England began the day requiring four wickets to bring New Zealand’s innings to a close and again they started cautiously but to great assurance.

England will be ruing their own dismissals where they did enough to get themselves out rather than succumbing to New Zealand’s own efforts.

England have successfully kept themselves ahead of the game in a tight contest on day two in Mount Maunganui with New Zealand 144/4 (Williamson 51, Nicholls 26*) and trailing England 353 (Stokes 91, Denly 74, Southee 4/88) by 209 runs at stumps on day two.

The first day of New Zealand’s test summer was an attritional one for both sides but England will be the happier of the two going into day two at Mount Maunganui.

Knowing only a point was needed from their final two group games, Harry Kane’s hat-trick helped them mark the national team’s 1,000 international fixture as they wrapped up qualification.

Goals from Christen Press and Alex Morgan proved too much for England, despite Ellen White finding the net for her sixth goal of the tournament.

A warm day in Headingley did little to help Afghanistan make a mark in this year’s World Cup.

Manchester City striker Nikita Parris is counting down the days to the SSE Women’s FA Cup Final – but admits their semi-final win over Chelsea left a sour taste in the mouth.

Sale Sharks flanker Tom Curry has done more than enough in an England jersey to warrant a starting berth at the Rugby World Cup, insists Red Rose legend Lewis Moody.

Staying grounded amid the hype will be crucial for Tom Curry after his electrifying performances for England in the Guinness Six Nations, claims back-row teammate Billy Vunipola.

From the moment World Cup winner Lewis Moody saw Sale Sharks star Tom Curry strut his stuff, he knew England had a special talent on their hands.