King & Cross lead Lancs to crucial win over Essex
Ashes rivals Kate Cross and Alana King shared four wickets to set Lancashire Thunder up for a convincing rain-affected T20 Blast win over Essex Eagles at Emirates Old Trafford that kept the hosts' Finals Day hopes alive.England seamer Cross and Australia leg-spinner King struck twice apiece in the space of 10 legitimate balls in the sixth and seventh overs of what turned out to be an eight-over Essex innings as they slipped to 38-6 and later totalled 47-7.A two-hour rain delay ravaged a fixture which both sides realistically needed to win to maintain hopes of a top-three finish, and it was Thunder who claimed the crucial five points as they reeled in a revised target of 52 in six overs thanks largely to opener Emma Lamb's 21 off 17 balls.Thunder's fourth win in nine games - this by eight wickets on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method - means they leapfrog Essex into fifth place but are still 11 points behind third-placed Bears, whom they host on Sunday (13:00 BST), with five games left.Essex, meanwhile, lost for the sixth time in nine games and have a mountain to climb, beginning with Sunday's trip to league leaders Surrey at The Kia Oval (12:00).
Thunder, who importantly won the toss and elected to bowl first, made a fast start with the ball either side of the two-hour delay.Firstly, they reduced Essex to 24-2 after five overs. Seamer Phoebe Graham, making her first competitive appearance of the summer for Thunder, struck in the fourth over when she uprooted the leg-stump of Lissy MacLeod.Left-arm swing bowler Tara Norris then had the other Essex opener Lauren Winfield-Hill well caught low down at cover by Ailsa Lister. Only four more balls were bowled before play was halted.Then, upon the resumption, with an eight-overs per side game now in motion, Thunder struck four times in the first 10 legitimate balls back to all but end any realistic chance Essex had of winning.King had compatriot Maddie Penna well taken low down at square-leg by Lister off a full toss before getting Cordelia Griffith caught behind cutting later in the sixth over.In the seventh, Cross uprooted Jo Gardner's off-stump and had an attacking Eva Gray caught behind. Amara Carr was then run out off the final ball of the innings. Opener Winfield-Hill was the only Essex batter to reach double figures with 13.Eve Jones (17) set Thunder on their way in the chase with an eye-catching straight driven boundary off Esmae MacGregor's seam before dragging Gray to midwicket as Thunder slipped to 29-1 in the fourth.England's Lamb hit three leg-side boundaries before being run out with only four runs required, with King (1no) and Lister (4no) completing the formalities with two overs to spare.Report supplied by the ECB Reporters' Network, supported by Rothesay
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The Independent
39 minutes ago
- The Independent
George Ford is conductor supreme as England land on formula for the future in Argentina win
If England can combine the defensive resilience they showed in the opening 40 minutes against Argentina in La Plata with the incisive attack produced in the first seven minutes of the second, Steve Borthwick might just have a formula to carry him to the World Cup. Taking on Los Pumas in a two-Test series without 13 British and Irish Lions, the odds seemed stacked against England, with Borthwick at pains to point out that his team entered this first clash as underdogs. But when you have a fly half as classy as George Ford running the show, anything is possible, and there was so much to enjoy on both sides of the ball in England's 35-12 success. Ford, on the occasion of his 100th cap, showed just why he was able to tear up the England first team in training during this year's Six Nations, but only after his teammates had repelled wave after wave of Argentinian pressure in the first half. The only score of those 40 minutes at the Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi was a Ford drop goal, reminiscent of the three he landed to down Los Pumas at the World Cup two years ago. It is curious in many ways that there are three English fly-halves currently in Australia with the Lions, and yet Ford is probably the best playmaker of them all and finds himself more than 12,000 kilometres away. He had been treated to a tribute video organised by co-captain Jamie George that featured Frank Lampard, a nod to his support of Chelsea, a host of long-time England colleagues and most bizarrely Tony Blair – apparently a No.10 before he moved into No.10. That celebration on the eve of the match will now be matched by those after this success, although Ford was typically modest in his assessment of his own performance. He said: 'We just wanted to perform well and win. It is all about the team as always. We understand how difficult it is here in Argentina so it is a great win for us. 'We were under pressure in the first half; we gave away too many penalties and could not get out of our half. 'We had to make sure second half we got out of our half and create some try-scoring opportunities, which we did early in the second half. We have to back it up next week and we know Argentina will come back at us. Another challenge that we will look forward to.' England spent the vast majority of the first half defending for their lives. Three times they held up Argentina in the in-goal area, while they also came through spells with 14 and even 13 men. That was following a yellow card for Alex Coles for an upright tackle on Facundo Isa and then a trip to the bin for debutant Seb Atkinson after referee Angus Gardner finally ran out of patience with the penalty county from the visitors. Still, Argentina could not find a way through despite overwhelming territorial dominance – a big tick for defensive coaching duo Joe El-Abd and Byron McGuigan, the latter here on secondment from Sale. The way they rushed Argentina time and again looks a promising blueprint that could be used once the likes of Maro Itoje return. Not that any English Lion will find it easy to walk straight back into a starting role. Atkinson, Will Muir and Guy Pepper all made their debuts in this one but to a man, England's players looked at home in the hostile atmosphere of Estudiantes' home ground. Having withstood a barrage in the first half, they then cut loose early in the second, Tom Roebuck grabbing two tries either side of one for Freddie Steward – Ford inevitably at the heart of those incisive attacks. Trailing 22-0, Argentina responded, Pablo Matera and Pedro Rubiolo both scoring, the latter finishing off the try of the game following brilliant hands from forwards and backs. But two Ford penalties, the second from distance, put the game beyond reach before Cadan Murley made it four second-half tries five minutes from time. Given the absentees and the scale of the challenge – albeit Argentina were missing six of the players who started their win over the Lions – it is the sort of performance from which Borthwick can build. Firstly in San Juan next week to complete a series victory, but more importantly over the next two years leading into the World Cup. From a second-place finish in the Six Nations which ended with four successive victories, England's upward trajectory is showing no signs of tailing off. The question now is just how far this formula can take them.
Daily Mail
42 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Meet the glamorous Formula One WAGs gearing up to cheer on their men at Silverstone: The daughter of a controversial three-time champion, a TikTok fashion sensation - and a professional golfer who met her beau after bingeing Drive to Survive
The rich and the famous are set to descend upon Northampton this week as the F1 calendar reaches its peak for most British fans. Silverstone is a major day in the schedule for all drivers, especially those from these shores who dream of adding their name to a short list of British men to claim their home race. And in the case of many of the stars set to dual on the track, they'll be supported by faces just as glamourous as the celebrities who routinely try to avoid Martin Brundle when flouting their VIP access just minutes before lights out. Here, Mail Sport takes a look at the stunning WAGs to look out for this weekend as the F1 circus pulls into the UK. Kelly Piquet Dating Max Verstappen Verstappen and Piquet welcomed their first child together earlier this year. The F1 star announced the birth on Instagram, where he wrote: 'Welcome to the world, sweet Lily. Our hearts are fuller than ever - you are our greatest gift. We love you so much.' While Lily is Max's first child, model Piquet, 36, already has a daughter, Penelope, born in 2019, from her previous relationship with Formula One driver Daniil Kvyat, 30. Kelly is a 35-year-old model from Brazil and hasn't just bagged herself a boyfriend who is a four-time world champion, but also happens to be the daughter of one too - with her father, Nelson Piquet, having the same badge of honour himself. Nelson is a controversial figure and was fined £780k for racist and homophobic comments about Lewis Hamilton two years ago. In an interview in November 2021, Piquet, 72, used a Portuguese racial slur in reference to the seven-time world champ. Hamilton called for action to change 'archaic mindsets' after footage of the interview surfaced. Piquet then apologised but argued that his comments were mistranslated. The judge in the case, Pedro Matos de Arrudo, said the compensation was 'so that, as a society, we can someday be free from the pernicious acts that are racism and homophobia'. Kelly and Max have been dating since January 2021 and are often spotted with Kelly's daughter, Penelope. The model recently pleaded with social media fans to stop spreading rumours about her after facing 'a strange and upsetting wave of accusations' in the last three years, some of which relate to her previous relationships. Alexandra Saint Mleux Dating Charles Leclerc Alexandra Saint Mleux is a TikTok influencer who stole the heart of her beau, Charles Leclerc over a year ago, with the two having made their first public appearance in March 2023. In May of the same year, her racing driver love confirmed the budding romance. Since then, the pair have only gained in strength and even appeared at the Monaco Grand Prix gala dinner with Prince Albert and Princess Charlene following Charles's home-race victory earlier this year. When she's not cheering her super speedy boyfriend on, she's filming lifestyle and home videos for her 886.900 TikTok followers. Her glamorous videos are the hallmark of an F1 WAG with her feed full of luxury travel locations, designer outfit fit checks and the odd few on glamorous yachts. Alex isn't just beautiful in herself, but is a fan of all things cultural, being a passionate art historian. Francisca Gomes Dating Pierre Gasly According to People magazine, Pierre, 27, has been dating model Francisca since 2022. The couple however didn't go Instagram official until 2023, when the driver shared a photo of the pair bringing in the new year together in Dubai. 'Let's hope for a year with good health, filled with love, dopamine, adrenaline and many TROPHIES!' he wrote in the post. 'I wish you all an incredible year to you and with your loved ones. Let's make it one to remember.' They have since made glamorous public appearances at events like Cannes Film Festival and Wimbledon - and as reported by People, Pierre has even called Francisca his 'lucky charm'. As well as being a model and influencer, Francisca - who is from Portugal - also appears to be a keen traveller. She often documents her adventures on Instagram, where she has 818,000 followers. Carmen Montero Mundt Dating George Russell Carmen Montero Mundt has been in a relationship with George Russell, 26, since 2020 - and as reported by GP Blog, the couple happily live in Monaco together. According to the outlet, 27-year-old Carmen has previously worked in finance - as an investor relations associate at Ruffer LLP in London - but recently announced that she is going back to studying. The driver's very glamorous girlfriend - who is originally from Spain and moved to the UK aged 18 - has a business degree from the University of Westminster. Carmen has more than 409,000 followers on Instagram, and often shares snaps of her luxury travels and enviable style online. The couple are understood to have met through friends in London, and have made a number of public appearances since first getting together. Lily Muni He Dating Alexander Albon Lily Muni He and Alexander Albon are a sporty couple match made in heaven - as both are accomplished athletes. Lily, 26, is professional golfer from China, who plays on the US-based LPGA Tour, while Alexander, 29, has been praised for his success in racing. As reported by NBC Sports, Lily was introduced to golf when she was only five years old, by her father. She grew up in Vancouver, Canada before moving to the US, and now is based in Los Angeles. In 2018, she opened up about her strategy for success throughout the Q-Series - not paying attention to her ranking during or after any of the final stage of the LPGA's qualifying tournament. She told as reported by NBC Sports: 'I didn't know I made it until everyone started congratulating when we were all done. 'It's the first time I've ever done that, not look where I stand on the leaderboard.' However, she admitted halfway through, her father accidentally let her know her place on the leaderboard. She and Alex started dating in 2019, after Lily watched a Netflix documentary on F1. 'I was in a slump. I was in a really bad place mentally. It was my rookie year and I wasn't playing well at all. A friend of mine convinced me to watch a (Formula One) documentary on Netflix called Drive to Survive'. They said, "I think you'd really like it. It helps you to see another perspective of a sport that's under so much pressure", she told Golf Week in 2021. 'So I watched the whole entire season in one day. I know as bizarre as this might sound, it got me really motivated in golf instantly.' After getting more curious about F1, Lily started following Alex on Instagram and 'really didn't think that much of it'. However, unbeknownst to her Alex was also getting into golf at the same time - and so followed her. 'I guess that's how we technically met,' she explained. 'We started talking on the phone. We were both rookies in 2019 and I thought that was extremely cool. 'Eventually he had an event in the States and afterwards, he and his friend took a little break in LA and that's how we properly met for the first time.' Rebecca Donaldson Dating Carlos Sainz Carlos Sainz started his relationship with Rebecca Donaldson in 2023, with the pair first becoming an item in June two years ago. The 29-year-old Scottish model has been sighted at races with her beau, including at the Las Vegas GP, which he came incredibly close to winning in 2023. Donaldson has appeared on the covers of high-end fashion magazines like Vogue and Marie Claire since winning a beauty pageant aged 17, when she was a student at the prestigious Perth Academy, dreaming of breaking into the fashion industry. 'My mum entered me and I was really surprised when I found out,' she said at the time. 'I am really excited to have won and am really looking forward to entering the Top Model UK competition.' Rebecca was first linked to Keeping Up With The Kardashians star and Kourtney Kardashian's ex Scott Disick when the pair attended the premiere of a new series of the show in 2022. They dated for two months before splitting up in June of that year. Donaldson has appeared on the covers of high-end fashion magazines like Vogue and Marie Claire since winning a beauty pageant aged 17, when she was a student at the prestigious Perth Academy, dreaming of breaking into the fashion industry. Pictured with Carlos in June 2024 She founded the activewear fashion label Muse in 2020 during the pandemic, explaining: 'I knew I wanted to create something that not only I would wear and be proud of putting my name against, but also something that was missing from the market.' The couple were first seen out together in Milan in June 2023, then fans started to think they were an item when they appeared at a golf course in Amsterdam in late August. One of Sainz's sisters began following her on Instagram, adding fuel to speculation about a romance, before Donaldson took to the catwalk at Madrid Fashion Week last month in front of members of the driver's family. While the pair haven't posted any shots of them together on their social media, they do comment on each other's posts regularly. Lily Zneimer Dating Oscar Piastri Oscar Piastri, 23, enjoyed an impressive debut season on the grid in two years ago as he racked up 97 points and secured a creditable ninth-place finish in the drivers' standings. The Australian's private life has generally been kept quiet since he came into the F1 world, but he has shared snaps with childhood sweetheart Lily Zneimer on social media. In their most recent snap together, the pair could be seen on a trip to Japan. The pair met at school and have been dating for nearly five years, with Zneimer regularly supporting the Australian at events. She is reportedly still a student and the pair were also pictured together at the Autosport Awards. Lando Norris Margarida Corceiro After Lando split from Luisinha Oliveira in 2022, he has been enjoying a lowkey romance with Portuguese model and actress, Margaradia Corceiro. The pair were first seen together in May 2023 in a video on social media showing the 25-year-old driving his Fiat Jolly with her in the back of the classic car after she split from Barcelona star Joao Felix. They were later spotted together at the Monte Carlo Masters last April but have predominantly kept their on-off relationship out of the spotlight. Margarida is no stranger to flaunting her figure in scantily clad bikini snaps, sharing images from her trip to The Maldives. The McLaren star - who had held the record for most podiums without a race win - ended his barren run by beating triple world champion Max Verstappen to victory at the Miami Grand Prix in May 2024. Corceiro has appeared on a number of Portuguese television shows and as per Portuguese outlet Maria, was a contestant in the country's version of Dancing with the Stars back in 2020. Norris and Corceiro continued to attend events together throughout much of last year before reports claimed that the pair had ended their short-term relationship. Confirming the news ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, Norris coolly stated on-stage amidst a packed crowd after being asked if he would like a dog: 'If I do I need a girlfriend, and I don't have one.' However, it appeared the pair have rekindled their romance after Corceiro was spotted by TV cameras during qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix in May. Flavy Barla Dating Esteban Ocon Haas driver Esteban Ocon went public with his relationship with influencer Flavy Barla in 2023 Barla, a 22-year-old medical student and compatriot of Ocon, has amassed a large social media following Haas driver Esteban Ocon went public with his relationship with influencer Flavy Barla in 2023 following the breakdown of his five-year partnership with Italian model Elena Berri. Barla, a 22-year-old medical student and compatriot of Ocon, has amassed a large social media following in addition to appearances in several beauty pagents. The French stunner won the coveted Miss Cote d'Azur in 2022 and finished as fifth runner-up in the 2023 Miss France contest. Barla has made a few appearances at Grand Prix to support her beau, with her first coming during the 2023 season finale in Abu Dhabi after she and Ocon were spotted in the paddock together.
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Novak Djokovic plays God-mode tennis to dismantle friend Miomir Kecmanovic
Novak Djokovic last lost a match at Wimbledon to anyone other than Carlos Alcaraz in 2017. And even that defeat, to the Czech player Tomas Berdych, was down to an elbow injury that forced him to retire. It is a staggering run, stretching over eight years and 45 matches. Yet rarely has Djokovic played as well as he did here against his fellow Serb Miomir Kecmanovic on Saturday night. Over the course of three destructive sets, Djokovic hit 60 winners to just 19 unforced errors as he put a masterclass of spin and subtlety, guile and laser-like power, to a wildly appreciative Centre Court. Certainly Kecmanovic, the world No 49, had no answers. Then again, with the seven-time champion in this form, how many would? If anything the 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 score could have been even more emphatic. Victory left Djokovic beaming, especially when he was told that he had just become only the third player in Wimbledon singles' history to enter the 100-win club, joining Martina Navratilova and Roger Federer. 'It sounds very nice,' Djokovic said. 'Particularly at this age, I am still going strong and still trying to compete with the younger players. I'm doing some slides and some splits on the court and am pushing myself to the limit. 'Wimbledon is a dream tournament. And any history I make at my favourite tournament, I am blessed.' Initially we looked to be in for a contest of sorts. Djokovic started with an ace and won the first three points of the match. But Kecmanovic retaliated with a textbook drop shot and a forehand winner before forcing deuce. It set the early tone. Djokovic pressing, but with his opponent determined to resist. But, all of a sudden, the dam broke at 4-3. It came after one of the rallies of the tournament, a 14-shot thriller that twirled into life with an immaculate Djokovic drop shot. It led to the players exchanging diving volleys at the net, before a lob volley by Djokovic had his opponent scrambling backwards. Somehow Kecmanovic got to the ball, and the subsequent smash, and even looked to be winning the point with a pass. But while Djokovic turned 38 in May, he is as spry as he ever was. Somehow he was able to launch his body towards the ball, Boris Becker-style, and hit a winning backhand volley. As the Centre Crowd crowd rose to applaud, Kecmanovic stood at the net smiling before playfully hitting a ball at Djokovic, his good friend and Davis Cup teammate. But it also seemed to implant a thought in his head: how the hell am I going to beat this guy? Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion Three points later Kecmanovic lost his serve, and Djokovic was serving for the first set which he duly took. 'It was kind of like an ecstasy, to be honest, in that moment,' said Djokovic when asked about the rally. 'I was super, super happy. It came at a really important moment, as well. 4-3, deuce, long point. We were both running around each other, around the whole court. Then just that diving backhand volley down the line passing shot. Can't wait to see the highlights! 'I was pumped for that one,' he added. 'Obviously I'm not diving as much on the courts. Obviously the only surface where you would dive is grass. But I'm not used to it as much. So these unique, rare moments are really something you cherish. Of course, if you win a point like this in an important moment, it is even better.' It had been a startlingly impressive opening, but it turned out Djokovic was just getting started. He raced through the second set in just 24 minutes, hitting 13 winners and just two unforced errors. When Kecmanovic finally stemmed the bleeding by holding his serve at the start of the third set, he felt compelled to raise his arms in triumph. But Djokovic continued to play God-mode tennis, and when a lob volley put him 5-1 up it looked like nothing could interrupt his flow. That wasn't quite the case as a rowdy Centre Court crowd briefly distracted him. After losing three games in a row, he recovered his composure to book a last-16 match against Alex de Minaur, who beat August Holmgren in straight sets. 'I enjoyed myself very much, except the last couple of games,' said Djokovic. 'A bit of tension at the end, things got a bit complicated. It is never easy playing a friend and compatriot.' True. But over one hour and 48 minutes of engrossing tennis, Djokovic showed he means business. And while the bookies might think this year's tournament is a near coin-toss between Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, write him off at your peril.
