It’s the first Wednesday of June.

In other words, happy Global Running Day!

Go and get those free endorphins while the sun’s still up - If that’s what you’re into.

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The number of days between game appearances for Western Bulldogs forward Cody Weightman, who will return on Friday night to face Hawthorn. The 25-year-old has not played since the Bulldogs 2024 elimination final loss to the Hawks, having been sidelined by a rare knee condition that required five surgeries. Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said: “I think we forget what sort of player Cody is… the prospect of him maybe playing again is quite exciting for us.”

"They are all grown-ups. They know what's going on… I wish there was some more clear stance on what's going on, especially when your country is killing other people."
Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk after reaching her first Grand Slam semi-final at the French Open, beating fellow Ukrainian Elina Svitolina. Kostyuk’s three-set win came hours after Russian strikes on Kyiv and other cities killed at least 18 civilians overnight. Kostyuk's words were aimed at Russian players who have stayed silent on the war, likely including Mirra Andreeva, the 19-year-old Russian she meets next for a place in the final.

When the World Cup kicks off next week, three players will be named in a squad for a record sixth time: Argentina's Lionel Messi, Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, and Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.

🎾 Germany's Alexander Zverev has reached the French Open semi-finals for the fifth time in six years, defeating Spain’s Rafael Jodar in straight sets (7-6, 6-1, 6-3). The world No.3 is still chasing a maiden second Grand Slam title after losing all three major finals he has played in. He will face Czech rising star Jakub Menšík on Friday after the 20-year-old defeated Brazil’s Joao Fonseca in the quarter-finals overnight to reach his first Grand Slam semi-final. 

🏉 Sydney Roosters star Connor Watson has committed to the Papua New Guinea Chiefs, signing a two-year deal to join the NRL's 19th franchise for its first season in 2028. The 30-year-old has represented New South Wales five times in State of Origin and becomes the Chiefs' third confirmed signing, following playmaker Jarome Luai and outside back Alex Johnston. Watson will spend 2027 with St George Illawarra before linking up with the Port Moresby-based club, where rugby league is the national sport. 

🏏 Australia’s men’s cricket team have levelled their one-day international series against Pakistan at 1-1, winning the second match in Lahore by 41 runs. Fast bowler Nathan Ellis took career-best figures of 4 wickets for 33 runs, while stand-in captain Josh Inglis (51 runs) and Cameron Green (53) both scored half-centuries. Australia were without rested pace trio Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc. Pakistan, who won the opener, were bowled out for 190 runs while chasing Australia’s total of 232. The deciding third match will be played in Lahore on Thursday night (AEST).

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Cricket Victoria wants to sell the Melbourne Renegades to a private owner and rebrand the Melbourne Stars as part of a major shake-up of the Big Bash League. 

The proposal would mark the first private ownership of a Big Bash League (BBL) club and could pave the way for greater investment in Australian cricket.

The BBL is Australia's main professional Twenty20 cricket competition, alongside the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL).

Currently, all BBL clubs are operated by state cricket bodies under licences issued by Cricket Australia (CA), rather than being privately owned.

CA is now pushing to allow those licences to be sold, either partially or entirely, to private investors. The move would bring the BBL into line with other major Twenty20 competitions around the world, which already attract significant private investment. 

Last year, England's equivalent competition, The Hundred, sold stakes in its teams for a combined £500 million ($A940m)

Under Cricket Victoria's preferred model, the Melbourne Renegades would be sold outright to a private owner. 

The governing body would retain a controlling stake in the Melbourne Stars, but the club would undergo a major rebrand, including a new name and colours. A minority stake in the team could also be sold.

Both clubs would remain based in Melbourne and continue their existing rivalry.

The proposal requires approval from CA, state cricket associations, and the Australian Cricketers' Association. 

An earlier version of the plan was rejected by Cricket New South Wales and Queensland Cricket. However, a revised model would allow each state to decide whether it wants to participate.

CA is expected to present the updated proposal to state bodies within the next two weeks.

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The NBA Finals begin tomorrow morning (AEST) with the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs meeting for Game 1 of the best-of-seven series. It is a rematch of the 1999 final, which the Spurs won. 

The first two games will be played in San Antonio before the series moves to New York for Games 3 and 4.

The Spurs are the favourites, having beaten the league’s defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, in the Western Conference Finals. That being said, the Knicks arrive having won 11 in a row. The last time they lost a game was in the first round of the playoffs in late April. 

The Spurs and Knicks have played each other three times this season. They split their two regular-season meetings, each winning at home, while the Knicks defeated the Spurs in the final of the NBA Cup, an annual in-season tournament. 

The Knicks are led by All-Star guard Jalen Brunson, their captain and a scorer who has a remarkable ability to step up and deliver when his team needs it most. He has averaged 26.9 points and 6.6 assists per game through the playoffs, with centre Karl-Anthony Towns adding size and outside shooting alongside him.

The Spurs are built around 22-year-old phenom Victor Wembanyama. At 224cm (7'4"), the French centre is one of the tallest players in the league, with a guard's agility to match. He was named this season's Defensive Player of the Year in just his third NBA season after being picked first in the 2023 draft. 

The Knicks have not won an NBA championship since 1973, a 53-year drought, and waited 27 years just to return to the finals. 

San Antonio last won the title in 2014, the most recent of five championships in a 15-year stretch from 1999. The Spurs have a strong NBA Finals record, having won five of their six appearances at this level. 

Regardless of the winner, once this series ends, eight different teams will have won the past eight championships. It is the longest run without a repeat champion in NBA history.

You can watch the NBA Finals on Kayo, Foxtel, Disney+, and NBA League Pass. Game 1 tips off tomorrow at 10:30am (AEST).