The Guardian

Live updates from the third day of action Email Luke | Sign up for The Recap For good measure here are Sean’s reports from Monday: And Tuesday: Continue reading...

The lineup of Championship teams this season is fearsome, leaving some supporters fearing a long slog to come A new season is supposed to be about renewed hope and optimism, a fresh campaign opening up a world of possibilities, a clean slate. But with the English Football League due to kick off on Friday night when Wolves host Blackburn in the Championship, the sense of rejuvenation is not univer…

Every summer a group set up camp at Colwall, the real home of women’s cricket, and spend five days playing the sport they love Many places have claimed to be the home of women’s cricket over the years. Taunton did so in 2006 when the England and Wales Cricket Board named it as the new “permanent” base of the England Women’s team – a deal that proved anything but permanent. Lord’s recently attempt…

Mark Walter bought team last year for $10bn Iger and Kushner aim to ‘compete at the highest level’ Josh ⁠Kushner and Bob Iger ⁠are purchasing ⁠the ​Los Angeles Lakers for more ⁠than $12.5bn in a record-breaking ⁠deal, ESPN reported ​on ‌Wednesday , citing ‌sources with knowledge ‌of the deal. Billionaire Mark Walter purchased a majority stake of the ‌NBA team last year from the Buss family in a ​…

Midfielder says experience has helped him settle in ‘It’s what I’ve been doing from when I was young’ Youri Tielemans has stated that adjusting to Michael Carrick’s vision for Manchester United has been as easy as “smelling football” for the vastly experienced £35m midfield signing. The 29-year-old, who joined from Aston Villa last month, made his debut for Anderlecht at the age of 16. He has bee…

Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now! As rallying cries for the dawn of a golden era go, “I am quite optimistic” is not “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country”. It did not fit the “I think I am a special one” template set 22 years ago by Netflix’s latest documentary subject . Nor did Matthias Jaissle’s unveiling as Newcastle manager meet the …

‘I don’t think they work,’ says returning Test captain Root takes charge for three-match Pakistan series Joe Root has abolished the midnight curfew for his England Test side, telling his players to “be adults” after a string of late-night incidents. A curfew was imposed on the England men’s teams after their Ashes defeat in the winter, when the on-field action was overshadowed by players’ behavio…

Red Roses coach became citizen in July after six years England begin WXV tournament on 12 September England women’s World Cup-winning coach , John Mitchell, has revealed he became a UK citizen in July after a six-year process. He said it would make representing the country on a sporting stage “very whole and meaningful”. Mitchell, who is from New Zealand and coached the All Blacks at the 2003 men…

Duo are notable omissions from England’s 25-man list Alex Coles and Asher Opoku-Fordjour both included Ollie Lawrence and Elliot Daly have both lost their central contracts with Steve Borthwick omitting the pair from his 25-man squad a year before England’s World Cup campaign begins. Neither Lawrence nor Daly - who was nursing an arm injury - featured in this summer’s three Nations Championship m…

Messi’s father, ⁠Jorge, died last week at age of 68 Argentinian suggests he may not play on much longer Lionel Messi said on Wednesday he is having doubts about continuing his career following the death of his father last week. Messi’s father, ⁠Jorge, died last week aged 68 at a medical clinic in the Argentinian city of Rosario after a long illness. Continue reading...

Former Leicester player’s focus has moved from runner beans to running drills as the season approaches With some parts of England gearing up for a fifth heatwave of 2026, the new Manchester United goalkeeper Janina Leitzig, a keen gardener, is sympathetic to the precarious health of this reporter’s tomato plants. “You’re not used to so little rain, are you?” she observes. For the time being, afte…

Coach was booed by sections of Fever fanbase Fever’s success on court continues despite distractions Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White has pushed back on those who have criticized how she has handled the controversy that erupted after Saturday’s game between her team and the Chicago Sky. Sky’s DiJonai Carrington was ejected for a Flagrant 2 foul after she struck Fever’s Sophie Cunningham in the…

After a period of underachievement and upheaval for the Blues, the arrival of Xabi Alonso could signal a change in fortunes Guardian writers’ predicted position: 3rd (NB: this is not necessarily Billy Munday’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips) Last season’s position: 10th Continue reading...

Midfielder played for Maresca at Stamford Bridge Chelsea believed to be keen on Bournemouth’s Alex Scott Manchester City are targeting Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández as a potential signing though the west London club’s valuation of around £120m may be too high. Chelsea are understood to be intent on that price for the attacking midfielder so any transfer may include add-ons. Enzo Maresca is keen on Fer…

As Ronaldo heads towards 1,000 career-goals, league plans to lift standard of Saudi Arabian football, not just the clubs There’s no Mohamed Salah in the new Saudi Pro League season that kicks off on Thursday and while the age of the ageing megastar is ending, there is still the strong chance that the next few months will be dominated by Cristiano Ronaldo. The 41-year-old is 24 shy of 1,000 career…