heavy downpours mm heavy downpours toda for some of us. this — heavy downvours today for some of us. this was - — heavy downpours today for some of us. this was the i today for some of us. this was the picture in cumbria earlier. there are still some heavy snow affecting northern scotland and as we head through the weekend more places are going to be seeing that heavy potentially disruptive snowfall and it is turning colder for all of us through the weekend due to the fact that low pressure and milder air will be setting out to the south—east and that opens the door for these really caught easterly weddings to move then bringing not only snow but a bitter wind—chill as well. more on that heavy snow to come over the next 2a hours but it will be slowly easing through saturday. heavy rain and showers across northern and eastern england, there could be the odd rumble of thunder mixed in. enter the midlands and parts of wales under the clear skies there could be few icy

stretches and fog developing as well. saturday rain showers for parts of northern and eastern england, south—east scotland seeing a bit of rain, but this snow will fall to lower levels and there will be some snow over the higher ground of northern england later in the day. the driest of the weather to be found further south and west during saturday afternoon. saturday night and into sunday those temperatures are going to be dropping like a stone. code—mac easterly winds pushing a close and heavy persistent snowfall across east anglia, the south—east of england and snow flurries further north. an amber warning in force for that potentially disruptive snow. there could be more than ten centimetres in places. that's all from the bbc news at six — so it's goodbye from me — and on bbc one we nowjoin the bbc�*s news teams where you are.

hello and welcome to sportsday with me, katherine downes. coming with me, katherine downes. up this friday evening a century on his century — joe root passes 100 on his 100th test as england take control in india. spring is on the way — the six nations starts tomorrow, we'll be looking forward as england prepare to defend their title. and clear for play — the australian open starts on monday with all players out of quarantine and ready to go. good evening — so much live sport to look forward to over the next few days — snuggle in out of the snow and enjoy. though you'll have to get up early if you want to cheerjoe root on towards his double century. it was the stuff of fairy tales this morning — the england captain,

on his 100th test, scoring his 20th test century in the indian sunshine — ben croucher set his alarm for 4am. thanks very much, ben. ijoined about six, that i miss anything? you missed joe about six, that i miss anything? you missed joe rich _ about six, that i miss anything? vm, missed joe rich getting his innings started and then doing what he does best, the first test between india and england, much anticipated with india coming in off the back of winning austria with their second straight and england winning in sri lanka and joe root... joe root was at the front of it all. he has been really impressive this winter, especially against him. using that sweep shot to his great effect. and the way he has used this technique is impressive, getting low in judging length. this took him to 50 on the back foot not making too much

of the indian fielding but nonetheless joe root of the indian fielding but nonethelessjoe root continued strongly against one of the pace bowlers, who was playing his first test match in india but looking very impressive and assured of the upside at getting to three figures for the 20th time in his career, catherine. really much of the talk going into this series was about would england be able to win in india and if they were, children would have to score runs. ~ . . , were, children would have to score runs, ~ ., were, children would have to score runs. ~ . , , ., runs. what was said yesterday on the programme- — runs. what was said yesterday on the programme- if _ runs. what was said yesterday on the programme. if they _ runs. what was said yesterday on the programme. if they were _ runs. what was said yesterday on the programme. if they were going - runs. what was said yesterday on the programme. if they were going to - programme. if they were going to have a good run in india, it would have a good run in india, it would have to start with joe root and it was a bit of a fairy tale, wasn't it? imagine going out there in 100 test, an outfit for a duck would be pretty rubbish. he test, an outfit for a duck would be pretty rubbish-— pretty rubbish. he was given a seech pretty rubbish. he was given a speech the _ pretty rubbish. he was given a speech the night _ pretty rubbish. he was given a speech the night before, - pretty rubbish. he was given a speech the night before, and i pretty rubbish. he was given a l speech the night before, and 101 hundred, joe rootjust the third englishman to do so... joe root 128

not out at the close, much of the talk over the last few years was him not converting his half centuries into centuries. well, he did it twice and sri lanka for a double sentry and then 180, 128 not out at the close, not too bad. —— double century. 0ver —— double century. over the course of my career, i have not always going to make really big stories. 50 going to make really big stories. so i going to make really big stories. 50 i need to be going into net currently is really pleasing. over the course of my career, i haven't always made big scores so i need to be going and doing that and currently that's really pleasing. i keep getting myself in positions to make. i've got to keep me taking them. we will win more games if i'm doing that. he certainly answered his critics because it wasn't that long ago where we asked when will he come out with the big escorts? he has worked on that and delivered. in bishop the west indian pace bowler said he is no doubt thatjoe root has re—established himself as one of the pre—eminent batsman in the modern game comparing him to the

likes of steve smith and others. if we look at we look likes of steve smith and others. if we look at how his scores have developed in recent years, if you go back to 20 17th developed in recent years, if you go back to 2017th but developed in recent years, if you go back to 20 17th but that was developed in recent years, if you go back to 2017th but that was when joe root was really at his peak you might say. 50 he was averaging in test match cricket for something he dipped off a bit in 2018 and 2019, started getting back into form last year when england were not plain to me test matches but look at his average right now, 138.5, an absolutely astonishing start to 2021. if we look at how he can pass to the likes of coley smith and kane williamson, well he is averaging just over 50 and test match cricket, 21005 just over 50 and test match cricket, 2100s he has gotten now, when you compare that to the indian captain... he averages 53.11. kane williamson has had a good summer in new zealand averaging just over 5a as well. still a long way to go to catch steve smith, comparing him to

dom bradman, averaging 61 attached match cricket and joe root keeping that esteemed company telling you how good he is paying at the moment. more from him to come because he is unbeaten at the end of play. more to make england france proud. a moment to make england fans proud — imagine if you werejoe root�*s dad? lets hearfrom him now shall we? i had a chat with him earlier. i think the whole last couple of tests as well, he has been very focused. he worked on his game during lockdown. he had one or two issues, and he looks like you can tell he isjudging length quite quickly and quite early on and he gets his feet moving when that happens and the rest seems to fall into place. happens and the rest seems to fall into lace. �* ., , happens and the rest seems to fall into lace. �* .,, ,., ~ into place. and there was some kind of rumblings — into place. and there was some kind of rumblings at _ into place. and there was some kind of rumblings at the _ into place. and there was some kind of rumblings at the start _ into place. and there was some kind of rumblings at the start of- into place. and there was some kind of rumblings at the start of the - of rumblings at the start of the toss that he may have been a bit nervous. could you pick any of those vibes up from him? he looked pretty cool to me. to vibes up from him? he looked pretty coolto me. ., , vibes up from him? he looked pretty coolto me— coolto me. to be honest my alarm clock was set _ coolto me. to be honest my alarm clock was set for _ coolto me. to be honest my alarm clock was set for 3:52am _ coolto me. to be honest my alarm clock was set for 3:52am so - coolto me. to be honest my alarm clock was set for 3:52am so i - coolto me. to be honest my alarm. clock was set for 3:52am so i missed the toss. ., ., ., ,

the toss. fair enough. there was that lovely _ the toss. fair enough. there was that lovely moment _ the toss. fair enough. there was that lovely moment during - the toss. fair enough. there was that lovely moment during the i that lovely moment during the innings, it will not lovely for him, he had to cram, that was good to see that indian captain helping of... that was good to see mutual respect there and joe had a good chat with him a couple days ago about the birth of his baby. of coursejoe has got a daughter less than one, born last summer when he missed one of the tests. i think there is a bit in common there as well. but it was good of him to help them out, i thought he was going to twisted at one point! just thought he was going to twisted at one oint!, , .,, , one point! just hope the site it with a bit of— one point! just hope the site it with a bit of a _ one point! just hope the site it with a bit of a crunch - one point! just hope the site it with a bit of a crunch of - one point! just hope the site it with a bit of a crunch of the . one point! just hope the site it i with a bit of a crunch of the ankle there, but he was back on his feet and back at the crease and babies is speaking of looking after the children, you are baby—sitting his children, you are baby—sitting his children at the moment was he is out there. yet the pick and effort for there. yet the pick and effort for the nursery. we there. yet the pick and effort for the nursery-— there. yet the pick and effort for the nurse .~ ., , the nursery. we are in the support bubble and — the nursery. we are in the support bubble and it _ the nursery. we are in the support bubble and it is _ the nursery. we are in the support bubble and it is difficult _ the nursery. we are in the support bubble and it is difficult for - the nursery. we are in the support bubble and it is difficult for carry i bubble and it is difficult for carry because in a normal situation you visit people and give support that way but with doug being away for

three months, it's not easy and it is tough on the kids missing their dad for all the time. aha, is tough on the kids missing their dad for all the time.— dad for all the time. a cricketers life is very _ dad for all the time. a cricketers life is very tough _ dad for all the time. a cricketers life is very tough but _ dad for all the time. a cricketers life is very tough but he - dad for all the time. a cricketers life is very tough but he will - dad for all the time. a cricketers | life is very tough but he will have no idea what his dad achieved this morning will he when you pick him up? morning will he when you pick him u? ., , , morning will he when you pick him u? ,, ., morning will he when you pick him u? ., ,, morning will he when you pick him up? probably not unless somebody has filled him in at — up? probably not unless somebody has filled him in at the _ up? probably not unless somebody has filled him in at the nursery. _ up? probably not unless somebody has filled him in at the nursery. is- up? probably not unless somebody has filled him in at the nursery. is he - filled him in at the nursery. is he aware of what _ filled him in at the nursery. is he aware of what joe _ filled him in at the nursery. is he aware of what joe does _ filled him in at the nursery. is he aware of what joe does and - filled him in at the nursery. is he aware of whatjoe does and how filled him in at the nursery. is he aware of what joe does and how good aware of whatjoe does and how good he is at it? aware of what joe does and how good he is at it? . ~ aware of what joe does and how good he is at it? ., ,, , he is at it? yeah, i think it is difficult because _ he is at it? yeah, i think it is difficult because he - he is at it? yeah, i think it is i difficult because he associates he is at it? yeah, i think it is - difficult because he associates his dad playing cricket with him not being there. but, yeah, once you watch tv and he knows it is dad, i think he gets it a little bit. but he is onlyjust for so he probably doesn't appreciate what's going on fully. == doesn't appreciate what's going on full . ., i. ~ , fully. -- four. do you think he is into cricket _ fully. -- four. do you think he is into cricket as _ fully. -- four. do you think he is into cricket as well _ fully. -- four. do you think he is into cricket as well and - fully. -- four. do you think he is into cricket as well and showing | into cricket as well and showing promise? he into cricket as well and showing romise? .., into cricket as well and showing romise? .. ., . ~ into cricket as well and showing romise? .. ., . ,, ., into cricket as well and showing romise? .. ., . ~ ., ., ., into cricket as well and showing romise? ., . ~ ., . promise? he can whack a good cricket ball, he is left-handed _ promise? he can whack a good cricket ball, he is left-handed like _ promise? he can whack a good cricket ball, he is left-handed like his - ball, he is left—handed like his uncle billy, but he does whack it.

the next generation of the root cricketing dynasty, want to watch there. let's have a quick look at the other sports stories making the headlines this friday evening. and pakistan lead south africa by 166 after day two of the second test in rawalpindi. pakistan were bowled out for 272 before they reduced the tourists to 106—4 by stumps with hasan ali striking twice. national league side wrexham have had their takeover by hollywood actors ryan reynolds and rob mcelhenney approved by the financial conduct authority. members of the club's supporters' trust voted overwhelmingly in favour of the proposed deal in november and today the takeover has finally been given the green light. scotland's stephen gallacher shares the lead in the second round of the saudi international but it was dustinjohnston�*s long drive on the tenth that caught everyone's attention. it went far left and hit this volunteer on the back. then they go, it looked very sore. fortunately, they got back up and seemed to be ok. johnston�*s two shots off the lead.

three months after it ended — the six nations begins again. the 2020 tournament took a break of several months, before england wrapped up the title in late october. now, they're preparing to defend their title — starting with the 150th calcutta cup. patrick gearey reports. fully appreciate the best of behind them would be scott when you would have to hit rewind for some time from a centre and have takes in four kings, to queens, and hundreds of warriors. it's been throwing, sometimes boring, but into this year it has been not so quite for some remove the atmosphere of twickenham and you can perhaps remove some of its history. scott and have not one there since 1983. we its history. scott and have not one there since 1983.— there since 1983. we do know it is an opportunity _ there since 1983. we do know it is an opportunity because _ there since 1983. we do know it is an opportunity because the - there since 1983. we do know it is an opportunity because the first . an opportunity because the first game, and brought it is a first opportunity with no crowds what you had to take the opportunity. it becomes more of a neutral venue but

you have to make sure you play rugby and not wait for any crowds or cognos to help you. his and not wait for any crowds or cognos to help you.— cognos to help you. his softly soken cognos to help you. his softly spoken confidence _ cognos to help you. his softly spoken confidence has - cognos to help you. his softly spoken confidence has a - cognos to help you. his softly - spoken confidence has a subbasement scotland won the last three sensations matches... 0ne scotland won the last three sensations matches... one of their best back, england may have a coat of winter press. five other teen papers second —— senses, now in the second tier and haven't had agreements but the coach is... you hear the scottish, _ agreements but the coach is... $571. hear the scottish, it is the most important game of the year, they are playing for trophies, and that is a huge expectation for them. maybe with 15 minutes to go in the game, the expectation is going to get pretty heavy for them. in truth, both sides _ pretty heavy for them. in truth, both sides with _ pretty heavy for them. in truth, both sides with the _ pretty heavy for them. in truth, both sides with the with - pretty heavy for them. in truth, both sides with the with a - pretty heavy for them. in truth, i both sides with the with a different sort of pressure, one from within and not imported from the stands. though twickenham remains weekly apathy, —— and to come at the calcutta cup can never feel hollow.

patrick geary, bbc news. joe wilson is at twickenham, does it feel like the start of a six nations? there is someone behind you with the ropes. it does feel a bit weird for question, it feels exciting honestly to be this close to the pitch to be broadcasted from inside a stadium again. we broadcasted from inside a stadium aaain. ~ , . broadcasted from inside a stadium auain.~ , ., broadcasted from inside a stadium aaain. , again. we feel very lucky to be here. again. we feel very lucky to be here- we _ again. we feel very lucky to be here. we have _ again. we feel very lucky to be here. we have been _ again. we feel very lucky to be here. we have been through . again. we feel very lucky to be i here. we have been through the again. we feel very lucky to be - here. we have been through the covid protocols to get this access and i am permitted to be within two metres of the trophy. the players in the build up in the tournament have been telling us they are used to playing in front of empty seats by now and i am sure that is true. but the six nations without spectators, without the cover, the camaraderie, all that friendly rivalry, it does seem odd. 0ne friendly rivalry, it does seem odd. one thing i would say is again, we have heard from several players in the build—up to the tournament that they feel lucky to be playing rugby. they can't take that for granted, there is almost a sense of relief to be doing that. and i wonder if that

might bring the whole thing and give it a sense of freshness again. i hope so. it a sense of freshness again. i ho -e so. , , , it a sense of freshness again. i hoe so. , ,, england and scotland have coaches who are very experienced with their teams now — do they know how they're going to play? yeah absolutely, i think that was some classic eddiejones and the piece we heard from patrick there. he knows the pressure is really on england, they expect to win every home game but especially against scotland. he has talked about reconstruction in the week before this match and of course he does have players missing for various reasons but england have an enormous strength and death and great resources, scotland don't, they have to make the most of any player available for them, so interesting to see cameron start in the centre tomorrow when he has played his under 20 rugby for england. i think the weather can often govern the way games are played, we have had rain already here this evening. for

scotland with hart and