54 h. ago Gezora wins Breeders’ Cup 2025 after Ethical Diamond’s triumph for Willie Mullins

The 28-1 success of Ethical Diamond for Willie Mullins was the highlight of a memorable afternoon at Del Mar Splendora paid $7.80 to a $2 stake – a shade under 3-1.Hope Road cruised through the race until the final turn and eased to the front just over a furlong out, but Splendora rocketed past soon afterwards and the race was as good as over. That’s a 20th Breeders’ Cup winner for Bob Baffert, who is now just one behind Aidan O’Brien, the winning-most trainer in Breeders’ Cup history since about 18 hours ago, when Gstaad took the Juvenile Turf. Continue reading...

Politics

61 h. ago Pollock proves the key before England cavalry seal victory over Australia

England 25-7 AustraliaEarl, Mitchell and Cowan-Dickie also cross for hostsThere will be higher octane games than this one in the coming weeks but for England the primary objective has been safely ticked off. An eighth successive Test victory is in the bag and Steve Borthwick’s team have also gone one better than the corresponding fixture last year when the Wallabies took the spoils in the dying moments.While this encounter was not nearly as thrilling, the final scoreline – shining brightly on the big screen in the gathering evening gloom – was what really counted for Borthwick and his players. Defeat to a weakened Wallaby side would have prompted some uncomfortable questions and cast a nagging shadow over the remainder of their November schedule. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago South Africa claim historic World Cup final spot as Wolvaardt blows England away

South Africa, 319-7, beat England, 194 all out, 125 runsCaptain smashes 169 as Proteas reach first 50-over finalSouth Africa made history in Guwahati on Wednesday, after a phenomenal innings from captain Laura Wolvaardt and remarkable figures of five for 20 from Marizanne Kapp helped them to a 125-run against England and launched them into their first ever 50-over World Cup final.Wolvaardt took 115 balls to bring up a maiden World Cup hundred, which was reason enough to celebrate. But with wickets tumbling at the other end and England looking like they might have an easy-enough chase on their hands, she then unleashed a remarkable display of boundary-striking on the unsuspecting English bowlers, adding a further 69 runs in 28 balls. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. 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

5 d. ago ‘New Zealand outplayed us’: Brook admits England failings as series is lost

2nd ODI: New Zealand, 177-5, bt England, 175, by five wktsDaryl Mitchell hits 56no, Jofra Archer fires on returnFor the second time in four days, England’s blundering with the bat doomed them to defeat, the tourists skittled for just 175 to leave New Zealand with less of a chase than a stroll.Half-centuries from Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell carried the Black Caps to a victory sealed with nearly 17 overs to spare, England consigned to a ninth consecutive away defeat in ODIs, and a sixth lost series in their last seven attempts. Continue reading...

Events

5 d. ago England batting woes continue as New Zealand seal ODI series victory

2nd ODI: New Zealand, 177-5, bt England, 175, by five wktsDaryl Mitchell hits 56no while Jofra Archer fires on returnHalf-centuries from Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell carried New Zealand to a second one-sided victory against an England side still searching for a winning formula in the 50-over format. This loss added another track to their rotten recent record: a ninth consecutive away defeat in ODIs and a 10th in 11 games on their travels in the last 12 months, while also ensuring a sixth series defeat in their last seven attempts.Against a New Zealand side without their premium fast bowler, Matt Henry, who was diagnosed with a calf injury on the morning of the match, England were dismissed for just 175, leaving 14 overs unused and presenting their opponents with not so much a challenge as a stroll. After again losing the toss the tourists’ top-order again misfired, with Jamie Overton coming in at No 8 to top-score with 42. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Agyemang injury for England deflates Bronze’s birthday celebrations against Matildas

England 3-0 AustraliaBeever-Jones 20, Bronze 40, Stanway 90+8penThe chorus of Happy Birthday echoed around Pride Park after England’s Euro 2025 warrior Lucy Bronze had fired in England’s second against Australia, but the party mood was marred by a nasty looking knee injury to a distraught Michelle Agyemang.It was better from the Lionesses in Derby, a more structured and controlled performance than the one on display in the 2-1 loss to Brazil on Saturday night, Aggie Beever-Jones and Georgia Stanway scoring either side of Bronze’s effort. Whether that was the change in personnel and positions, or just that the cobwebs needed to be shaken off in the first fixture since their big win in Switzerland before things started to click into place is hard to say. Continue reading...

Events

8 d. ago Women’s Cricket World Cup: England crush New Zealand in final group match

England, 172-2, bt New Zealand, 168, by eight wktsJones hits unbeaten 86 but Ecclestone hurts shoulderEngland finished the group stages of the World Cup with a dominant eight-wicket win against a limp New Zealand, after bowling them out for 168 in 38.2 overs.Sophie Devine’s final ODI ended in disappointment after she departed caught behind to Nat Sciver-Brunt on 23, sparking a collapse which saw New Zealand lose their last five wickets for 13 runs. Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago England crush New Zealand in final group match but Ecclestone injured

England, 172-2, bt New Zealand, 168, by eight wktsSophie Ecclestone hurts shoulder while fieldingEngland finished the group stages of the World Cup with a dominant eight-wicket win against a limp New Zealand, after bowling them out for 168 in 38.2 overs.Sophie Devine’s final one-day international ended in disappointment after the 36-year-old departed caught behind to Nat Sciver-Brunt on 23, sparking a collapse in which New Zealand lost their last five wickets for 13 runs. Continue reading...

Events

8 d. ago Mitchell steers New Zealand home with Brook’s 135 not enough to save England

1st ODI: New Zealand, 224-6, bt England, 223, by four wktsDaryl Mitchell hits 78no after Harry Brook’s defiant tonA chaotically entertaining game characterised by batting that was either – and mostly – shambolic or sensational was eventually settled by a belated outbreak of calm.Daryl Mitchell’s sober 78 not out, most notably assisted by Michael Bracewell (51), took a side floundering at 24 for three and set them on the path to victory, ultimately wrapped up by four wickets and with 13.2 overs to spare. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago Brazil’s fast start delivers victory over Lionesses despite Angelina’s red card

England Women 1-2 BrazilStanway 52pen; Bia Zaneratto 10, Dudinha 18England were caught out against Brazil at the Etihad Stadium, Georgia Stanway’s penalty not enough to cancel out first-half goals from Bia Zaneratto and Dudinha, but it was far from a performance to worry about.Shortly after taking a two-goal lead, the visiting team were down to 10, Angelina receiving a straight red for bringing down Ella Toone, but despite a gutsy and fiery battle to the end, Sarina Wiegman’s side couldn’t find the equalising goal. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago UK manufacturers hit by largest drop in orders since 2020; FTSE 100 hits record high – business live

Shares in oil companies jump after US sanctions Russian energy firms, while manufacturers see weak prospects aheadYesterday’s weaker-than-expected UK inflation report has sparked chat that the Bank of England could cut interest rates sooner than expected.Deutsche Bank say there is now an “interesting debate” on whether there may be enough ammunition for the Bank’s monetary policy committee to cut borrowing costs as soon as its next meeting in early November.What’s the case for November? Relative to the Bank’s projections, growth has surprised to the downside, private sector AWE growth has surprised to the downside, unemployment has risen in line with Bank expectations, and inflation now sits a healthy amount below the Bank’s projections. Indeed, one could make the argument that the ingredients for a November rate cut are there.So, why not November? We think three things will be important for the MPC to see before dialling down restrictive policy again. One, the MPC may want to see s...

Economics

1 week ago England win series after washout in final New Zealand T20 but Brook left frustrated

Third T20: NZ 38 for 1 v England. Match abandonedRain means only 25 balls bowled in final match of seriesEngland’s T20 series against New Zealand ended as it had started, with a washout. On a previously dry day, the weather teased and taunted. Rain first intervened at 7.17pm, two minutes after the start of play. After a brief resumption it returned, paused, gave the ground staff a bit of time to mop up, allowed the umpires to schedule a 10pm restart and then fell once again at 9.59pm. Twenty-five balls were bowled.“You don’t want to come all the way over to this part of the world and only play one game,” Harry Brook said. “Very frustrating.” Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago UK manufacturers hit by largest drop in orders since 2020; FTSE 100 hits fresh record high – business live

Shares in oil companies jump after US sanctions Russian energy firms, while manufacturers see weak prospects aheadYesterday’s weaker-than-expected UK inflation report has sparked chat that the Bank of England could cut interest rates sooner than expected.Deutsche Bank say there is now an “interesting debate” on whether there may be enough ammunition for the Bank’s monetary policy committee to cut borrowing costs as soon as its next meeting in early November.What’s the case for November? Relative to the Bank’s projections, growth has surprised to the downside, private sector AWE growth has surprised to the downside, unemployment has risen in line with Bank expectations, and inflation now sits a healthy amount below the Bank’s projections. Indeed, one could make the argument that the ingredients for a November rate cut are there.So, why not November? We think three things will be important for the MPC to see before dialling down restrictive policy again. One, the MPC may want to see s...

Economics

1 week ago UK manufacturers hit by largest drop in orders since 2020; Oil price jumps after Rosneft and Lukoil sanctioned – business live

British manufacturers see the weakest prospects for orders since Covid-19 pandemic, CBI reports, after demand weakened in last three monthsYesterday’s weaker-than-expected UK inflation report has sparked chat that the Bank of England could cut interest rates sooner than expected.Deutsche Bank say there is now an “interesting debate” on whether there may be enough ammunition for the Bank’s monetary policy committee to cut borrowing costs as soon as its next meeting in early November.What’s the case for November? Relative to the Bank’s projections, growth has surprised to the downside, private sector AWE growth has surprised to the downside, unemployment has risen in line with Bank expectations, and inflation now sits a healthy amount below the Bank’s projections. Indeed, one could make the argument that the ingredients for a November rate cut are there.So, why not November? We think three things will be important for the MPC to see before dialling down restrictive policy again. One, ...

Economics

1 week ago Man City academy 'best in England' as new report highlights success stories

Players coming through the academy at Manchester City are continuing to enjoy successful careers within the game.

Politics

1 week ago Man City and Pep Guardiola must find compromise as Blues face another fixture list handicap

Manchester City played eight academy graduates in the last round of the Carabao Cup with another two unused substitutes.

Politics

1 week ago Australia bring back bad memories for England at Women’s World Cup

England 244-9; Australia 248-4. Australia win by six wicketsGardner hits 104no and Sutherland 98no Ever get the feeling of deja vu? At Indore on Wednesday, Australia took up where they had left off at the MCG in January: Alana King bowled unplayable balls, Annabel Sutherland and Ash Gardner piled on the runs and one side left the other for dust. It is the World Cup instead of the Ashes, but the result – a six-wicket win by the Aussies, with 57 balls to spare – was horribly familiar.Sutherland’s contribution to this World Cup had been limited to being the tournament’s leading wicket-taker. At Indore, she again showcased her variations, getting a hint of away movement to clip the top of Amy Jones’s off stump, before removing Tammy Beaumont and Emma Lamb with her slower ball. Her three for 60, and a 10-over spell from King that went for 20, ensured England put 244 on the board. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Award won by Yamal and Bellingham could add spice to Man City selection battle

Nico O'Reilly has been nominated for the 2025 Golden Boy award and the Manchester City academy graduate is in good company.

Events

2 w. ago The teenage scoring sensation making an instant impression at Man City

Manchester City have a top prospect on their hands in the Academy with Teddie Lamb hitting the ground running since his summer transfer

Politics