England may not have had much fight in them on the pitch of late but off it they are still belligerent as ever as Jonny Bairstow showed in an angry response to the team’s critics. Following emphatic defeats to Sri Lanka and Australia, England must win their two remaining matches - against India on Sunday and New Zealand on Friday - to qualify for the Cricket World Cup semi-finals. In response to the criticism, Bairstow said: “They are not willing us on to win, in many ways, they are waiting for you to get that loss, so they can jump on your throat. It’s a typical English thing to do, in every sport.”
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton recorded the fastest time in the first free practice session (FP1) at the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix. World champion Hamilton, who has won six of this season’s eight races, was 0.144 seconds quicker than Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel. Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas was third. FP2 at the Red Bull Ring takes place today from 2pm to 3.30pm.
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer could be on course for a semi-final showdown at Wimbledon after the rivals were drawn in the same half of the 2019 championships. In the first round at the All England Club top seed Novak Djokovic starts his title defence against Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber on Centre Court at 1pm (BST) on Monday. Two-time champion Nadal takes on Japanese qualifier Yuichi Sugita while eight-time winner Federer plays South African Lloyd Harris.
Could Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe be coming to Liverpool? That’s the dream of the Kop after former striker Daniel Sturridge posted a picture on his Instagram account alongside the Frenchman. The photo sent Liverpool fans into “meltdown” and increased speculation that the Reds could be trying to entice the 20-year-old ace to Merseyside.
Major League Baseball’s fierce rivals - the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees - will make history this weekend when they play the first regular-season matches in Europe. The London Stadium, home of West Ham United and the 2012 Olympics, has been transformed to host the baseball spectacular tomorrow and Sunday.
7. Gatlant takes Chiefs role
Warren Gatland will become the head coach of Super Rugby’s Chiefs but will take a year out to fulfil his contract with the British & Irish Lions. Gatland’s reign as Wales head coach ends after this year’s Rugby World Cup and The Guardian reports that he will take charge of the Chiefs for the 2020, 2022 and 2023 seasons.
8. Brazil reach Copa semi-finals
Host nation Brazil are through to the semi-finals of the Copa America after beating Paraguay 4-3 on penalties. Brazil will now face Argentina or Venezuela in the final four.
9. Vieira interested in Toon job
Former Arsenal and France star Patrick Vieira is willing to speak to Newcastle United regarding their vacant manager role. The Sun reports that the Nice boss is one of the names being considered to replace Rafa Benitez.
10. Lionesses march into the final four
England are through to their second successive Women’s World Cup semi-final after a 3-0 victory over Norway in Le Havre. Goals from Jill Scott, Ellen White and Lucy Bronze set up a final four clash against the US or France on Tuesday. Head coach Phil Neville said: “We want to come home with that World Cup. I keep thinking to myself, ‘stop saying it’, but we can’t hide away from the fact something’s happening. We cannot wait for Tuesday.”
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