I Dig Sports
LOS ANGELES, California -- Harry Maguire has admitted that speculation around Erik ten Hag's future affected Manchester United's performances last season.
United finished eighth in the Premier League before ending a miserable campaign on a high by beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
A second trophy in as many years was enough to keep Ten Hag in a job, but Maguire says talk that the Dutchman could be sacked had an impact on the players throughout the season.
"It was tough," Maguire said in an interview in Los Angeles at the start of United's U.S. tour.
"It probably did damage our performances and results throughout the season maybe a little bit. Especially when it happened around that Christmas period when we really did fall off. But credit to the manager, the way that he handled it."
A report in the build-up to the cup final suggested Ten Hag would be sacked regardless of the result against City.
United defied the odds to win 2-1, but despite the success Maguire says there was a subdued atmosphere at the post-match party in London while speculation continued to swirl around the manager's position.
"It was so strange," Maguire said. "No one really knew what was going on. No one had assurance.
"If you asked the players, they'll probably just say they didn't really know because no one really had a clue. It was really impressive with the way that he handled that week with a victory against probably the best team in Europe at the moment."
Sources have told ESPN that United spoke to a number of other managerial candidates including Thomas Tuchel and Roberto De Zerbi before deciding to stick with Ten Hag.
The club have since extended his contract by a year and Maguire believes it's the right decision.
"He has shown we can beat the top teams and we have won two trophies in two years," the defender said.
"The first season was really good, last season wasn't. Last season was tough for Erik as well. There was so much uncertainty and the amount of injuries was freakish really and I am pretty confident that won't happen this season. "We have faith in the management team and the additions he has made are really good as well."
Maguire is fit again after missing the cup final and the European Championship with a calf injury.
The 31-year-old said missing the Wembley showpiece and the Euros was the "toughest moment of his career" but after doing extra sessions with a United coach while on holiday in Portugal he's ready to make his return against Arsenal in a friendly held at SoFi Stadium on Saturday.
He's been linked with a move away from Old Trafford this summer, but he says he wants to stay.
"Until I get told you're up for sale or we want you to leave I want to play for this club and make it successful again," he said.
"All the things I'm hearing and seeing from everyone involved is I'll be part of this club for the future."
Bangladesh chose to bat vs India
The other change in the pace department was more straightforward. Pooja Vastrakar, who was rested for India's final group fixture against Nepal, returned in place of Arundhati Reddy. The make-up of India's spin attack was unchanged with Tanuja Kanwar, the left-arm spinner, retaining her spot. Kanwar was named as a replacement for the injured Shreyanka Patil after the tournament opener against Pakistan.
Harmanpreet also returned after a rest, having missed India's previous group game. She replaced S Sajana.
India: 1 Smriti Mandhana, 2 Shafali Verma, Uma Chetry, 4 Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), 5 Jemimah Rodrigues, 6 Richa Ghosh (wk), 7 Deepti Sharma, 8 Pooja Vastrakar, 9 Radha Yadav, 10 Tanuja Kanwar, 11 Renuka Singh
Bangladesh: 1 Dilara Akter, 2 Murshida Khatun, 3 Nigar Sultana (capt, wk), 4 Rumana Ahmed, 5 Ishma Tanjim, 6 Ritu Moni, 7 Rabeya Khatun, 8 Shorna Akter, 9 Nahida Akter, 10 Jahanara Alam, 11 Marufa Akter
Jonny Bairstow admits long winter 'took its toll' but hasn't given up on England
Bairstow reiterated his desire to continue playing for England, but conceded that playing all three international formats and the IPL last winter had forced him to make "sacrifices". He said that he had enjoyed taking "a much-needed break" since returning home from the T20 World Cup, before the start of the Hundred.
"I had the best part of seven months away from home since January. I had five nights at home in my own bed until three weeks ago," Bairstow said. "That's the scheduling of the game. That's being lucky enough to be a part of all three formats and that's the thing you have to sacrifice, time at home.
"At the same time, when you are away for that period of time, it takes its toll those are the sacrifices that you make, so to have a bit of home time and to have a special little period was pretty awesome."
But Bairstow made clear he wants to force his way back in. Asked by Michael Vaughan if he wants to return to the Test team, Bairstow replied: "Well, you don't need to ask me that, do you? I think you know me well enough, and you've known me for long enough to know that all I want to do is play for England, and that's end of."
He also was asked if he felt he had a point to prove heading into the Hundred, having belted 18 off 10 balls on Thursday night, but played it down. "Not really," Bairstow said. "I've been around long enough. It's a case of just playing some cricket, scoring some runs and winning the game."
Toss West Indies chose to bat vs England
Kraigg Brathwaite called correctly for the second game running and this time opted to have first use of the pitch, with the expectation that Edgbaston would be good for batting on a warm, sunny day in the Midlands.
Brathwaite said the "pitch looks a good one" and said he side would have to "believe and work hard" against an England attack that has dismissed them for under 150 in three innings out of four so far.
Shamar Joseph was passed fit to play after feeling unwell during the build-up, with the return of Gudakesh Motie for Kevin Sinclair - who suffered a fractured arm in the Nottingham Test - the only change to the side that competed on level terms with England for the best part of four days before falling to a heavy defeat to concede the series.
Ben Stokes admitted he, too, would have batted first. "You come to Edgbaston and the wicket always looks an absolute belter but not winning the toss and having to bowl first gives us an opportunity to go out and continue the good work we've had with the ball," he said.
England had named an unchanged side a day out from the start, with a three-week break coming up before the Test team returns to duty against Sri Lanka.
England: 1 Zak Crawley, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Ollie Pope, 4 Joe Root, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Ben Stokes (capt), 7 Jamie Smith (wk), 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Gus Atkinson, 10 Mark Wood, 11 Shoaib Bashir
West Indies: 1 Kraigg Brathwaite (capt), 2 Mikyle Louis, 3 Kirk McKenzie, 4 Alick Athanaze, 5 Kavem Hodge, 6 Jason Holder, 7 Joshua da Silva (wk), 8 Gudakesh Motie, 9 Alzarri Joseph, 10 Shamar Joseph, 11 Jayden Seales
SA20 2025: Williamson and Woakes join Durban's Super Giants
Snoop Dogg has been a hit musician, reality TV star and even Olympics broadcaster. On Friday, he added Paris 2024 torch bearer to that list.
The 52-year-old carried the Olympic flame in an area next to the Stade de France stadium in the northern Parisian suburb of Saint-Denis.
His part of the relay -- the penultimate leg before Friday night's opening ceremony -- went off without a hitch. The same can't be said for France's railway network on Friday morning, which has been hit with major disruption ahead of the opening ceremony.
Vandals targeted France's high-speed TGV network with a series of coordinated actions.
The state-owned railway operator said arsonists had targeted installations along the lines connecting Paris with cities such as Lille in the north, Bordeaux in the west and Strasbourg in the east.
Gait and Motion Clinics: supporting athletes on the road to Paris
Ben Pattison, Phil Sesemann, Rose Harvey and Charlotte Purdue are among the British Olympians who Footscan analysis and Phits orthotics
As Team GB athletes gear up for the Olympics, many of them have been working with Gait and Motion Clinics in taking active measures to optimise their performance and reduce the risk of injury.
With over 400 specialist practices nationwide, Gait and Motion Clinics assist people in all walks of life to keep moving pain-free by optimising foot function and alleviating a wide range of foot and lower limb complaints such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis and shin splints via a unique, data-driven approach.
The Science of Movement: Footscan Analysis
Footscan analysis accurately maps the pressure distribution beneath your feet during movement. The technology provides a detailed insight into how your foot interacts with the ground; identifying any asymmetries or abnormalities that could lead to injury or affect performance.
Trusted by state-of-the-art movement labs and elite sports teams worldwide, Footscan is the first and only gait analysis system to become Professionally Approved by the Royal College of Podiatry, meeting the highest clinical standards.
Foot Health Product of the Year 2024: Phits 3D Printed Orthotics
Following a Footscan assessment with an expert clinician, your dynamic data can be intuitively translated to design the perfect pair of bespoke, Phits orthotics. These award-winning devices are designed to enhance the bodys natural movement, providing support and correction where required.
Phits are created from a lightweight yet durable material that can withstand the demands of high-intensity training and competition. Accurate to the nearest 0.1mm, the precision of 3D printing ensures maximal comfort and efficiency. Leading the way in sustainable practice, Gait and Motion Clinics have also planted over 6000 trees this year via the GMTree Project; one for every pair of Phits prescribed.
Team GB athlete spotlight
One of the latest athletes to work with Gait and Motion Clinics is Ben Pattison, Commonwealth and world 800m bronze medallist. Following a visit to his local clinic back in March, Ben recently became British 800m champion, securing his place on the Olympic team. He then became the second-fastest UK athlete in history over the distance.
Its a process that half of the GB marathon squad have also experienced Olympic debutants Phil Sesemann, Rose Harvey and Charlotte Purdue visited their respective clinics in Leeds, London and Surrey.
Purdue, whos been working with Gait and Motion Clinics since 2020 said: The main reason I wear Phits is injury prevention. Theres not a day that I dont run in them.
For more information, or to find your nearest Gait and Motion Clinic for a Footscan analysis, scan the QR code or visit gaitandmotionclinics.co.uk
England dominate SIAB Schools International in Wales
Annual clash of nations unfolded in Carmarthen on July 20 with English athletes winning the team contest
England scored 471.50 points overall to beat Ireland (321.50), hosts Wales (287.50) and Scotland (268.50) in wet conditions in West Wales.
U17 men: 100 (-1.2): 1 M Evans (Maldwyn) 10.85; 2 B Otiora (BFTTA) 11.04; 3 S ODonnell (PNV) 11.13; 4 R Veikune (Loughview AC) 11.15; 5 D Amah (IRL) 11.20. 200 (0.6): 1 M Evans (Maldwyn) 21.43; 2 S Appiah (Bas) 21.54; 3 L Francis (WSEH) 21.97; 4 J Awujoola (Orangegrove) 22.24. 400: 1 R Whittaker (York) 48.86; 2 T Okoro (WSEH) 48.95; 3 R Taylor-Young (Giff N) 49.21; 4 K Zmslony (Newry) 50.20; 5 J Farrell (Card) 50.30; 6 J Delaney (IRL) 50.67; 7 R Carroll (Neath) 50.81. 800: 1 J Mungin (Kilb) 1:51.37; 2 R Mirfin (Sky) 1:52.15; 3 A Street (Kilb) 1:53.19; 4 T Loynes (Neath) 1:53.57; 5 C McAndrew (York) 1:54.29; 6 M Moore (NI Schs) 1:55.99; 7 D Downey (IRL) 1:57.64; 8 L Salvage (Newp) 1:58.52.
Joshua Mungin (Gary Mitchell)
1500: 1 J Hurrell (Chelm) 3:53.20; 2 M Clark (Prest) 3:55.60; 2 A Wilkinson (E Kilb) 3:55.60; 4 L Culliton (Falk) 3:59.26; 5 L Morris (IRL) 4:00.78. 3000: 1 M Clark (Norw) 8:32.08; 2 T Webb (Yeov O) 8:32.61; 3 J Alexander (Gars) 8:36.35; 4 H McKenzie (Ennis) 8:43.68; 5 K Hardie (Harm) 8:49.57; 6 L Murray (IRL) 8:52.62; 7 M Jenkins (Menai) 8:54.10. 100H (0.4): 1 L Shaw (Warr) 12.94; 2 L Phillips (Card Arch) 13.02; 3 T Azodoh (Bexley) 13.56; 4 D ONeill (IRL) 13.61; 5 C McCracken (N Down) 13.63; 6 A Thomson (Pit) 13.83; 7 D Knox (Spring) 13.88. 400H: 1 D ONeill (IRL) 54.25; 2 J Keating (IRL) 54.92; 3 M Leon (E&E) 55.54; 4 Z Cumberland (York) 55.56; 5 H Williams (Menai) 56.59; 6 J Clark (VPCG) 58.41; 7 A Thomson (Pit) 58.52. 3000W: 1 J Glennon (IRL) 13:52.98; 2 E Walshe (IRL) 14:14.72; 3 F Higginson (Bend) 15:31.95. 4100: 1 Wales 42.03, 2 England 42.35, 3 Ireland 42.50, 4 Scotland 42.82.
Wales win the boys 4x100m (Gary Mitchell)
HJ: 1 T Blake (Notts) 1.99; 2 C McFadden (B&A) 1.94; 3 F Powell (Bir) 1.89; 4 M Taylor (Iness, U15) 1.84. PV: 1 O Naughton (IRL) 4.03; 2 F Williams-Stein (Leam) 3.93; 3 N Mobbs (N Ayr) 3.83; 4 B Busari (Craw) 3.83; 5 J Mellor (Card Arch) 3.83. LJ: 1 L Phillips (Card Arch) 7.12; 2 D Emegbor (Harrow) 6.69; 3 J Hooper (Shett) 6.46; 4 L Macleod (Banc) 6.46; 6 K Islam (Card, U15) 6.24. TJ: 1 M Berkoh-Gyamfi (Bas) 13.99/-0.2; 2 W Langridge (Wborne) 13.79/0.0; 3 S Mitchell-Fofana (Card Arch) 13.59/0.0; 4 A Angilletta (Dees, U15) 12.96/0.1. SP: 1 L Capes (PNV) 18.53; 2 T Hanlon (IRL) 18.37; 3 K Keane (IRL) 16.00; 4 H Beard (Shef/Dearn) 15.84; 5 R Mitchell (Kilk) 14.00; 6 J McKinlay (Edin) 13.67. DT: 1 M Stumpenhusen (R&N) 46.98; 2 G Mutandwa (Dac) 45.67; 3 J McKinlay (Edin) 43.57; 4 J Devanny (Pit) 42.70; 5 T Mchugh (IRL) 41.86; 6 D Corcoran (IRL) 40.20.
Joshua Reibbitt (Gary Mitchell)
HT: 1 J Reibbitt (Carl) 60.21; 2 B Gleeson (IRL) 55.41; 3 S Das (Read) 51.97; 4 E Thompson (IRL) 45.72; 5 R Mitchell (Kilk) 43.81; 6 G Brown (Dees) 43.53; 7 D Wilson (Adeen) 43.37. JT: 1 H Watson (Yate) 58.77; 2 C Mason (Chelt) 56.81; 3 A Adair (NI Schs) 54.86; 4 I Bromwich (Dees) 52.65
U17 women: 100 (-0.6): 1 A Afolabi (Card Arch, U15) 12.00; 2 I Walkey (Yate) 12.04; 3 O Showemimo (M&M) 12.09; 4 A Cielecka (IRL) 12.17; 5 E Clark (Wmoss) 12.24. ns (-2.4): 1 S Thomas (Dunf) 12.39; 2 K Aremu (Living) 12.49. 200 (0.1): 1 A Afolabi (Card Arch, U15) 24.43; 2 E Cadman (Camb H) 24.57; 3 E Clark (Wmoss) 24.58; 4 V Ndambakuwa (Barns) 24.59. 300: 1 D Coslett (Lnelli) 38.49; 2 E Bibby (Warr) 39.34; 3 P Armah (Read) 39.53; 4 A Mclean (Shett) 40.33; 5 B Dwyer Carty (IRL) 40.66; 6 S Mulcahy (IRL) 40.85.
Girls 800m (Gary Mitchell)
800: 1 M Grant (Linc W) 2:09.13; 2 F Mannion (IRL) 2:10.41; 3 F Bateman (Carm) 2:10.48; 4 N Wynn (WG&EL) 2:12.26; 5 S Wilson (Giff N) 2:13.49; 6 E McArthur (Ork) 2:14.84; 7 A Brady (Newp) 2:14.97. 1500: 1 L Hale (Swan) 4:17.46; 2 O Steer (Exe) 4:23.53; 3 F East (Ports) 4:28.60; 4 E Cooney (IRL) 4:30.23; 5 E Dallas (Strathe) 4:30.29; 6 B Boyce (Card, U15) 4:31.10; 7 L Ryan (IRL) 4:37.76.
Libby Hale leads Olivia Steer (Gary Mitchell)
3000: 1 E Whitworth (Linc W) 9:38.08; 2 L Wilkinson (WSEH) 9:39.29; 3 A Doherty (Dees) 9:59.80; 4 C McGougan (Falk) 10:02.48; 5 A Diver (Beech) 10:18.32; 6 E Morris (Willow) 10:22.37; 7 M Hughes (Maldwyn) 10:24.39; 8 A Stewart (Storn) 10:27.89. 80H (-0.4): 1 H Whittaker (Adeen) 11.18; 2 M Grant (Card Arch) 11.30; 3 L Gayle (Camb H) 11.47; 4 S Cargill (Newp) 11.63; 5 A Farrell (IRL) 11.77; 6 G McCollin (R&N) 11.80; 7 L Hounkponou (IRL) 11.91; 8 J Cox (Shrews) 11.96. 300H: 1 L Bertacchini (Win) 43.04; 2 L Kilduff (IRL) 43.36; 3 M Mills (Sale) 43.65; 4 G Malley (Wmoss) 44.00; 5 E Mchugh (IRL) 44.47; 6 N Dailly (N Ayr) 46.24.
Lucia Bertacchini (Gary Mitchell)
1500SC: 1 M Gold (Swan) 4:58.50; 2 S Maher (B&B, U20) 5:00.15; 3 L Quinn (AFD) 5:05.39; 4 D Allen (IRL) 5:06.68; 5 M Pierce (Swan) 5:11.62; 6 G Griffiths (C&S) 5:16.73; 7 K Woods (Shett) 5:23.32. 3000W: 1 R Óg Murphy (IRL) 14:51.85; 2 A Martin (IRL) 15:53.21. 4100: 1 Scottish Schs 46.14; 2 England Schs 46.65; 3 Irish Schools 47.43; 4 Wales Schools 47.65. HJ: 1 C Rose (K&P) 1.80; 2 D Corp (Dac) 1.70. PV: 1 S McCart (Sutt) 3.43; 2 K Morrissey (IRL) 3.43; 2 C Crawford (Spring) 3.43; 4 M Corkery (IRL) 3.13; 5 E Pawson (B&B) 3.13; 6 L Roberts (Lnelli) 3.13; 7 A Lane (Card Arch) 2.83; 8 P Beaton (Banc) 2.68. LJ: 1 O Schrimshaw (Dees) 5.96/0.0; 2 T Mason (Bed C) 5.83/-0.2; 3 G Osman (Win) 5.71/0.8; 4 T Nwaedozie (IRL) 5.48/0.0; 5 B Morgan (Carm) 5.47/-0.9; 6 H Whittaker (Adeen) 5.45/0.1; 7 K McMonagle (Finn) 5.42/0.0; 8 L Elliot (Cnauld, U15) 5.22/0.0. TJ: 1 O Schrimshaw (Dees) 12.12/2.1; O Schrimshaw (Dees) 12.01/0.1; 2 Q Ukpai (B&B) 11.98/0.0; 3 P Chinda (IRL) 11.83/0.0; 4 M Brockley (Edin) 11.41/0.3; 5 R Luse (Irish Schools) 10.89/1.4; 6 A Scott (Chelm) 10.88/0.0; 7 M Taylor (Card Arch) 10.80/0.0. SP: 1 I Stamp (S Lon) 15.28; 2 S Shorrock (W Ches) 13.96; 3 M Quick (Swan) 12.38; 4 M OConnell (IRL) 12.24; 5 S Brown (N Ayr) 12.17. DT: 1 G Tcheukam (Croy) 43.66; 2 E Baker (Lon Hth) 37.51; 3 R Walsh (IRL) 35.21; 4 D Evans (Carm) 34.94; 5 A Kennedy (Kilk) 34.05; 6 M Shanahan (IRL) 32.56. HT: 1 A Howie (Worth) 55.98; 2 E Cooper (Neath) 54.39; 3 S Robertson (Cnauld, U15) 52.47; 4 E McIntosh (Hgate) 50.11; 5 A Mitchell (Neath) 49.74; 6 A Kennedy (Kilk) 46.87. JT: 1 H Court (Padd W) 47.82; 2 J Howells (Win) 47.39; 3 J Young (Cnauld) 38.25; 5 S Evans (Carm, U15) 34.76
Afghanistan and New Zealand set to play one-off Test in September
Afghanistan are set to face New Zealand in a one-off Test in September. The match will be played in Greater Noida in India. This will be the first time the two teams face each other in the longest format.
It will also be their first Test at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground, which has previously served as Afghanistan's adopted home ground.
The Test is likely to be from September 9 to 13. That's roughly one month before New Zealand's three-Test tour of India, with the first of those games set to begin on October 16. New Zealand will tour Sri Lanka for a Test series in between - the dates are yet to be announced.
In their two Tests so far in 2024, Afghanistan have lost to Sri Lanka and Ireland. They had also lost their one-off Test in Bangladesh last year, and their last win in the format came in March 2021, when they beat Zimbabwe in the UAE. In all, Afghanistan have a commendable 3-6 win-loss record in their first nine Tests.
Shastri: Gambhir's most important task will be to understand his players
"He's contemporary, he just had a great season in the IPL," Shastri said on Gambhir on the ICC Review. "I think he's the right age where he's young, he'll come with fresh ideas. He knows most of the players, especially in the white-ball format, having been part of teams in the IPL. So I think it's refreshing.
"And we know with Gautam, he's a no-nonsense guy. He'll have his ideas as well. And the good thing for him is he's got a mature team. He's got a settled team, a mature team. I think even though you might think you're mature, you might benefit from some fresh ideas. So I think it'll be interesting times."
Gambhir takes over from Rahul Dravid after India's victorious T20 World Cup campaign, and his first assignment will be the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka that starts with the three T20Is on Saturday in Pallekele.
"Obviously, player management becomes the key as a coach," Shastri said. "So it'll be interesting to see how he goes. I think he's got the tools, he's got the goods for the job and he's got the experience."
Shastri said Gambhir's "most important task" will be to understand his players in terms of the human beings and their "temperaments".
"It's a question of just understanding his players as quickly as possible," Shastri said. "What their strengths are, what kind of human beings they are and what kind of temperaments do they have. What are their personalities. A lot goes behind the scenes to understand a human being.
"I think that will be his most important task, which I think again should not be a problem because he's contemporary. He's seen these guys from the outside, he's dealt with a lot of guys who might have played with KKR as well and for Lucknow [Super Giants] when he was there.
"And he's been around the circuit, the moment he finished cricket and that was not too long ago, he still is around, plays a lot of the legends cricket as well."
In Tests, Gambhir's major assignments will be the five home Tests starting in September (two against Bangladesh and two against New Zealand) followed by five Tests in Australia for the Border Gavaskar Trophy. In white-ball formats, the ICC trophies he will be eyeing are the Champions Trophy in 2025 and the T20 World Cup in 2026.
As Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja won't be around for T20Is anymore, Shastri said India need to get the "right mix" for that format.
"I think a lot of the players that won this T20 World Cup will still be around two years later," he said. "You mentioned the three players who were retired, but barring them, I think most of the others will be still fit to be in that T20 World Cup team two years down the line in India.
"So I don't think there's much to be done there. In fact, you will get a problem on your hands because you'll have to choose from the new lot that's coming and there's some real exciting talent there.
"So I think it's the other way around. It's how do you get those guys in there that they're bursting at the scenes to get it. There's a queue out there and that will be his biggest challenge, but it's a good headache when you have that kind of talent."
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