DURHAM HAND YOUNGSTER TRIAL

CRICKET: Durham have signed 23-year-old Middlesex seamer Harry Podmore on loan to play 2nd XI cricket until the end of the season. Podmore – a product of Middlesex’s academy – has played 20 T20 matches and eight first class games including a spell at Glamorgan on loan last season. Durham will monitor Podmore’s progress during their three-day Championship match tomorrow.

CRICKET: Stuart Broad has a meaty milestone in his sights as England prepare to face the West Indies. The 31-year-old, right, is just five Test wickets short of overhauling Sir Ian Botham to move into second place in England’s all-time list. Broad said: “He’s the biggest player England cricket has ever had, and actually having got to know him over the past few years he’s a top guy as well.”

CYCLING: Four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome has “unfinished business” at the Vuelta a Espana. The 32-year-old has finished second three times, in 2011, 2014 and 2016, and has the support of fellow Briton Ian Stannard and two of the Team Sky colleagues who in July helped him win a fourth Tour when the race begins on August 19 in Nimes, France.

ATHLETICS: British Athletics’ performance director Neil Black has hit back at his critics following the World Championships. Black launched a passionate defence of Britain’s performance after they hit their target, despite Sir Mo Farah being the only individual to win medals. He said: “People say and do what they do. We’ll carry on performing and that’s where the motivation comes from.”