Hooker Leyland signs two-year Hull KR extension
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Leader Live
26 minutes ago
- Leader Live
England facing daunting chase as more dropped catches aid India's cause
Jaiswal made a classy 118 as the tourists reached 304 for six on the third afternoon, a lead of 281 at tea. After 15 wickets fell on day two, a patched up England attack were unable to pose a consistent threat. With Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse all missing the Test and Chris Woakes unable to play his part due to a dislocated shoulder, the task seemed too steep for a seam trio of Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue and Jamie Overton boasting just 18 previous caps. Three more drops hurt their cause – Zak Crawley, Harry Brook and Ben Duckett taking the innings tally to six missed chances – but Jaiswal was the cornerstone of India's defiance. He was gamely assisted by nightwatcher Akash Deep in the first session, with the latter crashing his way to a career-best 66 to set the tone for a difficult day in the field. Deep, sent in on Friday evening to shield captain Shubman Gill, scored the majority share in a demoralising stand of 107 with the unflappable Jaiswal. The tourists were just 52 ahead and two down overnight but England were insipid in the opening session. Deep fully embraced what was a bonus innings for his side, slogging the third ball of the morning for four, heaving Atkinson across the line and angling Josh Tongue wide of the slips with soft hands. He should have come unstuck for 21 in the eighth over, narrowly surviving Tongue's lbw shout on umpire's call and then edging the next delivery to third slip. Just as it did on day two, England's catching was faulty with Crawley fumbling. That was as close as they came to parting the duo as they lost control in a dispiriting hour of play that saw India add 52 runs to the total. England produced a few false shots after drinks but to no avail, with at least three edges skimming into the same gap wide of third slip. Deep advanced to an unlikely fifty with three fours off the tiring Atkinson – showing off unexpected range with a square cut, an uppercut and a pull. Overton finally ended his fun with the lunch break moving into view, digging in a short ball that took the leading edge and popped to backward point. It was a handy delivery but, after 28 wicketless overs on a helpful pitch, the Surrey quick owed his side one. Gill survived an awkward spell before the break but fell to the first ball after lunch, lbw to Atkinson for 11 to conclude a prolific series with 754 runs at an average of 75.40. Karun Nair has fared considerably less well and his latest unconvincing stay ended with wafting Atkinson through to Jamie Smith for 17. At the other end Jaiswal was quietly getting on with job of a potentially match-defining hundred. He was put down on 20 and 40 earlier in his innings but there was a sense of calm as he progressed towards the first ton of a bowler-dominated match. He was given a third life on 110, Duckett fluffing a tricky one at leg slip, but finally ran out of luck when he flashed Tongue to Overton at deep third. England needed more quick successes to build on his departure but their overworked pace bowlers were creaking as Ravindra Jadeja (26no) and Dhruv Jurel (25no) extended the advantage.
The Independent
26 minutes ago
- The Independent
Marlie Packer hands England World Cup worry during 97-7 rout of Spain
Marlie Packer's availability for the start of the World Cup is in doubt after she was sent off in England's crushing 97-7 demolition of Spain. The veteran flanker, who was captaining her country in Leicester, was dismissed 19 minutes from time for an adjudged illegal clearout on Spain full-back Claudia Pena. With the Red Roses set to play France next weekend in their final warm-up match ahead of their World Cup opener against the United States on August 22, Packer will face a disciplinary hearing to determine her fate. Helena Rowland scored a hat-trick at Welford Road as England's preparations for a tilt at global glory on home soil began in ruthless fashion. The versatile back, who was hailed as 'probably the most valuable person' in the Red Roses' squad by head coach John Mitchell after being named to start on the right wing, claimed two of seven first-half tries. Number eight Maddie Feaunati, scrum-half Lucy Packer, wing Jess Breach, prop Sarah Bern and centre Jade Shekells also crossed in the opening 40 minutes. Bern registered her second try early in the second period before Rowland completed her treble two minutes later and lock Lilli Ives Campion added another for Test rugby's top-ranked nation. Spain, who are ranked 13th in the world and will face Ireland in Pool C at the World Cup, claimed a fine 53rd-minute consolation through 19-year-old Harlequins player Pena, which was converted by fly-half Amalia Argudo. Full-back Emma Sing stretched England's lead before replacements May Campbell, Hannah Botterman and Abby Dow and vice-captain Megan Jones completed the scoring following the premature departure of skipper Packer.
The Independent
26 minutes ago
- The Independent
Andy Farrell not ruling out leading the Lions for New Zealand tour
Andy Farrell has left the door open to leading the next British and Irish Lions tour after presiding over a 2-1 series victory against Australia. The Lions' dream of finishing their tour Down Under with a 100 per cent record ended with a 22-12 defeat in the final Test at a rain lashed Accor Stadium, but they return home having achieved the main objective. A first series triumph since 2013 puts Farrell in pole position to take charge of the next expedition to New Zealand and the Ireland boss admits his passion for the Lions has only grown over the last two months. 'Everyone knows what I think about this concept and I suppose that says it all,' he said. 'I love everything that the Lions is about and I've thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed the last eight weeks. 'There are always ups and there are always downs, but the inner circle is a special place to be. 'Read into that what you want but I suppose four years, there's a long time between drinks isn't there?' An extraordinary third Test that produced three failed HIAs and saw James Ryan knocked out was paused for 37 minutes early in the second-half after the players left the field because of lightening strikes in the area. Australia then used up the full 10 minutes available to warm-up for the resumption of play, while the Lions only took five minutes. TV footage from the Lions' changing room during the break showed Finn Russell and Tom Curry using their phones. 'We agreed on 10 minutes for the warm-up and through the advice from our experts in that field we only made the call to come out five minutes before so that we would be ready to go,' Farrell said. 'I hope I'm not in a game like that again, actually. Rigor mortis was setting in at one stage there for the lads! I suppose that is what you come to expect with a schedule like the Lions schedule. We have seen it all now haven't we! 'We were trying to work out what the rules were and what was going to happen. At one stage it looked like it was going be 45 minutes then it was pulled back to 30 minutes. 'There were updates constantly coming in but the lads stayed relaxed enough, had five minutes of a warm-up and got the show back on the road. 'What came off the back of that is Australia hit the ground running and thoroughly deserved their win.' Australia boss Joe Schmidt revealed his side had prepared for the incoming bad weather. 'We had been warned that there might be a bit of lightning, so we had a plan and with that plan we made sure that guys kept moving,' Schmidt said. 'We'd four balls in the changing room so guys could throw them around, so that guys could stay connected. 'We had a couple of bikes and different guys were rotating on and off the bikes. The rest of the time, it was just trying to get us organised for the restart.'
