MEN’S CRICKET: England hero Jonny Bairstow has credited his experiences in the Indian Premier League with giving him the “gears” to play the innings of his life at Trent Bridge.

Bairstow blitzed a 77-ball century to lead a rousing day-five chase in the second Test against New Zealand – the second fastest ever by an English player – and finished with a brilliant 136.

WOMEN’S NETBALL: England netball star Jade Clarke says her side must shut out the memory of their tumultuous final-second win over Australia four years ago if they are to retain their Commonwealth Games title on home soil this summer.

Clarke, England’s most-capped player with 185 appearances, was part of the squad that claimed their greatest win when Helen Housby scored with the final play of the match to seal a 52-51 victory on the Gold Coast.

MEN’S GOLF: Fifty two years after his father lifted the trophy, Sean Jacklin is relishing the opportunity to ensure the family name is synonymous once more with the US Open.

A year after his victory in the Open Championship at Royal Lytham, Tony Jacklin led from start to finish to win the 1970 US Open at Hazeltine, becoming the first English winner since 1924.

The former Ryder Cup captain will be in Boston this week to see Sean tee it up alongside the likes of Rory McIlroy and defending champion Jon Rahm.

NFL: Once a Chelsea prospect alongside the likes of Mason Mount, Declan Rice and Tammy Abraham, former striker Ayo Oyelola is now looking to fulfil his NFL dreams as safety for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The 23-year-old was assigned to the Florida franchise in March as part of the International Pathway Programme – a scheme instituted in 2017 aimed at helping elite international athletes break into the NFL.