25 h. ago Ashes begins with a bang after 19 wickets on dramatic day one give England early edge

1st Test D1: England 172; Australia 123-9Hosts close 49 behind after ball-dominated day in PerthThe opening day of this Ashes series has set an absurdly high bar for what is to come. England played their supporters back at home, a collapse to 172 all out like waking up to a horse’s head in the bed, only for Ben Stokes and his stable of quicks to deliver a more telling statement of their own.If they did not know it before, Australia are now well aware that this is a very different England side to those of the past. The fast forward but fragile batting was a known quantity, granted. But it now comes with a pool of high-octane seamers who will test techniques and tickers in equal measure. Continue reading...

Events

8 d. ago Donald Trump and JD Vance have graphic sex in disturbing new South Park episode leaving fans 'traumatised'

In the latest instalment of the scathing satire, Vance manages to avoid a punishment for treason and ends up in bed with Trump after the pair share a soak in a hot tub at the White House .

Politics

1 week ago How World Cup expansion is driving Asia’s naturalisation arms race

As Asia’s allocation has now doubled, many nations look to foreign-born talent to push them towards qualificationWhen the United Arab Emirates line up against Iraq on Thursday for the fifth and final round of Asian qualification for next year’s World Cup, it is likely that over half of the home starting XI in Abu Dhabi will be foreign-born. The UAE are, however, merely another participant in a naturalisation arms race in the continent that has been boosted by the expansion of the World Cup from 32 teams to 48.Asia’s allocation has doubled from four automatic spots in Qatar to eight in North America, opening up the tournament to a new array of contenders desperate to play on the greatest stage of all. Japan, South Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Australia have historically dominated World Cup qualifying, with North Korea the most recent outlier in 2010. Those six are the only teams from the Asian Football Confederation to make more than one appearance at the tournament. Continue readin...

Politics

1 week ago France v South Africa moment leaves viewers in stitches after what star says to referee

Despite their on-field rivalry, a classic rugby moment was captured after the game between Thomas Ramos and Cobus Reinach

Politics

2 w. ago 'Dangerous' South London fireworks leave crowds 'squeezed in field' as display starts late

'Dangerous' South London fireworks leave crowds 'squeezed in field' as display starts late  MyLondon

Events

2 w. ago India’s World Cup win can set a new world order in women’s cricket – if it spends money wisely

India would do well to remember that Australia’s domination was based on building from the grassroots upSunday was a long day for the India captain, Harmanpreet Kaur. It began with a two-hour rain delay; it concluded with a catch at cover, taken on the stroke of midnight, which sealed a 52-run victory against South Africa and a maiden World Cup title.But amid the fireworks, tears, hugs, a lap of honour at the DY Patil Stadium, and rumours of a forthcoming winners’ parade in Mumbai, Kaur found time to deliver an important message to the media. “We’ve been waiting for this moment,” she said. “The celebration will go on all night. And then let’s see what BCCI is planning for us This is just the beginning.” Continue reading...

Economics

2 w. ago India’s World Cup win can set a new world order in women’s cricket – if it spends money wisely | Raf Nicholson

India would do well to remember that Australia’s domination was based on building from the grassroots upSunday was a long day for the India captain, Harmanpreet Kaur. It began with a two‑hour rain delay; it concluded with a catch at cover, taken on the stroke of midnight, which sealed a 52-run victory against South Africa and a maiden World Cup title.But amid the fireworks, tears, hugs, a lap of honour at the DY Patil Stadium, and rumours of a forthcoming winners’ parade in Mumbai, Kaur found time to deliver an important message to the media. “We’ve been waiting for this moment,” she said. “The celebration will go on all night. And then let’s see what BCCI is planning for us this is just the beginning.” Continue reading...

Economics

2 w. ago Guy Pepper reveals the key to England’s dominant defensive performance against Australia

England conceded just seven points to an intercept try in a strong showing to start their November

Events

3 w. ago Woman pushes man onto South London train tracks leaving him with broken ribs and nose

Woman pushes man onto South London train tracks leaving him with broken ribs and nose  MyLondon

Politics

3 w. ago Trump leaves South Korea after talks with China’s Xi Jinping

US president hailed counterpart as a ‘great leader’ ahead of trade deal negotiations

Politics

3 w. ago England chasing 320 to beat South Africa: Women’s Cricket World Cup semi

England face ominous target after Wolvaardt’s 169 The Spin: celebrating Sophie Devine | Email Rob4th over: South Africa 21-0 (Wolvaardt 13, Brits 6) Neat and tidy from Smith. That Bell semi-drop not withstanding, the BBC report that – stats wise - England are the best fielding team in the competition.3rd over: South Africa 19-0 (Wolvaardt 12, Brits 5) A half-chance not held. Brits flays Bell back back with fire, through the left hand of her follow through and down to the rope. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago England vs Australia live: Agyemang injury taints dominant friendly win for Lionesses

England 3-0 Australia: The Lionesses repeated their heroics of the 2023 World Cup semi-final to beat the Matildas at Pride Park

Events

3 w. ago England vs Australia live: Bronze scores birthday goal to cement Lionesses dominance in friendly

England knocked Australia out of the World Cup in 2023 to deny them glory on home soil

Politics

3 w. ago From Steel City to Cottonopolis: a new walking trail through a post

The nostalgic Steel Cotton Rail Trail between Sheffield and Manchester has 14 day-length sections, with walks for urban explorers and summit-bagging hikers alikeThe Pride of Cumbria train carried me out of Piccadilly station and, eventually, beyond built-up Manchester. After Marple, everything turned green as the valleys narrowed. It was a classic northern autumn day: the clouds were low, the mizzle and mist were closing in and the world was grey-filtered but for the glow of dead leaves all around.South-east of Manchester is a bit of an unknown for me. Between the city and the Derbyshire borough of High Peak, you don’t quite enter national park territory, but it’s nonetheless a charming and eye-calming landscape. The Mancunian Kinder Scout trespassers of 1932 probably came this way, as do Pennine Way-farers bound for Edale. But the region is also post-industrial and close to conurbations. The Steel Cotton Rail Trail, which officially launched earlier this month after several years o...

Politics

3 w. ago Alana King leaves South Africa in a spin as dominant Australia top World Cup group

The leg-spinner finished with remarkable figures of 7-18 as South Africa were bowled out for 97

Politics

4 w. ago England’s Shaun Wane banks on experience as rugby league’s Ashes ends 22

Australia are dominant but Shaun Wane hopes some wise heads and exciting Mikey Lewis could cause an upsetIt has been a long time between drinks – 22 years to be exact. The Ashes were last staged in 2003, meaning more than two decades have elapsed without international rugby league’s greatest rivalry, a wait which finally ends on Saturday at Wembley. For Shaun Wane, the wait must have felt like an eternity.If you were fortunate enough to be there when Wane was appointed as England coach in February 2020, it is easy to remember that he could not hide his delight that his first assignment was an Ashes series that autumn. Of course, within weeks the world had ground to a halt thanks to Covid-19 and the chance of taking on Australia on home soil disappeared. Continue reading...

Sport