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EspañolOne foot in semis, New Zealand look to topple England next
Friday night’s Super 8 clash in Colombo offers contrasting scenarios. England are already through to the final four while New Zealand control their destiny. A win will send them to the top of Group 2 and confirm their spot in the semifinals. A loss, however, would potentially reopen the race, leaving Pakistan with a slim net run-rate opportunity if they beat Sri Lanka with a resounding margin on Saturday.
On Wednesday, New Zealand were reeling at 84/6 against Sri Lanka before captain Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie produced a compelling turnaround, guiding them to 168/7. It proved to be the cornerstone of their crushing 61-run win against the co-hosts. Walter credits this to the team’s excellent problem-solving abilities.
“We’ve always been excellent problem-solvers,” he said. “We’re street-smart, read conditions quickly and find a method that works.” That flexibility could prove vital on a spin-friendly turning track at the Premadasa Stadium.
New Zealand's slow-bowlers — Santner, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Philips and Cole McConchie — will test an England batting order led by their irrepressible captain Harry Brook, who could make the No. 3 spot his own after the match-winning century against Pakistan.
However, Ravindra, who finished with a career-best haul of 4/27 against Sri Lanka, is taking nothing for granted. “You’re always confident, especially when you know what the surface might offer,” he said on match eve. “But it would be silly to underestimate England. They’re a quality side with world-class batters.”
England, however, will hope Jos Buttler rediscovers his touch. The veteran has endured tepid returns in this tournament so far, scoring 36 runs across five innings. England’s spinners, comprising Will Jacks and Liam Dawson, will add intrigue to the tactical battle. On a tacky surface, even 170 could prove to be a winning total.
Ravindra asserts that New Zealand are battle ready. “We’ll take confidence from the last game,” he said, adding, “It’s a new challenge. We have to be ready again.”
6 prospects who shined on Day 1 of the 2026 NFL combine
Business picked up on Thursday at the 2026 NFL combine in Indianapolis. After a few days of interviews and weigh-ins, we finally saw some action as the defensive linemen and linebackers participated in workouts and on-field drills.
Several of them put on a show, including a couple of prospects in play for the Washington Commanders with the No. 7 overall pick. The Commanders need plenty of defensive help at all three levels, with edge rusher being the most pressing need. You can't rule out a wide receiver or Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love either.
Outside of projected No. 1 overall pick, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the top half of the 2026 NFL Draft could be as unpredictable as ever. So, the combine could be important for some players to separate themselves from the pack.
Here's a look at six players who shined on Day of the NFL combine.
Ohio State LB Sonny Styles
Sonny Styles profile...
— Underdog (@Underdog) February 27, 2026
6'5" ➡️ same as Calvin Johnson
244lbs ➡️ three pounds lighter than Derrick Henry
43.5" vert ➡️ same as Nate Robinson's max vert
4.46s forty ➡️ same as Bijan Robinson
135" broad jump ➡️ same as Julio Jones
FREAK ATHLETE pic.twitter.com/mFx13ywggF
Sonny Styles didn't need the NFL combine to show he was a first-round pick. It's all over his college tape. But when you add in his size, measurables and bloodlines, Styles is almost a perfect prospect. He arrived in Indianapolis as a surefire top-15 pick, but he may leave as a potential top-five pick.
Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey
David Bailey at the 2026 Combine…
— NFL Researcher (@NFL_Researcher) February 26, 2026
▫️Faster than Antonio Cromartie
▫️Quicker than Davante Adams
▫️Jumps higher than A.J. Green
▫️More explosive than Adrian Peterson
▫️Heavier than Von Miller#NFLCombine2026pic.twitter.com/EIrK6YIhXH
While much of the talk centered around Styles, don't forget about Bailey. The All-American was a top-10 lock before Indianapolis, with a ceiling as high as No. 2 to the New York Jets. He did nothing to discourage the hype. Bailey's size, speed, explosiveness and short-area quickness match his tape. The Commanders already knew there was a good chance Bailey wouldn't make it to No. 7. It's doubtful now.
Ohio State EDGE/LB Arvell Reese
Sheeeeeesh.@OhioStateFB LB Arvell Reese with a 4.47u
— NFL (@NFL) February 27, 2026
2026 NFL Combine on @nflnetwork
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/j74Yd3XQCw
Reese performed as expected. He and Styles were on another planet. However, they are different players. Reese played some at edge rusher and off-ball linebacker with the Buckeyes. He can do about everything, even though there are some questions about where to play him at the next level. It's really quite simple: don't box him into one spot. Reese is a top-five lock.
Florida DT Caleb Banks
.@GatorsFB DT Caleb Banks put on an unreal performance today:
— NFL (@NFL) February 26, 2026
- 6'6", 327 pounds
- 5.04 40-yard dash
- 32" vertical jump
- 9'6" broad jump@nflnetwork | @Accenturepic.twitter.com/FLWDdfKUUn
Caleb Banks is a prospect who could use the combine as a way to shoot up draft boards. The talent is there. The size and athleticism are unreal. A foot injury cost him much of the 2025 season, so there were some who believed he could fall too early in the second round. That's not happening. Don't be shocked if Banks ends up going somewhere in the top 15-20 picks. Teams love to bet on upside. Banks has that and then some. He's also versatile enough to move around on the offensive line.
Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez
Jacob Rodriguez reached a top speed of 18.43 mph during the Backpedal & React Drill, the fastest by any linebacker over the last four years.
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) February 27, 2026
Rodriguez traveled nearly a full mile per hour faster than the next-closest linebacker (Arvell Reese, 17.49 mph). pic.twitter.com/ELC3LQm1pQ
Despite a decorated college career that saw him win the Chuck Bednarik Award, Butkus Award, Lombardi Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy, no one really discussed Rodriguez as a first or second-round pick. There were concerns about his size, and some questioned his athleticism. Rodriguez, who has elite tape at Texas Tech, put those concerns to rest on Thursday, leading the linebackers in the 20-yard shuttle and 3-cone drills, proving his explosiveness. Rodriguez will be drafted in the second round when all is said and done.
Pittsburgh LB Kyle Louis
Pitt LB Kyle Louis | 2026 Combine Results:
— PFF College (@PFF_College) February 27, 2026
🔵 40 Yard Dash: 4.53 (5th)
🔵 10 Yard Split: 1.58 (3rd)
🔵 Vertical Jump: 39.50” (4th)
🔵 Broad Jump: 10’9” (2nd)@Pitt_FBpic.twitter.com/YlHU4uY7Zi
Kyle Louis was an excellent player at Pitt. However, size concerns had him pegged for the middle rounds. Louis showed his ability at the Senior Bowl last month. He was everywhere. NFL teams fell in love with him. On Thursday, he backed up what you see on the field with elite testing numbers. Louis is a player who probably would've struggled to make it 10-15 years ago just because of size. Now, he's a positionless weapon. He can play linebacker, safety, big nickel, etc. Defensive coordinators will want his speed on the field. For a team that wants to be "younger and faster," like the Commanders do, it's players like Louis who get coaches excited.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: 2026 NFL combine: 6 players who shined on Day 1
Salah Set to End Goal Drought Against West Ham
Manager Arne Slot has expressed confidence in Mohamed Salah ending his longest goal drought in Liverpool colors ahead of the upcoming Premier League match against West Ham. Salah hasn't scored in his last nine Premier League appearances, but Slot remains unfazed by the statistic.