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Getty ImagesStephan ShemiltChief Cricket Reporter5 June 2025, 12:45 BST7 CommentsUpdated 5 minutes agoEngland selector Luke Wright stopped short of backing incumbent number three Ollie Pope after Jacob Bethell was included in the squad for the first Test against India.Bethell, 21, returns after missing the defeat of Zimbabwe while at the Indian Premier League with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.Before that match, Test captain Ben Stokes appeared to suggest Bethell would make an immediate return to the XI when available. After vice-captain Pope made a sparkling century at Trent Bridge, Stokes clarified that he was referring to Bethell returning to the squad and claimed his earlier comments had been “twisted to suit an agenda”.Although Pope is still expected to retain his place at Headingley, Wright said: “We’ll get together when we get up to Leeds and announce that two days out from the Test.”We’ll consider everything: conditions, what has gone before. All of those considerations go into the melting pot.”Left-hander Bethell made three half-centuries in New Zealand at the end of last year, batting at number three after Pope slid down the order to stand in as wicketkeeper.Though he opted to miss the Zimbabwe Test in order to play at the IPL, he further impressed in the first one-day international against West Indies last week with 82 at Edgbaston.On the prospect of Bethell playing in the first Test, Wright said he is “very close”.Wright added: “It’s a great option to have. What a talent we all see in him. It’s a great issue to have, to have that depth in the squad.”What information do we collect from this quiz?Bethell could pressure opener Zak Crawley or frontline spinner Shoaib Bashir for a place in the XI but realistically it is a choice between the Warwickshire man and Pope.Former England all-rounder Wright rejected the suggestion that the lack of clarity around Bethell’s position could unsettle the established members of the squad.”Everyone knows before you go into any game there are always places up for grabs,” said Wright. “I don’t think anyone takes it for granted in international cricket. That’s the way it always should be.”You want a strong squad. They are all big lads who know what it is all about. There will always be speculation about what that XI will be. I’m sure the players will be very aware of what’s going on and how it’s going to look before that first Test.”Elsewhere, Jamie Overton returns to the Test squad for the first time in three years, but Matthew Potts misses out.Wright explained that England wanted the option of Overton’s extra pace, while Potts had fallen behind Sam Cook in the role of Chris Woakes’ new-ball understudy.It was also confirmed that Jofra Archer is planning to play for Sussex in their County Championship match at Durham, beginning on 22 June.Archer, has not played red-ball cricket for more than four years because of a string of injuries.He would have played for England Lions against India A at Northampton on Friday had it not been for a thumb injury.Instead he will look to play for the Sussex second XI, then the first team at Chester-le-Street, with a view to being available for the second or third Test against India.Related topicsEngland Men’s Cricket TeamSurreyWarwickshireCricket

Getty ImagesMatthew HenryBBC Sport journalist at Chester-le-Street28 minutes agoEngland opener Phil Salt will miss the T20 series against West Indies on paternity leave.In a dramatic week, Salt, 28, returned home from the Indian Premier League for the birth of his child and then returned to India to play a part in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s win in Tuesday’s final.He has now been granted permission to spend the week at home.Salt has been replaced in the squad by fellow wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, who impressed in his new role opening the batting during England’s 3-0 win in the one-day international series.Smith is unlikely to play in the first of three T20s at Chester-le-Street on Friday, leaving Somerset’s Tom Banton or Surrey’s Will Jacks as the most likely partner for Ben Duckett at the top of the order.All-rounder Jacob Bethell is also in the squad and opened for RCB in the IPL.Friday’s series opener is followed by matches in Bristol and Southampton on Sunday and Tuesday respectively.Related topicsEngland Men’s Cricket TeamWest IndiesCricket

PAFrank KeoghBBC Sport senior journalist4 June 2025Updated 28 minutes agoBetfred Derby 2025Venue: Epsom Racecourse Date: Saturday, 7 June Time: 15:30 BSTCoverage: Commentary of the Derby on BBC Radio 5 Live, plus Friday’s Coronation Cup (14:40) and Oaks (16:00). Racecards, results & reports on the BBC Sport website and app.Delacroix and Ruling Court head the runners as a field of 19 was declared for Saturday’s Derby at Epsom.Ryan Moore will ride Delacroix, one of three contenders – alongside The Lion In Winter and Lambourn – for Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien, who is seeking a record-extending 11th win in the Classic.The only withdrawal at Wednesday’s final declaration stage was the O’Brien-trained Puppet Master.Ruling Court, for Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby, will bid to become the first 2000 Guineas victor to win the Derby since Camelot in 2012.Dante Stakes winner Pride Of Arras is one of two entries for Ralph Beckett, who also has Stanhope Gardens, although the pair have been drawn 16 and 2 – two stalls that have never produced the winner.John and Thady Gosden run York runner-up Damysus and the fifth-placed Nightwalker.Declarations closed at the 72-hour stage for the first time this year after being brought forward a day in an effort to provide greater build-up for the race, which is for three-year-old horses only.Approximate Derby odds: 3-1 Delacroix, 7-2 Ruling Court, 5-1 Pride Of Arras, 6-1 The Lion In Winter, 10-1 Lambourn, 12-1 Damysus, 16-1 Midak, Stanhope Gardens, 25-1 Bar.Delacroix was installed as ante-post favourite after winning two Derby trials at Leopardstown and has been confirmed as the mount of stable jockey Moore.Colin Keane will partner The Lion In Winter, who was sixth when odds-on favourite in the Dante, and is expected to improve for that run although has been drawn widest of all in 19.Stablemate Lambourn, the Chester Vase winner, will break from 10 – where 11 previous winners have started since stalls were introduced in 1967.William Buick will partner Ruling Court from stall seven as the jockey and trainer Appleby seek further Classic success, having also landed the 1000 Guineas with Desert Flower, who is favourite for the Oaks on Friday.Tornado Alert, fourth in the 2000 Guineas, represents fellow Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor.As well as Nightwalker, owners Juddmonte have added French challenger New Ground to the £1.5m race for a supplementary fee of £75,000.The Francis Graffard-trained Midak has also been added to the race and he will carry the colours of the Aga Khan Studs, with the race run in honour of the Aga Khan IV, who owned legendary Derby winner Shergar and died in February.Charlie Johnston is double-handed with Lazy Griff and Green Storm, with Al Wasl Storm, Nightime Dancer, Rogue Impact, Sea Scout, Tennessee Stud and Tuscan Hills completing the field.Approximate Oaks odds (Friday 16:00 BST): 13-8 Desert Flower, 9-2 Minnie Hauk, 6-1 Whirl, 8 -1 Giselle, 9-1 Elwateen, 11-1 Revoir, 16-1 Bar.Derby runners, riders and drawRacecard number, draw, form, name, trainer, jockey1 (13) 721 Al Wasl Storm Owen Burrows David Probert2 (15) 1-32 Damysus John and Thady Gosden James Doyle3 (14) 212-11 Delacroix Aidan O’Brien Ryan Moore4 (8) 2122-4 Green Storm Charlie Johnston Billy Loughnane5 (10) 115-21 Lambourn Aidan O’Brien Wayne Lordan6 (3) 0131-2 Lazy Griff Charlie Johnston Christophe Soumillon7 (4) 111 Midak Francis Graffard Mickael Barzalona8 (17) 11-33 New Ground Henri-Francois Devin Alexis Pouchin9 (9) 3-13 Nightime Dancer Richard Hannon Jamie Spencer10 (5) 313-35 Nightwalker John and Thady Gosden Tom Marquand11 (16) 1-1 Pride Of Arras Ralph Beckett Rossa Ryan12 (1) 0-16 Rogue Impact James Owen Luke Morris13 (7) 13-11 Ruling Court Charlie Appleby William Buick14 (18) 51-18 Sea Scout Simon and Ed Crisford Harry Davies15 (2) 312-1 Stanhope Gardens Ralp Beckett Hector Crouch16 (12) 3121-3 Tennessee Stud Joseph O’Brien Dylan Browne McMonagle17 (19) 11-6 The Lion In Winter Aidan O’Brien Colin Keane18 (11) 31-4 Tornado Alert Saeed bin Suroor Oisin Murphy19 (6) 11-7 Tuscan Hills Raphael Freire David EganRelated topicsHorse Racing

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be playedMatt NewsumBBC Sport Rugby League reporter30 minutes ago2 CommentsBetfred Men’s Challenge Cup final: Hull KR v Warrington WolvesVenue: Wembley Stadium, London Date: Saturday, 7 June Kick-off: 15:00 BST Coverage: Live on BBC One from 14:00 BST; radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Radio Humberside & BBC Radio Merseyside; live text on BBC Sport website & appNot since the days of Gavin Miller, Gary Prohm and George Fairburn have Hull KR been such the talk of rugby league.Indeed, not since those days have the Robins lifted a major honour.It is fitting then that 40 years on from the title-winning side of 1984-85 the class of 2025 have put the buzz back into East Hull and can shatter that trophy hoodoo.It all starts with Saturday’s Challenge Cup final against Warrington Wolves, with Hull KR no longer the underdogs given their remarkable ascent under Willie Peters.Only one league defeat, by champions Wigan, lightly blemishes the Rovers record in all competitions this season, and thus all signs point to red and white glory at Wembley.Peters is far more cautious, but wants the team to meet expectations head-on.”Now we’re in a position where people are saying we’re favourites, we need to embrace that,” Peters told BBC Radio 5 Live.”We’ve put ourselves in a position to be called the favourites although I still think it’s a 50-50 game because they’re a very good team.”It’s going to be a tight game there’s no doubt, we just need to win more moments than we lose and that normally determines whoever wins.”Disappointment to be learned fromTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be playedFollowing on from those 1980s stars like Miller, Prohm, Fairburn and others such as Mark Broadhurst, Mike Smith and David Watkinson, the current crop are equally well-stocked for talent.Kiwi enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves brings the fear factor of a Broadhurst, captain Elliot Minchella captures the swashbuckling ball-handling of former Man of Steel Miller, and semi-final hero Jack Broadbent will be doing the Fairburn job from full-back with Arthur Mourgue cup-tied.Perhaps the headline act these days is Mikey Lewis – a homegrown dynamo and the reigning Man of Steel.Peters will have taken heart from the way these Robins have managed the excitement of reaching Wembley and continued their relentless form in Super League on the back of beating Catalans Dragons in their York semi-final.Equally, the run to Wembley included the intensity of a quarter-final against neighbours Hull FC, added to a league derby against their rivals which were both negotiated smoothly amidst a run of tricky games.With Warrington at times failing to match their cup highs in league matches given they lie eighth in the table, the league leaders could be forgiven for feeling the weight of expectation in Saturday’s showpiece.It is a different scenario from their 2023 experience when Rovers and Leigh were considered equal odds before the Leopards triumphed in Golden Point, and last year’s Grand Final when holders Wigan were hotly-tipped to take the prize, and did.”I don’t think it [form] does bring pressure, it should give the players a lot of belief knowing that we’ve had a lot of challenges in different situations this year,” Peters added.”We’ve had different scenarios this year which would have put us under the pump if we’d allowed it to, but we didn’t and I’m proud of the players for that.”You are going to go through setbacks and you need to experience adversity to grow, that’s what they’ve done.”Rovers players unaffected by fan jibesFew fans are as aware of Hull KR’s trophy starvation than those of their fiercest rivals Hull FC, who unsurprisingly have a terrace ditty dedicated to it.As it happens, the other side of Hull had their moment in 2016, when they brought to an end jibes from Robins fans about their inability to win at Wembley with victory, coincidentally, against Warrington.While the players have enough to concern themselves with on the day aside from unwanted history, the chance to give the fans some respite and quash the chant for good could be a spark somewhere for those involved on Saturday.”We don’t speak about it and mention but we’re aware of it because it is mentioned elsewhere,” back-rower James Batchelor told BBC Sport.”The motivation we get is a lot of little things from wherever and when that’s something that is used against the fans you definitely want to be able to help them shed that tag – but it’s not something we speak about or get dragged into.”SWPIXBatchelor has seen brother Joe win the cup with St Helens, and his sibling will hope he can return the favour when he takes his seat at Wembley along with other members of the family.James has also been there with his football team Huddersfield Town, witnessing the delirious joy of promotion and the haunting sorrow of play-off defeat in equal measure.In 2025, it will be with his other family, a close-knit Hull KR team that he takes to the field with and experiences what he hopes will be more happy memories and the chance to emulate Joe in the winner’s circle.”This group feels on another level, when Willie first came in at the same time as me it was all about connecting, caring about each other and being best mates off the field,” Batchelor added.”We roll up to grounds with the music on and we’re pretty happy and relaxed because we do that all week as well.”Willie makes sure we have the music around the club through the week on training days and try to make the build up to the games feel almost like that for training. We’re nice and relaxed and don’t get uptight with it. It’s definitely working for us.”Robins focus inwardly for finalSWPIXAmong the many subplots going into the final is the coming together of two old friends in Peters and opposite number Sam Burgess who know each other from time at Australian NRL side South Sydney Rabbitohs.Peters, who describes the “big fella” as ‘”competitive” in his own style, has his game-plan set to get the better of Warrington, and yet is wary of the threat they will pose.”We always focus on us but we’ll do a thorough preview,” Peters added.”We’ve planned they’ll have the majority of their players back in the side who haven’t been playing, George Williams being back.”But it doesn’t matter, whatever turns up on the teamsheet on that day we’ll have a plan but it’s in and around what we do, we’ve a mentality of they’ve got to stop us, this our plan and what we’re going to deliver and we make sure we get that on Saturday.”Hull KR have delivered on everything Peters has hoped for so far apart from a trophy, and Saturday can finally see that mission accomplished.He has put everything in place to ensure it, now his players must match their past performances and create new history.Related topicsWarrington WolvesHull Kingston RoversRugby League

Getty ImagesJonathan JurejkoBBC Sport tennis news reporter at Roland Garros4 June 2025Updated 16 minutes agoWhen the French Open draw was made a fortnight ago, it was the potential women’s match that everyone had their eye on.Iga Swiatek – the reigning champion known as the ‘Queen of Clay’ – against world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals.The pair have dominated the WTA Tour over the past three years, leading to an era-defining rivalry that resumes when they meet in the last four at Roland Garros on Thursday.”It is the blockbuster of the entire tournament on the women’s side,” said former world number nine Andrea Petkovic, who will be analysing the match for BBC Radio 5 Live.Poland’s Swiatek, seeded fifth, is bidding for a fourth straight title while Belarusian rival Sabalenka is seeking to snatch the crown for the first time.They have never played each other at the clay-court Grand Slam and it will be the first time they have met competitively since the Cincinnati Open last August.Swiatek, 24, leads their head-to-head record, with eight wins from 12 matches, including five of six meetings on clay.But with questions still lingering over the four-time champion’s game, can 27-year-old Sabalenka end her rival’s formidable record?Mentality, forehand & return – the case for SwiatekComing into Roland Garros, it was clear to see Swiatek’s reign was under threat.The former world number one has dropped to her lowest ranking since 2022, having not reached a tour-level final since claiming last year’s French Open.It was the first time she arrived in Paris without winning a title in the clay-court swing since her maiden major triumph in 2020.After a humbling defeat by Danielle Collins in the Italian Open third round, Swiatek insisted her previous French Open record would count for nothing.But she has improved match by match, and the manner with which she fought back from a set down against Elena Rybakina in the last 16 felt like a renaissance moment.”Before the tournament started I put Iga as third favourite – after Aryna and Coco Gauff,” said Petkovic.”But I changed my opinion after I saw her match against Rybakina. I saw the old mental strength of Iga in the most important moments.”While it feels like Swiatek is still short of her very best level, the frustration she showed earlier in the clay-court swing has rarely been evident.She has regained more trust in her damaging top-spin forehand, taking it more regularly from the centre of the court.”Against the best movers in the world, you won’t hit as many winners on the backhand, no matter how good it is – so you have to go with your forehand,” said Petkovic. “Her forehand is the biggest weapon on the clay courts because it has more spin, more margin and can really jump out of the strike zone of Sabalenka.”Stepping back in her returning position – like she did against Rybakina – may also be a key tactic against another big server.”Swiatek always returns from the same position every single time, no matter who is serving. That works well against players who don’t serve well,” Petkovic added.”But against the Rybakinas – and the Sabalenkas – this is a dangerous thing. “If you don’t see the ball early enough you will be under pressure right away.”Raw power & early control – the case for SabalenkaThree-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka replaced Swiatek at the top of the rankings last year and has opened a commanding lead over her rivals this season.With 39 wins from 45 matches, her powerful style transcends surfaces and is backed up by an unparalleled consistency.Sabalenka, who has won three WTA titles this year, is the first player to reach the quarter-finals at 10 consecutive Grand Slams since American great Serena Williams between 2014 and 2017.To reach her first French Open final, she will have to find a way to end Swiatek’s 26-match winning streak on the Paris clay.”The most important thing for Aryna – against anybody in the world – is whether she can control the first two to three shots. That’s where she makes the difference,” said Petkovic.”It doesn’t mean she has to win the point in the first two or three shots, but she has to be able to gain control.”If she is able to do that, I think it will be very hard for Iga to win.”Sabalenka, whose also reached the 2023 semi-finals, is becoming more than just a ball crusher as she looks to evolve her game.She is playing with increasing variety and has used the drop-shot effectively in Paris, although the speed of Swiatek may be able to neutralise that option. “I’m going to play with my power, because this is something where I feel the most comfortable,” said Sabalenka.”But when you put the other player on the back foot, it’s really important to mix it up little bit just so they guess every time.”How TikTok has helped bond rivalsTo paraphrase an old saying, Swiatek and Sabalenka appear to have decided it is better to keep your rivals even closer than your friends.The pair practised together in the off-season and shared a court again at Roland Garros before the tournament started.Swiatek played down the significance of the session, which took place as she looked to rediscover her game.”It’s great always to practice with Aryna. She gives a great rhythm and the practice will have quality,” said Swiatek, who has dropped just one set in the tournament so far.”But, honestly, it was two weeks ago. It was the first points that I played after Rome. I think a lot has changed since then.”Getty ImagesSwiatek believes the rivalry is “pushing” both players to greater heights, while Sabalenka says they have also bonded more away from the court.On the face of it, the pair have little in common. Swiatek is the bookish introvert, Sabalenka is the Tiger-monikered extrovert.Doing a TikTok video together at last year’s WTA Finals has helped forge what Sabalenka described as a “better relationship”.But, on Thursday, it will be strictly business.”I love these challenges. I am always excited to face someone strong who can challenge me,” said Sabalenka.”I go out there and I fight, and I’m ready to leave everything I have to get the win.”Related topicsTennis

7 minutes agoRussell Martin is Rangers’ new head coach, with the former Southampton boss signing a three-year contract at the start of a fresh era at Ibrox.A US-based consortium, led by Andrew Cavenagh and including the investment arm of the San Francisco 49ers, completed a takeover of the club last week.Martin emerged as the leading candidate from a recruitment process that also included former Real Madrid assistant Davide Ancelotti and former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard.The former Scotland defender lost his job at St Mary’s in December, after just one win from 16 in the Premier League.He had taken Southampton up to the English top flight via the Championship play-offs in the previous campaign.However, after his side struggled with the step up to the Premier League, Martin attracted criticism for sticking with a possession-based approach before losing his job.Before that, he had spells in charge at MK Dons and Swansea City.Martin’s role is head coach rather than manager, a nod to Rangers’ new set up with former sporting director Kevin Thelwell in post alongside his former Everton colleague, Dan Purdy, as technical director.Rangers finished last season without a trophy and were runners-up to Celtic in the Scottish Premiership for the fourth successive year.Phillippe Clement was sacked in February before former captain Barry Ferguson took over as interim boss until the end of the season, as Rangers finished 17 points off the pace.Martin, who played 29 times for Scotland and 17 times for Rangers during a loan spell in 2018, now has the task of making the club more competitive amid a busy summer.Have your sayWill Martin be a success as Rangers manager?Let us know what you thinkMore to follow.Related topicsScottish PremiershipRangersScottish FootballFootball

Getty ImagesTimothy AbrahamBBC Sport Journalist1 hour agoPlans to hold a European T20 franchise tournament this summer are to be shelved until 2026 because three potential owners are instead focusing on completing deals to buy team stakes in The Hundred.The European T20 Premier League (ETPL), part owned by Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan, and involving city-based franchises from Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands, was set to start next month.The six-team tournament was slated to take place from 15 July to 3 August but multiple sources have told BBC Sport the event will definitely not happen this year.The project is being led by Cricket Ireland in collaboration with the boards of Scotland and the Netherlands.Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Amsterdam and Rotterdam were the designated venues for the ETPL, which promised to “elevate local talent, draw global superstars, and ignite a wave of cricketing enthusiasm across Europe”.Deals for at least three of the six city-based franchises are understood to be very close to being signed off, and it was initially hoped that once they were wrapped up, the remaining three would soon follow.However, three of those potential ETPL franchise owners are also acquiring stakes in The Hundred and are said to have prioritised those deals.In April, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) extended the deadline to complete sales of the Hundred franchises that were agreed earlier this year.The knock-on effect of the delay in those sales is the postponement of the ETPL, with a formal announcement to confirm it has been rescheduled to be made within the next 48 hours.Bollywood actor and film produce Bachchan was announced as part-owner of the ETPL in conjunction with Rules Sport Tech when it was launched in January.Rules Sport Tech are a private Indian company who “promote and create high quality sports initiatives, tournaments and events”.Mumbai-born Bachchan, 49, travelled to Dublin in March to promote the tournament via a series of media interviews and Instagram posts.It is not the first time a European T20 franchise tournament involving the Dutch, Irish and Scottish cricket boards has struggled to get off the ground.In 2019, the Euro T20 Slam – which had different backers – was postponed just over a fortnight before the opening game.That came after team names were announced, a draft held and marquee players including Eoin Morgan were allocated to franchises.The tournament was then postponed several times over subsequent years and never took place.Organisers are buoyant about the ETPL’s prospects, even though no franchises have yet been sold, and are confident it will not be plagued by the same issues as the Euro T20 Slam.Cricket Ireland, Cricket Scotland and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association all declined to comment. Related topicsIrelandNetherlandsFranchise CricketScottish CricketThe HundredCricket