India v England, fourth Test, day one – Stokes’ side set out to level series in Ranchi

03:50 – Toss News

England have won the toss and have chosen to bat.

For the first time since that opening Test, the toss has gone Ben Stokes’ way and he has unsurprisingly chosen to bat first. That is just what you do in Indian conditions, almost all of the time.

It doesn’t mean that England are favourites for this match of course, but it’s an excellent start. Decent first innings runs would give them the platform to control the Test on a pitch that looks like it’ll turn big, maybe from the start, definitely in the back-half of the match.

03:45 – Hello and Welcome

Good morning. Feeling fresh?

The prospect of a fascinating fourth Test in Ranchi had me leaping out of bed a little while ago, and it’s great to have you here with me.

It’s been a fascinating series so far and promises to be another belter of a match, and the first ball is only 15 minutes away.

I’m Tom Bennett and I’ll bring you over-by-over updates throughout the day, and you can follow the whole Test right here on TNT Sports, with the series broadcast in full on TNT Sports and discovery+.

‘I don’t know what could happen,’ says Stokes on ‘dark and crumbly’ Ranchi pitch

Ben Stokes said he has “never seen something like that before” when giving his assessment of the pitch to be used in England’s crucial fourth Test with India in Ranchi.

England trail 2-1 in the series and will have to adapt to the conditions if they are to prevail and force a decider.

Speaking ahead of the fourth Test, Stokes said: “I’ve never seen something like that before. I don’t know what could happen.

“If you looked down one side of opposite ends it just looked different to what I am used to seeing, especially out in India.”

He added: “It looked green and grassy up in the changing rooms, but then you go out there it looked different – very dark and crumbly and quite a few cracks in it.”

The unpredictable surface could make it difficult for batters, which might play into the .visitors’ hands following their 434-run defeat in Rajkot last week.

Robinson and Bashir in as England make two changes for fourth Test

England have made two changes to their side for the fourth Test.

Into the attack come fast bowler Ollie Robinson and off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, with Mark Wood and Rehan Ahmed missing out.

It will be a first game of the series for 30-year-old Robinson, who last featured for England in last summer’s five-Test clash with Australia.

Bashir, meanwhile, took four wickets on his debut in the second Test against India in Vizag and joins fellow spinner Tom Hartley as England look to bounce back from a disappointing showing in Rajkot.

Elsewhere, Jonny Bairstow keeps his place despite coming under scrutiny for his poor batting form. The 34-year-old has averaged just 17 runs in six innings, with a top score of 37.

The visitors trail 2-1 after back-to-back defeats. England won the first Test before India levelled the contest in Vizag before thrashing the tourists by 434 runs in Rajkot last week.

TNT Sports: The home of England men’s tours of India

TNT Sports is the new official broadcast home of England men’s tours of India in 2024, 2025 and 2028.

TNT Sports has also agreed a deal to show exclusive live coverage of every red-ball and white-ball international series played in India for the next five years.

The new agreement means:

  • England’s five-Test tour of India will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and discovery+
  • TNT Sports will broadcast England’s white ball tour (3 x ODIs and 5 x T20s) of India in January-February 2025
  • TNT Sports will broadcast England’s tour of India, currently scheduled for January-February 2028.

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Man Utd plan huge clearout to raise summer warchest – Paper Round

United plan clearout

Manchester United could see 11 players leave the club this summer as Sir Jim Ratcliffe looks to make room for investment in the club.

The Sun lists the players who could be sent on their way when the transfer window re-opens.

The paper writes: “Man Utd are set to have money to spend on revitalising their squad this summer.

“But with concerns over complying with FFP rules in mind, Ratcliffe is set to sanction a huge number of player sales this summer.

“The Red Devils will make 11 first-team players available for transfer.

“While Anthony Martial will not be offered a new deal and will be allowed to leave on a free.

“Former captain Harry Maguire and ex-Real Madrid duo Raphael Varane and Casemiro are among those who could be sold.

“While United will consider bids for the likes of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Scott McTominay, Victor Lindelof and Christian Eriksen.

“Meanwhile – Donny van de Beek, Jadon Sancho, Facundo Pellistri and Brandon Williams are currently out on loan.”

Tuchel may return to Premier League

The Daily Mail believes that Premier League clubs will be interested in Thomas Tuchel despite his disappointing time at Bayern Munich.

The German will leave the current champions at the end of the season, and Manchester United and others may all be taking a look.

The paper writes: “Tuchel is open to a Premier League return after Bayern confirmed on Wednesday that he will leave at the end of the season, effectively a sacking.

“Manchester United, West Ham, Brighton and even Chelsea are among the clubs who could also be in the market for a new head coach at the end of the season. The Hammers, in particular, have a long-standing interest.

“Indirectly, Tuchel’s departure will have implications for Liverpool’s interest in Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso, who is a leading candidate to fill the forthcoming vacancy at Bayern.

“Alonso’s emotional ties to Anfield will give the Merseysiders encouragement that he will return to the club instead of staying in Germany.

“But with Bayern preparing to accelerate their interest, Liverpool might need to act fast if they have decided Alonso is their man to replace Klopp.

“Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi, whose future at the Amex beyond this season is unclear, is also admired by Liverpool.”

Liverpool find Alonso alternative

Liverpool are keen on Xabi Alonso of Bayer Leverkusen but they are looking for other candidates to take over from Jurgen Klopp.

Ruben Amorim of Sporting Lisbon is one potential alternative, according to the Independent.

“Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso and Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim are emerging as the main contenders in Liverpool’s search to replace Jurgen Klopp as manager,” the paper explains.

“Should Alonso decide to go elsewhere, Amorim is currently seen as the most desirable candidate. The Portuguese coach has looked similarly impressive in restoring Sporting to glory after decades dominated by Benfica and Porto. He is currently seen as a likelier option than Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi. Amirom is also attracting the interest of major clubs, although not to the degree of Alonso.

“Liverpool are also looking for a sporting director, and the structure is expected to be altered in the wake of Klopp’s departure. The authority of the manager will likely be diluted, with more power returning to the technical staff.

“The situation at other major clubs has suddenly accelerated the race, although Liverpool are determined to be decisive when necessary but also make the decision that is right for them.”

Dier in Bayern limbo

The Daily Express details the problems with Eric Dier’s transfer to Bayern Munich, with the Tottenham player far from settled.

One problem is that there could be a permanent deal for Dier if he meets certain contractual clauses, but many at the club are unconvinced.

“He joined on loan from Tottenham in January but is out of contract at the end of the season and can earn a permanent deal in the Bundesliga if certain clauses are met,” the paper writes.

“Bayern would also owe Spurs a fee of £2.5 million if such conditions are completed and he remains at the club, but with Thomas Tuchel to depart at the end of the season the recruitment department are re-evaluating their recent signings. That includes Dier, who has made five appearances since arriving.

“Dier’s suitability for the long-term project, based on his age, is said to have been a factor in club chiefs doubting the loanee. His perceived lack of pace for a defender and match sharpness is also currently counting against him.”

Lazio end Torino’s hot streak to close on Serie A’s top four

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Selby whitewashes O’Sullivan to reach Players Championship semi-finals

Mark Selby whitewashed Ronnie O’Sullivan 6-0 to move into the semi-finals of the Players Championship in Telford.

Early misses from both men followed O’Sullivan smashing the pack after being warned one shot too late for the miss rule at the start of the first frame, but it was Selby who found his rhythm first, tidying up to seize first blood.

A run of 69 propelled him to double his lead, and with O’Sullivan not able to pot a ball, it was down to Selby, the 10th seed, to hammer home his advantage, and a 91 took him halfway to a famous victory.

A faster start from O’Sullivan, who was 21-11 in the pair’s head-to-head, had him up in the fourth frame, but Selby began to turn it on its head with a lovely blue, helping him on his way to another excellent break – this time 105 – to send him in at the interval four to the good.

A poor safety from O’Sullivan and a Selby sitter opened proceedings in the fifth, but more sumptuous play from Selby had him up 72-11 by the end of the frame.

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O’Sullivan says Brecel ‘will come good’ but jokes world champion ‘probably buying too many cars’

O’Sullivan, a two-time winner of this competition in 2018 and 2019, began to find his range with an excellent starter, followed by some decent pots to put himself 58-5 up in the sixth. But he ran out of position on the black, before playing to baulk and hitting the green, with the red still there, giving Selby a chance to wrap up the game.

A brilliant long Selby red, followed – eventually – by the final red and a blue brought ‘The Jester’ right back into contention for the whitewash, which he duly served up with the final colours, to set up a final-four showdown with either John Higgins or Zhang Anda.

Stream top snooker action live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com.

Gasset appointment ‘could be an absolute disaster’ for Marseille, says Laurens

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Europa Conference League: Ajax survive Bodo/Glimt blitz to reach last 16 as Betis crash out

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Europa Conference League: Ajax survive Bodo/Glimt blitz to reach last 16 as Betis crash out

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media

Europa League round-up: 10-man Qarabag fight off Braga in thriller, Freiburg win from behind

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.

Europa League round-up: 10-man Qarabag fight off Braga in thriller, Freiburg win from behind

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.

Roma overcome spirited Feyenoord in dramatic penalty shootout to reach next round

Nicola Zalewski struck the winning penalty as AS Roma booked their spot in the UEFA Europa League last 16 with a shoot-out victory over Feyenoord after the second leg of their play-off clash finished 1-1 at the Stadio Olimpico.

The Giallorossi prevailed 4-2 on spot kicks after goalkeeper Mile Svilar saved from both David Hancko and Alireza Jahanbakhsh despite a surprising miss from Romelu Lukaku.

Roma had been favourites to progress on home turf after Lukaku rescued a 1-1 draw in the first-leg in Holland, but it was the visitors who silenced a partisan home crowd when Santiago Gimenez’s rapid reactions saw him divert an improvised finish into the back of the net on just five minutes.