Stokes' long bowling spells v India a great sign for England, says Root
The England captain bowled 44 overs at Lord's, the most of any bowler in the match, and took five wickets to guide the hosts to a 22-run victory and 2-1 lead in the five-match series. He contributed 44 and 33 runs and was named player of the match.
The 34-year-old underwent a successful operation on a torn hamstring in December before undergoing a physical fitness programme during which he lost 10 kg.
"He's just desperate to be the man and make things happen," former skipper Root told BBC Sport.
"Incredible effort to be able to do that. I was just panicking that he wasn't going to make it through the game after a couple of bad injuries but he clearly trusts his body now.
"It's a great sign for us moving forward. I mean it really is isn't it, because that's back to his best."
The fourth test begins on July 23 at Old Trafford.
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Daily Mail
26 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
JANE FRYER on the Lionesses' victory: With a hop and a skip and a naughty smirk, Chloe Kelly steps up to save the day!
The moment that we will always remember, the one that will go down in history, that we will tell our grandchildren, is surely when Arsenal's Chloe Kelly steps up to take her penalty at the final of the 2025 Euros. Because, just six months after she nearly gave up football altogether because she was in a 'dark place', she is the one who can win us the trophy. If she scores. If she scores... I don't even dare type it. 'Come on Chloe! COME ON! YOU CAN DO IT!' And bloody hell. With a hop, skip and a sassy smirk at the terrified goalie, she smashes it into the corner – and we've won. WE'VE WON! Suddenly Prince William and Princess Charlotte are going berserk in the stands, pints are flying across bars all around the country, fans are dancing and singing in the streets. Hearts are in mouths and voices are hoarse. Then the trophy is presented and Prince William is hugging Chloe Kelly like his life depends on it and ten-year-old Charlotte sends her first congratulatory post on X. Because our amazing Lionesses have fought and battled and roared – and done it all with the most extraordinary team spirit – and only gone and won the bloody Euros. On penalties! And let's be honest. We weren't always sure it would happen as the tournament went on. But after some pretty scrappy football at times, a lot of chat about substitutions and far too much 11th-hour drama, England's footballers clawed their way to another major international football final. Ring any bells? At the start of the match, some of us wondered if we could even weather the disappointment of losing. Shouldn't we just switch off now and save ourselves the heartbreak? Of course not! Because, this time, it was the women playing. Our roaring Lionesses, a rare breed in England because they actually win things. They won this very trophy, against Germany, three years ago and taught a generation of young players that football can be less about expensive cars and brash flashiness, and more about team spirit, togetherness and digging deeper than you ever thought possible. So we tried to skim over the fact that Spain's brilliant La Roja beat them in the 2023 World Cup. And that Spain are the super-hot favourites. And that too many of the old guard, Fran Kirby, Millie Bright and Mary Earps, the greatest goalie ever, had moved on. And, oh no, that their super-calm Dutch coach, Sarina Wiegman, was, once again, keeping back her 'super subs' – Chloe Kelly and Michelle 'Aggie' Agyemang – from the starting line-up. Instead, we said to ourselves, let's get behind them. Because the whistle's gone – and they're off! Or at least England are – Spain don't get their first touch of the ball for 90 seconds. Leah Williamson's team are on fire and, three minutes in, we all nearly spill our drinks as Alessia Russo has her first shot on goal. Fifteen minutes in, Spain finally wake from their siesta and Lauren Hemp's shot is thwarted by brilliant goalkeeping. By the 20-minute mark, suddenly we realise that we're not watching through our fingers. We're wondering if England could actually do it – keep their nerve, battle on and win. And so, for a good four minutes, we stupidly imagine retaining the trophy. The open-top bus parade. The trip to the Palace. Damehoods and gongs galore for the team. A national holiday in celebration. Until, suddenly, Arsenal's Mariona Caldentey spots a window, slams one home for Spain and the whole Spanish team crank up a notch. Oh yes, and Lauren James's ankle plays up and off she comes. This is exactly when, with our men's team, we might be tempted to give up and start thinking about the rugby or cricket. But then on to the pitch bounces Chloe 'Clutch' Kelly with a hop and a skip, her ponytail flying. And, as we head to half-time, suddenly anything feels possible again. Because this team is used to coming back from the brink. They've been here before. Unlike us viewers, they're not remotely phased. They're channelling what they call Proper England. This new Lioness mindset is less about our national obsession with 'bringing football home' and more about a team that 'supports each other', works hard and wears their patriotism with ease. Or as midfielder Ella Toone puts it: 'Just a feeling of pride, every single time I pull on that shirt ... a sense of freedom and belief. You want to fight for each other and for the fans.' But enough of all that. Because in the 57th minute, we're back in it. Thanks to a brilliant header by Russo – set up by Kelly the Clutch – we're 1 – 1. In all the excitement, somehow both Russo and Lucy Bronze pick up yellow cards. The rest of the team perks up as if they've had electric shock treatment and, on the touchline, crisp and calm in a blue M&S shirt and sensible trouser suit, Wiegman allows herself a small, controlled power fist. For the rest of us, the hope returns like a tsunami. Particularly when, with 20 minutes to go until full-time, 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang powers on from the subs bench – fresh as a daisy after her usual warm-up of two hours' piano practice and a bit of rousing gospel music in her hotel room – and the fans go wild. Because we love everything about 'Aggie', aka 'Saviour of the Nation'. That she's sweet as sugar and does Lego in her spare time when she's off the pitch, but is a marauding warrior when she's on it. That her speciality is scoring last-minute goals that save us from the jaws of defeat. And that she has a magic quality that makes us believe that, this time, we might actually win. But not just yet. This is England, after all, so it was never going to be easy. And so, naturally, we battle on to extra time. On and on. The Proper English way. And from there, in the usual agony of hope and despair, to penalties. Which start with a disallowed goal from Beth Mead, who slipped as she took it and double-kicked it, poor thing. And continue in the usual rollercoaster of pain, suspense and mad crazed cheering as Spain's first goal smashes in. Then Alex Greenwood scores for England. And, oh my Lord, goalie Hannah Hampton saves the next volley from Spain. Then Niamh Charles scores. And Hannah saves again. And... don't speak. Don't even breathe. (Though over on the touchline Wiegman is no longer calm or collected and is jumping about and punching the air and yelling.) Then Leah Williamson's is saved. And Spain miss. Until, finally, we're back where we started and up steps Chloe Kelly to save the day. And most of us will watch that moment over and over again. And cry every time.
The Guardian
39 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Defeated but proud: Madrileños brave the heat to roar on La Roja
Despite the air-fryer temperature outside and the imminent, annual August exodus, the people of Madrid weren't going to miss out on another opportunity to watch their national football team prove its mettle against the country that had given the world the beautiful game. After all, recent international fixtures had not gone all that badly for them. By 5.45pm on Sunday, the Parque de Berlín, which lies 1 mile east of the Bernabéu stadium, was filling up with people who were braving the 35C (95F) heat to stand in front of a large and heavily sponsored screen. Some drank beer, others picnicked or fanned themselves, and some queued for free T-shirts. An admirably patriotic Spanish mastiff had also turned out, a rojigualda flag proudly knotted around its thick and magnificent neck. Close by stood municipal health workers and police officers who had probably endured more strenuous assignments. All, however, were inclined to agree with the excitable MC who bellowed that they were about to witness something very, very special as the countdown to the women's Euro final began. 'We have to look at this as something amazing,' he hollered over the PA system, which was loud even by Spanish standards. 'This is a triumph for the women's team. They're going to make history! They're going to do it again!' The Spanish capital and its public spaces are not without practice when it comes to massive spectator events, especially when the sport in question is football and the opponents are England. A little over a year ago, thousands of spectators had packed the Plaza de Colón in central Madrid to watch La Roja beat England 2-1 to clinch a fourth men's Euro title. And, almost a year before that, the red-and-yellow hordes had descended on the WiZink Center venue to experience the giddy high of Spain winning the Women's World Cup 1-0. That day, once again, England were the runners-up. As the match began, those who had come to the park to watch the final reflected on what the game meant – and offered final-score predictions. Joaquina, a 60-year-old civil servant from Madrid, sat on a bench with her friend María and shared her immoveable certainty. 'We're going to win – there's no doubt about that,' she said. 'We're the best.' Her prediction was equally unwavering: 'We're going to win it 2-0.' María was just as convinced. 'Today is a very important day,' she said. 'And we're going to win it.' Although the crowd was mixed-age – from babies and toddlers to grandparents – it was noticeably more female than usual. As far as Elena, a 49-year-old teacher, was concerned, that was hardly surprising. 'Today is a really important day because they've worked really hard to get here,' she said, waiting alongside her daughters for the game to begin. 'Spain always comes to a standstill when the men's team play and do well – which is great. But we need to see the same thing when the women play.' The team, she said, had overcome adversity on so many fronts – not just on the pitch but also against their own federation. 'They've fought so much and they're role models for young Spanish women and girls.' Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion Her daughter Inés nodded her agreement: 'It's really special and I'm so happy for them.' Apart from being happy, how confident was she? 'Oh, they'll win 3-0.' Proof of the growing appeal of the women's game was evident in the number of young men who had also decided to watch the match alfresco. The cheer that greeted Mariona Caldentey's goal in the 25th minute of the match was full-throated and equally male and female. 'Women's football is really growing here and it's great to see so many people here have brought their kids,' said a Mexican man who is married to a Spaniard. 'We've just had a baby girl so it's important to be here and to know that she can have a future in football if she decides that's what she wants to do.' Also in the crowd was a five-year-old girl named Leire, who was sitting on the sand next to her mother, Aymara. 'We came down here because she's really excited by women's football,' said Aymara. 'In fact, she's so into the women's game that she complains if we watch the men's game at home.' Leire's generation, she added, had seen Spain's women win the World Cup and simply couldn't understand why their game wasn't as celebrated as the men's. The young Barcelona supporter also felt confident of a Spanish triumph. 'We're going to win 3,000-0,' Leire predicted. But it was not to be. After full-time, extra time and a heart-stopping penalty shootout, England triumphed over a superior Spain. As the sun began to go down over the park, the crowds drifted away, hot, tired and disappointed, but not dejected. Spain's women had done their country proud. Again.
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Tadej Pogacar reigns in Paris after winning Tour de France for fourth time
Tadej Pogacar ignited an explosive final stage of the Tour de France in Paris, from Mantes-la-Ville to the Champs Élysées, while sealing his fourth overall victory in the race since 2020. Despite a downpour on the treacherous cobbles of Montmartre, Pogacar put in a daredevil performance, attacking on each of the three climbs to the Sacré Coeur, only to be finally distanced by the stage winner Wout van Aert, of the Visma Lease a Bike team. Pogacar had effectively confirmed his fourth Tour de France win during the final stage, after the cobbled climbs and descents over the Côte de la Butte Montmartre were neutralised because of the wet conditions, ensuring there would be no more changes to the overall standings. With the Tour won, there was no incentive for the Slovene to attack, but a prestigious stage victory was still at stake and on the first climb of Montmartre he and Van Aert led a group in pursuit of Julian Alaphilippe, who had made the first move on the steep cobbles of Rue Lepic. Despite the torrential rain, Pogacar and five others moved clear. Another devastating acceleration on the final climb of Rue Lepic blew the lead group apart, but Van Aert clung on and his explosive power eventually took him past the Slovene and ahead to victory. Pogacar, whose previous wins came in 2020, 2021 and 2024, comfortably beat his closest rival, Jonas Vingegaard, by almost four and half minutes, in what both riders acknowledged was the hardest edition of the race they have competed in. Germany's Florian Lipowitz, in his Tour debut, finished third, while Scotland's Oscar Onley, riding only his second, placed fourth overall. Stage wins in Rouen, Mûr-de-Bretagne, Hautacam and Peyragudes, further confirmed Pogacar as the most accomplished rider of his generation. He also won the 2024 Giro d'Italia, the 2024 World Road Race championship, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Strade Bianche, the Tour of Flanders and multiple other stage races including Paris-Nice, Critérium du Dauphiné and the Tour of Catalunya. In his wake, the hapless Vingegaard has every reason to feel hard done by, although his pledge to risk all in pursuit of the yellow jersey, even if it meant losing second place, never truly materialised, save for on Mont Ventoux. It is the Dane's misfortune that he is racing in the era of Pogacar. He would almost certainly have added to his tally of two Tour wins if the Slovene was not his contemporary. At the same time, his Visma Lease a Bike team never had the measure of the task facing them and internal politics, cited by his wife Trine Vingegaard Hansen even before the race began, have also played their part. 'It can't be good for Jonas if you also focus on stage wins for others,' Hansen said. 'You can only have respect for how Pogacar does it. When he's at the start of a race, there's no doubt about who the leader is.' The uncertainty over Visma Lease a Bike's commitment to the cause became increasingly obvious as the race went on. As a contest, it was definitively over after the stage to Mont Ventoux, when Vingegaard's most determined attacks went unrewarded. After consecutive defeats in the Tour by Pogacar, the Dane's long‑term future with the Visma Lease a Bike team is now the subject of growing speculation. Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion Elsewhere, Ineos Grenadiers continue to look a spent force in terms of contending for the yellow jersey, but other Anglophone talents have come to the fore, with Onley and Ireland's Ben Healy, who placed ninth, both having excellent Tours. Onley's wholly unexpected performance, in a particularly gruelling Tour in which his own team manager, Matt Winston, had expected him to fall away, was one of the highlights of the race. Healy's stage win in Vire and his brief spell in the yellow jersey, allied to his top-10 finish, have reinforced his status as a team leader and fuelled his ambitions for future Grand Tours. But this was Pogacar's Tour, a race in which he never looked threatened and in which he maintained physical and psychological mastery of the peloton throughout. He has now won 21 stages in the Tour since winning the race overall on his debut in 2020. Christian Prudhomme, director of the Tour, when asked on Sunday if Pogacar's domination was credible, said: 'Cycling has to live with the doubts, with suspicion, given the history of the sport.' He added: 'Pogacar was third in the Vuelta a España at just 20 years old and, when he won in 2020, he was the youngest winner of the Tour since 1904. He's a champion who wins from February to October, a champion who can win the Classics, challenge Mathieu Van der Poel in Paris‑Roubaix and dominate in the Pyrenean stages of the Tour, against Jonas Vingegaard. 'Yes, we hoped for more of a duel, but it wasn't to be.'
