‘As good as I’ve seen’ – Vaughan hails England attack

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England’s pace barrage against Australia on day one of the Ashes series led to former captain Michael Vaughan saying “I would not want to face this attack on this pitch”.

The tourists’ five fast bowlers reduced Australia to 123-9 at the close in Perth after England had been skittled for 172.

Ben Stokes produced a superb six-over spell, taking five wickets for 23 runs after Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse had taken two wickets apiece to blow away the hosts’ top order.

It meant England finished the day 49 runs ahead after a chaotic opening day that saw 19 wickets fall.

“I don’t remember England bowling overs of this quality [before],” said Vaughan, who led England to an Ashes victory in 2005.

“The pacers have been consistent, they’ve been skilful, they’ve been quick. I admire this set of England bowlers hugely.

How fast and accurate were England?

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England’s average bowling speed of 87.6mph was their fastest on record and they combined pace with skill.

In the first 25 overs of their innings Australia were drawn into false shots from more than 40% of the deliveries they faced.

Since such data was collected (2006), that is the fifth-highest percentage of false shots drawn by any bowling team in Test cricket in the first 25 overs of an innings.

Stokes then took over with a five-wicket haul in just 36 balls – the fifth-fastest England bowler to five wickets in an innings.

“There was some brilliant bowling – there’s a bit of movement and steep bounce on this Perth pitch,” added Vaughan.

“You need bowlers to get you out of trouble and all five quick bowlers bowled with skill, pace and were intimidating.

“You can scar a team very early in a series. There were some good tactics by England and tactical manovures they’ll take forward to the second innings and beyond.

“When England were 160-5, I thought go and get 250 because I have seen enough cricket here to know 250 is a good score in the first innings here.

Related topics

  • England Men’s Cricket Team
  • Australia
  • The Ashes
  • Cricket

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    England captain Ben Stokes hugs Jofra Archer to celebrate taking a wicket
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    • 16 August
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Mel C channels her Sporty Spice style days in the most perfect blue shirt for under £75

Channelling her iconic Sporty Spice days, Mel C steps out in the most perfect blue cinched shirt, and it’s surprisingly affordable

Mel C is proving she’s still the undisputed queen of laid-back cool-girl style, channelling her iconic Sporty Spice persona in a blue shirt that’s under £75.

The pop icon stepped out to promote her new album on Good Morning America in the adidas originals x ASOS cinched shirt, a striking blue top with sharp shoulder pads and a tailored silhouette.

Priced at £70, it’s the perfect nod to Mel C’s athletic ‘ 90s vibe while still having that modern vibe that makes is right on trend for 2025.

Fresh from fronting the new JW Anderson collection, Mel is showcasing her style credentials by pairing the blue cinched shirt with wide-leg, vibrant blue trousers and a structured brown coat.

READ MORE: Claudia Winkleman’s favourite chunky rings she wore on The Traitors have 30% off

READ MORE: Kim Kardashian’s ‘ game changer ‘ IPL hair removal device has £130 off in Black Friday sale

The structured shoulder shape lends the whole look a power-dressing edge, while the cinched waist adds a flattering twist that is not often seen in classic sports-inspired shirts.

The blue shade is selling fast, with several sizes already sold out, however, the shirt is also available in a neutral beige colour, which is currently in stock in all sizes.

Whether you grew up idolising her tracksuit era or just love a statement shirt, Mel C’s look proves that sporty chic is well and truly back, and thankfully, now it’s affordable too.

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If you’re looking for more celebrity fashion inspo to shop, you’re in luck, as we’ve found where to buy Holly Willoughby’s gorgeous navy blue handbag at 50% off. Recently, the 44-year-old attended a VIP night at London’s Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, and as expected, gave an expert lesson in autumn-winter dressing. One accessory we were immediately drawn to was her very chic navy blue crossbody bag from one of Kate Middleton’s approved brands, Aspinal of London.

Palmer fractures toe by stubbing it on door

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Cole Palmer, a player in Chelsea, will not play for another week because he tore his toe on Wednesday night when he stubbed it on a door.

After two months out with a groin injury, the England forward was scheduled to return to first-team training this week.

The 23-year-old will be sidelined for a little bit longer because of the small toe on his favorite left foot.

He will miss the Blues’ next three games, including the Premier League game against Burnley on Saturday, the Champions League game against Barcelona on Tuesday, and the match against Arsenal on Saturday at home.

Enzo Maresca, the manager of Chelsea, said, “He is probably not available for Saturday for sure, Barcelona for sure, or Arsenal for sure.”

He reportedly hit his toe in an accident at home, sadly. He won’t be back in the following week, despite the fact that it isn’t significant.

I hit my head, my legs, and everything in the night to make it happen.

Palmer most recently appeared on television on September 20th, 2012, during Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United.

The Blues are third in the Premier League standings and have won eight games in all competitions since then, winning eight and losing two.

I believe that Cole’s teammates are better players when they play, added Maresca. We all want Cole on the pitch, and I feel much better when he plays.

“We need to find a solution at the same time as Cole isn’t on the pitch. We are doing better with Cole, but the team is doing very well. He was on the verge of rejoining us.

The trip to Turf Moor is made possible by Enzo Fernandez, Pedro Neto, and Benoit Badiashile.

Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi are included in Chelsea’s alleged “bomb squad,” and Maresca confirmed nothing has changed between the pair despite the defender’s involvement with the Under-21s and first-team training during the international break.

He claimed that Raheem and Axel are both Chelsea players. “Axel is supporting the younger players, not the second team.”

    • 17 October

Palmer continues to be Chelsea’s top attacking force.

Chelsea’s sensational first season at Stamford Bridge under Mauricio Pochettino earned the nickname “Cole Palmer FC.”

Palmer has remained Chelsea’s elite attacker since Enzo Maresca took over.

He won Player of the Tournament and was man of the match when Chelsea won the Club World Cup over Real Betis last year. He also won the title of Man of the Match.

Chelsea will have three games against Leeds United, Bournemouth, and Atalanta in nine days while Palmer will miss games against Burnley, Barcelona, and Arsenal.

While there are hopes he is over the worst of a persistent groin problem, the injury is understood to be minor.

Palmer has only featured once this season and has only played four games since coming on after 21 minutes at Old Trafford.

freak injuries from football

Palmer is just the latest player to have suffered freak injuries while playing football:

  • Dave Beasant, a Wimbledon goalkeeper, severed a tendon in his big toe while attempting to catch a falling salad cream jar.
  • Liam Lawrence, a player for Stoke City, tripped over his pet Labrador and injured his ankle.
  • Kirk Broadfoot, a Rangers defender, was taken to the hospital after an egg blew up in his face while he was microwaving.
  • Santiago Canizares, the Spain goalkeeper, was unintentionally smashed into a bottle of aftershave and a piece of glass that severed a tendon in his right foot, which caused him to miss the 2002 World Cup.

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  • Premier League
  • Football

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Niger State Govt Condemns Abduction Of Students, Says School Ignored Red Alert

The incident, which occurred in the Papiri neighborhood of Agwara Local Government Area, is “deeply saddening and avoidable,” according to the Niger State Government.

The government confirmed that the precise number of abducted pupils has not yet been determined in a statement signed by SSG Secretary Abubakar Usman because security agencies are still conducting assessments and gathering reliable data.

The government was informed in the statement that it had previously been informed of reliable information that indicated increased security threats in some of the Niger North Senatorial District.

READ MORE: Gunmen Abduct Students From Schools in Nigeria State

According to these reports, the State Government ordered the state government to halt all construction activities and temporarily close boarding schools in the affected areas as a preventative safety precaution.

St. Mary’s School allegedly reopened and resumed academic activities without notifying or obtaining government approval, a practice that, according to the SSG, put students and staff at a high risk.

Since then, security forces have expanded search-and-rescue operations and begun a comprehensive investigation to ensure the return of the kidnapped pupils.

The Niger State Government says it keeps in touch with security personnel and will continue to update them as the situation develops.

“This unfortunate incident occurs despite the government’s prior intelligence report showing an increased threat level in some areas of the Niger North Senatorial District.

The State Government had earlier issued a clear directive directing the temporary closure of all boarding schools in the affected area in response to these credible security alerts.

Regrettably, St. Mary’s School resumed its academic activities without notifying or obtaining state government approval, exposing both students and staff to unfavorable risks. Since then, security services have begun a comprehensive investigation and search-and-rescue operations to ensure the pupils’ safe return, the statement said in part.

In order to protect public safety, the government made an appeal to school owners, community leaders, and other stakeholders in the state to strictly adhere to all security advisories.

It once more stated that the administration’s top priority is the protection of lives, especially those of children.

Citizens were urged to support security forces with credible information that might aid ongoing rescue efforts.

In an attack on St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Niger State, gunmen reportedly kidnapped an undisclosed number of students, according to Channels Television.

The school, which is alleged to be a private Catholic school in the Agwara Local Government Area of the state, was taken on Friday morning by the attackers.

The gunmen were reportedly accompanied by a van and riding on over 60 motorcycles.