2 h. ago From Ashes hangover to subcontinental scars as England bid to rewrite history

Harry Brook’s side begin Sri Lanka ODI series in poor form but confidence is needed ahead of crucial winter periodA subcontinental World Cup to close an Ashes winter? History tells us this does not end well for England. In 2014 a whitewash in Australia was followed by a group-stage exit at the World T20 with a 45-run defeat to the Netherlands in Chattogram. In 2011 the 50-over side – largely made up of Test regulars – was brutalised by Kevin O’Brien in Bengaluru before exiting with a 10-wicket quarter-final loss to Sri Lanka at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Vic Marks, writing for the Observer, wondered beforehand if England had “anything left to give” after so many months on the road.And so to the Premadasa again, 15 years on, this time without the goodwill of a recent series victory in Australia. The first one-day international against Sri Lanka will begin just two weeks after Alex Carey struck the winning runs at the SCG, and open the second half of England’s winter, with thre...

Politics

2 h. ago From Ashes hangover to subcontinental scars as England aim to rewrite history

Harry Brook’s side begin Sri Lanka ODI series in poor form but confidence is needed ahead of crucial winter periodA subcontinental World Cup to close an Ashes winter? History tells us this does not end well for England. In 2014 a whitewash in Australia was followed by a group-stage exit at the World T20 with a 45-run defeat to the Netherlands in Chattogram. In 2011 the 50-over side – largely made up of Test regulars – were brutalised by Kevin O’Brien in Bengaluru before exiting with a 10-wicket quarter-final loss to Sri Lanka at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Vic Marks, writing for the Observer, wondered beforehand if England had “anything left to give” after so many months on the road.And so to the Premadasa again, 15 years on, this time without the goodwill of a recent series victory in Australia. The first one-day international against Sri Lanka will begin just two weeks after Alex Carey struck the winning runs at the SCG, and open the second half of England’s winter, wit...

Politics

11 h. ago Harry Brook admits he is lucky to still be England captain after ‘terrible mistake’

Brook was involved in an altercation outside a nightclub the night before a one-day international in New Zealand

Events

33 h. ago Adil Rashid and Rehan Ahmed train with England in Sri Lanka after visa delays

The spin duo took to the field in Colombo for the first of two training sessions before the first ODI on Thursday.

Politics

56 h. ago Rare 'Purple Star Sapphire' weighing 3,563 CARATS is discovered in Sri Lanka

The stunning gem has been named the 'Star of Pure Land', and is believed to be the world's biggest natural star sapphire of its kind.

Politics

58 h. ago England’s Sri Lanka tour takes on added significance after troubled Ashes series

The tourists will be under more scrutiny than they might have expected following a bruising 4-1 defeat Down Under.

Events

3 d. ago England's boozy cricketers are slapped with a CURFEW for Sri Lanka tour and T20 World Cup after Harry Brook's clash with a nightclub bouncer and controversial Noosa trip

Although there will be no formal notification of rules, Daily Mail Sport understands they will be reminded of their responsibilities as international sportsmen upon arrival in Colombo.

Society

4 d. ago Sri Lanka unveils a rare purple star sapphire claimed to be the biggest of its kind

A massive purple star sapphire weighing 3,563 carats has been unveiled in Sri Lanka

Politics

8 d. ago New railway line linking two massive UK cities is set to be announced tomorrow

A NEW railway line linking two major cities in the UK is set to be announced tomorrow. Train travel across the north of England could be smoother and faster in the future if the plans go ahead. Ministers are expected to confirm proposals linking Manchester and Birmingham as part of the Northern Powerhouse Rail project,...

Politics

8 d. ago Holidaymaker's £299 suitcase 'destroyed' by the 'world's best airline'

On 18 November, 2025, Patrick Gottelier flew from Sri Lanka to the UK via Doha with Qatar Airways - but when arrived at London Heathrow, he discovered a 'big crack' on his checked suitcase.

Economics

1 week ago Brendon McCullum keen to carry on with England but wants to ‘steer the ship’

Head coach defends methods and leadership after AshesTeam culture likely to be main focus of ECB reviewAt the end of a sorry Ashes loss capped off by news of Harry Brook’s involvement in a late-night incident two months earlier, Brendon McCullum set out his position as England head coach: if his wings are clipped and his ethos compromised then “maybe there is someone better” to do the role.The caveat is key here. McCullum is keen to continue and having held talks with Richard Thompson and Richard Gould, chair and chief executive respectively of the England and Wales Cricket Board, he appears set to – at least for the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka that begins in less than a fortnight. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago England cricket boss promises ‘necessary changes’ after Ashes defeat

England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive Richard Gould said a ‘thorough review’ was already underway.

Politics

2 w. ago Australia back injured stars as squad for T20 World Cup revealed

Cummins, Hazlewood and David named for India and Sri Lanka eventMatt Kuhnemann included in spin-heavy 15-player teamMatthew Kuhnemann is in line for a World Cup debut after being included as the biggest surprise selection in Australia’s squad for the T20 World Cup.As expected, Australia have named superstar pacemen Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, as well as swashbuckling Tim David, despite injury concerns. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago New Year's Eve: India and Sri Lanka welcome in 2026 as fireworks and cheers ring out

LIVEBLOG: Follow New Year's Eve celebrations across the globe as nations around the world throw parties to toast the final hours of the year before ushering in 2026.

Events

3 w. ago New Year’s Eve live: world prepares to ring in 2026, as Kiribati becomes the first country to see in the new year

Join our live coverage as we start the 26 hours for the entire globe to enter the new yearAn atoll in the remote Pacific Island nation of Kiribati – Kiritimati – has become the first to usher in the new year (at 10:00 GMT). We will bring you pictures as soon as we get them in.Other parts of Kiribati will be welcoming in the new year over the next few hours.Kiribati -10:00 GMTNew Zealand – 11:00 GMTMost of Australia’s east coast – 13:00 GMTNorth Korea, South Korea and Japan- 15:00 GMTTaiwan, Hong Kong and China – 16:00 GMTThailand – 17:00 GMTIndia and Sri Lanka – 18:30 GMTRussia (Moscow) – 21:00 GMTUkraine – 22:00 GMTGermany, France, Spain, Switzerland and Italy – 23:00 GMTThe UK , Ghana and Portugal– 00:00 GMT Brazil and Argentina – 03:00 GMTThe east coast of the US – 05:00 GMT Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Solo travellers bag up to £1,680 savings on China, India and Sri Lanka tours

Wendy Wu Tours' offers free or half-price single supplements worth up to £1,680 on selected group tours to Asia

Economics

3 w. ago What drove gen Z protests that brought down governments and called out corruption? Five activists explain

We spoke to protesters in Togo, Kenya, Nepal, Madagascar and Morocco about how their actions helped shape the world in 2025Mass protests in Nepal and Madagascar toppled both governments this year, even when the young people at the forefront of the demonstrations were faced with heavily armed police and the threat of arrest.Many called 2025 the year of the protest although the revolution in Bangladesh in 2024 that unseated the authoritarian leader Sheikh Hasina is often credited with inspiring young people to take to the streets across parts of Asia and Africa. Although not all achieved the change they wanted, from Sri Lanka to Timor-Leste they shared a common factor: gen Z was the driving force. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Solo travellers save up to £1,680 on China, India, Sri Lanka trips in Boxing Day sale

'An all around great holiday'

Economics

3 w. ago Top 10 climate disasters cost planet $122bn – with one continent hit hardest

Many deaths and full extent of damage in poorer countries go missing from global because they are not insured, report finds

Events