Underhill back for Bath’s derby date
CYCLING
over. Batsmen got themselves in, and found ways to get themselves out, and only Pope went on to pass fifty despite five of the top seven making 29 or more.
South Africa’s bowling was impressive, without being outstanding, and there was usually a gift waiting for them around the corner.
Opener Zak Crawley edged Vernon Philander to the wicketkeeper on four. Denly then put on 55 with Dom Sibley until the other rookie opener fell to another catch behind.
At 105-2, with Root looking busy and Denly getting through a period when he failed to score for 48 balls, control of the
MARK CAVENDISH is closing in on a remarkable Olympic encore at Tokyo 2020.
The Manx Missile,
34, has secured the qualification points he needs to be considered for Team GB’s track cycling squad in the madison, an event in which he is a three-time world champion.
The madison has been restored to the Olympic roster after being left out game was up for grabs. England, however, fluffed it again. Driving, Root edged Anrich Nortje to first slip and was dropped by Rassie van der Dussen.
Two balls later he ducked a short ball and gloved it behind to Quinton de Kock.
Denly followed when he since Beijing in 2008 – where Cavendish was the only member of Britain’s blazing saddles to come home without a medal.
He missed out in the men’s road race on home soil at London 2012 but finally broke his Olympic duck in Rio four years ago, picking up a silver medal in the omnium. British missed a straight ball spinner Keshav Maharaj. There was still a chance for England to put together a big total when Stokes and Pope combined to add an untroubled 58. But just when all-rounder Stokes started to evoke memories of 2016 and his double ton here at Newlands, he gave his wicket away for 47.
Perhaps he felt good, perhaps
Cycling are impressed that Cavendish, who is not part of the Lottery-funded elite programme, reached the Games qualifying standard at his own expense.
Cavendish banked the final points required on December 19 with a top-10 finish at a track event in Grenchen, Switzerland.
All he needs to do now is start the final World Cup round in Canada on January 26 – although the from too the ball stuck a little in the turf, either way he was too early on the shot and drove straight to Dean Elgar at extra cover.
Jos Buttler tried to force the tempo but hit the buffers after a bright and breezy 29, while Sam Curran’s horror leave was a classic of the cartwheeling stump kind.
After losing five wickets for 49 runs, England were on the back foot at 234-9.
At least Pope – reprieved late in the day when paceman Kagiso Rabada overstepped – has given them a competitive sniff if the bowlers can find a way to not only match the home side, but go one better than their attack. line-up is yet to be confirmed.
British Cycling will then have to make a call whether to back the sprint legend’s pedigree in Tokyo.
Cavendish has not added to his 30 Tour de France stage wins since 2016, and his chances of matching Eddy Merckx’s all-time record of 34 are fading, but he is fiercely committed to completing his set of honours with Olympic gold.
ENGLAND flanker Sam Underhill returns for Bath in today’s West Country derby against Gloucester.
TheWorld Cup finalist sat out last weekend’s 16-14 win over Sale but joins Taulupe Faletau and Springbok Francois Louw in the back row for the first time in two years.
Louw switches to blindside at Kingsholm and captains the side while Chris Cook replacesWill Chudley at scrum-half.
Jason Woodward returns at full-back for
VGloucester after being out with groin trouble, meaning Tom Marshall is shunted to the wing.
Teenage wing Louis Rees-Zammit, tipped for a Wales Six Nations call-up, is on the bench.
Welsh fly-half OwenWilliams is also a replacement, having being sidelined since March with knee trouble.
Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann said: “Bath have quality all over. We expect a challenge on all fronts.”