England poised to pick Marcus North as men’s selector over Steven Finn and Darren Gough
Marcus North, the former Australia middle order batter, has emerged as the leading candidate to become the new England men’s selector, with an official announcement expected in the coming days.The 46-year-old has worked as director of cricket at Durham since 2018 and was among those interviewed for the equivalent role with England four years ago – only to miss out to Rob Key in the final stages of the process.But the chance to help shape the England men’s teams as selector has now resurfaced, with North understood to have beaten the likes of Steven Finn and Darren Gough after a round of interviews this week.The England and Wales Cricket Board has declined to comment, with the contract still to be signed.North would effectively replace Luke Wright, who decided to step down at the end of the Ashes defeat in Australia citing a desire to spend more time with his family.
The job is expected to change, however,Wright was not the head selector and had limited voting rights,North, by contrast, is expected to have the final say on squads in a position more akin to Ed Smith’s selector role from 2018 to 2021,While North would be the first person from overseas to serve as selector, he has long been embedded in the English game,As well as stints at six counties during his playing days, the former left-handed batter has lived in the north-east since the early 2000s and worked in club cricket before his role at Durham.
North will head a selection panel that includes Key, the head coach Brendon McCullum, and the relevant captain (Ben Stokes for Test cricket, Harry Brook for white-ball).Andrew Flintoff, the Lions coach, is also a selector, as well as performance director Ed Barney and David Court, the ECB’s head of player identification.Another feature of the role will be liaising with the new County Insight Group.The panel was set up to improve communication with the domestic game and includes Mickey Arthur (Derbyshire), Richard Dawson (Glamorgan), Alan Richardson (Worcestershire) and Anthony McGrath (Yorkshire).Provided North signs on the dotted line, he will be in place to select a squad for the three-Test series against New Zealand that gets under way at Lord’s on 4 June.
A new opener to replace Zak Crawley sits top of the to-do list, along with choosing the right blend of attack and addressing the longstanding issue of spin bowling.
‘The three of us are the next’: Fabio Wardley on Dubois, Itauma and boxing’s heavyweight future
Briton, who defends his WBO title against Daniel Dubois, talks Fury-Joshua, doping and his punditry sideline“The only expectation I have is that it will end in a knockout,” Fabio Wardley says cheerfully as he looks ahead to his dangerous first defence of the WBO world heavyweight title against Daniel Dubois in Manchester on Saturday night. “Don’t Blink” is the promotional tagline for a battle between two powerful yet vulnerable heavyweights and, for once, this is less boxing bluster than reasonable advice for anyone watching a fight which could be the most dramatic heavyweight contest this year.Wardley and Dubois are devastating punchers who also often look at risk of losing. Dubois has been beaten three times in 25 fights while dispatching his other opponents with brutal efficiency. Two years ago, the unbeaten Wardley came close to defeat against Frazer Clarke in their first fight, which ended up being a draw after a damaging bloodbath for both men
Change in Sportsbet policy engulfs AFL identities amid scrutiny of gambling links
A subtle tweak of policy by Sportsbet has sent shockwaves through the AFL, and embroiled a three-time premiership captain and an emerging female voice who judged last year’s Norm Smith medal.Sportsbet, Australia’s largest sports betting company and one of the AFL’s major partners, changed its rules this week in response to growing public anger of the work with the wagering firm by AFL umpire Nick Foot. Although there is no suggestion he has ever been compromised, Foot was forced to step down from his role offering horse racing analysis.“Nick has appeared on our ‘Get On’ racing coverage in a racing‑only capacity,” a Sportsbet spokesperson said on Monday. “Following feedback, we’ve decided to no longer feature any serving sports administrators or officials in our programming, to ensure clear separation from their official roles
Cornish Pirates boosted by ‘milestone’ seven-figure deal with US private equity firm
Cornish Pirates have stolen a march on some bigger sides in the Prem by becoming the first English rugby union club to complete a significant deal with wealthy American-based backers. The Champ club have joined forces with the Pittsburgh-based private equity firm Stonewood Capital with the aim of revitalising the prospects of the Penzance side.The long-term arrangement would give Stonewood a substantial minority stake in the club for what is understood to be an initial seven-figure sum. Pirates officials are calling it a “landmark” deal and a “major milestone in the club’s evolution”.Sally Pettipher, the Pirates’ chief executive, also hopes it could lead to a Cornish team competing in the Prem, with the top tier of English club rugby due to shift to a franchise model in 2029-30
Runner dies after medical emergency during 253-mile ultramarathon in Arizona
A runner at the Cocodona 250 ultramarathon in Arizona has died after a medical emergency, organizers said on Tuesday.According to a statement posted on Instagram, a participant experienced a “serious medical emergency” during the 253-mile endurance race, which began Monday and continues through Saturday.“Out of respect for the runner’s family and loved ones, we are not sharing additional personal details at this time,” the statement said. “Our team is supporting those directly involved and will share more only when appropriate.“Please keep the runner’s family, friends, fellow runners, volunteers, and first responders in your thoughts
A UConn reunion and Caitlin Clark’s return: WNBA storylines to follow in season 30 | Jordan Robinson
From the Dallas Wings’ big moves to the most valuable team, here’s what we’ll be watching as the 2026 campaign begins on FridaySign up to get WNBA 30 in your inbox every TuesdayI’ve been obsessed with basketball for as long as I can remember (and have played it since I was five). Now, I cover the sport full-time. I co-wrote a book on the history of women’s hoops, Court Queens, and host the Audacy podcast The Women’s Hoops Show. I grew up a Sacramento Monarchs fan, and proudly own the signature sneakers of Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and A’ja Wilson. (Angel Reese, you’re next
Raducanu’s road leads from Rome to a French Open fitness race and questions beyond
In the end Emma Raducanu was one of the first in and out the grandiose gates of the Foro Italico this year. She had arrived in Rome early, eager to test her health and readiness for top-level competition through a series of training sessions on the heavy red clay courts of the Italian Open. As the hours on court piled up, and her planned opening match on Thursday drew closer, it seemed reasonable to conclude that she would make her first appearance in two months. Instead, her absence from the courts will extend to more than two months.Things are rarely straightforward with Raducanu, demonstrated by the nature of her withdrawal in Rome, which occurred just 30 minutes after she gave little indication of her intention during a press conference
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