England fall just short against India in epic T20 World Cup semi-final – as it happened

That was modest of Samson, but if anyone else was going to pip him to the match award, it should have been Axar Patel. His fielding was phenomenal, first when he caught Harry Brook in the deep, running back, and then when, uncredited on the scorecard, he got an inspired assist for the catch by Dube that got rid of the tenacious Jacks. In a game of 499 runs, the winner is the team that fielded better.Never mind the players – I am now a spent force, so I’m going to collapse in a heap. Simon Burnton’s match report will be with you shortly

Wales can fly against Ireland if they dump their Six Nations baggage

It’s unlikely Steve Tandy got to this point in his coaching career without ever alluding to the joy of playing with no baggage. Between club and country over the years he must have reminded his players that the lads down the corridor would be bearing the load, so that’s one thing less to worry about. And with that realisation comes a certain lightness. We’re not talking about the freedom of skipping around the park, picking out faces in the crowd and drinking in the atmosphere of a Six Nations tie, rather getting some value from being spared the burden of expectation.For Wales this has come at a price

‘That person has gone’: Lewis Hamilton ditches despair for feelgood Ferrari reboot

In the dying embers of the 2025 Formula One season there was a period when Lewis Hamilton, one of the greatest drivers of all time, seemed cut from an almost unrecognisable cloth. The confidence, humour and calm assurance in his own abilities had been stripped away, replaced by an almost despairing bewilderment.It was so alien to his usual character that many considered it a wonder that he was managing to drag himself on to see the year out. In the buildup to this weekend’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, Hamilton was typically forthright in acknowledging it had been something of a psychological break.“I lost sight for a second of who I was,” he said

‘Toughest’ Italy Test can be defining moment for England, says Jamie George

Jamie George is braced for England’s “toughest ever” Test against Italy but believes Saturday’s Six Nations clash can be the defining moment for a much-maligned squad.George also admitted England’s Six Nations collapse, which has ruled them out of contention for the title for another year, has been down to a lack of “hard work” and “fight”, insisting the players owe it to supporters and Steve Borthwick to make amends in Rome.The 35-year-old hooker has replaced Luke Cowan-Dickie in the starting lineup to face the Azzurri, one of 12 changes – nine personnel and three positional – by Borthwick.England have won all 32 previous matches against Italy, but Gonzalo Quesada’s side began their campaign with victory over Scotland and have been backed by the South Africa coach, Rassie Erasmus, to shock England.“Ultimately, what we haven’t seen enough of in the last couple of weeks is spirit, fight, hard work and graft,” said George

India hold off brave England and brilliant Bethell to reach T20 World Cup final

England, India and the Wankhede Stadium ground staff conjured a ludicrous, blockbuster semi-final, but for the English in the end it was a bust, a night when records fell, and they eventually went with them.Only three times in their history have they scored more than the 246 they got on Thursday, but still it was not enough. Never before have so many runs been scored in a T20 World Cup match, nor as many sixes (34), nor more sixes in an innings than India’s 19. Neither England nor India had ever conceded as many runs in any T20 anywhere as they did here. It was dizzying stuff, ending in appropriate style with Jofra Archer scoring sixes off the last three legal deliveries to trim the winning margin to just seven runs

Seven countries to boycott Paralympics ceremony over flag-flying Russians

Seven countries and the British government will boycott the opening ceremony of the Winter Paralympics in protest at the inclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes.The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) said the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine would not be sending athletes or officials to the ceremony on Friday night.Other countries – including Great Britain – have said they will not be sending athletic representation due to the imminent start of competition. The IPC estimates fewer than 60% of the competing countries will send a full delegation to the 2,000-year-old Arena di Verona.The UK government confirmed there would be no representatives attending the event and reiterated its opposition to Russian athletes competing under their own flag