After being thrashed by Australia in the first match of the series England’s Ashes hopes have been further hit with the news that Jimmy Anderson will miss the second Test at Lord’s.
Seam bowler Anderson, 37, has suffered a calf injury, which restricted him to bowling only four overs in the defeat at Edgbaston.
A statement by the England and Wales Cricket Board said: “Jimmy Anderson, who left the field during the first Ashes Test match against Australia at Edgbaston on day one due to tightness to his right calf, underwent an MRI scan this week.
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“The MRI confirmed that Anderson has suffered a calf injury. As a result of the injury, he will commence a rehabilitation programme working with the England and Lancashire medical teams. Anderson will miss the second Test match, which starts at Lord’s on Wednesday 14 August.
“He will be reassessed on an ongoing basis regarding his availability for the rest of Specsavers Ashes series.”
Could Wayne Rooney be on the brink of making what The Daily Telegraph describes as an “extraordinary return to English football”?
In an exclusive the paper claims that the former England, Everton and Manchester United striker “is in talks” with Derby County about taking on a player-coach role at the Championship club.
Sky Sports adds that Rooney arrived at Heathrow this morning and is making his way to the Midlands to finalise his move.
The Daily Mail reports that West Bromwich Albion have launched an “11th-hour bid” to snatch Rooney from Derby.
The Times reports that Saudi Arabia could host a Formula 1 grand prix by 2021. F1 is in talks with Saudi officials but a race in the kingdom will only be held “under strict conditions”. “F1 should steer well clear of Saudi Arabia,” says Times’s Rebecca Clancy.
4. Cycling mourns Bjorg Lambrecht
Cycling is in mourning following the death of Belgian rider Bjorg Lambrecht. After crashing during stage three of the Tour de Pologne, the 22-year-old was taken to hospital by helicopter and died late yesterday. Lambrecht’s team Lotto-Soudal said: “The biggest tragedy possible that could happen to the family, friends and team-mates of Bjorg has happened. Rest in peace.”
5. Frampton out of fight after freak accident
Northern Irish boxer Carl Frampton has been forced to withdraw from his fight against Emmanuel Dominguez on Saturday after “freak accident” left him with a broken metacarpal in his left hand. Frampton said on Twitter: “I’m extremely disappointed for the travelling support, and for myself and for my team. I’ve put everything into this camp. I’ve been away from my amazing wife and kids for most of it and it all seems like a waste.”
6. UK debut race for W Series
The inaugural season of the W Series will come to an end this weekend with a race at Brands Hatch - the only UK event on the 2019 calendar for the female-only motor sport competition. Five British drivers - Esmee Hawkey, Sarah Moore, Jessica Hawkins, Alice Powell and championship leader Jamie Chadwick - will be battling for a share of the $1.5m (£1.2m) prize fund.
7. Pearson hangs up her spikes
Australian Olympic gold medal winner Sally Pearson has retired at the age of 32 because of injury. The reigning world champion, who won gold in the 110m hurdles at London 2012, said: “After 16 years, it’s time to hang up my spikes. I’m proud of my career and what I’ve achieved and hopefully inspired our next generation of athletes coming through.”
8. Eriksen off to Old Trafford or Europe?
Having signed Harry Maguire from Leicester City could Manchester United be close to capturing another big Premier League name? It’s claimed that the Red Devils are “working to sign” Tottenham midfielder Christian Eriksen before the transfer window closes on Thursday. If Eriksen remains in north London after the deadline then Atletico Madrid and Juventus could consider making “cut-price bids of around £50m” to tempt Tottenham into selling a player who is out of contract next year.
9. Koepka leads McIlroy ahead of FedExCup play-offs
After 43 events the PGA Tour’s regular season is complete and this means the world’s best golfers are now gearing up for the FedExCup play-offs. Tour members who have finished in the top 125 of the regular-season FedExCup standings will qualify for the first of three play-off events: The Northern Trust at Liberty National Golf Club from 8-11 August.
After the conclusion of the regular season world No.1 Brooks Koepka leads the standings with 2,887 points from 18 PGA Tour events. He is 572 points ahead of Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy and 574 ahead of fellow American Matt Kuchar.
Australia have taken a 1-0 lead in the 2019 Ashes cricket series after a crushing victory over England in the first Test at Edgbaston. With Steve Smith hitting centuries in both innings Australia secured a comfortable 251-run win. The tourists are the holders of the legendary urn after winning 4-0 in the 2017-18 series and will now be confident of retaining it this year.
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