Latest news with #Ecclestone
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Dunkley top pick in WBBL as Ecclestone leaves Sixers
Batter Sophia Dunkley was the top pick in the Women's Big Bash draft as Sydney Sixers opted not to retain her England team-mate Sophie the first pick in the draft the Sixers could have resigned spinner Ecclestone, who has been at the franchise since 2022 and until recently the number one bowler in the T20 rankings, but opted to prioritise their batting in signing was left out of England's squad to play West Indies last month and later said she would take a short break from domestic cricket to "prioritise her wellbeing" and recover from injury. The 26-year-old, who will return to England duty for the series against India which starts later this month, was subsequently signed by Adelaide Strikers, who also opted for England batter Tammy Melbourne Stars picked England wicketkeeper Amy Jones, batter Paige Scholfield was signed to play in the tournament for the first time by Perth Scorchers while Hobart Hurricanes picked up spinner Linsey Smith, who impressed for England in Ecclestone's absence against West skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt had already been pre-signed by the Hurricanes in the hours leading up to the draft. The Tasmanian outfit also used their right to retain England opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge, likewise Sydney Thunder with former England skipper Heather all-rounder Dani Gibson has moved to Melbourne Stars and Alice Capsey will return to Melbourne Indies captain Hayley Matthews had been pre-signed by Melbourne Renegades but it was announced on Thursday that she will miss the tournament to have shoulder surgery. WBBL draft picks in full:Adelaide Strikers: Sophie Ecclestone (England), Laura Wolvaardt* (South Africa), Tammy Beaumont (England)Brisbane Heat: Jemimah Rodrigues (India), Chinelle Henry (West Indies), Nadine de Klerk* (South Africa)Hobart Hurricanes: Danni Wyatt-Hodge (England), Nat Sciver-Brunt* (England), Linsey Smith (England)Melbourne Renegades: Deandra Dottin (West Indies), Alice Capsey (England)Melbourne Stars: Amy Jones (England), Marizanne Kapp* (South Africa), Dani Gibson (England)Perth Scorchers: Sophie Devine* (New Zealand), Paige Scholfield (England), Chloe Tryon (South Africa)Sydney Sixers: Sophia Dunkley (England), Amelia Kerr* (New Zealand), Mady Villiers (England)Sydney Thunder: Heather Knight (England), Chamari Athapaththu* (Sri Lanka), Shabnim Ismail (South Africa)*indicates player was pre-signed before draft
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
The rage of war has placed these military metals in high demand
Metals used in munitions and military technology are in the spotlight as war rages in the Middle East and Ukraine Tungsten, tin, antimony, rare earths and beryllium among the key commodities to follow These ASX stocks are moving to stake out a position in critical minerals markets The rise of fresh tensions in the Middle East has put the spotlight on the minerals needed for military operations. The wars in Ukraine and Gaza continue to rage, and even escalate, while the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Iran is leading to fears of a much larger regional, or even global, conflict. While the first few days of the conflict have boosted the price of oil, it's also a sad fact that military operations are metals intensive. Even without an additional conflict, US President Donald Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' will see the country's defence spending hit US$1 trillion next year for the first time. In a recent presentation in Toronto, Hallgarten + Company analyst Christopher Ecclestone noted that most of the combatants in World War I and, to a lesser extent, World War II, had all the metals and minerals they needed domestically – which is not the case today. He also pointed out that war materials are exceedingly high-tech, both in composition and metal inputs, adding that rare earths 'weren't a thing' in WWII. While loads of different metals, including aluminium and titanium, are needed for defence applications, Ecclestone listed the 'headline' military metals as tungsten, antimony, rare earths, tin and beryllium. While there aren't any options on the ASX for beryllium, we have a look at some of the juniors with near-term production potential in the other four metals. Tungsten Vancouver-based investment firm Mission Critical Metals, of which Ecclestone is also CEO, describes tungsten as the key military metal, due to its use in making bulletproof vehicles, armoured tanks, armour-piercing rounds, high-speed cutting tools, and rocket and aircraft parts. Mission says that given the turnaround in the tungsten price is relatively recent, the space is yet to attract many new players. Outside of the ASX's two listed tungsten producers, Almonty Industries (ASX:AII) and EQ Resources (ASX:EQR), there are a couple of other hopefuls. Tungsten Mining (ASX:TGN) is considering an early production pathway for its Hatches Creek project in the Northern Territory. Last month, the company reported a maiden inferred resource of 12 million tonnes at 0.17% tungsten trioxide, which will feed into a scoping study. Preliminary metallurgical studies have successfully produced a tungsten concentrate grading at 50% tungsten trioxide. Meanwhile, Rumble Resources (ASX:RTR) discovered a tungsten sweetener at its Western Queen gold project in Western Australia last year. High-grade tungsten mineralisation remains open in all directions with a maiden resource to be reported in the September quarter. The company will then complete metallurgical testwork to determine the quantum of the tungsten revenue stream and incorporate it into the Western Queen South mining schedule. Antimony Antimony is used in military applications including fighter jets, military primers, night vision goggles, lasers, military detonators and military smoke agents. There's been an explosion of ASX companies seeking exposure to antimony due to a price surge driven by shortages. Larvotto Resources (ASX:LRV) is one of the more advanced companies globally, with its Hillgrove project in New South Wales due to start production next year. Nearby, Trigg Minerals' (ASX:TMG) Achilles project contains the Wild Cattle Creek deposit, with a resource of 1.52Mt at 1.97% antimony containing 29,902 tonnes of antimony, which the company says makes it Australia's highest grade primary antimony resource. Trigg also recently boosted it antimony portfolio with the addition of the Antimony Canyon project in Utah, which has a non-JORC resource of 12.7Mt at 0.79% antimony for 100,300t of contained antimony. Felix Gold (ASX:FXG) could be in production the soonest from its Treasure Island project in Alaska. The company is working towards small-scale antimony production by the end of this year from the Scrafford deposit, which previously produced up to 58% antimony. Also in Alaska, Nova Minerals (ASX:NVA) has applied to the US Department of Defense (DoD) for funding to potentially fast track antimony production from its Stibium deposit. Larvotto and Trigg have also reported tungsten resources, while Resolution's new project also has tungsten potential. Rare Earths Rare earths are essential to the defence sector, making the development of new supply chains a matter of national security for countries including the US. Neodymium and praseodymium permanent magnets are used in F-35 fighter jets and unmanned aerial vehicles, while lanthanum is used in night vision goggles and terbium is used in naval sonar systems. Shares in Dateline Resources (ASX:DTR) have exploded recently after Trump tweeted his support for the Colosseum rare earths project in California. Last week, Dateline confirmed further public support from members of the Trump Administration, including Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. Locksley Resources (ASX:LKY) is a more recent entrant to the space, but its Mojave project in California sits right next to the US' only operating rare earths mine, MP Materials' Mountain Pass, and is also prospective for antimony. This week, Locksley Resources launched strategic collaboration initiatives, targeting engagement with US agencies, national laboratories, US universities and downstream technology partners. In Australia, Victory Metals (ASX:VTM) recently received a letter of interest from the Export-Import Bank of the United States for up to US$190 million in project financing for the development of the North Stanmore heavy rare earths project in WA. The project is set to produce both heavy and light rare earths, as well as gallium and scandium as by-products. VHM (ASX:VHM) is targeting rare earths and mineral sands production from its Goschen project in Victoria in late 2026 after receiving a mining license for the project recently. The company is working towards a final investment decision in the December half. Tin According to the DoD, tin is used in many defence applications, such as soldering to enable electrical connections in semiconductors, high-end capacitors, and other electronic components in nearly all military hardware. There's not a lot of tin exposure on the ASX outside of long-time producer Metals X (ASX:MLX). Metals X-backed Elementos (ASX:ELT) could be next in line after releasing a definitive feasibility study for its Oropesa project in Spain in April. The company is now working on permitting and financing ahead of a making a final investment decision. Stellar Resources (ASX:SRZ) says its Heemskirk tin project in Tasmania has the potential to be a global top 10 producer. A prefeasibility study is due in the second half of this year, with the company expected to move straight into a DFS. Sky Metals (ASX:SKY) holds the advanced Tallebung project in NSW, a historical tin producer. The company is advancing a bulk sample metallurgical program to optimise the process flowsheet and produce marketable tin concentrates ahead of offtake marketing. Earlier stage explorers include Brazilian focused Australian Mines (ASX:AUZ) and Perpetual Resources (ASX:PEC), who are trying to find new deposit in a waning tin power which almost 40 years ago supplied 22% of the world's primary tin.
Rhyl Journal
7 days ago
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Sophie Ecclestone recalled by England for T20 series with India
Ecclestone missed the opening stages of Edwards' reign due to a knee injury and announced last week that she was taking a break from domestic cricket with Lancashire to 'prioritise her well-being' and manage a sore quad. But the plan was always for the team's most highly-rated bowler to return for the five-match series against India and the slow left-armer takes here place in a 14-strong squad. Did someone say squad announcement? 👀 Our T20 squad has just dropped for our India series 👇 — England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 13, 2025 Ecclestone's comeback means no room for leg-spinner Sarah Glenn, who drops out after featuring in just one of the three T20s against the West Indies. 'It's great to have Soph back, and we're looking forward to having her back in the group. She has obvious qualities and she'll be an asset to us,' said Edwards. 'It does mean Sarah Glenn misses out, we are blessed with a strong group of spinners and we unfortunately can't play them all. It's now a great opportunity for Sarah to go back to The Blaze and play some competitive cricket in the Vitality Blast.' Em Arlott and Issy Wong are included again after coming in for Edwards' first series but the team must once again do without former captain Heather Knight, whose hamstring problems have already ended her summer. Reflecting on the challenge of taking on a strong India team who sit third to England's second in the International Cricket Council rankings, Edwards added: 'They're one of the best sides in the world and it'll be a huge test for us. 'There was lots to be happy about in the West Indies series but equally lots of things we want to keep improving on – we're always looking at getting better. Five games against India in front of big crowds at great venues will serve us really well. This is a significant series for us with the countdown well and truly underway towards the home ICC Women's T20 World Cup.' England Women's squad for Vitality T20 series against India: E Arlott, T Beaumont, L Bell, A Capsey, C Dean, S Dunkley, S Ecclestone, L Filer, A Jones, N Sciver-Brunt (c), P Schofield, L Smith, D Wyatt-Hodge, I Wong.
South Wales Guardian
7 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Sophie Ecclestone recalled by England for T20 series with India
Ecclestone missed the opening stages of Edwards' reign due to a knee injury and announced last week that she was taking a break from domestic cricket with Lancashire to 'prioritise her well-being' and manage a sore quad. But the plan was always for the team's most highly-rated bowler to return for the five-match series against India and the slow left-armer takes here place in a 14-strong squad. Did someone say squad announcement? 👀 Our T20 squad has just dropped for our India series 👇 — England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 13, 2025 Ecclestone's comeback means no room for leg-spinner Sarah Glenn, who drops out after featuring in just one of the three T20s against the West Indies. 'It's great to have Soph back, and we're looking forward to having her back in the group. She has obvious qualities and she'll be an asset to us,' said Edwards. 'It does mean Sarah Glenn misses out, we are blessed with a strong group of spinners and we unfortunately can't play them all. It's now a great opportunity for Sarah to go back to The Blaze and play some competitive cricket in the Vitality Blast.' Em Arlott and Issy Wong are included again after coming in for Edwards' first series but the team must once again do without former captain Heather Knight, whose hamstring problems have already ended her summer. Reflecting on the challenge of taking on a strong India team who sit third to England's second in the International Cricket Council rankings, Edwards added: 'They're one of the best sides in the world and it'll be a huge test for us. 'There was lots to be happy about in the West Indies series but equally lots of things we want to keep improving on – we're always looking at getting better. Five games against India in front of big crowds at great venues will serve us really well. This is a significant series for us with the countdown well and truly underway towards the home ICC Women's T20 World Cup.' England Women's squad for Vitality T20 series against India: E Arlott, T Beaumont, L Bell, A Capsey, C Dean, S Dunkley, S Ecclestone, L Filer, A Jones, N Sciver-Brunt (c), P Schofield, L Smith, D Wyatt-Hodge, I Wong.
India Gazette
7 days ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
England's star spinner Sophie Ecclestone returns as Three Lions announce their squad for India series
New Delhi [India] June 13 (ANI): England have named a 14-member squad for their upcoming T20I series against India starting from June 28, with star spinner Sophie Ecclestone making her much-anticipated return, according to the ICC website. Ecclestone, ranked No.1 and No.4 in the ICC Women's ODI and T20I Bowler Rankings, respectively, returns after a temporary break from cricket. The England squad, who are already brimming with confidence after a dominant 3-0 series win over West Indies in the T20I as well as the ODI series, will be bolstered by her return. This series marked a successful start to Charlotte Edwards' tenure as head coach and Nat Sciver-Brunt's captaincy. Pacer Lauren Filer also makes a return to the squad after missing out on the West Indies series last month. Amy Jones, who has been rising rapidly in the ICC Women's Player Rankings, has also been named in the strong unit. Charlotte Edwards expressed her excitement about the prospect of facing India as well as the return of star spinner Ecclestone. 'There was lots to be happy about in the West Indies series but equally lots of things we want to keep improving on - we're always looking at getting better. Five games against India in front of big crowds at great venues will serve us really well. This is a significant series for us with the countdown well and truly underway towards the home ICC Women's T20 World Cup,' Edwards said. 'It's great to have Soph back, and we're looking forward to having her back in the group. She has obvious qualities and she'll be an asset to us.' 'It does mean Sarah Glenn misses out, we are blessed with a strong group of spinners and we unfortunately can't play them all. It's now a great opportunity for Sarah to go back to The Blaze and play some competitive cricket in the Vitality Blast.' England Squad: Em Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Amy Jones, Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Paige Scholfield, Linsey Smith, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Issy Wong. (ANI)
