tom curren's debut and england's bowling attack didn't go as they would have liked.—century and australia closed the day on 244—3. let's talk about the football, as the festive fixtures continue. eight games today the leaders, manchester city, will play newcastle tomorrow. this afternoon's early kick—off, totte n ha m this afternoon's early kick—off, tottenham meet southampton, with harry kane looking to beat a record held by alan shearer. he is currently level with him on 36 goals in the calendar year. manchester united's task today is to narrow that 14 united's task today is to narrow that 11! point gap between themselves and man city at the top of the table. they are at home to burnley. united slipped up on the weekend, allowing war so to equalise in injury time, but only manager shaun di stars —— doesn't think that will mean his side gets an easy ride. they still look a high—quality group of players to me. i was there recently, about to dig in and get a win, actually, but that's the mark of a good side. if it's not quite their day or the other team are playing we

keaton jennings made 80, tom curren, 77.3111—9, while a cricket australia 11 was 62— one at the close of play on the first day. ronnie o'sullivan is closing in on a sixth uk championship title after a 6—4 victory over stephen maguire in the semifinals. the rocket booked his place in tomorrow's final after holding off a late fightback from maguire. sullivan did hold a 4—0 lead, which was cut back to 5—4 before he took a decisive six frame in york. he faces 2008 when a shaun murphy, who beat ryan day. james degale has lost his ibf super middleweight title in london's night after being beaten by caleb trucks ona after being beaten by caleb trucks on a split decision. the former olympic champion clearly not at his vest, taking a barrage of punches in the fifth round. —— best. while he hung on, the american truax u nsettled hung on, the american truax unsettled to gail in what was his first fight since january. —— u nsettled first fight since january. —— unsettled degale. olympic cycling champion sir bradley wiggins finished in 2

jonny bairstow, tom curren and stuart broad enjoying christmas festivities with santa claus in the backgroundo christmas day. did you have a good day yesterday? yes, i ate far too much, like everybody else, but it was lovely. it was really nice to relax and see family and eat far too much turkey. you didn't fancy throwing yourself into the sea, did you? lots of people seem the sea, did you? lots of people seem to have done that yesterday. it is really interesting. i go to the boxing day version, up in the north—east where i am from, and all the people who, in various costumes, will run into the ocean. it is incredible. who wants to do that on christmas morning? lots of people, apparently. there is a group of people dressed as mermaids. it must be absolutely baltic. hundreds of christmas swimmers, they say, enjoying a festive dip, singing as they ran in. you would have to sing, just to... just to keep your mind off it. i think i will stick to the onesie. yes, the onesie in front of the telly. now, more about cricket? well, talking about being cold, that isn't a problem for the england team in

curren temperature, 43 in washin even upper 20s this morning down toward fauquier county. a chilly day to the outside. a mix of clouds and sunshine. highs mid up toer 40s. colder weather tom k you so much. >>> cg lawsuit against harvey weinstein, taking his scandal in a new direction this morning. >>> on rossen reports, we are flooding a house on purpose to expose a hidden winter danger. what you need to know to stay dry. first, this is "today" on nbc. >>> straight ahead on this thursday morning, the new cancer concerns being raised over certain types of birth control. what you need to know. >>> and the surprising new battle in the tech world that has seed to the oat ♪ ♪ to the o, to the bowl, to the spoon ♪ ♪ bowl to the spoon ♪ ♪ to the mouth for the boy in a room ♪ ♪ room for that goodness inside the bloom ♪ good goes around ♪ ♪ and around and around ♪ ♪ seed to oat, to o in the first day of school ♪ ♪ schoolin yo sister on why ♪ and just how to be cool ♪ ♪ cool if she hangs ♪ ♪ you can show her what's good ♪ good goes around ♪ you'll love new choco