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England opener Emilio Gay out for duck as Pakistan impress against County Select XI ahead of Test series | Cricket News

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England opening batter Emilio Gay was out for a duck as Pakistan made a strong start to their tour against a Professional County Club Select XI.

Concerns over Gay’s fitness for England’s first Test against Pakistan, which starts on August 19, were allayed by the left-hander’s inclusion for the game at Beckenham, but he made the worst possible start.

The 27-year-old, who had suffered a shoulder issue playing for Durham last week, was caught off the bowling of Mohammad Abbas by Salan Agha at second slip, having failed to score from his 12 balls faced.

PCCSXI would go on to be bowled out for 305, with captain Tom Haines, Caleb Falconer and Saif Zaib contributing half-centuries before Matthew Fisher, who is in England’s 16-player squad for the first two Tests against Pakistan, made a crucial unbeaten 62 batting at 10.

James Rew, who made his England Test debut against New Zealand in June, was also dismissed cheaply as he fell for just four to Abbas.

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England Test captain Joe Root explains why he has removed the curfew that was previously imposed on his team.

Abbas (3-37) and Mohammad Ali (3-23) were the pick of the Pakistan bowlers, while Khurram Shahzad (2-55) also chipped with a couple of wickets despite being more expensive.

There was also a wicket apiece for Aamer Jamal (1-32) and Ali Usman (1-38).

Pakistan then put themselves in a strong position in the three-day contest by reaching 44-0 at the close, with Azan Awais (15*) and Imam-ul-Haq (26*) seeing out the final 13 overs of the day.

Fisher was economical as he went for just seven runs from his four overs, while the other PCCSXI player who is in England’s Test squad, spinner Shoaib Bashir, bowled two overs at the end of the day.

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England selector Marcus North reflects on the latest decisions around the Test side and explains the involvement of Stephen Fleming.

Both sides are fielding more than XI players in the match, with Pakistan attempting to give as many of their touring squad as possible match practice ahead of Tests at Headingley, Lord’s and Edgbaston.

England will be led captained by Joe Root following his reappointment as captain after Ben Stokes retired from international cricket during the final Test of the 2-1 series defeat to New Zealand in June.

England also have a new head coach in Stephen Fleming, who has replaced Brendon McCullum but is not taking charge of the side during the Pakistan series, for which Marcus Trescothick will be in interim charge.

England vs Pakistan Test series fixtures

  • First Test (Headingley) – Wednesday August 19 – Sunday August 23 (first ball 11am)
  • Second Test (Lord’s) – Thursday August 27 – Monday August 31 (first ball 11am)
  • Third Test (Edgbaston) – Wednesday September 9 – Sunday September 13 (first ball 11am)

Watch the three-Test series between England and Pakistan live on Sky Sports Cricket from August 19. Stream cricket and more sport contract-free with NOW.

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FPL 2026-27: Best picks, differentials and who to avoid this year

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Talisman: Ismaila Sarr (£6.5m, midfielder)

Heisenberg: Sarr was a hugely important part of Palace’s attacking game last season and he ranked highly for shots and big chances. He also has some penalty potential when Jean-Philippe Mateta is off the pitch.

At £6.5m, Sarr is potentially slightly underpriced and, if he continues to receive a large share of Palace’s shots and attacking transitions, he has the potential to be one of the standout mid-priced midfielders in FPL.

Differential: Daniel Munoz (£5.5m, defender)

Heisenberg: Munoz is arguably the most exciting Crystal Palace FPL asset because of the sheer number of routes to points. He can earn through clean sheets, defensive contributions, assists and goals, while his attacking positioning makes him much more than a conventional full-back.

Under previous manager Oliver Glasner, he was one of the most attacking defenders in the league (from open play). It’ll be interesting to see if this continues under Pierre Sage, so he’s one to monitor if you’re interested in starting the season with him in your FPL team.

Munoz has been subject of transfer rumours, but even if he switches teams in the Premier League he will remain an excellent option.

Player to avoid: Jorgen Strand Larsen (£6m, forward)

Heisenberg: Strand Larsen is a decent centre forward, but, if we assume Mateta is first choice then the Norwegian will find gametime hard to come by.

For FPL, certainty of minutes is key. If you are spending £6m on a forward, you could get the likes of Calvert-Lewin who is close to being guaranteed to play 90 minutes most weeks and on penalties.

Until the preferred number nine becomes clearer, I would rather avoid Strand Larsen and monitor the situation.

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Women’s Super League: Manchester City must act like champions as WSL rivals grow stronger

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City were crowned champions with a game to spare and a six-point gap to second-placed Chelsea last season.

It ended Chelsea’s six-year dominance and was City’s first major trophy under manager Andree Jeglertz in his debut campaign in England.

No Champions League football, a squad stacked with quality and the ability to keep key players fit proved vital – but what did the players learn?

“How to become champions,” captain Alex Greenwood told BBC Sport.

“We had come very, very close to doing it in previous years but just couldn’t get over the line. Last season, a lot came together.”

There will be new challenges this season as City return to European football meaning a busier fixture schedule.

The squad will be tested more, though they were boosted by top-scorer Khadija Shaw’s decision to sign a new contract, avoiding a potential switch to Chelsea.

The arrivals of England duo Mead and Charles has added depth but City lost Brazilian forward Kerolin to Barcelona.

Elsewhere, Spain full-back Ona Batlle and England midfielder Georgia Stanway have joined Arsenal, London City Lionesses have signed two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas and Tottenham have improved their frontline with the additions of Kirsty Hanson and Shekiera Martinez.

But Greenwood is not fazed by others and says the message to her team-mates remains the same, though they need to keep improving.

“Continuity is important, culture is important and the language that you use is important. When you hear the same thing often, it becomes a norm,” she added.

“You act like a champion and perform like one. We all locked into that last year and were fully committed.

“This season, I’m not going to say ‘do the same again’ because I don’t think that entitles you to win the league. People improve, teams improve and we will improve.

“We will have to change things slightly and be better but continue to do the things that we did really well last season. That would be my message… and to enjoy it.”

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How to watch the 2026 FedEx St. Jude Championship: Streaming options for Round 2

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After one round of play at the 2026 FedEx St. Jude Championship, Kurt Kitayama leads (-5). Tune in to see the second round from TPC Southwind in Memphis, TN.

How to Watch the 2026 FedEx St. Jude Championship

FedEx St. Jude Championship odds

  • Robert MacIntyre: +100
  • Matti Schmid: +100
  • Scottie Scheffler: +550
  • Tommy Fleetwood: +850
  • Hideki Matsuyama: +1100
  • Matt Fitzpatrick: +1100
  • Michael Thorbjornsen: +1200
  • Xander Schauffele: +1200
  • Sam Burns: +1400
  • Kurt Kitayama: +1600
  • Jordan Spieth: +1800
  • Christopher Gotterup: +2000
  • Cameron Young: +2500
  • Ludvig Aberg: +2500
  • Viktor Hovland: +2800
  • Sungjae Im: +2800
  • Michael Kim: +3000
  • Wyndham Clark: +3300
  • Gary Woodland: +3500
  • Min Woo Lee: +4000
  • Jake Knapp: +4500
  • Rickie Fowler: +5000
  • Collin Morikawa: +5000
  • Maverick McNealy: +5000
  • Bud Cauley: +5000

FedEx St. Jude Championship Leaderboard

  • 1st: Kurt Kitayama -5 (65)
  • 1st: Jake Knapp -5 (65)
  • 1st: Jordan Spieth -5 (65)
  • 1st: Michael Thorbjornsen -5 (65)
  • 1st: Kurt Kitayama -5 (65)

FedEx St. Jude Championship Notable Pairings & Tee Times

  • 12:10 p.m. ET: Tommy Fleetwood (-4/6th), Jordan Spieth (-5/1st)
  • 10:25 a.m. ET: Xander Schauffele (-3/13th), Sam Burns (-3/13th)
  • 1:45 p.m. ET: Viktor Hovland (-2/17th), Hideki Matsuyama (-4/6th)
  • 9:30 a.m. ET: Matt Fitzpatrick (E/37th), Wyndham Clark (-1/26th)
  • 9:10 a.m. ET: Chris Gotterup (-4/6th), Min Woo Lee (-3/13th)
  • 10:35 a.m. ET: Collin Morikawa (+1/43rd), Cameron Young (-1/26th)
  • 12:55 p.m. ET: Robert MacIntyre (+12/69th), J.T. Poston (+1/43rd)
  • 12:40 p.m. ET: Gary Woodland (-4/6th), Alex Smalley (-2/17th)
  • 12 p.m. ET: Sepp Straka (-2/17th), Michael Thorbjornsen (-5/1st)
  • 11:30 a.m. ET: Maverick McNealy (-2/17th), Harris English (-2/17th)

This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.

Betting/odds, ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.

Photo: Hector Vivas, Maddie Meyer / Getty Images

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