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Injury concerns may prompt Molineux captaincy review ahead of World Cup: Australia selector Flegler  The decision to appoint Sophie Molineux as Australia ​women’s captain may require reassessment if ‌she continues to be affected ​by injuries, selector Shawn ⁠Flegler said on Wednesday. The bowling all-rounder was named the team’s all-format ‌captain in January, succeeding Alyssa Healy.However, the 28-year-old has ‌struggled with a back ‌injury ⁠and was ruled out ⁠of the remainder of Australia’s multi-format series against India during February and March.Molineux ​captained Australia in ‌the T20 leg of its West Indies tour in March-April, but neither batted nor bowled ‌in the first two matches ​and missed the other games.ALSO READ: Sri Lanka head coach Siddons looks to set style of play in Bangladesh tourThe women’s T20 World Cup ⁠begins on June 12 in England and Wales.“We were clear from ‌the start that the T20 World Cup was the priority series and we were going to make decisions around that,” Flegler told reporters.“The stress reaction ‌in the back during the Indian ​series, not ideal, but things do happen. She’s on ⁠track for the T20 World Cup ⁠and that’s what the goal was at the start. ‌It’s probably a fair point to say it’s unprecedented.”Published on Apr 08, 2026  #Injury #concerns #prompt #Molineux #captaincy #review #ahead #World #Cup #Australia #selector #Flegler

Injury concerns may prompt Molineux captaincy review ahead of World Cup: Australia selector Flegler

The decision to appoint Sophie Molineux as Australia ​women’s captain may require reassessment if ‌she continues to be affected ​by injuries, selector Shawn ⁠Flegler said on Wednesday. The bowling all-rounder was named the team’s all-format ‌captain in January, succeeding Alyssa Healy.

However, the 28-year-old has ‌struggled with a back ‌injury ⁠and was ruled out ⁠of the remainder of Australia’s multi-format series against India during February and March.

Molineux ​captained Australia in ‌the T20 leg of its West Indies tour in March-April, but neither batted nor bowled ‌in the first two matches ​and missed the other games.

ALSO READ: Sri Lanka head coach Siddons looks to set style of play in Bangladesh tour

The women’s T20 World Cup ⁠begins on June 12 in England and Wales.

“We were clear from ‌the start that the T20 World Cup was the priority series and we were going to make decisions around that,” Flegler told reporters.

“The stress reaction ‌in the back during the Indian ​series, not ideal, but things do happen. She’s on ⁠track for the T20 World Cup ⁠and that’s what the goal was at the start. ‌It’s probably a fair point to say it’s unprecedented.”

Published on Apr 08, 2026

#Injury #concerns #prompt #Molineux #captaincy #review #ahead #World #Cup #Australia #selector #Flegler

The decision to appoint Sophie Molineux as Australia ​women’s captain may require reassessment if ‌she continues to be affected ​by injuries, selector Shawn ⁠Flegler said on Wednesday. The bowling all-rounder was named the team’s all-format ‌captain in January, succeeding Alyssa Healy.

However, the 28-year-old has ‌struggled with a back ‌injury ⁠and was ruled out ⁠of the remainder of Australia’s multi-format series against India during February and March.

Molineux ​captained Australia in ‌the T20 leg of its West Indies tour in March-April, but neither batted nor bowled ‌in the first two matches ​and missed the other games.

ALSO READ: Sri Lanka head coach Siddons looks to set style of play in Bangladesh tour

The women’s T20 World Cup ⁠begins on June 12 in England and Wales.

“We were clear from ‌the start that the T20 World Cup was the priority series and we were going to make decisions around that,” Flegler told reporters.

“The stress reaction ‌in the back during the Indian ​series, not ideal, but things do happen. She’s on ⁠track for the T20 World Cup ⁠and that’s what the goal was at the start. ‌It’s probably a fair point to say it’s unprecedented.”

Published on Apr 08, 2026

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#Injury #concerns #prompt #Molineux #captaincy #review #ahead #World #Cup #Australia #selector #Flegler

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Thailand confirms deaths of 3 cargo ship crew in Gulf attack<div id=""><div datatype="p" data-qa="Component-Component" class="e8zc9q40 css-1xdhyk6 ec74h0k0"><a target="_self" class="e1yy41x40 ef9u0v01 css-1ankfgb ecgc78b0" href="https://www.scmp.com/topics/thailand?module=inline&pgtype=article" title="" data-qa="BaseLink-renderAnchor-StyledAnchor"><span data-qa="Component-Text" class="css-0 ef9u0v00">Thailand</span></a>’s foreign minister confirmed on Wednesday the deaths of three Thai crew members of a cargo ship struck by Iran while transiting the Strait of Hormuz a month ago.</div><p datatype="p" data-qa="Component-Component" class="e8zc9q40 css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1">US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February prompted Tehran to respond by effectively closing the strait, a crucial artery for global oil supplies, and launching attacks on vessels.</p><p datatype="p" data-qa="Component-Component" class="e8zc9q40 css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1">The Thai-flagged Mayuree Naree was struck on March 11 while travelling through the Gulf waterway, after departing a port in the United Arab Emirates.</p><p datatype="p" data-qa="Component-Component" class="e8zc9q40 css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1">Twenty Thai crew members returned home in mid-March, while three others had been reported missing and presumed trapped in the damaged engine room of the vessel.</p><div class="image-inline-container e1a5rv550 css-1llrc1m e1yqhwb40" data-qa="Component-renderMap-StyledDiv"><div class="image-inline caption e1fvabeq0 css-19sk4h4 ea9pn0s0" data-qa="Component-Container"><figure class="image-inline caption ea9pn0s1 css-1qeofuq e1gf69pb0" data-qa="ArticleImage-ArticleImageContainer"><div data-qa="ArticleImage-handleRenderImage-ImageContainer" class="css-0 e1gf69pb3"><img alt="Thai crew of Mayuree Naree, that was struck in the Strait of Hormuz, leave from Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Samut Prakarn, Thailand on March 16, 2026. Photo: AP" data-qa="BaseImage-handleRenderImage-StyledImage" class="e1gf69pb2 css-6ikqhs e445x7d0" loading="lazy" src="https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2026/04/08/3ec9083b-e1c2-464b-b84a-8fedeb630133_3ba8a8a5.jpg" title="Thai crew of Mayuree Naree, that was struck in the Strait of Hormuz, leave from Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Samut Prakarn, Thailand on March 16, 2026. Photo: AP"/></div><figcaption data-qa="ArticleImage-DescriptionContainer" class="css-1bj5zno e1gf69pb1">Thai crew of Mayuree Naree, that was struck in the Strait of Hormuz, leave from Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Samut Prakarn, Thailand on March 16, 2026. Photo: AP</figcaption></figure></div></div><p datatype="p" data-qa="Component-Component" class="e8zc9q40 css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1">“Unfortunately, the three remaining crew members we found eventually, they lost their lives in the incident,” Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow told reporters on Wednesday.</p></div>#Thailand #confirms #deaths #cargo #ship #crew #Gulf #attackIran, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, United States, United Arab Emirates, Mayuree Naree, Omani, Abbas Araghchi, Gulf waterway, Tehran, Thai, Thailand, Marine Traffic, Strait of Hormuz

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Deadspin | Dodgers’ dominance adding to Blue Jays’ woes    Apr 7, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN;  Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Alex Freeland (76) reacts after hitting a double against the Toronto Blue Jays in the seventh inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images   Los Angeles will try for a three-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday afternoon, and a win would complete an undefeated road trip for the Dodgers.  They defeated the Blue Jays 4-1 Tuesday night to clinch the series against the team they defeated in a classic 2025 World Series that took seven games.   Los Angeles is 5-0 on its six-game trip, while the Blue Jays have dropped six straight games overall.  The Blue Jays have 11 runs over the losing streak. Indicative of their troubles was the seventh inning Tuesday when they loaded the bases with no outs and did not score. Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia replaced Yoshinobu Yamamoto with two on and worked out of the jam with two shallow flyouts and a strikeout after walking his first batter.  “Well, you’ve got to walk the first guy, 3-2, and then make it really hard for yourself,” Vesia quipped. “It’s just one pitch at a time. Will (catcher Smith) and I, we’ve got a really, really good relationship. And just trusting him. I know where to go and my strengths. It doesn’t happen overnight. This is a long process that started back in 2021 when I first got here.”  Toronto manager John Schneider said his team must capitalize on such chances. The Blue Jays had six hits and walked three times on Tuesday, stranding eight runners.  “The way we will work out of it is someone getting a big hit,” Schneider said. “The opportunities are out there. And we can’t be shooting ourselves in the foot by giving up extra outs.”  Toronto also has been sloppy in the field during its streak. Start with the pitchers, who have 11 errors in 11 games.  Schneider provided Toronto’s highlight of the game with a demonstrative ejection in the fifth inning after starter Kevin Gausman was called for a balk.  Toronto’s scheduled starter Wednesday is right-hander Dylan Cease (0-0, 2.79 ERA), who was signed as a free agent in the offseason and has two no-decisions to start the season.    Cease is 2-3 with a 3.75 ERA in seven career starts against the Dodgers. In 2025, he was 1-2 with a 5.28 ERA in three starts against them while a member of the San Diego Padres.  Right-hander Shohei Ohtani (1-0, 0.00) is slated to start for the Dodgers. In three regular-season starts against the Blue Jays, he is 2-1 with a 3.32 ERA. He started twice last fall in the World Series. In Game 4, he allowed four runs in six innings, and in Game 7 he allowed three runs in 2 1/3 innings. He didn’t get a decision in either game.  Ohtani the hitter had two walks (one intentional) and an RBI single on Tuesday and has reached base in 42 consecutive games dating to Aug. 24. He is one away from tying Ichiro Suzuki’s 43-game on-base streak (2009), the longest in the majors by a Japanese-born player.   The franchise record is 58 set by Duke Snider in 1954, when the team was in Brooklyn.  Toronto’s problems have been compounded by injuries. Right fielder Addison Barger was put on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a sprained left ankle. Tyler Fitzgerald was promoted from Triple-A Buffalo.  “Hopefully this is a minimal stint for Addy,”  Schneider said.  Toronto catcher Alejandro Kirk had surgery Tuesday on his left thumb to insert a screw and is expected to be out for about six weeks. Pitcher Cody Ponce is scheduled to have knee surgery for a torn ACL that will keep him out for about six months.  Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas was a late scratch Tuesday to deal with a family matter. Hyeseong Kim started at shortstop and had a double and a walk.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Dodgers #dominance #adding #Blue #Jays #woesApr 7, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Alex Freeland (76) reacts after hitting a double against the Toronto Blue Jays in the seventh inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Los Angeles will try for a three-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday afternoon, and a win would complete an undefeated road trip for the Dodgers.

They defeated the Blue Jays 4-1 Tuesday night to clinch the series against the team they defeated in a classic 2025 World Series that took seven games.

Los Angeles is 5-0 on its six-game trip, while the Blue Jays have dropped six straight games overall.

The Blue Jays have 11 runs over the losing streak. Indicative of their troubles was the seventh inning Tuesday when they loaded the bases with no outs and did not score. Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia replaced Yoshinobu Yamamoto with two on and worked out of the jam with two shallow flyouts and a strikeout after walking his first batter.

“Well, you’ve got to walk the first guy, 3-2, and then make it really hard for yourself,” Vesia quipped. “It’s just one pitch at a time. Will (catcher Smith) and I, we’ve got a really, really good relationship. And just trusting him. I know where to go and my strengths. It doesn’t happen overnight. This is a long process that started back in 2021 when I first got here.”

Toronto manager John Schneider said his team must capitalize on such chances. The Blue Jays had six hits and walked three times on Tuesday, stranding eight runners.

“The way we will work out of it is someone getting a big hit,” Schneider said. “The opportunities are out there. And we can’t be shooting ourselves in the foot by giving up extra outs.”

Toronto also has been sloppy in the field during its streak. Start with the pitchers, who have 11 errors in 11 games.

Schneider provided Toronto’s highlight of the game with a demonstrative ejection in the fifth inning after starter Kevin Gausman was called for a balk.


Toronto’s scheduled starter Wednesday is right-hander Dylan Cease (0-0, 2.79 ERA), who was signed as a free agent in the offseason and has two no-decisions to start the season.

Cease is 2-3 with a 3.75 ERA in seven career starts against the Dodgers. In 2025, he was 1-2 with a 5.28 ERA in three starts against them while a member of the San Diego Padres.

Right-hander Shohei Ohtani (1-0, 0.00) is slated to start for the Dodgers. In three regular-season starts against the Blue Jays, he is 2-1 with a 3.32 ERA. He started twice last fall in the World Series. In Game 4, he allowed four runs in six innings, and in Game 7 he allowed three runs in 2 1/3 innings. He didn’t get a decision in either game.

Ohtani the hitter had two walks (one intentional) and an RBI single on Tuesday and has reached base in 42 consecutive games dating to Aug. 24. He is one away from tying Ichiro Suzuki’s 43-game on-base streak (2009), the longest in the majors by a Japanese-born player.

The franchise record is 58 set by Duke Snider in 1954, when the team was in Brooklyn.

Toronto’s problems have been compounded by injuries. Right fielder Addison Barger was put on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a sprained left ankle. Tyler Fitzgerald was promoted from Triple-A Buffalo.

“Hopefully this is a minimal stint for Addy,” Schneider said.

Toronto catcher Alejandro Kirk had surgery Tuesday on his left thumb to insert a screw and is expected to be out for about six weeks. Pitcher Cody Ponce is scheduled to have knee surgery for a torn ACL that will keep him out for about six months.

Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas was a late scratch Tuesday to deal with a family matter. Hyeseong Kim started at shortstop and had a double and a walk.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Dodgers #dominance #adding #Blue #Jays #woes">Deadspin | Dodgers’ dominance adding to Blue Jays’ woes    Apr 7, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN;  Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Alex Freeland (76) reacts after hitting a double against the Toronto Blue Jays in the seventh inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images   Los Angeles will try for a three-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday afternoon, and a win would complete an undefeated road trip for the Dodgers.  They defeated the Blue Jays 4-1 Tuesday night to clinch the series against the team they defeated in a classic 2025 World Series that took seven games.   Los Angeles is 5-0 on its six-game trip, while the Blue Jays have dropped six straight games overall.  The Blue Jays have 11 runs over the losing streak. Indicative of their troubles was the seventh inning Tuesday when they loaded the bases with no outs and did not score. Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia replaced Yoshinobu Yamamoto with two on and worked out of the jam with two shallow flyouts and a strikeout after walking his first batter.  “Well, you’ve got to walk the first guy, 3-2, and then make it really hard for yourself,” Vesia quipped. “It’s just one pitch at a time. Will (catcher Smith) and I, we’ve got a really, really good relationship. And just trusting him. I know where to go and my strengths. It doesn’t happen overnight. This is a long process that started back in 2021 when I first got here.”  Toronto manager John Schneider said his team must capitalize on such chances. The Blue Jays had six hits and walked three times on Tuesday, stranding eight runners.  “The way we will work out of it is someone getting a big hit,” Schneider said. “The opportunities are out there. And we can’t be shooting ourselves in the foot by giving up extra outs.”  Toronto also has been sloppy in the field during its streak. Start with the pitchers, who have 11 errors in 11 games.  Schneider provided Toronto’s highlight of the game with a demonstrative ejection in the fifth inning after starter Kevin Gausman was called for a balk.  Toronto’s scheduled starter Wednesday is right-hander Dylan Cease (0-0, 2.79 ERA), who was signed as a free agent in the offseason and has two no-decisions to start the season.    Cease is 2-3 with a 3.75 ERA in seven career starts against the Dodgers. In 2025, he was 1-2 with a 5.28 ERA in three starts against them while a member of the San Diego Padres.  Right-hander Shohei Ohtani (1-0, 0.00) is slated to start for the Dodgers. In three regular-season starts against the Blue Jays, he is 2-1 with a 3.32 ERA. He started twice last fall in the World Series. In Game 4, he allowed four runs in six innings, and in Game 7 he allowed three runs in 2 1/3 innings. He didn’t get a decision in either game.  Ohtani the hitter had two walks (one intentional) and an RBI single on Tuesday and has reached base in 42 consecutive games dating to Aug. 24. He is one away from tying Ichiro Suzuki’s 43-game on-base streak (2009), the longest in the majors by a Japanese-born player.   The franchise record is 58 set by Duke Snider in 1954, when the team was in Brooklyn.  Toronto’s problems have been compounded by injuries. Right fielder Addison Barger was put on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a sprained left ankle. Tyler Fitzgerald was promoted from Triple-A Buffalo.  “Hopefully this is a minimal stint for Addy,”  Schneider said.  Toronto catcher Alejandro Kirk had surgery Tuesday on his left thumb to insert a screw and is expected to be out for about six weeks. Pitcher Cody Ponce is scheduled to have knee surgery for a torn ACL that will keep him out for about six months.  Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas was a late scratch Tuesday to deal with a family matter. Hyeseong Kim started at shortstop and had a double and a walk.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Dodgers #dominance #adding #Blue #Jays #woes

The opening round of the Diamond League season, ​scheduled to take place in the ‌Qatari capital of Doha on ​May 8, has been ⁠postponed until June 19 because of the ongoing conflict in West Asia, ‌organisers said on Wednesday.

The track and field meeting is ‌the latest top sporting ‌event ⁠to be disrupted in the ⁠country since the U.S. and Israel launched air attacks on Iran, and the ​Islamic Republic ‌responded by firing missiles at neighbouring states.

“In the interests of athlete and spectator safety, a decision ‌has now been taken to ​postpone the meeting. Should conditions allow, it will now ⁠be held on June 19,” the event’s organisers said in ‌a statement. “As temperatures are expected to be higher in Doha in June, the meeting will also be moved from the Qatar Sports Club to the ‌Khalifa International Stadium. The stadium… is temperature-regulated.”

The ​Qatar MotoGP race and the opening leg of the ⁠sports car World Endurance Championship have ⁠been postponed, and the “Finalissima” football match between Spain and ‌Argentina scheduled for Doha was cancelled.

Published on Apr 08, 2026

#Doha #Diamond #League #postponed #June #West #Asia #tensions">Doha Diamond League postponed until June because of West Asia tensions  The opening round of the Diamond League season, ​scheduled to take place in the ‌Qatari capital of Doha on ​May 8, has been ⁠postponed until June 19 because of the ongoing conflict in West Asia, ‌organisers said on Wednesday.The track and field meeting is ‌the latest top sporting ‌event ⁠to be disrupted in the ⁠country since the U.S. and Israel launched air attacks on Iran, and the ​Islamic Republic ‌responded by firing missiles at neighbouring states.“In the interests of athlete and spectator safety, a decision ‌has now been taken to ​postpone the meeting. Should conditions allow, it will now ⁠be held on June 19,” the event’s organisers said in ‌a statement. “As temperatures are expected to be higher in Doha in June, the meeting will also be moved from the Qatar Sports Club to the ‌Khalifa International Stadium. The stadium… is temperature-regulated.”The ​Qatar MotoGP race and the opening leg of the ⁠sports car World Endurance Championship have ⁠been postponed, and the “Finalissima” football match between Spain and ‌Argentina scheduled for Doha was cancelled.Published on Apr 08, 2026  #Doha #Diamond #League #postponed #June #West #Asia #tensions

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