Futtocks

It was basically an advert for Nike's new shoe spike design, which isn't currently eligible for official Athletics events. I'm sure they will spin it well, but this isn't the same big step forward as Puma's brush spikes of the Sixties.

She's an amazing athlete, but even without the historical barrier being broken, I think a lot of Nike's corporate people are privately disappointed by how minor the difference is between today's assisted time and her verified world record.

Looks like it is currently Netflix. Bookmark https://www.justwatch.com/uk to keep up to date on who's showing what.

Ah well. She needed to take about 7 seconds off her current world record and even with the windbreak runners and the latest non-sanctioned footwear, she fell short by nearly 6 seconds. As this is a Nike event, everyone's being positive.

It looks like the actual run will start around 7pm. Right now, it is just presenter fluff, montages and other forms of padding.

From about 6:15pm today, Faith Kipyegon will be attempting to be the first woman to break the 4 minute mile. It won't count as a record, due to the race conditions, but it will be streamed live on the Nike YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@nike

Hull FC forward Denive Balmforth has joined Catalans Dragons on loan for the rest of the season. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/articles/cddzy2rdqnpo

If that was taken in the Eighties, maybe.

When my mum cycled to the Valley of the Kings from where she was staying in Luxor, a very young boy on a donkey cart made her an extremely improper proposition. She declined politely. Ballooning cuts out that hassle, at least.

No, but they've just had new trains replacing the older stock. Still not a great experience for tall passengers.

Bobby Sherman, former teen idol and singer, aged 81.

I hadn't seen Tynemouth. What a canopy!

Stat from Andy Zaltzman: England have become the first team in first-class history to win a match in which they have conceded five centuries to the other team.

Sealed with a six, the second highest run-chase England have ever pulled off!

Runs needed has just dropped below 50, and we have 5 wickets in hand. This has turned out to be a cracker of a proper five day test match. Let's hope the rest of the tour lives up to this standard.

I used the Metro a few times back in the Eighties and when it's working, it gets you around the city and surroundings really well. These new leaky trains were supposed to replace (I think) the ones I rode in back then.

Duckett out for 149, then Brook gone for a golden duck. Root and Stokes need to just dig in now; the required run rate is nothing special.

Play back on - yay! Two quick wickets - boo!

Too late.

A century for Duckett, and England are on 176 for 0.

A notable birth today - Brian Eryl Bevan, Rugby's greatest winger. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Bevan

Oh dear.