snowboard

US snowboard star Kim stays on track for Olympic hat-trick

  • In the halfpipe, competitors perform a series of tricks while snowboarding down a slope with a semi-cylindrical shape.
  • US snowboard superstar Chloe Kim began her bid for a historic women's Olympic halfpipe hat-trick in style on Wednesday, dominating qualifying at Livigno Snow Park. 
  • In the halfpipe, competitors perform a series of tricks while snowboarding down a slope with a semi-cylindrical shape.
US snowboard superstar Chloe Kim began her bid for a historic women's Olympic halfpipe hat-trick in style on Wednesday, dominating qualifying at Livigno Snow Park. 
Kim, who had an injury-disrupted build-up to the Milan-Cortina Games, shot to the top of the qualifying times with a score of 90.25 on her first run.
Japan's Sara Shimizu, who won silver at last year's world championships, was second on the charts after posting 87.50 in the second of her two runs.
America's Maddie Mastro was in third spot with a score of 86.00, followed by another Japanese athlete, Rise Kudo (84.75).
Chinese veteran Liu Jiayu, the silver medallist at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, landed heavily towards the end of her second run, lying motionless on her back in the snow.
Officials raced towards her and she received lengthy medical treatment before being towed away on a stretcher, with her condition unknown.
Two-time defending champion Kim, 25, has dominated women's halfpipe since the 2022 Beijing Games, winning X Games gold in 2024 and 2025 and claiming her third world championship title last year.
But her build-up to the Games in Italy were badly disrupted by injury, including a dislocated shoulder last month while training in Switzerland.
Ester Ledecka, from the Czech Republic, and  Austria's Anna Gasser both blew their chances of becoming the first snowboarders in Olympic history to win three titles in a row earlier in the Milan-Cortina Games.
But Kim will be favourite to make history in Thursday's final.
In the halfpipe, competitors perform a series of tricks while snowboarding down a slope with a semi-cylindrical shape. They are scored on the breadth and difficulty of the jumps. 
The top 12 qualifiers advanced to the final based on their better run of their two runs.
jw/ea

Pr

Spurs sack Frank after miserable eight-month reign

  • Tottenham captain Cristian Romero described Spurs' predicament as a "disaster" following their 2-1 loss to London rivals West Ham last month but Frank insisted he had "the trust of everyone".
  • Tottenham Hotspur have sacked head coach Thomas Frank after less than eight months in charge following a 2-1 defeat at home to Newcastle on Tuesday, which left them a mere five points above the Premier League relegation zone. 
  • Tottenham captain Cristian Romero described Spurs' predicament as a "disaster" following their 2-1 loss to London rivals West Ham last month but Frank insisted he had "the trust of everyone".
Tottenham Hotspur have sacked head coach Thomas Frank after less than eight months in charge following a 2-1 defeat at home to Newcastle on Tuesday, which left them a mere five points above the Premier League relegation zone. 
The north London side are 16th in the table and without a win in their past eight Premier League games -- their worst such run since October 2008.
Spurs have won just two of their past 17 league matches and collected only 12 points in that time.
Frank, 52, replaced Ange Postecoglou, who was dismissed in June just over two weeks after leading Spurs to victory in the Europa League final.
The club hailed the former Brentford boss as "one of the most progressive and innovative head coaches within the game" when they announced the Dane's appointment on a three-year deal.
But a Tottenham statement issued on Wednesday said: "The club has taken the decision to make a change in the men's head coach position and Thomas Frank will leave today.
"Thomas was appointed in June 2025, and we have been determined to give him the time and support needed to build for the future together. 
"However, results and performances have led the board to conclude that a change at this point in the season is necessary."
The statement also thanked Frank for his "unwavering commitment" and whished him "every success" in the future.
Frank led Spurs to automatic qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League by finishing fourth in the group stage.
But that was offset by a Premier League record of seven wins, eight draws and 11 defeats this season, with Spurs also knocked out of both domestic cup competitions.
Tottenham captain Cristian Romero described Spurs' predicament as a "disaster" following their 2-1 loss to London rivals West Ham last month but Frank insisted he had "the trust of everyone".

Dour game plan

Frank spent seven years in charge of Brentford, guiding the club from the Championship to the Premier League in 2021 and keeping the west London side in the top division despite relatively meagre resources.
Spurs finished 17th last season but qualified for the Champions League after beating Manchester United in the Europa League final in Bilbao -- their first major trophy for 17 years.
Despite their struggles in the league under Postecoglou, the Australian's attacking style at least provided entertainment for long-suffering fans, in contrast to Frank's dour defensive game plan.
Frank said earlier this month that he shared the frustrations of supporters but he has also been hampered by a long list of injuries to creative players including James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Mohammed Kudus.
Although considered a member of the Premier League's "Big Six", Tottenham have not been crowned champions of England since winning the old First Division title in the 1960/61 season -- when they also did 'The Double' by lifting the FA Cup.
Frank is the seventh manager to part ways with a Premier League club this season.
jw-jdg/bc

Sports

South Africa pip Afghanistan in double super over T20 thriller

  • After South Africa bludgeoned 23 from their second super over and Afghanistan lost a wicket off the second ball of theirs, Rahmanullah Gurbaz was left needing four sixes off four balls for an unlikely victory. 
  • South Africa prevailed in a double super over thriller as Afghanistan came up agonisingly short of a famous victory after their T20 World Cup clash ended in a tie on Wednesday.
  • After South Africa bludgeoned 23 from their second super over and Afghanistan lost a wicket off the second ball of theirs, Rahmanullah Gurbaz was left needing four sixes off four balls for an unlikely victory. 
South Africa prevailed in a double super over thriller as Afghanistan came up agonisingly short of a famous victory after their T20 World Cup clash ended in a tie on Wednesday.
Afghanistan were 187 all out after South Africa scored 187-6 in the Group D encounter in Ahmedabad.
The teams were tied again after a breathless first super over saw them both score 18, before South Africa won off the final ball of a heart-thumping second sudden-death showdown.
After South Africa bludgeoned 23 from their second super over and Afghanistan lost a wicket off the second ball of theirs, Rahmanullah Gurbaz was left needing four sixes off four balls for an unlikely victory. 
Gurbaz sensationally launched Keshav Maharaj into the crowd three times with some huge blows.
A wide off the fifth ball meant Afghanistan still needed six to win but now a four would send it, incredibly, to a third super over.
With nerves jangling and pulses racing, the left-arm spinner held his nerve to bowl a wide yorker that Gurbaz smacked into the grateful hands of David Miller at point as he looked to hit a boundary.
Afghanistan -- semi-finalists in 2024 -- also lost to the group's other heavyweights, New Zealand, leaving their chances of advancing as one of the top two teams all but over.
"The boys did an amazing job, especially with the way they started with the bat," said Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan. 
"To restrict them under 190 was amazing.  So, so unlucky to be part of a losing team."
It was South Africa's second win. New Zealand have also won both their matches and are top of the group on net run rate.
"There's areas we can improve," said South Africa captain Aiden Markram. 
"Small little phases, and it adds up to a lot in this format. You need to win games like this." 
A few minutes earlier, after Gurbaz scored a brilliant 42-ball 84 in the chase, Afghanistan had needed 13 off the last over of the match to win with one wicket in hand.
After Kagiso Rabada bowled two no balls and a wide and Noor Ahmad hit a six, Afghanistan needed two to win off three balls.
But after Noor turned for the second run that would have won the match, Fazalhaq Farooqi was run out at the non-striker's end and the scores were tied.
South Africa pace bowler Lungi Ngidi was named player of the match after his 3-26 in four overs.
"I've lost so much weight today," said a smiling Ngidi. 
"Never been that stressed in my life in a cricket game. Happy to come out on the winning side."
Quinton de Kock (59) and Ryan Rickelton (61) were the mainstays of South Africa's innings as they put on 114 for the second wicket.
fk/dh

Pr

Frank sacked by Spurs after Newcastle defeat

  • "The club has taken the decision to make a change in the men's head coach position and Thomas Frank will leave today," said a Tottenham statement issued on Wednesday.
  • Tottenham Hotspur have sacked head coach Thomas Frank after less than eight months in charge following a 2-1 defeat at home to Newcastle on Tuesday which left them just five points above the Premier League relegation zone. 
  • "The club has taken the decision to make a change in the men's head coach position and Thomas Frank will leave today," said a Tottenham statement issued on Wednesday.
Tottenham Hotspur have sacked head coach Thomas Frank after less than eight months in charge following a 2-1 defeat at home to Newcastle on Tuesday which left them just five points above the Premier League relegation zone. 
The North London side are 16th in the table and without a win in their past eight Premier League games -- their worst such run since October 2008.
Spurs have won just two of their past 17 league matches and collected only 12 points in that time.
"The club has taken the decision to make a change in the men's head coach position and Thomas Frank will leave today," said a Tottenham statement issued on Wednesday.
"Thomas was appointed in June 2025, and we have been determined to give him the time and support needed to build for the future together. 
"However, results and performances have led the board to conclude that a change at this point in the season is necessary."
Frank, formerly in charge of London rivals Brentford, took over at Spurs in June after Ange Postecoglou was sacked.
He signed a contract until 2028 but was unable to improve the club's league form, despite strong results in European competition.
The Dane led Spurs to automatic qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League by finishing fourth in the group stage.
But that was offset by a Premier League record of seven wins, eight draws and 11 defeats this season.
"Throughout his time at the club, Thomas has conducted himself with unwavering commitment, giving everything in his efforts to move the club forward," Spurs added in their statement.
"We would like to thank him for his contribution and wish him every success in the future."
Tottenham are out of both domestic cup competitions, having been beaten by Newcastle in the fourth round of the League Cup in October and losing to Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round last month.
jdg/bc

Sports

De Zerbi leaves Marseille 'by mutual agreement'

  • De Zerbi took Marseille to second, behind PSG, in the league last season.
  • Coach Roberto De Zerbi has left Marseille "by mutual agreement", the French club said early on Wednesday, days after they were thrashed 5-0 by bitter rivals Paris Saint-Germain.
  • De Zerbi took Marseille to second, behind PSG, in the league last season.
Coach Roberto De Zerbi has left Marseille "by mutual agreement", the French club said early on Wednesday, days after they were thrashed 5-0 by bitter rivals Paris Saint-Germain.
The 46-year-old Italian, who had been in charge since the summer of 2024, has been linked with a return to the Premier League.
Marseille crashed out of the Champions League last month and were well beaten at PSG on Sunday to leave them fourth in Ligue 1.
After days of speculation about his future, a club statement read: "Following discussions between all stakeholders in the club's management -- the owner, president, director of football, and coach -- it was decided to make a change at the helm of the first team.
"This was a difficult collective decision, taken after careful consideration in the best interests of the club, in order to respond to the sporting challenges of the end of the season."
De Zerbi had taken training on Monday and Tuesday as normal but a source told AFP that following a meeting between him and club bosses, everyone agreed to part ways.
"A change of approach was necessary to ensure we reach our objectives at the end of the season, notably qualification for the Champions League," the source said.
De Zerbi took Marseille to second, behind PSG, in the league last season.
They got off to a good start this term, moving to the top of the league with a 6-2 win over Le Havre in mid-October.
At the end of November, following a 5-1 victory at Nice, they were second, only two points behind PSG.
But they have won just three of their last eight league matches and are 12 points behind the reigning champions and three behind Lyon in the last automatic Champions League qualification place -- fourth place would mean heading into a play-off to reach the league league phase.
Even more damaging, though, were the back-to-back 3-0 defeats -- at home to Liverpool and then away to Club Brugge -- to end their Champions League campaign.
They missed out on the knock-out stages on goal difference after Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin's last gasp goal against Real Madrid allowed the Portuguese side to leapfrog them in the table.
De Zerbi himself said a few weeks ago that he had "no explanation" for his side's inconsistent form.
"If I had the solution to this inconsistency, I would find it whatever the price," he said.
He arrived in southern France following a successful two-year stint at Premier League Brighton, where he took them to sixth in his first season.
Before that he coached the Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk.
Marseille have now gone through six full-time coaches in the last four years.
bur-pst/mjw/bc/pi

Sports

Australia captain Marsh out of World Cup opener, Steve Smith to fly in

  • "Mitchell Marsh will miss the opening match of the ICC men's T20 World Cup after sustaining a direct blow to the groin during training earlier this week," said Cricket  Australia in a statement. 
  • Australia captain Mitchell Marsh was ruled out of their opening T20 World Cup match against Ireland in Colombo on Wednesday after being struck in the groin during training, with Steve Smith jetting in as cover.
  • "Mitchell Marsh will miss the opening match of the ICC men's T20 World Cup after sustaining a direct blow to the groin during training earlier this week," said Cricket  Australia in a statement. 
Australia captain Mitchell Marsh was ruled out of their opening T20 World Cup match against Ireland in Colombo on Wednesday after being struck in the groin during training, with Steve Smith jetting in as cover.
Smith will fly to Sri Lanka as standby in case opener Marsh is unable to take any part in the tournament.
"Mitchell Marsh will miss the opening match of the ICC men's T20 World Cup after sustaining a direct blow to the groin during training earlier this week," said Cricket  Australia in a statement. 
"He is experiencing ongoing pain and discomfort which is restricting his movement. 
"Scans have confirmed internal testicular bleeding and he will require a period of rest and rehabilitation. 
"His return to play will be guided by symptom resolution and medical advice."
It is the latest injury blow to hit the Australia squad after leading pace bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood were forced out with injury.
The in-form Smith, one of Australia's most experienced and best players against spin, was controversially omitted from the squad despite his blistering Big Bash League form as an opening batsman.
Travis Head stood in for Marsh as Australia captain for Wednesday's game against Ireland. He won the toss and chose to bat.
dh/pst

Sports

Wembanyama scores 40 as Spurs rout Lakers, Pacers stun Knicks

  • He cooled off in the third quarter, but matched the 40 points he put up on opening night before sitting out the fourth period with the rest of the Spurs starters.
  • Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs ran roughshod over the injury-depleted Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, the French superstar matching his NBA season high with 40 points in a 136-108 rout.
  • He cooled off in the third quarter, but matched the 40 points he put up on opening night before sitting out the fourth period with the rest of the Spurs starters.
Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs ran roughshod over the injury-depleted Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, the French superstar matching his NBA season high with 40 points in a 136-108 rout.
Wembanyama, whose California swing will include a second All-Star Game appearance on Sunday, added 12 rebounds, two steals and a blocked shot, connecting on 13 of 20 attempts from the field in his 26 minutes of work.
The Lakers were without a raft of starters, with LeBron James and Luka Doncic sidelined along with Austin Reaves and Marcus Smart.
Doncic missed a third straight game with a hamstring strain. James sat out the second night of a back-to-back to manage foot arthritis. 
Wembanyama took full advantage, setting the tone with 25 points in just eight minutes on the floor in the first quarter.
He had 37 by halftime -- the most by any player in a first half this season -- when the Spurs led 84-55.
He cooled off in the third quarter, but matched the 40 points he put up on opening night before sitting out the fourth period with the rest of the Spurs starters.
The only down note for the Spurs was an injury to 2025 Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle, who took a hard fall under the basket in the second quarter and exited with a pelvic contusion.

Siakam shines

The Indiana Pacers, fueled by 30 points from Pascal Siakam, stunned the New York Knicks 137-134 in an overtime thriller at Madison Square Garden.
Eight Pacers players scored in double figures to bring home the win in a game that featured a season-high 39 lead changes.
Andrew Nembhard added 24 points and 10 rebounds and Quenton Jackson scored 19, including two game-sealing free-throws with 3.9 seconds left in overtime.
Jalen Brunson scored 40 points with five rebounds and eight assists for the Knicks. Josh Hart chipped in a triple-double of 15 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists.
Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns added 22 points apiece -- Towns drilling two free-throws to force overtime before fouling out in the extra session.

'Collective spirit'

The Pacers scored the first nine points in overtime before the Knicks staged a furious rally, cutting the deficit to one on a three-pointer from Brunson before Jackson closed it out at the line.
The Pacers have been a shadow of the team that beat the Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals last season with Tyrese Haliburton sidelined by the ruptured Achilles tendon he suffered in their NBA Finals loss to Oklahoma City.
But they snapped a four-game skid with just their fourth road win of the season, this one against a Knicks team that came in tied for the second most home wins in the league with 21.
"This was a really important game for us," said Pacers coach Rick Carlisle. "The season that we've had, this environment, the opponent -- our guys had a great collective spirit and collective will tonight."
In Houston, Kevin Durant scored 26 points to lead the Rockets to a 102-95 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Down by one at halftime, the Rockets took control in the third quarter. They led by six going into the fourth and quickly pushed the lead to 15 to cruise home.
bb/pst

Sports

China coach warns of 'gap' ahead of Women's Asian Cup title defence

  • "To be a national team coach of such a large country with a big population that's passionate is a massive challenge," he told the Asian Football Confederation website.
  • China coach Ante Milicic admits that the country has fallen far behind the top sides in women's football as the Asian nation attempts to pull off a surprise with back-to-back continental crowns.
  • "To be a national team coach of such a large country with a big population that's passionate is a massive challenge," he told the Asian Football Confederation website.
China coach Ante Milicic admits that the country has fallen far behind the top sides in women's football as the Asian nation attempts to pull off a surprise with back-to-back continental crowns.
The Women's Asian Cup kicks off on March 1 with Japan, North Korea and hosts Australia chief among the title contenders.
China are reigning champions and the most successful team in the history of the competition, but the days when they were among the world elite are long gone.
Results since lifting the trophy in India four years ago have been particularly disappointing.
They bowed out in the group stage of the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, failed to reach the Paris Olympics and were hammered 8-0 by England in November.
The Australian Milicic, who has been in charge since May 2024, said that recapturing China's glory days was "a big responsibility".
China are 17th in the FIFA rankings, having once been as high as four.
"To be a national team coach of such a large country with a big population that's passionate is a massive challenge," he told the Asian Football Confederation website.
Underlining the scale of the task facing China at the Asian Cup and beyond, the 51-year-old said: "The women's game is moving very quickly.
"There's more investment, more popularity, the levels have gone up higher. For countries like China, they have to keep up because the gap is there."
Women's football in Europe is particularly booming, which was laid bare by China's heavy beating to England at Wembley.
"China and few other countries in Asia need to concentrate and focus on building players for national teams to play at a higher level," said the former Australia boss.
"The development in Europe has gone to a different level now and that's clear for everyone to see when you follow football in that region."
China open their title defence against debutants Bangladesh on March 3.
Also in Group B are North Korea and Uzbekistan.
pst/abs

Stokes

England captain Stokes has surgery after being hit in face by ball

  • On Tuesday he posted again from hospital with a photo of his swollen face and the caption: "May not look like it but the surgery was a success."
  • England Test captain Ben Stokes says that he has undergone successful surgery after being struck in the face by a cricket ball.
  • On Tuesday he posted again from hospital with a photo of his swollen face and the caption: "May not look like it but the surgery was a success."
England Test captain Ben Stokes says that he has undergone successful surgery after being struck in the face by a cricket ball.
The 34-year-old all-rounder posted a picture on Instagram last week showing his eye heavily swollen and bruised, a graze on his cheek and lip, and a bandage stuffed in his nose.
"You should see the state of the cricket ball," read the caption, alongside a laughing face emoji.
On Tuesday he posted again from hospital with a photo of his swollen face and the caption: "May not look like it but the surgery was a success."
Stokes is back in England following a woeful Ashes tour, which ended with a 4-1 series loss to Australia.
Although he has made it clear he wants to continue to captain the red-ball side, his position remains uncertain and there is an England and Wales Cricket Board review.
Stokes is no longer a member of England's white-ball set-up and isn't at the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
He could next play for Durham in the early rounds of the County Championship before England begin their home Test season against New Zealand at Lord's on June 4 -- Stokes's 35th birthday.
pst/mjw

coach

Rennie, Joseph lead running to become next All Blacks coach

BY BEN STRANG

  • Joseph's six-year stint coincided with three years as Maori All Blacks coach, and led to an international move at the conclusion of his contract, coaching Japan from 2016 until 2023. 
  • New Zealand are scouring the options for a coach to take charge of the All Blacks after Scott Robertson's sacking midway through his four-year contract last month. 
  • Joseph's six-year stint coincided with three years as Maori All Blacks coach, and led to an international move at the conclusion of his contract, coaching Japan from 2016 until 2023. 
New Zealand are scouring the options for a coach to take charge of the All Blacks after Scott Robertson's sacking midway through his four-year contract last month. 
A five-person panel featuring New Zealand Rugby board chair and 1987 World Cup winner David Kirk and World Cup winning hookers Keven Mealamu and Dane Coles is combing through the candidates, with the focus on a coach with international experience. 
With the 2027 World Cup looming, AFP Sport looks at some of the top candidates.

Dave Rennie

The 62-year-old made his name coaching New Zealand provincial side Manawatu from 2006 until 2011, before leading the Waikato Chiefs to Super Rugby titles in 2012 and 2013, his first two years in charge. 
He led the New Zealand U20 team to three successive world titles from 2008, giving him an understanding of the inner workings at NZR. 
Rennie left the Chiefs in 2017 but with no opportunity to step into an All Blacks role he headed overseas, first to Glasgow Warriors and then Australia, taking over the Wallabies.
He was sacked before reaching the 2023 World Cup, replaced by Eddie Jones. He was most recently working in Japan club rugby.
Coaches working within NZR have told AFP that Rennie should be the top candidate, praising the work he did with the Wallabies with a weak player pool. 
Rennie is a hard-nosed but thoughtful coach adept at working with young players, and boasting the requisite international experience NZR seek. 
- Jamie Joseph - 
The 56-year-old Otago Highlanders coach led the unlikeliest of turnarounds in 2014 and 2015, taking New Zealand's least successful Super Rugby team to its first and only title.
Playing a counter-attacking style with smart kicking and territory play from Lima Sopoaga, the Highlanders out-thought their opponents to take home the 2015 Super Rugby trophy.
Joseph's six-year stint coincided with three years as Maori All Blacks coach, and led to an international move at the conclusion of his contract, coaching Japan from 2016 until 2023. 
He returned to New Zealand and the Highlanders in 2024, and took over as All Blacks XV coach in 2025.
NZR insiders told AFP the coaching race is between Rennie and Joseph, with their international experience and work within NZR making them favourites.
Having worked for NZR more recently could play in Joseph's favour. 
- Steve Hansen - 
With the All Blacks in turmoil, sacking their head coach for the first time in the professional era, two names immediately emerged as possible stop-gap measures to steady the ship ahead of the World Cup.
They were World Cup winning coaches Steve Hansen and Graham Henry. 
In Hansen there could be more to the rumours than hope. He led the All Blacks in 2012-2019, winning the 2015 World Cup in dominant fashion before falling at the semi-final stage to England in 2019.
Two NZR staff have told AFP there are real conversations about bringing Hansen back into the mix, most likely in an overarching role akin to a director of rugby.
The 66-year-old is highly respected by coaches and is believed to be able to work well with Rennie or Joseph.
His daughter, Whitney, is the new coach of the Black Ferns women's team.

Vern Cotter

Vern Cotter ticks many of the boxes, having taken a different path to many coaches in New Zealand.
The 64-year-old had minor roles in New Zealand at the start of the century, before becoming forwards coach for the Canterbury Crusaders.
It was in France, with Clermont, where Cotter really made his name as his side were perennial finalists and semi-finalists and won the Top 14 in 2010.
Cotter spent three successful years in charge of Scotland from 2014, then coached Fiji, before returning to New Zealand to coach the Auckland Blues in Super Rugby and winning the 2024 title. 
However, Cotter was last month announced as successor to the departing Les Kiss at the Queensland Reds, effectively ruling him out.
Cotter has already said the timing hasn't worked out. 
bes/pst

snowboard

Australian Olympic snowboarder airlifted to hospital with broken neck

  • Another snowboarder, Misaki Vaughan, is also out after failing a head injury assessment following a fall on Monday.
  • Australian snowboarder Cam Bolton was airlifted to hospital with two neck fractures following a fall in training and is out of the Winter Olympics.
  • Another snowboarder, Misaki Vaughan, is also out after failing a head injury assessment following a fall on Monday.
Australian snowboarder Cam Bolton was airlifted to hospital with two neck fractures following a fall in training and is out of the Winter Olympics.
The 35-year-old suffered the injury on Monday but complained of "worsening neck pain" the following day, the Australian Olympic Committee said.
A CT scan identified that his neck was broken in two places and he was put on a helicopter to Milan.
It is one of several injury blows to hit Australia at the Olympics in Italy.
Another snowboarder, Misaki Vaughan, is also out after failing a head injury assessment following a fall on Monday.
"My heart breaks on their behalf," Australia's chef de mission Alisa Camplin-Warner said.
"Unfortunately, with winter sport, injuries happen along the way," she said.
"With 53 athletes doing relatively high-risk sports, it's not something that's unusual, I'm afraid to say."
Australian former world champion Laura Peel also suffered a knee injury last week in training.
And fellow freestyle skier Daisy Thomas was ruled out of an event on Saturday after crashing during practice.
oho/pst

Global Edition

India look forward to Pakistan 'challenge' after T20 World Cup U-turn

BY FAISAL KAMAL

  • "We want strong teams to play so that the charm of the World Cup is not lost," he added.
  • India said Tuesday it would be "a challenge" to face a "quality" Pakistan team in Colombo after Islamabad U-turned and decided to play the blockbuster T20 World Cup clash.
  • "We want strong teams to play so that the charm of the World Cup is not lost," he added.
India said Tuesday it would be "a challenge" to face a "quality" Pakistan team in Colombo after Islamabad U-turned and decided to play the blockbuster T20 World Cup clash.
The Pakistan government late Monday ended a week-long stand-off by rescinding its order for the cricket team to boycott the February 15 match.
"It's great that the game is back on, we kind of never changed the preparation," said India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate.
India will face a second Group A match against Namibia on Thursday in New Delhi before flying to Sri Lanka.
It means a quick turnaround for Sunday's match, the biggest and most lucrative clash in world cricket.
"It's going to be a challenge going to Colombo where Pakistan have been for the last two weeks," added Ten Doeschate.
"We are delighted to have another chance to play against a quality side in the first phase of the tournament.
"We are fully focused on just bringing our best game to that fixture."
Pakistan warmed up for the clash in perfect fashion with a second win of the tournament in Colombo on Tuesday, by 32 runs against the USA.
Opener Sahibzada Farhan, who top scored with 73, said: "The match is on and we are in a confident mood."
The last time the teams met, at last year's T20 Asian Cup, India beat Pakistan three times on their way to lifting the trophy in Dubai. 
"This time it will be different and we will give a strong performance," said Farhan
"We lost all three matches including the final to India in the Asia Cup but they were not one-sided."
Pakistan's decision to go ahead with the match was hailed Tuesday as an outbreak of "good sense" and "good for cricket".
A frantic weekend of negotiations saw International Cricket Council (ICC) and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chiefs fly to Lahore on Sunday for talks with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
The governments of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka both wrote to the Islamabad government on Monday urging it to change its stance and allow the game to go ahead.

'Spirit of cricket'

After "multilateral discussions, as well as the request of friendly countries, the Government of Pakistan hereby directs the Pakistan National Cricket Team to take the field on February 15", the Islamabad government said on its official X account late Monday night.
The decision had been taken with the aim of "protecting the spirit of cricket", it added.
Former India cricketer Madan Lal told AFP on Tuesday that it was "good for cricket".
"We want strong teams to play so that the charm of the World Cup is not lost," he added.
Sri Lanka, who will host the match which generates multi-millions of dollars in advertising, broadcast rights, sponsorship and tourism, also praised the decision.
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in a social media post, thanked Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for "ensuring the game we all love goes on".
Veteran Indian journalist Pradeep Magazine told AFP "good sense has prevailed on all sides".
Financial considerations would have been taken into account, he added.
"Everyone realised that losing the revenue from an India–Pakistan match would have been a loss-loss situation for all ICC member nations."

Acrimonious build-up

The 20-team tournament has been overshadowed by an acrimonious political build-up.
Bangladesh, who refused to play in India citing security concerns, were replaced by Scotland.
As a protest, the Pakistan government ordered the team not to face co-hosts India in the Group A fixture.
Pakistan, who edged out Netherlands in the tournament opener on Saturday, would have conceded two points if they had forfeited the match.
Pakistan will play all their T20 World Cup matches in Sri Lanka as part of an International Cricket Council deal that ensures the two nations only meet on neutral territory.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav said on Friday before their opening win against the USA that his team would travel to Colombo for the clash, whether the game was on or not.
"We haven't said no to playing them," Suryakumar said. "Our flights are booked and we are going to Colombo."
sai/fk/dh

Global Edition

Shiffrin flops at Winter Olympics as helmet row grows

BY GUY JACKSON

  • - Helmet row - Away from the ski slopes, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) banned Ukrainian skeleton racer Heraskevych from wearing a helmet that features pictures of sportspeople killed since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, but has allowed him to wear a black armband instead.
  • US ski star Mikaela Shiffrin suffered more Winter Olympic heartbreak on Tuesday as Ukrainian athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych vowed to continue wearing a banned helmet depicting victims of the war with Russia. 
  • - Helmet row - Away from the ski slopes, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) banned Ukrainian skeleton racer Heraskevych from wearing a helmet that features pictures of sportspeople killed since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, but has allowed him to wear a black armband instead.
US ski star Mikaela Shiffrin suffered more Winter Olympic heartbreak on Tuesday as Ukrainian athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych vowed to continue wearing a banned helmet depicting victims of the war with Russia. 
On the ice in Milan, US figure-skating sensation Ilia Malinin further burnished his growing reputation as he closed in on a second gold medal in his debut Games.
America's top team of Shiffrin and individual downhill champion Breezy Johnson were firm favourites to win the women's team combined event in Cortina d'Ampezzo after Johnson topped the times in the morning's downhill run.
But Shiffrin stuttered through the slalom -- her specialist event -- and the US pair finished in a disappointing fourth place, with Austrians Ariane Raedler and Katharina Huber claiming gold.
Defeat will sting for 30-year-old Shiffrin, who is the most successful World Cup skier of all time and came into the Games in red-hot form.
The two-time Olympic gold medallist had a point to prove after a disastrous showing at the 2022 Beijing Games, where she failed to win a single medal.
But Shiffrin was a full second slower than Emma Aicher, whose session-leading time of 44.38sec gave Germany silver while another US pairing, Jacqueline Wiles and Paula Moltzan, took bronze.
The American said she would learn from her disappointing run, which cranks up the pressure ahead of next week's slalom, the final alpine skiing event of the Games.
"I didn't quite find a comfort level that like allows me to produce full speed, so I'm going to have to learn what to do, what to adjust in the short time we have before the other tech races," she said.
Shiffrin's poor performance denied Johnson a second gold of the Games after she triumphed in the downhill on Sunday, when Lindsey Vonn suffered a broken leg in a brutal crash.
Vonn, 41, who had been expected to share star billing with Shiffrin at the Milan-Cortina Games, revealed on Monday she had suffered a "complex tibia fracture" when she crashed in the downhill and would need "multiple surgeries to fix properly".

Helmet row

Away from the ski slopes, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) banned Ukrainian skeleton racer Heraskevych from wearing a helmet that features pictures of sportspeople killed since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, but has allowed him to wear a black armband instead.
IOC spokesperson Mark Adams said the headwear contravened guidelines but that the IOC would "make an exception to the guidelines to allow him to wear a black armband during competition to make that commemoration".
Gestures of a political nature during competition are forbidden under the Olympic charter, though athletes are permitted to express their views in press conferences and on social media. 
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had defended Heraskevych's right to wear the helmet, thanking him "for reminding the world of the price of our struggle".
And the athlete, who was one of Ukraine's two flag bearers in the opening ceremony in Italy, told reporters at the Cortina Sliding Centre that he had no intention of backing down.
"I used it in all trainings... I used it today, I will use it tomorrow, and I will use it on race day (Thursday)," he told reporters.
Heraskevych said he disagreed with the IOC's decision "because I truly believe that we didn't violate any rules".
In a strongly worded Instagram post he said: "Even though the IOC wants to betray the memory of these athletes, I will not betray them."
Ukrainian Sports Minister Matviy Bidnyi told AFP this month that Russia has killed "more than 650 athletes and coaches" since it invaded Ukraine, according to the latest data.
In late-evening action, figure skater Malinin, unbeaten in individual competition for two years, performed his trademark backflip to top the standings in the short programme of the singles competition, delighting the crowd.
The 21-year-old, with the team title already under his belt, is well placed to win gold after Friday's free skating section.
Earlier Tuesday, Norwegian cross-country skier Johannes Klaebo added a seventh Olympic gold to his career haul as Norway stayed top of the medals table with six golds.
In the Olympic women's ice hockey preliminary round, the United States hammered reigning champions Canada 5-0.
jw/bsp 

Pr

Chelsea's draw with Leeds 'bitter pill' for Rosenior

  • We don't stay calm.
  • Liam Rosenior said Chelsea's failure to stay calm under pressure was a "bitter pill" as they blew a two-goal advantage in their 2-2 draw with Leeds on Tuesday.
  • We don't stay calm.
Liam Rosenior said Chelsea's failure to stay calm under pressure was a "bitter pill" as they blew a two-goal advantage in their 2-2 draw with Leeds on Tuesday.
Rosenior's side were on course for a fifth successive Premier League victory thanks to Joao Pedro's opener and Cole Palmer's penalty.
But Chelsea collapsed in the closing stages at Stamford Bridge, with Lukas Nmecha's penalty giving Leeds a lifeline before Noah Okafor tapped in the equaliser.
The fifth-placed Blues' collapse cost them the chance to move above Manchester United into fourth place, leaving Rosenior to rue their careless defending.
"Two key moments in the game that we don't take care of. We don't stay calm. How the play gets there, we make a few poor decisions in the way we press and we give away a penalty," he said.
"I can't remember Leeds having a shot or a moment in the game. Some of our football in possession, our press and our energy was everything I wanted to see.
"That makes it even more of a bitter pill to swallow that we haven't won the game."
Leeds' equaliser owed as much to Jayden Bogle's tenacity in outmuscling Chelsea's defence as it did to the Blues' own hesitancy in dealing with the danger, though Rosenior believed his team should have had a free-kick.
"The lad handballs it," he said. "It affects my players in that moment. They think it's a handball, they switch off, we don't clear the ball and they score. Then for 25 minutes it was wave after wave of attack."
Rosenior has made an encouraging start to his reign since arriving from Strasbourg to replace Enzo Maresca in January.
But alongside their League Cup semi-final exit to Arsenal, this was another sign that the former Hull boss still has much to work on.
"We have to make sure we take care of moments and be professional," Rosenior said. 
"It's not about reacting to setbacks. You're always going to have a spell in the game when you're not on top. 
"The ridiculous thing for us is that they've managed to score two goals in a five-minute period when for the other 90 minutes we were by far the better team."
smg/bsp 

Pr

West Ham end Man Utd's winning run, Spurs sink to 16th

  • Everton's hopes of European football for the first time since 2017 were dealt a bodyblow after Bournemouth came from behind to win 2-1 at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
  • Benjamin Sesko salvaged a 1-1 draw for Manchester United at West Ham as Michael Carrick's perfect start came to an end on Tuesday, while Tottenham's 2-1 defeat to Newcastle pushed Thomas Frank closer to the exit door.
  • Everton's hopes of European football for the first time since 2017 were dealt a bodyblow after Bournemouth came from behind to win 2-1 at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Benjamin Sesko salvaged a 1-1 draw for Manchester United at West Ham as Michael Carrick's perfect start came to an end on Tuesday, while Tottenham's 2-1 defeat to Newcastle pushed Thomas Frank closer to the exit door.
The Hammers kept one United fan who has vowed not to cut his hair until the Red Devils win five consecutive games waiting as they boosted their chances of survival despite the setback of Sesko's stoppage time strike.
The manner of United's impressive four consecutive wins since Carrick took charge had seen calls for the former midfielder, who has been appointed until the end of the season, to be handed the job on a more permanent basis.
But Nuno Espirito Santo's men disrupted the attacking flow that Carrick's side had shown in putting Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham to the sword in recent weeks.
Tomas Soucek converted Jarrod Bowen's cross early in the second half to give the home side the lead.
But West Ham were denied a priceless win at the death when Sesko brilliantly flicked in Bryan Mbeumo's cross.
"We were definitely not at our best," said Carrick.
"We didn't have that sharpness to find the answers. Great spirit again and we will take the point and move on."
United remain in fourth after fifth-placed Chelsea blew a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 at home to Leeds.

Frank met with fan fury

West Ham moved to within two points of safety with Spurs now just five points above the relegation zone in 16th.
Frank was met with chants of "you're getting sacked in the morning" by the disgruntled Spurs supporters after failing to win for the 11th time in 13 home league games this season.
"We understand we are not in a top position and we need to do everything we can to get out," said Frank.
"I understand the frustration and the easiest thing is to point at me. That's part of the job unfortunately."
Malick Thiaw gave Newcastle the half-time lead their dominance deserved when he slotted home in first half stoppage time.
Archie Gray briefly levelled for Tottenham after the break, but Jacob Ramsey quickly restored Newcastle's lead as they secured just a third away league win of the campaign.
Chelsea's charge towards Champions League qualification stalled after Leeds fought back at Stamford Bridge.
Joao Pedro's opener and a Cole Palmer penalty had the Blues on course for a fifth consecutive league win since Liam Rosenior took charge.
However, Moises Caicedo's rash challenge on Jayden Bogle gave Lukas Nmecha the chance to give Leeds life from the penalty spot.
Noah Okafor then stroked home an equaliser after a goalmouth scramble to further edge Leeds clear of the relegation zone.
"We gifted Leeds a point," said a frustrated Rosenior. 
"If we want to improve and get to where we want to be, we have to make sure we're switched on for 90 minutes. It's as simple as that."
Rosenior was left with his head in his hands after Palmer missed an open goal to win the game deep in stoppage time.
Everton's hopes of European football for the first time since 2017 were dealt a bodyblow after Bournemouth came from behind to win 2-1 at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Rayan and Amine Adli struck for the Cherries, who move level on points with eighth-placed Everton.
kca/bsp 

fskate

'On autopilot': US skate star Malinin nears more Olympic gold

BY EMMELINE MOORE

  • "So coming to this short programme and individual event, I wanted to take things a little more slowly, a little more calm and just let, honestly just push the autopilot button and see what happens."
  • US figure skating star Ilia Malinin warned he was "on autopilot" after seizing the lead after the men's singles short programme at the Winter Olympics on Tuesday to stay on track for a second gold in his debut Games.
  • "So coming to this short programme and individual event, I wanted to take things a little more slowly, a little more calm and just let, honestly just push the autopilot button and see what happens."
US figure skating star Ilia Malinin warned he was "on autopilot" after seizing the lead after the men's singles short programme at the Winter Olympics on Tuesday to stay on track for a second gold in his debut Games.
The 21-year-old produced a stunning performance while competing to a medley from "The Lost Crown" video game, scoring 108.16 points to put him in pole position going into Friday's free skating final.
Victory would give him a first individual Olympic title after he helped seal team gold for the United States on Sunday at Milano Ice Skating Arena.
The two-time world champion leads Japan's Yuma Kagiyama by a comfortable 5.09 points (103.07), with France's Adam Siao Him Fa in third place on 102.55.
"I definitely took a different approach being in the team event," said Malinin, who had trailed Kagiyama in the short programme in that event.
"I think I had too much, I'll call it Olympic excitement, so I really just felt like there's so much pressure and I was like so hyped up, so excited to skate out there and it really just came back and bit me.
"So coming to this short programme and individual event, I wanted to take things a little more slowly, a little more calm and just let, honestly just push the autopilot button and see what happens."
Malinin, who is unbeaten in more than two years, pulled out two quadruple jumps and a triple axel during an assured performance.
An acrobatic closing section featuring a backflip, aerial twist and a one-armed cartwheel captivated the crowd, who cheered wildly.
"I definitely was having fun and I was so excited for it," said Malinin, the self-styled 'Quad God' for his ability to land all the four-rotation jumps.
Malinin's programme originally listed the quad axel, but in the end he did not attempt to become the first person to land it in Olympic competition.
"That was still kind of my lazy part of me just forgetting to change the planned elements," he told journalists, "but you know... it's not the end of it, so we'll see in the future, of course."
Skating after Malinin, 22-year-old Kagiyama was distracted by the deafening cheers for his rival, failing to reproduce the form that overhauled his rival days ago.
The Olympic singles silver medallist from Beijing hit two quadruple jumps in his routine to a remix of "I Wish" but stumbled on his triple axel.
"While I was waiting, I could hear the cheers for Ilia," the four-time world medallist said. 
"It didn't really make me nervous, but I was even more convinced that I have to enjoy this performance. 
"I was not happy with my axel."
Siao Him Fa earned a personal-best score for his clean skate, a tribute to Leonardo da Vinci, that included two quadruple jumps as he bids to put France back on the men's Olympic podium for the first time since Philippe Candeloro won bronze in 1998.
ea/mw

Pr

Carrick frustrated by Man Utd's lack of sharpness in West Ham draw

  • United's late escape left West Ham stuck in the relegation zone.
  • Michael Carrick admitted he was frustrated by Manchester United's lack of cutting edge in their 1-1 draw at lowly West Ham on Tuesday.
  • United's late escape left West Ham stuck in the relegation zone.
Michael Carrick admitted he was frustrated by Manchester United's lack of cutting edge in their 1-1 draw at lowly West Ham on Tuesday.
Carrick's side were well below their best for long periods in east London and trailed to Tomas Soucek's 50th minute strike.
United needed Benjamin Sesko's equaliser deep into stoppage-time to avoid the first defeat of Carrick's five-match reign as interim manager.
Although United retained fourth place in the Premier League thanks to Sesko's dramatic leveller, Carrick conceded there was a lack of cohesive play in the final third from his team. 
"I think we were a little disappointed and we were definitely not at our best. It's times like that when you find a way and move on. I'm a little frustrated at that," he said.
"It is a tough place to come and we didn't have that sharpness to find the answers. Great spirit again and we will take the point and move on.
"For where we are and being together for a short space of time, in the end we have to take a point. 
"It didn't come easy and we found a way. We will take some positives from it."
Sesko's fifth goal in his last six games maintained his recent improvement after a woeful start to his first season at United following his move from Leipzig.
"Fantastic finish. He has done it again. It is important. It is a great finish. Delighted for him. Another big goal and a good step," Carrick said.
United's late escape left West Ham stuck in the relegation zone.
Carrick hopes his former club can eventually climb away from the bottom three.
"I would love them to stay up," he said. "It was a big part of my life and I have great memories here so hopefully they stay up."
smg/bsp 

Pr

Frank confident of keeping Spurs job despite Newcastle defeat

  • Frank explained that he spoke with the club's hierarchy on Monday and does not expect the situation to change before the north London derby.
  • Tottenham boss Thomas Frank believes he will retain the support of the club's owners despite more calls for the Dane to be sacked after a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle on Tuesday.
  • Frank explained that he spoke with the club's hierarchy on Monday and does not expect the situation to change before the north London derby.
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank believes he will retain the support of the club's owners despite more calls for the Dane to be sacked after a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle on Tuesday.
Spurs slipped to 16th in the Premier League, just five points above the relegation zone with 12 games remaining.
They are not in action again for 12 more days until they host local rivals and league leaders Arsenal.
Frank explained that he spoke with the club's hierarchy on Monday and does not expect the situation to change before the north London derby.
"We understand we are not in a top position and we need to do everything we can to get out," said the former Brentford boss.
"I understand the frustration and the easiest thing is to point at me. That's part of the job unfortunately.
"I will work day and night to turn this around but it is not just one person. There is no doubt we need to improve and I need to be part of that."
Spurs have won just two of their 13 home league games this season and face a tough run in with trips to Champions League-chasing Liverpool, Aston Villa and Chelsea still to come.
kca/mw

Lakers

James's All-NBA streak ends as Lakers rule superstar out of Spurs clash

  • But after Monday's loss to the NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder James was blunt in his assessment of Los Angeles' shortcomings, and he didn't use injuries as an excuse.
  • LeBron James is among a hefty list of injury absences for the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, ensuring that one of the NBA superstar's incredible career streaks will come to an end.
  • But after Monday's loss to the NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder James was blunt in his assessment of Los Angeles' shortcomings, and he didn't use injuries as an excuse.
LeBron James is among a hefty list of injury absences for the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, ensuring that one of the NBA superstar's incredible career streaks will come to an end.
James, 41, was ruled out of Tuesday's clash with Victor Wembanyama's San Antonio Spurs with left foot arthritis.
The injury management strategy on the second night of a back-to-back means James will miss his 18th game of the season and won't be eligible for season awards, bringing to an end his record 21-year run of earning selection to at least one of the three All-NBA teams.
James last failed to make an All-NBA squad in 2003-04, his rookie season with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
He'll be joined on the sidelines by teammates Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Marcus Smart.
Doncic will miss his third straight game with a hamstring strain, Reaves, will sit out the second night of a back-to-back as the team manages the calf injury that sidelined him for 19 games, and Smart is out with a sore right ankle.
Injuries have been a key factor as the Lakers struggled for consistency this season.
But after Monday's loss to the NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder James was blunt in his assessment of Los Angeles' shortcomings, and he didn't use injuries as an excuse.
"You want me to compare us to them," he said. "That's a championship team right there. We're not.
"We can't sustain energy and effort for 48 minutes, and they can. That's why they won a championship."
James scored 14 of his 22 points in the second half on Monday, but after 35-plus minutes on court he admitted he was feeling the strain.
"I'm tired," he told reporters after the Lakers saw a three-game winning streak end.
bb/rcw

Pr

Man Utd's Sesko strikes late to rescue West Ham draw

BY STEVEN GRIFFITHS

  • However, there was a sting in the tale for West Ham as Sesko levelled with just seconds left.
  • Benjamin Sesko saved Michael Carrick's unbeaten start as Manchester United interim manager with a last-gasp equaliser in Tuesday's 1-1 draw against struggling West Ham.
  • However, there was a sting in the tale for West Ham as Sesko levelled with just seconds left.
Benjamin Sesko saved Michael Carrick's unbeaten start as Manchester United interim manager with a last-gasp equaliser in Tuesday's 1-1 draw against struggling West Ham.
Trailing to Tomas Soucek's second half goal at the London Stadium, Carrick was seconds away from his first defeat in five matches before Sesko struck at the death.
Carrick had revitalised United with wins over Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham and Tottenham since replacing the sacked Ruben Amorim.
The former United midfielder is only in charge until the end of the season, but his flying start has seen him tipped to win the job on a permanent basis.
This disjointed display was the least impressive of his brief reign, but Carrick will take heart from the way his players refused to accept defeat.
United held onto fourth place in the Premier League, one point ahead of fifth-placed Chelsea in the race to qualify for the Champions League.
Third-bottom West Ham's failure to hold onto the lead left them two points behind fourth-bottom Nottingham Forest in the relegation battle.
Forest play their game in hand against bottom of the table Wolves on Wednesday.
United fan Frank Ilett was denied his long-awaited haircut by the draw.
Ilett has racked up more than two million social media followers since pledging in October 2024 to grow his hair until United secured five victories in a row.
Now he will have to hope United embark on another winning streak before he can get the scissors out.
West Ham forward Crysencio Summerville had five goals in his previous five games and he almost made it six with a stinging strike that Senne Lammens pushed away at full stretch.
United struggled to find any rhythm for long periods of the first half.
They created a rare threat from Bruno Fernandes' corner, with Luke Shaw's close-range effort cleared off the line by Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
United's forwards were starved of service and when Amad Diallo had a sight of goal, he fired into the side-netting from an acute angle just before the interval.
Carrick's men paid for their lethargy five minutes into the second half.
Unable to trap West Ham with a high press, United were caught flat-footed by an incisive break.
Soucek picked out Jarrod Bowen on the right flank and made a perfectly timed run to meet the England forward's low cross with a flicked finish from five yards.
It was a sloppy goal to concede, with Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo both guilty of slow reactions as the move gathered steam.
United were denied a 63rd minute equaliser after Casemiro's header was ruled out for offside following a VAR review.
Carrick's side dominated the closing stages but it appeared their final chance had gone when Joshua Zirkzee headed inches wide from close-range in stoppage-time.
However, there was a sting in the tale for West Ham as Sesko levelled with just seconds left.
Bryan Mbeumo swung in a teasing cross and Sesko deftly guided his finish past West Ham keeper Mads Hermansen from 10 yards.
smg/bsp