Category Sports News

Jamie Smith was the 17-year-old tipped for international honours by England legend Alec Stewart.

He has packed more into the past 12 months than most have managed in the seven years since.

Next week’s third Test at Lord’s will mark the first anniversary of Smith’s Test debut on the same ground.

Since then he has been out in the nineties in his third Test, made his maiden hundred in his fourth, missed a tour of New Zealand to become a father for the first time, struggled at his first international tournament and been made an opener – a position he had never held in professional cricket – in England’s white-ball teams.

On day three of the second Test at Edgbaston came the moment to top all of those others, on the field at least.

Much was made of how harsh it was for England to drop Ben Foakes, the world’s best gloveman and an able batter, in favour of Smith at the start of last summer.

Little thought was given to how challenging it must have been for Smith to not only replace the man he sat next to in the Surrey dressing room but also impose himself and be the aggressive number seven England craved.

This innings at Edgbaston was England’s wish in perfect technicolour.

Smith emerged after Joe Root and Ben Stokes had been dismissed by consecutive deliveries. He drove his first delivery for four before he set about flaying India’s bowling to all corners of this ground in an epic partnership of 303 with Harry Brook.

Smith flogged anything short and creamed drives whenever the ball was full.

When Prasidh Krishna’s bouncer ploy was pumped for 23 runs in one over, Stokes was applauding high above his head in the dressing room.

While Smith hit four sixes against India and has previously cleared the Hollies and Lord’s Father Time with towering blows in his short career, he was not always blessed with such power.

Prior to his Test debut, having been unable to secure a top-order place in Surrey’s T20 side, he turned down a trip with England Lions to instead play in the ILT20 in the United Arab Emirates.

There he worked on his power hitting, while also bulking up in the gym.

Though the 80 balls Smith took to reach three figures meant Gilbert Jessop, England’s fastest centurion, can rest easy as he holds onto his record further into a 123rd year, it did mean Smith tied for second place in terms of fastest Test tons by a wicketkeeper.

Ahead of Smith is only Australia’s Adam Gilchrist – the greatest keeper-batter of them all.

The way the Whitgift School-product pulls pace bowlers from back-of-a-length over mid-wicket is a reminder of some of the greatest Australians – and whets the appetite for England’s winter ahead.

Australia is yet to see the best of Smith – he averages 23. 16 against them from six one-day internationals – and any suggestions he is Gilchrist’s heir will be met by sniggers down under.

Gilchrist scored 17 Test hundreds as he switched between a destroyer of tiring attacks to a man overqualified for a rebuild from number seven when the great Australian top order did fail.

One thing Smith has on his side is time, however, given he made his first Test century aged 24. Gilchrist did not make his debut until two weeks before his 28th birthday.

While ending his career with a record to match Gilchrist’s remains optimistic, the road to becoming England’s best looks within reach given Smith’s talent and the ease in which he has taken to international level.

He has been in the Test arena less than a year but already only five wicketkeepers – Alan Knott and Jonny Bairstow with five, Stewart six, Matt Prior on seven and pre-War great Les Ames on eight – sit ahead in terms of most centuries for England.

Should he continue as he has started, injuries or England deciding to relieve him of the gloves look to be the only hazards in Smith’s way.

While solid enough – he has a catch percentage of 96% from his 11 completed Tests – as a gloveman he does not move quickly enough to reach opportunities others could lay a hand on, while his missed stumping of Rishabh Pant in the first innings in Leeds last week was a regulation chance that Pant did not fully punish.

A change looks a long way off, however, with Smith a favourite of the Stokes-McCullum regime.

Pressure could one day come from recent England call-up James Rew, who has 10 first-class hundreds for Somerset and is still aged 21, or his younger, possibly even more talented, brother, Thomas. The younger Rew is 17 and made the fastest century for England Under-19s earlier this week.

For now Smith has the role to himself and he will soon be a favourite of England’s vocal support.

The loudest noise during the third day was the Hollies chanting of Harry Brook’s name to the tune of a Boney M track as he raised his bat.

Newcastle make Giorgio Scalvini their top defensive transfer target, Mikel Arteta sets Arsenal a deadline for Viktor Gyokeres deal and Barcelona are ready to make fresh Luis Diaz move.

Newcastle United have made Italy international Giorgio Scalvini their top defensive transfer target with the Magpies hoping they can sign the 21-year-old Atalanta centre-back for about £30m. (Times – subscription required)

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has set a deadline of less than two weeks for the club to agree a deal for Sporting’s Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres, 27, with RB Leipzig’s 22-year-old Slovenian forward Benjamin Sesko and Aston Villa and England’s Ollie Watkins, 29, alternative options. (Mirror)

Barcelona will make a fresh approach for Liverpool’s 28-year-old Colombia winger Luis Diaz after another target, 22-year-old Spain winger Nico Williams, signed a new contract with Athletic Bilbao. (Fabrizio Romano)

Everton’s 35-year-old Senegal midfielder Idrissa Gueye, whose contract expired on Monday, has signed a new one-year deal with the option of another year. (Footmercato – in French)

Tottenham are among the clubs showing interest in Genoa centre-back Koni de Winter, 23, with the Belgium international valued at £21. 5m by his Italian club. (Talksport)

Napoli are considering rivalling Manchester United and Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah for the signing of Fiorentina’s 25-year-old Italy striker Moise Kean, whose release clause of 52m euros (£45m) expires on 15 July. (Calciomercato – in Italian)

Burnley and Crystal Palace are among the Premier League clubs interested in 25-year-old Napoli and Sweden midfielder Jens Cajuste, who spent last season on loan at Ipswich Town. (Sky Sports)

Crystal Palace have also made an offer to sign Ajax left-back Borna Sosa, with the 27-year-old Croatia international among several options Oliver Glasner’s side are considering to add depth to the squad. (Athletic – subscription required)

Wimbledon 2025

Dates: 30 June-13 July Venue: All England Club

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz kept himself on course for a third Wimbledon title in a row by overcoming Jan-Lennard Struff in an enthralling encounter to reach the fourth round.

The world number two has yet to really hit his stride at the tournament but came through some big pressure situations and produced moments of quality in this match to seal a 6-1 3-6 6-3 6-4 win.

Alcaraz will next face 14th seed Andrey Rublev – who beat Adrian Mannarino 7-5 6-2 6-3 – for a place in the quarter-finals.

“I knew it was going to be difficult,” the 22-year-old Spaniard said.

“He has big serves, approaches the net and I am really pleased with everything I had done today.

“I am proud to get the win in four sets. It was stressful as well. I was suffering in every set that I did today. “

Alcaraz had to battle through five sets and almost five hours on court to see off Fabio Fognini in the opening round and, although he did then beat British wildcard Ollie Tarvet in straight sets, he had to fend off a number of chances the Wimbledon debutant had to break him.

Initially, it looked like he would sail past world number 125 Struff in front of an expectant Centre Court crowd on Friday as he wrapped up the opening set in under 30 minutes, dropping just one game to the German.

But the second set was a different story as Struff found his power and accuracy on his serve. Having not managed a single ace in the first set, he hit four in the second to help him break Alcaraz twice and level up matters.

But that accuracy deserted the German number three early in the third. Three double faults gifted Alcaraz a break to go 2-0 up and he stayed in control to take the set.

The pressure ramped up in the fourth but Alcaraz showed the quality that has allowed him to go 21 matches unbeaten.

He fended off a couple of potential break opportunities before a wonderful backhand volley at the net helped him on the way to a crucial break at 4-4.

That had the Centre Court crowd up on their feet before Alcaraz wrapped up the set and the match with a dominant hold to love to cement his place in the next round.

Taylor Fritz must not want to be anywhere else but on court at Wimbledon, given how long his matches have been.

All three of his matches have lasted more than three hours – in his latest epic, he beat Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-4 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-1.

The American did at least get it done in four sets rather than the two five-set marathons that preceded it.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m a bit sore after this match, because even though it was four, it was much more physical than my other two matches,” he said.

“I did a lot more side-to-side running in the heat as well. I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m a bit sore. But overall I’m feeling good. “

He will next face Australian Jordan Thompson in the last 16.

Thompson, who had never reached this stage of Wimbledon before, beat Italian Luciano Darderi 6-4 6-4 3-6 6-3.

Exciting Brazil teenager Joao Fonseca – who has had a huge backing of fans at Wimbledon – lost an all-South American encounter with Nicolas Jarry 6-3 6-4 3-6 7-6 (7-4). The Chilean next faces Britain’s Cameron Norrie.

Jarry has a family connection to Wimbledon – his grandfather, Jaime Fillol, reached the fourth round in 1974 – and he says he has loved the tournament since he was a child.

“I came here with him when I was 10 and 11 years old and since then I’m in love with this tournament,” he said.

Wimbledon 2025

Dates: 30 June-13 July Venue: All England Club

Cameron Norrie says he used a crowd tactic deployed by Andy Murray to get himself fired up during his third-round Wimbledon victory over Italian Matteo Bellucci.

Playing on Court One – which he describes as his favourite at the tournament – the 29-year-old said he picked out members of the crowd to feed off their energy as he battled to a 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 6-3 victory.

“I think it’s important to use the crowd to your advantage,” he said.

“I was just pulling from random people in the crowd today, getting fired up with them. You can see they’re loving it. “

Focusing on particularly passionate individuals in the crowd to motivate himself was a strategy often used by three-time Grand Slam champion Murray.

At Indian Wells last year, former world number one Murray paid tribute to a fan who had provided him with constant support in a first-round win over David Goffin.

“I wanted to pull from the energy from not just my team but from some random people in the crowd. I’ve seen Andy Murray do that a lot in his matches,” Norrie added.

“They’re there to watch tennis. They’re there to enjoy. I wanted to try to give them something to cheer about.

“I think the people quite like it when you look at them and get fired up. They feel like they’ve played a part in the win. “

Norrie’s win over world number 73 Bellucci means he remains the last Briton standing in the men’s singles draw at the All England Club.

He had already gone one better than British number one Jack Draper, who suffered a shock second-round exit on Thursday, but ensured British interest is not over yet by booking his place in the last 16 for the second time in his career.

Having overcome stern tests in his opening two rounds against Spanish veteran Roberto Bautista Agut then American 12th seed Frances Tiafoe, Norrie faced a more straightforward task, on paper at least, against Bellucci.

The Italian was enjoying his best career run at a Grand Slam but caused Norrie problems in a tense first set.

Currently ranked 61 in the world, Norrie found his stride to weather the storm, then comfortably navigated the next two and set up a meeting with Chile’s Nicolas Jarry.

Norrie came into the Championships at the All England Club knowing all the scrutiny was on compatriot Draper, seeded fourth.

That could be a contributing factor as to why Norrie said he is enjoying his tennis “more than ever” with less of the pressure that comes with being British number one.

That, and the chance to play free-flowing tennis after a turbulent period – he was ranked as low as 91 in April, having been inside the world’s top 10 three years ago.

With Draper out, the crowd on Court One were suitably fired up to support the last remaining home player in the men’s draw, although they did not have much to shout about in the opening exchanges as Bellucci immediately broke to love.

Norrie almost secured an instant break back but an enthusiastic Bellucci put up staunch resistance to consolidate his advantage.

When the break back did eventually come in the eighth game, the crowd were only too willing to join in with Norrie’s celebrations before rising to their feet again after a stunning backhand winner helped him seal a tightly contested tie-break.

The gusto that had carried Bellucci through the first set faded in the second as the error count began to creep up and Norrie took full advantage.

The pair exchanged breaks in the second set but, when Norrie moved ahead in the seventh game, Bellucci could find no response and the Briton took the set with his second opportunity.

Norrie again found the early break in the third set with a stunning forehand winner down the line before pushing further ahead with a glorious drop shot to take the double break.

Women’s Irish Open second-round leaderboard

-11 L Woad (Eng*); -8 C Tamburlini (Swi); -7 C Hull (Eng), A Garvey (NZ), K Rudgeley (Aus), M Sagstrom (Swe); -6 A Swayne (USVI), H Screen (Eng)

Selected others: -4 E Hamilton (Eng); -3 M Rhodes (Eng); -1 A Foster (Ire); Level E Fleming (Ire*); +1 L Maguire (Ire), G Hall (Eng)

Woad, 21, recorded seven birdies and just one bogey in windy conditions to lead Switzerland’s overnight joint-leader Chiara Tamburlini, who birdied her last hole for a two-under 71.

World number 19 Charley Hull of England shot a bogey-free 69 and shares third place alongside Australia’s Kirsten Rudgeley (68), Sweden’s four-time Solheim Cup player Madelene Sagstrom (71) and New Zealand’s Amelia Garvey (70).

England’s Hannah Screen (72) and Alexandra Swayne of the Virgin Islands (72) are a shot further back on six-under.

Woad is the world’s top-ranked amateur and served notice of her potential with victory in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and a top-10 finish in the Women’s Open last year.

And while she has not yet turned professional, the Florida State University player has put herself in a strong position to win her first Ladies European Tour title with 36 holes to go in County Kildare.

After a bogey-free opening 68, Woad started Friday’s round on the 10th and picked up three shots on her front nine.

Woad, from Farnham in Surrey, gained another three strokes in the first six holes of her second nine, and while a solitary blemish came on the par-four eighth, a closing birdie extended her advantage at the top of the leaderboard.

Woad led by four until 2024 Order of Merit winner Tamburlini knocked her approach at the final hole to within a foot for a closing birdie.

But while Woad shone, home favourite Maguire failed to build on her opening 72 as she dropped three shots in her first five holes.

The three-time Solheim Cup player then mixed three birdies with a double bogey on the back nine to sit in a tie for 49th alongside England’s former Open champion Georgia Hall, who shot 76.

Wimbledon 2025

Dates: 30 June-13 July Venue: All England Club

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz kept himself on course for a third Wimbledon title in a row by overcoming Jan-Lennard Struff in an enthralling encounter to reach the fourth round.

The world number two has yet to really hit his stride at the tournament but came through some big pressure situations and produced moments of quality in this match to seal a 6-1 3-6 6-3 6-4 win.

Alcaraz will next face 14th seed Andrey Rublev – who beat Adrian Mannarino 7-5 6-2 6-3 – for a place in the quarter-finals.

“I knew it was going to be difficult,” the 22-year-old Spaniard said.

“He has big serves, approaches the net and I am really pleased with everything I had done today.

“I am proud to get the win in four sets. It was stressful as well. I was suffering in every set that I did today. “

Alcaraz had to battle through five sets and almost five hours on court to see off Fabio Fognini in the opening round and, although he did then beat British wildcard Ollie Tarvet in straight sets, he had to fend off a number of chances the Wimbledon debutant had to break him.

Initially, it looked like he would sail past world number 125 Struff in front of an expectant Centre Court crowd on Friday as he wrapped up the opening set in under 30 minutes, dropping just one game to the German.

But the second set was a different story as Struff found his power and accuracy on his serve. Having not managed a single ace in the first set, he hit four in the second to help him break Alcaraz twice and level up matters.

But that accuracy deserted the German number three early in the third. Three double faults gifted Alcaraz a break to go 2-0 up and he stayed in control to take the set.

The pressure ramped up in the fourth but Alcaraz showed the quality that has allowed him to go 21 matches unbeaten.

He fended off a couple of potential break opportunities before a wonderful backhand volley at the net helped him on the way to a crucial break at 4-4.

That had the Centre Court crowd up on their feet before Alcaraz wrapped up the set and the match with a dominant hold to love to cement his place in the next round.

Taylor Fritz must not want to be anywhere else but on court at Wimbledon, given how long his matches have been.

All three of his matches have lasted more than three hours – in his latest epic, he beat Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-4 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-1.

The American did at least get it done in four sets rather than the two five-set marathons that preceded it.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m a bit sore after this match, because even though it was four, it was much more physical than my other two matches,” he said.

“I did a lot more side-to-side running in the heat as well. I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m a bit sore. But overall I’m feeling good. “

He will next face Australian Jordan Thompson in the last 16.

Thompson, who had never reached this stage of Wimbledon before, beat Italian Luciano Darderi 6-4 6-4 3-6 6-3.