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Sport shorts: Steve Smith to miss third Ashes Test and Paul Pogba racial abuse ‘disgusts’ Manchester United
Ten things from the world of sport on Tuesday 20 August
The 30-year-old batsman was hit by a bouncer from Jofra Archer in the second Test at Lord’s and Aussie head coach Justin Langer confirmed he has been ruled out of the Headingley clash starting on Thursday.
Cricket.com.au reports that Manus Labuschagne, who replaced Smith as a concussion substitute at Lord’s, appears to be the favourite to take Smith’s place in the Australia XI.
The Week
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Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
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The Athletic’s Mike Coppinger has put together a list of the 25 most influential figures in boxing. Matchroom Sport boss Eddie Hearn, retired fighter Floyd Mayweather Jr and middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez feature in the top ten. Topping the list is Al Haymon of Premier Boxing Champions, whose clients include Mayweather Jr and WBC heavyweight belt holder Deontay Wilder. Coppinger says: “When you think of Haymon, power comes to mind, but also mystery.”
3. New faces in Lionesses squad
England women’s football head coach Phil Neville has named four new players in his squad for the friendly matches against Belgium and Norway. Jill Scott is rested while Ellen White and Karen Bardsley are injured. Bethany England, Aoife Mannion, Sandy MacIver and Anna Patten get their first call-ups. England play Belgium on 29 August and Norway on 3 September.
England squad
Goalkeepers: Mary Earps, Sandy MacIver, Ellie Roebuck, Carly Telford
Defenders: Millie Bright, Rachel Daly, Alex Greenwood, Steph Houghton, Aoife Mannion, Abbie McManus, Anna Patten, Demi Stokes, Leah Williamson
Forwards: Toni Duggan, Bethany England, Fran Kirby, Beth Mead, Nikita Parris, Jodie Taylor
4. Murray knocked out of Winston-Salem Open
Andy Murray’s second match of his return to singles tennis saw him lose 7-6, 7-5 to Tennys Sandgren in the Winston-Salem Open first round. The 32-year-old Scot said: “I think there was some good stuff in there. Obviously I didn’t win but I do feel I was a bit more in control of what was happening out there. Physically I felt OK in the rallies, but I did notice in the second set that my first serve wasn’t as good, and I think maybe my legs were a little bit heavy at the end there.”
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5. European Tour targets slow play
The European Tour has announced a four-point plan aimed at tackling the issue of slow play in professional golf. The plan, which will be implemented at the start of the 2020 season, was approved by the European Tour’s Tournament Committee in July and fine-tuned over the past month. It will focus on four key areas: regulation, education, innovation and field sizes.
(Image credit: Mario Carlini/Iguana Press/Getty Images)
6. Sarri treated for pneumonia
The BBC reports that Juventus manager Maurizio Sarri is being treated for pneumonia. Former Chelsea boss Sarri, 60, is undergoing treatment the Italian club have confirmed.
7. Coutinho targets titles at Bayern
Philippe Coutinho has signed for Bayern Munich on a season-long loan deal from Barcelona. The deal includes an option for the German giants to buy the 27-year-old. Speaking at his official presentation the Brazilian said: “In Barcelona a lot of things did not turn out as we had imagined. But this is now history. I hope to stay here a long time and win many titles.”
8. Wolff has say on Vettel
Mercedes principal Toto Wolff says “everything is open” in regards to potential new drivers and team line-ups. When asked if German driver Sebastian Vettel could ever switch from Ferrari, Wolff said: “You are not just a four-time world champion because of a bit of luck. Sebastian is still the most important pawn at Ferrari, but you don’t know what he will do next. Everything is still open after 2020.”
9. Kroenke: Europa defeat changed transfer approach
Arsenal director Josh Kroenke has told BBC Sport that the Europa League final loss against Chelsea had a huge effect on the club’s transfer strategy this summer. The Gunners conceded four second-half goals in Baku and Kroenke said: “As the second half of the match unfolded, understanding the position we were in and some of the targets as we headed into the summer from a transfer standpoint, we had to rethink some of our strategy based on that last 45 minutes.”
Manchester United have issued a statement after the abuse Paul Pogba suffered on social media following his penalty miss in the 1-1 draw with Wolves last night. The United statement said: “Everyone at Manchester United is disgusted by the racial abuse aimed at Paul Pogba last night and we utterly condemn it. The individuals who expressed these views do not represent the values of our great club and it is encouraging to see the vast majority of our fans condemn this on social media also.”
