Fernando Alonso was fastest in a rain-affected second practice at the Canadian Grand Prix as championship leader Max Verstappen suffered a fire.
The session was ran in drying conditions but the rain increased with 30 minutes to go, so Alonso got the best time on the board during the dry running as he went 0.463s quicker than Mercedes’ George Russell.
Reigning world champion Verstappen only completed four laps due to an ERS (electrical recovery system) failure, which saw the car catch a smile fire as he came back into the garage. Both Red Bulls were fitted with a new engine ahead of Friday’s running in Montreal.
Verstappen has a 31-point lead over Charles Leclerc in the drivers’ championship but Red Bull are expected to be slightly on the backfoot again due to the high kerbs at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, an area where Ferrari are stronger.
But the rain throughout both practice sessions means nobody has had any seriously representative running.
Alonso’s 1:15.810 was two seconds slower than the best dry lap time from 2023. Nevertheless, Aston Martin were very quick in the drying conditions as home driver Lance Stroll was third, ahead of Leclerc and Daniel Ricciardo in fifth.
Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton narrowly avoid one of Montreal famous groundhogs during P2 of the Canadian GP.
Impossible to predict pecking order
Ferrari were described as favourites for victory this weekend in Montreal by Lando Norris, but McLaren should also be in contention for the win on Sunday.
Norris, who topped first practice, was last in the classification and team-mate Oscar Piastri was 16th, but their positions don’t represent their actual pace.
Lewis Hamilton finished second practice in seventh and was one of several drivers to complain about traffic going into the final chicane.
Alonso called out Leclerc for blocking at the end of the back straight, stating it was “typical Ferrari”. Leclerc is under investigation for a “tyre usage” incident.
The stewards have not confirmed what the incident is about but Leclerc went onto the track in the first minute of the session on intermediates, when the track was not declared wet.
Rules state the drivers cannot use intermediate or wet tyres if the circuit is not declared a “wet track”, a message which appeared five minutes into the session.
Sky Sports F1’s live Canadian GP schedule
Saturday June 8 5.15pm: Canadian GP Practice Three (session starts at 5.30pm) 8pm: Canadian GP Qualifying build-up 9pm: Canadian GP Qualifying 11pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
Sunday June 9 5.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday – Canadian GP build-up 7pm: THE CANADIAN GRAND PRIX 9pm: Chequered Flag – Canadian GP reaction 10pm: Ted’s Notebook
Formula 1 is on Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix and you can watch every session at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve this weekend live on Sky Sports F1, with Sunday’s race at 7pm. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
Carlos Alcaraz recovered from a poor start to beat an inconsistent Jannik Sinner 2-6 6-3 3-6 6-4 6-3 to reach his maiden French Open final after a see-saw encounter on Friday.
The third seed was a shadow of his brilliant self in the opening set before making the most of his Italian opponent’s premature cramps to level ahead of the match going into a decider.
Australian Open champion Sinner, who will take over from Novak Djokovic as world No 1 next week, bowed out when he returned a massive forehand down the line wide on the third match point on Court Philippe-Chatrier in a contest lasting four hours and nine minutes.
The 21-year-old Spaniard becomes the youngest player to make Grand Slam finals on all three surfaces; hard-court, grass and now the clay of Paris.
There may be no Rafael Nadal this year – and this will be the first final not to feature one of the 14-time winner, Novak Djokovic or Roger Federer since 2004 – but the French Open could be about to crown a new Spanish champion on Sunday.
Alcaraz, who won both his previous Grand Slam finals, at the US Open and Wimbledon, said: “You have to find the joy in suffering, that’s the key, even more on clay in Roland Garros. Long rallies, four-hour matches, five sets, you have to suffer. But you have to enjoy suffering.
“The toughest matches I’ve played in my short career have been against Jannik. US Open, this one, and I hope to play many, many more matches like this one against Jannik – but it was one of the toughest matches, for sure.”
There was little of the intensity of their five hour, five-set marathon at the US Open in 2022, which was won by Alcaraz at 2.50am, as they shared the opening two sets.
The drama came at 2-2 in the third when Sinner began flexing his hands and limping a little, a tell-tale sign that he was cramping up.
Alcaraz had suffered with a similar affliction at the same stage last year, on his way to defeat by Djokovic.
“I saw him struggling a little bit,” added Alcaraz. “I was cramping, Jannik as well in the third set. You have to fight. Against Djokovic I was in the same position, but I learnt you have to stay there fighting because the cramp will go away.”
Despite two double-faults, Sinner managed a service hold after a lengthy game before receiving treatment at the changeover.
He then somehow conjured up a cross-court service return winner to break Alcaraz and take the third set.
However, two bad Sinner misses while serving at 4-5 in the fourth gave Alcaraz a set point which he took with a blistering cross-court winner.
Alcaraz broke again for 2-0 in the decider and held his nerve up the home straight, taking a third match point before raising both arms in triumph.
For Sinner it was a first defeat in 13 Grand Slam matches, having won the Australian Open in January, and he admitted it will be hard to watch the final.
“I mean, I always like to watch tennis, yes,” he said. “Let’s see, if I have time for sure I’m going to watch a little bit.
“But in the other way, it’s always tough to watch, especially when you’re in the semis, it hurts, because you know that you could be there and it’s a different feeling.”
Alcaraz will face German Alexander Zverev or two-time runner-up Casper Ruud of Norway in the final on Sunday.
Wilander: I’m so impressed with both guys
Three-time French Open champion Mats Wilander on Eurosport:
“It wasn’t on the same level as the US Open quarter-final two years ago but we’re never going to get that level on a clay-court – it’s too difficult to play like that but I’m so impressed with both guys.
“Alcaraz found the recipe to break Sinner down. I think he might have surprised himself with the guts and the tactical stamina.”
Merciless Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz (21 years and 33 days) is the youngest player in the Open Era to reach men’s singles finals in Grand Slams events on clay, grass and hard court
Alcaraz is the fifth youngest player to claim his fifth win against a top-five opponent in men’s singles Grand Slam events since the ATP Rankings were published in 1973
Only Michael Chang and Bjorn Borg (12 each) have won more Grand Slam five-setters than Carlos Alcaraz before turning 22 in the Open Era (10, equalling Marat Safin)
Alcaraz (13) has taken the fewest major main draws appearances of any player in the Open Era to reach men’s singles finals in Grand Slams events on clay, grass and hard court
Henman: The resilience from both players was incredible
Former French Open semi-finalist Tim Henman said: “I think a word that epitomises both players is resilience. When things are not going well, they’re so tough, so strong, to keep fighting and never give up.
“The resilience from both players was absolutely incredible and I just hope we get to see this match-up many times in the future.”
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Stuttgart Open (ATP 250 with Andy Murray in action) – June 10-16
Rosmalen Open (ATP/WTA 250) – June 10-16
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In his latest Sky Sports column, Paul Merson assesses England’s chances at Euro 2024 and says Gareth Southgate will have no excuses if he doesn’t bring home the trophy this summer with the world-class players at his disposal…
Southgate named his final 26-player squad for Euro 2024 on Thursday and Jack Grealish, James Maddison and Harry Maguire were the big-name omissions from the group heading to Germany on Monday.
Crystal Palace duo Adam Wharton – uncapped until Monday’s win over Bosnia and Herzegovina – and Eberechi Eze were two of the more surprising names selected by Southgate, and while Merson is surprised by some of the England boss’ selections, he still believes he will lead the Three Lions to Euros glory.
Read on for the Magic Man’s thoughts on England’s squad, the Three Lions’ chances of winning Euro 2024, why the pressure is on Southgate this summer – and who could be England’s breakout superstar at the tournament…
England’s final 26-player squad for Euro 2024
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal).
Defenders: Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Luke Shaw (Man Utd), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City).
Forwards: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).
Pressure on Southgate
In my lifetime, I honestly thought England would never win a tournament but I look at the squad Gareth Southgate has picked and the players he’s left behind, if we don’t win it, I don’t see us ever winning a tournament.
This is the best opportunity England have had in such a long time.
I know we’ve had some unbelievable teams and players along the way, but football can all be about timing.
Sky Sports senior reporter Rob Dorsett analyses Gareth Southgate’s final 26-player squad
If you look at some of the other countries now like Spain, Italy and Germany, they aren’t filled with world-class players.
We’ve got one of the best strikers in the world in Harry Kane, we’ve got Phil Foden who is one of the best players in the world full stop, Jude Bellingham is one of the best in the world and Declan Rice is one of the best in his position. I’d go as far as to say Kyle Walker is one of the best right-backs in the world.
We have players who are the best in the world in their positions.
Southgate needs to win this tournament. There’s no planning for the next World Cup or anything like that, he needs to bring the trophy home.
‘Big decisions!’ | Merson shocked by Southgate selections
Southgate has made some big decisions.
Harry Maguire was a certainty to play. He never lets England down.
Jack Grealish’s omission is also a big shock. I know people have said he hasn’t played a lot this season but when he was fit, Pep Guardiola played him in the big games for Manchester City.
Grealish is reliable and tournament football is different.
The 150-odd caps of Marcus Rashford, Jack Grealish and Harry Maguire, no other country at the Euros could leave them out. They would walk into every other squad at the Euros without a doubt, and they’d probably play.
Football is a funny game, though.
There’s no Marcus Rashford either. For me, Rashford is a massive miss. I know he hasn’t played well this season just like Grealish, but they are players that when they get hot, they are hot.
At the start of the season, even four or five months ago, you’d have said there is absolutely no way the likes of Grealish, Maguire, Rashford and James Maddison would be left out.
I’m quite shocked with Southgate at the moment, but fair play to him. They are big decisions and now we’ll have to wait and see as to whether they are the right ones.
‘The players who have missed out will be devastated’
Sky Sports’ Paul Merson:
“The players that have missed out will be devastated.
“I expect England to win the tournament and as a player, you’d want to be involved, especially with England’s brilliant chance to win it.
“You’d want to be part of history and that’s what will be difficult for the players missing out.
“We are one of the favourites. For me it’s between England and France and I’d actually be quite shocked if we didn’t win it.”
Could a lack of experience prove costly for England at the Euros?
England’s Declan Rice says there’s no bitterness from the players left out of Gareth Southgate’s final 26-player squad
The shock is Southgate has 100 per cent gone on form.
Usually, Southgate goes with tried and tested players, who he knows what they are going to do for him in tournaments. They normally also have a lorry-load of caps.
But this time he hasn’t done that. Fair play to him, Eberechi Eze’s playing well, Cole Palmer’s playing well and the lad Adam Wharton is a phenomenal player as well. Southgate has thrown them in and fair play to him.
However, international football is different and playing in big major tournaments is different to playing week in, week out in the Premier League.
The Guardian’s Jonathan Liew and The Independent’s Miguel Delaney discuss whether Gareth Southgate was right to leave out Jack Grealish from his 26-player Euro 2024 squad
Only time will tell if a lack of experience could be costly for England at this tournament.
Over the last 20 years, we’ve gone to tournaments with a squad full of caps but come away empty-handed.
This time Southgate has gone for more off-the-cuff type players like Palmer, Eze, Wharton and Kobbie Mainoo. He’s gone for the unexpected players, who will not be as well known and could shock a few countries.
I would have taken Grealish, Rashford and Maddison. X-factor wins you tournaments.
Seven-and-a-half out of 10 over 38 games wins you the Premier League but nines out of 10 win you tournaments. Look at Chelsea, they didn’t have consistency in the league and ended up sixth, but they did have days where they hit the nine out of 10 and it meant they had decent runs in the cup competitions.
New-look England as 13 stars cut
Exactly half of the players in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar have not been included in his England squad for Euro 2024, only a year and a half later.
The unlucky 13 are: Harry Maguire, Jack Grealish, Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford, Nick Pope, Kalvin Phillips, Eric Dier, Conor Coady, Mason Mount, Ben White, Callum Wilson, James Maddison.
‘England still a worry defensively’
Image: Merson believes Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi should partner John Stones at the heart of England’s defence
I like Marc Guehi but playing for England at a tournament will be a different experience for him.
He plays for Crystal Palace who don’t generally have a lot of the ball. The Palace defence is generally under a lot of pressure, and they defend on the edge of the penalty area. There’s a lot of defending to do and you are always busy.
However, for England, he’s going to be playing in these games and we are likely to have 70 per cent of the ball in these group games. You’ve got to be alive and switched on the whole time.
In international football, if you switch off for half a second the ball will be in the back of the net and you’ll be punished.
I do like Guehi and I’m pleased he’s been given this chance. I would go for him and John Stones as starters, but defensively I do worry for England. We are not the greatest at the back.
‘Wouldn’t be a surprise to see exceptional Wharton play’
Declan Rice heaps praise on England teammate Adam Wharton after the Crystal Palace midfielder made Gareth Southgate’s 26-player Euro 2024 squad
I’m a massive fan of Wharton.
He’s an exceptional talent and I’m not shocked Southgate has included him.
He gets the ball, and he gives it. He sees a pass and sees it very quickly. He never really gets caught on the ball.
He’s a dream for the likes of Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham and Eze. He’ll get the ball and give it to them with the minimum of fuss.
He reminds me of a young Gareth Barry. He plays the simple pass that a lot of players don’t play.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he played with Declan Rice and Bellingham in England’s midfield with Foden, Saka and Kane as the front three.
‘Eze could be breakout superstar at Euros’
Image: Merson says Eberechi Eze could be the breakout star of Euro 2024
Going forward England have so many options. The problem for Southgate will be getting those options right. If he doesn’t get them right, England will be up against it.
It’s hard to pick the forward line.
Saka never lets his country down when he plays. Eze just glides past players and looks like the X-factor.
At tournaments, you always get a player who comes out of the blue and becomes a superstar. We’ve seen it at World Cups and Euros over the years.
Gareth Southgate explains the reasons behind the inclusion Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney in his final 26-player Euro 2024 squad
For me, Eze could be that player.
But Southgate has to find a solution to get his key attackers on the ball. There’s no point in playing these games and Stones and Guehi are touching the ball more times than players like Foden, Saka, Eze, Palmer or Bellingham.
England have to find solutions to get these players on the ball. Hopefully they can find a way to do that because I believe they can win the Euros.
The key dates for England
All times BST
Friday June 7 – International Friendly, England vs Iceland at Wembley, kick-off 7.45pm
Friday June 7 – Final 26-player squad submitted to UEFA
Saturday June 8 – Final 26-player squad announced
Monday June 10 – England squad fly to Germany
Saturday June 16 – Serbia vs England, Gelsenkirchen, kick-off 8pm
Thursday June 20 – Denmark vs England, Frankfurt, kick-off 5pm
Tuesday June 25 – England vs Slovenia, kick-off 8pm
Frazer Clarke has revealed that his rematch with Fabio Wardley is a ‘possible option’ for Anthony Joshua’s undercard at Wembley in September.
The British heavyweight rivals battled to a thrilling draw at The O2 Arena in March and Wardley had discussed plans for a rematch to be staged at Portman Road, home of his local football club, Ipswich Town.
But Clarke vs Wardley 2 could now collide on the same bill as Joshua’s next fight at Wembley, which is expected to be scheduled for September 21, with Daniel Dubois being considered as an opponent.
Daniel Dubois could face Anthony Joshua at Wembley in September
Clarke told Sky Sports: “I can’t tell you too much, but what I can tell you is there are deep conversations going on and it’s just the little nitty-gritty bit now.
“It shouldn’t be too long and I think we’re about there, and hopefully we’ll have good news for British fight fans. The general sense is everyone enjoyed it, so hopefully we can give these guys entertainment once again.
“It’s definitely a possible option [on the AJ undercard], but I think we both did ourselves a favour in the performance last time where we both have options. That is definitely a massive one and may be a frontrunner, but we could headline our own show, we could go on an undercard – the possibilities are all there.
Frazer Clarke and Fabio Wardley have both called for an immediate rematch
“There are talks going on every day and sooner or later we’ll come to some sort of agreement, and I’m sure we’ll have it on before you know it.”
After being denied the British and Commonwealth belts by a draw, Clarke is eager for another significant bout, even if Wardley is not in the opposite corner.
“I’m open to options [if it isn’t Wardley next], but I think my days of fighting people who are turning up to survive are done,” he said.
“I need a challenge, I need people who are coming to win, so I’m only looking up and that’s people who are ranked higher than me and I want to get right in that mix, and mix it with the best of them.
“The division’s quite busy at the minute and I’ll have to see what everyone else does, but I’m ready to get ready to fight, so let’s just hope I get a date for myself soon. Whether that’s Fabio or not, I just want to be in competitive fights.”
Watch Chris Billam-Smith defend his WBO cruiserweight world title against Richard Riakporhe at Selhurst Park, live on Sky Sports on Saturday June 15.
Richie Berrington and Michael Leask shared a match-winning partnership for
Scotland as they defeated Namibia in Barbados to bolster their hopes of
progressing at the T20 World Cup.
After impressing with the bat in their washed out opener against England, the Scots were victorious in Barbados, chasing down their target of 156 with five wickets and nine balls to spare.
Things were looking dicey when Matthew Cross fell lbw at 73 for four, but captain Berrington and Leask took the bull by horns as they put on 74 from the next 42 balls.
Leask blasted four sixes in his knock of 35 and Berrington was unbeaten on 47, ending with a flourish as he clubbed David Wiese all the way over long-on before punching the air with glee.
The result puts Scotland on three points, meaning England could find themselves feeling the heat if they fail to beat Australia on Saturday – live at 6pm on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event.
Brad Currie had earlier excelled with the ball, with two for 16 from four exacting overs.
Brad Wheal got Scotland off to a perfect start, swinging the new ball dangerously and having JP Kotze caught at mid wicket with his third delivery.
Currie also landed an early blow and Chris Sole recovered after seeing three of his first four balls disappear to the ropes to open his account as Namibia reached 48 for three in a lively powerplay.
Chris Greaves dismissed Malan Kruger in the eighth over as Scotland continued chipping away but Gerhard Erasmus was proving a tough nut to crack.
He held the innings together, stitching together a regular supply of boundaries off the spinners to even up the scales. He reached his half-century with a flourish off just 30 balls, slog-sweeping Leask for six over wide long-on.
The Aberdonian exacted instant revenge moments later, Cross completing the stumping. There were 42 runs and four more wickets from the last five overs, with Currie and Wheal tidy at the death.
Image: Scotland’s captain Richie Berrington, left, and batting partner Chris Greaves celebrate after beating Namibia by five wickets
Scotland’s reply enjoyed an early boost with eight runs in wides from Ruben Trumpelmann, a shift in fortunes for the left-armer who took wickets with his first two balls against Oman. But runs off the bat were harder to come by, with the total slowly ticking to 25 for one after five overs.
Michael Jones, so impressive in the washout against England, finally came alive in the sixth as he unloaded two fours and a six, but the introduction of Erasmus changed the game for the second time. Jones (26) was caught behind and Brandon McMullen (19) allowed himself to be stumped courtesy of some sloppy footwork.
The required rate had climbed to nearly 10 an over when Berrington and Leask made their move.
Two big overs effectively settled things, 13 off Tangeni Lungameni and 19 off the veteran Wiese in the 17th, including a pair of big blows by Leask.
Leask launched Trumpelmann over 100 metres over the big screen before holing out but Berrington ensured victory as he powered Wiese back down the ground for the decisive six.
What’s next?
With three points so far in Group B, Scotland next place bottom-of-the-table Oman in North Sound, Antigua on Sunday at 6pm.
Namibia face Australia in their third match of the tournament at 1.30am on Wednesday.
Watch every match of the Men’s ICC T20 World Cup live on Sky Sports, right up until the final on Sunday June 29.
Hibernian’s Scottish Cup-winning captain David Gray has been appointed as the club’s new head coach on a three-year deal.
The 36-year-old was in his fourth stint as temporary boss after replacing Nick Montgomery who was sacked last month and led the club to a 3-0 win over Motherwell before a 1-1 draw against Livingston.
Gray, who retired from playing three years ago to focus on coaching, became a club legend when he scored the winner against Rangers in 2016 to end their 114-year wait to lift the Scottish Cup.
Gray led Hibernian to a famous win over Rangers in the 2016 Scottish Cup final
He first took interim charge after Jack Ross was dismissed in 2021 and again when his replacement Shaun Maloney was sacked four months later.
Gray – who then stepped up again following Lee Johnson’s dismissal – will work under the Easter Road club’s new sporting director Malky Mackay who led the search for Hibs’ sixth permanent boss since November 2019.
“It is a real privilege for me to become the head coach of this great football club,” said Gray.
“Everyone knows how much Hibs means to me. It is a massive club with a phenomenal fanbase, that I know very well – so to be given this opportunity is a true honour.
“From being here as a player and a coach for over 10 years, I know what a successful Hibs team looks like and I am determined to succeed and take our club forward.”
Image: Malky MacKay (right) is the new Hibernian sporting director
Since taking over at Hibernian, the Gordon family have sacked Paul Heckingbottom, Ross, Maloney, Johnson and Montgomery in less than five years.
On the appointment of David Gray, Mackay said: “Following a robust recruitment process, David emerged as our preferred candidate and we are delighted to have him on board.
“Having watched his progression closely over a number of years, David’s ready to step up and become Hibernian FC’s Head Coach.
“David understands the pressures and demands that come with a club like Hibs, knows Scottish football inside out, is an excellent coach and a strong man manager.
“He already has good relationships with the current playing squad and members of staff both at HTC and Easter Road, which provides an element of stability, and we know he’s the right man for the job.”
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India began their T20 World Cup campaign with a comprehensive eight-wicket win over Ireland in New York ahead of their blockbuster showdown against Pakistan this weekend.
India – looking for a second T20 World Cup title and first since the inaugural edition in 2007 – rolled Ireland for 96 in 16 overs on a bowler-friendly pitch, with Hardik Pandya claiming three wickets and Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh two each in a clinical display.
Virat Kohli, the leading run-scorer across all T20 World Cups, was dismissed for one in the chase but skipper Rohit Sharma (52 off 37) went on to score a 36-ball fifty having been dropped on two by Andy Balbirnie at slip.
Seam bowler Brad Wheal says going to toe to toe with reigning champions England has strengthened Scotland’s belief that they can cause a stir at the T20 World Cup.
Openers Michael Jones and George Munsey laid down a marker by sharing an unbeaten stand of 90 in 10 overs against a high-quality English attack on Tuesday, with rain delays raising the target to a formidable 109 on DLS.
Scotland’s chances of bowling their way to a famous win never got off the ground as the heavens opened and left the sides with a point each but, as a statement of intent, it was mission accomplished for the associate nation.
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Munsey hit a superb reverse-swept six off Adil Rashid at Kensington Oval on Tuesday
“Munns and Jonesy going out there and putting the right foot forward has given the rest of the squad some good confidence to go on through the rest of this tournament and believe we’re good enough to be here,” said Wheal.
“We believe we’re good enough to compete and beat the best teams in the world. We feel like we’re in a good position to win some games. We showed a small glimpse of what we could have done against the current world champions.
“It was definitely a defendable target, I mean they would have been chasing 11 an over. That’s definitely something that our bowling line-up could have defended.”
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Jones’ six off Chris Jordan in Scotland’s game against England smashed a solar panel
Scotland class themselves as favourites against Namibia
Scotland do not have long to wait to work their frustrations out, with Namibia next up at the Kensington Oval on Thursday (8pm first ball, live on Sky Sports Cricket).
Namibia won their opening game against Oman after a Super Over and have a 3-0 record against the Scots in the 20-over format over the last five years.
But Wheal insists his side are in no mood to play second fiddle as they look to qualify from Group B as one of the top two teams.
He added: “Realistically our best chance of getting into the Super 8 stage, competing and turning some big teams over is looking at the next game and then the Oman game after that.
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David Wiese stared as Namibia beat Oman in a dramatic Super Over in the T20 World Cup earlier this week
“One game at a time, but we’ll take the belief in what we’ve done against England.
“I think in our eyes, we definitely see ourselves as favourites because we know that these are games we can and we should win. We’re going into the game with the belief that we’re going to win.
Wheal forceful with Hampshire about World Cup involvement
Scotland’s attack is missing the experienced Josh Davey after he was not released for duty by Somerset, but Wheal had no such issues after a frank discussion with Hampshire over his availability.
“It’s a bit of a tricky one…but I was pretty open and honest with Hampshire. I said, ‘listen, I want to go to the World Cup’,” he explained.
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Eoin Morgan, Nasser Hussain and Urooj Mumtaz join Ian Ward to discuss their dream T20 World Cup XI
“I wanted to be available for selection and they were pretty happy with that. They understand that it’s an opportunity to go out there and play against the best of the best. It’s a learning experience.
“Every opportunity to put the Scotland shirt on is an incredible one and one that I’ll cherish forever.
Watch Scotland’s T20 World Cup clash with Namibia live on Sky Sports Cricket from 7.30pm on Thursday (8pm first ball). Every match from the tournament is live on Sky Sports.
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Napoli have appointed Antonio Conte as their new head coach.
Conte, who has been available since leaving Tottenham in March 2023, has signed a three-year contract.
Napoli will not be playing in Europe next season after finishing 10th in Serie A – a year on from winning the league for the first time in 33 years.
Francesco Calzona had been in charge of Napoli since February on a short-term deal but is now returning to his duties as Slovakia national team head coach ahead of Euro 2024.
The Italian club had sacked Walter Mazzarri and Rudi Garcia in the space of three months earlier in the campaign.
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The 2024 summer transfer window in the Premier League officially opens on Friday June 14 – the same day that Euro 2024 starts.
The window will close on August 30 at 11pm UK time.
The Premier League has brought forward Deadline Day to link up with the other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.
Pat Cummins has signed a four-year deal with the San Francisco Unicorns in a major coup for America’s fledgling Major League Cricket T20 competition.
The second season of MLC starts on July 5, less than a week after the T20 World Cup co-hosted by the United States and West Indies concludes.
Fast bowler Cummins will join compatriot Jake Fraser-McGurk at the Unicorns and follows Australia team-mates Glenn Maxwell, Travis Head and Steve Smith into the league.
“MLC is developing at a rapid rate, and the US market potential is huge for cricket,” Australia Test and ODI captain Cummins said in a statement.
“While cricket is integral to my involvement, the global network and long-term possibilities offered by the owners specifically, and Silicon Valley more broadly, presented a unique opportunity for me and my life beyond cricket.”
The Unicorns are co-owned by Silicon Valley entrepreneurs Anand Rajaraman and Venky Harinarayan.
