Sports

It is the first morning of Lancashire’s County Championship game against Essex. Outside the Old Trafford pavilion, England’s highest wicket-taker is handing over a county cap. “I know you expected a bit more grass,” he says. “But sorry, maybe next time.” Hassan Ali’s Manchester spring has been a triumph. Living in Old Trafford’s Hilton hotel …

Hassan Ali: ‘Wasim Akram told me to play county cricket. Finally I’m here ‘| Lancashire Read More »

Steven Gerrard has said he is disappointed his integrity has been questioned before the former Liverpool captain takes his Aston Villa side to Manchester City but conceded the dream scenario would be if his current and former club profit on the final day. If Villa take points off City they would hand the Premier League …

Steven Gerrard disappointed integrity was questioned before Liverpool game | Aston Villa Read More »

Versatility can be a double-edged sword for emerging youngsters but when Northampton’s director of rugby, Chris Boyd, waxes lyrical about the number of positions in which Tommy Freeman could play, he captures a large part of why Eddie Jones has taken such a liking to the Saints flyer. In his fledgling career to date, the …

Northampton’s Tommy Freeman: ‘I’m knocking on England’s door and that’s all I can do’ | Northampton Read More »

The official ratings suggest that Winter Power, last season’s Nunthorpe Stakes winner, has at least 9lb in hand of her 11 rivals in Saturday’s Temple Stakes at Haydock, but Tim Easterby’s filly disappointed twice after her Group One success and will need to be back to something like her best to win this well-contested Group …

Talking Horses: Existent well priced to eclipse Winter Power at Haydock | Horse racing Read More »

The end of the season is the most emotional time in the footballing year. It’s when teams lift trophies and escape the drop and when fans give health to their heroes, with the Premier League promising to come to a spectacular conclusion in the last round of fixtures on Sunday. But in 2022 the season’s …

Authorities searching for solutions after pitch invasions cause disquiet | Football violence Read More »

Three years ago, Barcelona were humbled in Budapest by a strong and athletic Lyon side powered by more than a decade of investment. By the half-hour it was 4-0, with Ada Hegerberg’s 17-minute hat-trick stealing the show. A late consolation goal by the substitute Asisat Oshoala would do little to ease the bruising. It was …

Barça aim to seal superpower status in Women’s Champions League final | Women’s Champions League Read More »

Florence Griffith Joyner’s imposing and controversial women’s 100m world record of 10.49sec could finally fall this summer, Dina Asher-Smith has forecast. The British sprinter insisted that the rapid improvements in spike and track technology meant “nothing is impossible” for modern athletes – including surpassing Flo-Jo’s iconic 100m and 200m records set in 1988. Last summer …

Dina Asher-Smith says Florence Griffith Joyner’s world records are at risk | Dina Asher-Smith Read More »

Formula One opened the European leg of the season in sweltering temperatures and an appropriately heated and fractious atmosphere in the paddock. Fernando Alonso launched a scathing attack on the FIA, the sport’s governing body, for which he faces a potential punishment, while Red Bull in turn expressed scorn and disbelief at Aston Martin, who …

Red Bull smokes over ‘clone’ Aston Martin while Alonso rages at F1 stewards | Formula One Read More »

In the city that houses a new museum dedicated to Bob Dylan, the times they are a changin ‘. How else to explain a major leaderboard as has Will Zalatoris and Mito Pereira – without a main tour victory between them – at the summit? Zalatoris leads Pereira by one at the halfway point of …

Fresh look to US PGA Championship leaderboard with Will Zalatoris on top at halfway stage | US PGA Read More »

The horrors associated with a violent mob rampaging around the US Capitol last year meant a subsequent decision relating to a barely registered golf tournament. Donald Trump’s Bedminster golf course had been announced as the 2022 US PGA Championship’s host venue in 2014. With Trump caught in the middle of the Capitol storm, the PGA …

Switching PGA courses after mob rampage a success for all bar Trump | US PGA Read More »