Gus Atkinson and the England cricket team prepare for the upcoming Ashes series against Australia, with fans anticipating iconic moments akin to past first-ball dramas. The series begins in Perth, where England aims to overcome its poor record on Australian soil, having last secured victory there in the 2010-11 Ashes. Meanwhile, Australia seeks to capitalize on its current dominance despite aging players in its lineup. Steve Smith and Joe Root are expected to play pivotal roles, while England's pace attack, featuring Mark Wood and Jofra Archer, hopes to challenge Australia’s batting. The Guardian BBC Sport

Despite scoring his first goal since August, Neymar faced criticism after conceding a penalty in Santos' 1-1 draw against Mirassol. The result leaves Santos just one point above the relegation zone in the Brazilian Serie A, highlighting the club’s precarious position. Neymar admitted fault for the penalty, expressing his frustrations and determination to fight for the team’s survival. Ouest France L'Equipe So foot

At 34, Antoine Griezmann reaffirmed his commitment to Atlético Madrid, aiming to win La Liga, the Champions League, and domestic cup competitions. Griezmann, who recently extended his contract until 2027, emphasized his desire to remain a key player for the club while postponing his aspirations to join the MLS. He remains Atlético’s all-time top scorer with 203 goals. So foot L'Equipe Eurosport

Harri Deaves is set to earn his first cap for Wales in their Autumn Nations Series match against New Zealand. The Ospreys flanker’s inclusion comes amid several changes in the squad, including Joe Hawkins’ return to the starting lineup. Meanwhile, New Zealand has rested key players like Ardie Savea and Beauden Barrett, reflecting their squad rotation strategy. Wales aims to end a 70-year losing streak against the All Blacks. BBC Sport

In the NBA, the Houston Rockets defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-104, driven by Alperen Sengun’s double-double performance. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder secured their seventh consecutive home win by beating the Sacramento Kings 113-99. Denver Nuggets’ Peyton Watson surprised with a career-best 32 points in their win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Ouest France

Former Indian tennis star Vijay Amritraj, who reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals twice, reflected on his unique journey into acting. He starred in James Bond’s Octopussy and Star Trek 4, balancing his tennis career with on-screen roles. Amritraj credited his experiences in tennis and film for shaping his philosophy of spreading positivity. L'Equipe

The France-Australia rugby test match on Saturday could impact the 2027 Rugby World Cup seedings. Currently fifth in the World Rugby rankings, France must avoid a significant loss to remain among the top six seeds. A defeat by 16 points or more would see Australia overtake them in the standings. La Dépêche

The Football Association (FA) announced that 90% of schools in England now offer girls equal access to football three years ahead of schedule. The milestone follows the success of the Lionesses at Euro 2022, which significantly influenced policy changes. However, challenges remain for engaging teenage girls aged 14-16 due to confidence and body image issues. BBC Sport