The lack of a prime TV slot and staffing issue may scupper suggestion of switch for the season’s jumps highlight For the fourth year running, Cheltenham saw an increased attendance at its season-opening Showcase meeting over the weekend, as 31,125 racegoers made their way to the home of jumps racing....
Steven Finn: ‘Saying I was not selectable was clumsy language and it damaged me’
In his candid new book, the former England fast bowler talks about the lasting mental turmoil that ended his 2013-14 Ashes tour “I couldn’t get the words out because I was crying,” Steven Finn says as he remembers how, hunched over a microphone, he stared at the last lines he...
F1 title run-in: who will win the drivers’ championship in three-way tussle? | Giles Richards
With four races left, divining the F1 title destination is tricky but the smart money would go on Lando Norris Ordinarily at this point in the Formula One season, form has been settled. This year, with four meetings remaining, the title run-in reaches its decisive phase with a three-way fight...
George Ford in line to beat Fin Smith for England fly-half berth against Australia
Sale No 10’s tactical nous may earn him start on Saturday Tommy Freeman in contention for outside-centre spot George Ford is likely to start at fly-half when England begin their autumn internationals campaign against Australia at Twickenham on Saturday. The Sale Sharks No 10 enjoyed an outstanding summer tour with...
Toone and England braced for Australia revenge mission after World Cup heartache
England beat Australia in semi-final of home tournament ‘We broke their hearts so it will feel like a revenge game’ Ella Toone has said she expects Australia to treat Tuesday’s game against England as a revenge mission after the Lionesses “broke their hearts in the World Cup”. England last faced...
Dutch volleyballer and convicted child rapist Steven van de Velde denied Australian visa
Visa application rejected before world championships Van de Velde was jailed for raping a 12-year-old girl Netherlands beach volleyball player and convicted child rapist Steven van de Velde has been banned from entering Australia for the looming world titles. Van de Velde had been named in a Dutch team to...
‘Divisive’ Rodgers leaves Celtic and is replaced by O’Neill as interim manager
Desmond calls Rodgers ‘misleading and self-serving’ Manager resigns with club eight points behind Hearts The scale of recent disharmony inside Celtic has come to light with the resignation of Brendan Rodgers. By way of immediate response the club’s main – and typically publicity-shy – shareholder, Dermot Desmond, has remarkably unleashed...
Boxing Day could be left with just one Premier League match
TV deals and squeezed calendar cause conundrum Boxing Day lands on Friday, which has one broadcast slot The traditional Boxing Day feast of top-flight football may end up looking like leftovers this winter, with a squeezed calendar meaning there may be only one Premier League fixture. Boxing Day lands on...
Freeman’s walk-off homer lifts Dodgers over Blue Jays in 18-inning World Series epic
Dodgers win in 18, tying longest World Series game Ohtani reaches base postseason-record nine times LA lead 2-1 in series ahead of Tuesday’s Game 4 Freddie Freeman hit a leadoff home run in the bottom of the 18th inning to give the Dodgers a 6–5 victory over the Toronto Blue...
Jannik Sinner calls out grand slams for delaying welfare and prize money talks
No good reason for inaction by grand slams, Sinner says Players want contributions towards welfare benefits Jannik Sinner has criticised the grand slam tournaments for failing to engage with repeated requests from the world’s top stars to discuss prize money and welfare benefits for lower-ranked players. The Guardian has learned...