New Zealand
How Owen Farrell, rugby’s man of steel, was pushed to the breaking point
Farrell has stepped away from international rugby to protect himself and his family – Getty Images/Adam Pretty Two days before England’s Rugby World Cup warm-up match against Ireland in Dublin in August, the first warning sign sounded about Owen Farrell’s true state of mind. Until that point, Farrell had always exuded the air of the … Read more
‘I want to coach England, but only when I’m ready’
Ian Bell isn’t afraid to start at the bottom and work his way up the coaching ladder – Getty Images/Gareth Copley The idea of Ian Bell coaching young cricketers is appealing. Imagine a world full of cricketers with cover drives as graceful as his. Indeed, the former England batsman coaches wherever he can be found, … Read more
best player, match and moment – our judgments
Top player Mark Ramprakash Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand) was excellent in the opening match of the tournament and his level hardly dropped. He is a wonderfully talented left-hander, aesthetically very good to look at, who hits the ball with elegant power and has a good head on his shoulders. Add some penetrating left-arm spin and … Read more