for Minnesota, which lost its fifth straight game and fell to 1-9 over its last 10 games. The Twins have been outscored, 29-15, during their losing streak.  Simeon Woods Richardson (0-4) suffered the loss, allowing four runs on eight hits in 4 1/3 innings. He walked three and struck out two.   Tampa Bay parlayed four hits into a 4-0 lead in the third inning.   Hunter Feduccia led off with a broken-bat infield single, advanced to second on a throwing error by Woods Richardson and took third on a single by Simpson, who then stole second.   One out later, Aranda singled to center to drive in both Feduccia and Simpson. Diaz followed with his fourth home run of the season, a 359-foot opposite-field drive into the right field bleachers.   Minnesota trimmed the lead to 4-2 in the seventh inning. James Outman lined a two-out double into the right-field corner and Lee followed with his fifth home run, a 333-foot drive that landed near the bottom of the foul pole.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Yandy #Diaz #pitchers #Rays #complete #sweep #Twins

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