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The Open 2026: Fleetwood, MacIntyre, Wallace and Fitzpatrick leading British charge at Birkdale

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Tommy Fleetwood during round two of The Open at Royal Birkdale

England’s Tommy Fleetwood says the support provided by a home Birkdale crowd has “100%” helped push him into Open contention – but he is not the only British player on the leaderboard ready to strike.

Fleetwood, who grew up just up the road in Southport, shot a three-under 67 on Friday to move to joint eighth on four under.

Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre is alongside Fleetwood in a stellar pack which also includes English pair Matt Wallace and Alex Fitzpatrick, as well as Spanish superstar Jon Rahm and defending champion and world number one Scottie Scheffler.

The group is four shots behind Australian leader Lucas Herbert – who carded a record-equalling 62 in Friday’s second round – with Bryson DeChambeau also well in the mix, despite receiving a controversial two-shot penalty for “inadvertently improving his lie”.

Despite all the drama, it is Fleetwood who will remain the centre of attention for the fans on Saturday.

The local favourite has received rapturous receptions across the course over the opening two days as he looks to finally win a major trophy.

After scrambling to an opening-day 69, Fleetwood had to work hard again on Friday before a flurry of three birdies in the final five holes left the home fans celebrating.

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“They’ve been an absolute pleasure to play in front of for these two days. I love that I played some good golf there and something to cheer about,” said the European Ryder Cup star.

“They make a big difference to me. They helped me so much [on Thursday] when I was struggling. You can’t ask for any more than what they’re giving me.”

There would not be a more popular winner at Birkdale this week.

Fleetwood grew up playing at nearby Formby Hall and occasionally scampered over the Royal Birkdale fence to get on to the course which he dreamed of playing. He still talks with the same accent as the thousands cheering him around the Merseyside links.

Fleetwood remains relatable to the locals despite being a PGA Tour winner, a European Ryder Cup talisman and one of the best current players never to have won a major.

If that changes on Sunday, there will be a party like Birkdale and the surrounding areas have never seen before.

“Of course there’s pressure,” Fleetwood added.

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“My own expectations are huge, and my own dreams started here. All that stuff’s massive, but it’s only good stuff.”

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Commonwealth Games 2026: Gymnast Ruby Evans wins first gold for Wales

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Ruby Evans in her gymnastic routine

Gymnast Ruby Evans has won Wales’ first Commonwealth Games gold in Glasgow with victory in the floor final.

Evans, 19, performed the final routine of the women’s programme and defeated England’s Abigail Martin into silver, with her team-mate Shantae-Eve Amankwaah securing bronze.

Evans left the arena in tears on Sunday after her disappointing sixth in the all-round individual competition, that after Wales finished fourth in the team event.

Now, after Welsh identical twins Abigail and Emily Roper won bronze medals within a couple of hours of each other on Monday, Evans has delivered gold.

It was the first victory for Team Wales in Scotland and a ninth medal alongside two silver and six bronze.

There is also a guaranteed podium position for boxer Connor Williams after he reached the semi-finals.

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Saltburn-Norton match investigated over alleged ‘finger clicking’ cheating

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Tech Billionaire Takeover

An amateur cricket match has made global headlines after a fielder was accused of cheating by clicking his fingers to get a wicket.

The North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League has started an investigation into a second XI Division 2 game between Saltburn and Norton.

A viral video on social media appears to show a Saltburn fielder clicking his fingers as the ball passes Noman Shabir’s bat before being caught by wicketkeeper Josh Bowes. Saltburn appeal and the umpire gives Shabir out.

It has been suggested that the finger-clicking was designed to trick the umpire into thinking the batter edged the ball.

Saltburn won by 159 runs and are top of Division 2 by 17 points.

“The league have received a formal complaint regarding alleged incidents in a Division Two game on Saturday,” the league said in a statement on X.

“A full investigation has been initiated and until such time as the formal processes are complete no further comment will be made.”

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Last week Bowes took eight catches in Saltburn’s 22-run win over Shildon Railway. The men’s Test record for catches by a keeper in an innings is seven.

Bowes leads the league standings with 31 catches, 10 more than any other player.

Rory Cotterill, who captained Middlesbrough second XI during a 29-run defeat by Saltburn last month, responded to a social media post containing the video and alleged two further incidents of cheating by Saltburn in that match.

The original video of the incident has had more than three million views on X, with publications in Australia and New Zealand among those to report it.

The BBC has contacted the league and Saltburn. Norton declined to comment.

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West Indies v Pakistan: Justin Greaves takes five wickets for none in incredible spell

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Steve Borthwick

First Test, Tarouba (day three of five)

West Indies 311 (Hope 92; Ali 4-50) & 126-7 (Chanderpaul 35, Abbas 3-14)

Pakistan 282 (Masood 109; Greaves 5-27)

West Indies lead by 155 runs

Scorecard

West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves took five wickets without conceding a run in an incredible spell of bowling on day three of the first Test against Pakistan.

Greaves, who is playing in his 17th Test, claimed his maiden Test five-wicket haul to help dismiss Pakistan for 282 in response to West Indies’ first-innings total of 311.

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The 32-year-old Barbadian’s spell – five consecutive wicket maidens – was all the more remarkable given he had bowled six overs earlier in the day for 27 runs without taking a wicket.

“When I came on captain Roston Chase just said ‘continue to be disciplined in what you are doing’ and to see if I can get some wickets for the team,” Greaves said.

“The ball nipped around and I got some reward. Anytime I get the ball in hand the team looks to me to be that solid player for them [and] try to dig us out of situations.

“To get five wickets for the first time in Test cricket, I’m really happy, but there’s still a lot of work to do in the game.”

Pakistan captain Shan Masood was Greaves’ first wicket at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad when he was bowled for 109 in the 64th over following a superb set-up.

Greaves had pushed the ball wide to the left-hander from over the wicket before he tailed a delivery back into Masood who played down the wrong line and inside edged on to his stumps.

Aamer Jamal had his middle stump uprooted in Greaves’ next over as the seamer speared one through his defences.

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Greaves then trapped Ali Usman lbw before he had Mohammed Rizwan and Mohammad Abbas both caught behind as Pakistan lost their last seven wickets for just 38 runs.

West Indies reached stumps on day three on 126-7 in their second innings – a lead of 155 runs – to leave the match finely poised.

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