England

England was six minutes away from abrupt elimination at the Women's European Championship that it's hosting, but the Lionesses still have hope of lifting a ...

Alexia, the reigning world player of the year, tore her ACL on the eve of the competition. Stars Alexia Putellas and Jenni Hermoso were both forced to miss the duration of the competition with injuries. England is now undefeated in all 18 matches since Wiegman, who coached the Netherlands to the title in 2017, took charge as manager (16-0-2), outscoring opponents 100–4 in that time.

Georgia Stanway celebrates her extra-time goal. Image: PA. ENGLAND BATTLED BACK from a goal down to claim a place in the Euro 2022 semi-finals as Georgia ...

Stanway then caused the Amex to erupt once again as she drove towards the box and unleashed a wonderful shot from just outside it that flew past the diving Panos into the net. The hosts then suddenly looked to have taken the lead in the 37th minute, White firing in when the ball came to her following a Lauren Hemp free-kick – but again the striker saw the assistant referee’s flag raised for offside, and a VAR check confirmed the effort would not stand. Jorge Vilda’s Spain – ranked one place higher than England at seventh in the world, and without star names Alexia Putellas and Jennifer Hermoso at the tournament due to injury – had a line-up showing four changes from the 1-0 win over Denmark that saw them secure second place in their group, with the match-winner on that occasion Marta Cardona among those coming in.

Phil Salt is expected to be given the opportunity to audition for a long-term place in England's ODI batting order.

It’s a case of getting your chest out, crossing the line and proving it again and again. Having already lost the first of three games against the South Africans another failure on Friday would condemn England to a third successive white-ball series defeat, but Salt insists the situation is not affecting the squad. However, while in each of those games he played in his favoured position as opener – it is five years since he batted anywhere else in this format – with Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow ensconced at the top of the order his chance is likely to come a little later.

Georgia Stanway grabbed the attention and not just for the winner while Spain's Esther González showed a clinical touch to take her goal.

6 Grew into the game and threatened late on. Lauren Hemp Struggled in the first half. 6 6 6

Plus: Lauren Hemp and Beth Mead struggle to have an impact up front as Spain nullify their threat; England will face either Sweden or Belgium in the Euro ...

England will hope the injury which forced her off in the closing stages was no more than cramp. Walsh even claimed the assist for the winner, feeding Georgia Stanway to charge forward and score in sensational style. For much of normal time, Keira Walsh found herself unable to influence the game. For a while, some may have whispered that they were mitigating factors, but in reality, neither had a contribution to the outcome either way. The Lionesses will have two extra days of rest than either Sweden or Belgium - who play on Friday. They must make that preparation count. This has rarely - if ever - happened to the Lionesses under Wiegman.

Lancashire batter set for middle-order opportunity on home ground as Ben Stokes' replacement.

"I've been on the fringes for a while. Maybe you could argue there's a degree of selfishness in covering all bases, thus giving himself the best odds when it comes to selection. And if you want to do it and you want to be the best, this is what you're gonna have to do." He credits the T20 circuit for not just allowing him to interact with those kind of players and pick their brains, but also show him the level he needs to be. "You see that when look around all the top domestic leagues in international cricket. You could also argue there is a selflessness in the way he approaches batting. And of course, he is opting for the latter. Look at the numbers, the way they play and the way they've changed how the game is played. Both aged 32, it is a combination that will certainly be in play for this winter's T20 World Cup and the 50-over World Cup next year. Beyond the pull of moving to a Test-venue county that contests for red and white-ball trophies, Salt grew up a Lancashire fan. Born in Wales, he started out as a keener footballer before his family relocated to Barbados and, naturally given his new surroundings, picked up an affinity for cricket.It was in the Caribbeanhe became friends with Jofra Archer, whom he later joined at Sussex following a scholarship to Reed's School, Surrey. Get a spot in the XI, make an impression.