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Australia beat England, Ronaldo on United rebuild, what happened overnight in world of sport

Rebuilding seems to be the theme for the day, whether that’s England’s cricket team or Manchester United

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England’s Saqib Mahmood is bowled for 12 during his side’s T20 loss to Australia. Photo: Reuters

We’re in one of those strange midweek phases that occasionally hit the world of sport. A couple of things happening here and there before it all takes off again at the weekend.

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For those in need of a football fix, and you would need to be really desperate for this one, the mighty Harrogate Town are taking on Doncaster Rovers in England’s League Two later, while Rory McIlroy will be among those in action at Royal County Down as the Irish Open gets under way.

That though is what’s coming up, and this is some of what happened while you were sleeping.

Winning is kind of the point

At first glance, England captain Phil Salt’s assertion after his side’s 28-run loss to Australia in the first of three T20 internationals that, “everything was good apart from the result,” might seem to be hugely missing the point.

A dejected Jofra Archer walks off after losing his wicket to Australia’s Matthew Short. Photo: Reuters
A dejected Jofra Archer walks off after losing his wicket to Australia’s Matthew Short. Photo: Reuters

Namely, that in international sport, the result is largely everything. But then again, if you’re England that’s not always true - just look at Bazball, which sometimes feels as though winning is seen as a bonus.

And an England side that lost their T20 and 50-over world titles in the space of 10 months is in a bit of a rebuilding phase. In the absence of Jos Buttler, Salt captained for the first time, while three players - Jordan Cox, Jacob Bethell and Jamie Overton - made their debuts.

Still, there were elements of the old England bubbling alongside the new. After bowling Australia out for 179, the home side collapsed to 52 for four inside eight overs and never really recovered. Plus ca change.

Speaking of rebuilds

Cristiano Ronaldo has been having his say on the current state of affairs at Manchester United, and it’s safe to say he’s in the “burn it all down and start again camp”.

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