WHAT’S HOT WHAT’S NOT

HOT RORY McILROY

AN example of a rich, talented athlete who decided there was more to life than another massive payday. By turning down the appearance fees tied to playing a European Tour event in Saudi Arabia in February, he deserves as much credit as Anthony Joshua deserves scrutiny.

CHELSEA

HAVING won the appeal against their transfer ban, the club can now pursue superstars in the summer. This can only be a good thing for Chelsea but you have to wonder about what it means for Frank Lampard’s admirable backing of youth.

MAXINE BLYTHIN

WHEREVER you stand in the minefield of discussions on the issue of transgender athletes in sport, you have to credit those at the heart of the matter who speak up. Blythin, the opener for Kent’s female cricket team, did that in an interview this week, which took immense bravery in fevered circumstances.

NOT MARCO SILVA

AND so it ends. The question is where he will resurface after an underwhelming performance at Everton. The club is a mess but Silva is yet to offer much meaningful proof that he warrants further Premier League appointments.

ANTHONY JOSHUA

HE took the bigger pot of money when other big pots were available, now he has to live with the criticism that comes with fighting in Saudi Arabia. Joshua’s career can join his earnings on a skyward trajectory with a win, but his reputation will always carry a mark from this decision.

JOE DENLY

STANDING at midwicket, Denly dropped Kane Williamson and Jofra Archer could only laugh. Was it the worst drop in Test cricket history? The best mitigation came from one Twitter user, who quite reasonably pointed out the world was spinning quite fast at the time.