5 d. ago England can’t change now: Bazball approach must be seen through to its conclusion | Taha Hashim

This four-year experiment has produced exhilarating cricket – it is worth seeing the whole thing through before casting judgmentTravis Head’s latest masterpiece is three days old, the postmortems are complete and England supporters have done their pained vox pops in Australia. And somehow we’re still more than a week out from the second Ashes Test. It’s a hefty gap bound to be filled by rage, moving from the defeat in Perth to the preparation for a pink‑ball affair in Brisbane.England’s first-stringers could pass the time with a day‑night knockabout against a prime minister’s XI in Canberra. Instead, as planned, it will be a Lions side that plays this weekend, joined by Josh Tongue, Matt Potts and Jacob Bethell, unused squad members in Perth. It is understandable why this has annoyed many, why Michael Vaughan’s soundbite – that it would be “amateurish” not to play the fixture – carries some substance. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago England have no plans to extend Borthwick’s contract despite winning streak

Head coach’s current deal runs until 2027RFU annual report shows net loss of £1.9mThe Rugby Football Union has no plans to begin talks with Steve ­Borthwick over extending his ­contract beyond 2027 “for the ­foreseeable future” despite England’s 11-match winning streak and autumn clean sweep.Borthwick’s contract runs until the end of 2027 but with England halfway through the current World Cup cycle and currently third in the world ­rankings, the RFU chief ­executive, Bill Sweeney, has no immediate intention of discussing an extension in a sea change from the union’s ­previous approach. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago England have no plans to reward Borthwick with new deal despite winning run

Head coach’s current deal runs until 2027RFU annual report shows net loss of £1.9mThe Rugby Football Union has no plans to begin talks with Steve ­Borthwick over extending his ­contract beyond 2027 “for the ­foreseeable future” despite England’s 11-match winning streak and autumn clean sweep.Borthwick’s contract runs until the end of 2027 but with England halfway through the current World Cup cycle and currently third in the world ­rankings, the RFU chief ­executive, Bill Sweeney, has no immediate intention of discussing an extension in a sea change from the union’s ­previous approach. Continue reading...

Economics

5 d. ago Arne Slot ready to rip up Liverpool plan after stumbling on winning formula

Liverpool's poor run of form continued at the weekend and Arne Slot is ready to change his approach having seen it works during wins against Aston Villa and Real Madrid

Politics

5 d. ago Carol Vorderman reveals she is undergoing tests for '70 cancers' after being 'struck with sudden and chronically debilitating rheumatoid arthritis'

The TV presenter, 64, revealed her approach to her health has changed since her diagnosis as she commented on actress Sally Dynevor's Instagram post about going for a full body MRI scan.

Transport

1 week ago Andy Burnham's massive £1bn Greater Manchester growth plan revealed

More than 30 projects covering every borough in unique ‘Manchester’ approach to change lives.

Economics

3 w. ago Brazil GP revives haunting 2007 McLaren collapse – but they won’t change approach now

Eighteen years on, Kimi Raikkonen’s comeback triumph is a stark warning for Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri

Politics