Ashes preview: England’s top order woes can be exploited by Australia, says Glenn McGrath July 31, 2019 The more things change, the more they stay the same. England start another Ashes series against Australia at Edgbaston on tomorrow with different names at the top of the batting order, but names who are grappling with the age-old problem of scoring runs. Since Andrew Strauss retired in August 2012 England have used 18 different [...]
Millwall season preview: Lions sticking to their own path in bid to avoid costly Championship drop July 29, 2019 Millwall are playing a different game to the majority of their competitors in the Championship. Financially restricted and strategically conservative, the Lions are the antithesis of those former Premier League clubs spending big, desperate to make it back to the promised land. While others have shown little patience, chopping and changing managers, Millwall have stuck [...]
Unlikely hero Jack Leach bails England out after yet another collapse against Ireland July 25, 2019 At the start of day two of England’s one-off Test against Ireland at Lord’s, Jack Leach’s efforts with the bat as nightwatchman were merely good fun; an unsubstantial and inconsequential starter ahead of the awaiting main course. As he progressed, playing accomplished shots to get the hosts off to a steady start, his innings ticked [...]
World Cup hangover: England bowled out for 85 by impressive Ireland on day one at Lord’s July 24, 2019 After the ecstatic high, the crushing low. The dramatic nature of England’s first World Cup win lent itself to prolonged celebration, but after 10 days of jubilation the hangover hit hard at Lord’s, with Ireland arriving to break up the party and bring them back to earth with a bump. England’s Test batting has long [...]
Untapped potential: Why Premier League clubs are flocking to China for pre-season tours July 24, 2019 The Premier League may not kick off its new season for another fortnight but the fight for supremacy has already been raging elsewhere. On the pitch pre-season tours may be primarily about players building fitness and whetting the appetite of fans for the coming campaign but it is away from the pitch further benefits lie. [...]
Andrew Pozzi interview: Team GB world champion hurdler on his passion for business and choosing athletics over a career in the City July 24, 2019 His time and effort may be taken up by how to clear a handful of hurdles as quickly as possible, but Andrew Pozzi has plenty else on his mind. The 27-year-old world indoor hurdles champion over 60m is currently working hard to translate his success into medals over 110m. Last year he moved from Loughborough [...]
‘It’s a powerful, symbolic moment’: Chief executive Warren Deutrom on Ireland’s Lord’s Test match against England July 23, 2019 Wednesday is a significant day for Irish cricket: a third Test match in the country’s history, a first against England, at the Home of Cricket, on television and in the midst of a swell of interest in the sport, thanks to a recently concluded World Cup and an approaching Ashes series. For Warren Deutrom the [...]
How 15-year-old American tennis star Cori Gauff can avoid the pitfalls of being a child prodigy July 21, 2019 A month ago few people knew who 15-year-old Cori Gauff was – and with good reason. Although she had caused a stir on the junior tennis circuit, Gauff was ranked No313 in the world before the offer of a wild card into Wimbledon qualifying, in her own words, “literally changed my life in seconds”. Gauff [...]
‘It’s not just a nostalgia trip’: The Edge director Barney Douglas on the deeper message behind his England cricket film July 18, 2019 Now is not a bad time to be releasing a film about England’s cricket team. With a remarkable World Cup win still fresh in the mind and a home Ashes series around the corner, Barney Douglas, director of The Edge, hopes his work can benefit from “the swell of cricket euphoria” gripping the country. The [...]
Laura Muir interview: Scottish star on her route into athletics, veterinary career and competing at London’s Anniversary Games July 16, 2019 Laura Muir is not your average sportsperson. Despite being one of Britain’s best athletes, the softly spoken Scot’s feet remains planted firmly on the ground ahead of a big summer on the track. At 26 she’s already accomplished so much, with a historic double-double over 1500m and 3000m at the European Indoor Championships in March [...]
