9 h. ago Henry Pollock claims pivotal try as England pull away to beat Australia

Tries from Alex Mitchell and Luke Cowan-Dickie propelled England out of sight late on.

Politics

12 h. ago Heartbreaking new lives of England's most famous rugby team leave fans upset

It's been 22 years since England beat Australia to become world champions - but some members of that famous squad have endured heartbreaking setbacks in the years that have followed

Sport

17 h. ago New Zealand edge home to beat England and seal series sweep: third men’s ODI – live

Over-by-over updates, 1am GMT start, 2pm localSign up to The Spin newsletter | And email Jim1st over: England 3-0 (Smith 1, Duckett 2) England off the mark with a streaky outside edge as Smith throws bat at ball. A decent first over from Duffy. I reach into the leftover Halloween chocolate and pull out some Love Hearts. DREAM BIG is the instruction.A moment’s silence for young Ben Austin, who died after being hit in the nets while practising in Melbourne. Continue reading...

Society

34 h. ago Wallabies firing again in time for England clash after return to free

Victory over England at Twickenham 12 months ago proved a launchpad for Australia to begin climb back from nadirIf only Henry Slade had managed to stop Ben Donaldson getting that off-load away, if only Ollie Sleightholme had been able to make that wrap-up tackle on Len Ikitau, if only Marcus Smith was able to catch Max Jorgensen. But Slade didn’t, Sleightholme couldn’t, Smith wasn’t, and Jorgensen scored in the corner. This time last year the Wallabies beat England 42-37, their first victory against them at Twickenham in nine years, and it was, the players will tell you themselves, the moment when everything changed. “This game last year was a big turning point for us as a group,” says the Australia captain, Harry Wilson, “it really made us believe that on our day we can beat anybody in the world.”Twelve months ago England weren’t worried about the Wallabies so much as they were worried for the Wallabies. The one thing an Australian team doesn’t want is pity, but that’s what they go...

Politics

3 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

3 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

3 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

3 d. ago New Zealand beat England by five wickets in second men’s cricket one

Hosts secure series victory after win in second ODI Sign up to The Spin newsletter | And email Tom4th over: England 25-1 (Smith 13, Root 11) Jamie Smith clatters a pull shot to the midwicket fence for four and then picks up a single in the same region. Root continues his busy start with a single past point and Jamie Smith then plays a nonchalant flick for SIX onto the grass bank on the leg side.3rd over: England 13-1 (Smith 2, Root 10) Joe Root is the new batter. He whips Duffy off his pads for two and then times the next one even better for four. Root then pings a drive through cover for four more! Ten runs and the wicket of Duckett off the over. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago England beat New Zealand by eight wickets: Women’s Cricket World Cup – live reaction

England secure second place in group with victorySign up for the Spin | Email Jim with your thoughts11th over: New Zealand 58-1 ( Plimmer 20, Kerr 27) Better from Sciver-Brunt, just a single from it. It’s hot, hot, hot out there – 40 degrees in the middle.10th over: New Zealand 57-1 ( Plimmer 20, Kerr 26) Charlie Dean replaces the struggling Smith, and Kerr sweeps her immediately and with gumption for four. Eccleston is still off the field after hurting her left shoulder fielding on the rope earlier in the innings. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Australia beat England by six wickets at Women’s Cricket World Cup – live reaction

Updates as two sides meet in IndoreGet in touch! Share your thoughts with Rob5th over: England 35-0 (Jones 16, Beaumont 14) Schutt drops short with a leg-cutter and Jones welcomes it, pulling with authority to the boundary. A delicious couple of cuts follow, with Schutt losing her length.4th over: England 23-0 (Jones 4, Beaumont 14) Beaumont is forced back into the crease with Mooney up to the stumps, and Garth keeps her there with some fine stump-to-stump bowling. Maiden. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Australia chasing 245 to beat England: Women’s Cricket World Cup – live

Updates as two unbeaten sides meet in IndoreGet in touch! Share your thoughts with Rob5th over: England 35-0 (Jones 16, Beaumont 14) Schutt drops short with a leg-cutter and Jones welcomes it, pulling with authority to the boundary. A delicious couple of cuts follow, with Schutt losing her length.4th over: England 23-0 (Jones 4, Beaumont 14) Beaumont is forced back into the crease with Mooney up to the stumps, and Garth keeps her there with some fine stump-to-stump bowling. Maiden. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Rashid and Salt star as England thrash New Zealand in second men’s T20I

England, 236-4, beat New Zealand, 171, by 65 runsAdil Rashid takes four wickets after Phil Salt’s 85If rain potentially saved England from defeat in the first game of this series, in the second it arrived too late to help New Zealand. A 129-run partnership between Phil Salt and Harry Brook powered the tourists towards a score of 236 for four and, though the Black Caps demonstrated some mighty power-hitting of their own, they simply could not do it often enough, and too regularly lost wickets in trying.Adil Rashid took four wickets and Jordan Cox three catches as New Zealand were dismissed for 171 with two overs remaining, England winning by 65. By the time the forecast downpour arrived, the heavens opening as if fed up with having cricket balls repeatedly hit into them, the game was over. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Salt marvels at Brook after England thrash New Zealand in second men’s T20I

England, 236-4, beat New Zealand, 171, by 65 runsRashid takes four wickets after Salt’s 85 and Brook’s 78If the first game of this series was ruined by a downpour, the second was won by a deluge. A 129-run partnership between Phil Salt and Harry Brook powered the tourists towards a score of 236 for four, England smashing 34 boundaries and the record score on this ground, leaving New Zealand a forlorn chase which ended when their last wicket fell with two overs remaining and 65 still required.The Black Caps demonstrated some mighty power-hitting of their own but they simply could not do it often enough, and too regularly lost wickets in trying, with England’s fielding despite a swirling wind as impeccable as their opponents’ had been unreliable. Adil Rashid took four wickets, and Jordan Cox three catches, as New Zealand were dismissed for 171. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago New Zealand chasing 237 to beat England: second men’s T20 international – live

Match at Hagley Oval begins at 7.15am BSTShare your thoughts with Rob via email2nd over: England 24-1 (Salt 20, Bethell 0) Duffy dug that wicket ball in short, which meant it hit high on the bat as Buttler came charging at him. Nicely bowled if he meant it.This Hagley Oval pitch looks better for batting than on Saturday. Salt climbs into a wide ball from Jacob Duffy, blasting it square on the off side for four, then top-edges a pull over the keeper’s head for another boundary. Continue reading...

Society

1 week ago England hold nerve to beat India and seal Women’s Cricket World Cup semi

England, 288-8, bt India, 284-6, by four runsIndia fail to chase down target after Knight’s centuryEngland won a last-over thriller against India at Indore on Sunday to seal their place in the World Cup semi-finals, holding two crucial catches at the death to defend 288 and win by just four runs. Earlier Heather Knight’s third ODI century in her 300th international set up the exciting finale.India were left needing 27 off 18 but, defying England’s recent ­reputation of falling to pieces under pressure, Linsey Smith conceded just four runs from the 48th over and then defended 14 off the last to ensure ­England came out on top. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Heather Knight scores ton as England beat India to reach World Cup semi

Knight’s superb 109 was the mainstay of England’s 288 for eight.

Politics

2 w. ago New Zealand v England: first men’s T20 cricket international hit by rain – as it happened

Rain washes out the first match of the series at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch3rd over: England 14-1 (Buttler 9, Bethell 2) Buttler gets a single off the first ball but Bethell can’t get off strike. Some free flowing shots go straight to the fielders and the pressure starts to rise. Play and a miss! Henry moves one off a length late and it is wafty-woo from Bethell. There we go – a tuck off the hip for two gets the youngster off the mark, that’ll settle him down a bit. Just three off the over.2nd over: England 11-1 (Buttler 7, Bethell 0) Jacob Bethell gets an early visit to the middle. Don’t mention the A word! He starts with two dots, a play and miss and a thick outside edge. Good over from Duffy and New Zealand have the better of the early exchanges. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago New Zealand v England: first men’s T20 cricket international abandoned due to rain – live

First T20 called off after Christchurch deluge Series remains 0-0 with two matches to play3rd over: England 14-1 (Buttler 9, Bethell 2) Buttler gets a single off the first ball but Bethell can’t get off strike. Some free flowing shots go straight to the fielders and the pressure starts to rise. Play and a miss! Henry moves one off a length late and it is wafty-woo from Bethell. There we go – a tuck off the hip for two gets the youngster off the mark, that’ll settle him down a bit. Just three off the over.2nd over: England 11-1 (Buttler 7, Bethell 0) Jacob Bethell gets an early visit to the middle. Don’t mention the A word! He starts with two dots, a play and miss and a thick outside edge. Good over from Duffy and New Zealand have the better of the early exchanges. Continue reading...

Society

2 w. ago Johnny Flynn 'giddy' to play Lucius Malfoy in Harry Potter TV series after earning Jason Isaacs' seal of approval

The Lovesick star said it’s ‘really cool’ to join the wizarding world

Culture

3 w. ago Ian Rush's new life with model fiancee as truth over age gap emerges

The Liverpool legend was part of the last Wales team to beat England - now Craig Bellamy's side are looking for a first win over the Three Lions in over 40 years

Politics