Jacob Bethell will open the batting for England in their first one-day international against India at Edgbaston on Tuesday.

The young prospect partners Ben Duckett at the top of the order as the hosts look to build upon their recent white-ball dominance.

Duckett and the returning Joe Root are the only two alterations from the side that secured an emphatic 4-0 Twenty20 series sweep over the tourists on Saturday.

That flawless run over the weekend propelled the national team to the summit of the shortest format’s world rankings.

Buttler reaches milestone as Brook leads

Veteran wicketkeeper Jos Buttler is set to make his 200th ODI appearance for his country in the series opener.

Harry Brook continues his duties as captain while the double-century cap winner operates behind the stumps.

Test regular Duckett comes into the fifty-over setup in place of Phil Salt, while Root replaces Tom Banton in the middle order.

Pace and spin options confirmed

The pace attack will be spearheaded by the express speed of Jofra Archer alongside Josh Tongue.

Left-arm seamer Sam Curran fills a crucial all-rounder role within a highly versatile bowling unit.

Adil Rashid, Liam Dawson and Will Jacks provide a formidable trio of spin options for Brook to deploy on the Birmingham pitch.

England XI

Former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will make his boxing return against Kristian Prenga in Jeddah next weekend following the announcement of a 12-fight undercard.

The Briton’s return comes seven months after a tragic car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of close friends Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami.

He last competed in December, securing a sixth-round knockout victory over Jake Paul.

A successful bout against Prenga is expected to finally set up a highly anticipated clash with British rival Tyson Fury later this year.

Fury showdown looms

The ‘Gypsy King’ is scheduled to face Poland’s Mariusz Wach in Pattaya, Thailand, just one day prior to the Jeddah event.

Both heavyweights must navigate their respective bouts unscathed to ensure their long-awaited blockbuster fight goes ahead.

The former unified champion has been intensifying his preparations over the past eight weeks to ensure a statement victory in the Middle East.

Really about two months ago I started really ramping things up, so I was training but there’s levels to training. Anthony Joshua

Sheeraz defends WBO title

The co-main event in Saudi Arabia features Britain’s Hamzah Sheeraz defending his WBO super-middleweight title against Simon Zachenhuber.

The titleholder claimed the belt in May with a brutal stoppage of Alem Begic at the Pyramids of Giza.

His German opponent enters the ring having bounced back from a shock April defeat to Pawel Augustynik with a recent victory over Armin Ajrulai.

Kelly eyes first defence

Elsewhere on the card, Josh Kelly will make the first defence of his IBF super-welterweight title.

The Sunderland fighter faces unbeaten Irish challenger Caoimhin Agyarko, having originally won the belt against Bakhram Murtazaliev in January.

Augustynik will also feature on the bill, taking on undefeated Danish brawler Jacob Bank.

Undercard prospects in action

Japanese featherweight Reito Tsutsumi returns to the region to fight fellow unbeaten contender Alvino Herrera following a stoppage win in Riyadh last December.

Olympic gold medallist Oleksandr Khyzhniak makes his second professional appearance when the Ukrainian faces Frenchman Lenny Patrach.

Meanwhile, British flyweight Mikie Tallon completes the main announcements, with the Liverpool boxer clashing with Venezuela’s Orlando Pino.

New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has confirmed that Alejandro Garnacho is free to leave the club this summer, while holding private talks to ensure Enzo Fernandez remains at Stamford Bridge.

The young forward has been heavily linked with a departure just a year after arriving in west London for £40m from Manchester United.

Speaking at his introductory press conference, the newly appointed head coach clarified the club’s position on the attacker.

“Well the situation is that we have spoken with the sporting directors,” Alonso stated.

“There is an interest for him from other clubs. So let’s see how this develops. But hopefully, it finishes in the best possible way for other clubs.”

Fernandez strictly not for sale

While one Argentinian prepares for an exit, the new Blues boss is determined to retain his compatriot in midfield.

The 25-year-old has established himself as a vital asset since joining from Benfica in 2023, scoring 31 goals in 169 appearances.

Recent reports suggested Real Madrid were circling, although the Spanish giants have since distanced themselves from a potential move.

Alonso revealed he has already held one-on-one discussions with the £106m signing to outline his crucial role ahead of the new campaign.

“We have spoken, but that remains private,” the former Liverpool midfielder explained.

When pressed directly on whether he wanted the central midfielder to stay, the manager offered a definitive one-word answer: “Yes.”

World Cup commitments delay return

The highly rated playmaker is yet to join up with his new club manager due to ongoing international duty.

He is currently part of an Argentina squad preparing to face England in the World Cup semi-finals.

Alonso insisted the delayed return of his key personnel was fully expected and factored into their pre-season schedule.

“It’s not a big surprise we have some players still there. I’m happy for them, because they are having an unforgettable experience,” he noted.

“At the end, hopefully we will have one champion and we will celebrate. We have to be flexible and we’ll have to speed up the preparation with some players.”

Praise for ‘special talent’ Palmer

Alongside Fernandez, another player firmly in the manager’s immediate plans is Cole Palmer.

The England international has been a standout performer for the London club in recent seasons and has already made a strong impression on the training pitch.

“From the first day you can see he is a special talent,” Alonso added.

“It’s not easy to have one of those, you notice his quality and how he wants to play, his decisions. I’m happy that he comes in a good mood, with a good mindset to have a great season.”

Manchester City and Arsenal have accumulated the highest number of World Cup minutes among Premier League clubs, raising significant fitness concerns ahead of the new domestic season.

Manchester City top the physical charts

The reigning English champions lead the domestic physical toll, with their squad accumulating an immense 5,027 minutes on the pitch across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Spanish midfielder Rodri has contributed 537 minutes to that tally, while defensive duo Marc Guehi and Nico O’Reilly have also been heavily relied upon by their respective nations.

Newly signed midfielder Elliot Anderson has added further fatigue to the Etihad ranks, logging 533 minutes for England following his transfer from Nottingham Forest.

Pep Guardiola’s side are already navigating a gruelling schedule, with several prominent stars having competed in three consecutive summer international tournaments since 2024.

Arsenal trail closely amid mounting minutes

The Gunners sit second in the domestic workload standings, with Mikel Arteta’s players clocking a combined 4,285 minutes at the international showpiece.

French centre-back William Saliba has been a constant presence with 450 minutes, while Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka have featured extensively for the Three Lions.

Recent arrivals and emerging talents including Noni Madueke, Mikel Merino, and Eberechi Eze have also added over 500 combined minutes to the North London club’s total.

Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Manchester United round out the top five most-fatigued squads, with each club easily surpassing the 2,500-minute threshold.

Cruciate ligament tear leads severe injury list

The intense tournament schedule has inevitably triggered a wave of severe fitness setbacks for several high-profile top-flight stars.

Aston Villa suffered a devastating blow when dynamic midfielder Amadou Onana ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament during Belgium’s comprehensive victory over the USA.

Manchester United face similar tactical headaches after Manuel Ugarte sustained a premature knee problem during Uruguay’s group-stage campaign.

England manager Thomas Tuchel has retained Jordan Henderson in his camp, despite the Brentford veteran breaking his arm while celebrating a victory over Mexico.

Chelsea captain Reece James is being carefully managed through the knockout stages following ongoing hamstring complaints.

Robertson awaits scan following Scotland exit

Tottenham Hotspur will be anxiously monitoring their new signing Andy Robertson after the fullback was forced off against Brazil with a suspected ankle issue.

The former Liverpool defender was pictured with heavy strapping following the incident, though Scotland’s subsequent elimination provides vital recovery time.

“Personally, time will tell.”

Robertson told the BBC regarding his physical prospects ahead of the impending Premier League campaign.

With just 33 days remaining until the English domestic season begins, managers face an unprecedented challenge to rehabilitate and rest their elite performers.

Dutch football referee Rob Dieperink has died at the age of 38, just weeks after being removed from the officiating roster for the 2026 World Cup.

The Eredivisie official died recently, prompting an ongoing investigation by Dutch police to determine the exact cause of death.

The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) confirmed the tragic news, describing the match official as a highly valued and dedicated colleague.

“Our thoughts go out to his family, friends, and everyone who held him dear,” a KNVB statement read.

World Cup omission and London arrest

Dieperink had originally been selected to serve as a video assistant referee for the Netherlands at the upcoming 2026 World Cup.

However, global governing body FIFA stood the 38-year-old down following his arrest by the Metropolitan Police in London this past April.

The former international official was taken into custody at a London hotel following Crystal Palace’s victory over Fiorentina.

He was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault against a teenage boy, a claim he vehemently denied and cooperated fully to resolve.

The Metropolitan Police subsequently dropped the case in May, stating that the evidential threshold had not been met and no further action would be taken.

Cleared of allegations and KNVB support

Following his legal clearance, the Dutch national expressed profound disappointment that FIFA still opted to remove him from their tournament roster.

“It makes me very sad that I have been wrongly accused,” Dieperink previously told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.

“I fully cooperated with the police investigation and also immediately gave full openness to FIFA, UEFA and the KNVB.”

He noted that the allegations were swiftly refuted and the case dismissed within two weeks after a thorough police investigation.

Despite his international omission, the KNVB firmly backed their employee and stressed the importance of a safe football culture.

“We think it is important that he gets the chance to tell his story and not be wrongly accused,” the Dutch governing body stated regarding his clearance.

Croatia have reappointed former defender Slaven Bilic as the manager of their men’s national team following the departure of Zlatko Dalic.

The veteran coach returns to the dugout to replace his predecessor, who stepped down after nearly nine years in charge.

The previous regime ended following a disappointing World Cup campaign that culminated in a last-32 defeat against Portugal.

A familiar face returns

Bilic previously led his country between 2006 and 2012, overseeing a highly successful period for the national side.

During that initial six-year tenure, the tactician recorded 42 victories, 15 draws, and just eight defeats across 65 matches.

As a player, the robust centre-back earned 44 caps and was a crucial part of the famous squad that reached the 1998 World Cup semi-finals before falling to eventual winners France.

Focusing on football’s elite

Following his appointment, the returning coach expressed his determination to keep the national side competing at the highest level of international football.

“I have the complete confidence in our players, and it is my responsibility to bring energy, ambition and determination to ensure that Croatia remains among football’s elite,” said Bilic.
“I am genuinely happy to start this challenge and I feel fully prepared for it – as a more mature and experienced coach than in 2006, yet with the same motivation and desire to see Croatia stay powerful, bold, and successful.”

Extensive club pedigree

Since departing the international setup over a decade ago, the Croatian has built a vast coaching resume across multiple domestic leagues.

English football fans will be well-acquainted with his work following managerial spells at West Ham United, West Bromwich Albion, and Watford.

His most recent role saw him managing Al-Fateh in the Saudi Pro League during the 2023-2024 season.

New Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has promised to give supporters a team they can be proud of during his first official media conference at Anfield.

The 44-year-old signed a two-year contract with the Merseyside club last month following three highly successful seasons at Bournemouth.

He arrives tasked with revitalising a squad that finished fifth in the Premier League last season.

Previous boss Arne Slot was dismissed on 30 May after supporters grew increasingly frustrated with a perceived lack of dynamism on the pitch.

Connecting with the Anfield crowd

The Spanish tactician acknowledged that his players must take the initiative to inspire vociferous backing from the stands.

“I think football and especially Liverpool is about connecting – connecting with the people, connecting with our supporters.”

Iraola previously experienced the famous Anfield atmosphere as an opposition manager when Federico Chiesa scored a winner against his Bournemouth side.

“You can feel the stadium and I would love to have this every time we play – but that has to come from us, from inside the pitch.”

He emphasised the need for an intense, aggressive, and vertical style of play to ensure fans feel comfortable supporting the side.

Embracing the pressure of a massive club

Before his stint on the south coast, the former Rayo Vallecano and Mirandes boss built his reputation across European football.

Despite the significant step up in expectations, he insists he is entirely prepared for the intense scrutiny that accompanies one of global sport’s biggest jobs.

“I’m ready for it. I understand this is a massive club.”

The Basque coach also expressed a desire to integrate into the local culture rather than living isolated in a footballing bubble.

“It’s part of the magic of being the Liverpool manager and I would like not to change too much.”

Short-term contract reflects philosophy

His decision to sign a two-year deal represents a remarkably brief commitment by modern elite standards.

However, this length is entirely consistent with his career history, having operated on similar terms whilst guiding the Cherries to their first European qualification.

“I don’t want to be in a place because I have a contract. I signed for two years but it’s basically year to year when you are a coach.”

He added that managers at elite institutions must continuously earn the right to retain their positions regardless of contractual length.

Looking ahead to the upcoming campaign, the new head coach admitted that squad reinforcements will be necessary.

While he has already held positive talks with the majority of the current dressing room, he confirmed the club knows more players are needed.

South African police have launched an investigation into the death of 25-year-old World Cup footballer Jayden Adams after his body was discovered in Cape Town on Saturday.

The passing of the South African international comes just two weeks after he helped his nation reach the knockout stages of a World Cup for the first time.

Authorities have yet to establish a formal cause of death for the young player.

Investigation underway in Cape Town

Officers confirmed the discovery was made at a property in the Schotsche Kloof neighbourhood at approximately 11:00 local time.

“Cape Town central police registered an inquest for investigation following the discovery of the body of a 25-year-old male on Saturday,” a police statement read.

“Circumstances surrounding this incident are under investigation.”

The player’s father, Juanito Adams, revealed the family is currently awaiting autopsy results and has not yet made funeral arrangements.

‘An untimely death’

“As you all know, it was an untimely death and the family is struggling to process it,” Mr Adams told South African TV station eNCA.

“It won’t be easy to carry on. People say it will become easier, but it won’t. You just learn to live with it.”

The gifted athlete featured in all three of his country’s group matches during their historic tournament run.

He was notably absent from the squad during their 1-0 defeat to Canada in the round of 32 on 28 June.

Tributes paid on world stage

South Africa Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie noted the player’s remarkable dedication, revealing he competed against the Czech Republic just hours after learning his grandmother had died.

The minister also urged the public and media to exercise restraint and avoid speculating on the tragedy while the investigation continues.

Moments of silence were observed in memory of the 25-year-old before Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final fixtures featuring England, Norway, Argentina, and Switzerland.