England get set for trip to Caribbean

CRICKET: England’s women’s team will face the West Indies in Antigua and Barbados during an eightmatch tour in December.

The Caribbean trip represents the team’s first competitive action since Lisa Keightley departed as head coach at the end of the summer. Her replacement is expected to be in place in time to lead the side in three ODIS and five T20s.

All three 50-over matches will be day/night affairs at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, and count towards the ICC Women’s Championship. The same venue will play host to the first T20 before the teams move on to the Kensington Oval in Barbados for the four remaining fixtures.

The opening match takes place on December 4 and the series wraps up on December 22.

England’s director of women’s cricket, Jonathan Finch, said: “It’s always a great place to visit and with a new head coach soon to come on board it’s the beginning of a new cycle for this team.”

GOLF: Modifications for players with disabilities will be fully incorporated into the Rules of Golf from 2023 as the “headline” change announced by the R&A.

The creation of Rule 25 comes as the game’s governing bodies continue their efforts to make golf more inclusive and sustainable, with four million fewer copies of the rules being printed as the rules are promoted on a mobile app.

The modifications include allowing blind players to receive help with taking a stance and lining up for a shot, while amputees are allowed to anchor the club and get help to drop or replace their ball.

FOOTBALL: Manchester United have been drawn against Barcelona in the Europa League knockout play-off round.

The Catalan giants have dropped down into the competition after failing to get out of their Champions League group but now provide a stern test for Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils. United will travel to the Nou Camp on February 16 for the first leg of the tie, with the return at Old Trafford taking place on February 23.