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BBC News
16 minutes ago
- BBC News
Westley continues rich form for Essex against Bears
Rothesay County Championship Division One, Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, Chelmsford (day one)Essex 350-4: Westley 124*, Walter 86; Malik 1-1Warwickshire: Yet to batEssex (3 pt), Warwicks (1 pt)Match scorecard Tom Westley's rich vein of form in the County Championship continued as he notched his third century in five innings to frustrate Warwickshire on day one at well hitting his 32nd first-class hundred in an innings of sublime stroke-play, the Essex captain also passed 14,000 career runs in red-ball cricket. With Paul Walter, who hit 86 from 160 balls, Westley put on 132 for the second wicket and 81 for the third with Jordan Cox. At stumps, Westley was unbeaten on 124 from 234 balls with Essex posting his fifth score above fifty this season, two of them centuries, launched two sixes and nine fours. It enabled Essex to build on the euphoria of only their second Championship win of the season last week at Hove, a win that lifted them out of the relegation only redeeming feature for Warwickshire on a gloomy day that matched their deteriorating mood, was arguably the first career wicket for part-time leg-spinner Zen Malik. Brought on to eat up an over before the arrival of the second new-ball, Malik had Cox attempting to hit his fifth delivery out of the park, but instead the batsmen ended up on his backside with his stumps the start of the play, Essex's own bowling plans had twice been thrown into disarray in the space of 24 hours. They had already lost one member of their attack when Indian international pace bowler Khaleel Ahmed pulled out of a contract due to run to the end of the season, citing "personal reasons". Then, less than quarter-of-an-hour before the start of the match, off-spinner Simon Harmer, who had taken part in all the warm-up routines, withdrew also offering "personal reasons" for his problems were shelved for the time being as Essex were put into bat on a hybrid pitch with plenty of grass left on to help encourage greater carry for the bowlers. In fact, it encouraged the batsmen and a flurry of straight-driven fours enabled the Essex openers to compile 68 runs without undue alarm in 19 Elgar, overcoming a torrid first over from Oliver Hannon-Dalby, brought up the fifty partnership with an uncharacteristic slash at Beau Webster that cleared the slip cordon. However, he departed soon after to his second rash shot of the innings, pulling the Australian low to one occasion, Walter, so strong off the backfoot, came down the wicket to waft Corey Rocchiccioli for six over extra cover and post Essex's first hundred. He reached his half-century from 79 balls with a well-placed push into the off-side for two. Walter took a liking to the Australian off-spinner with another six, this time over the other end, some of Westley's strokes were exquisite. He produced a classically executed cover drive for four off Ethan Bamber, and later essayed a textbook straight-drive off Webster. Another off-drive for four by Westley off Webster took the stand with Walter to three-figures, of which both batsmen contributed 49. Three balls later Westley reached a 107-ball had just taken Essex past 200 with only one wicket down when, next ball, Walter's four-hour innings came to an end. He got an outside edge to a delivery from Rocchiccioli, the ball ricocheting off wicketkeeper Kai Smith's thigh and ballooning up for a diving Alex Davies to claim at switched ends straight after tea and immediately extracted some rare bounce and lift that had Westley groping at thin air. Normal service was quickly resumed, though, and soon Westley was angling Ed Barnard to third man for the boundary that took him to his century from 185 finally gained some reward late on when he had Matt Critchley swinging and bottom-edging through to the wicketkeeper. Report supplied by ECB Reporters' Network, supported by Rothesay
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Leah Williamson hints there is still more to come from the Lionesses after Euros victory
An emotional Leah Williamson declared that the Lionesses' journey was far from over as England celebrated their Euro 2025 triumph with an open-top bus parade through central London on Tuesday. Thousands of jubilant fans lined the Mall, culminating in a staged ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace, where the team was met with rapturous applause. Less than 48 hours after securing their European Championship crown by defeating Spain on penalties in the Basel final, the significance of the moment was palpable for the England captain, who fought back tears amidst the revelry. "I'm holding back tears. I've been crying all the way down the Mall. This is unbelievable and it's one of the best things we've ever been a part of so thanks for coming out," Williamson told the adoring crowd. She added: "Everything we do, we do it for us and our team but we do it for the country and young girls. This job never existed 30 or 40 years ago and we're making history every single step. Stay with us, this story is not done yet." The Lionesses' path to retaining their title was marked by remarkable defiance, showcasing a never-say-die attitude throughout the tournament. After an opening defeat to France, England staged dramatic comebacks, trailing 2-0 to Sweden in the quarter-finals, 1-0 to Italy in the semi-finals, and going behind in the showpiece against Spain, only to battle back and secure the trophy they first won three years prior. Reflecting on their challenging route to victory, Williamson told supporters: "There's lots of ways to win a football match and we repeatedly did it the hard way. But you can see how much we care about playing for England and how much we love it – 2022 was a fairy tale but this feels really hard-earned and we're very proud of ourselves so thank you and we hope you are, too. The first game maybe rocked us a little bit but I just think we're special people and we love each other, we've got each others' back on and off the pitch. We had tough moments, nasty things to deal with and still we rise." For England head coach Sarina Wiegman, this marked her third consecutive European Championship crown, having previously led the Netherlands to glory in 2017. "It was chaos. I hoped a little less chaos but they didn't keep their promise to finish things quicker! We just kept having hope and belief and they just showed up when it was really necessary and urgent," Wiegman remarked. She praised the squad's depth and unity: "There is a huge talent pool in this team. In 2022 we had great bonding but I think that made the absolute difference now: everyone was ready to step up and support each other. It was amazing to be a part of." Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton proved instrumental in the final, keeping Spain at bay during the 1-1 draw and the subsequent 3-1 penalty shootout success. Asked about her mindset before the penalties, Hampton stated: "Just do whatever I can for the team – they ran around for 120 minutes and I've got it easy just standing still in my own 18-yard box." She offered an inspiring message to aspiring athletes: "Don't let people tell you what you can and can't do. If you've got a dream and you really believe it, go out and do it. I did it. I got told many times that I'm not good enough and I shouldn't be playing football from the start. Keep doing it and if it makes you happy, go follow that smile." Teenager Michelle Agyemang, named best young player of the tournament, made a significant impact by scoring crucial late equalisers in the quarter-final against Sweden and the semi-final against Italy. The 19-year-old expressed her disbelief: "I don't know what to say. It's surreal, it doesn't seem real seeing people down there. It's crazy to see what we've done and be here today." The experienced Lucy Bronze added: "This moment is unbelievable. We did it three years ago but to do it again and to come back to this is just incredible." When asked to compare the current celebrations to those three years prior, Bronze quipped: "I don't remember."
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Wrexham ready to smash transfer record to sign Ipswich star with ‘Championship cheat code' striker, 32, also lined up
WREXHAM are prepared to smash their transfer record to sign Nathan Broadhead from Ipswich. The star-studded promoted Welsh club have made a £7million approach to the Tractor Boys for the winger. 2 Ipswich had no intention to sell Broadhead, 27, this summer but have not ruled out a sale for a good price. Wrexham's previous club record purchase was £2m on striker Sam Smith from Reading earlier this year. But Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are ready to splash the cash following promotion to the Championship. Broadhead has 23 goals and 12 assists in 83 appearances for Town since joining from Everton for £1.5m two years ago. The Red Dragons' desire for a striker has been no secret this season. And they are also interested in signing Wales international Kieffer Moore, who one supporter has labelled a "cheat code". Manager Phil Parkinson confirmed he was on the club's shortlist. He said: "Kieffer's under contract at Sheffield United. He's one of a number of players we've looked at over the summer," Parkinson said. "Like I said, the landscape changes in the transfer market very quickly from one week to the next. "We're looking at lots of options here and abroad." Wrexham have signed goalkeeper Danny Ward, forwards Josh Windass and Ryan Hardie, defender Liberato Cacace, midfielders George Thomason and Lewis O'Brien this summer.
