To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be playedMatthew HenryBBC Sport journalist at Chester-le-Street23 minutes ago10 CommentsTall or short. Right-arm or left. Leg-spin, off-spin or Dan Mousley’s darts.Eleven men bowled spin for England between Liam Dawson’s 20th and 21st international caps.Seam bowler Ollie Robinson has even turned his arm over with some offies during a miserable Ashes defeat in Adelaide since Dawson’s last Test.But in taking 4-20 against West Indies in the hosts’ 21-run win in the first T20, Dawson gave a hint at what England have been missing.”I have not played international cricket for three-and-a-half years,” the 35-year-old told BBC Test Match Special.”To contribute to a win is a really special feeling.”Even that sentence tells you something.It had, in fact, been two years and six months since Dawson’s last England appearance but he would be forgiven for thinking it had been longer.Whenever an England squad was named – or they lost a Test – Dawson’s absence was a hotly-contested topic.At times verging on culture-war status, county fans were dumfounded the leading English spinner in the County Championship in 2023 and 2024 was being consistently overlooked.England’s managing director Rob Key famously said Dawson was “not someone who wants to go around India as the 15th or 16th man” after leaving him out of a Test squad.Since then, Dawson had accepted that the call from England would never come again.”Probably not,” he said on Friday, when asked if he expected this international comeback to happen.”For a couple of years I have not expected to play.”I want to go out and enjoy my cricket, whoever I am playing for. To come back and do well, I am very proud and it is pleasing.”Dawson has shown – from Lord’s to Lahore, Dubai to Durban – he is a dependable operator in his time away from international cricket. He has been a regular pick on the franchise circuit and was named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in April.And at the start of a new era under captain Harry Brook, in need of wins to halt a slide that has lasted 18 months, England finally realised that dependable was no longer a criticism but a strength.”I have played against Daws quite a bit,” said Brook. “I played with him for England a few times.”He’s such a good bowler. He’s good bloke as well, which helps.”Recalling Dawson was not solely Brook’s decision, although it is significant the comeback came for the Yorkshireman’s first T20 series in charge.After three poor white-ball tournaments in a row, Key said earlier this year England had to improve their bowling of left-arm spin in a hint at what was to come for an outfit that had previously packed their side with pace.To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be playedDawson, meanwhile, admits he does not try to do anything “flash”.While Shoaib Bashir and Tom Hartley have their high release points and Rehan Ahmed his googly, Dawson is a throwback – the old-school magician who can still deceive you with two hands and a pack of cards, without the need for saws, fire and flashing lights.In Chester-le-Street, he outfoxed West Indies with that understated routine of tricks.After conceding only four runs from the first over, Dawson struck in his second.With extra loop, he dropped 10mph from his previous delivery and found the sharpest turn in the match. Johnson Charles charged towards him to be left stranded and stumped.From there, after two opening overs that cost only seven, Dawson rested and West Indies rebuilt.Dawson returned, the dangerous Sherfane Rutherford on strike, and the spinner delivered for Brook as the left-hander hit to long-on.If credit for that one would be generous, Dawson’s next scalp – two balls later – came with another drop in pace and, crucially, a wider line.From outside off stump Roston Chase gave Ben Duckett another catch in the deep to make England huge favourites once again.As boundaries flowed at the other end – younger men Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks and Matthew Potts among those punished – Dawson was not hit to the rope until his fourth over.The dangerous Rovman Powell struck him for four twice but a ball later Dawson changed again.He went quicker and flatter, Powell was bowled and Dawson had his best T20 international figures.His 4-20 was also the best by a left-arm spinner for England in the format. Key could hardly have asked for more.The backdrop to England’s win is the T20 World Cup that looms next year. They have only 12 matches in this format before travelling to India and Sri Lanka, where spin is expected to be crucial.”That’s not even come into my thoughts,” said Dawson, when asked if he had one eye on making that World Cup squad.”I’m just happy to be back involved in this, take one game at a time and enjoy every time I play.”Dawson was an unused squad member when England won the 50-over World Cup in 2019.Six years on, he may finally be the one they need.Related topicsEngland Men’s Cricket TeamCricket

Getty ImagesGeorge O’NeillBBC Sport Scotland2 hours agoCieran Slicker flashed a quick smile at head coach Steve Clarke as he bounded on to the Hampden pitch six minutes and 37 seconds into Scotland’s friendly with Iceland to replace stricken starter Angus Gunn.Just 64 seconds later, the debutant took a panicked slash at a Kieran Tierney pass back and the ball eventually found its way to Andri Gudjohnsen, who arced a fine finish high over the stranded goalkeeper.The smile was gone. The misery was just beginning. The next hour of Scotland’s 3-1 defeat by Iceland might be among the worst Slicker will endure in his career.How did the nightmare unfold?Slicker didn’t really have any time to acclimatise to international football.One mistake – and a relatively small one at that – one goal. Bang.His confidence was visibly shaken and he rushed his next couple of kicks before unconvincingly clinging on to a shot from Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson at the second attempt. It was his only save of the night.The second Iceland goal was caused by dreadful work by the entire Scotland defence, culminating with Slicker failing to scramble the ball off his line after it ricocheted towards goal off Lewis Ferguson.Half-time should have been an opportunity to regroup and reset, but the third concession was perhaps the most egregious. Victor Palsson’s header was straight at Slicker, but the ball burst through his arms and into the back of the net.Moments later, the sparse Hampden crowd cheered ironically when Slicker successfully caught the ball. It summed up a torrid night for the young man.To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be playedSo who is Slicker?Eligible through his Scottish father, Slicker was signed by the then League One Ipswich Town from Manchester City for an undisclosed fee in the summer of 2023 on a three-year deal.The 22-year-old was an unused substitute for City manager Pep Guardiola for several first-team games in the 2021-22 season. He also spent time on loan at Rochdale before moving to Ipswich, but failed to make a league appearance.He was part of the Tractor Boys squad that recorded back-to-back promotions to the Premier League, making a few appearances in domestic cup competitions along the way and filling in as the back-up keeper on occasion too. But Slicker played just 10 minutes for Ipswich last season – in the FA Cup – and is still to make his senior league debut.He has 17 caps at under-21 level for Scotland – with three clean sheets – and was first called up for the senior squad in November 2024.What did Clarke say about it?”It’s difficult for Cieran, I really feel for him,” the Scotland head coach told BBC Sport Scotland. “He got thrown into a situation that he wasn’t quite ready for but Craig Gordon’s injured, Liam Kelly’s injured, Zander Clark is injured.”The only good thing is it came in a friendly match. I’d imagine [Angus Gunn] won’t play the next game.”I’ve had young Callan McKenna in the squad so he’ll travel then we’ll have a look and see if we can find another goalkeeper in Scotland who’s not on holiday.”To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be playedWhat happens now?Not only are Gordon, Kelly and Clark out at present, Robby McCrorie went down in the warm-up. It all likelihood, he’s the one who would have come on against Iceland.With Gunn and McCrorie likely to be out of Monday’s friendly against Liechtenstein, too, and Slicker’s confidence through the floor, will Clarke turn to someone else?”You have to find out what’s in the player’s mind as well, how he’s feeling about it,” former Scotland defender Willie Miller said of Slicker.”What you’re looking for is honesty from him. Does he feel like he can take on the challenge in the next game, or that he doesn’t want to?”Does the manager want to take him out of the firing line?”McKenna, 18, has more senior experience than Slicker, but not by much. He played nine matches for Queen’s Park in the Scottish Championship before signing for Bournemouth in 2024. He’s been in their development squad since and has been with the Scotland group as a training player for the past week.Given the lack of options, Clarke’s first phone call might be to Jon McLaughlin.The two-time Scotland cap, 37, only played one FA Cup game for Swansea City last season and is now out of contract. But he was a squad regular, is experienced, and would likely be considered one of the safest options. Dundee goalkeeper Jon McCracken was in Scotland squads during the season just gone, but was replaced between at Dens Park by Trevor Carson midway through the term.Other Scotland-based options would be Scott Bain – recently released by Celtic – or Ross Doohan – recently signed by Celtic.MK Dons keeper Craig MacGillivray has previously been called up by Clarke, too, but would appear to be a long way down the pecking order these days.’Frustration bordering on anger at situation’SNSScott MullenBBC Sport Scotland at HampdenClarke was much more candid about Slicker’s night than many thought he might be.He spoke about this was too early for him, him not being ready for it. It’s clear that the lad is suffering after being thrown in to a situation.It also sounds like he was always going to be third choice – and therefore there for experience rather than game time – until McCrorie’s injury in the warm-up. It’s an unforgiving position.One thing is clear though, Clarke’s manner over the goalkeeping situation was frustration bordering on anger.Related topicsScottish FootballFootballScotland Men’s Football Team

ReutersSteve SutcliffeBBC Sport journalist18 minutes agoCanadian Open second round leaderboard-12 C Champ (US); -10 A Putnam (US); -9 T Olesen (Den), R Lee (Can), N Taylor (Can), V Perez (Fra)Selected others: -8 S Lowry (Ire); -7 D Willett (Eng), R Hojgaard (Den); -4 H Hall (Eng), L Aberg (Swe); -3 R MacIntyre (Sco), P Waring (Eng); -1 J Rose (Eng); +9 R McIlroy (NI)Full leaderboardRory McIlroy carded a woeful eight-over-par 78 as he missed the cut at the Canadian Open.It is the first time the Northern Irishman has failed to make the weekend in a tournament since the Open Championship last July.The Masters champion, who won this event in 2019 and 2022, ended his second round at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley on nine over par overall, 149th in a 153-man field – a remarkable 22 shots behind leader Cameron Champ. McIlroy, who started the day on one over par, made a quadruple-bogey eight on the par-four fifth and dropped further shots at the eighth, 10th, 11th and 13th holes before recording his first birdie of the day on the 15th.Another bogey arrived at the 17th, and while he delivered a birdie on the final hole it left McIlroy well short of the projected cut line at three under.Champ, who only arrived in the early hours of Wednesday morning having been the eighth alternate last weekend, followed up an opening 62 with a four-under 66, as he opened a two-stroke advantage over fellow American Andrew Putnam.It was also a good day for Ireland’s Shane Lowry, whose two-under-par 68 took him to eight under, four shots adrift of Champ. Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen is just ahead of Lowry at nine under along with home favourites Richard Lee and Nick Taylor, and France’s Victor Perez. However, there was also disappointment for Justin Rose, who McIlroy defeated in a play-off at the Augusta National in April.The Englishman will also not be around for the weekend after missing out in unfortunate circumstances at one under par.After finding the rough off the seventh tee, the 2013 US Open champion unintentionally caused his ball to move while shifting a loose impediment and was given a two-stroke penalty after failing to put the ball back in its original position.France’s Matthieu Pavon also had a second round to forget, signing for a 10-over-par 80, which included a 12 on his opening hole, the par-four 10th. Related topicsGolf

Getty ImagesDafydd PritchardBBC Sport Wales at Cardiff City Stadium3 hours agoWorld Cup qualifier: Belgium v WalesVenue: King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels Date: Monday, 9 June Kick off: 19:45 BSTCoverage: Live on BBC One, S4C, iPlayer, BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru, the BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary.Head coach Craig Bellamy vowed Wales would go on the attack in Belgium on Monday after beating Liechtenstein to top their World Cup qualifying group.Friday night’s 3-0 triumph in Cardiff extended Wales’ unbeaten start under Bellamy to nine games and took them two points clear at the summit of Group J.They face their sternest challenge yet under their former captain on Monday when they travel to Brussels to face the group’s top seeds.Belgium only started their campaign on Friday, conceding a late equaliser in North Macedonia to leave them six points behind Wales, albeit with two games in hand.Asked if he thought that result put Belgium under pressure before facing Wales, Bellamy said: “No, I don’t. These games can happen. They haven’t lost.”Did I expect them to get three points? I did. I need to see the game back to give you a better rundown on what happened and how it happened, and even for myself. But, yeah, North Macedonia played their part, so good.”We go there and I’m not camping. I’m not sitting back. It’s not in my make-up. I can’t do it, I don’t want to do it. “So let me watch the game a little bit more. I’ve got a little bit more in my head but I’m really excited about it.”Wales were utterly dominant against Liechtenstein, as they would have expected to be against predominantly part-time opponents ranked 205th in the world.Although they were initially frustrated by their determined, defensive visitors, Wales secured victory with goals by Joe Rodon, Harry Wilson and Kieffer Moore – and the winning margin could have been far greater.”There is a lot I liked. I’d really like us to make this six, seven, eight. That’s what we need to push,” said Bellamy.”These games have never been easy for our nation. We have a proven record of that and the chances we created we could make this more.”We’ll get to that, but I liked the reactions as soon as we lose we get it back. The mentality of the players was really good. Did we expect to win? Of course we did.”Did we expect such a slow game? I felt our ball boys could have been a bit quicker. “We are at home so we have a choice in that as well. I’m going to be looking for them in a bit – I’m not, I’m joking.”Related topicsWales Men’s Football TeamFootball

Getty ImagesJonathan JurejkoBBC Sport tennis news reporter at Roland Garros6 June 2025, 22:53 BST1 CommentsUpdated 1 minute agoFrench Open 2025Dates: 25 May-8 June Venue: Roland GarrosCoverage: Live radio commentaries across 5 Live Sport and BBC Sounds, plus live text commentaries on the BBC Sport website and appBefore Novak Djokovic left the court after his French Open semi-final defeat, he put his racquet bags down on the clay and waved an emotional goodbye to the Paris crowd.It felt like a final farewell for a player who turned 38 last month. Or will it prove to be ‘au revoir’ until they meet again next year?Three-time champion Djokovic, who lost a tight battle with current world number one Jannik Sinner in straight sets, is unsure if he will return.”This could have been the last match ever I played here – I don’t know. That’s why it was a bit more emotional at the end,” said Djokovic.”But if this was the farewell match of Roland Garros for me in my career, it was a wonderful one in terms of the atmosphere and what I got from the crowd.”Djokovic was given huge vocal support on Court Philippe Chatrier as he tried to move a step closer to a standalone record 25th major title.The Serb was also aiming for another record – victory in Sunday’s final would have made him the oldest Grand Slam men’s singles champion.But he could not break down the steely resistance of top seed Sinner, who won 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) to set up a final against second seed Carlos Alcaraz.Pressed about how his future could look, Djokovic said: “I don’t know right now. Twelve months at this point in my career is quite a long time.”Do I wish to play more? Yes, I do. But will I be able to play in 12 months’ time here again? I don’t know.”That’s all I can say for the moment.”Wimbledon and US Open in plans – but rest ‘not so sure’A patchy season by Djokovic’s lofty standards has led to questions about his stamina and motivation coming into Roland Garros.The departure of rival-turned-coach Andy Murray also indicated things were not functioning as hoped, although he did warm up by winning his 100th ATP title at the Geneva Open.Djokovic’s performance against Sinner showed he is not ready to roll over into retirement just yet – and emphasised why he prioritises the four majors in the latter stages of his career.”Those tournaments are the priorities of my schedule,” Djokovic said.”Wimbledon and US Open, yes, they are in plans. That’s all I can say right now.”I feel like I want to play those two, for sure. For the rest, I’m not so sure.”Djokovic will be bidding for a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon singles title, having lost the past two finals there to Alcaraz.”Wimbledon is my childhood favourite tournament. I’m going to do everything possible to get myself ready,” he added.”I guess my best chances maybe are Wimbledon, you know, to win another Slam or maybe Australia.”Djokovic still playing ‘high level’ tennisThe end is clearly in sight for Djokovic, who has played 1,375 matches since turning professional in 2004.But his trademark fight and fitness helped him stay within touching distance of 23-year-old Sinner, who has dominated the ATP Tour over the past 18 months.”I was proud of my effort tonight in this tournament, considering I wasn’t in great form coming into Roland Garros,” he said.”Jannik was just too good for me.”The pair went toe-to-toe in an absorbing contest lasting over three hours, where both men pushed each other to their limits.Afterwards Sinner, who has won his past 20 Grand Slam matches, described Djokovic’s level as “amazing”.”I had to step up and play the best tennis I could,” the Italian added.”It shows again what a role model for all of us, especially for young players.”What he is doing is incredible. We are so lucky to see him play high-level tennis.”Related topicsTennis

Getty ImagesJonathan JurejkoBBC Sport tennis news reporter at Roland Garros6 June 2025, 16:17 BST202 CommentsUpdated 18 minutes agoFrench Open 2025Dates: 25 May-8 June Venue: Roland GarrosCoverage: Live radio commentaries across 5 Live Sport and BBC Sounds, plus live text commentaries on the BBC Sport website and appTop seed Jannik Sinner teed up the French Open final against Carlos Alcaraz that many expected after edging past Novak Djokovic in a tense last-four contest.Italy’s Sinner won 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) to end Djokovic’s hopes of winning a standalone record 25th Grand Slam title.Djokovic, 38, looked emotional as he put his racquet bags down on Court Philippe Chatrier and waved farewell to an adoring crowd.Defending champion Alcaraz moved into his second successive Roland Garros final after eighth seed Lorenzo Musetti retired injured in the fourth set of their semi-final earlier on Friday.Sinner, playing only his second tournament back after a three-month ban for failing two doping tests, meets the Spanish second seed on Sunday.The pair were the clear favourites before the clay-court Grand Slam tournament and will now write another chapter in their developing rivalry. Alcaraz led 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-0 2-0 when Italy’s Musetti, aiming to reach his first major final, was forced to end the match early.”It’s never fair. I want to win but not like this,” said Alcaraz.Djokovic offers resistance but can’t find way past SinnerGetty ImagesAge is clearly catching up with Djokovic – but the nature of this defeat showed just how much he still offers at the top of the game.The Serb was aiming to become the oldest Grand Slam men’s singles champion by lifting the trophy on Sunday for a fourth time.Djokovic’s quality and fight enabled him to stay within touching distance of the 23-year-old Sinner, who has taken the reins as the world number one.Yet it still never truly felt like he would be able to snap his three-match losing streak against the nerveless Italian.Djokovic tried a variety of tactics – baseline duels, drop-shots, serve and volley – but Sinner was virtually impossible to break down.The constant pressure forced Djokovic into loose groundstrokes and badly-executed drop-shots in an opening set which swung Sinner’s way when he broke serve in the fifth game.Djokovic’s level improved in the early part of the second set, with two holds to love followed by scrutiny on Sinner’s serve, but he could not find a way through.An animated Djokovic roared at the crowd after saving a break point in the fifth game and looked up to the heavens in frustration when another poor return handed over the break in his next service game.You can never completely count Djokovic out, though. He managed to break back for 5-5 before losing serve again as Sinner sealed a two-set lead at the second opportunity.Djokovic needed treatment for an issue with his upper left leg before the third set, but Sinner is rarely fazed by any disruptions and soaked up most of what Djokovic threw at him.That included saving three set points in a tense game at 5-4, where further drama was added by a disbelieving Djokovic arguing over a line call going against him at deuce.Sinner quickly took control of the tie-break, helped by Djokovic smashing into the net for 3-0, to set up the tantalising meeting with Alcaraz – their first contest in a Grand Slam final.Alcaraz’s biggest test ends earlyGetty ImagesAlcaraz has not been at his clinical best during his title defence and Musetti promised to be his sternest test yet.The pair have been the leading clay-court players on the ATP Tour this year, winning more matches than anyone else and going deep at the most important tournaments.Two high-quality, competitive sets showed why.But once Alcaraz levelled, he unleashed his attacking shots to devastating effect and also benefited from Musetti’s physical struggles.Musetti needed treatment for a thigh problem at the end of the third set and it quickly became apparent he would struggle to continue.Musetti reached the semi-finals of all three clay-court Masters before doing the same at Roland Garros. But questions had still been raised about his mentality and whether he truly believed he could beat the very best on the biggest stage.He had already lost twice to Alcaraz on clay this season – in Monte Carlo and Rome over three sets – but showed no signs of lacking faith as he took the opening set.Sometimes accused of being too casual, Alcaraz fully locked in at the start of the second-set tie-break and took the third of his five set points to level the match.Delicately poised, it was quickly ruined as a contest.Musetti felt a problem in his left leg when serving and won just five points in a 22-minute third set.After two visits from the physiotherapist, he still could not move freely and decided to shake hands with Alcaraz at the net.With either Sinner or Alcaraz winning the trophy, it means the dominant pair have swept up the past six major titles between them.Related topicsTennis