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RCB vs DC, IPL 2026: Hitting the hard length has been my strength, says Josh Hazlewood  In a format which places high value on variations and innovations, Josh Hazlewood has stuck to the tried and trusted.The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fast bowler revels in honing in on a hard length, making it tough for batters to get under and slog.This classical approach has worked well not just in the two IPL matches he has played thus far, but in the previous season as well.Now back to full fitness, Hazlewood is a natural fit as leader of the RCB attack.“We see different bowlers in our group have different styles, so I try to copy a different ball here and there. But at the same time, you first and foremost rely on your strengths. Obviously, my strength is hitting the length, and hitting it hard. It’s not about floating the ball up; it’s not about digging it in. It is about making it hard for the batter to hit me off that length,” Hazlewood said on the eve of RCB’s game against Delhi Capitals.RELATED | Delhi Capitals looks to stop marauding Royal Challengers BengaluruThe 35-year-old is doubly dangerous if the pitch is not a batting beauty, as seen in RCB’s fixture against Lucknow Super Giants here on Wednesday.“The other night, the pitch actually helped a little bit. It was hard to time the ball; the pitch was a bit up-and-down. If you’re on a nice glassy pitch and everything’s coming onto the bat nicely, then things have to change, and you try a few different things,” Hazlewood said.Published on Apr 17, 2026  #RCB #IPL #Hitting #hard #length #strength #Josh #Hazlewood

RCB vs DC, IPL 2026: Hitting the hard length has been my strength, says Josh Hazlewood

In a format which places high value on variations and innovations, Josh Hazlewood has stuck to the tried and trusted.

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fast bowler revels in honing in on a hard length, making it tough for batters to get under and slog.

This classical approach has worked well not just in the two IPL matches he has played thus far, but in the previous season as well.

Now back to full fitness, Hazlewood is a natural fit as leader of the RCB attack.

“We see different bowlers in our group have different styles, so I try to copy a different ball here and there. But at the same time, you first and foremost rely on your strengths. Obviously, my strength is hitting the length, and hitting it hard. It’s not about floating the ball up; it’s not about digging it in. It is about making it hard for the batter to hit me off that length,” Hazlewood said on the eve of RCB’s game against Delhi Capitals.

RELATED | Delhi Capitals looks to stop marauding Royal Challengers Bengaluru

The 35-year-old is doubly dangerous if the pitch is not a batting beauty, as seen in RCB’s fixture against Lucknow Super Giants here on Wednesday.

“The other night, the pitch actually helped a little bit. It was hard to time the ball; the pitch was a bit up-and-down. If you’re on a nice glassy pitch and everything’s coming onto the bat nicely, then things have to change, and you try a few different things,” Hazlewood said.

Published on Apr 17, 2026

#RCB #IPL #Hitting #hard #length #strength #Josh #Hazlewood

In a format which places high value on variations and innovations, Josh Hazlewood has stuck to the tried and trusted.

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fast bowler revels in honing in on a hard length, making it tough for batters to get under and slog.

This classical approach has worked well not just in the two IPL matches he has played thus far, but in the previous season as well.

Now back to full fitness, Hazlewood is a natural fit as leader of the RCB attack.

“We see different bowlers in our group have different styles, so I try to copy a different ball here and there. But at the same time, you first and foremost rely on your strengths. Obviously, my strength is hitting the length, and hitting it hard. It’s not about floating the ball up; it’s not about digging it in. It is about making it hard for the batter to hit me off that length,” Hazlewood said on the eve of RCB’s game against Delhi Capitals.

RELATED | Delhi Capitals looks to stop marauding Royal Challengers Bengaluru

The 35-year-old is doubly dangerous if the pitch is not a batting beauty, as seen in RCB’s fixture against Lucknow Super Giants here on Wednesday.

“The other night, the pitch actually helped a little bit. It was hard to time the ball; the pitch was a bit up-and-down. If you’re on a nice glassy pitch and everything’s coming onto the bat nicely, then things have to change, and you try a few different things,” Hazlewood said.

Published on Apr 17, 2026

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#RCB #IPL #Hitting #hard #length #strength #Josh #Hazlewood

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Deadspin | Liberty re-sign Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/21155995.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/21155995.jpg" alt="WNBA: Las Vegas Aces at New York Liberty" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Aug 6, 2023; Brooklyn, New York, USA; New York Liberty forwards Jonquel Jones (35) and Breanna Stewart (30) and guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) watch the game from the bench in the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Aces at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>New York Liberty stars Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones signed contracts for the 2026 season, the team announced on Friday.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Financial terms were not disclosed by the team.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>“This is an incredibly historic moment for the New York Liberty franchise,” Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb said. “Re-signing Breanna, Jonquel and Sabrina reflects the trust, sacrifice and shared purpose that define what it means to represent the Liberty, this city and our fanbase. The three cornerstone players chose to invest in each other and the long-term legacy of this organization, a rare commitment that has the chance to redefine that standard of excellence across basketball.”</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Stewart, a forward, and Ionescu, a guard, announced earlier this month that they planned to re-sign with New York, ending suspense over their intentions as free agents.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Stewart, 31, will embark on her fourth season with the Liberty and 10th WNBA campaign overall. She is a two-time MVP, winning the award with the Seattle Storm in 2018 and with New York in 2023.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-6"> <p>Stewart averaged 18.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 31 games last season. She was named an All-Star for the seventh time.</p> </section> <section id="section-7"> <p>The three-time WNBA champion — 2018 and 2020 with Seattle, 2024 with New York — has career averages of 20.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 292 games (all starts).</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>Ionescu, 28, will be entering her seventh season and has spent her entire career with the Liberty. She was the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2020 and is a four-time All-Star.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>The Oregon product averaged 18.2 points, 5.7 assists and 4.9 rebounds in 38 games last season.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Ionsecu has career averages of 16.7 points, 5.9 assists and 5.5 rebounds in 181 games (177 starts). She has won one WNBA title (2024).</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Jones, 32, averaged 13.6 points and 8.1 rebounds in 31 games (all starts) last season. A 2021 WNBA MVP, Jones averaged 13.4 points and 8.4 boards in 306 career games (259 starts) with the Connecticut Sun and Liberty.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-12"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Liberty #resign #Breanna #Stewart #Sabrina #Ionescu #Jonquel #Jones

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Gang Green Nation selects Makai Lemon for Jets in 20th annual SB Nation community mock draft <div id="cyclone-embed-body-1f462a25-7276-480c-aaff-f38c9d11a4de"><p>To call wide receiver a need for the Jets would be an understatement. In 2025 the Jets became the first team since the league expanded the schedule to 16 games to have no receivers with at least 400 yards. Getting Garrett Wilson back from injury obviously will help with that, but there is nothing behind Wilson. Adding Lemon changes that. Stick him in the slot, and he can take some of the pressure off Wilson. In fact, the Jets’ wide receiver group now starts to look like something resembling a viable NFL crew.</p></div> #Gang #Green #Nation #selects #Makai #Lemon #Jets #20th #annual #Nation #community #mock #draft

Deadspin | Talles Magno awaiting NYCFC second act as Charlotte FC visit  Apr 4, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York City FC forward Talles Magno (11) looks to shoot the ball defended by St. Louis City SC midfielder Miguel Perez (28) during the second half at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images   Is dynamic offensive threat Talles Magno finally ready to pay dividends in his second stint with New York City FC?  That question may be answered when NYCFC (3-2-2, 11 points) play host to Charlotte FC (3-2-2, 11 points) on Saturday at Citi Field in a matchup of teams part of the four-way fourth-place logjam in the Eastern Conference.  Magno first made noise as a high-profile teenager in 2021 for the eventual MLS Cup champions. He scored the winning goal as New York City topped Philadelphia Union 2-1 in the conference finals. A year later, Magno posted seven goals and 10 assists.  After being on loan for 17 months to Brazilian team Corinthians, Magno, now 23, returned this season but has yet to start an MLS match.  “There’s a few things he needs to take care of,” coach Pascal Jansen said. “Physically, he’s not at the level yet where he needs to be in order to be competitive enough with the guys that are the starters at the moment.”  Magno flashed his scoring ability on Tuesday, achieving the first hat trick of his professional career while leading NYCFC to a 5-2 win over Westchester SC in a U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 match.  “I’m working very hard on getting my opportunity to start, given everything that’s possible for the team,” Magno said through an interpreter on Thursday. “I’m working with Pascal to see what I can do to get that opportunity.”  In the meantime, Nico Fernandez (five goals), Maxi Moralez (five assists) and Agustin Ojeda (two goals, one assist) have been supplying firepower for NYCFC.   After a hot start, New York City has gone 0-2-1 in its last three MLS matches. That includes last week’s 2-0 loss at Western Conference leader Vancouver.  Charlotte FC have been heading the other direction. They played four straight matches without a loss before falling last week at home to Eastern Conference leader Nashville SC, 2-1.  Pep Biel paces Charlotte with four goals and two assists while Archie Goodwin has notched three goals.  Charlotte FC also are coming off a 6-0 U.S. Open Cup win on Wednesday over Charlotte Independence as six players dented the net.  NYCFC topped Charlotte FC in the opening round of the MLS playoffs last year, holding them to one goal in the three-match series.  “Some of the players might feel scars because of that,” coach Dean Smith said. “There may be some scars where people have some things to prove but for me, it’s just a new season, new game.”  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Talles #Magno #awaiting #NYCFC #act #Charlotte #visitApr 4, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York City FC forward Talles Magno (11) looks to shoot the ball defended by St. Louis City SC midfielder Miguel Perez (28) during the second half at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images

Is dynamic offensive threat Talles Magno finally ready to pay dividends in his second stint with New York City FC?

That question may be answered when NYCFC (3-2-2, 11 points) play host to Charlotte FC (3-2-2, 11 points) on Saturday at Citi Field in a matchup of teams part of the four-way fourth-place logjam in the Eastern Conference.

Magno first made noise as a high-profile teenager in 2021 for the eventual MLS Cup champions. He scored the winning goal as New York City topped Philadelphia Union 2-1 in the conference finals. A year later, Magno posted seven goals and 10 assists.

After being on loan for 17 months to Brazilian team Corinthians, Magno, now 23, returned this season but has yet to start an MLS match.

“There’s a few things he needs to take care of,” coach Pascal Jansen said. “Physically, he’s not at the level yet where he needs to be in order to be competitive enough with the guys that are the starters at the moment.”

Magno flashed his scoring ability on Tuesday, achieving the first hat trick of his professional career while leading NYCFC to a 5-2 win over Westchester SC in a U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 match.

“I’m working very hard on getting my opportunity to start, given everything that’s possible for the team,” Magno said through an interpreter on Thursday. “I’m working with Pascal to see what I can do to get that opportunity.”


In the meantime, Nico Fernandez (five goals), Maxi Moralez (five assists) and Agustin Ojeda (two goals, one assist) have been supplying firepower for NYCFC.

After a hot start, New York City has gone 0-2-1 in its last three MLS matches. That includes last week’s 2-0 loss at Western Conference leader Vancouver.

Charlotte FC have been heading the other direction. They played four straight matches without a loss before falling last week at home to Eastern Conference leader Nashville SC, 2-1.

Pep Biel paces Charlotte with four goals and two assists while Archie Goodwin has notched three goals.

Charlotte FC also are coming off a 6-0 U.S. Open Cup win on Wednesday over Charlotte Independence as six players dented the net.

NYCFC topped Charlotte FC in the opening round of the MLS playoffs last year, holding them to one goal in the three-match series.

“Some of the players might feel scars because of that,” coach Dean Smith said. “There may be some scars where people have some things to prove but for me, it’s just a new season, new game.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Talles #Magno #awaiting #NYCFC #act #Charlotte #visit">Deadspin | Talles Magno awaiting NYCFC second act as Charlotte FC visit  Apr 4, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York City FC forward Talles Magno (11) looks to shoot the ball defended by St. Louis City SC midfielder Miguel Perez (28) during the second half at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images   Is dynamic offensive threat Talles Magno finally ready to pay dividends in his second stint with New York City FC?  That question may be answered when NYCFC (3-2-2, 11 points) play host to Charlotte FC (3-2-2, 11 points) on Saturday at Citi Field in a matchup of teams part of the four-way fourth-place logjam in the Eastern Conference.  Magno first made noise as a high-profile teenager in 2021 for the eventual MLS Cup champions. He scored the winning goal as New York City topped Philadelphia Union 2-1 in the conference finals. A year later, Magno posted seven goals and 10 assists.  After being on loan for 17 months to Brazilian team Corinthians, Magno, now 23, returned this season but has yet to start an MLS match.  “There’s a few things he needs to take care of,” coach Pascal Jansen said. “Physically, he’s not at the level yet where he needs to be in order to be competitive enough with the guys that are the starters at the moment.”  Magno flashed his scoring ability on Tuesday, achieving the first hat trick of his professional career while leading NYCFC to a 5-2 win over Westchester SC in a U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 match.  “I’m working very hard on getting my opportunity to start, given everything that’s possible for the team,” Magno said through an interpreter on Thursday. “I’m working with Pascal to see what I can do to get that opportunity.”  In the meantime, Nico Fernandez (five goals), Maxi Moralez (five assists) and Agustin Ojeda (two goals, one assist) have been supplying firepower for NYCFC.   After a hot start, New York City has gone 0-2-1 in its last three MLS matches. That includes last week’s 2-0 loss at Western Conference leader Vancouver.  Charlotte FC have been heading the other direction. They played four straight matches without a loss before falling last week at home to Eastern Conference leader Nashville SC, 2-1.  Pep Biel paces Charlotte with four goals and two assists while Archie Goodwin has notched three goals.  Charlotte FC also are coming off a 6-0 U.S. Open Cup win on Wednesday over Charlotte Independence as six players dented the net.  NYCFC topped Charlotte FC in the opening round of the MLS playoffs last year, holding them to one goal in the three-match series.  “Some of the players might feel scars because of that,” coach Dean Smith said. “There may be some scars where people have some things to prove but for me, it’s just a new season, new game.”  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Talles #Magno #awaiting #NYCFC #act #Charlotte #visit

Deadspin | Canucks dismiss GM Patrik Allvin after last-place finish  Nov 12, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; View of a Vancouver Canucks logo on a jersey worn by a member of the team against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images   The Vancouver Canucks fired general manager Patrik Allvin on Friday after the club’s last-place finish in the Western Conference.  Allvin was hired on Jan. 26, 2022. Since then, the Canucks have one playoff appearance. They won the Pacific Division in the 2023-24 season (50-23-9, 109 points) but lost in the second round of the playoffs to the Edmonton Oilers in seven games.  Vancouver finished the 2025-26 season with a 25-49-8 record (58 points).  “I would like to thank Patrik for all his hard work over the past four seasons,” president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford said in a news release. “Under his guidance we have accumulated a lot of good young talent, and he has helped us lay the foundation of our rebuild. This season was disappointing for everyone in the organization, and we understand how frustrating it was for those who care about the team. Moving forward our goal will be to continue to bring in younger players who can grow together with our current group and form our next competitive core.”   Before arriving in Vancouver, Allvin, 51, filled a variety of roles with the Pittsburgh Penguins over a 16-year span, rising to assistant general manager. The club won three Stanley Cup titles in that span.  He has worked in front offices since 2002, when he joined the Montreal Canadiens as a European scout after retiring as a player, largely in his native Sweden.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Canucks #dismiss #Patrik #Allvin #lastplace #finishNov 12, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; View of a Vancouver Canucks logo on a jersey worn by a member of the team against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

The Vancouver Canucks fired general manager Patrik Allvin on Friday after the club’s last-place finish in the Western Conference.

Allvin was hired on Jan. 26, 2022. Since then, the Canucks have one playoff appearance. They won the Pacific Division in the 2023-24 season (50-23-9, 109 points) but lost in the second round of the playoffs to the Edmonton Oilers in seven games.

Vancouver finished the 2025-26 season with a 25-49-8 record (58 points).


“I would like to thank Patrik for all his hard work over the past four seasons,” president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford said in a news release. “Under his guidance we have accumulated a lot of good young talent, and he has helped us lay the foundation of our rebuild. This season was disappointing for everyone in the organization, and we understand how frustrating it was for those who care about the team. Moving forward our goal will be to continue to bring in younger players who can grow together with our current group and form our next competitive core.”

Before arriving in Vancouver, Allvin, 51, filled a variety of roles with the Pittsburgh Penguins over a 16-year span, rising to assistant general manager. The club won three Stanley Cup titles in that span.

He has worked in front offices since 2002, when he joined the Montreal Canadiens as a European scout after retiring as a player, largely in his native Sweden.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Canucks #dismiss #Patrik #Allvin #lastplace #finish">Deadspin | Canucks dismiss GM Patrik Allvin after last-place finish  Nov 12, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; View of a Vancouver Canucks logo on a jersey worn by a member of the team against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images   The Vancouver Canucks fired general manager Patrik Allvin on Friday after the club’s last-place finish in the Western Conference.  Allvin was hired on Jan. 26, 2022. Since then, the Canucks have one playoff appearance. They won the Pacific Division in the 2023-24 season (50-23-9, 109 points) but lost in the second round of the playoffs to the Edmonton Oilers in seven games.  Vancouver finished the 2025-26 season with a 25-49-8 record (58 points).  “I would like to thank Patrik for all his hard work over the past four seasons,” president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford said in a news release. “Under his guidance we have accumulated a lot of good young talent, and he has helped us lay the foundation of our rebuild. This season was disappointing for everyone in the organization, and we understand how frustrating it was for those who care about the team. Moving forward our goal will be to continue to bring in younger players who can grow together with our current group and form our next competitive core.”   Before arriving in Vancouver, Allvin, 51, filled a variety of roles with the Pittsburgh Penguins over a 16-year span, rising to assistant general manager. The club won three Stanley Cup titles in that span.  He has worked in front offices since 2002, when he joined the Montreal Canadiens as a European scout after retiring as a player, largely in his native Sweden.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Canucks #dismiss #Patrik #Allvin #lastplace #finish

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