Sports

Rocky Flintoff: Teenager hits first professional century for Lancashire against Somerset

Published

36 minutes ago

August 11, 2026

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One-Day Cup, Taunton

Lancashire 443-6 50 overs: Jennings 156 (127), Flintoff 123 (76)

Somerset: Yet to bat

Scorecard

Rocky Flintoff, the 18-year-old son of legendary former England all-rounder Andrew, hit his first senior professional century in Lancashire’s One-Day Cup match against Somerset at Taunton.

The right-hander dominated the bowling in crashing 10 fours and seven sixes in a superb 123 from 76 balls in Lancashire’s 443-6.

After coming in at 138-3, Flintoff was the aggressor in a brutal partnership of 214 with Keaton Jennings and reached his century from just 65 deliveries.

Also capitalising on a flat pitch and a Somerset attack depleted by The Hundred, Jennings made 156. Lancashire’s total was their best in List A cricket.

But the century is the latest landmark moment in the young career of Flintoff.

He became Lancashire’s youngest player when he made his debut aged 16 years and 113 days in the One-Day Cup in 2024, a week after becoming England Under-19s’ youngest centurion with a ton against Sri Lanka.

He followed that by becoming England Lions’ youngest century-maker, in a match against Cricket Australia in January 2025, beating his father’s record.

Injuries have also hampered the teenager’s progress.

He missed last winter’s Under-19 World Cup with England and had to withdraw from The Hundred in 2025, having been signed by Northern Superchargers where his father was coach.

After reports linking him with a move away, Flintoff signed a new two-year contract extension with Lancashire in March.

He has still only played four first-class matches for the Red Rose county – the most recent in 2024.

But, after beginning the season playing for Lancashire’s second XI and featuring again for England Under-19s, he has found opportunity and form in the One-Day Cup, which has effectively become a second-tier competition played below The Hundred.

Flintoff has made scores of 33 not out, 41 not out, 34 and 61 not out around dismissals for nought and one in his six previous matches.

Against Somerset, whose XI also featured spinner Archie Vaughan, son of former England captain Michael, Flintoff was particularly destructive in hitting sixes over straight mid-wicket in a fashion reminiscent of his father.

Andrew played 79 Tests, 141 one-day internationals and seven T20s for England and was part of the iconic 2005 Ashes series win.

It was announced last week he has stepped down as coach of England Lions.

Sports

How to watch Guardians vs. Tigers: TV channel and streaming options for August 11

Published

5 minutes ago

August 11, 2026

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Aug. 11, 2026 11:13 am EDT Updated

The Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians square off in the first of a three-game series on Tuesday at Comerica Park, at 6:40 p.m. ET. Drew Anderson (4-4, 4.01 ERA) gets the start for the Tigers, who are 58-60 this season and third in the AL Central. Tanner Bibee (4-11, 3.85 ERA) is expected to start for the Guardians, who are 58-61 and fourth in the AL Central.

How to watch Cleveland Guardians vs. Detroit Tigers

Guardians vs. Tigers odds

Favorite Moneyline: Tigers -128
Underdog Moneyline: Guardians +105
Total: 8
Total Over Odds: -115
Total Under Odds: -105

Injury reports

Tigers

Kerry Carpenter: 10 Day IL (Heel), Matt Vierling: 10 Day IL (Adductor), Jack Flaherty: 15 Day IL (Flexor), Trey Sweeney: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Bailey Horn: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Parker Meadows: 60 Day IL (Head/arm), Burch Smith: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Reese Olson: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Will Vest: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Wenceel Perez: 60 Day IL (Face), Brant Hurter: 60 Day IL (Back), Justin Verlander: 60 Day IL (Hip)

Guardians

Slade Cecconi: 15 Day IL (Arm), Shawn Armstrong: 60 Day IL (Leg)

Stats to know

Detroit’s Kevin McGonigle has hit 12 home runs this season. He has also tallied 45 RBIs and has scored 76 runs. In 515 plate appearances, he has recorded a .286 BA, .390 OBP and .428 SLG with a 14.2% walk rate and a 13.6% strikeout rate. He has been effective on the base paths, recording 11 steals on 12 attempts.
In 462 plate appearances, Dillon Dingler is hitting .272/.337/.525 with a .862 OPS. He has hit 26 long balls (9th in MLB), driven in 80 runs (6th in MLB) and scored 64 times.
Cleveland’s Chase DeLauter is slashing .277/.354/.433 this season with 12 home runs, 56 RBIs and an OPS of .787. He has a 14.5% strikeout rate and an 11% walk rate in 429 plate appearances, and he has scored 46 total runs. DeLauter has recorded seven steals on nine attempts.
In 375 plate appearances, Jose Ramirez has posted a 12.3% strikeout rate and a 13.1% walk rate while slashing .238/.337/.388 with 10 home runs, 36 RBIs and 52 runs scored. He has stolen 29 bases on 31 attempts.

This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.

Betting/odds, ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.

Photo: Jamie Squire, Ishika Samant, Scott Taetsch, Alika Jenner / Getty Images

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Sports

Premier League transfers: Why are some fees undisclosed? Your questions answered

Published

12 minutes ago

August 11, 2026

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Question: What makes a homegrown player?

Answer: A homegrown player is a player who, regardless of their nationality or age, has been affiliated with any English or Welsh club for a period of three entire seasons or 36 months before their 21st birthday.

The same rules apply to players who have three seasons or 36 months as a registered player prior to the end of the season in which that player turns 21.

An example of this is Chelsea‘s Brazilian striker Joao Pedro. The 23-year-old, born in Sao Paulo, joined Watford in January 2020 aged 18.

The regulations differ to Uefa’s rules on homegrown players for its competitions. The qualifying period for a player only counts between the ages of 15 and 21, whereas the Premier League’s starting age is much younger.

Question: The homegrown rule works the opposite too, right? Eric Dier was not considered a homegrown player in the Spurs squad as he completed his education in Portugal. He is English, played for England and lived in England but was on the books as an overseas player. Mike, Bath

Answer: Correct, Mike. It is all to do with how much time a player has spent effectively doing their football education in England, rather than being about their birthplace.

In the case of Dier, who was listed as a non-homegrown player during his career, he spent less than the three years required at English clubs before turning 21.

A reverse example of this is Noni Madueke, who is homegrown but was at PSV Eindhoven between the ages of 16 and 20 before joining Chelsea. Because Madueke had spent around seven years playing academy football for Crystal Palace and then Tottenham Hotspur prior to moving to Eindhoven, he played enough years of academy football in England to be classed as homegrown.

Question: How does Jeremie Frimpong class as a homegrown player? Daniel, Derby

Answer: Despite being born in Amsterdam and playing internationally for the Netherlands, because Liverpool‘s Frimpong spent nine years in Manchester City‘s academy between 2010 and 2019, he is eligible to be a homegrown player.

More information on Premier League squad list rules is available here.

Sports

Colts GM: Alec Pierce did not receive second PRP injection post-surgery

Published

21 minutes ago

August 11, 2026

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Alec Pierce holds a football during a game.

Colts receiver Alec Pierce totaled 1,003 yards and six touchdowns on 47 catches last season. Trevor Ruszkowski / Imagn Images

Aug. 11, 2026 Updated 10:57 am EDT

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce did not receive a second platelet-rich plasma injection in his left ankle, general manager Chris Ballard said Tuesday morning ahead of a joint practice with the New England Patriots.

A league source who told The Athletic on Monday night that Pierce had received another PRP injection acknowledged Tuesday that they misspoke.

Ballard said Tuesday morning that Pierce has not undergone an operation since ankle surgery in March. Pierce received his first — and only — PRP injection in January, “which is normal,” Ballard said.

“(He was) trying to clear up some of the soreness (at the time),” the GM said. Ballard still anticipates Pierce will be ready to suit up for Indianapolis Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens.

The Colts signed Pierce to a four-year, $114 million contract in March, which is the richest free-agent receiver contract in NFL history. He is now the 15th-highest-paid wideout in the league based on annual salary.

Pierce is set to become the Colts’ No. 1 receiver this season, especially after the team traded veteran Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers in March. Pittman led the Colts in receptions in four of the past five seasons. Pierce, however, has emerged as one of the NFL’s top deep threats. He’s led the league in yards per reception in back-to-back seasons (22.3 in 2024 and 21.3 in 2025). Pierce also totaled 1,003 yards and six touchdowns on just 47 catches last year. He is only the third receiver in the last 30 years to reach 1,000 receiving yards in a single season on fewer than 50 catches, joining Mike Williams (2019) and DeSean Jackson (2010).

In other Colts injury news, rookie linebacker CJ Allen did not practice Tuesday in New England. Cornerback Charvarius Ward Sr. also was not at Tuesday’s practice due to “some back pain and irritation,” Ballard said. There is no timeline for his return.

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