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Metro
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Metro
India boast best bowler in history, warns former England captain
Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes India have the greatest bowler of all-time at their disposal in Jasprit Bumrah. The first of five Tests between the two countries begins on Friday at Headingley in what should be a thoroughly entertaining and engaging series. Bumrah is not expected to play in all five matches and is likely to compete in just three games in an attempt to maintain his fitness, but Vaughan fears his influence when he is on the pitch. The 50-year-old claimed on The Overlap and Betfair's Stick to Cricket show that Bumrah has become the best bowler ever thanks to his success with India across all three formats, and he is sticking to that opinion. 'Yeah, I've never seen anyone bowl with such an action,' he told Metro. 'With so much pace, with so much accuracy, so much movement, so much skill, so much thought and across all the formats of the game. Yeah, I think he's the best I've seen. 'I know there are bowlers from the past that I've never even seen other than clips on YouTube, but from my time being a pro from '92 to being a broadcaster now in 2025, he's the best I've seen. 'He's got that release which is closer. So, he obviously seems that little bit quicker, because he is quick, but also because he releases it that little bit later. He's a genius.' The 31-year-old boasts incredible figures for his country in an international career which began in January 2016. He arrives in England this summer with 205 Test wickets to his name from 45 matches at an average of 19.40. With the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Vaughan sees an inexperienced batting line-up, but feels Bumrah is still good enough to bowl his team to victory. The Yorkshireman also notes that even India's inexperienced Test batters have overcome the wildly pressurised environment of the IPL, so should not be written off as being able to deal with the English attack, which will be missing the likes of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood in Leeds. Jasprit Bumrah Shane Warne Muttiah Muralitharan Glenn McGrath Dale Steyn* * Vaughan added: 'I'll have to put Dale Steyn in there because he used to knock my off stump flying on a regular basis.' 'Don't rule out this Indian side because the England bowling is inexperienced,' said Vaughan. 'The Indian batting is inexperienced, but they've got so much talent. And how much worth do you put on the experience of the pressure that they cope with in the IPL? 'Sai Sudharsan is just dominating the IPL once again. Karun Nair is a regular run-scorer. All these players are so flamboyant and know how to deal with the pressure. 'I guess if the Duke ball moves around, they'll struggle, but if it's a few weeks of dryness and the ball doesn't do a great deal, Jaspit Bumrah might be the key.' Vaughan makes England favourites to win the series against India in what is a huge year for Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes as leaders of the team. Following the series with India this summer is an Ashes campaign in Australia over the winter and Vaughan feels the Test team now have the chance to prove that their thrill-seeking game plan, indulged in risk, has both substance and style. 'The Test team have been fantastic to watch, brilliant,' he said. 'But they haven't won an Ashes and they've not got to a World Test Championship final. 'I guess if they don't do that, you'd argue that playing the expansive way has been royally entertaining, but didn't get the cherries at the end of it. 'This year gives them an opportunity to get some nice silverware. That's what you want. 'If you can win things by playing entertainingly, it's the right way to play. and entertain the crowd, be expansive, but I don't think you can be expansive all the time.' MORE: Alastair Cook feels answer is clear in Jacob Bethell vs Ollie Pope debate MORE: Ben Duckett has a bit of Brian Lara about him and won't back down against Jasprit Bumrah in India Tests MORE: Ben Stokes could unleash Bazball on steroids when Zimbabwe make their overdue Test-match return to England
The Irish Sun
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Roy Keane forms unlikely bond with rockstar over shared love of Cork on Stick to Football podcast
MAN UTD icon Roy Keane has formed an unlikely bond with a well know rockstar from a British band. The Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr joined the Stick to Football podcast this week and struck an unlikely chord with the Ireland legend. Advertisement 2 Roy Keane on The Overlap was joined on the Overlap by Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr 2 Smiths guitarist Marr admitted the pair have a great relationship as they fondly spoke of county Cork The pair gushed over their shared affection for Cork on the latest Rebel county native Keano has never shy about his roots, and has spoke passionately about Cork over the years, especially when it comes to GAA. But it turns out the city also left a lasting impression on Marr, whose Irish heritage runs deep through his Kildare-born parents. The conversation on the show — hosted by Keane, Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Ian Wright and Jill Scott — naturally drifted toward music, with Marr asked by Neville to compare band dynamics to a football team. Advertisement read more on football Using The Beatles as an example, Marr described Paul McCartney as 'the 12th man" as he praised the legendary scouser. Marr also gave a nod to one of Cork's greatest cultural exports, Rory Gallagher. He said: 'There was an Irish guy, Rory Gallagher, who I used to follow around and go to all his shows, and who I got to know before he passed away. 'He was a beautiful guy, Rory.' Advertisement Most read in Football He also spoke about his close friendship with Keane, who are nearby neighbours in Manchester. The Smiths icon revealed he often bumps into the former Utd skipper while out walking his dog. Roy Keane slams 'LAZY' Kyle Walker for role in Senegal goal vs England as ITV star says 'can't make mistakes like that' He added: 'Sometimes Roy's walking the dogs but often I'm running, because we live near each other. It's a good excuse to stop [running]!' Marr joked. Keane replied, laughing: 'Is that the only reason you stop?!' Advertisement Before Marr continued: 'He'll always go, 'Ah, I don't want to stop you, you're running!' I always say, 'No, no…' We'll have a bit of a chat about football. I was always interested in the dressing room, the dynamic and the chemistry,' 'We'll chat about Ireland, because I'm from an Irish family. We'll talk about Cork and stuff like that — and tea! We're really rock and roll.' The pair's mutual respect was evident throughout, even with Marr's Man City allegiance.
Daily Mirror
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Phil Tufnell's frank five-word answer to controversial Question of Sport exit
Phil Tufnell was one of three stars that were replaced on A Question of Sport in 2020 along with Sue Barker and Matt Dawson in a controversial shake-up of the show It did not come as a shock to Phil Tufnell when the BBC dropped himself, Sue Barker and Matt Dawson from A Question of Sport in 2020. The 59-year-old cricket icon had been a staple member of the show ever since he was named as a team captain in 2007. After 13 years he, Barker and Dawson were told that they would not be continuing in their role as the Beeb wanted to shake up the format and the personnel of the show. Barker was replaced by Take Me Out presenter Paddy McGuinness, while Tufnell and Dawson made way for Olympian Sam Quek and rugby's Ugo Monye. After the revamped format was put on the shelf in 2023, former Football Focus host Dan Walker took to social media and suggested the BBC had "alienated their core audience while searching for a new one" with their decision-making. Tennis icon Barker, who had presented the show for more than 20 years, has also admitted that she was unhappy with the way in which they were let go by the BBC. While speaking at the launch of The Overlap and Betfair's Stick to Cricket show, Tufnell admitted he was not left speechless when the decision was broke to him. He told Wales Online: "You can't do things forever." Tuffers explained: "They had been talking about it and what have you. I wasn't really involved in it. We'd all been doing it for a while. Well, more than a while, around 13 or 14 years I'd been captain. "They fancied a bit of a refresh. We were just sort of like, 'Okay, well, there you go. Thanks very much for the memories. I thoroughly enjoyed every single show. Loved every minute of it.' "Now we're doing the theatre show. It's not called a Question of Sport, of course. We're all good friends, all got a very similar sense of humour. "We all get on very well so it's great to be back recreating it a little bit. Obviously, you think to yourself, 'Oh crikey,' but we wished everyone the best. It was part of our lives." In a statement released at that time, the BBC said: "We would like to thank Sue for her enormous contribution as the show's longest reigning host over the last 24 years, and Matt and Phil for their excellent team captaincy over 16 and 12 years respectively. "Together they have ensured A Question of Sport remains a firm favourite with the BBC One audience. Sue, Matt and Phil's final series will be broadcast next year." When the show was shelved in 2023, a BBC spokesman hinted at the possibility of its revival by stating the decision was "not the final whistle." Tufnell said he would like to see the show return to the nation's screens, but would not expect a phone call from the BBC if it did. He added: "I hope it does come back. It was part of my childhood. It had been going for 55 years, a long time. "I loved the show when I was on it and I loved it as a boy. It was one of those little half hours that you sat round with your family. "Hopefully, it comes back. I'd be delighted to sit down and watch it. Whether we do it again, I'm not so sure. But, we've had our time, haven't we?" Betfair are set for a big summer and winter of cricket, launching a new show with The Overlap: Stick to Cricket. Don't miss the first episode next week, where the team will be reviewing the opening test of the series between England and India
Metro
2 days ago
- Sport
- Metro
Alastair Cook feels answer is clear in Jacob Bethell vs Ollie Pope debate
Alastair Cook is in no doubt who should be batting at three for England against India this week, confident that Ollie Pope deserves the place over Jacob Bethell. England begin their Test series against India at Headingley on Friday, with the weather in Leeds forecast to be brilliant for the five scheduled days. Although England are not at full strength, due to Jofra Archer, Mark Wood and Gus Atkinson all struggling for fitness, the line-up is fairly straight forward to predict, other than at number three. The 21-year-old Bethell made a fantastic start to his Test career in New Zealand over the winter, scoring 260 runs over three matches and averaging 52. However, he did not play in the one-off Test against Zimbabwe in May, with Pope returning to number three and scoring 171 in a dominant England victory. Bethell was absent from that game as he was playing in the IPL, a decision from England that was criticised at the time by Michael Atherton and now Cook lays some blame at the player's feet, suggesting he should be prioritising Test cricket. 'He didn't play in the Zimbabwe Test match for whatever reason and that kind of irks me a little bit for a guy who loves Test cricket,' Cook told Metro, speaking at the launch of The Overlap and Betfair's Stick to Cricket. 'So then Ollie Pope plays. Ollie Pope gets 100, so he plays. That's how I would go about selection.' One of England's all-time greats is not down on Bethell's talent, but feels he is yet to have seen enough of him to be convinced he deserves a key position in the Test side. 'I don't think you can be fully convinced about anyone. Apart from Joe Root or Brian Lara, or somebody like that,' he said. 'We're looking at a 21-year-old. He's had a really good start to his International career and his franchise career, but without a shadow of a doubt there's questions about the guy because he's 21 years old. 'The one thing I have to take at face value is a lot of people who you respect the opinions of, including Andrew Flintoff, Brendon McCullum, Ben Stokes, Rob Key, Joe Root, say this guy's the real deal. 'I'm not that close to Jacob Bethell, I haven't seen enough of him in certain situations, so you're taking their opinion on that.' He added on Stick to Cricket: 'When I left New Zealand I thought they'll go with Jacob Bethell but if he isn't leaving the IPL to come and play a Test match, for whatever reason that it, it's not a punishment, but that's the way the cards have fallen whether it's Bethell's fault or not. 'If he's that desperate to play I would have said he would have come out and played, then he'd have guaranteed his England selection. I don't care what's going on behind the scenes on that.' Cook may have been disappointed by Bethell's decision to play at the IPL, but he has been impressed by his mentality when on the field. 'I can only admire the way Bethell's taken to international cricket,' he said. 'He's certainly one of those players where the occasion doesn't over-rule him, he looks mentally good. 'He's done well to cope with everything, because when he got selected, I thought that's a hell of a task for him. 'But he's played a handful of games. Let's judge him in two years, three years and if he flies, absolutely fantastic. But I think we're all allowed to say: 'It's very early days, he's played three Test matches, got no professional 100s. Let's just let him develop'.' England's manager director Rob Key is relaxed on the call at number three, saying that is a good selection headache to have. 'I don't see it as a problem, really. You win either way, really,' Key told the Telegraph's cricket podcast. 'You've got two brilliant players that can do that role. Ollie Pope's been fantastic in that tough spot; he played brilliantly in New Zealand, alright, he was in a different role, but we've got two brilliant options in those spots. 'A tough decision is when you've got no options, and you've got to just then try and find something from nowhere. That's when I'm sort of scratching my head. This one is: 'Which really good player are we going to pick?' It's a good position to be in.' MORE: Ben Duckett has a bit of Brian Lara about him and won't back down against Jasprit Bumrah in India Tests MORE: Ben Stokes could unleash Bazball on steroids when Zimbabwe make their overdue Test-match return to England
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Amir Khan meets Anthony Joshua after accusing him of sleeping with his wife
The pair were seemingly good friends until Khan accused Joshua of sleeping with his wife - but the fighters may have rekindled their friendship after linking up together in Ghana Amir Khan and Anthony Joshua appear to be on good terms again after the former accused the British heavyweight of sleeping with his wife. Joshua has been enjoying some time outside of the ring post-elbow surgery and the 35-year-old has recently enjoyed luxury trips to Oman, Dubai and Saudi Arabia. The Brit was recently given a hero's welcome and was mobbed by fans after touching down in Ghana. The former two-time heavyweight world champion flew out to watch Khan's first ever boxing show as a promoter in the aforementioned African nation. Khan hopes the show will serve as a launchpad for future promotions worldwide. In the main event, Andrew Tabiti defeated Jacob Dickson. However, the most stunning moment from the event saw Joshua and Khan appearing rather cordial with each other after being pictured together. This comes nearly a decade on after Khan took to social media to claim Faryal Makhdoom had cheated on him with the heavyweight star. Joshua denied the claims - posting at the time: 'Bantz aside, I hope you guys can resolve your situation, or this is a hack as we have never even met! Plus, I like my women BBW (sic)." Khan was quick to reveal to his fans that the messages did NOT come from a hacker. 'Everything you saw on social media today is real,' he said. 'Nothing's been hacked. But yeah, what's done is done. Everything I posted on social media today was true,' he added. Khan and Makhdoom had an 80-minute Twitter exchange before agreeing to separate. However, they eventually rekindled their marriage. Speaking about the incident back in 2019 - ahead of his fight against Terence Crawford - he told ESPN: "It was a made-up message. A lot of people were making all these fake messages saying that 'Joshua messaged your wife and she messaged him back.' "Then I posted it on social media and said, 'This has happened and it's true. And I'm calling it over. She's no longer my wife.' I did feel bad, I did feel stupid at the time but the damage was done. I made that mistake in tweeting something and putting it out. I was just digging a deeper and deeper hole. I remember I went to see Faryal. I apologised. I said, 'Look, I don't know what went through my head.' And I totally changed my ways, changed the way I am." Three years later, Khan apologised to Joshua. 'I had the problem with Anthony Joshua, which I feel awful for, because at the end of the day. But I put him in the firing line for no reason,' he told Gary Neville on The Overlap. 'I mean, he was a friend of mine. Since then, we've never spoken. So I lost a good friend through that as well.' Now, it seems as if the pair are on relatively speaking terms again. Joshua has not fought since losing to Daniel Dubois last year. With the Brit hoping to return to action later this year, boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has listed Dillian Whyte and Jared Anderson as potential opponents for a comeback fight. "For me, if I'm advising AJ, we're back this year, we have two Tyson Fury fights, what else is there to do?," he said. "Maybe fight a Daniel Dubois, but for me once AJ fights Tyson Fury, he's kind of done it all. I'd love him to have another crack at Daniel Dubois and I'd love him to have another crack at Usyk but you just keep going on and on and on. In an ideal world, we'd like to fight in November/December and then have two Tyson Fury fights in 2026. It was gonna be Dillian Whyte, probably, but looks like he's fighting Moses [Itauma]. Jared Anderson, Deontay Wilder, I don't know."
