Three events you do not want to miss in the month ahead

Cricket England v South Africa Test June 27-30

England’s four-day Test against the Proteas at the Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton kick-starts a bumper summer of women’s cricket ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, which begin on July 28, and the return of the Hundred, starting on Aug 3.

Five debutants (Emma Lamb, Emily Arlott, Lauren Bell, Freya Davies, and Alice Davidson-richards) feature in England’s 13-strong squad for the multi-format series as head coach Lisa Keightley’s side start a new era without retired stalwart bowlers Anya Shrubsole and Katherine Brunt.

TV Sky Sports

Athletics World Championships July 15-24

Britain’s Dina Asher-smith will be looking to put the pain of the Olympics behind her when she defends the 200metres title she secured in Doha two years ago in Oregon. Heptathlete Katarina Johnson-thompson will begin her world-title defence in what will be her first major test since splitting from coach Petros Kyprianou this month.

TV BBC

Football Women’s Euros July 6-31

England will start the quest for their first major piece of silverware against Austria at a sold-out Old Trafford on July 6. Sixteen teams – including debutants Northern Ireland, who are in England’s group along with Austria and Norway – will compete in the tournament, with the final to be played at an 87,200 sell-out Wembley. The Netherlands are the defending champions.

TV BBC