' lead on eight under rickie fowler lead on eight under after recording the us open was my first 62s. former champions dustin johnson and rory mcilroy bogeyed the last holes. unusually low scoring. michael roy made five front nine birdies and his best effort in majors. —— rory mcilroy made five. it was a great day. got off to a nice start making three on ten. never really thought about a score or necessarily what i was trying to do. the first few days this week i wasn't feeling very comfortable. swing. wasn't making many putts or hitting very good putts. continuing to get work in on the course and the practice area. and finally a couple of things clicked yesterday. the scores are _ of things clicked yesterday. the scores are a _ of things clicked yesterday. the scores are a bit _ of things clicked yesterday. the scores are a bit lower than i imagined _ scores are a bit lower than i imagined them to be but going out early on _ imagined them to be but going out early on thursday, i can see these

conditions — early on thursday, i can see these conditions will see most of the week — conditions will see most of the week. hopefully i am teeing off a bit later_ week. hopefully i am teeing off a bit later than i did today. hopefully that'll be the easiest conditions. heck of a round by ricky — conditions. heck of a round by ricky got _ conditions. heck of a round by ricky. got off to a slow start today, — ricky. got off to a slow start today, proud to get in at three unden — today, proud to get in at three under. had a hiccup at the last but can't _ under. had a hiccup at the last but can't complain, hit a lot of good shots _ can't complain, hit a lot of good shots today and i did a good job of staying _ shots today and i did a good job of staying patient. posted a good number— staying patient. posted a good number on a day in which got off to a pretty— number on a day in which got off to a pretty slow start. a number on a day in which got off to a pretty slow start.— a pretty slow start. a positive scottie scheffler. _ a pretty slow start. a positive scottie scheffler. the - a pretty slow start. a positive scottie scheffler. the world l a pretty slow start. a positive - scottie scheffler. the world number one is five shots off the lead on three under, alongside bryson dechambeau. jon rahm, what number two, a further stroke back. defending champion matt fitzpatrick is way off the pace on one over. a late winner as spain beat italy to a nation's league final on sunday. he won the ball before firing in spain's open air. the lead didn't last long. immobile equalised with a

penalty for italy following the spain debutant�*s handling in the box. the substitute pounced from close range to send spain to the rotterdam final and italy will now face the netherlands in a third—place play—off while spain chase their first international trophy since 2012. translation: it is not easy to face any final no matter what tournament. we have had to play very difficult teams to get here and we have had to beat italy who are one of the best teams in europe or even the world. so, we have to celebrate. we haven't achieved anything yet but we are very pleased as a squad. we are full of excitement for this generation of players and now we have a chance to win a unique trophy in three days' time. we will celebrate getting to the final but we know we have one more step to take.— the final but we know we have one more step to take. probably will do some change. _ more step to take. probably will do some change, because _ more step to take. probably will do some change, because we - more step to take. probably will do some change, because we play - more step to take. probably will do . some change, because we play sunday in three _ some change, because we play sunday in three days. the players are so

tired~ _ in three days. the players are so tired~ it — in three days. the players are so tired~ it is — in three days. the players are so tired. it is good that we play. we try to _ tired. it is good that we play. we try to win— tired. it is good that we play. we try to win this match.— try to win this match. italy's urou - , try to win this match. italy's group, including _ try to win this match. italy's group, including england, i try to win this match. italy's - group, including england, continued their euro 2020 qualification journey later on. they are in malta and already top of the group after winning both their opening games. gareth southgate wants his side to back up that good start this summer. we played so well in march that we have to make the most of those results by performing well and winning the two games this summer. so, we've got to set standards for ourselves, no matter what the opponent is. in march, that was to try and go to italy and beat a top—level team away from home. we backed that up, we talked about backing that up, against ukraine, which we did and now we have to do that with the two games this window. the other game in that group sees ukraine travel to north macedonia. in group b... wales are at home where they will

take on armenia in group d and northern ireland face a trip to denmark in group h. in the concacaf nations league semifinal, the usa beat one of their fellow co—hosts of the 2026 world cup, mexico. chelsea's christian pulisic was on the scoresheet as the united states won 3—0 but four players sent off, two for both sides in the game had to be paused in the second half due to be paused in the second half due to homophobic chanting in the crowd. manchester city assistant coach enzo maresca is set to be appointed leicester city manager after agreeing terms with the foxes. the 33—year—old italian could be named new boss as early as friday. he would replace interim boss dean smith who oversaw two wins from eight games in a failed attempt to keep the foxes in the premier league. that is just about it from us, the ashes, england against australia, the first testis england against australia, the first test is under way at edgbaston. england 50—1. keep up—to—date with that on the bbc sport website. go to

the website. we will see you soon. you are watching bbc news. the most anticipated ashes series in a generation begins on friday with the first test at edgbaston between england and australia. the tourists, who won the world test championship last week, currently hold the ashes with england's last series win coming in 2015. australian cricketjournalist josh schonafinger and british cricketjournalist, katya witney bothjoin me now. thank you forjoining us on bbc news. let's focus on australia first. josh, what will we be expecting from the australian team? we were waiting until the toss to know the exact line—up of australia

and they left out their left—arm fast bowler mitchell starc for today's first test, preferring josh hazlewood. interesting decision on day one. it will be a great contest. they are full of confidence and australia are tenby and after winning that testjumping ship last week. can't wait to see how the series unfolds!— week. can't wait to see how the series unfolds! very exciting. what are australia's _ series unfolds! very exciting. what are australia's strengths _ series unfolds! very exciting. what are australia's strengths and - are australia's strengths and weaknesses as a team? they have len of weaknesses as a team? they have plenty of fast _ weaknesses as a team? they have plenty of fast bowling. _ weaknesses as a team? they have plenty of fast bowling. cummings | weaknesses as a team? they have i plenty of fast bowling. cummings and hazlewood played so well last week that they are middle order at the middle. top three ranked batters in test cricket minus lover shane and steve smith. one, two and three. —— minus labuschagne. you steve smith. one, two and three. -- minus labuschagne.— steve smith. one, two and three. -- minus labuschagne. you mentioned a coule of minus labuschagne. you mentioned a counle of plays but — minus labuschagne. you mentioned a couple of plays but do _ minus labuschagne. you mentioned a couple of plays but do you _ minus labuschagne. you mentioned a couple of plays but do you think- couple of plays but do you think there is a clear england need to really watch out for? —— couple of players.

really watch out for? -- couple of -la ers. . v really watch out for? -- couple of .la ers. ., �*, ., ., really watch out for? -- couple of -la ers. . v . ., , ., players. that's a tough question. obviously, steve _ players. that's a tough question. obviously, steve smith, - players. that's a tough question. obviously, steve smith, his - players. that's a tough question. i obviously, steve smith, his record in england is up there with the great don bradman. how many runs he has scored will be crucial in this series. it}! has scored will be crucial in this series. . ., , has scored will be crucial in this series. , ~ , ., ., series. of course, australia, the australian _ series. of course, australia, the australian team _ series. of course, australia, the australian team will _ series. of course, australia, the australian team will be - series. of course, australia, the| australian team will be analysing england, they will be analysing their team. what do you think australia are going to be focusing on when they are up against england, that they will be watching out for? england's approach to cricket is ultra aggressive. they have come up against a team that have played this way. we have seen in the first hour intense bowling by england. interesting to see how it plays out. we know ben stokes has a great record in big matches against australia. he will be crucial... interference— australia. he will be crucial... interference �* ., ., ., australia. he will be crucial... interference ., ., ., ., interference another one doctor that he will -la a interference another one doctor that he will play a huge _ interference another one doctor that he will play a huge part _ interference another one doctor that he will play a huge part in _ interference another one doctor that he will play a huge part in this - he will play a huge part in this series. , .,,

he will play a huge part in this series. , ., , ., series. ok, we “ust lost a bit of audio. katya. — series. ok, wejust lost a bit of audio. katya, let's— series. ok, wejust lost a bit of audio. katya, let's come - series. ok, wejust lost a bit of audio. katya, let's come over l series. ok, we just lost a bit of| audio. katya, let's come over to series. ok, we just lost a bit of - audio. katya, let's come over to you now. can england win this, katya? absolutely. this is the best position— absolutely. this is the best position england had been in to win an ashes _ position england had been in to win an ashes series for a good few years now: _ an ashes series for a good few years now. as _ an ashes series for a good few years now. asjosh— an ashes series for a good few years now, asjosh said, they got this new approach _ now, asjosh said, they got this new approach under ben stokes and brendon — approach under ben stokes and brendon mccullum that has allowed them to— brendon mccullum that has allowed them to achieve what they have over them to achieve what they have over the last _ them to achieve what they have over the last year. this morning they set a tone _ the last year. this morning they set a tone aggressively with the bat and that is— a tone aggressively with the bat and that is how— a tone aggressively with the bat and that is how they will try to win this series. that is what people are saying. _ this series. that is what people are saying, there is an outrageous amount— saying, there is an outrageous amount of— saying, there is an outrageous amount of talent all through their lratting _ amount of talent all through their batting order. 335 amount of talent all through their batting order-— amount of talent all through their battin: order. . , ., ., batting order. as far down as moeen ali. definitely. — batting order. as far down as moeen ali. definitely. moeen— batting order. as far down as moeen ali. definitely. moeen ali— batting order. as far down as moeen ali. definitely. moeen ali coming - ali. definitely. moeen ali coming back in has— ali. definitely. moeen ali coming back in has strengthened - ali. definitely. moeen ali coming back in has strengthened what i ali. definitely. moeen ali coming back in has strengthened what is | ali. definitely. moeen ali coming i back in has strengthened what is an already— back in has strengthened what is an already pretty brutal batting line-up _ already pretty brutal batting line—up. not many people can hit a ball longer— line—up. not many people can hit a ball longer than moeen ali when he is on song — ball longer than moeen ali when he is on song. number eight, that will boost _ is on song. number eight, that will boost the _ is on song. number eight, that will boost the england team that has been on form _ boost the england team that has been on form with the bat for the last 12 months _ on form with the bat for the last 12 months. probably the most ben stokes and brendon mccullum selection they

could have _ and brendon mccullum selection they could have made. very exciting from an england _ could have made. very exciting from an england perspective. from could have made. very exciting from an england perspective.— an england perspective. from that encland an england perspective. from that england perspective, _ an england perspective. from that england perspective, england - an england perspective. from that england perspective, england will| an england perspective. from that. england perspective, england will be watching australia closely. it england perspective, england will be watching australia closely.— watching australia closely. it needs to be well aware _ watching australia closely. it needs to be well aware of _ watching australia closely. it needs to be well aware of australia's - to be well aware of australia's weaknesses, where do you think those lie? weaknesses, where do you think those tie? it _ weaknesses, where do you think those tie? it is _ weaknesses, where do you think those lie? it is tough, australia had just won the _ lie? it is tough, australia had just won the world championship, they are the best— won the world championship, they are the best team in the world. there are a _ the best team in the world. there are a few— the best team in the world. there are a few weaknesses in that line of -- they— are a few weaknesses in that line of -- they are — are a few weaknesses in that line of —— they are not many weaknesses. they— —— they are not many weaknesses. they haven't — —— they are not many weaknesses. they haven't got mitchell starc playing — they haven't got mitchell starc playing and he is such a big force more _ playing and he is such a big force more than — playing and he is such a big force more than usually. england will look to attack— more than usually. england will look to attack the bowlers but it won't be easy— to attack the bowlers but it won't be easy for them. steve smith always scores _ be easy for them. steve smith always scores runs— be easy for them. steve smith always scores runs and he is very difficult to get— scores runs and he is very difficult to get out — scores runs and he is very difficult to get out. marnus labuschagne, travis _ to get out. marnus labuschagne, travis head's spin, credible for australia — travis head's spin, credible for australia over the last few months. it australia over the last few months. it will— australia over the last few months. it will be _ australia over the last few months. it will be really tough. there is definitely— it will be really tough. there is definitely areas where they can try and outmanoeuvre them. in definitely areas where they can try and outmanoeuvre them.- definitely areas where they can try and outmanoeuvre them. in the past, we have seen — and outmanoeuvre them. in the past, we have seen quicker— and outmanoeuvre them. in the past, we have seen quicker to _ and outmanoeuvre them. in the past, we have seen quicker to produce - and outmanoeuvre them. in the past, | we have seen quicker to produce huge stars in the uk. do you think we could have another one emerge this year? —— we have seen cricket produce. year? -- we have seen cricket produce-— year? -- we have seen cricket

roduce. �* ,, , produce. absolute, ben stokes's side are becoming — produce. absolute, ben stokes's side are becoming the _ produce. absolute, ben stokes's side are becoming the rock _ produce. absolute, ben stokes's side are becoming the rock stars - produce. absolute, ben stokes's side are becoming the rock stars of - are becoming the rock stars of cricket — are becoming the rock stars of cricket around the world, everyone wants _ cricket around the world, everyone wants to _ cricket around the world, everyone wants to watch them and how they play _ wants to watch them and how they play. they — wants to watch them and how they play. they play cricket in a way that _ play. they play cricket in a way that is — play. they play cricket in a way that is box _ play. they play cricket in a way that is box office and make people want to _ that is box office and make people want to come and watch it. that is a really _ want to come and watch it. that is a really important thing they are doing — really important thing they are doing. harry brooke has been incredible over the last six months that he _ incredible over the last six months that he has— incredible over the last six months that he has been playing. absolutely he will be a star— that he has been playing. absolutely he will be a star of— that he has been playing. absolutely he will be a star of the _ that he has been playing. absolutely he will be a star of the future - that he has been playing. absolutely he will be a star of the future and . he will be a star of the future and he will be a star of the future and he will be a star of the future and he will want make a lot of people want to come and watch him bat deli back bat. thank you very much. laughter if you want to watch and listen to commentary, you can tune into 5 live as that match takes place. now it is time for a look at the weather. hello. let's start with a reminder ofjust how dry it's been over the last month or so. we've seen precious little rainfall in some parts of the country, particularly in kent, where manston have had dry weather continuing now for 33 or 3a days. but things will change a little bit this weekend.

great chance of rain, i'll say chance. you can see how the blue colours develop in the next couple of days in the west and then more widely into sunday. but there's still large areas where we see precious little, if any, rain whatsoever. now, the main changes will come from these sweeps of cloud there out towards the south and the west today. it's already bringing much cloudier weather to parts of the south west, increasingly so across wales and then across ireland. some heavy, thundery showers develop in the republic pushing their way into northern ireland. a few isolated showers, western scotland, western england and wales, pretty intense where you see them. but actually most dry, sunny, very warm again with high if not very high pollen levels. and as humidity levels continue to creep up, even though temperatures won't be as high as they were earlier in the week, it is going to feel pretty hot out there, 26, 27 in parts of scotland, 27, 28 for parts of england. now into this evening and overnight, actually the showers and thunderstorms keep going in the west and will become a bit more numerous. the thundery risk mainly across northern ireland, fewer showers breaking out elsewhere across southern england and wales to maybe into south west scotland

where it will be a humid and muggy night, a little bit fresher towards eastern coasts of england and scotland. tomorrow a dry and sunny day, but the sunshine turning hazy, a bit more cloudy elsewhere, bringing in isolated showers for england, wales and western scotland. showers most likely and again with a risk of thunder in northern ireland. temperatures down a little bit again. but once the sun breaks through the cloud and those humidity levels creeping up, it will feel very humid indeed. mist and low cloud will start to develop around the north sea, which could drift into eastern coasts saturday evening. still some showers in the west. most will be dry. but as we go into sunday, we're watching what comes out of france and the bay of biscay. we could see more in the way of rain developing in northern ireland again. it's those showers blossoming, some heavy and thundery. parts of scotland will stay completely dry and some in england and wales will miss the showers. they should develop quite widely through the day on sunday. some of those heavy and thundery, especially in the east, but certainly a greater chance of some rain around on sunday and temperatures still in the 20s

and feeling pretty humid. take care.

live from london, this is bbc news. live from london, this is bbc news. missile strikes over kyiv, missile strikes over kyiv, as a delegation of african leaders as a delegation of african leaders hold a visit to ukraine to promote hold a visit to ukraine to promote dialogue to end the war. is dropped by spotify. dialogue to end the war. in russia, president putin is due to address an international economic summit today — we'll take you there live. it comes as a bbc investigation reveals 25,000 russian soldiers have been killed in the war so far — four times the official number suggested by the kremlin. we have a special report. a moment of relief for two brothers — reunited after a migrant boat sank off the coast of greece. and switching off — harry and meghan's multi—million dollar podcast