Ben Stokes produced two match-winning innings but Dina Asher-Smith made history and Lewis Hamilton got title No 6Stride by stride, second by second, Dina Asher-Smith had a 2019 for the ages. To win one world athletics medal would have been staggering enough. To become the first Briton to leave with three from the same championships was a monumental statement of intent. Best of all was her 200m gold in 21.88sec, a time so fast it smashed her national record and made her the first British woman to win a global sprint title. Further silvers in the 100m and 4x100m highlighted the potential for more glory at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. No wonder Sebastian Coe has predicted she will be the...
Raheem Sterling, Lewis Hamilton and Ben Stokes have used social media to fight back against a hostile pressLet’s begin with Bob Nudd. Now, this may seem a strange place to start an article about the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards when the show has come up with its strongest shortlist since the 2012 Olympics and, in all honesty, even Bob himself seemed a bit surprised when I called him up this past week to talk about it. “You can probably guess why I’m calling,” I started. “No,” he stopped. “Is it something to do with the election?” Not the election Bob, but the other big vote. The one you should have won, back in 1991 when Nudd, four‑times...
The England captain needs runs and victories against a South Africa side who have turned to their former captain Graeme Smith for guidance at a time of disarrayThe last time England set off on a winter tour at election time they were also heading for South Africa – in October 1964. On that occasion the political contest had rather more impact on the tour party. Ted Dexter, who had been England captain throughout the Ashes summer of 1964, stood for the Conservatives against Jim Callaghan in Cardiff South East, an undertaking that meant that he was replaced as captain by MJK Smith.Dexter mustered 22,288 votes in Cardiff but – fortunately for England’s middle-order – Callaghan polled 7,841 more than that...
Having some time away after a demanding few years has felt liberating so I don’t want to rush my return but I’m eager to experience that buzz of playing for England againRepresenting England has always been a privilege and my decision to take a break from Test cricket at the end of the home summer was made to ensure that, hopefully, I can do it for a lot longer.Last week there were conversations about whether I felt ready to return for the South Africa tour and naturally part of me was keen to get back out there. My record against them is pretty good and as a team we have happy memories of winning there four years ago. Related: England’s...
Yorkshireman will have to work his passage with the bat on four-Test tour of South Africa with Jos Buttler remaining the first-choice wicketkeeperThe size of England’s tour party to South Africa betrays the uncertainties. A squad of 17 players is unusual given there are just two warm-up matches and then four Tests in a row. Some of them – Matt Parkinson and Zak Crawley being the likeliest candidates – will be in the nets and in their bibs, enhancing their drink-ferrying capabilities for most of the tour.One other, Mark Wood, will spend more time on the lonely rehabilitation road. It is quite a compliment to him that England are prepared to have him in the squad in the knowledge that...