Some great news from the world of cricket today (depending on where your allegiances lie). 

Pat Cummins says he’s tracking “better than expected” in his recovery from a back injury and has set his sights on returning for the second Ashes Test in Brisbane. The Australian captain has resumed bowling at three-quarter pace and is confident of being ready to take on England by 4 December. 

While not named for the first Test in Perth (which begins 21 November), Cummins will travel with the squad and could return to lead Australia as they seek to retain the Ashes. 

Speaking of the Australian cricket team, they will be in action tonight against India in the fourth T20 of a five-match series. Tune in to Kayo or Foxtel from 7:15pm (AEDT) to catch the action.

36
The number of years since a Chicago Bulls player has recorded triple-doubles in two consecutive games. Australian Josh Giddey became the first Bull since Michael Jordan in 1989 to record back-to-back triple-doubles in Tuesday night’s comeback victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. A triple-double is when a player reaches double digits in three different stat categories (e.g rebounds, assists, points). Giddey is also only the second player this season to score consecutive triple doubles, following three-time league MVP Nikola Jokić with the Denver Nuggets.

"I've actually never even placed a sports bet in my entire life — I couldn't tell you how to do it… This is my life's work, and you can bet your ass that I would never, for any amount of money, sell my integrity or my word — because in life, that's all you have."
UFC coach Marc Montoya on The Ariel Helwani Show following suspicious betting activity around a fight between his athlete Isaac Dulgarian and Yadier de Valle. Dulgarian went into Saturday’s fight in Las Vegas as a clear favourite but lost by submission in the opening round. Before the match, betting integrity company IC360 made the UFC aware of several large bets placed on the fight. Following the result, UFC boss Dana White told TMZ: "Literally, the first thing we did was call the FBI."

Mervyn Wood is the only athlete ever to carry Australia’s flag at two Olympic opening ceremonies (Helsinki 1952 and Melbourne 1956). A decorated rower, he competed at four Games, winning gold, silver and bronze, along with four Commonwealth titles and 12 national championships.

🏏 Former Zimbabwe cricket captain Sean Williams has revealed he is battling drug addiction after withdrawing from the squad ahead of this year’s T20 World Cup qualifiers. The 39-year-old admitted his struggles during a Zimbabwe Cricket investigation and has since entered rehab, with officials commending his decision to seek help but confirming he will no longer be considered for international selection. Williams’ 20-year career included 24 Tests and 164 ODIs, with a late highlight of a Test century against Afghanistan last December. His admission follows a similar scandal involving former skipper Brendan Taylor in 2022.

🎾 Amanda Anisimova has advanced to the semi-finals of the WTA Finals after a gutsy win over world No. 2 Iga Swiatek in Riyadh. The American came from a set down to triumph (6-7, 6-4, 6-2) and avenge her Wimbledon defeat earlier this year. The win secures her place in the knockout stages alongside Elena Rybakina, who beat Ekaterina Alexandrova (who stepped in as an alternate for Madison Keys, who was sick) in straight sets to remain unbeaten in the ‘Serena Williams Group’. In the ‘Steffi Graff Group’, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Jessica Pegula battle for the two remaining semi-final spots tonight.

🏉 Former Manly captain Jason King has been appointed CEO of the Sea Eagles, taking over from Tony Mestrov, who steps down in December. King, who played 239 games for Manly and captained the club to the 2008 premiership, returns after more than a decade in senior roles at the NRL, including as head of legal and integrity. Chairman Scott Penn praised Mestrov for stabilising the club and said King’s appointment marks a new era of continuity and ambition. King’s priorities include driving on-field success and progressing plans for a revamped Brookvale stadium precinct.

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Former NRL star Trent Merrin has been charged over the alleged theft of $140,000 in cryptocurrency. 

Police arrested the 36-year-old earlier this week at his home in Barrack Point, south of Wollongong, following a year-long investigation by the NSW Cybercrime Squad. 

Here’s what to know. 

Detectives allege Merrin accessed a 29-year-old man’s cryptocurrency account without permission and transferred the funds to his own possession. 

The Daily Telegraph has reported that Merrin allegedly stole from his former St George Illawarra teammate, Kaide Ellis. 

Officers seized several electronic devices during the raid, which will now undergo forensic examination. 

Merrin was taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station and charged with dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception. He was granted conditional bail and will appear in court on 3 December.

A premiership winner with St George Illawarra in 2010, Merrin enjoyed a decorated rugby league career that included stints with the Dragons, Penrith Panthers, and Leeds Rhinos. 

The former State of Origin forward also represented Australia at the international level before retiring from the sport in 2021. 

His career spanned more than a decade and over 200 first-grade games.

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The Formula 1 title fight heads to São Paulo this weekend for the Brazilian Grand Prix. 

Just 36 points separate the top three drivers with four races to go. 

Here’s what to know.

McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are separated by a single point after Norris’ win in Mexico returned him to the top of the standings. 

Piastri has not been on the podium in his last four outings but showed signs of improvement in Mexico. How the young Australian responds under pressure could define his title hopes.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen remains in striking distance, sitting 36 points back after salvaging a podium in Mexico. The four-time world champion won from 17th on the grid in Brazil last year in wet conditions, and one big result could change the championship picture again. Scattered showers are expected through the weekend, which could give Verstappen the edge he needs.

The Brazilian GP will also feature a Sprint on Saturday (local time), where points will be awarded to the top eight drivers. 

Interlagos, located in São Paulo between two artificial lakes, first hosted Formula 1 in 1972 before joining the calendar permanently in 1973. After safety concerns forced a move to Rio in 1980, F1 returned to a shortened, modernised circuit in 1990 during Brazilian racing icon Ayrton Senna’s rise to fame. 

Since being shifted to the season’s end in 2004, Interlagos has become known for hosting some of the sport’s most dramatic title deciders. In 2008, Lewis Hamilton clinched the Drivers’ Championship by a single point, ahead of Felipe Massa, by finishing fifth at the Brazilian GP with a dramatic overtake on the final lap.

The circuit is also called Autódromo José Carlos Pace. 

The Brazilian GP starts on Monday 6 November at 4:00am (AEDT). You can watch Formula One on Kayo or Foxtel.