Chiang Rai Gears Up for National Youth Games with Major Equipment Boost

DARWIN: Australia have backed experience and pace, selecting Josh Hazlewood ahead of Scott Boland for the opening Test against Bangladesh in Darwin, while veteran spinner Nathan Lyon makes his return from a long-term injury. The first of the two-Test series begins on Thursday at Marrara Oval, marking Australia’s return to red-ball cricket after a lengthy break. The match also launches a demanding period that could see the world’s top-ranked Test side play as many as 21 Tests over the next 12 months. Hazlewood’s return is one of the biggest talking points. The fast bowler missed Australia’s entire 2025/26 home Ashes campaign because of injury, allowing Boland to feature in all five Tests. Boland impressed during the series, but his performances were not enough to displace a fit-again Hazlewood. The selection means Hazlewood will once again join Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc in Australia’s pace attack, a combination that has been a defining feature of the side for years. Cummins acknowledged that leaving Boland out was a difficult decision. “They’re both pretty class,” the Australia captain said while explaining the selection. He added that the team had been keen to bring Lyon back into the side and that the final decision involved determining the balance of the pace attack. “There’s not much you can say to Scotty other than obviously there’s a lot of cricket coming up,” Cummins said. Lyon’s return adds another major dimension to Australia’s attack. The experienced off-spinner underwent hamstring surgery after his Ashes campaign was cut short and now gets an opportunity to resume his Test career. Australia have also retained all-rounder Cameron Green, who will bat at No. 5, while Beau Webster occupies the No. 7 position with wicketkeeper Alex Carey between them. Jake Weatherald is set to open alongside Travis Head, followed by Marnus Labuschagne at No. 3 and Steve Smith at No. 4. Josh Inglis was the only other player from the original squad to miss out on selection. The Darwin Test carries historical significance as well. It will be only the third Test played in the tropical northern city and the first there since Sri Lanka’s visit in July 2004. After Darwin, the series moves to Harrup Park in Mackay next week, where Australia and Bangladesh will play the venue’s first-ever Test. With Hazlewood back, Lyon restored and Australia’s leading pace trio reunited, Bangladesh face a formidable challenge as the hosts begin another demanding chapter of their Test calendar. Australia Playing XI for first Bangladesh Test Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Beau Webster, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

MONACO: Paul Pogba’s much-anticipated return to regular football has suffered another setback after the former France international picked up a new thigh injury during Monaco’s training camp in England. The 33-year-old midfielder sustained an injury to his left thigh on Tuesday, just days after Monaco defeated Liverpool in a pre-season friendly. The setback came at England’s national football centre at St George’s Park, where Monaco were continuing preparations for the new campaign. Pogba had only recently returned to group training following a lengthy absence caused by problems with his right knee. His latest injury has now raised fresh questions about whether he will be fit enough to make a meaningful contribution when the Ligue 1 season begins. The 2018 World Cup winner has endured a difficult period since leaving the spotlight of top-level football. After serving an 18-month suspension from football following a doping case, Pogba returned to competitive action with Monaco last season. However, his comeback was limited. He appeared in only six Ligue 1 matches and managed just 115 minutes of football, underlining the physical challenges he has faced since his suspension. Pogba has also featured sparingly during Monaco’s current pre-season campaign, playing only one half of football so far. Sources close to the situation reportedly believe the latest injury means he remains some distance from the fitness level needed to start the Ligue 1 campaign. The Frenchman’s future at Monaco could therefore become a major talking point in the coming weeks. While his experience and quality remain valuable, his ability to stay fit will be crucial if he is to rebuild his career. For Pogba, the latest setback is particularly frustrating as he had been working toward a sustained return. The midfielder will now face another period of recovery and rehabilitation as Monaco assess the seriousness of the injury. With the new Ligue 1 season approaching, Pogba’s immediate priority will be getting back to full fitness. Whether he can overcome another injury setback and finally enjoy a consistent run of football remains one of the intriguing questions surrounding his career.

TORONTO: World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is aiming to rediscover her best form as she begins her campaign at the WTA 1000 Canadian Open in Toronto, with the top ranking and momentum ahead of the US Open at stake. The Belarusian has enjoyed an outstanding hard-court season, winning 23 of her 24 matches on the surface in 2026. Her only defeat came against Elena Rybakina in the Australian Open final. Despite her dominance on hard courts, Sabalenka struggled to produce similar results during the clay and grass-court seasons. She was eliminated in the quarter-finals of the French Open before suffering a fourth-round exit at Wimbledon against Japan’s Naomi Osaka. The Toronto tournament could have a significant impact on the WTA rankings. Sabalenka risks losing the world No. 1 position if she fails to reach the round of 16 and Rybakina goes on to win the title. Although Sabalenka has never progressed beyond the semi-finals at the Canadian event, she believes she is mentally refreshed after taking a short break following Wimbledon. The 27-year-old spent several days on the Greek island of Mykonos before returning to training with renewed motivation. Speaking ahead of the tournament, Sabalenka said the time away from tennis allowed her to recover physically and mentally. She admitted that some adjustments made during the clay and grass seasons did not deliver the desired results but expressed confidence that returning to her usual approach would help her regain consistency. The tournament draw presents another tough challenge for the top seed. Sabalenka leads the upper half, which also features two-time champion Jessica Pegula, Amanda Anisimova and Poland’s Iga Swiatek, who is looking to bounce back after an early Wimbledon exit. Meanwhile, Elena Rybakina heads the bottom half of the draw alongside Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka and newly crowned Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova. Noskova, who recently captured her maiden Grand Slam title, enters the tournament with growing confidence and could face rising Philippine star Alexandra Eala in the third round. Several notable players will miss the tournament. Wimbledon runner-up Karolina Muchova remains unavailable while recovering from minor surgery, while defending champion Victoria Mboko is also sidelined with the knee injury that forced her to withdraw from Wimbledon.