alex howell, thanks _ focusing on the quarterfinals. training camp. for the first time since 2005, england's cricketers are playing a test match in pakistan. security concerns have prevented tours taking place for almost a generation of their players. but england made up for lost time with a truly remarkable, record—breaking day. they finished on 506—4, the most runs ever scored on the first day of a test. joe wilson was watching. rawalpindi, finally, a first england test match in pakistan for 17 years began on time because england found 11 healthy players. that's ben duckett doing his thing. batting with him, zak crawley. the virus in the england camp had relented so spare your sympathy for pakistan's bowlers. welcome england reads the sign, they were delighted to be there. , . . sign, they were delighted to be there. , ., . ':: .,~ sign, they were delighted to be there. , ':: ., , there. test match 104 zak crawley. crawle to there. test match 104 zak crawley. crawley to 100 _ there. test match 104 zak crawley. crawley to 100 from _ th

alex howell in doha for us.ne of england's star players from that last game against wales, phil foden. will he start against senegal or will he back on the bench? we'll hear his thoughts ahead of that match later in the programme. still to come on sportsday: he's back and raring to go — the wbc champion tyson fury takes on dereck chisora in london this evening. to the women's super league now, and there was a new record attendance for manchester united's women at old trafford today. 30,196 fans watched united thrash aston villa 5—0 in the wsl. goals from katie zelem and leah galton gave united a 2—0 lead at the break and england international alessia russo made it three shortly after the restart. a stunning strike from ona batlle and an injury—time goal from rachel williams rounded off a dominant performance, one that sent united temporarily top of the wsl table. but chelsea regained their lead at the top, with an astounding 8—0 victory over leicester city. they remain three points ahead, having played a game mo

didier deschamps said he could see "no weaknesses" in the england team. 0ur sports correspondent alex howellay behind me the encland alex? hi, jane. here today behind me the england team _ alex? hi, jane. here today behind me the england team train, _ alex? hi, jane. here today behind me the england team train, their- alex? hi, jane. here today behind me the england team train, their final - the england team train, theirfinal session as they continue preparations for the game against france tomorrow. all eyes were on the session to see if raheem sterling was taking part. the chelsea forward had been back in the uk checking on his family after a break—in at his home, another selection dilemma in the england squad was with midfielder declan rice who missed a session earlier in the week with illness but he was there too, meaning southgate has all 25 of his england players available. kyle walker, it has been billed as a battle between him and kylian mbappe and earlier in the week i asked him about that, he said he would not roll out the red carpet for who many call the best player in the world a

alex howell is at the al bayt stadium. s been plenty of downplaying going on. that there has been plenty of downplaying auoin on. . , there has been plenty of downplaying auoin on. ., , going on. that is right. gareth southgate _ going on. that is right. gareth southgate was _ going on. that is right. gareth southgate was asked - going on. that is right. gareth southgate was asked whether| going on. that is right. gareth . southgate was asked whether the favourite tag means anything for england coming into this match and he said no, it doesn't. he pointed to the upsets they have been in the other matches in the group stages. even though the game so far in the round of 16 has gone the way you would expect, england are very focus on this match in front of them. just a few days ago at the training base i asked manchester city centre—back john stones whether the team even starts thinking about the world cup final, as they are only a few games away but he says no good being in the knockout stage actually focuses them even more a

alex howell can look ahead to that one for us. a team they've never played before. that is right.nto this, there is discussion points around the side england could play, especially in those attacking areas, whether it will be marcus rashford, raheem sterling, bukayo saka or phil foden. gareth southgate was asked yesterday in the press conference about england coming into this as favourites but he played that tag right down, pointing to the results there has been in the group stages. he wants to focus on this team, he has up against them. aloe ccb senegal manager has got the team here for the first time in 20 years. the last time they reached this stage of the world cup is when he was captain of the world site. he could not do the match day —1 press conference and did not take training but they are highly motivated and the messaging from that camp is that they are focused and ready to make history. they are focused and ready to make histo . . ., they are focused and ready to make histo . ., ,, i. they are focused and ready to make histo . ., ~' ,, , . england's cricketers have set

the match is at the al bayt stadium, where we can join our reporter alex howell. team news, alex. and an answer to the question about whom gareth southgate has chosen in attack. starting up from harry kane. yes, and the big news it isjust one change for england and bukayo saka comes in and starts the match for england. the only change gareth southgate has made. many people expected marcus rashford to start for england this evening after his two goals against wales, but he is on the bench. and more of the big news is that raheem sterling is not available for selection for england this evening. the attacker is left to deal with a family matter. i have checked in with the fa and they are not saying whether he will return or not, but it is a big blow for england, raheem sterling is such a trusted playerfor england, raheem sterling is such a trusted player for gareth southgate, he plays all the big games and he was so key in that european championship final run last year. he has the second most goals in this england squad, behind harry kane. and on the england captain,

the tournament — who have become the first african side to reach the semi—finals. 0ur reporter alex howella... lots to play for tonight then alex? yes there really is, and morocco are the surprise package of this tournament. they managed to top their group in the world cup, coming out on top of belgium and croatia, who made it into the other semifinal. then they have beaten spain and portugal in the knockout stages. it's even more impressive when you think that their manager has only been in charge forjust over three months. he has got the players together, playing for each other. they have a clear idea of what they are doing, and he said they are in the semifinal and they are the best supported nation. he has been speaking about why he has been so happy to see so many fans in ohio. we have the best fans in the world. now the world can begin to know what is a moroccan fan. we are more than 20,000 people minimum. we can come to support us, the world cup can give a picture of the fans of morocco. 50 give a picture of the fans of morocca— give a picture of the fans of morocco. ., , morocco. s

natalie pirks, bbc news. 0ur sports correspondent alex howell is already inside the al bayt stadium,here england's game will kick off this evening. iam here i am here where england will play senegal later this evening. coming into this match, the real decisions gareth southgate has to make art who is he going to play in attacking areas? he has so many options and he said yesterday in the press conference that that necessarily isn't a bad thing, he has to choose between marcus rashford, raheem sterling, phil foden or bukayo saka. he is tapering his farm to get better as the competition goes on. senegal, if they feel like it is their time to make history, the first time they have been in the knockout stages for 20 years. there have been a lot of upsets in the world cup and gareth southgate will be hoping that england can avoid any and find themselves in the quarterfinal of the world cup. the government is making plans to use the military to try and minimise the impact of a host of public sector strikes due to take place between now and christmas. in particular they could be used when n

that should be a good game. 0ur reporter alex howell is in doha for us where the day is building towards changes expected by either manager? first things first, the two players everybody is speaking about, luka modric and lionel messi are both fit. neitherside modric and lionel messi are both fit. neither side will be without their most important player. for argentina, there will be a couple of changes. marcus acuna and gonzalo montiel will be out because of suspension. so take the figure coming in defence and angel di maria and rodrigo de paul are also fit. for croatia, they don't have any players missing through suspension or injury. so it is likely we will see there strongest 11, possibly the same line—up they played in that last game. it is all set to be a very memorable match. the teams are going into it both hopeful and in the stadium it will be a great atmosphere with the argentinian fans managing to pack out pretty much every stadium the team plays in. commentary on bbc five live on the bbc sport website from 7pm. thank you very much. the final sees france take on morocco, and en

alex howell has been with the england squad today. ifficult to see how he can get into the reckoning for a start against france but it's a boost to have such a senior player coming back hi olly foster yes it would be a big boost for england to get raheem sterling back. he boost for england to get raheem sterling back.— boost for england to get raheem sterling back. he went back to the uk to check _ sterling back. he went back to the uk to check on _ sterling back. he went back to the uk to check on his _ sterling back. he went back to the uk to check on his family - sterling back. he went back to the uk to check on his family after- sterling back. he went back to the uk to check on his family after the breaking at his home. the check they were ok. and to deal with that matter there. we have been so that he is going to come back to qatar to join up with the squad tomorrow. we are yet to see. we are find out whether he would be available for selection for that match against france. they are coming backjust a few hundred metres from where

let's get the latest from the england camp now, with our reporter alex howell, who's at their training. how are preparations going for gareth southgate's side ahead of this crucial match? preparations are under way. behind me all 25 england players are on the pitch going through the final session they have before the match with senegal tomorrow. they might do some tactical work in our meeting room or walking through different scenarios on the pitch tomorrow but todayis scenarios on the pitch tomorrow but today is the last time gareth southgate can look at his players and decide on the line up, he has big decisions to make in the attacking area is whether to play marcus rashford, boakye sacko, raheem sterling or phil foden. for senegal, the first time they have beenin senegal, the first time they have been in the knockout stages for 20 years in the world cup. gareth southgate will hope his side can get through that match and avoid any of the upsets we've seen in other games in the tournament. away from the world cup, england's cricketers took late wickets against pakistan in the first t

we can go to alex howell now who is in al wakrah where england are training for sunday's game.mood like? when players get to this stage _ what is the mood like? when players get to this stage of _ what is the mood like? when players get to this stage of a _ what is the mood like? when players get to this stage of a tournament - get to this stage of a tournament there is a danger that everyday fields very similar. today the england team are training, it is one of the most tactical sessions they will do. training is closed, meaning the media can't go in, we normally get to go in for the first 15 minutes. gareth southgate could be playing with the starting 11 who will play against senegal on sunday. inside the camp it is kevin phillips's birthday and i'm told the squad like to make a big deal of birthday so i think there might be a mini celebration. his club team—mate john stones will speak to us in the media shortly and i'm sure he will be asked about the upside so far in the tournament. gareth southgate will hope the england team can get past senegal without any scares and start

alex howell is with the squad.mind england they shouldn't be underestimated. that's right. you do get the feeling that there is a big game around the corner. this is one of the sessions that fifa left nations behind closed doors, that today is one of the most tactical sessions that england do, so gareth �*s out base to be starting off on sunday —— southgate. there's been some big upsets in this tournament so far and he'll be wanting to avoid those. manchester city playerjohn stones was the player speaking to the media, and i asked the centre back whether those upsets a focus to the team's mind. it's the best competition in the world, — it's the best competition in the world, that's why we've already seen bil world, that's why we've already seen big upsets _ world, that's why we've already seen big upsets and we definitely don't want to— big upsets and we definitely don't want to be one of those teams that takes _ want to be one of those teams that takes anything for granted, doesn't respect _ takes anything for gra

cross over to qatar and to the al—bayt stadium where england will face france later this evening, alex howell i am here at the stadium, has turned into a home ground for england, this will be the third time they play in the stadium and all of the dog going into it is their first real match they played in this world cup. it will be interesting to see and the discussion is around whether gareth southgate will give the team to attack and play the exciting football they have done so far in this tournament, or whether they will revert back to how they have donein will revert back to how they have done in previous campaigns and be more defensive, going back towards that back vibe. the branch manager has said england have no weaknesses, that could be mind games orjust a truly respect. by the time england play later they will know the three other teams in the semifinal and, come the end of the game, against the world champion, they will be hoping that they are the fourth one joining them in the semifinals. alex, thank you. some sad news from the tournament where a prominent football journalist from t

let's cross live to the al bayt stadium , alex howell has been with the england squad from the startth southgate might do to his starting 11, possibly not much. if anything, ratchford might have got a look in the body clearly liked what he saw against senegal and feel they can do a job against the french. that is right, a lot of the talk leading up to this match was whether england would stick with the back four that has done so well for them and like you said on you against senegal, a move to a back five and in previous tournaments when england have, against bigger nations, they have, against bigger nations, they have played a more conservative but this week, gareth southgate has been speaking about past performances and results and giving this group of players a credibility and harry kane were saying in russia they did not fully believe they could win but they feel that is the case now. good performance and is of the last two major tournaments and now this could be a real mindset change and legacy matter gareth southgate and this group of players, playing in big games before but no

natalie pirks, bbc news. 0ur sports correspondent alex howell is already inside the al bayt stadium where's game will kick off this evening. and sure you know the whole country will be discussing the preferred line—up for this evening's match. what is the latest in terms of team news and selection?— news and selection? that's right, eve one news and selection? that's right, everyone is _ news and selection? that's right, everyone is debating _ news and selection? that's right, everyone is debating and - news and selection? that's right, everyone is debating and will- news and selection? that's right, everyone is debating and will be l everyone is debating and will be debating the team line—up gareth southgate will name here to play in the al bayt stadium later this evening. he was asked about that in a press conference i attended and he said it's not such a bad thing to have so many options because the team has so much quality and each of the players bring him something different. the real calls are in the wide attacking areas and weather he plays manchester united player marcus rashford,

alex howell has been that the england squad today.coach and the captain today, and they are very calm, very confident, despite the reigning champions coming up tomorrow. mi champions coming up tomorrow. rii very calm. i've been watching the england team prepare for the last three weeks and every time a big game comes you can feel there is something around the messaging changes. england are playing france, the world champions. the main talk around the england team is whether they are going into that game as underdogs. the tour, noted that campus we should be focusing on the young players, the quality, the attacking that they have. phil foden, bukayo saka. the coach has been talking about how the team is given credibility over the last tournaments. harry kane has been speaking today and he said the reason why they believe they can win the world cup this year is because of their history and their results in major tournaments in the past. 0bviously in major tournaments in the past. obviously we got to the semi there and everybody was over

ahead of that england game, alex howell is outside the al bayt stadium where tonights match will takeit is the same line up for england that took to the pitch against senegal and that has been the real discussion point coming into this match, whether gareth southgate would stick with his players who have done so well to reach here against bigger nations in the past england have adapted and played it in a more conservative way with a five of a 5/83 the back but he has stuck to the players that have done so well so far and that has been a real talking point from other nations and people looking in. england to start backing their young players going forward in this tournament, players like phil foden, jude bellingham and bukayo saka. like as been mentioned, they know what is waiting for them in the semifinal but first they have a massive task to beat the world champions. this would be a real legacy gather southgate in the team if they are able to do it and there will be a memorable atmosphere. about 9000 england fans expected to be behind me in the stadium when the team takes on the pitc

alex howell outside the england . positives from it. indeed. pable feeling this morning but once again, in the really big moments, when it matters most, england just continues to fall short. yes, they pushed france close, but they will be about frustration, that overriding sense that england remain once again, that is something the players will have to deal with, harry kane last night saying he will have to deal with that disappointment, shouldering that disappointment, shouldering that responsibility, having missed that responsibility, having missed that penalty, gareth southgate reflecting and reviewing on his position, but england will need to gather themselves and be prepared to go again for that next european championship, as alex was saying, which lies in wait in 18 months. after yet again another near miss, 40 short and another major tournament, indications that england are a good side, but i don't think they can call themselves a great side just yet. but they can call themselves a great side just yet-— side just yet. but to end on a posi

our reporter alex howell has more from the england camp. we went to the england training base.the game. the players that started the match yesterday were inside during the recovery work, so some stretches. out on the pitch with the players who came off the bench as substitutes or did not play at all. only one player missing, and that was callum wilson. he had a minor strain, so he wasn't on the pitch as a precaution. nothing too much to tell from the training pitch today. i know a lot of the players have been put up in front of the media. todayis been put up in front of the media. today is a day i'm sure that the players would have liked to have been put forward, there would have been put forward, there would have been a lot of nice questions. who was speaking? yes, a positive result. there are normally too many players who want to speak after the team win! bukayo saka, who scored the third goal yesterday, he is in great form for his club and he carried that on into this world cup. he has scored three goals already, only two away from kylian mbappe in the race for the golden bo

let's talk to our sport correspondent alex howell.orgejohnson, known asjohnny, was a bomb—aimer in the squadron which destroyed key dams. his family say he died peacefully in his sleep. 0ur correspondentjon kay looks back at his life. dambusters film theme plays. they were the raf�*s 617 squadron, but they will be forever known as the dambusters. and among them, 22—year—old george leonard johnson. his mates just called him johnny. machine guns fire. their daring mission was famously recreated for the big screen. in 1943, they dropped their bouncing bombs to attack german dams... nice work, skipper. ..and hit the country's industrial heartland. it was a thrilling experience, no other way to describe it. 0ur briefing was to fly across the dam, to drop the bomb as near as possible to the centre of the dam. so, it was practice, practice, practice. born in lincolnshire in 1921, johnny lost his mum when he was only three years old. he joined the raf as a teenager and for years rarely talked about the dambusters. but when he was in his 90s,

cross over to qatar and to the al—bayt stadium where england will face france later this evening, alex howelles, i am hello, yes, iamjust hello, yes, i am just standing hello, yes, iamjust standing in front of the stadium where england will play france in the quarterfinal later this evening and this is becoming something of a home ground for england, the third time they will play in the stadium. the crucial difference is this is the first match they will be playing where they come into it as underdogs as they take on the world champions. gareth southgate has some selection dilemmas, as always, coming into this game, he has all 25 players available to him after raheem sterling flew back to get out to be with the team. but it's not yet clear whether he will be involved in the squad. gareth southgate said last night he still has to make a decision. harry kane was speaking yesterday and said although the team made it to the 2018 world cup semifinal, they had done i didn't truly believe they could win it, but now they do and that is because of their past results in major tournaments, gareth southg

live now to our sports correspondent alex howell, who is outside the al bayt stadium. 13 days is thatrashford is on the bench, which is a surprise considering how he has been playing. excitement is mounting here, the fans are trimming in behind me. that is the big talking point about the sentence starting line—up after marcus rashford's two goals in their win against wales he was expected to start. he was the one everyone thought would be in that starting 11 for england, but it is marcus rashford he is on the bench and pick caer sacco comes in to start. —— but kaya sacco —— we know the decision that gareth southgate has made. the team know that they will face french in the quarterfinal. the manager would not be drawn on that potential tie and said that the entire focus is just on the match this evening. if england can beat senegal they will face france next weekend. the french look pretty good when they beat poland 3—1, especially kylian mbappe. it beat poland 3-1, especially kylian mba e. ., , beat poland 3-1, especially kylian mba . e, ., , ., beat poland 3-1, especially kylian mbau

alex howell is there for us. an incredible result for morocco.surprises? absolutely incredible from morocco becoming the first african side to reach the semifinal of the world cup. there are thin lots of shocks, as you said, in this world cup. they beat spain in the previous round and have now knocked out portugal and cristiano ronaldo's dreams of getting to a world cup final were ended. adding that to his resonate. they have a very dangerous team. they have a very dangerous team. they know exactly what they do. they're very structured, they're very organised and defend so, so well and what's been overlooked as they have a loss of quality and behind me that means that when england and france take to the pitch in the al bait stadium they'll know who they are facing in that semifinal and coming into this one for england it is a very different feeling to the other matches they've played so far in the world cup. every time you played, they've been a favourite. they have a slight underdog. they're playing the world champions, there are so much talk, i

well england's knockoutjourney started in earnest today, and alex howell has been with them. they'reall 25 players are out training. yesterday, they had a recovery day, which meant stretching and works before having the afternoon off to see their families. gareth southgate has some big decisions to make going into this match following the �* marcus rushford and vfolden. 7 rice, the 7 vfolden. 7 rice, the west phil folden. declan rice, the west ham midfielder spoke to the media earlier today and told us the earlier today and told us why the strength and depth is such a strength and depth is such a strength for this england team. it strength for this england team. to that you can is always nice to know that you can bring _ is always nice to know that you can bring players off the bench that can instantly— bring players off the bench that can instantly change the game. whether that is_ instantly change the game. whether that is a _ instantly change the game. whether that is a dry or we need to freshen up that is a dry or we need to freshen up our— that is a dry or we need to freshen up

let's get the latest from the england camp now, with our reporter alex howell.m have their final full session before they play senegal tomorrow. they might do some tactical work in a meeting room or walk—through scenarios on the pitch, they are getting prepared for this big round of 16 match. gareth southgate has big decisions to make, especially in the attacking areas. he has to decide whether to play marcus rashford, raheem sterling, bukayo saka or phil foden. gareth southgate was speaking today and he was —— he said that having those options isn't necessarily a bad thing. it options isn't necessarily a bad thin. , . options isn't necessarily a bad thin._ , ., options isn't necessarily a bad thin. ., options isn't necessarily a bad thinu. ., .,, thing. it is a good position to be in. you thing. it is a good position to be in- you want— thing. it is a good position to be in. you want your _ thing. it is a good position to be in. you want your players - thing. it is a good position to be in. you want your players in - in. you want your players in confident_ in.

year, hot and cold in the group stage then that really fluent match against senegal in the last 16 alex howellr man in the england camp as they get ready to face the french on saturday night the england squad were back in training today after a day off preparing for that game on saturday the courts are final against world champions france. 22 the courts are final against world champions france.— the courts are final against world champions france. 22 players were out on the — champions france. 22 players were out on the only _ champions france. 22 players were out on the only real _ champions france. 22 players were out on the only real concern - champions france. 22 players were out on the only real concern was i out on the only real concern was with westhampton midfielder declan rice who missed the session with illness. garth stuck with would be hoping he recovers in time for saturday's match. the match is being billed a battle between mbappe and kyle walker. the writeback was in the press conference today and he said he is ready for the bottle and he is not going to the movie aside to make

alex, enjoy the game later, alex howell in doha.alive and kicking. we know this because of the incredible response to a bbc report about an eight—year—old girl — alishah — whose dad could only afford to buy her one hot lunch per week. alishah's school — in bradford — was inundated with donations and collected nearly £50,000. 0ur education editor branwenjeffreys has been back to see the difference that money will make. go! energy and joy filling the playground. this school is a safe haven in hard times. now it's wrapped in extra kindness. after we reported working parents like ali raza struggling to pay for school meals, which meant eight—year—old alishah got one hot lunch a week shared with her family. in the office, hundreds of emails and calls started arriving. donations of money for the children's school food, a thrill of hope in a dark winter. everything seems depressing and money is becoming tighter and tighter. so i think that might be what maybe prompted people to try and help somebody who was struggling even more than than t

joining me live from doha is ourfootball reporter alex howell. hello to you, alex.urse croatia in their last two games needing extra time and penalties to win. it games needing extra time and penalties to win.— games needing extra time and penalties to win. it has been the sto of penalties to win. it has been the story of croatia's _ penalties to win. it has been the story of croatia's journey, - penalties to win. it has been thej story of croatia's journey, taking story of croatia�*s journey, taking teens deeper into the matches, into extra time and penalties. but this semifinal is really the story around the number ten for both teens, folk residents, luka modric, someone who has won the ballon d�*or, he is 37 years old, and this will most likely be his last tournament. all of the croatian players and fans want to continue the journey for him, they lost in the world cup final in 2018 to france so there is a story there in itself. but then we look at lionel messi, many call him the best player in the world at the moment, best player to ever play the game, sometimes,

our reporter alex howell was at that news conference. urnment? that's right. it will be the biggest challenge that this england team have faced so far in the world cup but before we get into that battle that everyone is speaking about, what kyle walker said we should be focusing on the young players in the england team and the effect they can have, players like phil foden and jude bellingham and says the credit should go to the manager for allowing them to play and express themselves and they can play with more courage than when they first came into the setup when they were young players and answer that battle with mbappe, he was asked about it in the press conference and he was very strong and said it was not about one battle between him and mbappe and he said he would show him respect and would not show and roll out the red carpet but the manchester city man has been speaking more in depth about the battle that is to come. i do understand what i have to do and that's to stop. it's probably easier said than done, but i don't underestmate

a little earlier, i spoke to our reporter alex howell who is out in doha.e world cup, coming out on top _ group in the world cup, coming out on top ahead of belgium and croatia, who made _ on top ahead of belgium and croatia, who made it — on top ahead of belgium and croatia, who made it into the other semifinal. then they have beaten spain _ semifinal. then they have beaten spain and — semifinal. then they have beaten spain and portugal in the knockout stages, _ spain and portugal in the knockout stages, and it's even more impressive when you think that their manager— impressive when you think that their manager has only been in charge for 'ust manager has only been in charge for just over— manager has only been in charge for just over three months. he has the players _ just over three months. he has the players together, playing for each other— players together, playing for each other and — players together, playing for each other and they have a clear idea of what _ other and they have a clear idea of what they— other and they have a clear idea of what t

alex howell, bbc.ight? i think he has a good point. yes, of course, we have _ right? i think he has a good point. | yes, of course, we have performed guite _ yes, of course, we have performed quite well— in ourfirst fourgames in our first four games and yes, i feellike— in our first four games and yes, i feel like we — in our first four games and yes, i feel like we just need to stay hungry— feel like we just need to stay hungry and stay focused on the next game. _ hungry and stay focused on the next game. so _ hungry and stay focused on the next game, so obviously that is the most important. — game, so obviously that is the most im ortant. �* ., game, so obviously that is the most imortant. �* ., , game, so obviously that is the most imortant. . . , ., ., important. and there have been a lot of big decisions _ important. and there have been a lot of big decisions the _ important. and there have been a lot of big decisions the managers - important. and there have been a lot of big decisions the manager