Sports shorts: Hamilton criticises British GP scheduling, Williams to face Halep, Cricket World Cup final on free TV

1. Hamilton criticises British GP scheduling

Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has criticised the scheduling of the British Grand Prix which takes place on Sunday, at the same time as the men’s singles final at Wimbledon, the Cricket World Cup final and the Tour de France.

“What I don’t understand is why the organisers put the race on the same day as all these other big events,” Hamilton said.

“This is such a special weekend and it needs all the focus of the country and not a small amount. I think people will be switching between channels on Sunday not sure what to watch.”

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F1 British GP: predictions, betting odds and TV guide

2. Williams to face Halep in women’s final

The 2019 Wimbledon women’s singles final will be played between Serena Williams and Simona Halep tomorrow. Seven-time champion Williams is through to her 11th final at the All England Club after beating Barbora Strycova 6-1, 6-2 in the last four.

The American, 37, will be aiming to win a record-equalling 24th grand slam title. Halep, 27, progressed after beating Elina Svitolina 6-1, 6-3. It will be the Romanian’s first Wimbledon final and she is going for a second grand slam title after winning the French Open in 2018. The final will start at 2pm tomorrow and is live on BBC One.

Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal meet today in the men’s semi-final.

Williams vs. Halep preview

Wimbledon 2019: men’s semi-finals order of play

3. Cricket World Cup final on Sky and Channel 4

Sunday’s ICC Cricket World Cup final between England and New Zealand will be shown on free-to-air TV after Sky announced it is partnering with Channel 4.

A statement said: “Channel 4 will carry Sky’s coverage of the cricket final from 9am. Cricket coverage moves to More 4 at 1.15pm while the British Grand Prix airs on Channel 4 with the cricket returning to Channel 4 after the race has finished. Live coverage from Lord’s will also be available on Sky One.”

The 2005 Ashes was the last England series to be shown live on free-to-air TV.

England crush Australia to reach Cricket World Cup final

4. Repair bill for Lando Norris

Red-faced F1 driver Lando Norris has been hit with the repair bill after crashing a £210,000 McLaren road car at Silverstone in the build-up to this weekend’s British Grand Prix. The 19-year-old was taking Sky presenter Johnny Herbert on a filmed lap when he spun the car and ended up in the gravel. The embarrassed teenager described the incident as a “talent failure”.

5. Newcastle to appoint Bruce

Steve Bruce is set to become the manager of Newcastle United following the departure of Rafa Benitez. He is set to be named as boss this weekend, once a deal with his current club Sheffield Wednesday has been agreed, but will not be in place in time for the Magpies’ tour of China. “Bruce will be given more than £50m to spend this summer - with a striker his top priority,” says The Sun. “But he has less than four weeks before the transfer window shuts, and the Toon are the only club in the Premier League yet to make a new signing.”

6. Pogba models Man Utd kit

Manchester United’s new away shirt, inspired by mosaics in the city’s creative Northern Quarter, has been unveiled. The kit features gold (or ‘savannah’) tops with a patterned design and black trim, the shorts and socks are also black. Among the players modelling the kit for the official launch was Paul Pogba, who is rumoured to be leaving Old Trafford.

7. Netball World Cup begins

The Netball World Cup gets underway in Liverpool today. England’s opening fixture is against Uganda this evening. The 16 teams will compete in four groups of four this weekend. There will be a second group stage next week with the semi-finals on July 20 and the final the following day. Australia are the holders and are favourites to win the tournament, although they were beaten by England in last year’s Commonwealth Games.

8. Six Nations in talks over £500m investment

Rugby’s Six Nations is on the verge of securing a £500m investment from private equity firm CVC, reports the Daily Telegraph. “If the board is given the green light to proceed with the negotiations, likely to take a couple of months, the consequences are likely to be game-changing,” it says. The investors would get a minority stake in the championship and each union could receive a windfall of up to £100m.

2019 Rugby World Cup: warm-up games and group fixtures

9. Barcelona sign West Brom teenager

Spanish giants Barcelona have signed England Under-16 striker Louie Barry on a three-year deal from West Brom. The Birmingham-born teenager had been at The Hawthorns since he was six but turned down the offer of a professional contract with the Baggies, who will receive £235,000 for the player. The 16-year-old will play for the Barca under 19s next season.

10. Accrington Stanley beat Marseille

Accrington Stanley stunned French giants Marseille in a pre-season friendly. The Ligue 1 side, managed by Andre Villas-Boas, had players including Dimitri Payet and Florian Thuvain in their XI but were sunk by goals from Sean McConville and Offrande Zanzala. Accrington, who play in the third tier of the English league, folded in 1966 but rejoined the league in 2006 after years of obscurity.