The Guardian

Late-age cricket leagues are growing fast and the national Over-70s thrived on their winter southern hemisphere tour “You could compare and contrast if you so desired,” says England Over-70s manager Chris Lowe, offering the straightest of bats to my shameless prod. “You’re the journalist, so you probably will.” It would be professional negligence not to. So let us duly look at the fate that befel…

We now know all 48 teams that will play in the US, Canada and Mexico later this year – this is how they got there Nine countries qualified as group winners – Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Ghana, Cape Verde, South Africa, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire – and the Democratic Republic of Congo gave the continent a 10th representative at the tournament by battling through the playoffs. Egypt Mohamed Sa…

Chants made during friendly against Egypt in Barcelona Spain’s coach and justice minister condemn behaviour Police in Spain are investigating “Islamophobic and xenophobic” chants heard during Spain’s friendly against Egypt in Barcelona. The Spain coach, Luis de la Fuente, on Tuesday night condemned “xenophobic or racist attitudes” after fans repeatedly made anti-Muslim chants and on Wednesday Spa…

Trainer calls on authorities to apply ‘common sense’ BHA later permitted horses to be re-entered in race The betting market for the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on 2 May was thrown into confusion on Tuesday when two significant candidates from the Aidan O’Brien stable, Gstaad and Albert Einstein, were taken out of the race, apparently as the result of an administrative error. The chaos was then com…

The 23-year-old British No 1 also sat out Miami Open Post-viral symptoms from illness stall comeback Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from next week’s Linz Open as she continues to recover full fitness, her team have confirmed. The British No 1 also pulled out of the Miami Open as she prioritises her rehabilitation from post-viral symptoms on the back of an illness she picked up in Romania in early Fe…

With the NFL’s Chicago Bears weighing a once-unthinkable move to Indiana, a new federal bill aims to give cities the right to keep their teams WWE star CM Punk called it “straight greed”. Illinois governor JB Pritzker called it a “slap in the face”. An overwhelming majority of fans say they will hold a grudge. This cacophony of disgust has been prompted by the real possibility that the Chicago Be…

The American star has been in a career-worst scoring rut, but he and Mauricio Pochettino are taking it in stride Nobody on the US men’s national team is worried about Christian Pulisic’s severe lack of goal scoring form. At least, nobody is saying they are. Continue reading...

Governing board faces claims of blocking international pathway Parent says LD players are ‘quietly put to one side’ The England and Wales Cricket Board has been accused of allowing non-disabled players to participate in its Disability Premier League, blocking the pathway to international cricket. The parents of Jai Charan and Alex Jervis – both former England internationals who have diagnosed lea…

Skinner’s side spent £5.88m while Arsenal spent £11.3m United face Bayern in Champions League on Wednesday Manchester United’s wage bill was about half that of their Women’s Super League rivals Arsenal’s last season, their latest financial accounts have revealed, highlighting the stark contrast in spending at some of England’s biggest clubs as they prepare for a decisive night of European action.…

Plus: qualifying for the World Cup with no more than two wins, a 20-0 victory and scratching a 34-year itch Mail us with your questions and answers “ The Bundesliga table shows Bayern Munich on 70 points with an eye-popping goal difference of +72,” pops Chris Fryer. “Has any club won the league with a greater goal difference than points tally?” Bayern Munich have won 22 and lost one in the Bundes…

Batter pays for poor form since fearless Boxing Day knock in 2024 Brendan Doggett earns spot on 21-man list after Ashes Test debut Australia’s Ashes-winning players have been rewarded with contracts for a bumper 2026-27 cricket season, but there was no room on the 21-man list for Sam Konstas and Glenn Maxwell. Paceman Brendan Doggett, who made his full international debut against England in Novem…

Christian Pulisic struggled in more attacking role Francisco Trincão opens scoring in first half US next plays Germany and Senegal before World Cup opener The US men’s national team met Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Tuesday evening having spent the days leading up to the match preaching about intensity . Following a 5-2 drubbing at the hands of Belgium on the weekend, players and coaches a…

Japan’s goal wasn’t Palmer’s fault and Mainoo couldn’t track back, but Tuchel will now see the scale of what faces him To see a world in a grain of meaningless friendly. It has become a habit to say you don’t learn anything from these games. This isn’t strictly true. You just don’t learn anything new. But it’s all still there, ready to be decoded like a set of sporting tea leaves. On a strangely …

The playing of a Scotland fixture on Merseyside provided a significant boost to the area’s ­hospitality sector. Questions remain over whether or not Scotland’s World Cup involvement this summer can deliver on‑field impact. Steve Clarke believes momentum is little more than a buzzword. There is an unavoidable sense, however, that Scotland are desperately in need of precisely that with North Americ…

New Spurs head coach supported Greenwood at Marseille Greenwood had charges including attempted rape dropped in 2023 The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust has strongly criticised the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi as the club’s head coach, expressing “serious and far-reaching concerns” over his past support for Mason Greenwood. In a statement released soon after De Zerbi signed a five-year con…