McCullum feels need for T20 speed in England’s daunting India series

When named England’s Test coach in 2022, Brendon McCullum explained he didn’t want it easy. The white-ball job was a “cushy kind of gig” that wasn’t of interest, his pal Eoin Morgan having run that crew so well. World champions and clearing 400 with the bat, what could he change there? Reviving a long‑form team burnt by the pandemic Ashes was actual work and therefore attractive to McCullum.That he now must take pity on the white-ball setup tells us plenty. Five Twenty20 internationals and three one-dayers in India mark McCullum’s full takeover of England men’s cricket, the tour a preface to the Champions Trophy next month in Pakistan (and the United Arab Emirates should they play India)

Novak Djokovic worried by injury suffered in win against Alcaraz

The clock is ticking for Novak ­Djokovic and what appears to be a groin or hamstring strain sustained during his quarter-final victory after he expressed fears the injury could hinder his pursuit of an 11th Australian Open and 25th grand slam title.Djokovic overpowered Carlos Alcaraz in four sets in a match that finished close to 1am on Wednesday, fighting back after losing a first set when he received medical treatment on his upper thigh.The former world No 1 declined to elaborate on the injury, saying only that it was similar to one he managed during his 2023 run to the Australian Open title. That was described as a 3cm tear in his hamstring at the time.He faces the No 2 seed, Alexander Zverev, in a semi-final on Friday, offering a period of close to three days’ rest

Wounded Djokovic outlasts young gun Alcaraz to close in on history | Jack Snape

When the gunslinger takes a bullet, the movie tends to quicken. A shootout goes awry, the drama builds. Their stomach bloody. Their eyes blinking new resolve. The thoughts of the audience turn only to how long they can last

Novak Djokovic defeats Carlos Alcaraz in Australian Open quarter-final – as it happened

So that’s today, but what of tomorrow? Well, action starts with Madison Keys v Elina Svitolina, then moves through Emma Navarro v Iga Swiatek and Ben Shelton v Lorenzo Sonego, before you get to join us for live, game-by-game coverage of Jannik Sinner v Alex de Minaur. See you then, but in the meantime, thanks for your company and go in peace.So let’s quickly round up today’s action:Paula Badosa beat Coco Gauff to reach her first grand slam semiAlexander Zverev beat Tommy Paul in four setsAryna Sabalenka beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, justNovak Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz, as you may have heardPhew, that was some ridiculous behaviour. It’s amazing that Djokovic is still shocking and confounding us given 24 major titles, one Olympic gold, and all the other things he’s done to upend our conception of the possible. But that performance there was something else, the best he’s played in a slam in two years and coming when we were wondering if he even had that kind of performance left in him

Happy birthday Luke Littler: champion turns double nine with world at his feet | Jonathan Liew

Lionel Messi had scored one senior goal for Barcelona. Sachin Tendulkar had scored one Test century. Tiger Woods had played four tournaments on the PGA Tour and missed the cut in all of them. Ronnie O’Sullivan and Serena Williams had just won their first major titles. Simone Biles, though already richly garlanded at international level, was still waiting to compete in her first Olympics

Novak Djokovic defies injury to stun Carlos Alcaraz at Australian Open

At the end of another breathless exchange in the early stages of the most highly anticipated match of the Australian Open, alone in the centre of the colossal Rod Laver Arena, Novak ­Djokovic squatted to stretch his legs while exchanging anxious looks with his team.For 16 bruising strokes, ­he had been pummelled by Carlos Alcaraz in full flight; dragged from sideline to sideline then pulled forward to the net before watching helplessly as a forehand passing‑shot winner flew by him. Djokovic pulled up from the gruelling point limping before calling for the physio.It seemed for a few fleeting moments that the challenge of holding off one of the most special young players in history might be beyond Djokovic and his worn-down 37-year-old body this time. Instead, he responded with a masterpiece of a performance in the tournament that has defined his career, offering yet another reminder of his greatness by rallying from a set down to defeat Alcaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 and return to the semi-finals in Melbourne