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US Open: Can Djokovic avenge Wimbledon defeat?

Tennis fans across the world have only just recovered from an exhilarating two weeks at Wimbledon, but they’re already being served up another treat. The US Open gets underway in New York on Monday and we’re set for another fortnight of full-throttle action.

Novak Djokovic reminded us just how good he was at Wimbledon despite falling at the final hurdle and he’ll be seeking revenge on Carlos Alcaraz, the new kid on the block. Meanwhile, Marketa Vondrousova is targeting the unlikeliest of doubles following her shock Wimbledon win – but there’s a strong list of contenders standing in her way.

Ahead of the competition at Flushing Meadows, we’ve taken a look at the contenders that are set to battle it out for both the men’s and women’s titles.


Wimbledon Court 4

Tennis Hospitality


Djokovic and Alcaraz to resume rivalry

After seemingly passing the baton to Alcaraz at Wimbledon last month, Djokovic is desperate to show the world that he’s not quite finished yet. Despite the defeat in SW19, the Serbian played some of the best tennis of his career and he remains the favourite to claim his fourth US Open title.

Djokovic is targeting his 24th Grand Slam, and his third this year, and he’ll be looking to bounce back in style following Wimbledon. He showed that Alcaraz doesn’t quite have his number yet as he came from a set down to beat him in the Cincinnati Masters final last weekend.

But Alcaraz will be looking to continue the startling form that saw him claim his second major title in south London. The 20-year-old is looking to retain his crown in New York having defeated Casper Ruud a year ago. Following his win at Wimbledon, it’s clear that Alcaraz is the future star of tennis – but Djokovic’s recent form has shown that he’s not quite ready to step away from the top table.


Who else could challenge for the US Open?

World No. 3 Daniil Medvedev’s only Grand Slam title came at the US Open back in 2021. The Russian has enjoyed a strong season and he battled well as he ultimately lost in straight sets to Alcaraz in the semi-finals at Wimbledon.

Djokovic’s semi-final opponent Jannik Sinner is also a contender to keep an eye on. At 22, he’s another star with a bright future and he reached the quarter-finals this time last year. The Italian followed up his final four showing at Wimbledon by winning the Canadian Open earlier this month, defeating Andy Murray in the round of 16.

Despite withdrawing from the Cincinnati Masters, Murray looks set to compete at Flushing Meadows. The British legend won the competition back in 2012 and while he won’t expect to repeat history this time around, he’ll still secretly be dreaming of a fairytale few weeks in what will likely be one of his final US Open appearances.



Can Vondrousova defy the odds again?

The world of tennis was in shock last month as Vondrousova became the first unseeded player to ever win the Wimbledon’s women’s singles title. The Czech comfortably dispatched Ons Jabeur in straight sets to claim her first Grand Slam title.

Vondrousova, who is ranked ninth in the world, will be looking to spring another surprise and make it two out of two at the US Open, where she’s never made it past the fourth round.

Standing in her way will likely be World No. 1 Iga Swiatek, who is targeting back-to-back US Open titles. The four-time Grand Slam winner put a disappointing Wimbledon quarter-final exit behind her by racing to victory in the Poland Open, winning every set in the process.

This year’s Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka will also fancy her chances and she’ll be keen to avenge a semi-final defeat to Swiatek this time last summer. Elsewhere, Elena Rybakina will be looking to add the US Open to last year’s Wimbledon title, although she’ll need to improve in New York, having never got as far as the fourth round.

US stars Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula will be well supported on home soil. Meanwhile, shock 2021 winner Emma Raducanu will be absent as she recovers from wrist surgery.

What to Expect from Ebor Festival 2023

Hold your horses, the flat racing season isn’t quite done yet! The Ebor Festival gets underway this week, with four days of elite racing taking place at the iconic York Racecourse.

The Ebor was first held in 1843 and is one of the last major flat race meetings of the season. And if the prestige of the event isn’t enough to get you in the mood, it’s also one of the last opportunities to see legendary jockey Frankie Dettori in action.

The Italian has enjoyed many incredible moments at the festival, with his first Group 1 winner coming way back in 1993. He also rode Enable to victory in the Yorkshire Oaks in both 2017 and 2019.

As we look ahead to another spectacular event in York, we’ve put together all the information you need to enjoy this year’s Ebor Festival.


Ebor Festival 2023 schedule


Wednesday 23rd August – Juddmonte International

The first day at the Ebor Festival sees York’s richest race of the season, the Juddmonte International Stakes, take place. Dettori will be looking to win the Group 1 contest for a record sixth time as he stands in for Jim Crowley aboard Mostahdaf.

Elsewhere, there are plenty of other top races to look forward to, with the Voltigeur Stakes immediately following the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes on a jam-packed opening day.

1:50pm – Sky Bet & Symphony Group Stakes

2:25pm – Tattersalls Acomb Stakes

3:00pm – Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes

3:35pm – Juddmonte International Stakes

4:10pm – Sky Bet Stayers Stakes

4:45pm – IRE Incentive, It Pays to Buy Irish Stakes – Fillies’ Handicap

5:20pm – Sky Bet Nursery


Thursday 24th August – Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks & Ladies Day

Ladies Day takes place on day two and while spectacular outfits will be on display, all eyes will be on the Yorkshire Oaks. Savethelastdance and Bluestocking are going head-to-head again in the British Champions Series race, having finished first and second in the Irish Oaks last month.

Thursday kicks off with the Lowther Stakes, a Group 2 sprint over six furlongs, before the Premier Yearling Stakes gets underway.

1:50pm – Sky Bet Lowther Stakes

2:25pm – Goffs UK Harry Beeby Premier Yearling Stakes

3:00pm – Clipper Stakes

3:35pm – Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks

4:10pm – British EBF and Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes

4:40pm – OR8wellness ebfstallions Nursery

5:20pm – British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies’ Stakes


Friday 25th August – Coolmore Nunthorpe

The key race to look out for on Friday is the Nunthorpe Stakes, which Dettori won for the first time on Lochsong 30 years ago. Last year’s winner Highfield Princess is the favourite to retain the crown this time around.

Elsewhere, look out for the Lonsdale Cup, a race Dettori has won on three of the last five occasions, as well as the Gimcrack Stakes, a Group 2 affair.

1:50pm – Sky Bet Stakes

2:25pm – Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup

3:00pm – Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes

3:35pm – Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes

4:10pm – Assured Data Protection EBF Fillies’ Stakes

4:40pm – British Stallion Studs EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes

5:20pm – Sky Bet Mile Stakes


Saturday 26th August – Sky Bet Ebor

The final day of the festival sees us go out in style with the Ebor Handicap, the most valuable flat handicap in Europe. The favourite this time around is Sweet William, who recently edged Dettori’s Adjuvant in the Coral Summer Handicap at Goodwood.

Day four kicks off with the Strensall Stakes, a Group 3 race that Dettori has won a record eight times. Elsewhere, look out for the City of York Stakes and the Melrose Stakes.

1:50pm – Sky Bet & Symphony Group Strensall Stakes

2:25pm – Sky Bet Melrose Stakes

3:00pm – Sky Bet City of York Stakes

3:35pm – Sky Bet Ebor

4:10pm – Sky Bet Constantine Stakes

4:45pm – Julia Graves Roses Stakes

5:20pm – Sky Bet Finale Stakes


Watch the Ebor Festival in style

With the flat racing season almost over, the Ebor Festival is one of your last chances to catch a glimpse of the best horses and jockeys in action. As ever, you can take advantage of Engage’s exclusive hospitality packages, with luxury private enclosures, food and drinks packages and plenty more.

Comedy to see in 2024

There’s nothing quite like a good night out watching comedy. It allows us to switch off for an hour or two, enjoy heartwarming (and sometimes horrifying!) stories and, most of the time, try not to cry from laughing.

Well, if a stand-up show is what you’re after then you’re in for a treat. Next year, not one, not even two but three of the UK’s greatest ever comedians are hitting the road.

Peter Kay, Michael McIntyre and Romesh Ranganathan are all back on tour, with dates up and down the country, including at the O2 Arena.

Fancy joining us for a laugh? Here’s everything you need to know.

Peter Kay

Legendary Bolton comedian Peter Kay is finally back, almost 12 years after his record-breaking last tour. He’s been one of the country’s leading stand-ups for more than 26 years and is the creator and star of Channel 4’s That Peter Kay Thing and Phoenix Nights.

Kay first went on tour in 2002 and he followed up his debut with his second show, The Tour That Didn’t Tour Tour… Now On Tour, which broke the Guinness World Record for selling the most amount of tickets in history. Almost 1.2 million people saw the tour across 113 dates and Kay’s latest venture initially sold out as soon as it went on sale.

The new tour is titled Better Late Than Never and touches on nostalgia and early jobs, as well as family life and health issues, delivered in his usual honest and relatable style. Kay’s tour is already underway and he’s taking it to the biggest cities in the UK, with several dates to look forward to in London and Manchester.

The 50-year-old is set to become the first ever artist to put on a monthly residency at the O2, which gets underway in 2024, before concluding the tour the following year.

You can watch all of Kay’s O2 shows from the best seats in the house with our exclusive hospitality packages. Enjoy the best views of the stage in premium level 1 seats, as well as access to the VIP lounge and private bar.

Kay will also be finishing 2023 with several dates at the Manchester Arena. Fancy bringing your pals for an unforgettable night of laughter? You can take advantage of our private boxes, all stocked up with a gourmet buffet and complimentary drinks.

Michael McIntyre

Family favourite McIntyre is also back on the road, with four dates scheduled to take place at the O2 next spring.

The loveable stand-up first appeared on Live At The Apollo and he hasn’t looked back since. The BAFTA winner has been a judge on Britain’s Got Talent, as well as hosting Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and The Wheel.

He’s enjoyed remarkable success from previous tours, as more than 700,000 people attended Showtime in 2012. As well as that, he’s also previously sold out a record-breaking 28 shows at the O2.

McIntyre is embarking on his sixth stand-up tour with Macnificent, where fans can expect classic observational material as he brings everyday relatable topics to life on stage.

The show will tour the UK and Ireland, as well as travelling overseas to the likes of New York, Australia, New Zealand and Dubai.

The 47-year-old has pencilled in nights at the O2 on 5th, 6th, 12th and 13th April next year, with exclusive areas, private bars, luxurious suites and the best views in the building available with our hospitality packages.

Romesh Ranganathan

The fun doesn’t stop there because another much-loved comedian is flying into the O2 for two showstopping tour dates next year.

Ranganathan first joined the comedy circuit around 10 years ago while he was still working as a school teacher. Since then, he’s developed into one of the most successful comics in the country and has presented several of his own TV shows as well as becoming a regular panellist on A League Of Their Own.

Following sell-out tours and Netflix specials, Ranganathan is back to bring Hustle up and down the UK, including two nights in London on 24th and 25th May next year.

The show explores whether hustling is the key to success, looking at the good and bad sides of people and hilariously contemplating the benefits of charity.

If you’re excited to see Romesh back on the road again, enjoy his new show in style with Engage’s luxury hospitality packages

Formula 1: The race to finish second to Max Verstappen

We’re just over halfway through the Formula 1 season but barring the unlikeliest of comebacks, Max Verstappen’s name is already on the trophy.

The Red Bull driver has swept all before him so far this year, winning 10 races and finishing on the podium in the other two. Verstappen has almost double the points of his closest rival and is well on track to claiming his third consecutive world title.

Despite his dominance, the race is still on to finish second so we’ve taken a look at the runner-up contenders.


The battle for second place

There are 10 races remaining in the F1 season, with the Dutch Grand Prix up next on 27th August. As it stands, Sergio Perez is on track to finish second and is the only driver other than Verstappen to win a race this year.

The Mexican came out on top in both Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan, while he’s also finished on the podium on five other occasions. Perez has never won the championship, with his third-place finish last year the best of his career so far.

Elsewhere, just one point separates old rivals Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton in the standings. The pair have respectively finished on the podium six and four times this season and if they can up their game and get a few wins under their belt, there’s every chance either one of them can leapfrog Perez into second place.

Charles Leclerc sits in fifth with three podium finishes and the 2022 runner-up will have ambitions of matching his finish from last year. Meanwhile, a late contender could be rising up the ranks in the form of Lando Norris.

The McLaren driver sits in eighth but he’s come into a bit of form of late, finishing second in two of the last three races, including a stunning performance at Silverstone where he finished just 3.798 seconds behind Verstappen.


Formula 1 racing at the 2023 British Grand Prix in Silverstone

Struggles for Hamilton and Mercedes

Rewind a few years and it would have been unthinkable to imagine an F1 season without Hamilton winning a race. Yet the 38-year-old has picked up where he left off, having failed to pick up a single win last year.

He’s yet to taste victory in 2023 and as he enters the twilight of his career, there are huge fears that his best years are behind him.

It’s not all bad for Hamilton. He currently sits fourth in the rankings and has enjoyed four top-three finishes so far in 2023. In fact, three consecutive podiums had threatened to put him back into form and lead a late charge on champion-elect Verstappen’s crown.

The most recent of those came at Silverstone, Hamilton’s spiritual home where he’d won the British Grand Prix in three of the previous four years. Despite falling down into seventh, he managed to fight his way back up the order to end the race in third.

But he’s failed to build on that momentum, missing out on the podium in the most recent two races and looking well off Verstappen’s pace. A disastrous showing at the Hungarian Grand Prix saw Hamilton finish fourth, despite starting the race in pole position.

It remains to be seen who Hamilton will be driving for next year. His Mercedes future is up in the air, with his deal expiring at the end of season, and he’s reportedly received an offer to jump ship and join Ferrari.

Having not won the World Championship since 2020, Hamilton may fancy a fresh start. He’s made it clear he has no intention of retiring until he edges ahead of Michael Schumacher, who he’s currently level with on seven titles. But time is running out for the legend and with Verstappen in a league of his own, Hamilton will have to wait until 2024 before he can finish on top for a record eighth time.


Watch the rest of the Formula 1 season in style

There are still 10 races to go and regardless of Verstappen’s lead, every single Grand Prix guarantees unmissable drama.

We offer exclusive hospitality packages for every single race, so why not join us and enjoy the action from the best seats in the house.

Lando Norris driving McLaren MCL60 at the Formula 1

Formula 1 Hospitality

What we learnt from England’s Rugby World Cup warm-up match

With the Rugby World Cup now less than a month away, all 20 nations are well underway in their preparations for the tournament in France.

England took on Wales in the first of four warm-up matches in Cardiff last week and while it may not have gone the way coach Steve Borthwick would have hoped, he will have learned plenty about his side’s capabilities.

Wales came out on top, beating England 20-9 in a low-scoring affair at the Principality Stadium. The hosts adopted a defensive gameplan in the first half, with George North coming to their rescue to prevent two England tries.

England were on top throughout the first period but failed to turn their dominance into points. Borthwick’s side went into the break 9-6 up thanks to three penalties from Marcus Smith.

But their failure to score tries came back to bite them as Wales improved in the second half. Warren Gatland’s team gained 22 turnovers after the break and converted two tries as they scored 14 points without reply.

Borthwick had pretty much decided his World Cup squad prior to the game but he used the Wales match to give a few players their final opportunity to impress. Unfortunately, it didn’t go to plan for some of them, with eight of those that featured in Cardiff cut from the final squad that was named on Monday.


Rugby World Cup France 2023


What to expect from the second game against Wales?

England continue their World Cup warm-up games this weekend as they welcome Wales to Twickenham for a return fixture. Should they win their pool at the World Cup, there’s a good chance they’ll face either Wales or Australia in the knockout stage, so testing themselves against Gatland’s side is invaluable for their preparation.

Borthwick will be keen to see his side be more clinical this weekend, having dominated for periods without return against Wales last Saturday. With England’s 33-man World Cup squad now confirmed, the line-up this weekend may be more of a reflection of what we can expect to see against Argentina in their opening game in France.

For Wales, Gatland is not planning on naming his squad until after their match against South Africa next Saturday. They may choose to experiment with their line-up at Twickenham, giving England an opportunity to control the game and build some momentum.

Borthwick has chosen to take three fly-halves to France so all eyes will be on who gets the nod against Wales and whether this has any bearing on who will be first choice. Owen Farrell sat out against Wales but he remains captain so will be expecting to start.

Yet his versatility at being able to play centre could give an opportunity for Marcus Smith or George Ford to make the position their own.

England take on Wales at Twickenham at 17:30 on Saturday and you can watch the action in style with one of our exclusive hospitality packages.



England’s World Cup squad

Borthwick named his World Cup on Monday and among the surprise omissions were Exeter Chiefs centre Henry Slade and Harlequins star Alex Dombrandt. Slade has played at the last two World Cups but he’ll be disappointed to have missed out this time around.

Meanwhile, Dombrandt’s exclusion has raised a few eyebrows considering Billy Vuniploa, who hasn’t played since April, is the only recognised No. 8 in the squad. Dombrandt would have provided ideal competition but Borthwick may feel that the likes of Lewis Ludlam, Ben Earl and Tom Curry can deputise if necessary.

Since taking over from Eddie Jones as England’s head coach in December, Steve Borthwick has trusted Owen Farrell with the armband and will do once again in France with the announcement that he will captain the side in his third World Cup.

This also suggests that Owen Farrell will be England’s first choice fly-half heading into the tournament, but his ability to play as a centre could benefit Marcus Smith or George Ford who will also be a part of England’s plans in France.

The England squad is packed full of experience, with more than 1,400 caps between them, although 16 of them are in line to make their World Cup debuts.

They’ll all be keen to make an impression in England’s final three warm-up games before the tournament gets underway next month. Following Saturday’s match against Wales, Borthwick’s side travel to Ireland on 19th August before hosting Fiji a week later.

Forwards: Ollie Chessum, Dan Cole, Tom Curry, Theo Dan, Ben Earl, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam, Joe Marler, George Martin, David Ribbans, Bevan Rodd, Kyle Sinckler, Will Stuart, Billy Vunipola, Jack Walker, Jack Willis.

Backs: Henry Arundell, Danny Care, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell, George Ford, Ollie Lawrence, Max Malins, Joe Marchant, Marcus Smith, Freddie Steward, Manu Tuilagi, Jack van Poortvliet, Anthony Watson, Ben Youngs.

ICON Legends – Stuart Broad – England Cricket Idol

English cricket may have entered a new era but it has also reached the end of one with Stuart Broad retiring last week. After a professional career spanning almost 20 years, the legendary bowler has made the decision to hang up his headband for good.

Broad will go down as one of England’s greatest ever players and he went out with a bang, taking his 604th Test wicket (and his 151st in the Ashes) with the final ball of his career.

The 37-year-old spent the majority of his career at hometown club Nottinghamshire, as well as enjoying brief dalliances in the IPL and the Big Bash. He played a whopping 167 Test matches for England and has captained both the ODI and T20i teams.

As part of our ICON series, we’ve taken a look at the highlights of Broad’s glittering career.

Broad’s early years

Considering he spent his career near the bottom of the order, it’s hard to believe that Broad started out as an opening batsman. A growth spurt at 17 saw him develop into a fast bowler and it wasn’t too long before the fresh-faced starlet was making his first-class debut for Leicestershire.

Broad spent three years at the midlands club before switching allegiance to Nottinghamshire in 2007, where he spent the rest of his domestic career. And it was that very same year that he faced his first true test as a cricketer.

In a T20 World Cup match against India, Yuvraj Singh hit Broad for six sixes from just one over. It was the first time it had ever happened in a T20 game and just the fourth time in cricket history.

Instead of letting the incident derail his progress, Broad used it as inspiration. Just three months later he made his Test debut and he hasn’t looked back since, becoming a mainstay in the team for the next 16 years.

Becoming a Test match star

Broad’s Ashes debut came two years later in Cardiff as he followed in the footsteps of his father, Chris Broad, who played 25 Test matches for England. The fifth Test at The Oval saw him crowned man of the match as he bowled an impressive 5/37.

Broad continued to shine on the world stage for England with both bat and ball. In 2010 he scored a career-high 169 against Pakistan, the second highest ever score from a number nine.

And the following summer he claimed his first Test match hat-trick against India at Trent Bridge. He’s one of only four players to claim multiple hat-tricks, with the second coming against Sri Lanka at Headingley in 2014.

In 2012, the West Indies didn’t know what had hit them at Lord’s. It was the Stuart Broad show as he got 7/72, finishing the match with 11 wickets.

Hometown glory

If England fans were impressed with Broad’s bowling display at Lord’s, they hadn’t seen anything yet. With England 2-1 up against Australia in the 2015 Ashes, they travelled to Trent Bridge for the fourth Test.

Perhaps spurred on by the crowd at his home ground, Broad was unstoppable. He recorded 8/15, the best bowling performance in the Ashes since Jim Laker in 1956, and the Aussies were bowled out for just 60 runs.

It was Broad’s best ever return in his career and England went on to win the match and claim the urn. Remarkably, his eight wickets didn’t include David Warner, who was dismissed by Mark Wood that day. The pair enjoyed a healthy rivalry throughout their careers, with Broad getting Warner a whopping 17 times in total.

Going out in style

For cricket fans, the summer of 2023 will be remembered for an incredible all-action, full-throttle, Ashes series – and Broad more than played his part.

He’s been part of so many Test sides throughout his illustrious career and his consistent bowling and reinvention at the crease as the ‘Nighthawk’ made him a perfect element for the ‘Bazball’ revolution.

Ultimately, the series didn’t go England’s way as a rain-soaked Manchester spoiled the fun during the fourth Test, meaning Australia retained the urn. But after announcing his imminent retirement midway through the final match at The Oval, Broad made sure his teammates would get the chance to party regardless.

Not one to go quietly, the stars aligned and the cricket gods ensured he went out in style. Emotions were high as Broad came out to bat for one final time with old pal Jimmy Anderson and there was undoubtedly a feeling of smugness as old foes Australia were forced to give him a guard of honour.

The early morning partnership didn’t last long but Broad made it memorable as he smashed Mitchell Starc for six from the final ball he’ll ever face. And when the tables were turned and England needed a hero to level the series, old reliable stepped up.

As Broad prepared to bowl another over, he was told by captain Ben Stokes that it would be his last, with Wood set to come in with his extra pace. But there would be no need for Wood as Broad finished the match, and the series, forcing Alex Carey to edge into the hands of Jonny Bairstow.

It would be impossible to sum up Broad’s career in just two final actions but fearless tail-end batting and relentless, pinpoint bowling is just about as close as you can get.

Who Will Fire Their Team to Ryder Cup Glory?

The golf majors may be over for another year but don’t worry, there’s some good news on the horizon. The Ryder Cup swings into action next month and the world’s best players have been doing everything they can to be selected for the teams.

Brian Harman did his chances of making the USA team no harm as he shocked the world to win The Open last month. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy is back to his best and he’ll be hoping to help captain Luke Donald bring the Ryder Cup back to Europe.

Ahead of the iconic competition getting underway in Italy, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know.


Brian Harman swings into Ryder Cup contention

A few weeks ago, Harman wouldn’t have been on USA captain Zach Johnson’s radar. But the American looks set to make his Ryder Cup debut next month after masterminding a fairytale win at The Open.

Harman won the Claret Jug back in July after finishing 13 under at a rain-soaked Royal Liverpool. The 36-year-old was a 125-1 shot before the tournament but being an outsider didn’t seem to faze him. Harman’s lead never dropped below three all weekend and he’s just the third ever left-handed Open champion.

McIlroy finished six under in a good showing as he continued his strong form having won the Scottish Open the week before. He beat Scotsman Robert MacIntyre by one after hitting an incredible 200-yarder to set up a crucial birdie on the 18th.

McIlroy is now second in the world rankings and is the first ever player to win The Open, the Scottish Open and the Irish Open.

All eyes are now on the Ryder Cup, with the four majors done and dusted for another year. Jon Rahm won the Masters while Brooks Koepka came out on top in the PGA Championship. McIlroy came close to winning the US Open in June but he lost out to Wyndham Clark by one shot.


AIG Women's Open - Day Four

Golf Hospitality


Everything you need to know about the Ryder Cup

The Ryder Cup returns to Europe this summer and it’s the turn of the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club near Rome to host. The famous competition takes place from Friday 29th September to Sunday 1st October and Europe are looking to reclaim the cup from the USA, who won 19-9 in Wisconsin two years ago.

Each team will consist of 12 players, with slightly different selection criterias for each. Donald will captain Europe and his side will be made up of the top three players based on European points, the top three based on World points and six players of his own choice.

USA captain Johnson will lead the top six players based on qualification points and again will choose the other six.

The first two days of golf will consist of four foursome matches and four four-ball matches. The Ryder Cup will then conclude on the final day with 12 singles matches. Overall, there are 28 points on offer. Teams need 14.5 points to win the Ryder Cup but in the event of a tie, USA will retain the cup as holders.

Which players are likely to qualify for the Ryder Cup?

Two of the European spots are already secured. McIlroy’s impressive form of late puts him top of the rankings and he’ll be looking to be on the winning side for the fifth time. Rahm will also be in the team after tying for second with seven under at The Open.

As it stands MacIntyre is in pole position to make the cut. He sits third in the European points rankings following his fine showing at the Scottish Open. The front runners in the World points ranking are currently Viktor Hovland and Tyrrell Hatton, who were in the team last time out, as well as Tommy Fleetwood.

For the USA, world number one Scottie Scheffler is guaranteed to be on the plane. Elsewhere, Clark and Harman are expected to make their Ryder Cup debuts following their major wins this year.

Brooks Koepka, Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay make up the rest of the top six and will be in the team as it stands. But both sides will not be named for a while (Europe on 3rd September and USA on 20th August) so there’s still time for the rankings to change.

Who could be the captain picks?

Adrian Meronk should make the cut for Europe after a strong season. The 30-year-old scored an impressive 67 in the final round at The Open and won the Italian Open earlier this year. He’s also had five top five finishes so will undoubtedly be on Donald’s radar.

Austrian Sepp Straka tied for second at The Open so should be a shoo-in, while Yannik Paul is currently fourth in the European points rankings. Elsewhere, Shane Lowry, Justin Rose and Matt Fitzpatrick could be considered.

While no captain picks have officially been announced for the USA, vice-captain Fred Couples has already let slip some of the names that will be on the team. During an interview last week, he revealed that Jordan Spieth, Max Homa and Cameron Young will all be included.

Rickie Fowler will be considered, having won the Rocket Mortgage Classic, as well as finishing in the top five at the US Open. Keegan Bradley and Collin Morikawa are also currently in the top 12 of the US rankings so will be looking to impress Johnson over the coming weeks.

‘Bazball’ may not have won the Ashes but the future is bright

It may have been a typical British summer in terms of the weather but when it comes to cricket, it’s been uncharacteristically fun. Despite England not managing to win the Ashes, the all-out attacking style of ‘Bazball’ has made Test cricket enjoyable again and delivered one of the greatest series in recent history.

A thrilling final day in the fifth Test at The Oval saw a Stuart Broad inspired England win to level the series at 2-2. Australia ultimately retained the famous urn but it was important for Brendan McCullum that his side didn’t go down without a fight – and it could have been so different had the fourth Test not been ruined by the rain.

While it may not be traditional, there’s rarely a dull moment with ‘Bazball’. And as Ben Stokes and co. look forward to some time off following a full throttle few weeks, it’ll be fascinating to see where England’s Test side go from here.

Stuart Broad bowling at Old Trafford during the fourth Ashes Test Match 2023

Cricket Hospitality

‘Bazball’ has made Test cricket great again

Whether you love or hate ‘Bazball’, one thing is certain – English Test cricket is alive and kicking. Prior to McCullum taking charge, England had won just once in 17 matches. Something needed to change and it’s been non-stop fun since last May.

England’s new style is exciting, fresh and it’s seen interest in Test cricket reach the highest it’s been in years. It’s not perfect and it may not have delivered an Ashes win but like anything new, it’s a learning process.

‘Bazball’ certainly comes with risk but that’s what makes it exciting. The decision to declare early in the first Test at Edgbaston received criticism and in hindsight, it may have been a mistake. But it showed positive thinking and had it come off, McCullum and Stokes would have been labelled geniuses.

Playing it safe clearly hadn’t been working so it’s refreshing to see them try something new. And ultimately, it’s not early declarations or batting order selection that stopped England winning the Ashes. It’s individual errors, poor shot selection and dropped catches (not to mention the rain!), which can be ironed out and could so easily have gone the other way.

‘Bazball’ is not just a fun experiment – it’s only just getting started. There’s no reason to change it now and England now have six months to learn from their mistakes and conjure up a plan to take it to the next level.


Old Trafford Cricket Ground during the fourth Ashes Test Match 2023

Changing of the guard

‘Bazball’ isn’t the only dramatic change affecting England’s Test cricket side. Legendary bowler Broad has announced his retirement from the game – and he might not be the only one.

The 37-year-old has enjoyed almost 17 years representing England in all disciplines of cricket and there likely wasn’t a dry eye in the house as he walked out to bat one last time with old pal Jimmy Anderson on day four at The Oval.

Not one for going out quietly, Broad finished in style as he smashed Mitchell Starc for six in his final shot in Test cricket. And in his final innings with ball in hand, Broad finished his career with the ultimate fairytale ending, dismissing Todd Murphy and Alex Carey to claim 604 Test wickets and win England the match.

While Anderson is yet to announce where his future lies, there are grumblings that his retirement may not be too far away either. The Lancashire stalwart turned 41 on Saturday and having struggled with his fitness this year, he may choose to call it a day in the near future.

Despite some of England’s greats reaching the twilight of their careers, the future remains bright. This Ashes series has shown there are plenty of young prospects ready to step up and lead the next generation.

Harry Brook is just 24 and only made his Test debut last September. Yet at times against Australia, he looked like a seasoned pro and his 75 was pivotal in England winning the third Test at Headingley.

Similarly, Zak Crawley is only a year older than Brook and he’s established himself as a superb opening batsman. His stunning return of 189 at Old Trafford will go down in Ashes history, regardless of the match eventually being rained off.

The next time the Ashes takes place on these shores, the likes of Stokes, Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow may still be fit and hungry enough to play a part. But the latest series has shown that the conveyor belt of talent in this country is as fruitful as ever and the future is in good hands.

What’s next for England?

Some members of England’s Ashes team will have their eye on the World Cup, which gets underway in October. But for the Test side, there’s plenty of World Test Championship action to look forward to over the next couple of years.

The Ashes series against Australia was the first of England’s six scheduled fixtures in the competition, which involves nine nations in total. The two sides that finish top of the table will battle it out in a final at Lord’s in the summer of 2025.

Next up for England is a trip to India for a five-match series starting in January. Stokes will be hoping to be fit and raring to go by then. The England skipper is set to spend the next six months recovering from a knee injury that has given him constant issues throughout the Ashes.

Following the India fixture, England will be back on home soil for two Test matches next summer. First up they welcome the West Indies in July, with three matches taking place at Lord’s, Trent Bridge and Edgbaston.

The following month, McCullum’s side will start another three-match series against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford, Lord’s and The Oval. If you enjoyed the Ashes and fancy seeing ‘Bazball’ in person, you can watch these series from the best seats in the house with our exclusive hospitality packages.

England will finish their World Test Championship campaign with away trips to Pakistan and New Zealand at the end of next year, before (hopefully) heading to Lord’s for the final. Fingers crossed!

Will Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury ever happen?

Let’s get ready to rumble! Heavyweight boxing is set for a huge final few months of the year, with Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury both set to return to the ring. Sadly, they won’t be fighting each other – at least for now.

Talks between the pair broke down at the end of last year, so Fury fought Derek Chisora instead. And while we all want to see them finally go head-to-head, they’ve now both got confirmed fights coming up.

AJ is set for a long-awaited rematch against Dillian Whyte, while Fury is putting his reputation on the line against UFC fighter Francis Ngannou. With Oleksandr Usyk and Deontay Wilder both getting itchy feet for a big clash, we’re set for an interesting few months both in and out of the ring.

Has Joshua still got it?

With a Fury showdown looking as unlikely as ever, Joshua is set to face old foe Whyte in a rematch at the O2 on Saturday 12th August.

It’s Joshua’s first fight since 2015 with no belts on the line and he insists that Whyte is just a “body in the way” as he eyes a mega-money clash with Wilder in the Middle East later this year.

Having first fought as amateurs, Joshua and Whyte met almost eight years ago for the then-vacant British heavyweight title. AJ survived an early scare to come out on top and has hardly looked back since.

Since first fighting Whyte professionally, Joshua has twice gone on to become the unified heavyweight champion of the world, recording iconic wins over the likes of Wladimir Klitschko and Alexander Povetkin along the way.

But the 33-year-old hasn’t enjoyed the best of times in recent years. He suffered his first defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019 and despite beating him in the rematch, he’s since been defeated twice by Usyk to surrender his titles.

Whyte has come a long way since that defeat to Joshua and he’ll be no pushover. He lasted almost six rounds with Fury last April on the back of a devastating rematch victory over Povetkin.

Both fighters beat Jermaine Franklin in their most recent bouts and the outcome of their upcoming fight will have huge implications for the heavyweight division. Wilder is waiting to meet the winner and if Joshua loses, his stock will be at its lowest in years.

A highly-anticipated showdown with Fury would be a guaranteed money-spinner for both fighters – but it remains to be seen if either of them even want to do it.

Is Fury scared of Usyk?

After talks with Joshua broke down, it looked like Fury was set to take on Usyk. The Ukrainian has beaten AJ twice and currently holds the WBA, IBF, WBO, IBO and The Ring heavyweight titles.

He’s willing to put his belts on the line and prove he’s the world’s best by taking Fury’s WBC title. But boxing fans will have to wait if they want to see that match-up.

Fury has raised a few eyebrows by agreeing to take on former UFC star Ngannou, who has never boxed professionally in his career. The pair will meet on 28th October in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

It’s not the first time we’ve seen a fight like this take place. Floyd Mayweather was taken to the 10th round by Conor McGregor when they met back in 2017.

Fury remains unbeaten in his career and has won his last four fights by knockout. So for the self-proclaimed greatest heavyweight in the world to choose a mixed martial artist for his next opponent feels like something of a step down.

He beat Whyte last April before seeing off Chisora for a third time in December, so it seemed inevitable that Usyk would be next. Usyk, who is unbeaten himself, has ambitions of becoming a unified two-weight undisputed champion.

The 36-year-old is keeping himself in shape by taking on Daniel Dubois in Poland at the end of August and has accused Fury of being scared of him by suggesting that he’s only taken the Ngannou fight for money rather than to test himself.

Usyk had hoped to finish the year with a showdown against Fury, who he’s been chasing since his rematch win over Joshua a year ago. But with Fury now solely focussed on his meeting with Ngannou, we’ll have to wait and see what the future holds.

Will Joshua ever fight Fury?

For years Joshua vs Fury was the fight that everybody wanted to see. And while it would still be one of the most anticipated clashes in British boxing history, the clamour for it to happen doesn’t seem as strong as it once was.

Reports at the end of last year suggested it was closer than ever and an agreement was close to being found. But both parties accused the other of backing out so we may never truly know the reasons for it not happening.

As AJ no longer has any belts, there’s less incentive for Fury to make the fight happen. A lot depends on Fury’s mindset and how much love he still has for the sport following his clash with Ngannou.

In an ideal world, Fury eventually beats Usyk and puts all of the belts on the line against Joshua in the heavyweight clash of the century. But boxing is unpredictable so for now we’ll just have to cross our fingers and enjoy the fights that are actually happening.

Australia retain the Ashes as rain ruins England’s chances

Despite their best efforts in the limited playing time at Old Trafford, England’s hopes of winning the Ashes are over. A rain-delayed fourth Test ended in a draw, meaning the famous urn will be returning down under with Australia.

After losing the first two Tests, a win at Headingley had given England hope of a historic turnaround. The opening few days at Old Trafford threatened to turn this into one of the most exciting Ashes series in history.

But in a cruel twist of fate, a dramatic comeback was taken out of England’s hands by the weather to turn the series into a (literal) damp squib. With just 30 overs bowled in the final two days, the fourth Test was rained off, leaving the score at 2-1 to Australia.

England can now only hope of levelling the scores in the final Test at The Oval, meaning holders Australia retain the Ashes. Yet despite the disappointing end result, England’s spirited performance at Old Trafford has given huge reasons to be optimistic going forward.

The Oval Test Match

Cricket Hospitality

Bazball makes its mark

With England needing a win and the weather forecast threatening us with a three-day Test, the country sat back and prepared to see ‘Bazball’ in its purest form.

A strong bowling performance limited Australia to just 317 in a first innings that included Stuart Broad’s 600th Test wicket and an incredible diving catch from the much-maligned Jonny Bairstow.

It was England’s turn to bat and Old Trafford feared the worst when Ben Duckett was caught behind by Alex Carey after just six balls. But they needn’t have worried as Zak Crawley took the game by the scruff of the neck.

The Kent batsman was in imperious form, smashing home an incredible 189 to record just his third Test century. Crawley built up a huge partnership with Joe Root, whose 84 boosted England’s tally.

There were some concerns prior to the match when it was revealed that Moeen Ali had been pushed up the order but his 54 was the highest score from a three in the whole series, before Marnus Labuschagne beat it in his second innings.

As England built up a lead, an early declaration was on their mind as they kept one eye on the weather forecast. Then it was time to have some fun. Harry Brook, Ben Stokes and Bairstow all got in on the act, scoring 50s.

It was the first time since the 1930s that six of England’s top seven had all scored 50 in the same innings, as well as being the fastest either team has ever reached 300 in an Ashes Test innings.

England were unstoppable as they finished on 592, giving them a 275-run lead over Australia. Their only job now? Bowl them out before the rain ruins the fun.

They tried their best, but ultimately nature spoiled the party. As the action ended on day four, England had taken five wickets and were 61 runs ahead. But sadly, there was nothing they could do. A constant flow of rain meant there was no play on day five, meaning Australia retained the Ashes by default.


England v Australia Day 2

Bairstow silences his critics

Bairstow received plenty of criticism for his performances in the first three Tests – some of it was harsh, some perhaps justified. In fact, his initial inclusion in the squad raised some eyebrows considering he’s spent much of the last year sidelined with a broken leg.

The wicket keeper has had a mixed series. He’s dropped several catches and there have been calls to bump him up the order and bring in Ben Foakes behind the stumps. But after a 78 in the opening innings at Edgbaston, Bairstow’s best return prior to Old Trafford was 20, so it was a stretch to suggest his batting was keeping him in the side.

Rightly or wrongly, Stokes has stuck by his man. And the England captain’s loyalty was rewarded as Bairstow looked reborn in the fourth Test. He made three catches during Australia’s first innings (and another three in their second), including a mind-blowing diving one-hander to dismiss Mitchell Marsh.

The 33-year-old’s safe hands gave him confidence as he returned to the crease. Bairstow smashed Australia around the park to earn an unbeaten 99, which would have been his 13th Test century had Jimmy Anderson’s lbw dismissal not signalled the end of England’s first innings.

England may have ultimately failed in their mission to reclaim the Ashes on home soil. However, Bairstow certainly played his part in running the Aussies close and his return to form following his now infamous run out at Lord’s has justified his continued selection.

Does Test cricket need a shake up?

The evolution of England’s style under Brendan McCullum and Stokes has made them exciting to watch again. The all-action nature of this summer’s Ashes series has reignited the country’s love for the game.

So, does Test cricket as a whole need to take a leaf out of the ‘Bazball’ playbook? It seems strange that such a thrilling match can be spoiled by something as trivial as the weather. Most of us can take losing a series when we’ve been outplayed by a better team. But when the rain takes over, it’s just underwhelming.

It’s right that cricket has been this way since its inception and traditions need to be respected to an extent. But the game has modernised in many ways, whether that’s through umpire technology, equipment or playing style.

So would it not make sense to have contingency plans in place to deal with adverse weather? Having a day or two in reserve in the event that matches are shortened would ensure that as much cricket as possible is played.

Earlier in the week when it was clear that days four and five were in jeopardy, playing later in the day or having a shortened lunch break to get extra overs played would have made logical sense.

Regardless of the outcome, it’s been a thrilling Ashes series and after their performance in the first two Tests, Australia have played their part in retaining the urn. However, it would have been so much more engrossing for everybody involved had there been something on the line going into the final Test at The Oval.

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