Cricket, by some metrics the world’s second most popular sport, has a penchant for producing rather peculiar scandals. UK-Australian relations were put under significant strain over the way that Harold Larwood, a coal miner from Nottinghamshire who could hurl cricket balls at batters very quickly, bowled at Don Bradman and the rest of his team in the 1932-33 “Bodyline” series. The tactic even resulted in a severe fractured skull for wicket-keeper Bert Oldfield. Nearly a century has passed, but cricketing aficionados still argue over it today.

Then there were the three Pakistani cricketers who were convicted for arranging to bowl no-balls in a 2010 match between England and Pakistan. The overall effect on the outcome of the match itself was minimal, but the scandal received a significant amount of global press coverage.

Plus, and in no particular order, we have had “sandpapergate”, a ball-tampering scandal ending with Australia’s then-captain, Steve Smith, tearfully apologising on television; the 1979 Dennis Lillee-inspired furore of whether it was right to use an aluminium cricket bat rather than a traditional wooden one; and the then-England captain Mike Atherton’s 1994 “dirt in the pocket” scandal concerning alleged attempts to make a cricket ball swing. That’s not even touching on the many other betting scandals that cricket has suffered.

But the recent “Clicky Ponting” affair, set in the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League, seems to be something else entirely. In July 2026, video footage emerged of Brian Devine, standing at first slip, apparently clicking his fingers to mimic the sound a cricket ball makes when hitting the edge of the bat.

Devine, it would appear, has allegedly been pulling off this trick (and duping umpires along the way) for quite some time. And Saltburn CC have been merrily getting batsmen out as a result. Devine has now been suspended by the club for the “foreseeable future”. Other punishments may follow.

No one has openly argued that the Saltburn players – you’d wonder whether at least some of Devine’s teammates must have been aware of this particular act – weren’t crossing a line. But it’s what this does (or doesn’t) say about cricket more broadly that’s the interesting part.

The spirit of cricket (in theory)

Cricket makes a real play of espousing something called the “spirit of cricket”. In the 1990s, two former international players, Ted Dexter and Colin Cowdrey, pushed for cricket to recognise that the game is always played within the correct “spirit”.

By 2000, a preamble to the laws (cricket is far too serious for there just to be rules) of the game argued that cricket should be played “not only within its Laws, but also within the Spirit of the Game”.

Cricket, in other words, sees itself as having a unique appeal. And that appeal rests firmly on the basis that the sport is somehow different to (read, better than) other sports. But the reality of how the game is actually played often doesn’t seem to mirror this.

Devine’s alleged behaviour is clearly not within the “spirit of the game”. But similar forms of cheating – punching the ball over a goalkeeper in a World Cup quarter-final, say, or pretending that you’ve been bloodied in a rugby union game to facilitate the use of a substitution you wouldn’t otherwise have been allowed to make – exist across all sports. I analyse these types of things in much more detail in my own work on the (lack of) integrity in modern football.

Yet those other sports don’t begin from the self-righteous starting position that their game is somehow different. The fact that cricketing umpires have no way of disciplining individuals on the field of play speaks to this. Umpires have neither yellow nor red cards (or any variant thereof) at their disposal. In a game where playing within the “spirit” is taken as a given, they just aren’t deemed necessary.

The spirit of cricket (in practice)

The one thing that debates around the spirit of cricket consistently reveal is a lack of consensus around what the “spirit” actually is. The principles are no doubt honourable, but legitimate practice on the field is shaped by the 42 laws of the game, which are interpreted by the umpires. They exercise judgement based on how they think the laws should apply in a given situation.

The only logical way of invoking something as nebulous as the spirit of cricket is to work out whether an act is taking place within the laws. If you don’t like the act in question, even though it’s deemed legal, you need to find a way of convincing those who oversee such things to change the laws. That doesn’t mean that there is no such thing as a spirit of cricket. But it cannot (and does not) exist independently of the laws of the game.

The thing that arguably irks most is that many within the cricketing community assume that cricket is unique in that regard. Sport is not played in a moral vacuum. Respect for your opponents and respect for the game is clearly evident across all sports. Take the badminton or tennis player who raises a hand in apology when a net cord goes their way. Or a rugby player who knocks their opponent flying, then offers a hand in getting them back on their feet. The playing of any sport requires – or should require – the combatants to treat each other with a bit of respect. That’s the basis of a better society all round.

Brian Devine’s alleged behaviour in Clickgate will be frowned upon by more or less everyone who follows sport. And rightly so. It also one more example of cricket players at all levels indulging in sharp practice and inappropriate behaviour. Yet cricket still seems to think it’s unique in being played differently. It isn’t. And it’s time cricket woke up and realised that.

A huge fire has broken out on an industrial estate. Crews were deployed at 2.42am to the scene at Star Trading Estate, Caerleon, Newport.

The site has been evacuated and all people have been accounted for.

Members of the public are urged to avoid the area and locals are advised to keep windows and doors closed.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service is working alongside Gwent Police to ensure public safety.

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A man has been arrested after a ‘suspected explosion’ that saw residents forced to evacuate a block of flats.

Police were called to Princes Street in Ipswich shortly before 9pm last night after people called in to report several windows being blown out.

Residents in the building were told to leave their homes, and the road was closed for safety reasons.

An 18-year-old man was arrested soon after on suspicion of ‘arson/criminal damage with intent to endanger life’, Suffolk Police said.

He was taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning.

Suffolk Fire and Rescue and the East of England Ambulance Service were also called to the scene.

No injuries were reported in the incident.

A police spokesperson said: ‘A man has been arrested following an incident in Ipswich.

‘Police were called to Princes Street just before 8.45pm on Friday, July 31, following reports of a suspected explosion at a block of flats, which caused damage to several windows.

‘At approximately 9.05pm, an 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson/criminal damage with intent to endanger life.

‘Enquiries continue to establish the circumstances of the incident, however no injuries have been reported.

‘Motorists are advised that a diversion is currently in place, as Princes Street is expected to remain closed overnight.

‘Anyone with information relating to the incident is asked to contact police.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

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Looking after your body is no longer just about getting a good workout in; it’s ensuring that you’re properly recuperating afterwards, too. Luckily, in 2026, there is a huge range of products designed to aid recovery.

In fact, the recovery tech boom is playing a big role in the growth of the sports technology market overall. Estimates show it’s projected to grow from $39.6 billion in 2026 to $192.3 billion by 2034.

Two of the most popular products in this category are massage guns and compression boots. Both claim to ease muscle soreness and help you bounce back to training sooner, but they sit at very different price points. You can pick up a basic gun from around £40, whereas the cheapest boots we tested were £300. But which method is actually better for improving workout recovery?

Massage guns can help to improve flexibility in older muscles

Massage guns work by delivering repeated percussion and vibration to one specific area, which helps improve the mobility and flexibility of a specific muscle. In turn, this can make your muscles feel less tense and stiff. These gadgets can be used before and after workout sessions.

While useful for all ages, massage guns can be helpful for anyone looking to improve range of movement, ease muscle stiffness and boost blood flow – whether exercising or not.

“It will help temporarily improve your mobility so that you feel like you’ve got a bit more flexibility in that muscle,” explains Jonathan Wreaves, clinical physiologist at preventative health clinic Viavi.

But how do they actually work?

Most massage guns offer a revolutions per minute (RPM) range, which refers to how many times the massage head moves back and forth every minute. This tends to be somewhere between 1200 and 3500. The lower range is ideal for gentle massage and warming up, while a higher RPM is better for targeting bigger muscle groups and more intense tightness.

The station is also the first fully Great British Railways branded station

Thousands of passengers have passed through Cambridge South station’s ticket gates since it opened in June. The £250 million station, backed by government funding, supports new train services by Greater Anglia, Great Northern, Thameslink, and CrossCountry.

It is the first fully Great British Railways branded station, bringing together Network Rail track and infrastructure with train operators’ passenger services under a nationalised GBR Anglia organisation.

A spokesperson for Network Rail said: “With thousands of people now choosing to commute by rail, the new station is delivering on its promise to provide an alternative, greener option to access Cambridge Biomedical Campus, reducing reliance on vehicle use and reducing carbon emissions while helping to ease levels of congestion in the city of Cambridge.”

Jamie Burles, managing director for GBR Anglia said: “It is fantastic to see so many people using the new station in just the first month since it opened and I’m sure this is only just the beginning of the story for Cambridge South.

“Having seen over 110,000 journeys in the first month alone demonstrates that the demand was there, waiting for us to build this new facility, and open a new gateway to this very important biomedical campus.

“It really does go to show how investment in the railway can transform people’s lives for the better, by building connectivity and providing easier ways to get to where people most need to be.”

Customers who spend £60 or more in-store will receive a coupon for 5 per cent off fuel, which could mean a saving of up to 8p per litre.

The coupon can be used at Tesco petrol stations across the UK on petrol or diesel, and the offer is valid until Sunday, August 23.

The promotion is valid for in-store purchases made until Sunday, August 16.

5 Tips to make your fuel last longer

A Tesco spokesperson said: “Tesco operates more than 500 filling stations across the UK and offering a discount on the price of fuel is just one way in which Tesco is helping its customers this summer.

“The supermarket recently launched Freebie Thursdays, giving away millions of coupons for free products to Clubcard members, alongside extending its Kids Eat Free offer at The Café at Tesco.”

To redeem the offer, customers must present a printed coupon at the kiosk.

It cannot be used at pay at pump locations, unmanned stations, Tesco Express sites that sell Esso fuel, or in Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man.

A minimum of £1 must be spent on fuel to use the coupon, with a maximum discount of £10.

The offer comes alongside other summer promotions, including Freebie Thursdays, which gives Clubcard members free product coupons, and extending its Kids Eat Free offer at The Café at Tesco.

Earlier this year, Tesco expanded its Aldi Price Match to more than 2,000 Tesco Express stores.

A man who raped women and a teenage girl to ‘teach them a lesson’ for being out late at night could be freed from prison next month.

Sunny Islam, who told the jury he was a practising Muslim, was handed an indefinite prison sentence for attacking three women and the teenager in a three-month reign of terror in 2010.

But he could now be released in September pending the decision of a parole hearing – which, despite an application from one of his victims, will not be held in public because the thought of it had given him ‘anxiety’.

Islam dragged his victims, which included a 15-year-old girl, off the street at knifepoint, then bound and assaulted them. Police fear he may have attacked many more who have not come forward.

New parole board documents show one of his victims applied for his upcoming hearing to be held in public.

The application was denied, with one of the reasons given as Islam’s claims he had become unwell after hearing of the possibility of facing the public.

His solicitor said: ‘Since learning that an application has been made for the oral hearing to be held in public, the prisoner has reported a dramatic increase in his anxiety, including sleep disturbance. This could be a potentially de-stabilising effect.

‘He is in the process of seeking medical advice in relation to those difficulties.’

No medical documentation was provided to support this and Islam claimed, via his solicitor, that his current health problems could impact his ability to give ‘best evidence’ if the hearing was not in private.

In denying the victim’s application, His Honour Jeremy Roberts KC, on behalf of the Chair of the Parole Board, said: ‘His offences are of a particularly repugnant type and the atmosphere in a public hearing is likely to be hostile.

‘Although there is no medical evidence I can see no reason to doubt the prisoner’s statement to his legal representative of a significant increase in his anxiety when he learned that an application had been made for a public hearing.’

He added that discussions about the sensitive nature of the offences in public may be ‘very difficult for the prisoner’.

Islam, who grew up in a strict Muslim family, was sentenced in 2012 to a minimum of 11 years in prison. With time already served, this minimum term expired in 2021.

He had been traced through the number plate of his girlfriend’s car after he kidnapped and raped the 15-year-old in September 2010.

Islam had grabbed her from behind as she walked home with a friend and bundled her into the car at knifepoint before driving to a secluded spot where he raped her twice – despite her claiming she was only 11 years old.

Judge Patricia Lees said at the time: ‘You told her you were going to “teach her a lesson”, and similar things were said to the other women.

‘Those words are a chilling indictment of your very troubling attitude towards all of these victims.

‘You seem to observe women out at night as not deserving respect or protection.

‘I have no doubt that you were out that night looking for a victim, as you were on each of these occasions.’

After his arrest, Islam’s DNA was linked with three other attacks near his home in Barking, east London.

Woolwich Crown Court heard that on July 8, 2010 he subjected a 20-year-old sex worker to ‘his trademark double rape’.

During her ordeal he tied her up and when she fought back he repeatedly punched her in the face and stole her wallet.

She said: ‘He treated me like an animal and made me feel worthless – I thought I was going to die.’

A week later he struck again in Forest Gate, this time dragging a 28-year-old woman into his car and forcing her to commit a sex act.

She managed to kick out the back window of his car and tried to flag down a passing vehicle as Islam strangled her. The woman eventually managed to escape and rejoin friends, who phoned the police.

His fourth victim, also attacked in September, did not come forward until police found the 31-year-old’s blood in the back of the car along with a knife he used to threaten his victims and plastic ties he bound them with.

She was repeatedly punched in the face until she was bleeding and then tied up and raped twice.

Islam, who was 21 at the time of the attacks, was convicted of seven charges of rape, one of sexual assault and one of kidnap.

At the time of his sentencing, his teenage victim said in a statement: ‘No one will ever understand the flashbacks – they are so real. At night, I lay in my bed and it is like I am there.

‘It is like a screen in my mind forcing me to relive that night again and again.

‘People will say time will heal, but I think time has helped me accept the truth – that I will never escape what has happened to me.’

Judge Lees said at the time: ‘The harm you have done to your victims is incalculable.

‘The nature and extent of these offences drives me to the conclusion that you represent an extreme and continuing danger to women, particularly those out at night.’

The newly released parole board documents show that one of his victims wanted the hearing to take place in public because Islam had ‘hurt other members of the public (all women or children from different backgrounds) to teach them a lesson’.

She added: ‘He took advantage of them on the street and he could hurt other women or children.

‘I think it is in the public’s interest and right to know how the justice system has dealt with this and how they will continue to deal with this case and other cases in the future’.

As well as his concerns about Islam’s supposed anxiety, Judge Roberts decided the hearing should be held in private because of the distress a public hearing could cause to the three victims, whose views on the process were unknown.

He added in his conclusion: ‘This decision will obviously disappoint the applicant but it will be open to her, if she now wishes, to apply to the Panel Chair for permission to attend a private hearing and/or to apply to see a summary of the panel’s decision.’

Channel 4 has confirmed the return of Educating Yorkshire with a new eight-part series set once again at Thornhill Community Academy.

The series first aired in 2013 and was a huge hit, before a second series was aired last year.

Produced by Twofour, the documentary will continue to follow students and staff as they navigate the challenges of school life.

Channel 4 confirms new series of Educating Yorkshire

Channel 4 first aired the Educating… British documentary reality television series in 2011, beginning with Educating Essex.

Educating Yorkshire was the second to air two years later, with Cardiff and Manchester also featured.

The show uses a fly-on-the-wall format to show the everyday lives of the staff and pupils of secondary schools.

Educating Yorkshire’s first series was watched by millions, with its most famous scenes showing English teacher Mr Burton helping year 11 student Musharaf overcome his stammer.

On Educating Yorkshire returning for a third series, Matthew Burton, headteacher at Thornhill Community Academy, said: “I’m really pleased to welcome Twofour back to Thornhill, to highlight more of the important work that goes on in schools up and down the country, day in, day out.

“As many people will have seen last year, our students and staff are so inspiring, and to have the chance, again, to show the extent of the quiet, life-changing work that happens day by day is a real privilege.

“Our priority at TCA will always be sharply focusing on the safety, wellbeing and education of our students.

“We look forward to working hard and being nice with Twofour and Channel 4 to develop an important series over the next year.”

Educating Yorkshire reached 8.7 million viewers across linear and streaming last year and was Bafta-nominated in 2026.

Rita Daniels, commissioning editor at Channel 4, said: “Last year’s return to Thornhill Community Academy was both insightful and emotional, providing the perfect snapshot of today’s high school experience.

“The Thornhill kids were brave and brilliant when opening up about the modern challenges of teenage life.

“We know that there will be kids across the country dealing with similar issues and we hope they will continue to see themselves in a new series of this exceptional show.”

What is your favourite series of Educating…? Let us know in the comments.

The National Glass Centre, Sunderland, by Northern Perspectives

Glass was introduced to this country in 674AD when Benedict Biscop, a Northumbrian abbot, returned from a pilgrimage to Rome and began building St Peter’s Monastery at Monkwearmouth, using stonemasons and glaziers from Gaul and Rome. This was the first time glass had been seen in Britain, and the foreigners passed on the tricks of the trade to the locals.

As an industry, glassmaking really took off in the 18th Century. Sunderland had access to cheap coal, from the North East coalfield, and sand aplenty from the beaches – Seaham sand, with a high silica content, was found to be especially good. However, as Durham coal was sold further afield, the colliers, rather than return empty, came back with foreign sand for ballast, with high quality Baltic sand being popular among the glassmakers.

The National Glass Centre, Sunderland, when it opened in 1998, by Ian Weir

The National Glass Centre, built on the site of one of Sunderland’s last shipyards as that industry died, was officially opened in 1998 by Prince Charles. It was intended to celebrate this history and to keep the artistic skills alive – the 158-piece Londonderry Glass Table Service of engraved and cut glass, made in 1823-24 by the Wear Flint Glass Works for the marquess in Seaham Hall, is regarded as one of the finest ever made.

HRH The Prince Of Wales tries his hands at glass blowing at the National Glass Centre in Sunderland today (Friday) under the supervision of Barry Clark, Studio Manager. Photo by Owen Humphreys/EDI WPA POOL/PA

However, yesterday all that came to an end as the university controversially shut the glass centre, citing huge maintenance bills, with the intention of demolishing it.

As the last glassmaking factory in Sunderland closed in 2007, when the parent company of Pyrex withdrew to the continent, it does represent the end of the line.

Northern Perspectives

So Northern Perspectives has recorded it. He is a Durham-based photographer who uses the latest drone-based technology to cast new light on our beautiful and historic landscapes. To see more of his prolific output, including his aerial videos, search “Northern Perspectives” on Facebook.

SEE MORE: NORTHERN PERSPECTIVES’ VIEW OF A CONCRETE SHIP IN THE WEAR!

Charles Dickens would “heartily approve” of this much-loved BBC period drama adaptation.

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Downton Abbey fans are urged to watch this “extraordinary” BBC period drama that’s been hailed the “best film ever”.

Charles Dickens is famed for writing some of the greatest stories in history from Great Expectations and Oliver Twist to A Christmas Carol.

Some that viewers may not be as familiar with though is Bleak House, a Victorian bestseller about a lifelong lawsuit, a hidden family secret and an orphan girl.

The 19th Century novel has been adapted for the small screen on a few occasions but it’s the 2005 version that’s often brought up by Downton Abbey fans as an alternative watch. And what’s even better is that the “excellent” 15-part period drama Bleak House is ready to stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

While a multi-generational inheritance case continues to drag on, orphan Esther Summerson and wards Ada Clare and Richard Carstone, go to live with their generous cousin John Jarndyce at his home, Bleak House.

Elsewhere, aristocrat Lady Dedlock raises suspicions with a lawyer as she suddenly shows an anxious interest in a court document from years ago.

What makes Bleak House stand out even more though is its star-studded cast, led by Motherland and Line of Duty star Anna Maxwell Martin as Esther Summerson.

She is joined by The Fall and Sex Education actress Gillian Anderson as Lady Dedlock, Netflix’s Beef actress Carey Mulligan and The Crown icon Charles Dance as Mr Tulkinghorn.

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“This multi-hour TV drama is a masterpiece from beginning to end”, someone praised on IMdB. Another said: “I can’t think of a greater Dickens film adaptation. This version of ‘Bleak House’ is simply one of the best films ever made.”

Someone else hailed it the “best film I’ve ever seen”, with a fourth writing: “It took me totally by surprise.

“I recommend that any lover of great literature and British period pieces make this a must see.”

As a further fan stated: “I rather think that Charles Dickens if he were still around would heartily approve.”

Bleak House is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.