Mark Wood's World Cup hopes remain in the balance with three days to go until England's opening fixture against South Africa at The Oval, despite optimistic signals from within the England camp.

The results of the precautionary scan on Wood's troublesome left ankle have not yet been revealed, after he opted to leave the field midway through his bowling spell in England's warm-up fixture against Australia at the Ageas Bowl on Saturday, rather than risk further aggravation.

Although Wood himself is understood to be feeling more confident of a full recovery after 24 hours of rest, privately, England still fear that a joint that has been the source of endless disruption to Wood's career could have flared up once again at the most inopportune moment imaginable.

Wood has bowled just 13.1 overs in the English season to date, after his return to action for Durham in the Royal London Cup was thwarted by consecutive washed-out matches. However, he bowled with pace and hostility in his solitary ODI against Pakistan earlier this month, regularly touching 90mph en route to figures of 2 for 71.

The entire England World Cup squad gathered in central London this morning to take part in the Ruth Strauss Foundation Westminster Mile, the inaugural charity event in memory of the wife of the former England captain, Andrew Strauss, who died of cancer in December.

The entire group walked the mile, with the exception of Wood, who rested during the event, and Ben Stokes, who chose to jog the mile with his son and wife.

England's World Cup party was reduced to such bare bones in the midst of their Australia fixture that the fielding coach, Paul Collingwood, who turned 43 today, was pressed into action as a substitute fielder.

However, there should be a fuller complement of players to choose from in Monday's second warm-up against Afghanistan, which takes place at The Oval.

Adil Rashid, who has been nursing a shoulder injury, was fit to bowl in the nets at The Oval, under the supervision of the bowling coach, Chris Silverwood, and a decision on whether he takes part in the match will be made in the morning.

Joe Root, who missed the Australia game following the death of his grandfather (but took the field as a substitute fielder) is likely to play, alongside Jofra Archer, who also caused England some alarm when he jarred his leg while fielding in the same game.

Liam Dawson, who split the skin on his right ring finger, is likely to be rested while the wound heals fully, while Chris Woakes - who played as a specialist batsman against Australia - is likely to have his first bowl since the Pakistan series.

Meanwhile Eoin Morgan, the captain, is making encouraging progress following the "flake fracture" to his index finger that forced him out of the Australia match. He is expected to be sufficiently fit to take part in the World Cup opener, but may choose to rest against Afghanistan as well.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots tight end Benjamin Watson wrote on Facebook on Sunday that he is facing a four-game suspension for a failed test in March of the NFL's substances policy.

Watson, who had originally planned to retire after the 2018 season, explained the situation in detail on Facebook.

"After my contract expired last March, I told my doctors I was finished playing, went through a series of medical tests and was prescribed Bio Identical Testosterone Cypionate to assist in healing my body and mind," he wrote.

"On March 29, nine days after I started therapy, I was randomly tested under our substance policies. I complied out of habit, never thinking in the moment I'd want to come back. In late April, some clubs expressed interest in me playing and after much deliberation and prayer, I decided I wanted to return. Considering myself previously retired, I had forgotten all about my test in March until I got a letter on May 3rd saying my results were positive. I was devastated and for obvious reasons did not want to proceed.

"At that point I knew my decision to return to play would include a four-game suspension and I immediately discussed this new development with the clubs."

The Patriots signed Watson to a one-year, $3 million contract on May 9.

"I am excited and thankful to return to New England but very disappointed that I will not be able to play and contribute immediately," the 38-year-old Watson wrote on Facebook.

"This is not how I would want to enter a new locker room and attempt to earn my role on a new team. However, I respect the regulations that have been collectively bargained to promote fairness on the field of play and accept the discipline associated with my infraction."

The Patriots are in transition at tight end after the retirement of Rob Gronkowski, and Watson is a top option to fill his void.

Watson will be heading into his 15th season in the NFL. He had 35 catches for 400 yards and two touchdowns with the New Orleans Saints last season.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Simon Pagenaud arrived at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this month with his job on the line and rumors swirling around Gasoline Alley that Alexander Rossi could soon replace him at Team Penske.

The Frenchman is leaving with a pair of wins, his face soon to be engraved on the Borg-Warner trophy as the Indianapolis 500 champion and an assurance from Roger Penske himself that he isn't going anywhere.

"Do I even have to answer that?" Penske asked. "Absolutely."

In a head-to-head duel for the ages, Pagenaud defeated none other than Rossi with a dramatic pass on the penultimate lap, then holding on the rest of the way to hand Penske his 18th win in "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing." Even sweeter, it came the 50th anniversary of Penske's arrival at the Brickyard.

Pagenaud and Rossi swapped the lead five times over the final 13 laps, and the margin of victory was a mere 0.2086 seconds -- the seventh-closest finish in the 103 years of the race.

"It's a dream come true. A lifetime trying to achieve this," said Pagenaud, who dismissed the thought over job security as he celebrated his first Indy 500 win. "The milk motivated me. I was just focused on the job, man."

Pagenaud was dominant all day, leading 116 of the 200 laps, and the win was cathartic. He stopped his car at the start-finish line and hopped out to share the moment with his fans. And once he finally made his way to victory lane, Pagenaud climbed from his car and let out a primal scream, then dumped the entire bottle of milk over his head.

"I never expected to be in this position," Pagenaud said, "and I certainly am grateful."

President Donald Trump phoned Penske in victory lane from Japan, where he was meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe over trade. Penske passed the phone to Pagenaud, and Trump later tweeted an invite to the White House for the winning team.

Penske, who was there earlier with Joey Logano last month to celebrate last year's NASCAR Cup Series championship, said Trump told him: "I must have been your good-luck charm."

Penske now has two consecutive Indy 500 victories -- Will Power won last year -- for the first time since 2002-03. It was his third win in the crown jewel race in the past five years and fifth in the past 14.

It was a banner day, too, with Josef Newgarden finishing fourth and Power in fifth.

Rossi lost his cool several times in the race, but the Californian had better fuel mileage than Pagenaud and the Penske cars. The 2016 race winner twice charged to the front in the closing laps.

"Horsepower. That's unfortunately the way it is," said Rossi, who was in a Honda for Andretti Autosport. "I think we had the superior car. We just didn't have enough there at the end."

Pagenaud was in a Chevrolet, and the bowtie brand was the dominant engine all May. It swept the top four spots in qualifying, won the race and took four of the top six spots.

Pagenaud is the first Frenchman to win the Indy 500 since Rene Thomas in 1914. Indianapolis records count five French winners, but Gil de Ferran in 2003 and Gaston Chevrolet in 1920, while born in France, list other nationalities. Pagenaud was the 21st winner from the pole and first since Helio Castroneves a decade ago.

As he began the traditional victory lap in the back of a convertible, Rossi was one of many drivers to walk onto the track to congratulate him. The American leaned in for a genuine embrace.

"Nothing else matters but winning," Rossi said. "This one will be hard to get over."

Rossi, who drove from the back to finish fourth a year ago, had been patient through the first half of the race and set himself up to take control after the halfway point. But a troublesome fuel hose on a pit stop caused a lengthy delay, and Rossi was angrily pounding his steering wheel while imploring the Andretti crew to get him back on track.

He really lost his cool when he couldn't get past the lapped car of Oriol Servia. As Rossi finally raced by, he angrily raised his fist at the Spaniard. A late wreck then caused an 18-minute stoppage with Rossi set to restart the final sprint as the leader, and he conveyed his mood over his team radio.

"A bunch of hungry, angry cars behind me," Rossi said. "Little do they know I'm angrier."

Pagenaud got him on the restart, though, and the two went back and forth four more times before Pagenaud locked down the win. Former champion Takuma Sato finished third as he and Rossi gave Honda two spots on the podium. Santino Ferrucci in seventh was the highest finishing rookie.

Attention had been heavy on rookie Colton Herta, but the 19-year-old driver for team owners Mike Harding and George Steinbrenner IV was the first driver out of the race when his gearbox broke.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials had prepared for rain, and perhaps even a postponement, in NBC's debut as broadcaster. But it was a bright, sunny day -- a picture-perfect showcase for Pagenaud to triumph on Memorial Day weekend.

Houston Astros utilityman Aledmys Diaz is likely headed to the 10-day injured list after hurting his hamstring on Sunday against the Boston Red Sox, manager AJ Hinch said.

Diaz has been starting at second base with All-Star Jose Altuve sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Diaz exited the Astros' 4-1 loss to the Red Sox with left hamstring discomfort in the first inning after scoring from second on a single.

He is hitting .286 with five home runs and 22 RBIs in 31 games this season and has started 14 games at second base, six at first base and two apiece at shortstop, third base and left field.

Altuve, who was placed on the injured list on May 11, could be nearing a return as he was set to start a rehab assignment with Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday night.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Mike Yastrzemski, the grandson of Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski, got his first major league hit on Sunday.

The San Francisco Giants rookie outfielder singled to left in the second inning Sunday against the Arizona Diamondbacks but was thrown out after rounding the base too far.

He made his major league debut on Saturday for the Giants after more than six years in the minor leagues. He went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a run scored in a 10-4 loss to the Diamondbacks.

He started in left field on both Saturday and Sunday.

Yastrzemski, 28, was traded to the Giants in March by the Baltimore Orioles, with whom he made his first big league spring training this year.

CHICAGO -- Cubs slugger Kris Bryant left Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Reds after colliding with center fielder Jason Heyward on a drive in the sixth inning.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon said after his team's 10-2 loss that Bryant was being evaluated for a possible head or neck injury.

With two outs and a runner on first, Heyward and Bryant converged on Eugenio Suarez's fly ball toward the gap in right-center. It looked as if Heyward called off Bryant on the play, but they ran into each other and the ball went off Heyward's glove.

Bryant, a natural third baseman who occasionally plays the outfield, stayed down as Suarez hustled into third on the error. Maddon and a trainer ran out to take a look, and the 2016 National League MVP gingerly walked off the field after a short conversation.

Albert Almora Jr. came in to play center field, and Heyward moved to right to replace Bryant.

"I hope he feels great, but time will tell," Heyward said after the game. "We both went hard to make a play."

Sunday's start in right field was Bryant's ninth at that spot this season. He also has started six times in left field.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

‘I cried this morning, but mum told me to enjoy it and relax – she is my lucky charm’
By SEAN REUTHE in Hull

Egyptian duo Nouran Gohar and Mohamed ElShorbagy are the 2019 Allam British Open champions after they got the better of World No.4 Camille Serme and World No.1 Ali Farag in their respective final clashes at the Allam Sport Centre in Hull.

The British Open is the sport’s longest-running tournament, and Gohar, the World No.7, put her name into the history books with a sensational dismantling of Serme as she powered to an 11-3, 11-8, 11-3 victory in 30 minutes to win the women’s event.

Gohar came runner-up to World No.2 Nour El Sherbini in the final of this tournament in 2016, and the hard-hitting 21-year-old ensured that she went one further this year as she stormed to a comfortable victory over 2015 winner Serme to lift her first PSA World Tour Platinum title since the Hong Kong Open in August 2016.

“It means so much to me, especially because it is the British Open,” said an emotional Gohar after lifting the seventh PSA title of her career.

“I feel very comfortable. The environment, the city itself, it feels a bit like home. It is very cosy here and it really helps me to feel good on court. To have the accuracy, you have to be both relaxed and focused. I feel this attitude and environment really helped me.

“This morning after my hit, I started crying. I never did that before. Even in Hong Kong, I didn’t do that. I think I was very young, so maybe I couldn’t really comprehend how much it meant to me to be in the final of a major event. My mum kept telling me to enjoy the occasion and to relax. She told me to take the chance and if I played my best then I would take the win.

“When I won the Hong Kong Open, she [her mother] was there as well. I think she might be my lucky charm, and there is also someone who is not always with me, but he is the main reason for what I have. My dad is the reason why I play squash because he loves it so much.”

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The men’s final saw World No.2 ElShorbagy capture the third British Open title of his career after he overcame World No.1 Farag by an 11-9, 5-11, 11-5, 11-9 scoreline in 66 minutes to add to his 2015 and 2016 triumphs.

ElShorbagy, who also finished as runner-up 12 months ago, had lost three of his four matches with Farag this season, but a fired-up performance from the 28-year-old saw him earn the win in the latest instalment of their rivalry.

Farag came through a brutal 77-minute semi-final with New Zealand’s Paul Coll in the semi-finals, while ElShorbagy hadn’t dropped a game throughout the tournament. And the latter hunted the ball down and engaged Farag in all four corners of the court to become the first Egyptian since Abdelfattah AbouTaleb in 1966 to win a trio of British Open crowns.

“I have such respect for Ali, what he achieved this season is unbelievable,” said ElShorbagy. “Our last match last season in Dubai, he told me that what I did last season was inspirational. This time is it my turn to say that what he has done this season was inspirational. Normally, winning the US Open, Hong Kong and British Open in one season would be enough to keep me at No.1.

“Ali just showed consistency throughout and he was the toughest I had to face. We are going to improve each other for the rest of our careers and after a lot of great players have retired, I think squash now needs a new rivalry. The people need a new rivalry and hopefully we can both give the people what they want and what they will enjoy.”

Gohar and ElShorbagy each take home $22,800 in prize money, while ElShorbagy moves joint seventh on the men’s all-time PSA title winners, with his 37th title putting him level with Canada’s Jonathon Power.

The culmination of the British Open means that the qualification spots for the next month’s PSA World Tour Finals – the season-ending tournament which takes place in Cairo between June 9-14 – have been confirmed.

Despite his defeat, Farag tops the men’s PSA World Tour Finals Leaderboard, with ElShorbagy, Tarek Momen, Karim Abdel Gawad, Coll, Simon Rösner, Mohamed Abouelghar and Diego Elias all joining him in qualifying.

World No.1 Raneem El Welily finishes in first place on the women’s leaderboard, and will be joined in Cairo next month by El Sherbini, Nour El Tayeb, Serme, Gohar, Joelle King, Sarah-Jane Perry and Tesni Evans. 

2019 Allam British Open, University of Hull Sports and Fitness Centre, Hull, England.

Men’s Final:
(2) Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) beat (1) Ali Farag (EGY) 3-1: 11-9, 5-11, 11-5, 11-9 (66m)

Women’s Final:
(7) Nouran Gohar (EGY) bt (4])Camille Serme (FRA) 3-0: 11-3, 11-8, 11-3 (30m)

Prize Money: Total fund $162,000 each for men and women.
Winners: $22,800. Runners-Up: $14,250.
Losing Semi-Finalists: $8,550.00

Report by SEAN REUTHE (PSA PR and Media Manager). Edited by ALAN THATCHER.

Pictures courtesy of PSA

"Suppressing the physical domination" of Exeter and Saracens is key to ending their stranglehold on the Premiership, says Northampton's Chris Boyd.

Chiefs and Sarries will contest the Premiership final for the third time in four seasons at Twickenham on 1 June.

Northampton, who finished 30 points behind leaders Exeter, lost 42-12 to the Chiefs in Saturday's semi-final.

"There is a significant gap to Exeter and Saracens, but it's not always there," said Saints' director of rugby.

"We finished fourth and we won 11 and lost 11. We had a 50% record, and there were a chunk of teams in the middle that were about the same. Even Exeter, who finished top, lost five games.

"Gloucester beat Exeter in a fairly critical European game, so they're not unbeatable, but you've got to work out how you suppress both of those sides' physical domination.

"Their games are around territory and physical domination more than possession, although Exeter hang onto the ball a lot and grind you down."

Boyd continued: "It's important that the clubs that play with a bit more optimism find a way to get closer to Exeter and Saracens.

"You can play the power game domestically - and Saracens have got to a point where the power game has been rewarding for them in Europe - but there are only one or two teams can play that style and be successful.

"Once you get that neutralised, you've got to find another way to play."

Exeter finished eight points clear of second-placed Saracens in the final table, with Gloucester a further 10 points behind in third and then a 12-point gap to the next three clubs - Northampton, Harlequins and Bath.

Boyd happy with Northampton progress

New Zealander Boyd's first season in charge of Northampton ended one step short of a Twickenham final, but the 60-year-old was able to reflect on a "vast improvement" from the team this term after a ninth-placed finish in 2017-18.

Saints also won the Premiership Rugby Cup in March.

"I was unsure what success would look like so we didn't quantify it greatly," said Boyd.

"In speaking to our board, CEO and senior players, we needed to get back into the top tier in Europe and so getting into the top six was going to be a pass mark.

"To get into the top four would be a very good year, and if we could find our way to get to Twickenham that would be an excellent year.

"It's a 'B' grade - it's not a great season, but it's certainly vastly improved. The trick for us is to build on what we've achieved this year and keep going north. That's the hope."