1. Smith ready for Archer
Australia batsman Steve Smith says he has no worries going up against England pace bowler Jofra Archer.
After suffering concussion following an Archer bouncer at Lord’s, Smith missed the third Ashes Test which England won to level the series 1-1. The teams go head-to-head in the fourth Ashes Test starting at Old Trafford on 4 September.
Speaking to Metro, Smith said of Archer: “There’s been a bit of talk that he’s got the wood over me, but he hasn’t actually got me out. He hit me on the head on a wicket that was a bit up and down at Lord’s.
“He actually didn’t get me out. All the other bowlers have had more success against me, I daresay. I’ve faced them a bit more, but they’ve all got me out a lot more.”
2. Anderson back in action
England bowler Jimmy Anderson continued his return to fitness by playing for Lancashire’s second XI. He bowled 20 overs in the match against a Durham second XI and took 1-38. Anderson, 37, injured his right calf in the opening Ashes match at Edgbaston and was ruled out of the following Tests at Lord’s and Headingley. He hopes to return to the England side for the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford.
3. Edmund out of US – Konta and Evans play today
British No.1 Kyle Edmund has been knocked out of the US Open after losing 3-6, 7-6 (7-1), 7-5, 5-7, 6-2 in the first round to Spain’s Pablo Andujar. Edmund’s exit leaves Johanna Konta and Dan Evans as the only British players left in the singles. Today Konta plays in the women’s singles second round against Margarita Gasparyan (4pm BST) while Evans takes on Lucas Pouille in the men’s singles second round (5.15pm).
4. Coco’s message
American teenager Cori “Coco” Gauff is also through to the second round of the US Open after coming back from a set down to beat Anastasia Potapova 3-6, 6-2, 7-5. Making her debut in New York the 15-year-old, who starred at Wimbledon this summer, had a message on her trainers saying: “Call me Coco.”
5. Franks left out of All Blacks squad for RWC
New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has selected a 31-man squad for the Rugby World Cup. The All Blacks are the two-time defending champions after victory in 2011 and 2015. There’s no place for veteran prop Owen Franks in the squad, leaving captain Kieran Read, Sonny Bill Williams and Sam Whitelock as the only players left with the chance of lifting the Webb Ellis Cup for a third time.
6. Tiger targets October return
American golf star Tiger Woods expects to be back playing in October after having minor surgery last week on his knee. The 43-year-old, a 15-time major champion, said: “I’m walking now and hope to resume practice in the next few weeks. I look forward to travelling and playing in Japan in October.”
7. F1 Spanish GP confirmed for 2020
Formula 1 has confirmed that the Spanish Grand Prix will continue to be part of the FIA F1 World Championship calendar in 2020 after an agreement was signed with the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Chase Carey, F1 chairman and CEO, said: “The decision to continue to stage a round of the pinnacle of motor sport in Spain, a country with a great motor racing tradition, dating back to the start of the last century, is part of our strategy of maintaining Formula 1’s European roots, while also currently expanding the championship into new territories.”
F1: Renault keeping quiet over Esteban Ocon-Nico Hulkenberg rumours
8. Sanchez loan deal agreed
Serie A club Inter Milan have agreed a deal with Manchester United to take Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez on loan for the rest of the season. The former Arsenal man will have a medical today and, providing he gets a clean bill of health, will join on loan for ten months. Inter do not have an option to buy, and they will pay £175,000 of Sanchez’s £390,000-a-week salary.
Man Utd: Alexis Sanchez on way to Inter but Paul Pogba’s future remains unclear
9. Zlatan: if United need me I’m here
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has issued a “come and get me” plea to former club Manchester United. The 37-year-old Swede, who currently plays for LA Galaxy in the MLS, said: “The lion still roars, yes. I could still play easily in the Premier League. If United needs me, I’m here. But right now Galaxy has me and that’s what I’m concentrating on. I did my job in Europe. I enjoyed it. I have 33 trophies that I brought with me and hopefully I can win something here and then we will see where I finish.”
Premier League: Palace star Wilfried Zaha to replace Neymar at PSG?
10. Bury FC expelled from EFL
Bury FC were expelled from the English Football League (EFL) last night after a takeover bid collapsed. A similar fate could befall another famous old club if Bolton Wanderers don’t find some funds within the next fortnight.
‘Not just a club, it’s a community’: Bury expelled from the Football League – how Twitter reacted
