1. Hales ‘betrayed’ by the ECB
After his omission from the England squad for the Cricket World Cup Alex Hales has accused the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) of going back on its promise, says The Times.
Hales, 30, has been dropped from the World Cup squad after reports that he was serving a 21-day ban for failing a test for recreational drugs for the second time.
According to The Guardian the ECB had told Hales they would stick by him despite the ban. Hales has been left “devastated” after being thrown out of the World Cup squad.
2. Pochettino channels Buzz Lightyear
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino quoted Toy Story character Buzz Lightyear as he urged his side to continue their dream run in the Uefa Champions League. Spurs play Ajax in the semi-final first leg tonight and Pochettino said: “You need to set your dreams to infinity and beyond.” See the preview and match guide for the Tottenham vs. Ajax clash.
3. Oblak to replace De Gea?
Manchester United are “seriously considering” a move for Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak. The Slovenian could replace current United No.1 David de Gea, who is being linked with Paris Saint-Germain.
4. Rio on United shortlist
According to Sky Sports News sources Rio Ferdinand is “one of several candidates” on the Manchester United shortlist to become the club’s first sporting director.
5. Joshua set to face Ruiz Jr in New York
American boxer Andy Ruiz Jr is expected to be confirmed as Anthony Joshua’s opponent for the world heavyweight title fight in New York on 1 June. Joshua was supposed to face Jarrell Miller but he failed a number of drugs tests and the fight was cancelled. The BBC reports that the Joshua vs. Ruiz Jr bout is expected to be officially announced today.
6. Women footballers to play in Soccer Aid
This year’s Soccer Aid charity match will feature women footballers for the first time. The Daily Telegraph reports that former internationals Rachel Yankey and Katie Chapman will play for the England XI team, which will be co-managed by Sam Allardyce and Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid. England face a Soccer Aid World XI at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge on 16 June.
7. Kipchoge can break record again
After running the second fastest time in history in the London Marathon on Sunday Kenyan superstar Eliud Kipchoge is being tipped to break his own world record again. Speaking to The Guardian Kipchoge’s coach Patrick Sang said: “I talked to people before the race and some were asking what Eliud still had. I told them he still had a lot of potential to run even faster. Given the wind wasn’t great, and all the circumstances around the race, the guy showed us he was able to control and deliver. I think he can break the world record again.”
8. Trump: I’ve been the worst player here
Judd Trump says that he’s “probably been the worst player of the whole tournament” so far but the Englishman has still found his way through to the quarter-finals of the World Snooker Championship. Trump came back to beat Ding Junhui 13-9 and will play Scotland’s Stephen Maguire in the last eight.
9. Two arrested over Sala morgue photo
The Daily Mail reports that a man and a woman have been arrested by police after posting pictures online of Emiliano Sala’s body in a morgue. The footballer died in January after the plane he was travelling on from Nantes to Cardiff crashed into the English Channel.
10. Christie left ‘broken’ by anxiety and depression
After revealing last week that she had battled for two years against anxiety and depression, British short track speed skater Elise Christie has told the BBC that the ordeal left her “broken”. The 28-year-old, who has now recovered, said: “It was quite debilitating. I was in bed a lot. I was struggling to keep up with normal life. I couldn’t get things done. I hit a massive low when I got injured in [the last] Olympic season and I just ended up broken.”
