Joe Root made Australia pay for dropping him second ball, with a counter-attacking century which transformed day one of the Ashes in Cardiff yesterday.

Another Alastair Cook failure overshadowed Gary Ballance’s second Test century, against India at Lord’s yesterday.

Eoin Morgan hit a superb century against his native Ireland to ensure his adopted country England avoided embarrassment in the RSA Challenge one-day international in Dublin.

England are struggling after losing four early wickets in their pursuit of 270 in the RSA Challenge one-day international against Ireland in Dublin.

When the fastest bowler Ireland has ever produced marks his run-up on this morning, most of the 10,000 spectators at Malahide Cricket Club will be willing him to fail.