sports and games

TOP SPIN AT THE TEST: Moeen Ali shows his versatility as a batsman by coming in at No 3

LAWRENCE BOOTH IN MOHALI: England appeared to be losing their battle to stay in with a chance of series success after Ravindra Jadeja and Ravi Ashwin helped India dominate day three.




sports and games

TOP SPIN AT THE TEST: Joe Root keeps up impressive batting record against India despite England's defeat

Haseeb Hameed and Joe Root's admirable resistance proved too little too late as England lost the third Test by eight wickets. Here, Sportsmail's Lawrence Booth takes a look at the talking points.




sports and games

TOP SPIN AT THE TEST: Virat Kohli dismissal stuns crowd as Lokesh Rahul falls short of double century

England were made to toil on day three of the fifth and final Test in Chennai as Lokesh Rahul hit 199. LAWRENCE BOOTH casts his eye over the day's action at the Chidambaram Stadium.




sports and games

TOP SPIN AT THE TEST: England concede highest total for 139 years as Alastair Cook's men struggle

LAWRENCE BOOTH: England conceded their highest total in 983 Tests stretching all the way back to March 1877. India’s 759 for seven beat the 751 for five by West Indies in Antigua in April 2004.




sports and games

Joe Root with captain's knock after top-order collapse 

Joe Root became only the fifth England player to make a hundred in his first innings as Test captain. Root's runs were all the more necessary after another England top-order collapse.




sports and games

TOP SPIN AT THE TEST: England skittled twice in 96.1 overs

England were skittled twice in 96.1 overs – the equivalent of just over a single day’s play. The last time they lost 20 wickets in fewer overs in a home Test was against Australia at Headingley in 2009.




sports and games

TOP SPIN AT THE TEST: Joe Root passes 5,000 Test runs

Joe Root's 52 against South Africa at Old Trafford meant has now scored at least one half-century in each of his last 10 Tests, equalling John Edrich's England record.




sports and games

Joe Root sets new record after 11th consecutive 50

TOP SPIN AT THE TEST: As he did against South Africa last month, Root has begun this series against West Indies with a century. And the clenched fist conveyed a simple truth: it was a hundred he needed.




sports and games

TOP SPIN AT THE TEST: Alastair Cook is King of Edgbaston

LAWRENCE BOOTH AT EDGBASTON: Alastair Cook already possessed the highest Test score at Edgbaston, having ground down India to the tune of 294 in 2011. His 243 here means he is now fifth too.




sports and games

Shai Hope and Kraigg Brathwaite build historic partnership

Sportsmail's LAWRENCE BOOTH rounds up the best of the stats that came out of the action following West Indies stunning comeback victory over England on day five at Headingley.




sports and games

TOP SPIN AT THE TEST: Ben Stokes joins the elite at Lord's

TOP SPIN AT THE TEST: Ben Stokes became the sixth England player to appear on the Lord’s honours boards both for scoring a century and now taking five or more wickets in an innings.




sports and games

Five Ashes 'dead rubbers' that mattered: Lawrence Booth

TOP SPIN SPECIAL: England’s Ashes hopes are long gone, but here Sportsmail looks at five final Ashes Tests which were ‘dead rubbers’ but had ramifications beyond the result of the game.




sports and games

Top Spin at the Test: Stats that shame England in New Zealand

England endured a day of humiliation as they were bowled out for just 58 in the first Test against New Zealand in Auckland. LAWRENCE BOOTH takes a look at some of the facts and figures




sports and games

TOP SPIN AT THE TEST: Sam Curran joins the young lions on Test debut

TOP SPIN AT THE TEST: Following their miserable winter and a nightmare at Lord's, England's Test team finally had something to smile about on day one at Headingley. Sportsmail looks at the numbers...




sports and games

Sam Curran becomes only second player in Test history to be out for his age on his birthday

TOP SPIN AT THE TEST: England’s win here means Pakistan still haven’t won a series in this country since 1996. But this was their third draw out of five in that time, including a thrilling 2-2 in 2016.




sports and games

TOP SPIN SPECIAL: England beat Australia 5-0 for first time ever in any format

LAWRENCE BOOTH AT OLD TRAFFORD: Jos Buttler inspired England to a series whitewash after posting an unbeaten century in the final ODI against Australia on Sunday.




sports and games

TOP SPIN AT THE TEST: India's batting has been a one-man show thanks to Virat Kohli

England's first Test with India is on a knife-edge heading into day four at Edgbaston. Here, Sportsmail's LAWRENCE BOOTH takes a look at the major talking points from the day's play.




sports and games

TOP SPIN AT THE TEST: Ishant Sharma continues to haunt Alastair Cook

England are on the brink of a crushing defeat in the third Test against India at Trent Bridge. Here, Sportsmail's LAWRENCE BOOTH takes a look at the talking points from the play on day four...




sports and games

TOP SPIN AT THE TEST: Foakes continues incredible run for debutants

LAWRENCE BOOTH IN GALLE: England finished day one of the first Test against Sri Lanka on 321 for eight thanks to a brilliant debut innings from Ben Foakes. Here's the best of the action.




sports and games

TOP SPIN AT THE TEST: England's seamers didn't take a single wicket for the first time in 45 years

LAWRENCE BOOTH IN KANDY: England clinched a series victory over Sri Lanka on Sunday morning after taking the final three minutes in little over half an hour.




sports and games

Christian Eriksen will be marked man for Denmark against Republic of Ireland

CRAIG HOPE IN COPENHAGEN: Christian Eriksen will find himself a marked man against Republic of Ireland on Friday night after angering his opponents last year.




sports and games

Michy Batshuayi and Thorgan Hazard hilariously dress in kilts and learn how to play bagpipes

Belgium stars Michy Batshuayi and Thorgan Hazard had a go at playing the bagpipes ahead of their clash with Scotland on Tuesday. The duo also dressed in kilts ahead of their Euro 2020 qualifier.




sports and games

Andy Robertson urges Scotland to be 'streetwise' against Belgium

The Liverpool left-back was in the side which were brushed aside 4-0 by the Red Devils in a friendly at Hampden Park in September last year.




sports and games

Euro 2020 qualifiers round-up: Christian Eriksen inspires Denmark to Georgia thrashing

England and the Czechs are level on six points - although Gareth Southgate's side have played a game less - with Kosovo a point further back after a late 3-2 defeat of Bulgaria in Sofia.




sports and games

Belgium 3-0 Scotland: Lukaku and De Bruyne combine to down Scots

STEPHEN McGOWAN AT THE KING BAUDOUIN STADIUM: As manager of Scotland Steve Clarke can't wave his arms and turn water into wine. Coaching is his thing, not miracles.




sports and games

The key to Eden Hazard's success is... his BOTTOM!

Defenders are used to trailing in Eden Hazard's wake and according to Belgium manager Roberto Martinez the forward's backside plays a major factor in that.




sports and games

Romelu Lukaku apologises to former manager Steve Clarke after scoring Belgium brace

Romelu Lukaku last night apologised to former manager Steve Clarke after putting Scotland to the sword in Brussels. The Manchester United superstar struck twice in a 3-0 win.




sports and games

Fans mock Romelu Lukaku after striker botches chance to score easy tap-in for Belgium 

Romelu Lukaku netted a brace against Scotland on Tuesday night but he came under-fire on social media for failing to score from close range.




sports and games

Belgium remain No 1 team in the world as FIFA release latest rankings

Belgium have increased their lead at the top of the latest FIFA world rankings while Portugal have surged into the top five after winning the Nations League last week. 




sports and games

Romelu Lukaku told he must quit Man Utd by Belgium boss Roberto Martinez

The striker's immediate future at Old Trafford is one of uncertainty with United understood to be open to selling him. Inter Milan have expressed an interest but United want to recoup £75m on him.




sports and games

Newcastle 'aiming to bring in Roberto Martinez' to replace Rafa Benitez

According to The Sun , Magpies owner Mike Ashley is determined to land a manager with experience in the Premier League and Martinez fits that mould.




sports and games

Man United striker and Inter Milan target Romelu Lukaku insists his future will be decided next week

Manchester United held formal discussions with Inter Milan over the 26-year-old Belgium striker in London on Thursday, although it's understood that no formal offer has been made.




sports and games

Football news: Vincent Kompany suffers home defeat in competitive managerial debut at Anderlecht

The 33-year-old made his managerial bow for Anderlecht, but his tenure got off to a rocky start. Kompany was still afforded a rapturous response, although his team were jeered at full time.




sports and games

Lukaku lights up San Siro: Italian press go mad for Antonio Conte's new-look Inter Milan side

Antonio Conte began life as Inter manager in style, romping to a 4-0 win thanks to goals from Marcelo Brozovic, Antonio Candreva and debut strikes from Stefano Sensi and Romelu Lukaku.




sports and games

Man Utd news: Martinez - Lukaku was 'bored' at Manchester United and needed a new challenge

Romelu Lukaku was 'bored' at Manchester United and needed to leave for his own happiness, according to his international boss Roberto Martinez. 




sports and games

Martinez on criticism of his stars, Cruyff's influence and his journey from Wigan to World Cup 

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY ROB DRAPER: The best coaches are always learning, sometimes even from their players. Vincent Kompany helped Martinez plot the downfall of Brazil at the World Cup.




sports and games

Romelu Lukaku hits out at vile racist abuse suffered during Inter Milan's victory over Cagliari

Former Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku has hit back at those who racially abused him during Inter Milan's Serie A clash with Cagliari on Sunday night.




sports and games

Vincent Kompany blames football chiefs for lack of diversity and blasts lack of action over racism

Vincent Kompany says a lack of diversity within football institutions is part of the problem in tackling racism in the game. The Anderlecht boss has condemned fans who abused Romelu Lukaku.




sports and games

Belgium players pull off heading trick in a swimming pool between Euro 2020 qualifiers

Belgium's players relaxed between Euro 2020 qualifiers by completing an ambitious heading routine in a swimming pool. The squad are currently unbeaten after five games in Group I.




sports and games

Scotland squad held crisis talks after dismal home defeat to Russia

Scotland captain Andrew Robertson has revealed that Steve Clarke's squad held their own crisis summit in the wake of last Friday's dismal home Euro 2020 defeat to Russia.




sports and games

Scotland 0-4 Belgium: Kevin De Bruyne masterclass leaves hosts' hopes of qualfiying in tatters 

STEPHEN MCGOWAN AT HAMPDEN PARK: Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans made headlines by comparing a game against Scotland to playing San Marino. 




sports and games

Romelu Lukaku news: Striker sets sights on landmark 50th Belgium goal but insists he's 'relaxed'

Romelu Lukaku has insisted he feels no pressure to score his 50th goal for Belgium after moving one goal from the milestone following his strike in a 4-0 Euro 2020 qualifying win at Scotland.




sports and games

How does England's forward line compare to their rivals in international football?

ADAM SHERGOLD: Gareth Southgate believes England's forward line is as exciting as any other team in the world. But how does his attacking options measure up against some of the world's best?




sports and games

Transfer news: Southampton make Belgium starlet Yari Verschaeren 'a transfer priority'

Anderlecht starlet Yari Verschaeren is attracting strong interest from Premier League Southampton after making his senior Belgium debut at the age of just 18.




sports and games

Scotland call up Lawrence Shankland for Euro 2020 qualifiers against Russia and San Marino

The former Ayr player has been selected for next month's European Championship qualifiers against Russia and San Marino after netting 15 goals in his first 12 games for his new club.




sports and games

Roberto Martinez defends Eden Hazard over his fitness after slow start at Real Madrid

The winger joined Real Madrid in a £150million deal from Chelsea in the summer but has failed to meet expectations. He arrived in Madrid carrying extra weight and has struggled to shift it.




sports and games

Belgium 9-0 San Marino: Lukaku nets 50th for Red Devils as Martinez's side qualify for Euro 2020

Romelu Lukaku scored his 50th international goal as Belgium thrashed San Marino on Thursday and became the first side through to the Euro 2020 finals.




sports and games

Kazakhstan 0-2 Belgium: Michy Batshuayi and Thomas Meunier score as Belgium maintain perfect run

KAZAKHSTAN 0-2 BELGIUM: Michy Batshuayi and Thomas Meunier scored as Belgium beat Kazakhstan 2-0 away in their latest Euro 2020 qualifier.




sports and games

Leicester and Aston Villa among string of Premier League clubs eyeing Omar Elabdellaoui

Former Manchester City defender Omar Elabdellaoui is being lined up for a return to England by a string of Premier League clubs. Leicester and Watford are among the sides monitoring him.




sports and games

Everton news: Kevin Mirallas BLASTS Sam Allardyce and reveals awkward meeting with Aaron Lennon

Former Everton star Kevin Mirallas has opened up on his turbulent time with the Toffees, which included an awkward meeting with Aaron Lennon after a move to Tottenham fell through.