Ronnie O’Sullivan will be competing in the 2026 Seniors Snooker Championship and the World Snooker Championship within just weeks of each other; the 50-year-old won his first world title 25 years ago and looks to add another accolade to his name
Last Updated: 23/02/26 3:44pm
Ronnie O’Sullivan will be going for his eighth world title and first Seniors world title this spring
After a record-equalling seven world titles, Ronnie O’Sullivan will be making his debut on the senior world stage in May at the 2026 World Seniors Snooker Championship.
However, the 50-year-old is still expected to play in the main World Championship, which finishes just two days before the seniors starts, with both events taking place at the Crucible.
Ronnie O’Sullivan tried to defend his first Masters title against Steven Hendry in 1996 as the youngest winner of the title at 19-years and 69 days
He joins an impressive seniors line-up that includes 2015 world champion Stuart Bingham, 12-time women’s world champion Reanne Evans and former Masters and UK champion Matthew Stevens.
Chairman Jason Francis branded O’Sullivan the “most commercially valuable player the sport has ever seen” and that he expects The Rocket’s participation to drive ticket sales even higher.
The seniors tournament will take place May 6-10, being prefaced by World Championship from April 18-May 4.
O’Sullivan relocated to Dubai last year but will spend April and May in Sheffield as he also attempts to win an eighth world title when he appears in his 34th consecutive World Snooker Championship.
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Changes to the seniors tournaments rules have meant players ranked in the world top 64 are eligible to take part with several having taken the opportunity.
With four title wins, the most successful player in the seniors is Jimmy White, with the 10-time ranking event winner also slated to take part.
This comes 25 years after O’Sullivan won his first World Snooker Championship which he won in his 10th year of being a professional at the age of 25, as he seeks to add yet another record to his CV.
Ronnie O’Sullivan has pulled out of the Northern Ireland Open, having already withdrawn from the British Open and Wuhan Open in recent weeks; Seven-time world champion last featured at the English Open in September
Last Updated: 20/10/24 11:00pm
Ronnie O’Sullivan withdrew from the Northern Ireland Open ahead of his first round match
Seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan has withdrawn from the BetVictor Northern Ireland Open due to medical reasons, the World Snooker Tour (WST) has announced.
O’Sullivan was due to face Long Zehuang in the last 64 in Belfast on Monday afternoon, but announcement from WST on their website confirmed he had pulled out of the event.
China’s Long receives a bye to the last 32, with the tournament at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast running until October 27th.
Ronnie O’Sullivan has now withdrawn from three consecutive events due to medical reasons
O’Sullivan hasn’t featured since being knocked out of the first round of the English Open last month after a shock defeat to He Guoqiang, where he describing his performance as “awful” and “embarrassing”.
It is the third consecutive tournament that O’Sullivan has withdrawn from, having also skipped the British Open and Wuhan Open in recent weeks. He is next due to feature at the International Champions event in China from November 3-10.
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Ronnie O’Sullivan says if the World Snooker Championship was relocated to Saudi Arabia then he would find the tournament more convenient as a player
Ronnie O’Sullivan says if the World Snooker Championship was relocated to Saudi Arabia then he would find the tournament more convenient as a player
Trump makes winning start in Belfast
World No 1 Judd Trump began his title defence with a 4-0 win over Ishpreet Singh Chadha needing just 49 minutes to whitewash his opponent with the aid of breaks of 72, 65 and 112.
“It was easy to get up for this event,” said Trump, who has won the event four times in the last six years. “Certain venues seem to be made for snooker. Anyone who has played in the semis or final at the Waterfront [Hall] knows how special it is.
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“It’s similar to Alexandra Palace or the Tempodrom in terms of the size of the crowd and the way people react. I thrive on that atmosphere with people enjoying themselves. It helps me show off and play my best shots.”
Trump will face Matthew Selt in the last 32 after Selt defeated Lyu Haotian 4-1, while World Championship runner-up Jak Jones beat Alexander Ursenbacher 4-0 and Zhou Yuelong recovered from 3-1 down to oust Dominic Dale 4-3.
Northern Ireland’s Jordan Brown suffered a 4-2 defeat to Robert Milkins, while 18-year-old Stan Moody made breaks of 108 and 105 before beating Ryan Day in a decider.
Louis Heathcote also came through in a decider in a scrappy contest against former world champion Mark Selby, whose 81 in the first frame was the only break over 50 by either player.
Stuart Bingham beat Scott Donaldson 4-1 in a similarly low-scoring contest, while China’s Pang Jungxu made a break of 98 in the decider as he beat compatriot Yuan Sijun 4-3.
John Higgins reaches 1,000 career centuries but is knocked out of the English Open; Ronnie O’Sullivan is the only other player to have reached the four-figure century milestone
Last Updated: 19/09/24 11:36pm
John Higgins became only the second snooker player to reach 1,000 career centuries
John Higgins became only the second snooker player to reach 1,000 career centuries despite crashing out of the English Open in Brentwood.
The 49-year-old Scot achieved the milestone with breaks of 108 and 105 in the third and fifth frames of his quarter-final clash against Mark Allen.
But it was not enough to seal a win that would have boosted his hopes of staying in the top 16 as Allen – who hit a century of his own in the opening frame – held firm in a gruelling decider to edge a 4-3 win.
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Ronnie O’Sullivan is the only other player to have reached the four-figure century milestone, having done so in the final frame of his 2019 Players Championship final win over Neil Robertson.
Earlier, Judd Trump set up a quarter-final clash with China’s Wu Yize after hitting back from behind to claim a 4-2 win over Fan Zhengyi.
The world No 1 nudged one closer to joining O’Sullivan and Higgins in the thousand-century club as he reeled off a break of 101 in the course of winning three frames in a row to extend his winning run.
Mark Selby held his nerve to carve out a 4-3 win over Si Jiahui and book a last-eight meeting with India’s Ishpreet Singh Chadha, who also overcame a final frame decider against China’s He Guoqiang.
Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight showdown with Daniel Dubois takes place on Saturday September 21 live on Sky Sports Box Office. Book Joshua v Dubois now!
Three-time world champion Mark Williams beaten 10-9 by 2023 semi-finalist Si Jiahui at the Crucible; Welshman’s exit means six seeds have now fallen in the first round so far; Ronnie O’Sullivan begins bid for eighth title against Jackson Page on Wednesday afternoon
Last Updated: 23/04/24 6:23pm
Mark Williams lost 10-9 to Si Jiahui in the first round of the World Snooker Championship
Mark Williams’ quest for a fourth World Snooker Championship title ended in the first round as he lost a last-frame thriller to 2023 semi-finalist Si Jiahui.
Sixth seed Williams – world champion in 2000, 2003 and 2018 – led 5-4 after Monday’s opening session but then found himself 8-5 down as Si reeled off four frames in a row on Tuesday afternoon.
The 49-year-old then recovered from 9-7 down to force a decider but his Chinese opponent, 21, knocked in a nerveless break of 77 in the 19th frame to secure a second-round meeting with fellow qualifier Jak Jones.
Si lost to Luca Brecel in the 2023 semi-finals in Sheffield
Williams’ exit takes the number of seeds eliminated in the first round to six, with defending champion Luca Brecel, four-time winner Mark Selby, Ali Carter, Gary Wilson and Zhang Anda also dispatched.
O’Sullivan plays first match on Wednesday afternoon
Williams was hoping to become the oldest champion in the tournament’s history, a record held by Ronnie O’Sullivan, who was 46 years and 148 days when he won the most recent of his seven Crucible trophies in 2022.
O’Sullivan begins his bid for an outright record eighth world title against Jackson Page at 2.30pm on Wednesday, with that match then concluding from 1pm the following day.
Jak Jones is Si’s second-round opponent this year after he beat 11th seed Zhang Anda at the weekend
Si led Luca Brecel 14-5 in last year’s semi-final, only to lose the match 17-15 as Brecel won 12 of the next 13 frames in a Crucible-record comeback.
Si’s clash with Williams was viewed as one of the ties of the first round, with Williams winning the previous tournament on the calendar, the Tour Championship in Manchester.
Williams, 49, defeated Judd Trump, Mark Allen and O’Sullivan – the top three players in the world rankings – in successive matches to claim his second ranking title of the season, after the British Open in Cheltenham in October.
Dominic Dale is playing at The Crucible for the first time in 10 years
What else happened on Tuesday?
Elsewhere, 2020 finalist Kyren Wilson surged into an 8-1 lead over Dominic Dale.
Dale, who is the oldest player at this year’s competition at the age of 52 and playing at the Crucible for the first time in 10 years, had one moment to cheer against Wilson – a sublime 120 clearance.
World No 17 Jack Liswoski leads seventh seed and 2016 finalist Ding Junhui 5-4, while Mark Allen romped into a 7-2 advantage over Robbie Williams.
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Ronnie O’Sullivan recovered from 6-3 down to beat Ali Carter 10-7 in the final at
Alexandra Palace and claim a record-extending eighth Masters crown; Carter was unhappy at some members of the crowd during his defeat
Last Updated: 15/01/24 11:48am
Ali Carter had to settle for a runner-up finish at Alexandra Palace
Ali Carter has criticised “some morons” in the Alexandra Palace crowd after squandering a three-frame lead to lose to Ronnie O’Sullivan in the Masters final.
Carter looked set for a first Triple Crown title as he opened up a 5-3 lead after the first session and immediately extended his advantage when play resumed, only to lose seven out of the last eight frames to hand O’Sullivan a 10-7 victory.
O’Sullivan was the fans’ favourite on Sunday and a boisterous atmosphere led to the referee having to remind spectators about noise on multiple occasions when shots were being played, with Carter registering just 41 points from his final four frames.
Carter held a 6-3 lead before losing seven of the next eight frames
“It’s hard enough to beat [O’Sullivan]” Carter said. “But when you’ve got people shouting when you are on your shot and saying stupid things at important times because half of them haven’t got enough brains, it’s ridiculous.
“There are some morons in the crowd. It is just unbelievable really.”
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Victory for O’Sullivan means he has now won 23 Triple Crown titles, five more than Stephen Hendry, and can complete a clean sweep of the game’s biggest events with an eighth World Championship title at the Crucible later this year.
“Obviously I’m gutted I lost,” Carter added. “It’s all about winning at the end of the day, but before I rocked up here last week I’d have taken the final so there’s a lot of good things to come for me.
“I’m heading in the right direction. Ronnie played very well there in the end. I tried my best and it just wasn’t good enough today.”
O’Sullivan shocked by Masters win
O’Sullivan reeled off three frames in a row to get back on level terms before recovering from falling 7-6 behind to win the next four and snatch victory, 29 years on from his first victory at the event.
“I don’t know how I’ve won this tournament, to be honest with you,” O’Sullivan told BBC Sport. “I’ve just dug deep. I’ve tried to play with a bit of freedom and then tonight I just thought try to keep Ali honest and if he’s going to win it he’s going to have to scrape me off the table.
Ronnie O’Sullivan also won the UK Championship last month
“I just wanted to see if he had it at the end. Ali didn’t play great tonight, he played better this afternoon, but tonight he let me off the hook a few times.
“He was aggressive today but tonight he didn’t take on some of the balls I thought he might have and gave me a little bit of breathing space.”
O’Sullivan can become just the fourth player to win all three events in the Triple Crown in the same season
O’Sullivan’s victory sees him become the oldest winner in the tournament’s history, although the 48-year-old – who can complete a clean sweep of the game’s biggest events with an eighth World Championship title at the Crucible – insists he was better in his teens.
“I thought when I was 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 I was even better then than I was now to be honest with you,” O’Sullivan told Eurosport. “Technically I felt I was much better, more consistency. These days I’m a bit in and out and I search for it.
“It’s got better since 2001 and I’ve had to work on the technical side just to keep things as tight as I can.
Luca Brecel became the first player in Crucible history to erase a nine-frame deficit as he beat Si Jiahui 17-15 in a thrilling contest to reach the final of the World Snooker Championship; “To win is absolutely unbelievable, it is the biggest game of my life. I was in disbelief”
Last Updated: 29/04/23 6:53pm
Luca Brecel celebrates his famous win over Si Jiahui
Luca Brecel produced the greatest-ever Crucible comeback as he won 11 frames in a row against Si Jiahui to book his place in the World Snooker Championship final.
The Belgian, who conquered Ronnie O’Sullivan in the quarter-finals, looked certain to be heading home as he trailed 14-5 in the race to 17 after a dominant opening by Si.
But he started his miraculous recovery by winning the final five frames of Friday’s night session and offered up more of the same on Saturday afternoon to complete a remarkable 17-15 victory.
In doing so Brecel became the first player in Crucible history to overturn a nine-frame deficit as he booked his first final in Sheffield, having never previously got past the first round.
It was difficult not to feel some sympathy for Si, who at 20 years old looked set to become the youngest Crucible finalist in history, as he looked increasingly solemn in his chair as Brecel won frame after frame.
Brecel leans in disbelief after wrapping up his incredible comeback win
To his credit he stopped Brecel’s run of 11 in a row with a composed break of 91 and then had chances to send the match into a final-frame decider before a clipped red along the cushion allowed the Belgian to close out a famous victory.
Brecel told BBC Sport: “At 14-12, 14-13 I knew I had a chance, but I think 14-14 I was really believing it because I could see he was struggling and I was playing great stuff.
“But I knew I could have lost as well. To win is absolutely unbelievable, it is the biggest game of my life. I was in disbelief, I was shaking.
“The whole game I was expecting to lose, even with a session to spare, so to even have a chance to win was the craziest feeling ever in my body and I can’t believe I did it.
“I have never won a game here and now I am in the final, it is some story. It is going to take a while to sink in.”
Brecel and Si Jiahui embrace following their thrilling semi-final
Si hopes the punishing loss can help him become a better player.
“I was feeling kind of disappointed, but not very, he played nearly perfect snooker in the final two sessions and my safety let me down,” he said.
“I have realised there are flaws in my game, there are so many things I can still improve, so in the coming season I will be confident I can beat anyone.”
Brecel will play either Mark Allen or Mark Selby in the final, with their semi-final coming to a finish later on Saturday.
Allen won three of the final four frames of the morning session to reduce his deficit to 11-10.
Former champion Stephen Hendry accused the pair of casting a “dark cloud” over the Crucible with their attritional play during a second session on Friday that was halted three frames early.
After being released from a Russian prison, Brittney Griner targeted a return to the WNBA this year; According to reports, Griner has now re-joined her Phoenix Mercury team; Griner has played for Mercury since they selected her with the first pick in the draft a decade ago
Last Updated: 19/02/23 11:58am
Brittney Griner looks set to return to Phoenix Mercury for the start of the WNBA 2023 season
Brittney Griner has signed a one-year contract to play for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, it has been reported.
The American was released from a Russian penal colony last December as part of a prisoner swap.
According to ESPN, which cited a source, the 32-year-old free agent signed the deal on Saturday to return to the only WNBA team she has played for since they selected her with the first pick in the 2013 draft.
A photo provided by the US Army shows WNBA star Brittney Griner arriving at Kelly Field in San Antonio following her release in a prisoner swap with Russia
The Mercury, who open their 2023 WNBA season on May 19 at the Los Angeles Sparks, did not immediately respond when asked by Reuters to confirm the report.
Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and eight-time Women’s National Basketball Association All-Star, was arrested in February 2022 at an airport outside Moscow for carrying vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage.
She was subsequently convicted of drug smuggling and later transferred to one of Russia’s most notorious penal colonies, where former inmates have described torture, harsh beatings and slave labour conditions.
Brittney Griner was transferred to one of Russia’s most notorious penal colonies
Griner was released last December in a prisoner swap with Russia in exchange for arms dealer Viktor Bout, a deal that was arranged after months of talks during a time of high tension between the two countries after Russia’s February invasion of Ukraine.
In her first public statement since her release, Griner said last December that she would advocate for Americans detained abroad and that she planned to return to her WNBA team.
“I intend to play basketball for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury this season, and in doing so, I look forward to being able to say ‘thank you’ to those of you who advocated, wrote, and posted for me in person soon,” Griner wrote.
Griner last played for the Mercury in the 2021 WNBA season when she had one of the best years of her career and averaged 20.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists over 30 games.
Spain’s Francisco Sanchez Ruiz is the new champion of the world after defeating Mohammad Soufi 13-10 in the World Pool Championship final in Kielce, Poland; the world No 1 will now head on to the Premier League Pool and World Pool Masters
Last Updated: 05/02/23 9:55pm
Francisco Sanchez Ruiz won the World Pool Championship in Poland
Francisco Sanchez Ruiz won the nine-ball World Pool Championship, with the Spanish superstar defeating Syrian Mohammad Soufi in Sunday’s final.
Sanchez Ruiz, who was forced to come from behind against Mario He to reach the final, took a 6-4 lead in the race to 13 but a miss on the four in rack 11 brought Soufi in to cut the deficit back to one.
Just when it seemed the Syrian outsider would find momentum, a scratch on the break allowed his opponent to enter the fray and sweep in for an 8-7 lead.
Sanchez Ruiz took advantage of another Soufi mistake to take control of proceedings by establishing a two-rack buffer reaching double figures in the process and moving three away from the title.
The Spaniard appeared to have sussed the break and he soon reached the hill.
He pounced after Soufi’s break in the 23rd rack left the one and eight locked together to seal a memorable victory.
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Sanchez Ruiz pocketed the two off an incredible fluke at the World Pool Championship
Sanchez Ruiz pocketed the two off an incredible fluke at the World Pool Championship
Sanchez Ruiz now holds the US Open Pool Championship, World Cup of Pool, and World Pool Championship titles in the nine-ball arena.
He said: “It’s an amazing feeling. I have no voice. I felt the pressure. I had an unbelievable year last year but this is the first of this year and I cannot believe it.
“I didn’t play my best in the final but I fought for it and I got the end result.
“I knew I could lose a game with someone like Mohammad. He is very good and strong. I played my game though, I am so tired, I feel unbelievable, this is my biggest title for sure.”
Sanchez Ruiz hugs Mohammad Soufi after winning the World Pool Championship title
The world No 1 will now head on to the Premier League Pool and World Pool Masters.
“The last year when I won the big titles but when I won the Derby City Classic last year, everything changed in my mindset.
“I was playing good but I had never won a big title. When you win a big one, your confidence goes through the roof.
“There’s so much pressure in Matchroom events, you cannot compare it to any other.
“In the Mosconi Cup, I hadn’t felt something like that. When you play Mosconi, every tournament after, it feels like no pressure.”
An out-of-sorts Michael Smith continued his hunt for a first world title with a hard-fought 5-3 win over Stephen Bunting; Dimitri Van den Bergh became the first Belgian player to reach the semis after overcoming Jonny Clayton 5-3
Last Updated: 01/01/23 5:04pm
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The best of the action from the afternoon session of the quarter-finals at the World Darts Championship.
The best of the action from the afternoon session of the quarter-finals at the World Darts Championship.
An out-of-sorts Michael Smith kept on course for a second-straight World Darts Championship final appearance as he saw off a determined challenge from Stephen Bunting in Sunday’s quarter-finals.
Smith, a beaten finalist in last year’s tournament, eventually overcame the No 21 seed 5-3 to secure his place in the last four, joining history-maker Dimitri Van den Bergh after he had opened the day’s proceedings at Alexandra Palace with victory by the same scoreline against Jonny Clayton.
Smith will now tackle either 2021 world champion Gerwyn Price or Gabriel Clemens in the semis, while Van den Bergh will face three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen or Chris Dobey, with the remaining quarter-finals taking place this evening live on Sky Sports.
Sunday, January 1 – Afternoon results
Dimitri Van den Bergh
5-3
Jonny Clayton (QF)
Michael Smith
5-3
Stephen Bunting (QF)
Sunday, January 1 – Evening matches
Gerwyn Price
vs
Gabriel Clemens (QF)
Michael van Gerwen
vs
Chris Dobey (QF)
Smith battles past Bunting
Smith’s struggles were underlined by the fact he averaged a relatively paltry 91.63 compared to Bunting’s 97.16, but his opponent was made to pay for missing 44 attempts at doubles for just a 21 per cent checkout success with Smith landing 16 of 34 double attempts.
It was evident from the opening set Smith was below the standard he had reached at times in this tournament yet did enough to take it 3-2 and establish an early lead. However, Bunting dished out some punishment to level the match by winning the second, sealing a 3-0 win with a sumptuous 160 checkout.
The 2014 Lakeside world champion made it four legs on the spin at the start of the third, but Smith punished him in legs two and three for some missed doubles and wrapped things up with a 61 checkout to go 2-1 in front.
The 32-year-old’s finishing proved pivotal in the fourth set too even without hitting the heights in terms of scoring, establishing a two-set lead. Smith then reeled off three consecutive legs in the fifth to put himself one away from a return to the semi-finals.
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Michael Smith defeated Stephen Bunting to book his place in the semi-finals
Michael Smith defeated Stephen Bunting to book his place in the semi-finals
Smith’s run of winning six legs on the bounce was ended at the start of the sixth set as Bunting capitalised on some low-scoring visits from Smith, followed by taking the second as the Grand Slam title holder made a mess of needing 20.
Bunting then nailed a 44 checkout to get another set on the board and made it four legs in a row at the start of the seventh. Smith hit back in the next leg, but his fellow St Helens darter dominated the third and fourth to seal a 3-1 win and claw his way back to 4-3.
There was to be no memorable comeback from Bunting though despite his best efforts, with Smith eventually securing victory in a nervy leg which saw both players gamble on splitting finishes before the No 4 seed took out double 10.
“I just turned up so badly today, but I managed to grit it out,” Smith told Sky Sports. “Don’t get me wrong, Stephen missed a lot of doubles, but this is the quarter finals of the Worlds.
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Michael Smith feels Stephen Bunting let him off during their quarter-final
Michael Smith feels Stephen Bunting let him off during their quarter-final
“I just had to tell myself ‘Keep going, keep going, you are in the semi-finals’. I will keep going for that World Championship because that is what I want but I put too much pressure on myself then and it nearly cost everything.
“I didn’t deserve that game…. but you take your chances when they are given to you and now, I am in the semi-finals.”
Van den Bergh make history with win over Clayton
In the first of the day’s quarter-finals, Van den Bergh made history by becoming the first Belgian to reach the last four of the PDC World Darts Championship as he saw off Clayton.
Former World Grand Prix and Premier League winner Clayton made short if unspectacular work of the first set as he blanked Van den Bergh 3-0, making it only the second set the Antwerp native had lost at this year’s tournament.
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Dimitri Van den Bergh defeated Jonny Clayton to become the first Belgian to make it to the semi-finals of the World Championship.
Dimitri Van den Bergh defeated Jonny Clayton to become the first Belgian to make it to the semi-finals of the World Championship.
Van den Bergh immediately responded with a 12-dart leg at the start of the second set though, going on to win the next two and level the match in a set where Clayton did not even manage to get a shot at a double.
It was level-pegging early in the third before Clayton edged ahead, retaking the lead in sets with a break of throw by taking out 25 for a 3-1 win with Van den Bergh stuck in the madhouse needing double one after he missed the final double of a 130 checkout which would have forced a decider.
Nevertheless, the 2020 World Matchplay champion was able to level the match again with a sweep in set four, only for Clayton to edge back in front by triumphing in a fifth-set decider having also nailed a 108 checkout earlier in the set.
Once again though, there proved nothing to separate the duo in the sixth and Van den Bergh ensured he remained on par with the Welshman by holding his throw in another deciding leg, followed by him taking the lead for the first time with a 3-1 win in the seventh.
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Dimitri Van den Bergh took the mic to speak to the crowd after hitting 13 180s in his 5-3 quarter-final win over Jonny Clayton.
Dimitri Van den Bergh took the mic to speak to the crowd after hitting 13 180s in his 5-3 quarter-final win over Jonny Clayton.
The 28-year-old went ahead in the eight set too, but back-to-back misses at double top allowed Clayton to snatch two legs. However, Van den Bergh held his nerve to force a decider and seal his spot in the last four.
“I don’t know how I feel, but everyone here is part of history,” Van den Bergh said in an impassioned post-match speech. “The first time a Belgian professional darts player is in the semi-finals – I am dead proud.
“I am a young guy, I keep my feet on the ground and I get a whole lot of support…so onto the next round. From now on, I’m getting ready for that semi-final, and it doesn’t matter who it is [against]. I’m a dream-maker and I’ve got a dream.”
Watch Gerwyn Price vs Gabriel Clemens and Michael van Gerwen vs Chris Dobey for the remaining places in the semi-finals, live on Sky Sports Darts and Main Event from 7.30pm.
Streamer, YouTuber and all-round internet celebrity IShowSpeed has recently been helping one of the biggest TV stations in Europe, Sky Sports, with its broadcasts of English Premier League matches. That was, reportedly, until the executives at the channel found out about a video that went viral back in April.
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IShowSpeed—more commonly known as simply ‘Speed’—had been in the stands earlier this month to watch his team Manchester United play Fulham in the league (and then my beloved Aston Villa for the League Cup). While there, he helped present segments for the channel and appeared on their social media feeds. Here’s one (surviving) example:
And here’s another (uploaded independently by someone who had saved the footage), showing him failing to recognise either Jamie Redknapp or Louis Saha:
Ishowspeed in SKY SPORTS STUDIO reacting to no RONALDO
Speed, who got famous streaming games like Fortnite, NBA 2K and FIFA, was presumably brought in by Sky to leverage his internet following and supposed appeal to younger football fans, which at time of posting stands at 13 million YouTube subscribers and 5.4 million Instagram followers (he is permanently banned from Twitch).
G/O Media may get a commission
As of today, though, nearly all of Speed’s promotional material on Sky’s social media has been deleted (with the exception of that single Tweet above), with The Athletic reporting that Sky made the decision after they were made aware of a video that did the rounds in April—one that became so notorious we reported on it—in which Speed made incredibly hostile and misogynistic comments to his teammates:
While Speed later apologised for those comments, they were so bad that Riot Games banned him from not just Valorant, but League of Legends as well. His Twitch ban, meanwhile, was also for misogyny, just a different video. It’s weird—given that it was so widely reported, the tweet above having 180,000 likes and 11.7 million views and it was only 7 months ago—that nobody at Sky thought to even Google his name before putting him in the spotlight like this!
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Two-time World Cup winner Michael Bevan and Sri Lanka legend Russel Arnold give their predictions ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Two-time World Cup winner Michael Bevan and Sri Lanka legend Russel Arnold give their predictions ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Australia host the T20 World Cup and are seeking to retain the title after they beat New Zealand in the final in the United Arab Emirates last year.
While the hosts are the favourites again, the likes of England, India, New Zealand and Pakistan will all think they can lift the title.
Sky Sports takes a closer look at some of the key players to watch in Australia…
Harry Brook
Harry Brook has impressed at number five in recent games for England
Jason Roy and Johnny Bairstow are missing for England in Australia, while there are concerns over the fitness of Liam Livingstone, which leaves England light of power hitting, especially in the middle overs.
But youngster Harry Brook has shown in a short space of time that he is an excellent player coming in at number five, and will be important for an England side who will have ambitions to go deep into the tournament.
Brook was one of the star players during this year’s edition of The Hundred and continued his good form for England in Pakistan.
The 23-year-old has scored 316 T20 runs for England in 14 matches, including 81 against Pakistan and 45 not on in the final warm up match against the same opposition.
His strike rate is 149.05 and he is averaging 35.11 runs. He has built a reputation on getting runs in the death overs and England will look to Brook to add runs in the final overs in Australia.
He hasn’t played much cricket in Australia and showed in the first two T20’s against Australia that it might take some time getting used to the conditions. But he will be a key figure for England this year, as he looks to cement his place in the the side in all formats.
Mark Wood
Mark Wood has taken nine wickets on his return to the England side
Mark Wood’s qualities are well documented, but so are his injury troubles.
The fast bowler only returned to action this year in Pakistan after eight months out, but showed how effective he is in T20 cricket, taking three wickets in three consecutive games.
With Jofra Archer missing due to injury, Wood is the only bowler in the squad who offers express pace. With almost 35 wickets in 23 matches wickets for England, Wood is sure to be the man Jos Buttler calls upon when he is searching for wickets.
This was evident in the first T20 against Australia on October 9, when Wood took important wickets as Australia looked like they were cruising to victory.
The only question mark over the 31-year-old is his fitness, and he will need to be managed through the tournament.
If England have any hopes of lifting the title, they will need Wood fit and firing.
Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya has taken important wickets and scored runs lower down the order for India
Despite missing the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah, India boast an impressive squad that puts them among the favourites in Australia.
All-rounder Hardik Pandya has been key for India in T20 cricket in recent months, scoring important lower order runs and taking key wickets at the death.
His role with the ball could be even more important this year, with India missing key front line bowlers.
The 28 year-old took some time away from cricket recently and returned with new vigor.
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Ahead of the T20 World Cup, analyst Freddie Wilde predicts some of India’s star players could shine in the tournament in Australia.
Ahead of the T20 World Cup, analyst Freddie Wilde predicts some of India’s star players could shine in the tournament in Australia.
He captained the Gujrat Titans to the Indian Premier League title in their first year and led India to a series win against Ireland this year.
Pandya has taken 12 T20 wickets this year in 17 innings. He is now one of the experienced heads in the dressing room and was sorely missed during the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
With almost 500 runs under his belt in 2022, Pandya will need to be on his game for Rohit Sharma’s side this year if they have any hopes of lifting the trophy.
Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep Singh has impressed since making his T20 debut
Injuries have given young seamer Arshdeep Singh an opportunity in the India side, and he has shown exactly why he is so highly rated.
He demonstrated composure and calmness in two tight overs against Pakistan and Sri Lanka during the Asia Cup this year, and Sharma said that he has the temperament to bowl at the death.
India are also missing a left arm seamer in their attack, but Singh offers that with 15 wickets in 12 matches since making his international debut.
He might be one of the young players who can shine at this World Cup.
David Warner
David Warner has been in great for Australia in recent months
The hosts are the favourites with the bookies and have picked a squad featuring a blend of experience and youth.
Australia won the last T20 World Cup in the UAE, and opener David Warner has been a key part of his side’s T20 success in recent months.
Warner has been in scintillating form this year. He has scored almost 300 runs in just seven T20s, including a match winning innings against the West Indies.
He continued his good form in the pre-tournament series against England, scoring 73 runs in the first T20 in Perth.
With home advantage in Australia’s favour, if Warner can continue his purple patch, Aaron Finch’s side will be tough to beat.
Tim David
Tim David could displace an experienced batsman during the World Cup
Tim David’s rise to Australia’s World Cup squad has been quite something.
Without a state contract or a first-class appearance under his belt, the batsman was signed by the Mumbai Indians in the IPL auction for £848,769.
The 26-year-old has become one of the most sought after T20 finishers in world cricket.
After honing his game in the Big Bash and with the Lahore Qalanders in the 2020/21 season, David was also picked up by Surrey, the Southern Brave and then Mumbai.
During the 2022 IPL season, he faced 86 balls and hit 16 for six, finishing with the best-ever strike rate for a batter in a single season.
He continued his good form with the national side, scoring 116 runs in six matches, including a stunning cameo against the West Indies, where he scored 20 off just four balls.
David’s place in the starting 11 isn’t guaranteed, however, with the batsman competing with Steve Smith, Mitch Marsh and Marcus Stoinis for a place in the middle order.
But there is every chance he could displace one of them in the side as the tournament progresses.
Devon Conway
Devon Conway missed last year’s final due to an injury
A staple in a New Zealand side who have lost back-to-back cricket World Cup finals, Devon Conway has been in a rich vein of form this year.
He missed a major chunk of the IPL this year, but has returned for New Zealand and continued where he left off in 2021.
Conway scored over 400 runs last year, including 46 in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup, but sustained a hand injury that kept him out of the final.
He has continued his good form, scoring 129 runs in six matches, including a match winning 70 not out on October 9 against Bangladesh, top scoring in the tri-series against Pakistan and Bangladesh with 233 runs.
Mohammad Rizwan
Mohammad Rizwan is the number one ranked T20 batsman in the world
Mohammad Rizwan is one of the most feared T20 batsman in international cricket and has formed a formidable partnership with Babar Azam at the top of the order for Pakistan.
He is the number one ranked T20 batsman in the world and has scored the most T20 runs in 2022, overtaking Suryakumar Yadav during the recent tri-series in New Zealand.
Rizwan’s form has been good going into Australia. He also top scored at the Asia Cup and hit 316 runs in six T20s against England recently.
Pakistan’s star player ended the recent tri-series against New Zealand and Bangladesh as the second-highest run-scorer with 201 runs.
Pakistan are heavily reliant on their openers to get runs and their middle order has often struggled when they are called upon early in an innings.
Captain Azam will hope Rizwan can continue his excellent form in the World Cup to give Pakistan their best chance of challenging for the trophy.
Shaheen Shah Afridi
Shaheen Shah Afridi returns to fitness for the T20 World Cup for Pakistan
While Pakistan struggles for middle order runs, they frequently restrict teams to small totals, in large parts thanks to their varied bowling attack.
Shaheen Shan Afridi has been a key part of their bowling unit since making his debut in 2018. The 22-year-old has taken 47 wickets in 40 T20s and has been his side’s pace spearhead.
His express speed, ability to generate bounce and bowl accurate yorkers, makes him one of the most feared T20 bowlers in world cricket
Recently, the seamer has been eased back to fitness and played in Pakistan’s penultimate warm up match against England before they start their World Cup campaign against India on October 23.
Without Afridi due to injury, Pakistan’s attack seemed a bit limp against England, and his return will be a major boost for Azam at this World Cup.
You can watch the T20 World Cup live in full on Sky Sports.
Watch England vs Afghanistan live on Saturday October 22 from 11.30am on Sky Sports Cricket.
Francisco Sanchez Ruiz wins the US Open Pool Championship in Atlantic City to take home the $50,000 first place prize and become the first Spaniard to win one of pool’s oldest majors; next up on Sky Sports is the Mosconi Cup from November 30 to December 3
Last Updated: 17/10/22 11:56am
Francisco Sanchez Ruiz claimed glory at the US Open Pool Championship in Atlantic City
Francisco Sanchez Ruiz claimed victory at the US Open Pool Championship in Atlantic City after beating Austria’s Max Lechner 13-10 to move to world No 1.
The Spaniard’s week in New Jersey ended with a memorable victory over Lechner – in front of a sell-out crowd – to break the $100,000 mark and overtake World Champion Shane Van Boening at the top of the rankings.
“It is unbelievable how it feels. I feel so happy. Congratulations to Max,” said Sanchez Ruiz. “Thank you to everyone for the support, I love you guys. It’s the biggest win in my career.
“There’s too many good feelings right now. I received the news of making the Mosconi Cup and it gave me so much. I want to say thank you to my team David Alcaide and Jose Alberto Delgado. It’s an unbelievable feeling, it really is.”
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Francisco Sanchez Ruiz nailed a golden break as the Spaniard won the US Open Pool Championship in Atlantic City
Francisco Sanchez Ruiz nailed a golden break as the Spaniard won the US Open Pool Championship in Atlantic City
Sanchez Ruiz nailed a golden break to make it 3-3 before Lechner made it 6-6 in a tight opening to the contest.
Sanchez Ruiz then opened up a 10-6 advantage in the race to 13 but his momentum was halted as the Austrian came storming back to reduce the deficit to 11-10.
However, Lechner scratched off the break to allow the Spaniard to get to the hill first before sealing a memorable win with a break and run.
Ready for the Mosconi Cup?
Next up is the 2022 Mosconi Cup from November 30 to December 3 at Bally’s Las Vegas where Jeremy Jones’ USA side will be looking to regain the Mosconi Cup back from Alex Lely’s European side – live on Sky Sports.
Both Team USA and Europe have three spots each locked up from the Live Nineball World Rankings with Shane Van Boening joined by Skyler Woodward and Oscar Dominguez this week for the Americans whilst Joshua Filler was joined by Francisco Sanchez Ruiz and Albin Ouschan.
The skippers as set to confirm their two wild card picks each to complete their sides ahead of the battle commencing in pool’s biggest battle.
Jos Buttler scored 65 from 41 balls in the washed-out third T20 international aganst Australia
Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes fired for England before the third T20 international against Australia in Canberra was washed out as the tourists were denied the chance to clinch a 3-0 sweep ahead of the World Cup.
In a game reduced to 12 overs a side after two lengthy weather interruptions, England posted 112-2 with Buttler (65no off 41) and Ben Stokes (17no off 10) plundering 39 runs from the final 14 balls after the second rain break had come with the tourists 73-2 after 9.4 overs.
Set a revised 130, Australia slumped to 17-3 in 2.5 overs as Woakes (3-4 from two overs) removed skipper Aaron Finch (0) and Mitchell Marsh (0) for golden ducks at the start of the first over and then Glenn Maxwell – opening in the absence of David Warner (neck) – towards the end of the third.
A third, match-ending downpour arrived with Australia 30-3 after 3.5 overs.
Chris Woakes bagged 3-4 from two overs in Canberra
England had recorded successive eight-run wins in the opening two matches, firstly in Perth and then in Canberra, and now have one more warm-up, against Pakistan in Brisbane on Monday, ahead of their T20 World Cup opener against Afghanistan in Perth on October 22.
More to follow…
England vs Pakistan
October 17, 2022, 8:30am
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England vs Afghanistan
October 22, 2022, 11:30am
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What’s next?
England play their final T20 World Cup warm-up match against Pakistan in Brisbane on Monday, live on Sky Sports Cricket. Build-up begins at 8.30am, ahead of the first ball at 9am.
Buttler’s side will then travel to Perth for their World Cup opener against Afghanistan on Saturday, October 22. The match gets under way at midday, with coverage on Sky Sports Cricket kicking off at 8.30am.
W Indies vs Scotland
October 17, 2022, 4:30am
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Ireland vs Zimbabwe
October 17, 2022, 8:30am
Live on
The T20 World Cup starts this Sunday, with the opening-day fixtures seeing 2014 champions Sri Lanka up against Namibia (5am start, Sky Sports Cricket) before UAE battle Netherlands (9am start, Sky Sports Cricket).
Ireland and Scotland get their campaigns under way on Monday – Scotland meet two-time champions West Indies (5am start, Sky Sports Mix) with Ireland then facing Zimbabwe (9am start, Sky Sports Mix).
Watch every game from the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup live on Sky Sports between October 16 and November 13.
England make mincemeat of target of 170, with Phil Salt smashing 87no from 41 balls as tourists cruise to victory with 33 balls to spare; Sunday’s final fixture a series decider; Babar Azam’s 87 not out from 59 balls in vain for Pakistan on day he passes 3,000 T20I runs
Last Updated: 30/09/22 7:13pm
Phil Salt smashed 87 not out from 41 balls as England set up a T20I series decider against Pakistan
Phil Salt blasted 87 not out from 41 balls as England brushed off their recent batting failings by cruising to a target of 170 in the sixth T20 international against Pakistan and making Sunday’s final fixture a series decider.
England had allowed a 2-1 lead in the series turn into a 3-2 deficit after two bungled run chases in games four and five, but were brutal batting second on Friday night, with Salt the spearhead as they cantered home with 33 balls to spare to win by eight wickets and level proceedings at 3-3.
Salt, who rushed to his half-century from just 19 balls, bludgeoned 55 from 23 deliveries with opening partner Alex Hales (27 off 12), the fifty stand coming up after just three overs as Mohammad Nawaz, Shahnawaz Dahani and Mohammad Wasim were pummelled for a combined 10 boundaries.
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Salt continued to pepper the fence after Hales was caught off Shadab Khan in the fourth over, with his pulsating innings containing 13 fours and three sixes and perhaps even pushing him ahead of Hales in the battle to open with white-ball skipper Jos Buttler at next month’s T20 World Cup.
The Lancashire opener pulverised Pakistan, dominating a second-wicket stand of 76 from just 34 balls with Dawid Malan (26 off 18) as he rebounded from single-figure dismissals in his previous three innings.
Salt clinched England’s victory in the company of Ben Duckett (26no off 16) – Malan having been pinned lbw by a delivery from Shadab that shot along the ground – as the tourists made mincemeat of Pakistan’s 169-6 and rendered home skipper Babar Azam’s supreme 87 from 59 balls in vain.
Babar Azam is the joint-fastest player to 3,000 T20 international runs, alongside India’s Virat Kohli
Babar played quite beautifully after Pakistan were inserted by Moeen Ali, becoming the joint-fastest player, alongside India’s Virat Kohli, to reach 3,000 T20 international runs, doing so in his 81st innings.
Babar reached the landmark with a sublime straight six off Richard Gleeson, one of three maximums he managed to go with seven fours in his 27th T20I international half-century – although the gloss of that achievement would have been taken off by his team’s heavy defeat.
Babar fires for Pakistan as Curran impresses for England
Babar would have been run out for 24 in the sixth over had Sam Curran’s shy at the non-striker’s stumps been on target – a rare blemish for Curran on the evening as he proved the pick of the England attack with figures of 2-26 from his four overs and an economy rate of 6.50.
Curran accounted for Haider Ali (18 off 14) and Iftikhar Ahmed (31 off 21) with cutters after the batters had shared stands of 47 and 48 respectively with skipper Babar.
Both Haider and Iftikhar creamed Adil Rashid (0-38) for sixes as the England leg-spinner went at 9.50 an over – right-arm quick Gleeson (1-39) also leaked runs, going at 9.75 from his four.
David Willey took two wickets after England elected to bowl in Lahore
Gleeson did dismiss debutant Mohammad Haris for a skittish seven from eight balls during a slow start for Pakistan – Haris nailing one six but also hacking at deliveries after coming into the hosts’ side at the top of the order in place of the rested Mohammad Rizwan.
Pakistan were 15-2 in the fourth over when David Willey (2-32) pinned Shan Masood lbw for a two-ball duck but Babar led the response with a tremendous unbeaten knock, with included a gorgeous six over extra-cover off a Willey full toss in the 17th over.
Pakistan mustered just 15 runs from the next 16 balls after that Babar six, during which time Willey had Asif Ali (9) pouched on the point boundary and Reece Topley (1-31) bowled a five-run 18th over.
However, Topley was then taken for 19 from the final over as Babar and Mohammad Nawaz (12 off seven) hit two sixes and a four between them – Topley looking far from jubilant after having Nawaz caught at long-off off from the final ball of the innings.
Topley and England were jubilant come full time, though, as Salt’s swashbuckling innings ensured a winner-takes-all showdown at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday night.
What’s next?
Pakistan vs England
October 2, 2022, 3:00pm
Live on
Catch England’s seventh and final T20 international in Pakistan on Sky Sports on Sunday. Build-up begins at 3pm with the first ball at 3.30pm.
England then travel Down Under to prepare for the T20 World Cup, with three T20s against host nation Australia (October 9,12 and 14) and a warm-up against Pakistan (October 17) before Jos Buttler’s side begin their World Cup campaign against Afghanistan in Perth on October 22.
You can watch the T20 World Cup live in full on Sky Sports with the tournament getting under way on October 16.
Jos Buttler has not played since August 18 due to a calf injury and taking “cautious approach” with his side’s T20 World Cup campaign starting on October 22; skipper praises Mark Wood and Harry Brook’s performances against Pakistan and says he is ‘learning lots’ from the sidelines
Last Updated: 28/09/22 9:11pm
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England captain Jos Buttler says he is taking a ‘cautious approach’ as he battles back from a calf injury
England captain Jos Buttler says he is taking a ‘cautious approach’ as he battles back from a calf injury
England captain Jos Buttler says he is “progressing well” as he bids to return to full fitness ahead of the T20 World Cup next month.
Buttler has not played since August 18 due a calf injury he sustained during The Hundred but is with England on the T20 tour of Pakistan as he closes in on a comeback.
The 32-year-old told Sky Sports he was taking a “cautious approach” to his return, with England having six more T20s – three against Pakistan and the same number against Australia – before their World Cup opener against Afghanistan in Perth on October 22.
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Highlights of the fifth T20 international between Pakistan and England as the hosts edged home by six runs
Highlights of the fifth T20 international between Pakistan and England as the hosts edged home by six runs
Speaking between innings during England’s defeat to Pakistan in the fifth T20I of the seven-match series, Buttler said: “I am progressing well.
“It would be nice to play but with the World Cup round the corner we are taking a cautious approach.
“I am running a few drinks, getting the loads up, feeling good. I feel like if it was a World Cup game tomorrow I could play but I am being a bit cautious and taking it a bit slowly. If I had to, I could play.
Live International T20 Cricket
September 30, 2022, 3:00pm
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“It is quite a unique situation to be here and not play, to observe.
“I am learning lots listening to the group and watching the way they go about things, watching without as much emotion as when you are involved and thinking about what you will do at certain times.
“[Stand-in skipper] Moeen Ali has been fantastic. I have very much asked him to lead the group and take it on as if he is captain and he has been brilliant – great around the group as he always is and on the field I have been impressed.”
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Harry Brook and Ben Duckett shared an unbroken 139-run partnership in the third T20 international against Pakistan
Harry Brook and Ben Duckett shared an unbroken 139-run partnership in the third T20 international against Pakistan
Buttler is set to open for England at the T20 World Cup and there could also be a spot in the middle order for Harry Brook, with the Yorkshireman making innings of note in each of the T20s against Pakistan so far, bar the fifth when he was dismissed for four.
Brook smashed an unbeaten 81 from 35 balls in the third fixture, including five sixes and nine fours, as England piled on 221-3 in Karachi.
Buttler added: “Brook is giving people really good selection headaches which is what you want. The mark of good teams is good people outside the XI pushing to get in the XI.
“He has got a lot of game, a lot of options. I don’t think he premeditates too much, he reacts to every ball coming down.
“I like his demeanour at the crease and I like the way he goes about his business. He is pretty unflappable.”
Seamer Mark Wood could be crucial for England at the World Cup and impressed on Wednesday evening with 3-20 during a searing four-over spell in Lahore.
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Watch each of England paceman Mark Wood’s three wickets in the sixth T20 international against Pakistan
Watch each of England paceman Mark Wood’s three wickets in the sixth T20 international against Pakistan
The paceman has claimed three-wicket hauls in each of the two T20s he has played in the Pakistan series, twice dismissing home skipper Babar Azam.
Buttler said: “I have been delighted with Woody. He is such a great man to have in your team on and off the field.
“He has shown a great amount of resilience. He has been through lots of injuries but bounces back every time and does the work.
“To bowl 97mph the other day was fantastic. Anyone who bowls at that pace creates chances and mistakes and being able to have a genuine wicket-taker is valuable in T20 cricket.”
Watch England’s sixth T20 international in Pakistan live on Sky Sports Cricket on Friday. Coverage begins at 3pm with the first ball at 3.30pm.
