Category Sports News

Second Rothesay Test, Edgbaston (day three of five)

India 587 & 64-1: Rahul 28*; Tongue 1-12

England 407: Smith 184*, Brook 158; Siraj 6-70

India lead by 244 runs

Jamie Smith and Harry Brook produced a stunning England fightback but India remain in a dominant position at the end of the third day of the second Test at Edgbaston.

Smith counter-attacked after Joe Root and Ben Stokes fell in consecutive deliveries in the second over of the day, racing to an 80-ball century and going on to make a supreme 184 not out.

He shared an epic partnership of 303 with Brook, who made a more measured yet equally as crucial 158, to haul England back into the contest.

India came roaring back with the second new ball, however, dismissing Brook and sweeping aside the lower order as the final five England wickets fell for just 20 runs. The hosts were all out for 407 with a fired-up Mohammed Siraj taking 6-70.

That meant India took a big first-innings lead of 180, although not as significant an advantage as they looked set for when Stokes was out with his side five down and 503 behind.

India reached 64-1 in 13 overs before the close, extending their advantage to 244.

The first two days of this match were absorbing. On Friday it burst into life to produce one of the most remarkable days in recent memory.

The first session was scarcely believable. England scored 172 runs and excitement built that Smith could reach three figures in less than 76 balls to make the fastest century by an England player – a record that has stood for 123 years.

He failed in that quest but, having come in with his side 85-5 and staring down the barrel, still made the highest score by an England wicketkeeper in men’s Tests, eclipsing Alec Stewart’s 173 in New Zealand in 1997.

Either side of Smith’s mammoth stand with Brook, England lost seven wickets for 28 runs. India deserve immense credit for the way they sensed their moment after tea.

Significant seam movement for Akash Deep helped him bowl Brook while the occasional ball has turned for the spinners and others kept low to the quicks.

That means chasing anything more than the 371 England pursued at Headingley to win last week’s first Test will be tough.

But if England do not bowl out India, their opponents will be left with an intriguing tactical decision of when to declare given England’s chasing credentials – they also pursued 378 to beat India in 2022 – and the hosts’ stated disinterest in playing for a draw.

Ten balls into the day, England’s hopes looked as good as over.

Having resumed on 77-3, Root was caught down the leg side and a ball later Stokes gloved behind a brutal Siraj bouncer.

But Smith drove his first ball – Siraj’s hat-trick delivery – for four through mid-off. It was an emphatic sign of intent from a highly-rated 24-year-old, who played one of the great England knocks in recent memory.

After a quick start he went up another gear as India turned to a bouncer ploy and the Surrey man flogged Prasidh Krishna for 23 in one over.

When Smith planted spinner Ravindra Jadeja into the stands, he had 84 from 61 balls and the record held by Gilbert Jessop looked in real danger. Despite failing there, Smith still beat Brook, who began the day on 30, to three figures.

After lunch, India played on the pair’s patience by bowling wide. The England duo smartly meandered along, taking 106 runs in the session compared to the rampant flow of runs earlier.

Having been calm most of the day, Brook charged his first delivery against the second new ball.

He survived swiping on that occasion but could do little to a ball from Deep that jagged back in the seamer’s next over.

From there India were re-energised.

Chris Woakes nicked Deep to slip for five and Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue were both pinned lbw without scoring by Siraj.

The India quick then bowled last man Shoaib Bashir, having hit him on the helmet a ball earlier. Bashir was the sixth batter to make a duck on a remarkable scorecard – the most in an innings in England’s Test history.

With the momentum against them again, the hosts began poorly with the new ball and allowed Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul’s opening stand to reach 51 in 48 balls.

When they did strike, Jaiswal reviewed an lbw decision after he was hit on the pad by Tongue despite appearing to be out of time to do so.

England batter Harry Brook, speaking to BBC Test Match Special: “It was nice to spend some time out there with Smudge [Jamie Smith]. He has a long England career ahead of him. Hopefully we’ve clawed ourselves back in the game.

“If I hadn’t got out we would not be in this situation now but we saw last week how quickly it can change. Akash and Siraj bowled well. They attacked the stumps with all modes of dismissal in play.

“Thankfully we’ve seen the back of Jaiswal and hopefully we can make inroads tomorrow. India are in the driving seat but hopefully we can put pressure with early wickets and make them crumble. “

Ex-England captain Michael Vaughan: “The one concern I would have is that India had much more movement with the new ball. From what I’ve seen now, England have to get a little bit of seam into their action because it’s a flat pitch.

“India are brought up on these kind of wickets. I can’t see them collapsing tomorrow, they aren’t going to give them anything. They’ve dominated completely other than about three hours today. “

Former England bowler Steven Finn: “If I was inside in the India dressing room just play that first session, be cautious and don’t let England get wind in their sails with early wickets. Then you can have fun as a batter.

“They might have one eye on the weather, but I’m not sure they will be brave enough to make a declaration. They will be wary of Headingley and what happened here last time.

British Grand Prix

Venue: Silverstone Dates: 4-6 July Race start: 15:00 BST on Sunday

Lewis Hamilton said he and Ferrari could “dream of a strong weekend” at the British Grand Prix after challenging McLaren in Friday practice.

McLaren’s Lando Norris set the pace at Silverstone, 0. 22 seconds ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, with Hamilton just 0. 079secs further adrift.

Championship leader Oscar Piastri of McLaren was fourth, 0. 470secs off the pace.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, complaining over the radio of a lack of front grip through Silverstone’s high-speed corners, was fifth fastest.

Hamilton said: “It was a really good day. Great to see the crowd, amazing to be out on track in a Ferrari here at Silverstone.

“And also the Red Bull and McLaren have an upgrade, so for us to be in the mix still given they have had a step today is really positive.

“Definitely feel we can dream of having a strong weekend but putting it all together and extracting it is another thing.

Hamilton was fastest in the first session on a day when Ferrari’s pace caught the eye of championship leaders McLaren.

McLaren and Red Bull are two of a number of teams who have a new floor for Silverstone, while Ferrari are continuing with the new design they debuted in Austria last weekend.

Hamilton – who has had a difficult start to his first year at Ferrari but has won more times at Silverstone than anyone else, with a record nine victories – said he was finally becoming more at home in the car.

“I’m progressing a lot with the car and much more comfortable on knowing where it needs to be. By P2 we still weren’t where we needed to be so struggled a little bit more but definitely know the changes we need to make to the car. “

Leclerc, who was the fastest driver on the race-simulation runs at the end of the second session, said: “The day was good. We’ve been pretty strong so far. It’s positive.

“We still need to find some pace in qualifying. McLaren is once again probably the car to beat but in race pace I was happy, I am finding my way.

“I am changing quite a lot the car in weekends recently to try to find some pace in qualifying. For now I don’t seem to find the way for that but in the race I am very happy with where we are.

“We are very strong in the race but we have to do a step forward in qualifying. “

Norris, 15 points behind Piastri in the championship after his win in Austria on Sunday, said: “The Ferraris have been very, very quick today and they shall be tomorrow.

“We have a bit of work to do. It looked maybe a bit too good today. The Ferraris always catch up into P3 like they did last weekend, so pleased with today but nothing to be too proud about just yet. “

Off track, chatter in the paddock continues to centre around the possibility of Verstappen leaving Red Bull for Mercedes after this season.

McLaren Racing chief executive officer Zak Brown said: “Max in Mercedes definitely is nerve-wracking (as an idea) because they’re a team on the rise.

“Max Verstappen in a Mercedes, that’s a nail-biter. I think it would be a disaster for Red Bull if he were to leave there, because he’s clearly carrying the team. “

1. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:25. 816

2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0. 222

3. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) +0. 301

4. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +0. 470

5. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +0. 498

6. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) +0. 567

7. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) +0. 614

8. George Russell (Mercedes) +0. 707

9. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) +0. 708

10. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) +0. 808

European champion and two-time Olympian Ciara Mageean has been diagnosed with cancer.

The middle-distance runner, from Portaferry in Northern Ireland, said the diagnosis has “been a lot to take in”, but added she is “ready to face this with the same fight I’ve always brought to the track”.

Posting on Instagram, 33-year-old Mageean said: “To everyone who’s been part of my journey so far, I have some difficult news to share: I’ve been diagnosed with cancer.

“It’s been a lot to take in, but I’ve already started treatment and I’m incredibly grateful to be surrounded by the love and support of my family and close friends.

“Right now, my focus is on healing and taking things one day at a time. I kindly ask that you respect my privacy and that of my loved ones as we move through this together.

Mageean has won gold, silver and bronze medals at the European Championships.

After recovering from a serious ankle injury, she came third in 2016 and was a runner-up in 2022 before topping the podium in Rome for Ireland last year.

Mageean made her Olympic debut in Rio in 2016 and competed at the delayed 2021 Games in Tokyo, where her preparations were hampered by a calf issue.

She was set to race at the Paris Olympics last year as a reigning European champion but an Achilles injury ruled her out on the eve of her 1500m heat.

Mageean’s stellar career has also included a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2022, fourth place at the World Championships in 2023, and Irish records in the 800m, 1,000m, 1500m and mile.

She was named the 2023 BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year after an impressive year, in which she broke national records and was fourth in a competitive World Championships final.

European Athletics posted on X: “We’re all behind you, Ciara.

“Everyone at European Athletics sends their best wishes to Ciara Mageean following her recent cancer diagnosis. “

Portaferry GAA, who Mageean used to represent in camogie, said she is “truly an inspiration to so many people”.

“We are all behind you in this fight,” the club said.

“You and your family as always have our full support every step of the way.

European champion and two-time Olympian Ciara Mageean has been diagnosed with cancer.

The middle-distance runner, from Portaferry in Northern Ireland, said the diagnosis has “been a lot to take in”, but added she is “ready to face this with the same fight I’ve always brought to the track”.

Posting on Instagram, 33-year-old Mageean said: “To everyone who’s been part of my journey so far, I have some difficult news to share: I’ve been diagnosed with cancer.

“It’s been a lot to take in, but I’ve already started treatment and I’m incredibly grateful to be surrounded by the love and support of my family and close friends.

“Right now, my focus is on healing and taking things one day at a time. I kindly ask that you respect my privacy and that of my loved ones as we move through this together.

Mageean has won gold, silver and bronze medals at the European Championships.

After recovering from a serious ankle injury, she came third in 2016 and was a runner-up in 2022 before topping the podium in Rome for Ireland last year.

Mageean made her Olympic debut in Rio in 2016 and competed at the delayed 2021 Games in Tokyo, where her preparations were hampered by a calf issue.

She was set to race at the Paris Olympics last year as a reigning European champion but an Achilles injury ruled her out on the eve of her 1500m heat.

Mageean’s stellar career has also included a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2022, fourth place at the World Championships in 2023, and Irish records in the 800m, 1,000m, 1500m and mile.

She was named the 2023 BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year after an impressive year, in which she broke national records and was fourth in a competitive World Championships final.

European Athletics posted on X: “We’re all behind you, Ciara.

“Everyone at European Athletics sends their best wishes to Ciara Mageean following her recent cancer diagnosis. “

Portaferry GAA, who Mageean used to represent in camogie, said she is “truly an inspiration to so many people”.

“We are all behind you in this fight,” the club said.

“You and your family as always have our full support every step of the way.

Celtic have signed Hayato Inamura on a four-year contract after the Japanese centre-half left Albirex Niigata in his homeland.

The 23-year-old has spent less than a year with the J-League club after joining from Tokyo University.

Inamura has made 36 appearances for the Niigata club, including 17 this season – all but two of them starts.

“He’s a young player full of promise and potential,” said Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers.

“I know that he’s delighted to be taking this next step in his career by joining us, and we look forward to welcoming him into the squad. “

Inamura will join compatriots Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate at Celtic Park, while Kyogo Furuhashi, Yuki Kobayashi, and Tomoki Iwata have also been at the Scottish champions in recent years.

All were signed by former boss Ange Postecoglou, who spent three-and-a-half years in charge of Yokohama F. Marinos before his switch to Glasgow in June 2021.

Inamura has chosen to wear the number 25 donned by childhood idol Shunsuke Nakamura, who starred for Celtic between 2005 and 2009.

“Many Japanese players have had success at this club,” Inamura told CelticTV. “Across the world, this is a massive club and is really well known. I am truly excited to be joining Celtic. It’s a huge opportunity for me.

“So far, the current Japanese players have been performing at a high level. I think that is why there are expectations on Japanese players. I really want to live up to those expectations and do my best.

“Regarding Nakamura, I used to imitate his kicking style when I was a kid. He was one of my favourite players. “

Albirex sit second bottom of the J-League after 22 games following their 4-0 weekend defeat by eighth-placed Machida Zelvia.

Afterwards, Inamura announced it was his final game, telling the club website: “I am sorry to have made this decision when the team is in a difficult situation.