Opening match of The Hundred sets UK TV record for women’s cricket July 22, 2021 The opening match of The Hundred, English cricket’s new competition, attracted a record UK television audience for a women’s match. A peak audience of 1.95m watched as the Oval Invincibles beat the Manchester Originals in a closely-fought curtain-raiser to the tournament. The figures marked an encouraging start for a competition that has divided opinion since [...]
England captain Eoin Morgan hails strength in depth after dramatic T20 series win against Pakistan July 21, 2021 Captain Eoin Morgan has praised England’s strength in depth after his side’s T20 series win against Pakistan on Tuesday. England beat Pakistan by three wickets on an exhilarating night at Old Trafford to secure a 2-1 series win. Jason Roy proved the highlight with an excellent 64 in pursuit of Pakistan’s 154-6. Needing 61 from [...]
The Hundred: MD Sanjay Patel on profits, participation, gender equality and winning over sceptics with English cricket’s new competition July 17, 2021 Sanjay Patel, managing director of The Hundred, could be forgiven a few sleepless nights as Wednesday 21 July approaches. That is when the Oval Invincibles are due to host the Manchester Originals in a women’s match that raises the curtain on the controversial new competition designed to breathe new life into domestic cricket. Patel has [...]
Exclusive: English cricket chiefs rethink plans to relax Covid rules during The Hundred after one-day squad debacle highlights surge in risk July 7, 2021 English cricket chiefs have shelved plans to relax Covid-19 protocols around The Hundred, its new domestic competition, amid rising cases. The challenges facing sport were highlighted this week when England’s entire one-day squad was forced into isolation following an outbreak on the eve of their series with Pakistan. That came after the strict Covid rules [...]
Skittled: England to pick new ODI cricket squad after host of Covid positives July 6, 2021 England will be forced to name an entirely new 50-over side for their series with Pakistan after three players and four staff members tested positive for Covid-19. The squad will be captained by Ben Stokes, who was intended to be rested, and will be named later today. Read more: Boris Johnson says ECB should not [...]
Sport sees steep fall in gambling sponsorship as government considers ban and demand grows for social responsibility, says new study July 3, 2021 Gambling sponsorship in sport has fallen sharply ahead of a possible ban, a new report has found. The number of betting companies sponsoring sports teams in England has almost halved since 2019, according to the study by consultancy Caytoo. Gambling’s share of the market has dropped from 15.3 per cent to 8.1 per cent and [...]
Liverpool shareholders RedBird Capital set to buy stake in Indian Premier League franchise Rajasthan Royals June 24, 2021 RedBird Capital Partners, a shareholder in Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group, is buying a stake in Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket franchise Rajasthan Royals, according to reports. New York-based RedBird is buying 15 per cent of the Royals in a deal that values the team at $250m, says the FT. The transaction continues the trends [...]
Week in Sportbiz: Ukraine told to change Russia-baiting Euro 2020 kit; Germany muscles in on London NFL patch; beIN and Channel 4 bag rights deals June 10, 2021 Euro 2020 may not have started yet but it has already kicked off between Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine tweaked the nose of Russia earlier this week when it revealed a Moscow-baiting new football kit, to be worn at Euro 2020. The yellow shirt features a map of Ukraine that includes Crimea, which Russia annexed in [...]
Chris Tremlett: England should ditch negativity and return to more positive approach in second Test with New Zealand June 9, 2021 England were accused of passing up the chance to win the first Test of an important summer against New Zealand last weekend. And I can understand why. New Zealand made a brave declaration, and England’s target of 273 from 75 overs on a good wicket looked achievable. I was surprised that England didn’t chase hard [...]
Report: Festivals risk losing another summer unless government support kicks in May 29, 2021 Music festivals are looking at another ‘lost summer’, a report has said today, due to the lack of government plans to back insurance for events at risk of cancellation due to Covid-19. The report, by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) committee, calls on ministers to offer a safety net for live [...]