2 h. ago England v South Africa: third men’s T20 international abandoned by rain – as it didn’t happen

IT20 series between England and South Africa tied 1-1 after rain washes out decider in NottinghamEngland Head Coach Brendon McCullum has been in the Sky Pod chatting to Ian Ward and Nasser Hussain.“We balanced things a little bit better,” he says of England’s tempo with the bat in the Test series v India. “We grew up quite a lot through that series... We saw the emergence of the fast-bowling cartel we’ve been trying to build over the last couple of years. I left the series thinking we’d become a better team, despite the 2-2 result.” Continue reading...

Politics

4 h. ago England v South Africa: third men’s T20 international delayed by rain – live

Updates from the last match of the series at Trent BridgeSign up for The Spin newsletter | And you can mail James Weather Watch: We’ll start losing overs from 3.30pm. We are yet to hear about a cut-off time for a five-over slogathon. That’s probably the best we can hope for at the moment.Weather Watch: It is still raining. I’m going to make a brew and have a shout at the clouds. Back soon. Continue reading...

Society

5 h. ago England v South Africa: third men’s T20 cricket international – live

Updates from the last match of the series at Trent BridgeSign up for The Spin newsletter | And you can mail James Bad news! The covers are now being dragged back on as the rain starts up again, this time a bit heavier. It’s going to be one of those afternoons I fear.Good news! The covers are coming off at Trent Bridge though Stuart Broad is the local lad and he is worried about the rain radar. We can do a five overs a side game if it comes to it and Shaun Pollock jokes that South Africa won’t want to bowl twenty overs at England while they are in this blistering form. Continue reading...

Society

44 h. ago England duo Phil Salt and Harry Brook admit thinking passing 300 was impossible

Salt’s record-breaking innings took England past the mark for the first time

Politics

45 h. ago England rout South Africa to level T20 series as Phil Salt stars with rapid ton

The Welshman required just 39 balls to complete his century

Politics

45 h. ago Records tumble as Phil Salt’s stunning ton leads England to T20 rout of South Africa

2nd T20: England, 304-2, bt South Africa, 158, by 146 runsHosts hit their highest T20 total to go level in the seriesEngland made history, and for the first time more than 300 runs, on an extraordinary night in Manchester as they buried South Africa under a mountain of runs and shredded ­statistics. The highest total in the team’s T20 history was turbocharged by a brilliant opening stand of 126 between Phil Salt and Jos Buttler and by the nation’s highest individual score, Salt knocking himself off the top of that chart with an unbeaten 141. So within a week and against the same opponents they have set national records for winning margins in both one-day internationals and now T20s, the difference here an almost comic 146 runs.From the very start, with boundaries struck off each of the first three balls of the day, Salt tore into South Africa’s bowling much as he would in time tear up the record books. The result was the third highest team total in the history of international T20s,...

Politics

45 h. ago Phil Salt’s brutal brilliance reveals a new England in crushing win over South Africa

Salt produced a spectacular innings to batter the Proteas with 141 not-out off just 60 balls, inspiring a crushing 146-run victory to level the series at 1-1 and underline the captivating nature of Bazball

Politics

45 h. ago England thrash South Africa after Phil Salt heroics takes them past 300 barrier

Salt’s scorching 39-ball ton was England’s quickest in any format and he also recorded their greatest T20 individual score with 141 not out off.

Politics

47 h. ago Records tumble as England set South Africa target of 305: second men’s T20 international – live

Updates from the second T20i at Old TraffordFirst T20 report | Mail Rob 5th over: England 88-0 (Salt 32, Buttler 54) Rabada returns to the attack and is monstered down the ground for six by Buttler. Three successive fours take Buttler to a quite exhilarating 50 from 18 balls. He waves his bat to the ground, then snaps his head back to salute his late father.The second of those three fours tempted mid-on, who dived in an attempt to take a low catch but was beaten by the dip on the ball. Continue reading...

Society

47 h. ago Phil Salt breaks England T20 century record in style against South Africa

Salt reached three figures from just 39 balls.

Politics

49 h. ago England v South Africa: second men’s T20 international – live

Updates from the second T20i at Old TraffordFirst T20 report | Mail Rob One change apiece. Jofra Archer comes in for Jamie Overton in the England XI; South Africa bring in the left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin from Corbin Bosch. Keshan Maharaj has a groin strain.England Salt, Buttler (wk), Brook (c), Bethell, Banton, Curran, Jacks, Dawson, Archer, Rashid, Wood. Continue reading...

Society

3 d. ago England lose shortened T20 ‘shambles’ against South Africa in rain

South Africa 97-5; England 54-5; South Africa win by 14 runs (DLS)Reduced to nine-over contest before being cut to five-over chaseIt was mildly absurd in one sense, a day of rain showers in Cardiff turning the first T20 international between England and South Africa into a shortened thrash that did not get underway until 8.50pm.But the hardy spectators who stuck around were at least rewarded for their patience with something resembling a match; a bit of fun, chiefly, albeit one that now sees the tourists go into ’s second outing at Old Trafford with a 1-0 lead in this three-match end-of-summer series. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago England v South Africa: first men’s T20 international gets under way after rain delay – live

Over-by-over coverage of the first T20Get in touch with Tim to share your thoughts“Shame (but very predictable) about the current weather,” says Alfie Sparrow, although his email is actually about something else. “I’ve just moved into London, living in Tooting with some old uni mates. I was wondering if any readers have local cricket club recommendations? Played alongside Bas de Leede growing up in the Netherlands, winning 3 national titles in our age group. Wish I could say I was still near his quality but that’s far from the case – just after a friendly club for next summer.” Hope you find one.“My girlfriend has very tentatively started to get into cricket,” reports Charles Aspden. “And we discussed potential telly programmes which would further entice her in. In true Alan Partridge fashion, she wants to see ‘Tea with Amol Rajan,’ a show somewhere between Bake Off and Grandstand. Amol travels the country to try the best and worst teas around the village, county and international g...

Society

4 d. ago England v South Africa: first men’s T20 international, start delayed by rain – live

Over-by-over coverage of the first T20Get in touch with Tim to share your thoughts“Shame (but very predictable) about the current weather,” says Alfie Sparrow, although his email is actually about something else. “I’ve just moved into London, living in Tooting with some old uni mates. I was wondering if any readers have local cricket club recommendations? Played alongside Bas de Leede growing up in the Netherlands, winning 3 national titles in our age group. Wish I could say I was still near his quality but that’s far from the case – just after a friendly club for next summer.” Hope you find one.“My girlfriend has very tentatively started to get into cricket,” reports Charles Aspden. “And we discussed potential telly programmes which would further entice her in. In true Alan Partridge fashion, she wants to see ‘Tea with Amol Rajan,’ a show somewhere between Bake Off and Grandstand. Amol travels the country to try the best and worst teas around the village, county and international g...

Society

4 d. ago England v South Africa: first men’s T20 international – live

Over-by-over coverage of the first T20 (6.30pm BST start)Get in touch with Tim with your thoughtsMy optimism about the weather may have been misplaced. The cameras are showing the outfield, which is doing an impersonation of Grimsby Town’s home turf when they beat Man United. “Looks like a paddy field,” says Ian Ward. The umpires venture out for a look in their pink cagoules, and soon put their umbrellas up.Some team news: Lungi Ngidi is out of the series. He has a hamstring strain, according to our friends at Cricinfo. His place in South Africa’s battery of seamers will go to Nandre Burger, but not until the second game at Old Trafford on Friday. Continue reading...

Society

5 d. ago Australia retain Soccer Ashes as Toure and Irankunda strike against New Zealand

Socceroos defeat All Whites 3-1 in AucklandAny thoughts? Get in touch with an email3 mins: The All Whites go searching for an opening down the left flank but neither is able to connect a series of passes during a messy opening.1 min: A cagey opening as the Socceroos lose the ball in their attacking third and the All Whites knock it around the back. Continue reading...

Events

5 d. ago New Zealand v Australia: international men’s football friendly – live

Updates from the Socceroos v All Whites clash in AucklandKick-off time at Go Media Stadium is 7pm local/5pm AESTAny thoughts? Get in touch with an email3 mins: The All Whites go searching for an opening down the left flank but neither is able to connect a series of passes during a messy opening.1 min: A cagey opening as the Socceroos lose the ball in their attacking third and the All Whites knock it around the back. Continue reading...

Society

6 d. ago Jofra Archer will be ready for ‘biggest series of our lives’ – Brendon McCullum

Archer will be key to England’s Ashes hopes and showed his quality with four for 18 against South Africa on Sunday.

Politics

6 d. ago What channel is Belarus v Scotland on? TV, live stream and team news plus why game is behind closed doors

Full details ahead of World Cup qualifier between Belarus and Scotland

Sport

6 d. ago They should be paying ME to live in it! Internet trolls slam price of 'UK's worst house' riddled with mould on market for eyebrow

The two-bedroom terraced home in Stantonbury, Milton Keynes, is so dilapidated that thick black mould covers the walls of every room.

Economics