Recent highlights from the world of athletics

Click here for our report on the UK Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships at Prestwold Hall, while video interviews with all of the winners can be found here.

A report from day one at the British Masters Indoor Championships at Lee Valley, which featured a world record by 80-year-old Kathleen Stewart, can be found here, while a day two report is here.

Other recent highlights from events both in the UK and overseas can be found below.

Inverness Half Marathon, Scotland, March 8

Weynay Ghebresilasie of Shettleston Harriers and Liz Abbott of Lytham St Annes Road Runners won the half-marathon, in respective times of 65:06 and 77:53.

The 5km, which took place alongside the half-marathon, was won by Lucas Cairns and Emily Andrews, both from Inverness Harriers, in respective times of 15:58 and 18:56.

Hillingdon 20, Middlesex, March 8

This 20-mile event saw Annabel Gummow run 2:00:35 to finish fourth overall and top female in her furthest ever race, as George Suthon won the men’s race in 1:56:57.

Loughborough Winter Throws Open, March 7

Taylor Campbell threw a hammer PB of 74.98m to win the men’s event ahead of Craig Murch (72.95m) and Osian Jones (72.59m).

PB 74.98m today in the Loughborough Winter competition, great way to blow the cobwebs out. ?Happy with the result but hungry for more! ?? next stop Portugal ?? pic.twitter.com/ZUrUowtwDQ

— Taylor Campbell (@TaylorLC1996) March 7, 2020

Jess Mayho won the women’s hammer competition with a throw of 64.22m.

Harry Hughes (72.90m) and Freya Jones (53.06m) claimed javelin wins, while discus wins went to Nic Percy (58.25m) and Kirsty Law (56.38m).

Llanelli Half Marathon, Wales, March 8

Dewi Griffiths won the men’s race in 66:52, while Natasha Cockram claimed the women’s title in 75:27.

Saucony Cambridge Half Marathon, March 8

Cambridge and Coleridge runners claimed both titles with Jonathan Escalante-Phillips winning the men’s race in 65:36, while women’s race winner was Victoria Knight in 74:45.

Aldi Chester 10k, March 8

Daniel Jarvis had been due to race at the World University Cross Country Championships in Morocco but after it was postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak he ran in Chester instead and won the men’s race in 29:45.

The women’s race was won by Gemma Steel in 36:22.

Irish Masters Indoor Championships, Athlone, March 8

Anne Gilsenan set a world W55 800m record of 2:20.10, breaking Virginia Mitchell’s previous record mark by two seconds.

Nagoya Marathon, Japan, March 8

Mao Ichiyama ran 2:20:29 to claim victory and the third place on Japan’s Olympic marathon team.

Mao Ichiyama wins Nagoya Women’s Marathon in 2:20:29 to score 3rd place on 2029 Olympic team. pic.twitter.com/PBI7sK2WJG

— Japan Running News (@JRNLive) March 8, 2020

Her time moves her to fourth on the Japanese all-time list.

Britain’s Charlotte Purdue was among the pacemakers and she went through the half-marathon mark in 70:26 before clocking 83:30 through 25km and stopping as she continues her preparations for the London Marathon.

Lake Biwa Marathon, Japan, March 8

Kenya’s Evans Chebet ran 2:07:29 to win in the wet conditions ahead of South Africa’s Stephen Mokoka (2:08:05) and Kenya’s Felix Kiprotich (2:08:48).

Serbian Winter Throwing Cup, Sremska Mitrovica, March 7

Adriana Vilagos improved the world under-18 javelin best (500g implement) by three metres, with the 16-year-old recording a mark of 68.76m.

Scrum V guests Jonathan Davies, Gwyn Jones and Philippa Tuttiett condemn Joe Marler for grabbing Alun Wyn Jones' genitals at Twickenham.

Jones has called for the game's rulers to take action against his 2017 British and Irish Lions team-mate for the incident.

More: Tuilagi tackle 'could have finished George North's career'

Watch: Scrum V on demand

AUSTIN, Texas – Michael Cooper emerged victorious following Sunday’s Pirelli GT4 America Sprint event at Circuit of the Americas.

Drew Staveley and his No. 12 Ian Lacy Racing Ford Mustang GT4 led the field to the green flag for Sunday’s race. Cooper, driving the No. 10 Blackdog Speed Shop McLaren 570S GT4, and Spencer Pumpelly, in the No. 66 TRG Porsche 718 Cayman GT4, slotted into second and third as Jarett Andretti, who started sixth in the No. 18 Andretti Autosport McLaren 570S GT4, slipped into fourth.

On lap two Andretti took the outside lane around turn 16 to get past Pumpelly to take control of third position.

In Am, Paul Terry and the No. 59 Rearden Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT4 led the field with Michael Dinan and the No. 210 Flying Lizard Aston Martin Vantage GT4 and Jason Bell in the No. 2 GMG Racing Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 running second and third. Tony Gaples and the No. 11 Blackdog Speed Shop McLaren 570S GT4 stalked in fourth.

On the next lap Dinan made the pass on Bell for second, then began to hunt down Terry for the lead in class.  Gaples followed Dinan through to gain third position over Bell.

At the end of lap six, Pumpelly shot to the inside of Andretti at turn 20 to regain third position as the two would continue to battle nose to tail for the next few laps in Pro.

The battle for the Pro lead continued on as Staveley and Cooper traded passes multiple times, but on lap 11 the McLaren driver was able to stick the pass on the inside of turn 11 to keep the lead. A few minutes later the first safety car was called for the stranded No. 62 KPR SIN R1 GT4 of Mark Klenin, who stopped on track near turn seven.

The race went back to green with 18 minutes left on the clock with Cooper leading Staveley and Andretti, who snuck past Pumpelly at turn one in Pro and Grahovec leading in Am.  Dinan would get past Terry for the class lead.

A second safety car was quickly called with 16 minutes on the clock for the No. 24 Ian Lacy Racing Ford Mustang GT4 of Frank Gannett who spun into the wall at the exit of turn three.  Cooper, Staveley and Andretti led the way in Pro with Dinan and Terry leading in Am.

On lap 15 the race was restarted with Cooper able to build a slight lead on Staveley as Andretti attacked the Mustang for second.  Andretti was able to claim second position on the inside of turn 12 as Cooper built his lead to two seconds over his rivals. Cooper would cap off the weekend with a win ahead of Andretti and Staveley.

“The Blackdog guys have worked super hard all winter to get some speed into the McLaren and it paid off today. I think we’re a little behind the other guys right now, but we’re going to keep digging,” said Cooper.

On the final lap, the Am battle between Dinan and Terry ended with Terry coming out on top after making a daring pass at the final turn taking the win by less than one-tenth of a second. Gaples would claim the final podium position.

The Carolina Hurricanes made a surprising run to the Eastern Conference Final last spring, and with much of the roster returning, there was hope that they'd be a top contender again in 2019-20. Instead, it's been an up and down season for Rod Brind'Amour's crew, as they've battled a number of injuries to key players. But are they getting hot at the right time? The Canes' dominant 6-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday catapulted them into the second wild-card spot. Of the Canes' 15 remaining games, eight are against teams currently in playoff position, and they have one left against the New York Islanders, who are nipping at their heels.

Here's where things stand throughout the league heading into Monday's five-game slate, including Washington Capitals-Buffalo Sabres and Colorado Avalanche-Los Angeles Kings streaming live on ESPN+.

Note: Playoff chances are courtesy of Money Puck, while tragic numbers are per the NHL's Damian Echevarrieta.

Jump to:
Eastern standings | Western standings
Race for No. 1 pick | Current playoff matchups

Eastern Conference

Boston Bruins

Points: 98
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: Atlantic 1
Games left: 13 (6 home, 7 away)
Next game: March 10: @ PHI
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Tampa Bay Lightning

Points: 92
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: Atlantic 2
Games left: 13 (7 home, 6 away)
Next game: March 10: @ TOR
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Toronto Maple Leafs

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: Atlantic 3
Games left: 13 (8 home, 5 away)
Next game: March 10: vs. TB
Playoff chances: 78.3%
Tragic number: N/A

Washington Capitals

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: Metro 1
Games left: 14 (8 home, 6 away)
Next game: March 9: @ BUF
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Philadelphia Flyers

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: Metro 2
Games left: 14 (7 home, 7 away)
Next game: March 10: vs. BOS
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Pittsburgh Penguins

Points: 84
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: Metro 3
Games left: 14 (6 home, 8 away)
Next game: March 10: @ NJ
Playoff chances: 90.7%
Tragic number: N/A

Columbus Blue Jackets

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: Wild card 1
Games left: 12 (5 home, 7 away)
Next game: March 12: vs. PIT
Playoff chances: 51.7%
Tragic number: N/A

Carolina Hurricanes

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: Wild card 2
Games left: 15 (7 home, 8 away)
Next game: March 10: @ DET
Playoff chances: 82.6%
Tragic number: N/A

New York Islanders

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 15 (6 home, 9 away)
Next game: March 10: @ VAN
Playoff chances: 47.0%
Tragic number: 31

New York Rangers

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14 (5 home, 9 away)
Next game: March 10: @ DAL
Playoff chances: 14.3%
Tragic number: 26

Florida Panthers

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14 (6 home, 8 away)
Next game: March 9: @ STL
Playoff chances: 33.8%
Tragic number: 26

Montreal Canadiens

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12 (5 home, 7 away)
Next game: March 10: vs. NSH
Playoff chances: 1.6%
Tragic number: 17

New Jersey Devils

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14 (8 home, 6 away)
Next game: March 10: vs. PIT
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 18

Buffalo Sabres

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14 (7 home, 7 away)
Next game: March 9: vs. WSH
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: 16

Ottawa Senators

Points: 62
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13 (4 home, 9 away)
Next game: March 10: @ ANA
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: 10

Detroit Red Wings

Points: 39
Regulation wins: 13
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12 (5 home, 7 away)
Next game: March 8: vs. TB
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: Eliminated

Western Conference

St. Louis Blues

Points: 92
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: Central 1
Games left: 13 (7 home, 6 away)
Next game: March 9: vs. FLA
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Colorado Avalanche

Points: 90
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: Central 2
Games left: 14 (9 home, 5 away)
Next game: March 9: @ LA
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Dallas Stars

Points: 82
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: Central 3
Games left: 14 (8 home, 6 away)
Next game: March 10: vs. NYR
Playoff chances: 97.2%
Tragic number: N/A

Vegas Golden Knights

Points: 84
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: Pacific 1
Games left: 12 (4 home, 8 away)
Next game: March 9: @ EDM
Playoff chances: 98.8%
Tragic number: N/A

Edmonton Oilers

Points: 82
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: Pacific 2
Games left: 13 (9 home, 4 away)
Next game: March 9: vs. VGS
Playoff chances: 96.2%
Tragic number: N/A

Calgary Flames

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: Pacific 3
Games left: 12 (8 home, 4 away)
Next game: March 12: vs. NYI
Playoff chances: 80.2%
Tragic number: N/A

Minnesota Wild

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: Wild card 1
Games left: 13 (6 home, 7 away)
Next game: March 12: vs. VGS
Playoff chances: 75.4%
Tragic number: N/A

Vancouver Canucks

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: Wild card 2
Games left: 14 (7 home, 7 away)
Next game: March 10: vs. NYI
Playoff chances: 47.6%
Tragic number: N/A

Nashville Predators

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14 (6 home, 8 away)
Next game: March 10: @ MTL
Playoff chances: 39.4%
Tragic number: 29

Winnipeg Jets

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13 (5 home, 8 away)
Next game: March 9: vs. ARI
Playoff chances: 30.2%
Tragic number: 27

Arizona Coyotes

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13 (8 home, 5 away)
Next game: March 9: @ WPG
Playoff chances: 31.3%
Tragic number: 25

Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13 (8 home, 5 away)
Next game: March 11: vs. SJ
Playoff chances: 3.6%
Tragic number: 21

Anaheim Ducks

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13 (7 home, 6 away)
Next game: March 10: vs. OTT
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: 16

San Jose Sharks

Points: 63
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13 (5 home, 8 away)
Next game: March 11: @ CHI
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: 14

Los Angeles Kings

Points: 60
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14 (9 home, 5 away)
Next game: March 9: vs. COL
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: 13

Race for the No. 1 pick

The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order at the top of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. However, whoever does win the draft lottery has a chance to select Alexis Lafreniere.

Find out more about Lafreniere here, read up on the rest of the top draft prospects here, and check out all of our 2020 NHL draft coverage.

Detroit Red Wings

Points: 39
Regulation wins: 13
Chance of No. 1 pick: 18.5%

Los Angeles Kings

Points: 60
Regulation wins: 19
Chance of No. 1 pick: 13.5%

Ottawa Senators

Points: 62
Regulation wins: 18
Chance of No. 1 pick: 11.5%

San Jose Sharks

Note: Pick belongs to Ottawa.

Points: 63
Regulation wins: 22
Chance of No. 1 pick: 9.5%

Anaheim Ducks

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 19
Chance of No. 1 pick: 8.5%

Buffalo Sabres

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 22
Chance of No. 1 pick: 7.5%

New Jersey Devils

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22
Chance of No. 1 pick: 6.5%

Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 22
Chance of No. 1 pick: 6%

Montreal Canadiens

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 19
Chance of No. 1 pick: 5%

Arizona Coyotes

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 26
Chance of No. 1 pick: 3.5%

Winnipeg Jets

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 28
Chance of No. 1 pick: 3%

Nashville Predators

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 27
Chance of No. 1 pick: 2.5%

Florida Panthers

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 29
Chance of No. 1 pick: 2%

New York Rangers

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 30
Chance of No. 1 pick: 1.5%

New York Islanders

Note: Pick belongs to Ottawa (top-3 protected).

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 24
Chance of No. 1 pick: 1%

Current playoff matchups

(A1) Bruins vs. (WC2) Hurricanes
(A2) Lightning vs. (A3) Maple Leafs
(M1) Capitals vs. (WC1) Blue Jackets
(M2) Flyers vs. (M3) Penguins
(P1) Golden Knights vs. (WC1) Wild
(P2) Oilers vs. (P3) Flames
(C1) Blues vs. (WC2) Canucks
(C2) Avalanche vs. (C3) Stars

The PGA Tour unveiled a new nine-year domestic media rights agreement on Monday. It begins in 2022 and will include traditional linear broadcasts along with expanded over-the-top streaming.

NBC and CBS will maintain weekend coverage for most FedExCup events including the three postseason events which will alternate between the two networks beginning with NBC’s airing of all three in 2022.

The Tour also extended its relationship with Golf Channel, which will provide all Thursday and Friday coverage as well as early weekend coverage. Golf Channel will continue to air PGA Tour Champions and Korn Ferry Tour events.

The new agreement marked the first time the digitals rights deal was negotiated concurrently with the circuit’s traditional linear inventory and will feature PGA Tour Live airing exclusively on ESPN+. According to the Tour, ESPN+ will provide an estimated 4,000 hours of live streaming coverage annually.

“We’re excited to announce that we have entered into new agreements with our existing partners Viacom/CBS and Comcast/NBC Sports Group, while establishing a new long-term relationship with Disney and ESPN+,” Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said in a statement.

Although financial details of the new agreement were not made available, Monahan said the new deals, “will put us in a position to significantly increase player earnings, deliver more value to our tournaments and sponsors, and ultimately allow us to continue to grow our charitable footprint.”

The new agreement also features a move by the Tour to assume responsibility for the onsite television compounds each week. The move is aimed at allowing the Tour to create and distribute content to its various platforms, although each network will still produce its own telecast and use its own announcing teams, producers and directors.

As part of its strategic alliance with the LPGA, the PGA Tour also negotiated a new nine-year agreement with Golf Channel to maintain the LPGA’s anchor programing as well as expanded agreements with NBC and CBS.

Paris police announced on Monday that Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League round of 16 second leg clash with Borussia Dortmund will go ahead but behind closed doors due to coronavirus fears.

Despite the club's best efforts to sanitise Parc des Princes to make it possible to welcome spectators amid the coronavirus outbreak, the French government's announcement on Sunday night that gatherings of more than 1,000 people will be banned until further notice has ended those hopes.

"Applying the measures announced by the Defence council last night," read the Paris Police statement. "The Police prefect has decided that PSG vs. Dortmund will take place behind closed doors."

PSG saw their Ligue 1 clash away at Strasbourg postponed on Saturday because of a spread of coronavirus in the lower Rhine region.

Talks are also ongoing over the possibility of playing Barcelona's game against Napoli, scheduled for March 18, behind closed doors due to the continued outbreak.

Sources have told ESPN that Barca will meet with various departments of the Catalan government on Tuesday to make a final decision.

The Catalan secretary for sport, Gerard Figueras, told local radio on Monday that "caution would advise" the game be played without supporters at Camp Nou.

Naples is not one of the areas areas in Italy which is locked down because of the virus, but Figueras explained there are concerns that allowing 5,000 Napoli fans to travel to Barcelona in the current climate is not a good idea.

The Spanish government has already confirmed that Valencia's Champions League game in Spain this week against the Italian side Atalanta will be played behind closed doors.

RB Leipzig announced that their Champions League clash in Germany against Tottenham will go ahead on Tuesday with supporters allowed to attend.

Meanwhile, FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation have agreed to postpone the Asian World Cup qualifying matches in March and June due to the outbreak.

FIFA added that the matches could still go ahead if the member associations due to play each other mutually agree, subject to prior approval.

Information from Reuters and ESPN correspondents Sam Marsden and Stephan Uersfeld were included in this report.

You'll have to forgive us, the Rankings are still recovering from the insanity that went down at Banc of California Stadium on Sunday night. Heart rates remain elevated, the sweating is profuse, and we're going to need some breathing exercises to get through this.

The absolute insanity of Danny DeVito attending a soccer match. Wow. Can you believe it? It's Week 2 and we're already ready to shake it up.

Previous rankings: Week 1

1. LAFC

Previous ranking: 2

Next MLS match: March 23, vs. Portland, 8 p.m. ET

LAFC is a team with a stuck accelerator. Even if you wanted to apply the brakes, it would just burn up. The only way to stop is to run out of gas and, at this rate, that might just be LAFC's problem. That and defending. But who really needs defending when you can score three goals every match?

2. Minnesota United

Previous ranking: 6

Next MLS match: March 15, at New York Red Bulls, 7 p.m. ET

We're in uncharted territory as the Loons hit 'Year Four of The Three-Year Plan' and, so far, the territory is good. Two wins, eight goals, and they haven't even played at home yet. We might see a record for renditions of "Wonderwall" by a group of soccer fans from the upper Midwest this season.

3. Sporting Kansas City

Previous ranking: 12

Next MLS match: March 14, at Atlanta, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN+

If there were a separate set of standings that gave clubs points just on how their new signings are doing, Sporting would be leading thanks to the exploits of Alan Pulido and Gadi Kinda. We mean in addition to leading the actual standings, what with two dominant wins and a +6 goal differential.

4. Atlanta United

Previous ranking: 5

Next MLS match: March 14, vs. Sporting KC, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Post-Josef Martinez life isn't all that bad, it turns out. With their best player out injured, United handled its business. It looks like the other high-priced talent in the squad is ready to step up (Ezequiel Barco, come on down!) and Emerson Hyndman is a goal-scoring machine.

5. Columbus Crew

Previous ranking: 3

Next MLS match: March 14, vs. Real Salt Lake, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Who's ready for some pretty team goals? The Crew is already setting a standard for putting together team moves that end up in the net. You'll have to take our word for it that we had Gyasi Zardes down for a big year in our Big Book of Predictions. It's leather-bound and written in calligraphy.

6. Colorado Rapids

Previous ranking: 7

Next MLS match: March 14, at Vancouver, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Excuse us while we take our seat on the Rapids bandwagon. Be sure to get yours soon, because this thing is filling up fast. Sure, Rapidman is driving and we're not sure if his license is current, but when you've got a team this likeable firing out of the gates to start the season, there's no time for discretion.

7. Seattle Sounders

Previous ranking: 1

Next MLS match: March 14, at Houston, 8.30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

It feels like the Sounders are doing that thing where they lull us to sleep by playing some underwhelming soccer to start the season only to kick it into gear and win another championship. Maybe that's harsh. The champs do have four points from two home matches, so there's no reason to worry. Right?

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8. FC Dallas

Previous ranking: 4

Next MLS match: March 7, vs. Montreal Impact, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Okay, so "Kids Incorporated" fell behind at home and had to execute a comeback to grab a point against the Impact. But ... what a comeback! And how perfect was it for the club's up-and-coming young striker, Ricardo Pepi, a player who led USL League One in scoring as a 16-year old, to be the one to score the equalizer. FC Dallas stays consistent.

9. New York Red Bulls

Previous ranking: 8

Next MLS match: March 14, at NYCFC, 12.30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

The less-sexy Red Bulls shouldn't be in any danger of slipping out of the playoff conversation in the Eastern Conference, but it's still a question as to where the goals will come from. You can't play FC Cincinnati every week ... which Red Bulls are the real Red Bulls?

10. Toronto FC

Previous ranking: 9

Next MLS match: March 14, vs. Nashville, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Ifunanyachi Achara is a name to remember, in part because it's almost impossible to forget. The Reds did a thing -- namely winning against a top Eastern rival without Michael Bradley as the captain recovers from ankle surgery -- thanks to Achara's late goal. It's a big step for the player and the club.

- The ESPN Misery Index
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11. Montreal Impact

Previous ranking: 11

Next MLS match: March 21, at Minnesota, 2 p.m. ET

Thierry Henry is undefeated as head coach of the Montreal Impact. Only one of those results was a win, but he appears to be making a bigger success of MLS than his short-lived run with Ligue 1 club Monaco. That's not saying much, but it's a start.

12. Philadelphia Union

Previous ranking: 16

Next MLS match: March 14, vs. San Jose, 5.30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Whoa, Union. Whoa, we see you. What a performance out in Los Angeles. Is that an announcement of intent? Can we count on that kind of effort every week? CAN WE EXPECT 40-YARD ROCKETS FROM CENTRE-BACKS EVERY WEEK? Take a bow, Jakob Glesnes. Please say yes. Please.

13. D.C. United

Previous ranking: 18

Next MLS match: March 14, at Cincinnati, 5.30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

A loss to an expansion team at home would have been disastrous for a new-look United team who dropped millions in the offseason to sign Edison Flores. Sure, it took a strange Miami red card and a penalty kick to push DC to the win, but you gotta start somewhere, right?

14. Portland Timbers

Previous ranking: 19

Next MLS match: March 15, at New England, 1.30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Diego Valeri is still Diego Valeri, which is good for the Timbers because they failed to generate many chances against an expansion team at home at Providence Park. Let's just let that one simmer for a bit: The Portland Timbers bunkered in at home against an expansion team. Whatever works we guess?

15. New England Revolution

Previous ranking: 15

Next MLS match: March 15, vs Portland, 1.30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Last time we saw Bruce Arena and the New Revolution (also the name of Bruce's Prince cover band), they were losing on opening day in Montreal. Week 2 saw an improvement, at least in terms of result. We're going to go out on a limb and imagine Arena wasn't happy with this one.

16. Vancouver Whitecaps

Previous ranking: 22

Next MLS match: March 14, vs. Colorado, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Vancouver is taking more than just film and TV production from LA these days: Now it's taking points. Marc Dos Santos got himself a much-needed win for his job security, for his team's confidence, for the very future of soccer in British Columbia. Or something a little less dramatic.

17. Chicago Fire

Previous ranking: 23

Next MLS match: March 14, at Orlando, 7.30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

The Fire is probably better than it was last year but it's going to take a little more time for anyone to be sure. Two road draws against playoff teams from 2019 is a promising start for new head coach Raphael Wicky and the *checks notes* 12 new players in the team.

18. LA Galaxy

Previous ranking: 14

Next MLS match: March 14, at Inter Miami 2.30 p.m. ET

Is it starting to turn sour for Chicharito in Los Angeles already? Sure, he's got some rad shirts, but the Mexican superstar looks lost and starved for service on the field. Losing to Vancouver at home is a bad enough look, but Hernandez made it worse by dodging the media after the game.

19. Houston Dynamo

Previous ranking: 13

Next MLS match: March 14, vs. Seattle, 8.30 p.m. ET

Tab Ramos' boys took it on the chin in Week 2, reminding us that the Dynamo are definitely a work in progress. It's probably right to say that Tab is a work in progress himself, having come straight from coaching youth team players to taking the reins of an in-transition MLS club.

20. San Jose Earthquakes

Previous ranking: 17

Next MLS match: March 14, vs. Philadelphia, 7.30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

"Earthquakes: The Ride" took a scary turn this week with disastrous defensive efforts. The Quakes' highs are going to be really high and their lows will be really low. If this pattern keeps up, we're going to be exhausted by the time we get to April.

21. Real Salt Lake

Previous ranking: 20

Next MLS match: March 14, at Columbus, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN+

It's going to take a lot for RSL to convince us that the Utahans are more than just flat-out average. The good thing about being average in MLS is that it probably gets you in the playoffs. And once you get into the playoffs (say it with us) ... anything can happen.

22. Orlando City

Previous ranking: 21

Next MLS match: March 14, at Chicago, 7.30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

One day Nani will be healthy again and we'll get a chance to see what Oscar Pareja can do with a full complement of players. Saturday was not that day and so we reserve our judgement for the Lions for yet another week.

23. New York City FC

Previous ranking: 10

Next MLS match: March 14, vs. Dallas, 12.30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Last year's first-place finisher in the Eastern Conference has zero points from two games. Two road games, to be specific. Ronny Deila's false start to life with NYCFC should get better when his club can play in the friendly confines of Yankee Stadium. What a weird sentence. There's nothing quite like a short porch.

24. Nashville SC

Previous ranking: 24

Next MLS match: March 14, at Toronto, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN Deportes

There are worse things than being a team that "deserves more," but no-one wants to be that team if they can help it. Nashville's reputation through two games can be accurately described as "plucky" which we promise we didn't pick just because it's a guitar pun.

25. Inter Miami CF

Previous ranking: 25

Next MLS match: March 14, vs. LA Galaxy, 2.30 p.m. ET

It's only fitting that the first goal in Inter Miami's history was scored by the man they spent millions to wrestle away from Monterrey. Next up, doing it in a win. And wouldn't it be something if that win came in the club's first home game against David Beckham's old team on national television.

26. FC Cincinnati

Previous ranking: 26

Next MLS match: March 14, vs. DC United, 5.30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Right now, FCC's 2020 is all about small victories. Small victories like not getting embarrassed in Atlanta. Like Yuya Kubo scoring his first MLS goal. Like only giving up two goals instead of three or four or five. Like not being in last place in the East thanks to scoring three times in two losses. Small victories.

England 316 (Root 78, Buttler 79) and 320 for 7 (Crawley 91, Pope 77) drew with Sri Lanka Cricket XI 245 (Priyanjan 77, Parkinson 4-68)

Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope hit fifties as England scored fluently on the third day of their warm-up game against a Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Katunayake before the game petered out into a draw.

England resumed on 39 for 1 after bowling the hosts out on Sunday, and Crawley soon got into his groove in partnerships with Joe Denly and Ben Stokes, rocketing towards his ton as he found the boundary with regularity before lunch.

But having reached the interval unbeaten on 91 off 98 balls, he chipped the first ball after the resumption to silly mid-off, falling short of what would have been a second ton in England whites after a century in the warm-up game in Wharangei on the tour of New Zealand.

"I know what it's going to be like here," said Crawley. "It's going to turn while the seamers will be skiddy with lower bounce so you just prepare for that mentally and go from there.

"It's been a lot more spin-heavy in the nets here but we've faced a lot of seam in this game so there might be a green one in Galle or Colombo. You never know. You try and stay on top of all the aspects of the game but the main focus is on spin."

"I reckon it has come early but it's always been my goal to play for England. This has been something I've prepared my whole life for.

"Everyone gets their chance in different ways. Dom [Sibley] earned his by scoring loads of runs and mine came when maybe I was picked on potential. Then an injury comes and suddenly I'm playing. Rory [Burns] started brilliantly with England so when he's fully fit he's playing again. I just want to put in performances to stay in the group."

Ben Stokes was promoted to No. 4 after lasting only five balls in the first innings, and after playing himself in, decided to put his foot down at the start of the 31st over. He dispatched Duvindu Tillakaratne's left-arm spin for four boundaries off the first four balls, before holing out looking to send the fifth over long-off.

Keaton Jennings was given another opportunity to stake his claim for inclusion in the Test side, coming in at No. 6, but fell lbw trying to reverse-sweep Sangeeth Cooray's offspin on 23.

Pope made 77, scoring a much lower proportion of his runs in boundaries than Crawley had and instead ticking over by finding gaps to get off strike. There was time in the middle too for Ben Foakes and Sam Curran, and the teams bumped fists after the latter was dismissed for 26.

England's next fixture of the tour is a first-class warm-up game at P Sara Oval, Colombo, against a Board President's XI.

Zimbabwe won the toss and opted to bowl in the first of two T20 Internationals against Bangladesh at the Shere Bangla Stadium. Mushfiqur Rahim, who missed Mashrafe Mortaza's send-off in the third ODI, as well as Bangladesh's last T20I series against Pakistan in January, returns to bring ballast to the middle order alongside T20 captain Mahmudullah, while Soumya Sarkar is also back in the playing XI after being overlooked during the ODIs. Legspinner Aminul Islam has also been included, while Shafiul Islam returns to complete the pace attack alongside Mustafizur Rahman and Mohammad Saifuddin.

After being trounced by an innings in the one-off Test and slipping to a 3-0 defeat in the ODIs, Zimbabwe have been unable to find a way past Bangladesh with either bat or ball. They will be buoyed slightly by the return to fitness of Craig Ervine, who will slot into the middle order in place of Regis Chakabva, while the experienced Chris Mpofu replaces Charlton Tshuma with the ball. After his positive showing in the ODI series, Zimbabwe have given 19-year old Wesley Madhevere a chance to make his T20I debut, while Tinashe Kamunhukamwe and Carl Mumba are also playing their maiden T20Is.

While inclement weather was an issue during the ODIs, no rain is expected this evening. The playing surface seems a good one to bat on, as would be expected for a T20 match, but Zimbabwe captain suggested that dew could be a factor later on.

The match is taking place under the spectre of the global spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), and the Bangladesh Cricket Board has restricted ticket sales with the target of keeping to one-fifth the capacity of the 25,000 seater Shere Bangla National Stadium. A significantly smaller turnout of spectators is expected at the game this evening.

Bangladesh: 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Liton Das, 3 Mahedi Hasan, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5 Mahmudullah (capt), 6 Soumya Sarkar, 7 Afif Hossain, 8 Mohammad Saifuddin, 9 Aminul Islam, 10 Mustafizur Rahman, 11 Shafiul Islam.

Zimbabwe: 1 Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, 2 Craig Ervine, 3 Brendan Taylor, 4 Sikandar Raza, 5 Sean Williams (capt), 6 Wesley Madhevere, 7 Richmond Mutumbami (wk), 8 Donald Tiripano, 9 Tinotenda Mutombodzi, 10 Chris Mpofu, 11 Carl Mumba

The Buffalo Bills and cornerback Josh Norman have agreed to a one-year deal worth $6 million with incentives that can reach $8 million, sources confirmed to ESPN.

Norman reunites with Bills head coach Sean McDermott, who was his defensive coordinator with the Carolina Panthers.

Norman's agreement with the Bills was first reported by the NFL Network.

The Bills' starting cornerback opposite All-Pro Tre'Davious White is currently undecided.

Second-year corner Levi Wallace has started 23 games for Buffalo over the past two seasons, including all 16 regular-season games in 2019. The team signed former Texans first-round pick Kevin Johnson in 2019, but both Johnson and Wallace are free agents this offseason with Buffalo holding the exclusive rights to sign Wallace.

Bills general manager Brandon Beane confirmed at the NFL combine that the team spoke with Norman after his release from Washington. Buffalo will likely retain Wallace, but signing Norman adds another veteran voice to the cornerback room that both Beane and head coach Sean McDermott have publicly sought after.

Even after a 10-6 season and playoff appearance in 2019, the Bills are loaded with a projected $82 million of salary-cap space in 2020.

The Washington Redskins released Norman on Feb. 14, after he had spent four seasons with the team. Norman told NBC Sports Washington that new Redskins coach Ron Rivera, who coached the cornerback in Carolina, called him to inform him of the release.

The move saved the Redskins $12.5 million in cap space. It was widely expected, even though Washington hired Rivera after the season. Norman's best work came in Carolina, where he was named a first-team All-Pro after the 2015 season.

That honor coincided with Norman's first venture into free agency. After the Panthers rescinded the franchise tag they had placed on Norman, he quickly signed a five-year deal with Washington worth up to $75 million, making him the NFL's highest-paid cornerback.

Norman, who turned 32 in December, intercepted seven passes and forced eight fumbles in his four seasons with Washington, but he didn't provide the game-changing plays that he did in his final season with the Panthers. That season, he intercepted four passes, returning two for touchdowns, and forced three fumbles as Carolina reached the Super Bowl.

Washington benched Norman late last season. He played in only two games, covering 10 snaps, over the final six games. In another game, his only work was two special-teams snaps. Even as the Redskins needed to sign other cornerbacks off the street, they held firm to not playing Norman.

Norman has been one of the more outspoken NFL players, known for feuds with receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Dez Bryant. He also appeared on "Dancing with the Stars" in 2018. That summer, Norman also made a trip to San Antonio to deliver goods to migrant families who had been in detention at the border. Last offseason, he ran with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain.

He has 14 interceptions, 79 passes defensed, 12 forced fumbles, a sack and 416 tackles in eight NFL seasons.

ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques and John Keim contributed to this report.