On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
Australia and South Africa are set to clash in the ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord’s from June 11 to 15.
The winners will take home $3.6 million, more than double what New Zealand and Australia received for their 2021 and 2023 victories, marking the highest prize in WTC history.
The losing finalists too will earn more than the earlier top prize money, assured of more than $ 2.1 million this time. The winners of the previous two editions won $1.6 million while the losing finalists got $ 800,000.
The increased prize money signals the ICC’s attempt to boost the profile of Test cricket.
“We have witnessed a very interesting third cycle of the ICC World Test Championship, where the finalists were decided only towards the end of the competition," said ICC Chair Jay Shah.
“I am sure spectators at Lord’s, along with fans tuning in from all over the world, will be treated to some top-class cricket in this revered format when Australia and South Africa take the field less than a month from now," he added.
In the build-up to the WTC Final, captains of both teams will look ahead to the contest in a live event on 9 June. The third edition saw South Africa finish on a high with 2-0 home series wins over Sri Lanka and Pakistan, ending with 69.44 percentage points. Defending champions Australia finished with 67.54 points while India finished with 50.00 after leading the table for much of the time.
More must-reads:
- Recent roster moves cement 2022 QB class as one of worst ever
- One stat shows just how impressive Cal Raleigh's season has been
- The 'Season TD pass leaders by NFL team' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Steelers Decide OT Competition
With mere hours to go before the 53-man roster cutdown deadline passes today, the Pittsburgh Steelers have made their decision on which reserve offensive linemen they're going to carry into the regular season. Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Steelers have released offensive tackle Dylan Cook. He is now subject to waivers, though he could return to the team's practice squad if he goes unclaimed. Cook was steady throughout training camp and appeared in all three of Pittsburgh's preseason games this year. He first logged a total of 37 snaps against the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 9, 28 of which came at left tackle, and received an overall grade of 55.8 from Pro Football Focus while allowing two pressures. Facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on August 16, Cook earned a fantastic 83.5 pass blocking grade after not giving up a single pressure in 49 reps, with 35 coming at left tackle and 14 at right tackle. In the Steelers' preseason finale vs. the Carolina Panthers last Thursday night, Cook played 19 snaps at left tackle and five at right tackle while allowing a pressure. It appeared as though Cook had a real shot at being Pittsburgh's swing tackle this season given his experience on both sides of the line. Calvin Anderson got the nod over him while working through a soft-tissue injury that's led to a prolonged absence, however, while the signing of Andrus Peat earlier this month also provided a hit to his chances of making the roster. Cook was placed on injured reserve during roster cutdown day last year with a foot injury. He was later waived in late October, but the Steelers re-signed him to their practice squad after he went unclaimed. The 27-year-old remained with the team for the rest of the season, though he did not appear in a game for them before agreeing to a reserve/futures deal in January. Cook began his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent out of Montana State University in 2022. He spent nearly his entire rookie season on their practice squad and inked a reserve/futures deal with the team before being waived in May 2023. The Steelers claimed him and placed him on their initial 53-man roster to begin the 2023 season, though he never appeared in a regular season game that year as well. Pittsburgh now has 10 offensive linemen remaining on its roster: Zach Frazier, Ryan McCollum, Mason McCormick, Andrus Peat, Max Scharping, Isaac Seumalo, Spencer Anderson, Calvin Anderson, Troy Fautanu and Broderick Jones.
Giants to waive fan favorite QB
The Giants’ trio of new quarterbacks has pushed Tommy DeVito off the roster. New York is moving on, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. DeVito has made 12 appearances and eight starts across the past two seasons, but the Giants’ actions this offseason led to the expectation he would wind up on the wrong side of the roster bubble. New York added Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston in free agency before selecting Jaxson Dart in the first round of the draft. Each of those three signal-callers will be on the team’s 53-man roster, Dianna Russini of The Athletic confirms. DeVito’s showings during his regular season appearances as well as New York’s preseason finale last Thursday could make him an attractive option on the waiver wire. Teams will be able to put in a claim through Wednesday, the first day in which practice squads will be formed. If DeVito, 27, passes through waivers, he will become a free agent. As NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo notes, DeVito was the subject of trade talks in recent days. Winston has also been the target of a potential deal, but the Giants are prepared to move forward with the former No. 1 pick in a depth capacity. Wilson will handle starting duties to begin the year with Dart looming as a potential replacement depending on how the early portion of the campaign shakes out. This time of year often brings about shuffling at the QB position, and it will be interesting to see how strong DeVito’s market turns out to be. The Raiders found themselves in need of an addition, but their vacancy was filled with the Kenny Pickett trade. The Patriots, meanwhile, have only two passers in the organization at the moment. New England thus represents a candidate for a waiver claim or a free agent push in the event DeVito hits the market.
How does Terry McLaurin's extension stack up to other star WRs?
Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin reportedly sought a deal similar to that of Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf. The team gave him what he wanted on Monday. Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the star WR's agents, Buddy Baker and Tony Bonagura, said he has agreed to a three-year extension worth up to $96M. Metcalf, 27, signed a five-year, $150M deal with the Steelers shortly after being traded from the Seattle Seahawks in March. (The deal contains an out after the 2026 season.) While Commanders fans are happy that McLaurin should now be ready for Week 1 against the New York Giants, the move could be considered a slight overpay. The former Ohio State Buckeyes star turns 30 on Sept. 15, an age when WRs typically decline. Other WRs who are approaching their 30s have signed for less this offseason. Denver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton, who turns 30 on Oct. 10, signed a four-year, $92M extension in July. McLaurin, however, has been more productive than Sutton and Metcalf throughout his career. Since the Commanders selected him with pick No. 76 in the 2019 NFL Draft, he has amassed 6,379 receiving yards. Metcalf had 6,324 receiving yards in his first six seasons with Seattle, while Sutton had 5,340 receiving yards in his first seven seasons with Denver. McLaurin has played with subpar quarterbacks for most of his career. After Washington added star QB Jayden Daniels in 2024, he produced even better numbers. In 17 games, he logged a career-high 13 touchdown catches, the second most in the league. "Obviously, me and Terry have a very good relationship," Daniels has said this offseason, via ESPN's John Keim. "Whenever the time comes and he's back out there on the field, I don't feel we'll miss a beat." The Commanders may have paid a little more than they wanted to, but the signing is still a solid move. McLaurin is of a similar caliber to his peers. He could also help Washington go on an even deeper playoff run after making the NFC Championship Game last season.
Aaron Rodgers called to check on status of Packers WR ahead of roster deadline
When the Green Bay Packers traded Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft, multiple players followed him. Before the trade, New York signed wide receiver Allen Lazard, one of Rodgers’ favorite targets, and hired Nathaniel Hackett as the offensive coordinator. After the trade, it also signed wide receiver Randall Cobb, one of Rodgers’ best friends. As fans will recall, last season, the Jets also traded for Davante Adams, who had the best seasons of his own illustrious career while catching passes from Rodgers in Green Bay. After being released by New York following the 2024 NFL season, Rodgers signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are in the market for a veteran wide receiver to pair with Pro Bowler DK Metcalf. And it appears the future Pro Football Hall of Famer is, once again, checking in to see if one of his former teammates in Green Bay might be available. Aaron Rodgers Called Regarding the Status of Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver Romeo Doubs Indeed, there are not many players currently on the Packers roster who were also there when Rodgers played for Green Bay. Following the trade, the Packers front office overhauled their roster, and many popular longtime veterans were released or not re-signed. The only players left who played with Rodgers in 2022 (or earlier) are current quarterback Jordan Love, wide receivers Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson, cornerback Keisean Nixon, center Elgton Jenkins, offensive linemen Zach Tom and Rasheed Walker and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. And, apparently, Rodgers may be interested in possibly reuniting with Doubs. "Rodgers called on Monday, one day before roster cuts; interestingly, he asked about the status of receiver Romeo Doubs. Exactly two months after Tuesday’s roster cuts, the Packers will visit the Steelers on Oct. 26," according to Bill Huber of Sports Illustrated. Doubs was a rookie during Rodgers’ final season in Green Bay, and caught 42 passes for 425 yards and four touchdowns that year. All this being said, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur made it clear over the weekend that there is no way Doubs is going to be cut or traded. Additionally, all the injuries Green Bay’s wide receivers (Doubs included) have suffered during training camp have proved the Packers need all the depth at the position that they can get.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
