MEN’S CRICKET: Essex paceman Sam Cook will make his England debut when they begin a one-off four-day test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge today. 

Cook has taken 321 wickets in first-class cricket at an average of under 20 and represented the England Lions on their Australian tour earlier this year. 

England are currently ranked behind Australia as the world’s second-best Test team, eight places above the Zimbabweans. 

MEN’S FOOTBALL: The second round of group matches kicks off at Uefa’s Under-17 championships this evening as hosts Albania come up against Germany with both teams looking to recover from opening-day defeats before France take on Portugal. 

England are next in action tomorrow when they face defending champions Italy. Lyon-based Alejandro Rodriguez scored England’s goal in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Belgium while Italy beat Czechia 2-1.

MEN’S RUGBY LEAGUE: Championship side Halifax have signed former Australian NRL star David Nofoaluma until the end of the season. 

The 31-year-old remains the all-time leading try-scorer for the Sydney-based Wests Tigers with 100 touchdowns from 192 appearances. 

He has represented Samoa and Serbia internationally, played two games for Salford in the Super League last year and goes straight into the Halifax squad for Sunday’s match at Oldham.

SPEEDWAY: Premiership action resumes this evening with league leaders Ipswich looking to preserve their 100 per cent home record when they take on the Leicester Lions. 

Leicester currently sit fourth in the table, seven points behind Ipswich but with a game in hand. 

Tonight’s other meeting pits the Oxford Spires against third-placed Sheffield. Sheffield romped to a 57-33 win in the reverse fixture four weeks ago.