13 h. ago Ollie Pope confident he can deliver under pressure for England

Pope reeled off confident knocks of 100 and 90 in the three-day warm-up against England Lions.

Events

13 h. ago Ollie Pope believes pressure on England place will push him to deliver in Ashes

Batter scored 100 and 90 against Lions in warmupWas dropped after averaging 11.16 in 2021-22 tourOllie Pope believes the pressure of defending his spot in the England team amid constant speculation about his future and the rising challenge presented by Jacob Bethell has given him greater clarity and quality, leaving him well placed to improve a poor record against Australia when the Ashes start on Friday.In 10 Test innings against the Australians Pope has never scored more than 42, averaging 11.16 in the three games he played last time England toured here in 2021-22, and 22.50 in two matches when the Ashes were last contested in 2023. The 27-year-old looked in fine form when scoring 100 and 90 in the warmup fixture against the Lions at Lilac Hill and will head to the Optus Stadium for the first Test with confidence high. Continue reading...

Events

57 h. ago Ollie Pope locks down England No3 spot for the Ashes with hundred against the Lions

Former vice captain was under pressure for his place ahead of an assured innings

Politics

9 d. ago Premier League icon's son loved by Pep Guardiola inspires England under

England under-17s were under huge pressure in their second World Cup group stage showdown with Haiti but they eventually managed to secure a huge win to give them fresh hope in the competition

Politics

9 d. ago Thomas Tuchel warns Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham their England recalls come with a twist

Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham have been welcomed back into the England squad by Thomas Tuchel for the no-pressure World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Serbia

Events

1 week ago Gareth Southgate gives Ruben Amorim verdict and makes stance clear on taking Man United job

Gareth Southgate is one of the names tipped to replace Ruben Amorim whenever the Manchester United boss comes under pressure but the ex-England manager has played down the chances of a move to Old Trafford

Politics

1 week ago Tom’s Crossing by Mark Z Danielewski – House of Leaves author returns with a 1200

A quarter century after that landmark cult novel, this new epic has aspects of brilliance but seems designed for academic study rather than readerly enjoymentIn this moment of cultural panic about the decline of reading, it takes an enviable confidence to deliver a volume such as Tom’s Crossing. Weighing in at more than 1,200 pages of closely printed text, the novel contains, I would hazard, about half a million words – roughly two Ulysses. It’s also, for that matter, about twice the length of Danielewski’s debut, House of Leaves, which secured cult status for its author on publication 25 years ago. Tom’s Crossing is so big that when I got it out on the tube, I felt like that character on Trigger Happy TV with his enormous mobile phone. “Look,” I seemed to be telling the passengers scrolling Instagram on their devices, “I’m reading a book!”The novel is not merely long, it’s also a challenging, deliberately arcane work that insists on its own epic status, yet has at its heart a strai...

Culture

2 w. ago Rachel Reeves's husband emails to be published today amid rental house licence row

Downing Street insisted that the Prime Minister still retains confidence in his Chancellor and guaranteed Ms Reeves will deliver the Budget on November 26

Society

3 w. ago Wall Street hits record highs after US inflation report fuels interest rate cut hopes – business live

US consumer prices rose by less than expected last month, as markets digest breakdown of trade talks with CanadaUS prices rose at a 3% annual rate in September, slightly beating forecastsNewsflash: Conditions appear to be improving in the UK economy this month.The latest poll of purchasing managers at British firms has found that growth is picking up after the lull in September, partly helped by the resumption of manufacturing at Jaguar Land Rover after its recent cyber attack.“October’s flash UK PMI survey brings hope that September was a low point for the economy from which business conditions are starting to improve.Output has picked up, with a particularly welcome return to growth for manufacturing for the first time in over a year accompanied by an upturn in demand for services, notably among consumers. Business confidence has also brightened slightly, job losses have moderated, and inflationary pressures are coming back to levels consistent with the Bank of England’s 2% target...

Economics

3 w. ago Charlotte Edwards will help England handle World Cup pressure – Sarah Taylor

England great Taylor is optimistic that Nat Sciver-Brunt’s side can come through a final four that also includes South Africa, India and Australia.

Events

3 w. ago Business conditions ‘starting to improve’ in UK economy as activity picks up – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsNewsflash: Conditions appear to be improving in the UK economy this month.The latest poll of purchasing managers at British firms has found that growth is picking up after the lull in September, partly helped by the resumption of manufacturing at Jaguar Land Rover after its recent cyber attack.“October’s flash UK PMI survey brings hope that September was a low point for the economy from which business conditions are starting to improve.Output has picked up, with a particularly welcome return to growth for manufacturing for the first time in over a year accompanied by an upturn in demand for services, notably among consumers. Business confidence has also brightened slightly, job losses have moderated, and inflationary pressures are coming back to levels consistent with the Bank of England’s 2% target. Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago Business condition ‘starting to improve’ in UK economy as activity picks up – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsNewsflash: Conditions appear to be improving in the UK economy this month.The latest poll of purchasing managers at British firms has found that growth is picking up after the lull in September, partly helped by the resumption of manufacturing at Jaguar Land Rover after its recent cyber attack.“October’s flash UK PMI survey brings hope that September was a low point for the economy from which business conditions are starting to improve.Output has picked up, with a particularly welcome return to growth for manufacturing for the first time in over a year accompanied by an upturn in demand for services, notably among consumers. Business confidence has also brightened slightly, job losses have moderated, and inflationary pressures are coming back to levels consistent with the Bank of England’s 2% target. Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago Bins flow down street as roads turn to rivers after Britain battered by torrential rain

The Met Office expects a deep area of low pressure will affect southern and eastern England from tomorrow night into Thursday with strong gusts and heavy rain.

Politics

3 w. ago Free NHS blood pressure checks available to certain England residents in pharmacies

Although common, high blood pressure can cause serious issues such as heart attacks and strokes if left untreated

Events

4 w. 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