Teenager Minto signs pro contract with Durham
Young fast bowler James Minto has signed a first professional contract with Durham, with his rookie deal running until the end of the 2026 season.Minto was handed his first-class debut last September against Surrey at Kia Oval when still only 16, and became the second youngest bowler since World War Two to take a wicket.The left-armer, now 17, played for England Under-19s on their tour of South Africa in the winter."It's great to see James rewarded for the excellent performances he has put in for Durham over the last couple of seasons," said, external Durham's director of cricket Marcus North."He has impressed with his skills but his maturity and match awareness at just 17 has been impressive."
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Daily Mail
29 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
The SIX glaring problems haunting England ahead of next year's World Cup - and how Thomas Tuchel must respond after a worrying international break, writes IAN LADYMAN
England have emerged from the June international break with problems – both familiar and new – threatening to overwhelm them. A scruffy win against Andorra – the 173rd ranked team in the world – at the weekend has now been followed by a comprehensive home defeat to Senegal in Nottingham. With the World Cup only a year away, Football Editor Ian Ladyman looks at the obstacles standing between Thomas Tuchel and any hope of success in North America next summer THE MISSING LINKS England have some elite level footballers but they are all playing in the same positions. Away from the potential of players such as Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer, England don't have reliable and oven ready full-backs and are trying new partnerships at centre half, for example. The Gareth Southgate era was largely progressive but at its heart was a John Stones/Harry Maguire axis that provided England with a solid base. In the Euros of 2021, for example, England didn't concede a goal until the semi-final and only two all tournament. Thomas Tuchel still hopes to have Stones back but thinks he may be able to play in midfield. In terms of Maguire, Tuchel is unsure about his value as a squad man if he is not a regular starter. Newcastle's Dan Burn will be on the plane to America if he stays fit but as much as a late attacking weapon as anything. On Tuesday against Senegal, England's defensive issues were clear. JUDE AND DEC They are two of England's truly gifted players but where is the synergy between them on the field? These are two men who should be dragging England forwards but instead they hardly spent any time together on the pitch over the last two games. In fact, they shared just ten minutes of football towards the end of the Andorra game in Barcelona on Saturday. Tuchel said at the weekend that Rice had arrived to camp 'out of rhythm' and the Arsenal player was anonymous against Senegal's dextrous and athletic midfield in Nottingham. Indeed some hard truths are emerging about both these players. Rice just isn't good enough at number six to play the role on his own while Bellingham's temperament and tactical discipline need serious work. Tuchel knows both these truths but is aware of the sensitivity around the latter issue in particular. If there was a World Cup for arm waving, Jude would be a gold medallist. THE HARRY KANE PROBLEM So here we are again. Back at the start. As Kane continues to wrack up poachers' goals with stunning regularity – the England captain has scored in each of Tuchel's four games – his country's reliance on a player who does not look mobile enough against the very best opposition continues to haunt the national team. There is no reliable understudy. It's just a fact. Ollie Watkins – injured for these two games – does not have the numbers of an elite striker while Ivan Toney's dalliance with Tuchel's squad may well be over already. The England coach refused to talk about him on Saturday night in Andorra and then refused to use him until England were absolutely desperate late on against Senegal. Seeing Kane come off only for Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze to be asked to play up front on Tuesday night was extraordinary. SQUARE PEGS AND ROUND HOLES Tuchel is a manager who has the courage of his convictions and wears the stresses and strains of management pretty lightly. That's perhaps just as well given what's ahead of him. Even so, he made some strange calls over the last few days. The Andorra game saw a right-back – Reece James – at left-back and a central midfielder – Curtis Jones - over on the other side of the defensive line. Jones was asked by Tuchel to play that defensive/midfield hybrid role made fashionable by Trent Alexander-Arnold – who was on the bench. That was, frankly, quite staggering. Against Senegal, meanwhile, a winger - Eze - was up front with a striker – Toney – on the bench. Conor Gallagher, meanwhile, was left in the stands against Andorra yet made the starting eleven at the City Ground. That game seemed set up for local hero Morgan Gibbs-White but he began the evening among the substitutes. Is Tuchel in danger of making this whole thing too complicated? Pick your best players, Thomas, and put them in their best positions. THE MAN CITY CONDUNDRUM John Stones, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Kyle Walker. What has happened to them? It is a question that is known to trouble the England manager. Grealish looked a player ready to roll under Lee Carsley against the Republic of Ireland in the first game of the Nations League last autumn but is now up for sale at his club. 'I love Jack,' said Tuchel last week but he will not pick players short on club minutes. Foden, meanwhile, is supposed to be part of England's golden trio of attacking players along with Bellingham and Cole Palmer. Carsley tried to get all three in a team against Greece last year – England lost – and now Tuchel can't even find room for the City man in his squad. Tuchel is concerned about Foden and doesn't know when he will see him again. If he does, he would like to see how he goes as a number nine. More widely, the England coach has noticed a malaise about the City squad that nobody can really expect to be improved by three or four weeks away at the Club World Cup. THE OPPOSITION Tuchel is convinced that England will automatically raise their levels when the games grow harder and more significant. Well, he has to cling to something doesn't he? He suggested his side would improve in games with greater importance but it has been a worrying international window for Tuchel The problem with all that is that the toughest team he will face between now and the World Cup is Serbia, yet to be tackled home and away in qualifying. Those games – especially the away fixture in September – will not be easy and if England don't improve quickly the Serbs may yet contest top spot in the group. But apart from that, England will face Andorra, Latvia and Albania in competitive games before the end of the calendar year as well as Wales in an October friendly.
BBC News
38 minutes ago
- BBC News
World Test Championship final: Smith & Labuschagne rebuild for Australia
Update: Date: 11:47 BST Title: Post Content: Jonathan AgnewBBC Chief Cricket Commentator on Test Match Special There is a gentle buzz reverberating around Lord's today. Update: Date: 15 overs Title: Aus 37-2 Content: Ooooh! A heart in mouth moment for Marnus Labuschagne as his edge drops just short of Aiden Markram in the slips to start the 15th. It's another maiden for Wiaan Mulder. Update: Date: 11:44 BST Title: Get Involved Content: #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply) Loving the match. But with the weather being what it is this week. What happens if it is a draw? Tom in Billingshurst Hello Tom. If the match is drawn, tied, or abandoned, the two sides will share the mace. I don't know how they'll share it. One team getting the stick and the other the ball would be the sensible option but I'd rather watch someone slice it lengthways. Update: Date: 11:42 BST Title: Post Content: Jonathan AgnewBBC Chief Cricket Commentator on Test Match Special That was at a catchable height and it went straight between the two players. Update: Date: 14 overs Title: Aus 37-2 Content: A lively start to the second half of this session. Steve Smith flicks Lungi Ngidi's opener fine for four and he sneaks another off the penultimate delivery, this one more aerially between the keeper and leg slip. A touch of fortune there. Update: Date: 11:37 BST Title: Get Involved Content: #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply) With Rabada just one Test wicket behind the great Allan Donald and likely to go past him in this match, where does he stand in the pantheon of South African fast bowlers? Maybe only behind Dale Steyn? Bob in Hammersmith Update: Date: 11:35 BST Title: Post Content: While refreshments are served, here's a reminder of the two Australia wickets to fall in the first hour. Kagiso Rabada has 2-9 from his first six-over spell. This video can not be played Rabada takes two quick wickets to put Australia under early pressure Update: Date: 11:34 BST Title: Post Content: Vic MarksFormer England spinner on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra Marnus Labuschagne is here with his career struggling a little bit and Lord's could be another turning point for him. Update: Date: 13 overs Title: Aus 29-2 Content: Smith 5, Labuschagne 17 Australia's selectors would be pretty chuffed with that outcome, @mardysim. Steve Smith casually perches on his bat as Marnus Labuschagne plays out a maiden to Wiaan Mulder, who has replaced Kagiso Rabada. Mulder beats the outside edge to finish the over. And that's drinks. Update: Date: 11:31 BST Title: Get Involved Content: #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply) @mardysim on X: Couple of quick wickets for the Saffies. Excellent work. 326-2 at the close? Update: Date: 11:30 BST Title: Post Content: Jim MaxwellBBC Test Match Special commentator at Lord's It's quiet here at Lord's as Australia dig themselves in, but South Africa's bowling has been compelling as they make the batters play a shot with each ball. Update: Date: 12 overs Title: Aus 29-2 Content: How do you think Labuschagne's audition to be Australia's next opener is going, George? Apart from that one edge which fell just short of Ryan Rickelton, he's been pretty solid I think. Strong leaves and running smartly. He runs three to finish the 12th over. Update: Date: 11:26 BST Title: Get Involved Content: #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply) David Warner retired over a year ago and Australia are yet to find a permanent opener to partner Khawaja. Sometimes Smith opens, sometimes Head opens, and now Marnus is opening. That vacant spot is a permanent musical chair. That just tells about Warner's huge impact. George, India Update: Date: 11 overs Title: Aus 26-2 Content: A fourth maiden for Kagiso Rabada, with Steve Smith defending all the way. There's a couple of darts to suggest he's interested in the single but every time, he retreats. Rabada has 2-9 from his six overs. Impressive. Update: Date: 11:21 BST Title: How's stat?! Content: Andy ZaltzmanTest Match Special statistician There were 19 balls before Kagiso Rabada conceded a run and only once has he done better in his illustrious career. He has a strike rate of a wicket every 39 balls in Test cricket. This is the best record from a bowler who has bowled 500+ in the history of Test cricket of which there are 292 bowlers. Update: Date: 11:21 BST Title: Get Involved Content: #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply) Dave Bedingham playing club cricket in Nottinghamshire six years ago taking the first catch at Lord's in World Test Final. Great persistence. Bryn, Angel Update: Date: 10 overs Title: Aus 26-2 Content: Marnus Labuschagne tastes early success against Lungi Ngidi, easing a solid drive through the covers for four. So far, so good for the opener who moves onto 14. Update: Date: 11:17 BST Title: Post Content: A change in the bowling attack for South Africa, with Lungi Ngidi replacing Marco Jansen. Update: Date: 11:17 BST Title: Get Involved Content: #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply) Glad to see Broad's coaching in the South African setup in the lead up to this game is working its magic. Aussies all over the shop. Richard, London Update: Date: 9 overs Title: Aus 22-2 Content: Kagiso Rabada has quite the swagger as he walks back to the top of his run-up. He looks the least-hurried man in the world. However, it's Steve Smith who gets the last laugh, punching the ball square to finish the over with a four. It just beats Tristan Stubbs to the rope.
BBC News
42 minutes ago
- BBC News
Exeter back Wyatt suffers fresh knee injury blow
Highly-rated Exeter back Tommy Wyatt will not play until 2026 after suffering a serious knee 25-year-old ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the final game of the season at home to had only returned from a similar injury in his other knee in November which saw him miss much of versatile back - who can play on the wing or at full-back - scored 10 tries in 19 appearances in all competitions this will undergo surgery in the near future and Exeter expect him to be out for between six and nine months."Everyone is gutted for Tommy," director of rugby Rob Baxter told the club website., external"He worked extremely hard to come back from last season's injury and was beginning to really break through again in our most recent games."From what we've been told from our medical contacts, this is an injury that Tommy was more structurally predisposed to suffering, having already injured his other ACL."The only slight positive we can take from this situation is that once he completes this latest period of rehabilitation, Tommy will be even stronger."We know he'll work extremely hard to get back fit. Everyone is helping to ensure he remains in good spirits, and we'll all do what we can to try to get him moving forward in his recovery as soon as possible."
