Today on Sky Sports Racing: Worcester, Wolverhampton and Ripon feature on Monday | Racing News

Today on Sky Sports Racing: Worcester, Wolverhampton and Ripon feature on Monday | Racing News



The Sky Sports Racing cameras head to Worcester’s jumps meeting and the Flat fixtures at Ripon and Wolverhampton on Monday, with 21 live races across the three tracks.

3.45 Worcester – Lallygag, Mr Freedom and Bethpage clash

Lallygag, Mr Freedom and Bethpage clash in the AK Bets Meet Celebrant Dave On-Course Handicap Hurdle (3.45).

Sheena West saddles Mr Freedom, who was once fifth in the Fred Winter. He won last time out on the Flat but has been less than consistent before this. He needs to return to that Cheltenham Festival performance level to be in with a chance.

Lallygag’s form looked somewhat consistent before he ran out last time at Newton Abbot and, in an attempt to refocus the seven-year-old, Paul Nicholls reaches for the cheekpieces and re-instates champion jockey Harry Cobden for a steady set of hands.

The danger horse here is the four-timer seeking Bethpage. Joe Anderson takes off a valuable 3lb but this appears to be a deeper contest for him.

7.25 Ripon – Last-time-out winners Havana Prince and Makalu feature

In-form duo Havana Prince and Makalu feature in the Bishopton Equine Handicap (7.25).

Front-running Havana Prince is seeking a hat-trick of wins at Ripon following two consecutive course and distance victories. There could be more improvement at a track that clearly suits him.

Ruth Carr’s Makalu managed to defy a poor start last time out to notch a win at Beverley. He is only off 4lb higher and can be competitive.

Garden Oasis is also somewhat of a course specialist with five wins at Ripon to his name, he won off 85 back in 2021 and has a big chance.

8.00 Ripon – High Opinion bids for hat-trick

High Opinion bids for three on the bounce in the Download The At The Races App Handicap (8.00).

Bryan Smart’s five-year-old was always doing enough to win at Catterick last time out and that form has taken a boost as the second has won since. Despite being raised 5lb in the weights, Andrew Breslin on board will try to counteract this by taking off a handy 3lb.

Vadamiah seems to enjoy the trip around Ripon and could enter calculations in the hands of Luke Morris.

Paddy’s Day was only beaten a neck last time out at Newcastle but he did not seem fully comfortable over this course and distance earlier this season. He needs to bring his best here.

Monday’s racecards | Latest Sky Bet odds

Watch every race from Worcester, Wolverhampton and Ripon – live on Sky Sports Racing on Monday July 8.

Claressa Shields on Lauren Price: ‘We can fight and prove who’s the best Olympic champion!’ | Boxing News

Claressa Shields on Lauren Price: ‘We can fight and prove who’s the best Olympic champion!’ | Boxing News



Claressa Shields is a unique fighter. An undisputed champion, she is a multi-weight titlist who has also competed in MMA and who will go for a title in a fourth division later this month.

She will challenge Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse for the WBC heavyweight championship in Detroit.

The Olympic middleweight gold medal has only been won by two women, Shields in 2012 and 2016, and most recently Wales’ Lauren Price, who triumphed at the Tokyo Games.

Price dropped down to welterweight after the Olympics and is only seven bouts into her professional career, but has won the inaugural women’s British title and the WBA world title already.

Lauren Price claimed the WBA world title after beating Jessica McCaskill on points and said it was the start of many more big nights in Cardiff

Shields does not rule out Price becoming one of her future rivals.

“It’s hard to put anything past Olympic champions. She won the Olympics 2021,” Shields told Sky Sports.

“I feel like when you’ve been all over the world and you’ve boxed and you’ve won World championships, it’s kind of destined for you to be great in the pros. I wish her the best of luck.”

They are not on a collision course in the immediate future. Price has plenty of ambitions to realise at welterweight and Shields is moving up in weight for the Lepage-Joanisse fight.

Lauren Price reflects on her victory over Jessica McCaskill to become Wales’ first female boxing world champion and discusses what’s next in her boxing career

But heavyweight is what the WBC calls its 12st 7lbs division, i.e. light-heavyweight (the WBO light-heavyweight title will also be on the line in their fight).

Shields has operated across several weight classes, super-welter and super-middle included, but is a natural middleweight.

Price’s greatest amateur successes were at middleweight, where she won World and European gold medals as well as the Olympic Games. Along the way, she also beat a light-heavyweight World champion at 75kgs.

Lauren Price received an incredible reception from fans after becoming Wales’ first female boxing world champion

Shields doesn’t think their current weight classes will necessarily keep them apart.

“She won the Olympics at 165lbs (75kgs) just as I did – two times – and if she ever wants to fight I would love to fight against her too,” Shields said.

“I believe anything is possible and I really want to fight anybody that wants to fight me. So if Lauren Price keeps winning and comes to 154lbs, 160, 168, we can fight and prove who’s the best Olympic champion.”

Lauren Price claims the WBA welterweight world title with a dominant win over Jessica McCaskill

Shields’ great rival is another Briton, Savannah Marshall. The American beat Marshall in their 2022 grudge match. But Marshall is now also competing in MMA as she pursues another clash with Shields.

“I beat her in the UK with 20,000 of her fans. She needs to come to America and fight me in front of 20,000 of my fans and let’s see if she can handle being booed and her national anthem being booed and people telling her she sucks!” Shields declared.

Savannah Marshall discusses the rematch with Claressa Shields and if we’ll see it in the boxing ring or the MMA cage

“I would love to fight her again and prove that I’m not just one time better than you, I’m two times better than you either inside the cage and definitely inside the ring. It really doesn’t matter which one.”

But first Shields has a more immediate task, winning yet another accolade against Lepage-Joanisse.

“I’m going for my fourth division,” she said. “It’s going to be big and it’s going to be history-making.”

British GP: Lewis Hamilton opens up on post-2021 difficulties and Silverstone tears after stunning win | F1 News

British GP: Lewis Hamilton opens up on post-2021 difficulties and Silverstone tears after stunning win | F1 News


An emotional and reflective Lewis Hamilton opened up on what it meant to finally win again in Formula 1 at the British Grand Prix – admitting there had been times since the controversial conclusion to the 2021 season when he had “wanted not to continue” in the sport.

Hamilton was brought to tears at the end of Sunday’s enthralling wet-dry Silverstone race after a stirring and historic drive brought up a record ninth victory at a single Grand Prix.

Although it also represented Hamilton’s record-extending 104th win in F1, it was the 39-year-old’s first for 57 races in a drought that stretched back to the Saudi Arabian GP of December 2021, the race before that season’s infamous finale in Abu Dhabi when he missed out on a unique eighth world title and Max Verstappen won his first.

Hamilton has rarely even been in contention for victories since then with Mercedes falling from the sport’s summit in the wake of new regulations introduced from 2022. The two races that the team had won in that time were claimed by George Russell, most recently last week in Austria.

Having cried on team radio after taking the chequered flag, Hamilton told Sky Sports F1: “It’s surreal. My heart is racing.

“I had so many amazing times here in the past but when I came across the line, something released in me that I have been holding onto for a long time.

Hamilton says his incredible ninth British GP victory is the ‘most emotional’ he has had

“It was the most emotional end to a win I have ever experienced. I always wondered why I never cried! You see Rubens Barrichello crying and I was like ‘that doesn’t happen to me’ but it hit me hard.

“After such a difficult 2021, just trying to continue to come back but we as a team had a difficult time.

“There were so many thoughts and doubts in my mind along the way to the point, at times, I wanted to not continue.

“To arrive and continue to get up and continue to try and finally succeed is the greatest feeling I can remember having.”

Hamilton celebrates his ninth victory at Silverstone with his Mercedes team and the crowd!

Speaking in the immediate aftermath of the race as he took the acclaim of the 164,000-strong race-day crowd, Hamilton said there had been periods during his time away from the podium’s top step when he questioned whether he was both still “good enough” and if he would ever get back to winning ways.

“It’s so tough, I think for anyone, but the important thing is just how you continue to get up and you’ve got to continue to dig deep even when you feel like you’re at the bottom of the barrel,” he said.

Hamilton and his engineer Peter Bonnington celebrate on the podium together following his emotional British GP victory!

“There have definitely been days between 2021 and here where I didn’t feel like I was good enough or I was going to get back to where I am today. But the important thing is I had great people around me, continuing to support me. My team, every tine I turned up and saw them putting in the effort, that really encouraged me to do the same thing.

“Otherwise, my fans, when I see them around the world, they have been so supportive. So a big, big thank you to everybody.”

Hamilton on the ‘glimpse of hope’ that keeps fire burning

Hamilton, who decided at the start of the year he will continue in F1 until at least the end of 2026 by signing an unexpected and blockbuster deal with Ferrari, was given a Union Jack flag from a marshal on his slow-down lap at the end of the race and celebrated with it in front of the Silverstone crowd when he got out of his Mercedes at the end of the race.

He also shared embraces in parc ferme with his mother, Carmen, and his father, Anthony who were both at Silverstone to see their son’s return to success.

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain celebrates with his mother after winning the British Formula One Grand Prix race at the Silverstone racetrack, Silverstone, England, Sunday, July 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain celebrates with his father after winning the British Formula One Grand Prix race at the Silverstone racetrack, Silverstone, England, Sunday, July 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

On the huge support he receives from fans, Hamilton said: “I definitely know for sure that I couldn’t do what I do without the fans I have. The people I interact with and meet around the world, particularly here in the UK.

“I grew up in Stevenage. My dad came around the corner to give me my first helmet.

“I always thought my parents would be my only followers. It’s very incredible to have that support because that really does lift you up when you see people.

“They are so generous with gifting you something or just pumping out positive energy.

Race highlights from Silverstone for the British Grand Prix.

“That’s one thing that keeps me going. And the other is just that glimpse of hope.

“Even if it’s the tiniest spec, I just try to not ignore that and continue to focus on my inner peace day by day.”

Hamilton, who has the motto ‘still I rise’ tattooed on his back, added: “Never give up. It’s so important. It’s the easiest thing to do but you should never do it.”

Next up for F1 is the Hungarian Grand Prix from Budapest on July 19-21. You can watch every session live on Sky Sports F1. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime

John Cena: WWE legend to retire from in-ring competition at end of 2025

John Cena: WWE legend to retire from in-ring competition at end of 2025



John Cena will retire from in-ring competition with WWE at the end of 2025, bringing an end to a career that has included winning 16 world championships.

Cena appeared at WWE’s Money in the Bank event in Toronto on Saturday night to reveal that he would embark on a farewell tour next year.

The 47-year-old said he would wrestle at the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber in early 2025 and also at the two-night extravaganza WrestleMania 41, which will be held in Las Vegas on April 19 and 20.

Darts sensation Luke Littler picks his favourite WWE wrestler as he takes on the Sky Sports ‘Winner Stays On’ challenge

Cena, who has competed in WWE on a part-time basis since 2018 with his acting career taking off, later said in a press conference that he would work between 30 and 40 dates up to December 2025.

He has headlined WrestleMania five times, including in 2012 and 2013 when he fought Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson on both occasions.

Cena last wrestled a singles match in November 2023 against Solo Sikoa although he teamed with The Miz and R-Truth in a six-man tag match against The Judgment Day in April of this year.

Check out 10-year-old Littler doing his best Cena impression as WWE invited the teenager to an event

Speaking on his farewell tour, Cena said: “I approached the WWE with this idea and they kind of initiated the talks that this would be a great span of time if we were ever going to do it.”

He hopes to continue in a non-wrestling capacity with WWE.

Cena’s film credits include Trainwreck, The Suicide Squad, Fast & Furious 9 and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

He has also hosted Saturday Night Live and is currently starring in Peacemaker on HBO.

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Today on Sky Sports Racing: Well-bred Kikkuli seeks Group One glory | Racing News

Today on Sky Sports Racing: Well-bred Kikkuli seeks Group One glory | Racing News



The Sky Sports Racing cameras are on the continent this weekend, with some top-quality action from Deauville in store on Sunday…

3.07 Deauville – Kikkuli and Devil’s Point seek Group 1 glory

The Harry Charlton-trained Kikkuli returns having finished an agonising second behind Haatem in the Group 3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot and a similar effort would see him go close as he steps up to Group 1 company for the first time.

David Menuiser has enjoyed plenty of Group 1 placings this season and Devil’s Point bids to follow up his German 2000 Guineas with Benoit de la Sayette replacing Silvestre De Sousa in the plate.

Iberian will hope to bounce back from his heavy 2000 Guineas defeat, while French 1000 Guineas runner-up Kathmandu remains lightly raced and should be considered for the Brian Meehan and Sean Levey combination.

4.15 Deauville – Spycatcher bids for repeat success

Karl Burke’s Spycatcher produced a sparkling display to comfortably claim this contest last season and he seeks a repeat success having finished fifth in this grade at Newcastle last weekend.

Richard Hannon’s Shouldvebeenaring has performed with credit despite meeting with defeat on his five starts this season and this tough four-year-old is sure to be in the mix under Sean Levey.

Last year’s second Batwan is worth a mention after his solid runner-up effort at Chantilly last month.

3.40 Deauville – UK raiders Miaharris and Fair Angellica contest Listed prize

Owen Burrows saddles Miaharris who showed improved form when finishing a narrow third in the Group 3 Prix Texanita at Chantilly and she is fancied to progress again with the step up in distance likely to suit.

Richard Hughes’ Fair Angellica has an excellent strike rate winning four of her six starts, but she will need to improve on her recent Sandringham defeat as she steps up in class under Ryan Moore.

Sunday’s racecards | Latest Sky Bet odds

Watch every race from Deuaville live on Sky Sports Racing on Sunday July 5.

Netherlands 2 – 1 Turkey

Netherlands 2 – 1 Turkey


Netherlands scored twice in six second-half minutes to beat Turkey 2-1 and set up a Euro 2024 semi-final against England on Wednesday.

Netherlands had won just one of their previous 10 European Championship matches when behind at half-time yet were inspired by the introduction of striker Wout Weghorst at the break which helped force the turnaround.

Turkey had enjoyed the better of the first half and took their chance in the 35th minute when teenager Arda Guler delivered a perfect cross from the right for centre-back Samet Akaydin to head home from inside the six-yard box.

Team news:

  • Ronald Koeman named an unchanged side from Netherlands’ 3-0 victory over Romania in the last 16.
  • Turkey were forced into three changes due to suspensions. Samet Akaydin, Salih Ozcan and captain Hakan Calhanoglu all came into the side for Merih Demiral, İsmail Yuksek and Orkun Kokcu.

Netherlands’ attack had struggled to click but Weghorst, on for Steven Bergwijn at the interval, gave them more presence up against the three Turkey centre-backs, immediately setting up a chance for Memphis Depay.

Turkey, though, despite coming under more pressure in the second half, still saw Guler hit the outside of the left post with a long-range free-kick and forced the unsighted Bart Verbruggen to parry from Kenan Yildiz’s drive.

Image:
Samet Akaydin (middle) celebrates scoring for Turkey.

But after Weghorst’s volley had been tipped behind for a corner, Turkey switched off and Depay’s cross was headed in by the unmarked Stefan de Vrij in the 70th minute before Netherlands took the lead moments later when Mert Muldur inadvertently turned Denzel Dumfries’ cross into his own net under pressure from Cody Gakpo.

Turkey mounted a late onslaught with substitute Zeki Celik’s goalbound effort blocked yards from the line by Micky van de Ven and after Gakpo had been denied, Verbruggen made an outstanding save in added time to keep out Semih Kilicsoy from close range.

What they said…

Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk said:

“How is my heart? It’s fine. You know they’re going to take a lot of risks, but now we’re in the semi-finals. This is very important and very beautiful, with such a crowd. We knew there would be a lot of Turks in the stadium, but I’m proud of these guys.

“In the end we got sloppy, but actually we didn’t give anything away. In the second half, we had to stay calm and take advantage of our chances. Of course, we thought it would be fine, it would be very bad if we didn’t think so. We are one step closer. We can get to work!”

Turkey captain Hakan Calhanoglu said:

“Unfortunately, we could only make it this far. I am happy if we could bring excitement to our nation. Of course, we wanted to continue this path. Unfortunately, there is also losing in football. I would like to, once again, thank all our fans.

“We didn’t start the second half well, we retreated. After the second goal, we tried long balls and took our chances.

“I am proud to have come this far. Everyone represented their country in the best possible way. I would like to thank all my team-mates.”

Stats: Story of the match

Who plays who in the semi-finals?

Manchester United are finally set to offload Donny van de Beek this summer – Paper Talk | Football News

Manchester United are finally set to offload Donny van de Beek this summer – Paper Talk | Football News


The top stories and transfer rumours from Sunday’s newspapers…

MAIL ON SUNDAY

Manchester United are finally set to offload Donny van de Beek this summer according to reports in Spain.

Rio Ferdinand was among the pundits heaping praise on Kobbie Mainoo after his impressive first-half display against Switzerland.

Pep Guardiola and his wife were among the special guests to watch Saturday’s match between Cameron Norrie and Alexander Zverev at Wimbledon, as the Manchester City manager joined the likes of Ben Stokes and Leah Williamson in Centre Court’s Royal Box.

THE SUN ON SUNDAY

Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori has reportedly agreed personal terms with Arsenal.

SUNDAY MIRROR

Manchester United are confident of signing Matthijs de Ligt in a deal worth around £43million after manager Erik ten Hag stepped up his charm offensive to take the Bayern Munich defender to Old Trafford.

Manchester United’s pursuits of Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee are ‘going positively’ according to Sky Sports News’ Dharmesh Sheth

Bukayo Saka grabbed his chance of redemption as England moved into the Euro semi-finals – and now the winger wants to make history.

Bukayo Saka celebrates after scoring England's equaliser against Switzerland

Jordan Pickford’s water bottle provided all the answers as his Manuel Akanji prediction helped England beat Switzerland on penalties.

Wrexham have secured their third signing of the summer in bringing in Charlton Athletic captain George Dobson.

SUNDAY TIMES

Andy Murray has played his last Wimbledon match after Emma Raducanu withdrew from the mixed doubles in a decision that is understood to have disappointed the Murray camp, with his mother Judy describing it as “astonishing”.

STAR ON SUNDAY

Manchester City are increasingly concerned they will lose Ederson to the loaded Saudi Pro League this summer.

Manchester City's goalkeeper Ederson celebrates at the end of an English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, March 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

SUNDAY EXPRESS

Ivan Toney admits he is ‘very impatient’ as he waits for a start in England’s run to the Euro 2024 semi-finals. The Brentford striker replaced an off-colour Harry Kane to score in the shootout win over Switzerland on Saturday.

Ivan Toney in action against Slovakia

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Iga Swiatek was booed by the crowd before being unceremoniously dumped out of Wimbledon after suffering a shock third-round defeat to world No 35 Yulia Putintseva.

Iga Swiatek

SUNDAY RECORD

Celtic are back round the table with Benfica in a bid to thrash out a deal for Paulo Bernardo.

SCOTTISH SUN ON SUNDAY

Leicester City are joining the race for Celtic’s Matt O’Riley.

Matt O'Riley celebrates after scoring for Celtic

Brendan Rodgers has called for patience as he targets new players.

When does the summer transfer window open and close?

The 2024 summer transfer window in the Premier League and Scottish Premiership is officially open.

The window will close on August 30 at 11pm UK time in England and at 11.30pm in Scotland.

The Premier League and Scottish Premiership 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.

England vs New Zealand: Sarah Glenn stars as spin proves pivotal in 59-run opening T20I victory | Cricket News

England vs New Zealand: Sarah Glenn stars as spin proves pivotal in 59-run opening T20I victory | Cricket News


England’s strong spin attack proved pivotal as they cruised to a 59-run victory in the first T20I of the five-match series against New Zealand at the Utilita Bowl in Southampton.

Five wickets fell in the space of 11 balls as spinners Charlie Dean (2-28), Sarah Glenn (3-16) and Sophie Ecclestone (1-27) combined to decimate the New Zealand middle order as they chased down the tough 198 target set by England.

That target was secured by some impressive displays with the bat, especially Danni Wyatt (76) who raced to her total from just 51 deliveries, smashing the boundary for 11 fours and a six to leave New Zealand needing to muster what would have been their biggest run chase ever.

Heading into the clash off the back of a 3-0 whitewash of New Zealand in the ODI Series, Heather Knight’s side are now using these T20I matches as key preparation for the T20 World Cup in October in Bangladesh, the four spinners in the outfit a surprising choice but one that reaped rewards.

Check out the best shots as Danni Wyatt passed 50 in the first T20 against New Zealand

Glenn takes three-fer as spin powers England

With England opting for the four spin options of Dean, Glenn, Eccleston and Linsey Smith (1-26), the bowling attack took time to find their feet in the Powerplay before the breakthroughs finally came thick and fast.

It is fair to say that Plimmer (1) was at fault for her own wicket in the second over as she ran herself out for the third time in the multi-format series but then a brilliant delivery from Dean removed Amelia Kerr (18) and started New Zealand’s downfall.

Georgia Plimmer was run out for the third time during New Zealand’s tour of England as the White Ferns fell to 12-1

Glenn then made her mark and took a sensational three wickets in the ninth over, dismissing danger woman Suzie Bates (43) then Maddy Green (0) for a golden duck in the space of two balls, finishing off the over by ending New Zealand captain Sophie Devine’s (0) innings.

That left New Zealand floundering on 64-5 but the visitors just continued to crumble as five wickets in total went in the space of 11 balls, Isabella Gaze (0) falling to a stumping from a ripper of a delivery from Eccleston to finish the blitz of wickets.

Score Summary: England win by 59 runs

England: Danni Wyatt (76 runs from 51 balls), Nat Sciver-Brunt (47 runs from 23 balls), Maia Bouchier (32 runs from 26 balls), Freya Kemp (26 runs from 17 balls); Sarah Glenn (3-16), Charlie Dean (2-28)

New Zealand: Suzie Bates (43 runs from 33 balls), Jess Kerr (38 runs from 26 balls); Lea Tahuhu (2-33), Eden Carson (1-26)

Jess Kerr (38) and Brooke Halliday (13) attempted to steady the ship for New Zealand but Dean took her chance once again, rattling the stumps to dismiss the latter and leave New Zealand 110-7.

After four dropped catches, Kerr was finally caught on the final ball of the 19th over, allowing Linsey Smith (1-26) to get in on the spin wicket-taking action, Kemp (1-30) making a point for the medium pace bowlers as she removed Tahuhu (17) with the final ball of the game to secure the 59-run win.

Wonderful Wyatt shows skill with the bat

England got off to a brilliant start in the Powerplay despite the gusty conditions, Wyatt and Maia Bouchier (32) combining to put their side on 52-0 after those first six crucial overs, five fours each putting them firmly in the driver’s seat.

Maia Bouchier was caught out in the deep as England lost their first wicket against New Zealand in the opening T20

The first breakthrough for New Zealand came in the eighth over as Bouchier sent Lea Tahuhu’s (2-33) delivery up and over to the waiting Georgia Plimmer on the rope, putting England on 61-1.

However, the ever-impressive Nat Sciver-Brunt (47) was then at the crease with Wyatt and their partnership increased the pressure further, a six plus two fours in the 11th over setting the pace for them to hit the century mark in 11.2 overs and the 50-partnership in 12.4 overs.

New Zealand got a second wicket after Amelia Kerr caught out Nat Sciver-Brunt before the English batter could reach a half-century

Wyatt then brought up her fifty in the 14th over, seven fours and a six helping her onto her 15th half-century in this format.

Not long after, New Zealand found their breakthrough as Sciver-Brunt sent Eden Carson’s (1-26) delivery to the waiting Amelia Kerr (0-30) to put England on 143-2, Wyatt then finally falling in the 18th over with England on a solid score of 169-3.

England’s batter Danni Wyatt is caught out on the boundary for 76

Despite the loss of their star opener, Freya Kemp (26) and skipper Heather Knight (4) took their chance to add to the tally in the final two overs, helping their side onto a hefty final tally of 197, England’s fifth-highest-ever score in T20Is.

England vs New Zealand IT20 fixtures

Saturday, July 5 First IT20 Southampton (Won by 59 runs)
Tuesday, July 9 Second IT20 Hove
Thursday, July 11 Third IT20 Canterbury
Saturday, July 13 Fourth IT20 The Oval
Wednesdy, July 17 Fifth IT20 Lord’s

What they said: Wyatt: It was a good day | Knight: We showed brilliant intent

Danni Wyatt was thrilled after scoring 76

Player of the Match, Danni Wyatt:

“Just trying to stay calm and back myself. It’s always a nice wicket here. Today was a nice day, supported well by Bouchier and Sciver-Brunt

“It seemed to just fly with the wind. With T20 you just have to enjoy the good days.

“There’s a pretty big game on now so shall we go?”

England’s captain Heather Knight:

“Great performance apart from the drop catches, great to have so many options.

“First time we’ve tried four spinners and I thought Kemp’s figures didn’t show how she bowls, it’s nice to see her back. She was good at the death and Linsey did a really good job too.

“I think we’ve got loads of options. Left Bell out and she’s done a lot for us in T20 cricket. We just pick based on the conditions.

“I thought we started with brilliant intent, we were really smart with our options.

“The crowd was great, we get good support here.”

What’s next?

England head to The 1st Central County Ground, Hove, on Tuesday as they face New Zealand in the second T20I of the series.


Tuesday 9th July 6:00pm


Watch the second T20I between England and New Zealand on Tuesday July 9, live on Sky Sports from 6pm (first ball 6.30pm). Stream the series contract-free with NOW.

Marcus Smith: England fly-half backed by Nick Evans, Will Greenwood after missed goal kicks in New Zealand loss | Rugby Union News

Marcus Smith: England fly-half backed by Nick Evans, Will Greenwood after missed goal kicks in New Zealand loss | Rugby Union News



Nick Evans has urged Marcus Smith not to dwell on his three missed kicks at goal in England’s 16-15 defeat to New Zealand in Dunedin.

Smith was handed the No 10 shirt ahead of his namesake Fin Smith after impressing in the 52-17 win over Japan in Tokyo, although an encouraging performance against the All Blacks was tempered by him landing just two of five attempts off the tee at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Former New Zealand fly-half Evans, who now serves as attack coach at Smith’s club Harlequins, knows the 25-year-old will be rightly frustrated by those misses in the one-point defeat, but wants to see him immediately switch focus to the second Test at Eden Park on July 13.

Smith missed a straightforward kick to give England the lead against New Zealand in the first Test

“How will he deal with those missed kicks? I’m sure I’ll get a text, asking me about the game,” Evans told Sky Sports.

“But that’s the sign of a great player, someone who wants to challenge himself and get better. He’s striving for that perfect game.

“He’ll be hurting with that, and it’s important he is, but immediately can you park that? What’s your schedule and kicking routine during the week? Make sure you look at the review and go from there.”

Despite some shakiness with the boot, Smith was solid with the ball in hand, beating five defenders and providing a superb pass for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s 47th-minute try. He also came up with 11 tackles in defence with a 100 per cent success rate.

Smith sent Immanuel Feyi-Waboso free to go over in the corner and give England the lead against New Zealand

Former England centre and Sky Sports rugby union expert Will Greenwood was effusive in his praise of how Smith marshalled the team and did not believe his kicking troubles should mar his overall display.

“That confidence maybe of being the No 1 choice at fly-half – he was outstanding against Japan and again today,” Greenwood said.

“People will talk about the missed kicks – that’s a separate part to his game. Like a golfer he can go away and work on his own.

“As a collective, he would have been a joy to play outside as a centre or full-back.”

Highlights of New Zealand’s thrilling win over England in the opening Test in Dunedin

Evans believes Smith’s ability to not let the missed conversion and two missed penalties throw him off his game is a sign of a cool temperament which is so vital in a fly-half if they are to succeed at the highest level.

He was full of praise for the way England’s pack laid the foundations for him to play off as well, and sees that as something to build on going into the second Test next Saturday, which is live on Sky Sports.

“It shows his temperament,” Evans said. “He missed those kicks, but it didn’t affect his attacking game or in defence, where he put some big shots in.

“The ability for him to play flat probably coincided with New Zealand being a little passive off the line, but that came from the ability of the England forward to pick good seams and tips at the line.

“That created lightning-quick ball which allowed Marcus to play flat.”

Watch the second Test between New Zealand and England at Auckland’s Eden Park on Saturday July 13 live on Sky Sports Action from 7.30am (8.05am kick-off). Also stream contract-free with NOW.