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The Lead: Murray’s Public Vote of Confidence for Draper Sir Andy Murray announced at Queen’s Club that Jack Draper is training daily and that his tennis is “bloody good”, signalling strong backing just weeks before Wimbledon. Intensive Training at the LTA National Tennis Centre Murray has spent the past month at the LTA’s National Tennis Centre as an adviser and temporary coach, overseeing Draper’s on‑court sessions and helping him rebuild match fitness after a long injury lay‑off. Ranking Slide and Injury Toll: Numbers Behind Draper’s Comeback World ranking: No 113 (down from No 4 in 2025) Injuries suffered: knee, elbow and a recent serving‑shoulder issue Last competitive appearance: Barcelona Open, April 2026 Upcoming tournament: Eastbourne, scheduled for the week after Murray’s comments Implications for British Tennis and Wimbledon The endorsement from a recent Grand Slam champion could boost Draper’s confidence and attract additional support from sponsors and the British public. A healthy Draper would add depth to the UK men’s field, increasing the chances of a home‑grown contender advancing deep at Wimbledon. Looking Ahead: Draper’s Path to Eastbourne, Wimbledon and Beyond Murray indicated he may continue to advise Draper through the US Open build‑up, but his primary focus remains family commitments. If Draper can translate his training progress into match wins at Eastbourne, he could secure a main‑draw spot at Wimbledon and re‑establish himself as a top‑20 threat in the months ahead.

State of Origin 2026 Game 2 Live Welcome to live coverage of men's State of Origin Game 2. Kick-off between New South Wales and Queensland at the MCG is scheduled for 8.05pm AEST. The Stage is Set Origin I didn't disappoint, living up to its billing as the pinnacle of Australian sport with a thrilling climax in Sydney. Origin II has a lot to live up to, but a record crowd in excess of 90,000 is expected at the MCG, making it impossible for the contest not to be noteworthy. Team Dynamics The Maroons are playing catch-up, despite bossing the opening match until they were reduced to 12 men. The Blues are much changed after a troubling opening hour of the series and look more formidable with the returning Payne Haas packing down in the front row. Key Matchups Mitchell Moses races to prove Origin fitness as Laurie Daley names NSW team for game 2.

The Narrow Victory at SouthamptonEngland survived a wobble against Ireland on Tuesday at Southampton, recovering from 35 for three to chase down 119 with 15 balls remaining and four wickets to spare, and keep their World Cup campaign on track. The match had begun an hour late due to rain, shaping captain Nat Sciver-Brunt's decision to bowl first in overcast conditions.Sciver-Brunt's Injury ConcernEngland will be sweating on the fitness of their captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, who top-scored with 48 but was forced to retire hurt with nine runs still needed, after apparently suffering a recurrence of the calf injury she has struggled with all summer. She will be assessed by medics ahead of England's next match against Scotland at Headingley on Saturday.Ireland's Fight with Limited ResourcesIreland's challenge was compounded by selection issues, with No 8 Louise Little answering Ireland's call with a cameo of 26 not out from 15 balls – her highest score for Ireland. Little missed out on selection for Saturday's match against Scotland, and was only playing in this match because Ava Canning has been sent for a precautionary scan on her lower back.England's Bowling DominanceLauren Bell and Linsey Smith opened the bowling effectively, with Dean delivering a wicket maiden in the powerplay, finishing with two for 11 – her best ever showing in a World Cup. Sophie Ecclestone, who had looked off-colour on Friday, was punished for 13 runs from her first over but counter-punched with three wickets.Group Dynamics and Tournament ImplicationsThe shock result of Sri Lanka's victory over New Zealand earlier in the day leaves the reigning champions on the brink of elimination, with two losses from two matches. This throws Group B wide open, with the winner of Thursday's match between Scotland and West Indies set to be in pole position to progress to the knockout stages alongside leaders England.

The Birth of Modern Sports Science in English Football The 1990 World Cup, Italia 90, was a pivotal moment for English football, marking the beginning of a new era in sports science. Prof John Brewer, the Football Association's first head of human performance, was tasked with preparing Bobby Robson's side for the Italian summer. Using then-cutting-edge technology, including a BBC microcomputer, a dot-matrix printer, and Polar heart-rate monitors, Brewer assessed each player's fitness before, during, and after training. The Innovative Approach of Prof John Brewer Brewer's methods were initially met with skepticism, but his data-driven approach proved invaluable. He conducted bleep tests at Lilleshall before the team flew to Italy, again upon arrival, and a third time after a fortnight's training in the hottest part of the day. This allowed him to prove to the players that they had adapted to the heat and could maintain their high-tempo game. The Impact on Player Performance Brewer's work had a significant impact on player performance. He persuaded Robson that players needed more carbohydrates before games, although there were some initial hiccups, such as the infamous swordfish steaks served before a match. Brewer also worked closely with players like Paul Gascoigne, who got down to around 10% body fat for Italia 90, and was 'probably the fittest he had ever been.' The Evolution of Sports Science Brewer's pioneering work laid the foundation for modern sports science in English football. Today, players use super-light wearables to track their blood oxygen levels, skin temperatures, and sleep, and have access to hyperbaric chambers for recovery. Brewer's legacy continues to influence the sport, with his work serving as a reminder of how far sports science has come. The Future of Sports Science As Brewer notes, players are fitter nowadays, and have a lot more help too. With the frequency of high-intensity games higher than ever before, sports science will continue to play a crucial role in helping players optimize their performance. The evolution of sports science will undoubtedly continue, with new technologies and techniques emerging to support the development of elite athletes.

The Update on Christian Pulisic's Fitness Mauricio Pochettino has moved to allay concerns over Christian Pulisic's fitness as the US prepare for their World Cup clash with Australia on Friday. Pulisic was brilliant in the opening half of the US's 4-1 win over Paraguay last week. He was taken off at half-time but insisted he was not carrying a serious injury. Pulisic's Injury and Recovery “I just got a bit of a kick first half, so I’m really hoping that it’s nothing. Taking a little bit of precaution today, but I’m hoping I’ll be fine the next few days,” he said after the match. On Monday, Pulisic practiced away from the rest of his teammates in what US Soccer called a “modified training session [and] gym and individual field work.” The Coach's Assessment Pochettino gave a brief assessment when asked about the 27-year-old’s fitness. “Good,” the US coach said. Tyler Adams' Confidence in Pulisic's Readiness Midfielder Tyler Adams was also upbeat about Pulisic’s chances of starting on Friday, although he was more forthcoming than his coach. “Christian will be ready, everyone. Let’s relax,” Adams said. “I think that he picked up a knock a few days before the game, and I think he got kicked in the same spot again during the game. And when you go in at half-time, things obviously get tight within the 15, 20 minute break. But he’ll be fine.” The Stakes of the Upcoming Match Australia and the US started their World Cup campaigns with wins – the Socceroos beat Turkey 2-0 – and Friday’s game could decide who wins their group.

The Road to the Women's T20 World Cup The Women's T20 World Cup is one of the most highly anticipated events in women's cricket. The tournament features teams from around the world competing for the top spot. Group A: A Tough Competition Group A consists of six-time champions Australia, Bangladesh, India, and the Netherlands. Australia, led by coach Shelley Nitschke and captain Sophie Molineux, are the bookies' favorites but face a tough competition. Australia's Chances Australia has won the tournament six times, but their recent form has been inconsistent. Key player Ash Gardner needs to step up with the bat, while captain Sophie Molineux's own match fitness is a concern due to back problems. Bangladesh's Preparation Bangladesh, led by coach Sarwar Imran and captain Nigar Sultana Joty, will be touring England for the first time. They have been acclimatizing with a tri-series in Edinburgh against Scotland and the Netherlands, but the results have not been encouraging. India's Prospects India, led by coach Amol Muzumdar and captain Harmanpreet Kaur, have a tough team to make predictions about. They have shown inconsistency in their recent matches, but key player Harmanpreet Kaur is determined to lead the team to victory. The Netherlands' Journey The Netherlands, led by coach Neil MacRae and captain Babette de Leede, have qualified for their first 20-over World Cup. The team consists entirely of part-time cricketers, and they will be targeting wins against Bangladesh and Pakistan.

The Lead: Saka's Fitness Gamble for World Cup Bukayo Saka has admitted he is continuing to gamble on his fitness to play for England at the World Cup finals despite a nagging achilles injury. The Arsenal forward came off the bench in England's last warm-up game against Costa Rica but acknowledged he's been playing through pain to be available for the tournament. The Injury Timeline: Managing a Persistent Achilles Issue The 24-year-old player is believed to have picked up the injury during the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City in March and missed Arsenal's next seven matches as a result. Since then, he has completed 90 minutes only once in five appearances and was substituted before the end of normal time in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain. The Player's Perspective: Balancing Risk and Readiness Asked whether he agreed with manager Thomas Tuchel's suggestion that he was not ready to play an entire match, Saka said: "I don't want to say anything that goes against the manager. But what I would say between Mikel [Arteta] and Arsenal's medical team and England's medical team, since March they have managed me amazingly and helped me get back on the pitch and do what I can for the team. I am feeling better than I have felt for the last few months. I am ready to go." The Mental Challenge: Performing Through Pain Saka acknowledged that he has been playing through the pain barrier. "As players it's the biggest gamble, especially if you're not feeling your sharpest. You have the choice whether you don't play or you put yourself out there knowing people are going to judge you the same. At the end of the day people don't really care how you're feeling, they expect you to deliver, they expect you to perform. I'm happy to take the gamble. It paid off, I'd say. I'm going to continue doing that." Tactical Considerations: Potential Lineup Changes Noni Madueke could start in place of Saka on the right side of England's attack if Tuchel decides not to risk Saka against Croatia on Wednesday in Dallas. The two of them, Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze were all given extra time off after Arsenal's Champions League commitments and Saka believes that winning the club's first Premier League title for 22 years has given them "more confidence and freedom". Experienced Players: John Stones' Determination John Stones is expected to start his 25th tournament game in a row despite being used sparingly by City this season. The 32-year-old has revealed previously that he even considered retiring at the end of last season but is now determined to play his part for England. "City didn't want to keep me any more and wanted me to find a new challenge," he told ITV. "I said to myself: 'OK, I could do that and find somewhere.' Or what did I do as a kid when you played down for two years, wasn't big enough, played out of position, what did you do? I fought and that's what I did and I have always reflected on that."

On the eve of France’s Group I opener at the 2026 World Cup, coach Didier Deschamps reiterated his commitment to shield captain Kylian Mbappé from the political controversy swirling around the star, stressing that the team’s focus remains on football. Deschamps' Strategy to Shield Mbappé from Political Heat Deschamps, 57, has a long history of managing high‑profile players. He told reporters that he speaks to Mbappé frequently, noting that the forward “manages himself” and that “Kylian is Kylian.” The coach dismissed any link between Mbappé’s absence from the pre‑match press conference and the recent criticism from figures such as Michel Platini, insisting his priority is player protection. Fan Turnout and Media Spotlight in Boston Thousands of young fans gather daily outside the team’s downtown Boston hotel for autographs and selfies. Mbappé’s name has become one of the few footballers to break into mainstream U.S. awareness, rivaling the reach of Lionel Messi. Media coverage intensified after Mbappé denied any presidential ambitions in a Le Parisien interview, stating, “I’m hated enough as it is!” Implications for France’s World Cup Campaign The French squad enters the tournament with only four members from the 2018 winning side, including Mbappé and N’Golo Kanté. Deschamps aims to downplay expectations, warning that “six or seven other nations” can win. He also highlighted the fitness and psychological readiness of Ousmane Dembélé, whose participation will depend on his recovery from the recent Champions League final. Looking Ahead: France’s Prospects and Deschamps’ Cautious Outlook Deschamps left the New York/New Jersey training facility relaxed, yet vigilant. He warned that the path to the title will be “hard” and that the team must avoid being labeled favourites. By keeping the spotlight on collective performance rather than individual fame, Deschamps hopes France can translate its “high‑level potential” into World Cup success.

Spain’s Unshaken Confidence Ahead of World Cup 2026After lifting the Euro 2024 trophy, the Spanish side arrived in Berlin on 15 July 2024 with a palpable sense of belief. Captain Álvaro Morata and coach Luis de la Fuente insist the squad’s chemistry and mentality are identical to the one that conquered Europe, and they expect that continuity to translate into World Cup success.Key Moments from Euro 2024 that Shape the World Cup SquadThe Euro campaign highlighted several players who will anchor the 2026 roster:Rodri – Ballon d’Or winner, central to midfield stability.Pedri – Creative engine, now dubbed “Potter” by the coach.Lamine Yamal – Two‑year‑older prodigy, recovered from a recent injury.Nico Williams – Fitness concerns remain ahead of the tournament.Mikel Oyarzabal – Scored 13 goals in 11 matches, a proven big‑game performer.Only eight players, including Morata and Dani Carvajal, have departed, leaving a core that “feels the same as we were then,” according to Oyarzabal.Statistical Snapshot: 30‑Game Unbeaten Run and Player MetricsSpain entered the World Cup on an unbeaten 30‑game streak (including Euro 2024).Euro 2024 record: won every match, defeating Croatia, Italy, Germany, France and England.Goal contribution: Oyarzabal – 13 goals/11 games; Merino – 100% confidence rating in pre‑match poll.Goalkeeper rankings: David Raya and Joan García rated as season’s best keepers in England and Spain.What Spain’s Continuity Means for International FootballThe decision to retain the Euro‑winning core signals a broader trend of valuing squad cohesion over wholesale overhaul. Analysts note that Spain’s “calm, confident” culture could force rivals to rethink squad rotation strategies, especially as other nations grapple with integrating younger talent.Moreover, the public perception shift—from outsiders doubting Spain’s chances to the team embracing the “favourite” tag—highlights the psychological edge that sustained success can generate.Outlook: Spain’s Chances at the 2026 World CupWhile injuries to Williams and the loss of veteran leaders pose risks, the squad’s internal belief remains high. Coach de la Fuente emphasizes that the team’s “same excitement, same belief” will be the decisive factor.If the unbeaten mentality holds, Spain could realistically aim for at least a semi‑final appearance, with many pundits betting on a repeat of their Euro triumph on the world stage.