Eve’s A-Team get off to flier
hours. As a skip I make all the decisions. Let’s say I make the wrong decision in that split-second and that could cost us the game. It’s very important I stay focused.” A veteran of two previous Games and the youngest skip to win a Winter Olympic medal, Muirhead’s approach works for her and her team. “I’ve played with Eve for about 10 years now. We know each other very well. She’s driven,” said vice-skip Sloan, who, like Muirhead, had the Union Flag painted onto her nails.
“One of our goals is to know when to switch on and off. She comes across as a stern character on the ice but we loosen up off the ice and have a bit of fun.”
Meanwhile, cross-country skier Andrew Musgrave says he is not feeling the pressure as he seeks to make British Olympic history tomorrow.
Musgrave came seventh in Sunday’s skiathlon and goes in his favourite event, the 15km freestyle. “I haven’t thought much about becoming the first Briton to win an Olympic medal on skis. I only think about becoming an Olympic champion,” he said. “It is not something I need to give me extra motivation.”
Musgrave also welcomed the inclusion of Tongan Pita Taufatofua, even though he only took up skiing last year.
Taufatofua made headlines for his shirtless appearance when he carried the flag at the Summer Olympics, where he competed in taekwondo. He reprised the trick in last week’s opening ceremony ahead of his Nordic skiing debut on Sunday, though Musgrave says he cannot see himself doing the reverse.
“I don’t think I could ever switch from winter sports to summer,” he said. “I am not very good at any other sports.
“It’s good that athletes from less traditional nations get to do cross-country skiing and get to the Olympics.”
Don’t miss a moment of the Winter Games on Eurosport and Eurosport Player. Go to www.eurosport.co.uk defeat to pip their hosts on run rate.
Bayliss did concede England missed Stokes during his suspension following his arrest for affray.
“We’ve been down to five bowlers, especially in the one-dayers and T20s,” said Bayliss.
“We’ve been able to have six bowlers before, which gives the captain plenty of options.
“That’s what we’ve missed the most, apart from his individual performances.”
THE Ageas Bowl will not host an Ashes Test in 2023 with Headingley taking the final match behind Lord’s, the Oval, Old Trafford and Edgbaston.
But the south coast venue was celebrating last night after being named as one of the eight for the ECB’s flagship new T20 competition when it kicks off in 2020, joining Leeds, Lord’s, the Oval, Old Trafford, Edgbaston, Trent Bridge and Cardiff as regional hubs.