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

Ollie Robinson is English cricket’s biggest enigma who could make an unlikely Test comeback | Ali Martin

Pop quiz: in the last five years, who is the only England seamer to have sent down 50 overs in a Test match more than once?The answer, if the headline and picture haven’t given the game away, is a certain Ollie Robinson. Yep, the same seamer who has been overlooked by England since February 2024 on account of not being fit enough for the demands of the job.Robinson bent his back for 51 overs against Australia at Lord’s in 2023 and bowled 50 there in his third Test two years earlier. Against India at the Oval in 2021 he summoned up 49.3 overs, while his most impressive feat of stamina was probably Rawalpindi in late 2022: 43 overs, five for 122, as England squeezed out a remarkable last-gasp win on a pitch practically made of asphalt

Virtual cyclists face random drug tests to compete on MyWhoosh app

First came the boom in virtual cycling, with thousands of people from across the globe competing against each other. Then came cash prizes. Now one major online platform has taken the next logical step by launching anti-doping testing for e-racers.MyWhoosh, which hosts the UCI Esports World Championships, has told the Guardian that the top riders in its weekly Sunday Race Club competition will now face random drug tests after they compete.The event offers prizes ranging from $2,170 (£1,593) to $20 (£14) to serious cyclists and beginner-level racers, most of whom compete at home or in a garage

Uar Bernard: the ‘rarest physical specimen’ who exposes the NFL’s scouting flaws

The Philadelphia Eagles selected the Nigerian defensive lineman before he had even played a down of football. More teams should take risks on global talentUar Bernard has become a source of borderline indecent fascination in the NFL – the kind of prospect who underscores how athletes are identified and the inherent limits of pro football scouting itself. A swole 6ft 4in and 306lbs, Uar (pronounced OO-ar) Bernard doesn’t just look the part of a fearsome defensive lineman; fans post his shirtless photos next to ones of Myles Garrett, the game-wrecking Cleveland Browns pass rusher who set the regular-season sack record last year. Veteran NFL analyst Lance Zierlein described Bernard as “one of the rarest of physical specimens I’ve seen in the sport”. Other people who have spent their lifetimes in football say Bernard looks like a Marvel creation

‘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