Harry Brook’s 50-ball century blazes England past Pakistan into T20 World Cup semi-finals

For all their faults and frailties, their fluffs and fumbles, England are also the first team to secure a place in the World Cup semi-finals, their spot secured by victory over Pakistan and by the sensational Harry Brook century that drove them towards it.After coming in just one ball into the innings and watching the rest of England’s top five falter, England’s captain transformed a crisis into what, for all that a couple of late wickets got the nerves jangling, became something approaching a cruise.Brook fell to the last ball of the 17th over, the first after he had completed his century off his 50th delivery. Several Pakistan players ran towards him to shake his hand as he left the field, and soon they were shaking hands again: having come to the crease, promoted for the first time to No 3, before England had even taken a nibble into their target of 165, Brook departed with them needing 10 off 18. Though Will Jacks and Jamie Overton both fell in the penultimate over to give Pakistan the faintest sniff of renewed hope, England got there with five remaining to win by two wickets

US hockey was bathed in a golden Olympic glow. Then Donald Trump and Kash Patel stepped in | Beau Dure

Keeping politics at arm’s length for the US men’s hockey team’s gold-medal matchup with Canada was always going to be difficult.The game fell on the 46th anniversary of the Miracle on Ice, when an underdog group of US college players upset the mighty Soviet Union team against the backdrop of the cold war. But the US team who took the ice on Sunday were no plucky band of amateurs making a stand for democracy against authoritarianism – a point underscored when the US and Canada met last year in the 4 Nations Face-Off. Canadian fans booed the Star-Spangled Banner and the US players, either unaware of, or unsympathetic to, Canadian desires to be neither the 51st US state nor the USA’s opponent in a scorched-earth trade war, dropped the gloves to fight their opponents as soon as the game commenced.Sunday’s game, though, was played with the utmost sportsmanship – and not just because Olympic rules punish fighting harshly

‘I felt tears welling in my eyes’: our readers’ Winter Olympics highlights

The magic, joy, tension, camaraderie and superhuman composure on show in Italy captivated readersMy favourite moment of the Winter Olympics was Johan Olav-Botn winning gold in the men’s individual biathlon, just a month after the death of his teammate and close friend, Sivert Bakken. Olav-Botn displayed superhuman composure – a prerequisite for anyone competing in biathlon – and he did not shut out the thought of his friend when under the highest pressure. Olav-Botn said that he “felt I was racing with him” on his last lap. To remain skiing and shooting, let alone standing, with that in mind is a feat of mental fortitude worthy of any Olympic gold. I felt tears welling in my eyes when he skied past the finish line and shouted: “Sivert, we did it!” Max Sundsbo, 22, LondonThe superb snow sports commentary from Ed Leigh and Tim Warwood

The Breakdown | Six Nations half-term report: France are flying while England’s decline is steep

Les Bleus have variety and gifted youngsters but, by contrast, Steve Borthwick’s men are predictable and flawedFrance (15 points) Three games played, three bonus-point victories banked and the title at their mercy. If they claim another four-try win at Murrayfield on Saturday week, they will secure the crown with a round to spare, setting up a rousing grand slam opportunity in Paris. Above all else, though, Les Bleus have illuminated this year’s championship with their pace and attacking grace, not least “King” Louis Bielle-Biarrey who has been spectacularly good. How many other sides in the world, aside from South Africa, can also interchange their second-row and midfield pairings without missing a beat? Or casually whistle up gifted youngsters such as Fabien Brau-Boirie, Émilien Gailleton and Gaël Dréan who all look instantly to the manner born. When you factor in the squad’s collective ability with and without the ball – to date France have scored the most tries, 18, and conceded the fewest, five – the future looks dazzlingly bright

If you think politics shaped these Winter Olympics, just wait until LA 2028

In Milan, athletes showed that patriotism can be generous. In Los Angeles, that definition will be tested on the biggest, loudest stage sport can offerThe Milano Cortina Winter Games ended on Sunday night as the Olympics always do: in light, spectacle and speeches about unity. In Verona, the Olympic flag passed to the French Alps and the twin flames were extinguished. But unofficially, at least, a flame also flickered 6,000 miles west.If these Games felt political, just wait until Los Angeles a little more than two years from now

Australia beat India by six wickets in first women’s cricket one-day international – as it happened

Comprehensive win for the Aussies. Litchfield gave them the early momentum, then there was a small wobble when she and Voll went quickly, but the old heads filled in for the youngsters, with Healy and Mooney putting the chase back on course, and Sutherland finishing the job.Australia draw level on points in the multiformat series, having lost the T20 leg 2-1. We’ll have the next ODI in a couple of days. Thanks for your company