Draper had been British number one since June 2024 when he took over from Norrie, who had held the position since October 2021 when he won Indian Wells.

The 24-year-old has only played two ranking tournaments since last August’s US Open, having returned from injury in February.

Before the injury, Draper was steadily building his way to the top of the game.

He reached the 2024 US Open semi-finals, won the biggest title of his career at Indian Wells six months later and reached as high as fourth in the world rankings in June.

The friendly British rivalry with Norrie could help to nudge him back towards the top 10.

“Cam is playing some great tennis,” Draper said.

“He’s been really consistent. I think it’s great for British tennis that he’s back playing really well – a former top-10 player who had a really tough injury with his forearm a couple of years ago.

“I’m really happy for him and his team and if we can keep on pushing each other to play well, that’s only a great thing.”

Rankings are calculated over a 12-month period, with players effectively defending points they won at the same tournament a year earlier.

Draper’s absence from the tour is the overriding reason why he has lost the British top spot, but Norrie has had an excellent run after falling outside the top 90 in April.

He reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals in July and beat world number one Carlos Alcaraz at the Paris Masters in October.

“I was in a tough spot,” Norrie said. “Just a little bit too much expectation, but I let that go and enjoyed my tennis a bit more, and then suddenly I finished inside the top 30 at the end of last year.”

England host Uruguay on March 27 and Japan on March 31 at Wembley Stadium as part of the 2026 Send Off Series

The Premier League will pause next week as England return to international duty in the final break before the World Cup. Thomas Tuchel has just two matches remaining to evaluate his players before naming his squad for the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the USA this June.

The Three Lions secured their World Cup place with a perfect eight-win qualifying run that saw them finish top of their group and arrange another meeting with Croatia in their opening fixture. Before that, England are scheduled to play two friendly fixtures at Wembley Stadium as part of the 2026 Send Off Series, welcoming Uruguay on March 27 and Japan on March 31.

Tickets for both matches went on general sale in December and February respectively, with numerous general admission choices still available alongside more exclusive VIP and hospitality packages. Prices begin at £35 per person on the Wembley Stadium website for a ‘Category 4 – Licensed Standing’ ticket, whilst ‘Category 1’ tickets provide superior views and seating from £80.

VIP and hospitality packages for both fixtures are available from £75 through Seat Unique, offering ‘premium’ seating on Level Two with padded seats and an excellent pitch view. This Taphouse ticket reportedly delivers ‘the ultimate luxury matchday experience’ and grants access to Wembley 2.5 hours before kick-off, alongside premium dining, an M&S Foodhall and comfortable seating in the bar area.

England supporters wanting to splash out can reserve a table in the exclusive Bobby Moore Lounge – featuring premium halfway line seating next to the dugout – from £349 per person. This cost also covers a four-course gourmet meal, inclusive bar, live entertainment and unlimited Laurent Perrier Champagne.

England VIP and hospitality tickets

from £75

Seat Unique

Book tickets here

England fans can book their spot at Wembley for the friendly matches against Uruguay and Japan from £75 at Seat Unique.

Comparable perks are offered with the more upmarket Bobby Moore Suite, a VIP package with Level 1 seats positioned behind the dugouts from £395 per person. Nevertheless, tickets are selling quickly and only limited availability remains for selected Bobby Moore packages.

It’s also worth highlighting that prices can fluctuate from match to match. For those intending to watch from home, both England vs Uruguay and England vs Japan will be broadcast live on ITV1, STV, ITVX and STV Player.

The previous occasion England met Uruguay was during the 2014 World Cup, when two goals from then-Liverpool forward Luis Suarez effectively confirmed England’s group stage exit. Wayne Rooney’s maiden goal of the tournament wasn’t sufficient to prevent their second consecutive defeat as Roy Hodgson’s team ultimately departed early.

England have only encountered Japan three times, with the most recent meeting occurring in 2010 as their final preparation match before travelling to South Africa for the 2010 World Cup. England clinched a 2-1 victory thanks to two Japan own goals.

England are set to play two additional matches in June, taking on New Zealand and Costa Rica in South Florida as part of their World Cup preparation camp. Details regarding tickets for these fixtures haven’t been announced yet, though supporters can register their interest through The FA here.

India’s T20 World Cup MVP, Sanju Samson, recently shared a hilarious anecdote from the Rajasthan Royals (RR) camp involving the legendary Rahul Dravid and 14-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Samson recalled Dravid’s meeting with Sooryavanshi ahead of the latter’s IPL debut last season. Sooryavanshi made his IPL debut last season, scoring 252 runs in seven matches for the RR at a strike rate of 206.56, including a rapid 35-ball century (101 off 38 balls) against Gujarat Titans.

Speaking at the Naman Awards, Samson revealed, “I was actually in a meeting at the time. Rahul Sir called him into the room and told me, ‘Sanju, we need to talk to him. He’s just a young kid; we need to guide him on how to go about things.’ So Rahul Sir asked him, ‘Vaibhav, what’s the plan?’ Vaibhav replied, ‘Kuch nahi sir, hume agar pehla mila to hum pehla hi uda denge (Nothing special, Sir. If I get the first ball, I’m just going to smash it)”

Sanju Samson mimicked the Bihari accent of Vaibhav Suryavanshi. pic.twitter.com/5vIu9inbjJ

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— Gems of Cricket (@GemsOfCrickets) March 15, 2026

Samson’s unique impression of Sooryavanshi sparked a riot of laughter in the hall, with even the usually composed Dravid failing to control himself.

The BCCI felicitated India’s five World Cup-winning teams at the Naman Awards, in a grand celebration of the country’s recent cricketing success.

2026 kicked off with a bang for Indian cricket as India powered to a record 6th U19 World Cup title, thrashing England by 100 runs in the Harare final. Sooryavanshi slammed 175 off 80 balls, while captain Ayush Mhatre chipped in with 53 as India piled up 411/9 in 50 overs. England fought through, but India bowled them out for 311 in 40.2 overs.

Earlier this month, India won the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, thrashing New Zealand by 96 runs in the final. Batting first, India posted a massive 255/5, courtesy of Sanju Samson’s 89 off 46 balls and Ishan Kishan‘s 54 off 25.

While chasing, New Zealand were bowled out for 159 in 19 overs, with Jasprit Bumrah starring with 4/15 and Axar Patel chipping in with 3/27.

Shakur Stevenson‘s next move is currently unknown, but one reigning world champion has vowed to ‘humble’ him were they to meet.

Stevenson became a four-division world champion back in January when he claimed a unanimous decision victory over Teofimo Lopez at Madison Square Garden in New York to win the WBO super-lightweight title.

That triumph follows his world title reigns at featherweight, super featherweight and lightweight. While he was stripped of his WBC lightweight belt after the Lopez win, Stevenson has not ruled out returning to the division.

Now, WBC super-featherweight champion O’Shaquie Foster has told Fight Hub TV that he needs to ‘put hands’ on Stevenson before hanging up his gloves – the latest verbal jab in an ongoing rivalry.

“If I can fight this dude tomorrow, we would get it in. No questions, no nothing. By the end of my career that’s who I need to put hands on, Shakur for sure. He play like he’s so good and better than everybody. I want to humble him. I will show him.”

Foster first claimed the WBC super featherweight title with a win over Rey Vargas in February 2023, and while he lost it to Robson Conceicao 18 months later, he regained it in their immediate rematch in November 2024.

An unexpected move to lightweight then came in December. Foster was set to defend his belt against Stephen Fulton, but the challenger came in overweight, leading the sanctioning body to make the fight for the interim lightweight belt instead. Foster won it, and wants Stevenson to drop back down to face him.

It remains to be seen whether the fight will come to fruition, with Shakur having recently called out another notable name in Lamont Roach.

The NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament field was revealed on Sunday night – a few hours after the men’s programs learned where they would be playing in their tournament.

The UConn Huskies were named the No. 1 overall seed of the tournament as the program pursues its 13th national championship. The Huskies are the only undefeated team in Division I college basketball and are led by Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd. Strong is averaging 18.5 points per game and Fudd is averaging 17.7.

Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Gamecocks earned the No. 1 seed in Region 4. The team is 31-3 this season and won the SEC regular season title. Joyce Edwards leads the team with 19.6 points per game while Madina Okot is averaging 13.4 points and 10.9 rebounds per game.

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UConn forward Sarah Strong (21) looks to shoot at Creighton center Elizabeth Gentry defends during first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Big East tournament, Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Uncasville, Connecticut. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

The UCLA Bruins will look to dethrone UConn this year. The Lauren Betts-led team was 31-1 this season. Betts is leading in points per game (16.4), rebounds per game (8.6) and blocks per game (1.6) for the Bruins.

The Texas Longhorns got the other No. 1 seed of the tournament. The Longhorns finished just behind South Carolina in the SEC in the regular season but won the tournament championship. Madison Booker is leading the team with 18.9 points per game and 6.5 assists per game.

The First Four matchups include Missouri and Stephen F. Austin and Southern and Samford fighting for the No. 16 seeds. Nebraska takes on Richmond for an 11th seed and Virginia and Arizona State will square off for the 10th seed. These games take place Wednesday and Thursday.

The tournament will begin on Friday and Saturday. The Final Four will take place on April 3 and the championship will be played on April 5.

PENN’S TJ POWER TAKES ADVANTAGE OF MASSIVE YALE BLUNDER TO PUNCH TICKET TO MARCH MADNESS

Region 1 – Fort Worth

1. UConn Huskies (33-0) vs. 16. UTSA (18-15)

8. Iowa State (22-9) vs. 9. Syracuse (23-8)

5. Maryland (23-8) vs. 12. Murray State (31-3)

4. North Carolina (26-7) vs. 13. Western Illinois (26-5)

6. Notre Dame (22-10) vs. 11. Fairfield (28-4)

7. Illinois (21-11) vs. 10. Colorado (22-11)

2. Vanderbilt (27-4) vs. 15. High Point (27-5)

2026 NCAA MEN’S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT SELECTIONS REVEALED

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley reacts during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Texas in the final of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Greenville, South Carolina. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Region 4 – Sacramento

1. South Carolina (31-3) vs. 16. Southern/Samford

8. Clemson (21-11) vs. 9. USC (17-13)

5. Michigan State (22-8) vs. 12. Colorado State (27-7)

4. Oklahoma (24-7) vs. 13. Idaho (29-5)

6. Washington (21-10) vs. 11. South Dakota State (27-6)

3. TCU (29-5) vs. 14. UC San Diego (24-8)

7. Georgia (22-9) vs. 10. Virginia/Arizona State

2. Iowa (26-6) vs. 15. Fairleigh Dickinson (30-4)

Region 2 – Sacramento

UCLA center Lauren Betts (51) shoots over Iowa center Ava Heiden (5) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the finals of the Big Ten Conference tournament, Sunday, March 8, 2026 in Indianapolis.  (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

1. UCLA (31-1) vs. 16. California Baptist (23-10)

8. Oklahoma State (23-9) vs. 9. Princeton (26-3)

5. Ole Miss (23-11) vs. 12. Gonzaga (24-9)

4. Minnesota (22-8) vs. 13. Green Bay (25-8)

6. Baylor (24-8) vs. 11. Nebraska/Richmond

3. Duke (24-8) vs. 14. Charleston (27-5)

7. Texas Tech (25-7) vs. 10. Villanova (25-7)

2. LSU (27-5) vs. 15. Jacksonville (24-8)

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Region 3 – Fort Worth

1. Texas (31-3) vs. 16. Stephen F. Austin/Missouri State

8. Oregon (22-12) vs. 9. Virginia Tech (23-9)

5. Kentucky (23-10) vs. 12. James Madison (26-8)

4. West Virginia (27-6) vs. 13. Miami-Ohio (28-6)

6. Alabama (23-10) vs. 11. Rhodie Island (28-4)

3. Louisville (27-7) vs. 14. Vermont (27-7)

7. NC State (20-10) vs. 10. Tennessee (16-13)

2. Michigan (25-6) vs. 15. Holy Cross (23-9)

Pakistan Cricket Team, Mohsin Naqvi face ICC Trophy jibe: Pakistan cricket hit a new low on Sunday after it lost a three-ODI series to Bangladesh. The series loss marked the start of Pakistan’s rebuilding phase after an early T20 World Cup exit on a losing note. In the series-deciding third ODI, Salman Ali Agha’s century wasn’t enough as Bangladesh beat the new-look Pakistan by 11 runs in the final one-day international to win the series 2-1. Agha hit 106 off 98 balls, but his dismissal in the 48th over saw Pakistan eventually getting bowled out for 279, with skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi stumped off the final ball of the doomed chase.

Former Pakistan star Kamran Akmal, who has also served as a selector, was furious after the loss. “The condition is such that now even Netherlands would want to play a series against us, then beat us and get Test status. This is the condition of Pakistan cricket now,” Akmal said in a discussion.

“They (Bangladesh) could have easily scored 350 today, but scored only 290. Litton Das played slowly. Even then we lost.”

He went on to take a swipe at Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi, who is infamous for taking away the 2025 Asia Cup trophy after winners India refused to accept it from him. The champions are yet to receive the trophy, as it reportedly lies in Naqvi’s office.

“If you don’t beat teams in matches, will you now steal ICC trophies and bring them home?” Akmal said.

Opening batter Tanzid Hasan‘s (107) first ODI hundred had earlier propelled Bangladesh to 290-5 after Afridi won the toss and elected to field on the same bouncy wicket where Pakistan was bowled out for 114 in the first game, which Bangladesh won by eight wickets.

Bangladesh lost the second ODI by 128 runs under the DLS Method when it was also dismissed for 114.

“Definitely (it) was an excellent match,” Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz said. “It was an excellent wicket and if we got 300 it would be better, but we are playing well, especially the way Tanzid batted.”

A revamped Pakistan, which awarded six ODI debuts in the series, struggled to cope with the pace of Taskin Ahmed (4-49) and Nahid Rana (2-62), and slipped to 17-3 after the first three overs of its chase.

Taskin had Sahibzada Farhan caught behind off a nippy short ball before rattling the off stump of Mohammad Rizwan (4). Rana continued to impress with his pace in the series when opener Maaz Sadaqat (6) lobbed an easy catch behind after a mistimed pull shot.

Ghazi Ghori (29) and Abdul Samad (34), two of the six Pakistan debutants in the series, revived the chase with a 50-run stand before Pakistan lost both of them to Bangladesh’s pace attack and slipped to 82-5 in the 18th over.

But Agha brought Pakistan back into the hunt with a 79-run stand with Saad Masood (38) and added 52 runs with Afridi for the eighth wicket. Agha completed his third ODI hundred off 89 balls with nine fours and four sixes, before Taskin deceived the batter with a slower ball and had him caught at deep mid-wicket.

With 28 needed off the final two overs, Afridi smacked Mustafizur Rahman (3-54) for two big sixes in the penultimate over and reduced the target to 14 off the final six balls. Rishad Hossain stayed calm and had Afridi stumped to complete a memorable series win for Bangladesh.

Former India player Aakash Chopra has reckoned that lower-middle-order batting could be the Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) biggest challenge in IPL 2026. He noted that Josh Inglis will find it difficult if he is asked to bat at No. 6 or No. 7.

LSG acquired Inglis for ₹8.60 crore at the IPL 2026 auction. However, it’s unclear whether the Australian wicketkeeper-batter would be available for the entirety of the upcoming edition of the prestigious league.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, ‘Aakash Chopra,’ the former India opener highlighted the Lucknow Super Giants‘ lower-middle-order batting challenges heading into IPL 2026.

“What are the weaknesses? Instead of weaknesses, I am looking towards challenges. If Josh Inglis plays in the lower-middle order, it means four overseas batters would play, but Josh Inglis is at his best if you play him in the top four. If you give him the No. 6 or No. 7 role, it’s a difficult role to play,” he said.

While acknowledging that LSG have a few decent Indian lower-middle-order batters, Chopra pointed out that they lack experience.

“You see slight problems with players there. Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad and Shahbaz Ahmed are there. They are all good. Badoni’s form is very good, Abdul Samad hits decent sixes, but the experience is not seen in the lower-middle order,” he observed.

Citing Sherfane Rutherford, Tristan Stubbs and Tim David as examples, Aakash Chopra highlighted that IPL teams generally have at least one strong overseas lower-middle-order striker. He noted that the absence of any such player might come back to bite LSG.

“The shadow of injuries is inseparable from this team” – Aakash Chopra on LSG’s other challenges heading into IPL 2026

In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that the presence of injury-prone seamers could be another challenge for the Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026.

“There is a huge injury concern among Indian fast bowlers. Mohammad Shami has come and will hopefully remain fit. Mayank Yadav is injury-prone. Then Avesh Khan and Mohsin Khan. Even Anrich Nortje has come back after an injury. The shadow of injuries is inseparable from this team,” he said.

While pointing out that Wanindu Hasaranga‘s potential absence could be a challenge in the spin-bowling department, the cricketer-turned-commentator added that opposition batters might read Digvesh Rathi better in IPL 2026.

“They let Ravi Bishnoi go and picked Wanindu Hasaranga in his place. If he is also not there, there could be a challenge in spin. Digvesh Rathi was brilliant, but now, as he plays more, people will start understanding him. So he will have to reinvent himself,” Chopra observed.

Wanindu Hasaranga, who was bought by the Lucknow Super Giants for ₹2 crore at the IPL 2026 auction, suffered a hamstring injury during the T20 World Cup 2026. Digvesh Rathi (14 scalps at an economy rate of 8.25 in 13 innings) was LSG’s highest wicket-taker in IPL 2025.