ICE HOCKEY: Table-topping Cardiff thumped reigning champions Sheffield 6-3 in front of a sell-out home crowd on Wednesday night to move five points clear in the Elite League. The Devils raced into a 6-0 lead before Sheffield got on the score-sheet in the third period. Tonight’s only fixture pits struggling Glasgow against Belfast before second-placed Coventry, who have two games in hand on Cardiff, face third-placed Guildford on Saturday.

MEN’S CRICKET: The International Cricket Council meets tomorrow to decide if it will bow to pressure from India to stage next year’s Champions Trophy in more than one country. The Indian government has yet again refused to allow their team to travel to Pakistan, who are hosting the tournament, which ensures that they have not played in their neighbouring country for 17 years. By contrast Pakistan did participate in India’s 2023’s World Cup.

MEN’S FOOTBALL: Harrogate Town kick-start the FA Cup second round tonight when they welcome the Northern Premeir League’s Gainsborough Trinity to Wetherby Road. Gainsborough last reached the third round in 1887. Saturday’s highlights include 2013’s champions Wigan Athletic at Cambridge United and 1988’s winners Wimbledon up against Dagenham and Redbridge. Second round winners receive £75,000 while losers get £20,000.

MEN’S CRICKET: Shoaib Bashir repaid some of England’s faith with an unexpected impact on day one of the first Test against New Zealand in Christchurch. The 21-year-old’s off-breaks brought the tourists four wickets as they wrestled the Black Caps for control. Kane Williamson looked like taking charge with a knock of 93, but he was one of four wickets in the evening session as England kept the hosts to 319 for eight before the Morning Star went to print.