Stokes defends preparations, Round 1 Fixtures, Champions League, ATP finals

England skipper Ben Stokes has defended his side’s decision to play just one warm-up game before the first Ashes Test on Friday week. The tourists take on their development side the England Lions, in a 3-day game at Lilac Hill from Thursday.

The NRL has released the round one fixture for 2026. The season begins on Sunday March one with the Las Vegas double-header – Bulldogs versus Dragons, then Knights v Cowboys. The Broncos begin their premiership defence against the Panthers the following Friday.

Back in Chelsea’s starting side for the first time since 2023, Sam Kerr scored a double in the Women’s Champions League. The Blues thrashed Austrian side St Polten 6-nil.

Australia’s Alex de Minaur crashed to his second straight defeat at the ATP Finals in Turin, falling in 3-sets to Lorenzo Musetti. De Minaur now needs to win his final group match against Taylor Fritz convincingly, to be any chance of sneaking into the semi-finals.

7NEWS Sport Headlines with Nick Markham for November 17, 2025.

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