English cricket looks set to be the major beneficiary of a £300 million government bail-out for summer sport, when Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveils the Budget on Wednesday.

The news will come as a major boost to the ECB, which announced losses in excess of £100 million in 2020 after the sport bore the brunt of the first Covid-19 lockdown.

"As a huge cricket fan I know there's nothing that says summer more than watching your favourite team," Mr Sunak told The Telegraph. "I can't wait for sports grounds to be filled with fans with atmosphere again - this £300 million cash boost will help make that a reality."

The 2020 county season, which had been due to get underway last April, had to be postponed until August with most clubs choosing to furlough their staff in the interim, while the ECB were forced to make 62 redundancies at the end of the season.

The board did manage to mitigate its losses - which had initially be projected to be in excess of £300 million - by ensuring that England's men fulfilled their complete summer schedule against West Indies, Pakistan, Ireland and Australia.

However, all of those matches, as well as the rescheduled county and women's season, had to take place behind closed doors due to the pandemic, and county chiefs have warned that a repeat of those circumstances in 2021 would be unsustainable for many clubs.

The Government funding - which is expected to be shared between tennis, horse racing, rugby league and women's football - will be allocated by an independent committee, led by Sir Ian Cheshire, the former chairman of Barclays Bank, and run through Sport England.

The scheme is effectively an extension of the Sport Winter Survival Package, announced by the Government in November, which was also a £300 million investment, comprising "soft" loans lasting up to 20 years and grants.

Lord Ian Botham told The Telegraph: "Everyone in the cricketing world will be delighted. It's been a tough time for the sport. But this could give us the opportunity to get the fans safely back in the stadiums, which is the next step. Cricket is our summer sport and I'm pleased that it's being looked after."

Though the money will be targeted at the professional level of the game, the ECB is understood to have warned the Government that, without the trickle-down effect that gate receipts have on the finances of English counties in particular, the knock-on effects for grass-roots cricket and the women's game would be significant.

Kent's latest financial figures, released on Tuesday, support that concern, with the club reporting a drop in income of almost £2 million from all areas of the business outside of its ECB funding, including membership subscriptions, ticket sales and catering contracts.

"We are facing a critical year from a financial viewpoint," said Kent Cricket's Honorary Treasurer, Derek Taylor.

Warwickshire's chief executive, Stuart Cain, has also welcomed the Government's measures to safeguard the sport's finances as "positive news".

"Like most sports, cricket has taken a huge hit over the last 12 months and it's only prudent financial measures and generous support from our Club Members that have seen us through," Cain said. "The devil is in the detail so we look forward to more information on how to access the emergency funding after the budget."

Limited capacity crowds are due to be allowed back into stadiums by mid-May, according to the Government's recently announced road-map, although some county venues are hoping to put themselves forward for pilot events from the early weeks of the season.

Cain also confirmed that the club has been working with the ECB and Government on measures to permit larger crowds at Edgbaston during the venue's first major event of the summer, the second Test against New Zealand in June.

"Using protocols such as testing, masks and vaccine certificates along with other social distancing measures, we're confident that we can get a sizable crowd in to the game safely, setting sport up for when full crowds could potentially return after June 21.

"The professional game has been played behind closed doors and cricket clubs across the County have struggled with bars closed and restrictions stopping the game being played in the way we love," Cain added. "Warwickshire Cricket Board have been excellent in the way that they have helped the recreational game through the pandemic."

Dale Steyn said he turned his back on the world's most lucrative T20 league, the Indian Premier League, because he found the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the Sri Lankan Premier League (LPL) were "slightly more rewarding".

The South African fast bowler, who is currently in Pakistan with the Quetta Gladiators franchise, said he believed the excessive emphasis on the financial aspect of the IPL meant "the cricket gets forgotten". Talking to Cricket Pakistan, he also revealed that the length of the IPL was a factor that further informed his decision to opt out this year, saying he wanted "a bit more time off".

"I wanted to take a bit more time off. I found that playing in those other leagues was slightly more rewarding as a player. I think when you go to the IPL there are such big squads and so many big names and so much emphasis on the amount of money that the players earn that somewhere along the line the cricket kind of gets forgotten. When you come to the PSL or the LPL, there's an importance on the cricket.

"I've only been here a couple of days and I've had people coming to my room asking where I played and how I went about it. In the IPL, that kind of gets forgotten and the main topic is how much money you went for this IPL. And that's just me being brutally honest. I just wanted to stay away from that this year and put more emphasis on bringing good vibes to teams and tournaments I feel are worth it."

Steyn, whose career trajectory has coincided with the rise of the IPL, has often seen himself become one of the more prized assets for any IPL franchise, and has consistently seen heavy competition for his signature. The highest auction price for the fast bowler came in consecutive seasons in 2014 and 2015, when Sunrisers Hyderabad snapped him up for INR 9.5 crore (approx. USD 1.3 million today). He has taken 97 IPL wickets at 6.91, making him, by some distance, the most economical fast bowler among players with over 50 wickets in the league. His influence has diminished somewhat of late, playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore as a replacement player in 2019, and a full time player last year.

Steyn's words will come as a shot in the arm for a league trying to maximise its burgeoning potential after years of playing away from Pakistan in the UAE. Last year, Steyn was one of the Platinum Category players when he made himself available for the league, though the side finished bottom of the table. While his only game with Quetta was a disappointing outing, where he conceded 20 runs off a decisive penultimate over, Steyn remains confident there is time enough to turn things around.

"I'm not too perturbed but it would have been nice to get over the line against Peshawar Zalmi. Hopefully we can make a comeback in the upcoming games. Chris Gayle's absence will hurt because he's a T20 God, and a bit of a freak. But when you look at his replacement and the guys we have in the shed, they are incredible players. Faf du Plessis has flown in, Tom Banton has been around the past two years and has done well. I don't think it comes down to one player to win you cricket games. Everyone has to pull their weight."

He paid rich tribute to the "breeding machine" of fast bowlers Pakistan had, as well as praising Babar Azam as "a wonderful player". "There is a breeding machine of fast bowlers here in Pakistan, which is great to see because the wickets are not conducive to fast bowlers," Steyn said. "I had a chat with Shaheen [Afridi] last year - I think he broke his thumb. He was down but he was amazing. At Melbourne Stars, I had Haris Rauf with me, and I was really impressed by him. Not long after that, he played for Pakistan.

"Babar is a great player and it would be a great opportunity to get him out or bowl against him. But you never know, I might not get to bowl against him because it's only four overs or he might get out for a duck. But he's been fantastic the last couple of years."

Holly Bradshaw, Yaroslava Mahuchikh and Larissa Iapichino are among the exciting talents in the women’s field events in Toruń

Some of the most fascinating contests of the weekend will come in the women’s field events and Britain has great medal chances.

Our previews for the European Indoor Championships in Toruń also include:

Timetable and TV guide – CLICK HERE
Men’s track previews – CLICK HERE
Men’s field previews – CLICK HERE
Women’s track previews – CLICK HERE

High jump

Final Sunday 17.45 (qualifying Friday 19.13)

2019: 1 M Lasitskene (ANA) 2.01; 2 Y Levchenko (UKR) 1.99; 3 A Palsyte (LTU) 1.97

2021 rankings of those entered:

1 Yaroslava Mahuchikh (UKR) 2.06
2 Y Levchenko (UKR)/MORGAN LAKE 1.96
4 I Herashchenko (UKR)/K Demidik (BLR)/A Trost (ITA)/E Junnila (FIN) 1.94

Yaroslava Mahuchikh ranks third all-time indoors and should win her first senior title with ease and would still be favourite even if five-time global champion indoors and out Mariya Lasitskene was able to compete.

Yuliya Levchenko generally got the better of her compatriot until this season and she should win her third medal in this event.

It’s not out of the question that Iryna Herashchenko could complete an Ukrainian clean sweep with little between her and a number of jumpers though world indoor Bronze medallist .Alessia Trost looks the best of those who have cleared 194m this winter.

Morgan Lake, fourth in the 2018 World Indoor Championships, was a late addition to the British team and a repeat of her 1.96m at Budapest last week could get her a medal.

Emily Borthwick (1.87m) also bagged a late spot though it will probably take a mark of 1.92m to make the final.

Prediction: 1 Mahuchikh (UKR) 2.04; 2 Levchenko (UKR); 3 LAKE

Pole vault

Final Saturday 19.15 (qualifying Friday 10.20)

2019: 1 A Sidorova (ANA) 4.85; 2 HOLLY BRADSHAW 4.75; 3 N Kiriakopoulou (GRE) 4.65

2019 rankings of those entered:

1 HOLLY BRADSHAW 4.85
2 I Zhuk (BLR) 4.73
3 E Pólak (GRE) 4.71
4 T Sutej (SLO) 4.70
5 A Moser (SUI) 4.62

Defending champion Anzhelika Sidorova (4.90m this winter) can’t compete and the 2013 champion Holly Bradshaw who was second to her in Glasgow, has a big advantage on the rest of those entered and has won her three competitions in 2021 in great style.

Iryna Zhuk was sixth in 2019 but has improved in 2021 and judging by her Belarus record in France should be in medal contention and the Briton’s biggest challenger.

Eléni-Klaoúdia Pólak is next in the rankings but has a modest championships record as has Tina Sutej though the latter is a little more consistent around the 4.70m mark.

Olympic champion Katarina Stefanídi has not been at her best this winter and chose not to compete.

Prediction: 1 BRADSHAW 4.85; 2 Zhuk (BLR); 3 Sutej (SLO)

Long jump

Final Saturday 19.40 (qualifying Friday 12.18)

2019: 1 I Spanovic (SRB) 6.99; 2 N Mironchyk-Ivanova (BLR) 6.93; 3 N Bekh-Romanchuk (UKR) 6.84

2021 rankings of those entered:

1 L Iapichino (ITA) 6.91
2 K Sagnia (SWE) 6.82
3 M Mihambo (GRE) 6.77
4 N Mironchyk-Ivanova (BLR) 6.73
5 M Bekh-Romanchuk (UKR) 6.70

This looks like the best quality women’s event of the whole championships, even though the defending champion Ivana Spanovic was a late withdrawal due to a hamstring injury.

The rankings are headed by Larissa Iapichino who set a world under-20 record in the Italian Championships to match her mother Fiona’s PB but she has not competed internationally this winter and is up against a loaded senior field.

World and European outdoor champion Malaika Mihambo was only fourth in Glasgow despite a 6.83m jump and so far all her success has been outdoors.

Khaddi Sagnia is second in this year’s rankings and this winter has carried on her good form from last summer when she jumped 6.92m.

Nastassia Mironchyk-Ivanova, who served a doping ban from 2016 to 2018, was second in Glasgow to Spanovic and though just short of her best in 2021, is improving as is the bronze medallist Maryna Bekh-Romanchuk.

Jazmin Sawyers (6.50m) and Abigail Irizoru (6.34m) would be a contender for a place in the final at their very best but would need big season’s bests to do so.

The latter was seventh in 2019 but is only ranked 46th in Europe in 2021.

Prediction: 1 Mihambo (GER) 6 87; 2 Iapichino (ITA); 3 Sagnia (SWE)

Triple jump

Final Sunday 17.20 (qualifying Saturday 12.00)

2019: 1 A Peleteiro (ESP) 14.73; 2 P Papahristou (GRE) 14.50; 3 O Saladukha (UKR) 14.47

2021 rankings of those entered:

1 P Papahrístou (GRE) 14.60
2 V Skvartsova 14.39
3 A Peleteiro (ESP)/P Mamona (POR) 14.21
5 K Mäkelä (FIN) 14.13

The 2018 European outdoor champion Paraskeví Papahrístou was second last time but the Greek looked superb in the Toruń World Indoor Tour meeting.

Viyaleta Skvartsova was second in Toruń and the 2017 European Junior champion has improved greatly this season .

Defending champion Ana Peleteiro beat the Greek in Glasgow two years ago but has looked well short of that form this year but could still win a medal.

The 2016 European champion Patrícia Mamona is also not at her best and was second in this event in 2017 and just missed a medal in 2019 but will still be close again this time.

Kristiina Mäkelä, sixth in 2019 is another in the medal hunt.

Prediction: 1 Papahrístou (GRE) 14.65; 2 Skvartsova (BLR); 3 Peleteiro (ESP)

Shot put

Final Friday 19.06 (qualifying Thursday 19.15)

2019: 1 R Mavrodieva (BUL) 19.12; 2 C Schwanitz (GER) 19.11; 3 A Marton (HUN) 19.00

2021 rankings of those entered:

1 A Dongmo (POR) 19.65
2 C Schwanitz (GER) 19:11
3 F Roos (SWE) 18.85
4 K Kardasz (POL) 18.57
5 SOPHIE McKINNA 18.54

The former Cameroon athlete Auriol Dongmo leads the world but her only championships success so far was a modest level African Championships in 2017 but she is at a different level these days.

Now in the W35 category, Christina Schwanitz is going for her fourth medal at this event and should be a clear second if at her best.

The 2017 European under-23 champion Fanny Roos has greatly improved since her sixth place in 2019 setting another Swedish record last week and looks the likely third this time.

However, she will need to watch home athlete Klaudia Kardasz who was silver medallist behind Roos in 2017.

Also in with a medal chance is Britain’s Sophie McKinna who has looked in good form this winter and beat Schwanitz in Karlshrue.

Late addition to the team Amelia Strickler (17.26) is only ranked 25th and would need around a metre improvement to make the final.

Prediction: 1 Dongmo (POR); 2 Schwanitz (GER); 3 Roos (SWE)

Pentathlon

Friday 60m hurdles 10.00, high jump 10.52, shot 13.05, long jump 19.00, 800m 20.45

2019: 1 KATARINA JOHNSON-THOMPSON 4983; 2 NIAMH EMERSON 4731; 3 S Ndama (FRA) 4723

2019 rankings of those entered:

1 N Vidts (BEL) 4665;
2 Xenia Krizsan (HUN) 4593
3 HOLLY MILLS 4557
4 R Mnemes (HUN) 4532
5 N Broersen (NED) 4514

Noor Vidts tops the rankings but has little international pedigree and is not Belgium’s best hope.

That is of course, the Olympic and European champion Nafissatou Thiam who won this title in 2017.

She has only competed sparingly in 2021 and not impressed in her outings but still should be too good for those entered here.

World indoor silver medallist and 2017 runner-up Ivona Dadic has also yet to complete a Pentathlon this winter but is usually consistent around the 4700 mark.

Consistent Xénia Krizsán is more of a 4600 point performer and will be out to better her fourth in 2017.

Holly Mills has improved a dramatic 300 points in 2021 and should be close to the medals if she can replicate her form shown so far this year.

Prediction: 1 Thiam (BEL) 4715; 2 Dadic (AUT); 3 Victs (BEL)

Mondo Duplantis vs Renaud Lavillenie are among the clashes in the field events in Toruń this week

The pole vault is the probable highlight of the men’s field events but there are fascinating finals all around.

Our previews for the European Indoor Championships in Toruń also include:

Timetable and TV guide – CLICK HERE
Men’s track previews – CLICK HERE
Women’s track previews – CLICK HERE
Women’s field previews – CLICK HERE

High jump

Final Sunday 11.19 (qualifying Thursday 19.00)

2019: 1 G Tamberi (ITA) 2.32; eq 2 K Baniotis (GRE)/A Protsenko (UKR) 2.26

2021 rankings of those entered:

1 G Tamberi (ITA) 2.35
2 M Nedasekau (BLR) 2.34
3 M Przybylko (GER)/D Nikitin (UKR)/O Doroshchuk (UKR)/T Carmoy (BEL)/J Wagner (GER) 2.28

Gianmarco Tamberi defends his title and goes into the event top of the rankings after his Italian Championships win.

It won’t be an easy defence as a few days before his Ancona victory he jumped 2.34m in Toruń and lost on count-back to both Maksim Nedasekau and Andrii Protsenko and these three are well clear at the top of the rankings with no one else (other than than barred Russians) higher than 2.28m.

Nedasekau has already won European junior and under-23 titles outdoors where he has also taken a European silver and is clearly on the way up. Protsenko though was a late withdrawal due to a back injury.

European outdoor champion and world indoor bronze medallist Mateusz Przybylko is probably the best of the five 2.28m jumpers this winter.

Joel Khan did not achieve the official qualifier but was a late addition to the 16 competitors courtesy of a 2.23m Loughborough jump and makes his senior championships debut but would need a big PB just to make the top eight.

Prediction: 1 Tamberi (ITA) 2.35; 2 Nedasekau (BLR); 3 Przybylko (GER)

Pole vault

Final Sunday 17.05 (qualifying Saturday 10.04)

2019: 1 P Wojciechowski (POL) 5.90; 2 P Lisek (POL) 5.85; 3 M Svard Jacobsson (SWE) 5.75

2021 rankings of those entered:

1 M Duplantis (SWE) 6.10
2 R Lavillenie (FRA) 6.06
3  M Vloon (NED) 5.81
4 T Blech (GER) 5.86
5 P Lisek (POL)/V Lavillenie (FRA)/E Cormant (FRA) 5.80

World record-holder Mondo Duplantis is making his European indoor debut and has been over 6.00m in three of his four competitions this year and will start as a big favourite.

He clearly is over the earlier injury worry he suffered at Liévin judging by his 6.10m world lead in Belgrade last week.

Former record-holder Renaud Lavillenie is seeking his fifth title but he has not won since 2015. However he should push the Swede judging by his 6.06m win in Clermont Ferrand last weekend.

Also impressive in France was Menno Vloon who has been rewriting the a Dutch record this winter finishing with a 5.96m clearance.

No one else has cleared higher than 5.86m with Torben Blech the best of the rest in ranking terms but has no championship form to back the mark up.

That couldn’t be levelled at Piotr Lisek who has four world outdoor and indoor medals and has medalled in the last three editions of this event, winning in 2017 and will be keen of home ground to challenge the big two.

Renaud’s brother Valentin and Ethan Cormont are also in good form (and set PBs at the weekend) but defending champion and former world outdoor winner Paweł Wojciechowski isn’t. He cleared 5.90m in Glasgow last time and is half a metre below that form so far this winter.

Charlie Myers (5.65) in his first major senior event will be hoping to continue his progression but even getting nearer his 5.71m outdoor best would not probably make the final given the class of the field.

Prediction: 1 Duplantis (SWE) 6.00; 2 R Lavillenie (FRA); 3 Lisek (POL)

Long jump

Final Friday 20.20 (qualifying Thursday 19.08)

2019: 1 M Tentóglou (GRE); 8.38; 2 T Montler (SWE) 8.17; 3 S Jovancevic (SRB) 8.03

2021 rankings of those entered:

1 M Tentóglou (GRE);8.21
2 G Bitan (ROU) 8.14
3 T Montler (SWE) 8.13
4 JACOB FINCHAM-DUKES 8.08
5 V Mazur (UKR) 8.07

Top-ranked Miltiádis Tentóglou defends his title and has dominated Europe indoors and out and will start as a huge favourite.

Thobias Montler pushed him over the first four rounds in Glasgow and should medal again though third place looks open.

Gabriel Bitan had a big jump in the Romanian Championships but has never jumped over eight metres elsewhere indoors or out and has no international form to back that jump up.

Former European junior silver medallist Jacob Fincham-Dukes will be in the medal mix if he can replicate his Lee Valley trials form as will 2017 European under-23 champion Vladyslav Mazur who was eighth in Glasgow.

On previous year’s form Georgian Bachana Khorava could also be in the medal hunt.

Prediction: 1 Tentóglou (GRE) 8.25; 2 Montler (SWE); 3 Bitan (ROM)

Triple jump

Final Sunday 10.53 (qualifying Friday 10.11)

2019: 1 N Babeyev (AZE) 17.29; 2 N Evora (POR) 17.11; 3 M Hess (GER) 17.10

2021 rankings of those entered:

1 P Pichardo (POR) 17.36
2 M Raffin (FRA) 17.09
3 M Hess (GER) 17.00
4 M Niastsiarenka (BLR) 16.92
5 T Bocchi (ITA) 16.89

Pedro Pablo Pichardo (below) may not be in his 18.08m outdoor form from 2015 but he has a proven championship record with three world indoor and outdoor medals and is out on his own at the top of the rankings.

Former world and European junior medallist Melvin Raffin has been consistent this winter around the 17.00m mark and should be in the frame.

Max Hess, third in 2017 and 2019, has more experience having also won a European outdoor title and a world indoor medal and could well medal yet again.

Shock Glasgow winner Nazim Babayev does not defend settling for a win in the Balkan championships but his compatriot Alexis Copello does. The former Cuban is now a vet (M35) but was fourth in the last world indoors and with his solid competitive record won’t be far from the action judging by his 16.84m this year even if he is a decade past his very best.

Prediction: 1 Pichardo (POR) 17.28; 2 Raffin (FRA); 3 Hess (GER)

Shot put

Final Friday 20.35 (qualifying 11.18 Friday)

2019: 1 M Haratyk (POL) 21.65; 2 D Storl (GER) 21.54; 3 T Stanek (CZE) 21.25

Rankings of those entered:

1 M Haratyk (POL) 21.83
2 T Stanek (CZE) 21.48
3 A Sinančević (SRB) 21.25
4 W Petersson (SWE) 21.13
5 M Thomsen (NOR) 21.09

Even ignoring the home advantage, it’s impossible to look beyond 2019 winner, European outdoor champion and top-ranked Michal Haratyk as a very clear favourite.

2019 bronze medallist Tomas Stanek is a proven championships competitor and looks a surefire medal shot based on his 2021 form.

Armin Sinančević does not have the championship form to match his best marks. It’s worth noting he threw a huge PB in the Doha qualifying (21.51) but failed to register a throw in the final.

Sweden’s Wictor Petersson, a former world youth and junior medallist, is on the way up as is Norwegian record-holder Marcus Thomsen, who has greatly improved from his seventh in 2019.

The 2017 champion Konrad Bukowiecki, who is still only 23 years old, has thrown 22.00m in the Toruń Arena but this year has managed just 20.54m and would need a big improvement to be a factor.

The 2015 winner and 2019 runner-up David Storl is not competing.

Prediction: 1 Haratyk (POL) 21.55; 2 Stanek (CZE); 3 Bukowiecki (POL)

Heptathlon

(Friday: 60m 10.00, long jump 10.42, Shot 12.15, high jump 18.15. Saturday: 60m hurdles 10.00, pole vault 11.00, 1000m 17.30)

2019: 1 J Udena (ESP) 6218; 2 TIM DUCKWORTH 6156; 3 I Shkurenyov 6145

2021 rankings of those entered:

1 P Wiesiołek (POL) 6103
2 S Ehammer (SUI) 6092
3 R Lillemets (EST) 6089
4 Dario Dester (ITA) 6076
5 Maksim Andraloits (BLR)/Andreas Bechmann (GER) 6057

All eyes will be on decathlon world record-holder and world indoor champion Kevin Mayer. He has not done a full multi events competition this year but has shown great glimpses of form such as a 7.68 hurdles PB and he would have to do something very wrong not to regain the title he won in 2017.

Defending champion Jorge Urena has also not completed a heptathlon this year and has little form of note but based on his Glasgow win and 2020 form (6143) he should still be in the medal hunt.

European leader Ilya Shkurenyov (6269), who was third in 2019, can’t compete due to the Russian ban.

In his absence, Paweł Wiesiołek tops the 2021 lists of those entered and also has home advantage but his championships record is abysmal and will be under far more pressure than ever before.

European junior champion Simon Ehammer is a few points down and will be one to watch in his first major senior event.

Risto Lillemets and Dario Dester (fifth in the European juniors) are other promising young athletes with little senior form but within range of a medal judging by their 2021 form.

Prediction: 1 Mayer (FRA) 6450; 2 Ehammer (SUI); 3 Urena (ESP)

We’re set for some intriguing clashes in women’s track races at this week’s European Indoor Championships in Toruń

Athletes such as Keely Hodgkinson (pictured) in the 800m, Femke Bol in the 400m and Nadine Visser in the 60m hurdles are among the contenders for medals in women’s track events this weekend.

Our previews for the European Indoor Championships in Toruń also include:

Timetable and TV guide – CLICK HERE
Men’s track previews – CLICK HERE
Men’s field previews – CLICK HERE
Women’s field previews – CLICK HERE

Women’s 60m

Final Sunday 18.46 (heats 10.20, semis 12.35 Sunday)

2019: 1 E Swobada (POL) 7.09; 2 D Schippers (NED) 7.14; 3 ASHA PHILIP 7.15

2021 rankings of those entered:

1 E Swoboda (POL) 7.10
2 A Lederer 7.12
3 Ajla Del Ponte 7.14
4 Orlann Ombissa-Dzangue (FRA)/Lotta Kemppinen (FIN) 7.16

Top European Dina Asher-Smith is absent and therefore the fastest entry is defending champion Ewa Swoboda who will be expected to gain further home glory for the strong Polish team.

Amelie-Sophie Lederer has not really backed up her good ranking time elsewhere and has no international form of note but if she could replicate her German title winning time she would almost certainly medal.

Ajla Del Ponte is a vastly improved athlete from the one that came eighth in 2019 judging by her 11.08 100m last summer. This winter the Swiss has run 7.14-7.19 on seven occasions and looks an obvious medal candidate.

France’s Orlann Ombissa-Dzangue and improving Finnish champion Lotta Kemppinen complete the top five in the rankings but have no major international form to back their best time up.

World Indoor finalist Carolle Zahi has only run 7.19 this winter but on her 7.11 PB would obviously be to the fore.

Sadly no Britons were available or selected.

Prediction: 1 Swoboda (POL) 7.09; 2 Del Ponte (SUI); 3 Lederer (GER)

400m

Final Saturday 20.25  (heats Friday 11.05 and semis 19.45)

2019: 1 L Sprunger (SUI) 51.61; 2 C Bolingo Mbongo (BEL 51.62); 3 L De Witte (NED) 52.34

2021 rankings of those entered:

1 F Bol (NED) 50.64
2 L Klaver (NED) 51.21
3 J Święty-Ersetic (POL) 51.80
4 A Miklos (ROM) 51.92
5 P Healy (IRL) 51.99

Femke Bol is a huge favourite with four sub-51s this winter and the Dutch 400m hurdler looks a class apart.

Her compatriot Lieke Klaver looks equally safe for second based on ranking times.

However, while European outdoor champion and home favourite Justyna Święty-Ersetic is well down on the Dutch runners on time she is an exceptionally fast finisher and will be out do better than her sixth in Glasgow with home advantage.

Andrea Miklos and Phil Healy are the other two who have broken 52 seconds this winter and will aiming to make the final at the very least along with German champion Corinna Schwab.

Defending champion Lea Sprunger (52.31) has not run fast as this winter but is a fine competitor and could well medal too.

Britain have a strong trio though the fastest of 2021 Zoey Clark (52.03) is just running the 4×400.

Former World youth and junior sprint champion Jodie Williams (52.27) has only flirted with the 400m so far but can call on 22.46 200m speed and based on her British trials win probably has the best chance of making the final.

Jessie Knight (52.38) and Ama Pipi (52.99) would need a big improvement on their 2021 times to make the final.

Prediction: 1 Bol (NED) 50.48; 2 Klaver (NED); 3 J Święty-Ersetic (POL)

800m

Final Sunday 18.13 (heats Friday 12.30, semis Saturday 19.00)

2019: 1 SHELAYNA OSKAN-CLARKE 2:02.58; 2 R Lamote (FRA) 2:03.00; 3 O Lyakhova (UKR) 2:03.24

2021 rankings of those entered:

1 KEELY HODGKINSON 1:59.03
2 J Jóźwik (POL) 2:00.42
3 S Cléirigh Büttner (IRL) 2:00.58
4 H Hynne (NOR) 2:00.92
5 N Power (IRL) 2:00.98

None of the medallists from 2019 return but the title could still remain in British hands.

Keely Hodgkinson will be keen to replicate her world junior record form which gives her well over a second on the others  entered.

The young Briton was not as convincing at Lievin where Jemma Reekie, absent from Toruń, won and she also finished behind Hedda Hynne who set a Norwegian record there and who ran 1:58.10 outdoors last summer.

It won’t be like a one-off race though as there are three races in three days which will suit the stronger runner.

Olympic finalist Joanna Jóźwik, who has won a medal in this event before, will be keen to make the most of home advantage. The 2014 World silver medallist Angelika Cichocka is a useful Polish No.2.

Highly-ranked Síofra Cléirigh Büttner and Nadia Power have both set Irish records this winter and should make the final if they are near their best and likewise their latest recruit Georgie Hartigan (2:01.48) which suggests Ireland have the strongest team overall.

Britain’s youthful trio is completed by the improving Isabelle Boffey (2:02.45) and Ellie Baker (2:02.73) who should both gain a lot from the experience but they will need further breakthroughs to make the final.

Prediction: 1 Jóźwik (POL) 1:59.66; 2 Hynne (NOR); 3 HODGKINSON

1500m

Final Saturday 19.50 (heats Friday 11.50)

2019: 1 LAURA MUIR 3:59.58; 2 S Ennaoui (POL) 4:09.30; 3 C Mageean (IRL) 4:09.43

2021 rankings of those entered:
1 E Vanderelst (BEL) 4:05.71
2 H Klein (GER) 4:06.86
3 E Guerrero (ESP) 4:07.48
4 M Pérez (ESP) 4:09.44
5 HOLLY ARCHER 4:10.03

Being six seconds faster than anyone entered this year, Laura Muir (3:59.58) could have won at a canter had she ran. Instead the European under-23 silver medallist Elise Vanderelst’s Belgian record heads what on paper is a very modest entry.

Hanna Klein is usually more of a 3000m runner and would need a good pace to win a medal.

Esther Guerrero, though, does have the speed having been in the last two 800m finals and probably has a better chance than her compatriot Marta Pérez who was a finalist in 2019.

Second-ranked Melissa Courtney-Bryant (4:04.79) is another Briton sitting the championships out but the UK still have outside medal hopes.

Holly Archer, 10th in Europe but fifth fastest on those entered has only had domestic races this winter and looks capable of rewriting her PB with a faster pace or being competitive in a slower run race. While Katie Snowden has lost out to Archer in her two races she too could be a factor if she makes the final.

Ciara Mageean of Ireland, a medallist in 2019, was due to run but withdrew this week.

Prediction: 1 Vanderelst (BEL) 4:09.65; 2 Guerrero (ESP); 3 Klein (GER)

3000m

Final Friday 21.00 (heats Thursday 19.30)

2019: 1 LAURA MUIR 8:30.61; 2 K Klosterhalfen (GER) 8:34.06; 3 MELISSA COURTNEY 8:38.22

2021 rankings of those entered:

1 Maruša Mišmaš-Zrimsek (SLO) 8:48.82
2 M Koster (NED) 8:49.63
3 VERITY OCKENDEN 8:51.63
4 J Vastenburg (NED) 8:52.76
5 A Finot (FRA) 8:53.00

None of the top five from 2019 return and also missing are the first four of the European rankings including top-ranked Sifan Hassan (8:33.62).

The Dutch still have a good chance though as Maureen Koster is the best of those returning from 2019 and won a medal in 2015 and only one entry is quicker.

Slovakia are not renowned for their endurance success but world steeplechase finalist Maruša Mišmaš-Zrimsek is the fastest entry and won the Balkan 1500m championships in 4:09.43 so should also be a factor if it’s a slow run race.

Claudia Bobocea was a 1500m finalist in 2019 and could be a danger if it’s tactical while French champion Alice Finot is a bit of an unknown as she has no international experience.

Sweden’s Merah Bahta has the fastest indoor PB of those entered with 8:42.46 but she is some way from that form judging by her being lapped in Madrid last week.

You could have got long odds on Verity Ockenden being a medal contender at the start of this season but she impressed in her two domestic races and ranks third of those entered so has every chance of her greatest honour to date.

The other two British team members Amy-Eloise Markovc (8:54.11) and Amelia Quirk (8:58.57) are also quite high up the rankings and could well get to the final while Rosie Clarke (8:58.97) has been entered as a reserve.

Prediction: 1 Mišmaš-Zrimsek (SLO) 8:53.30; 2 Koster (NED); 3 VERITY OCKENDEN

60m hurdles

Final Sunday 17.15 (heats Saturday 11.30, semis Saturday 13.20)

2019: 1 N Visser (NED) 7.87; 2 C Roleder (GER) 7.97; 3 E Herman (BLR) 8.00

2021 rankings of those entered:

1 N Visser (NED) 7.81
2 TIFFANY PORTER 7.89
3 N Neziri (FIN)/E Herman (BLR) 7.91
5 L Bapte (FRA) 7.93

Nadine Visser starts favourite as defending champion and with a clear time advantage on 2021 times after her big Madrid win.

Nooralotta Neziri, a 2011 European Junior champion, has taken a long time to fulfil her potential but this year at the age of 28, has moved up a level with three runs in the 7.91 to 7.92 range.

The 2018 European outdoor champion Elvira Herman was third in this event in 2019 but has been inconsistent this winter with a false start in Madrid.

Tiffany Porter (below right) finished second in her last championships appearance 10 years ago and is clearly back in very good form judging by her pair of 7.89s in the USA.

Her younger sister Cindy Sember (above left), who ran 7.89 herself in 2016 (the year she was fourth in the Olympics), has only run 8.01 this winter but should be well under eight in Poland and could join her sibling in the final.

Heptathlete Emma Nwofor has run 8.16 in each of her last three races but only ranks 35th in Europe so would be doing well to get to the semis.

Prediction: 1 Visser (NED) 7.82; 2 PORTER; 3 Neziri (FIN)

4x400m relay

Final Sunday 19.10

2019: 1 Poland 3:28.77; 2 GBR 3:29.56; 3 Italy 3:31.90

While Poland have a good chance of defending their title on their home track, they will be hard pressed to match the Dutch who have the two fastest 400m performers and two solid back up runners.

Much might depend on Justyna Święty-Ersetic on the final leg. She has already won 10 championship medals in relays, many with superb anchor legs.

Britain will have one of the strongest squads in depth and certainly if everyone runs to form will be far too good for the other three teams from Italy, Germany and Ukraine.

Prediction: 1 Netherlands 3:27.65; 2 Poland; 3 GBR

Here is a look at the contenders in the men’s track events at this week’s European Indoor Championships in Toruń

The 2021 European Indoor Championships looks like being a high-quality affair with the cancellation of last year’s Olympics, World Indoors and Europeans giving athletes a rare chance to win championship medals.

The doubts still remaining over the Olympics and the lack of those major events over the last year means most athletes who have ventured indoors this winter want to end their winter with something to show for it.

Of course by the time of Tokyo, everyone will have largely forgotten who won medals in Toruń but there are those in great shape now that they might regret missing the Polish event if they are injured at the time of the Olympics or have bad luck out in Japan and in some events go for medals which may be beyond them if they take on the likes of the leading Africans or Americans.

The one European country lacking many of their best athletes in Toruń is Britain. Dina Asher-Smith, Elliot Giles and Laura Muir top the European rankings but are focusing on getting it right for the Olympics and other medal hopes based on their 2021 race form such as Jemma Reekie, Jake Wightman, Marc Scott and Melissa Courtney-Bryant are also sitting it out.

This means Britain won’t match their medal total from Glasgow but they do encouragingly have a big squad full of promising young athletes and have been far more generous in their selection policies than they have mostly been in the past.

Based on our predictions we expect Poland (5 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze) to top the tables from Netherlands (4, 3, 0) and Britain (2, 2, 5). Poland topped the medal table in 2019 so it would be no surprise to see them do even better with home advantage.

In our guide, we give the local start times of each event (the time in Toruń is one hour ahead of British time), the result of the last championships in 2019, the top five entered athletes and our prediction for each event based on a mixture of rankings and past major events.

Men’s 60m

Final: Saturday 20.58 (heats 10.20, semis 12.50 Saturday)

2019: 1 J Volko (SVK) 6.60; 2 E Zafer Barnes (TUR); 3 J Van Gool (NED) 6.62

2021 rankings of those entered:

1 K Kranz (GER) 6.52
2 L Jacobs (ITA) 6.53
3 J Van Gool (NED) 6.58
4 J Wagner (GER)/S Wicki (SUI)/R Olszewski (POL) 6.59

In Glasgow 6.60 sufficed for victory but that won’t be enough in Poland as seven Europeans have broken that mark so far this year.

Kevin Kranz tops the rankings with his German championship victory and will be joint favourite alongside Italian champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs who has run no slower than 6.55 in five finals this winter.

Also in a battle for the medals should be Netherlands’ Joris Van Gool, Germany’s Julian Wagner, Swiss Silvan Wicki and home athlete Remigiusz Olszewski.

Defending champion Jan Volko (6.61 this winter) will also be in the mix but there are a lot of athletes around the 6.60 mark.

Britain’s best hope is Andy Robertson (6.61) but he does have a 6.54 PB from 2016 and will hope the international competition he has lacked this winter might bring him on further.

The other two Britons Oliver Bromby (6.65) and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (6.67) don’t rank in the European top 20 this year and would need a big improvement to even have a chance of making the final.

Prediction: 1 Jacobs (ITA) 6.51; 2 Kranz (GER); 3 Olszewski (POL)

400m

Final: Saturday 20.10 (heats Friday 12.17, semis Friday 19.25)

2019: 1 K Warholm (NOR) 45.05; 2 O Husillos (ESP) 45.66; 3 T Van Diepen (NED) 46.13

2021 rankings of those entered:

1 L Bonevacia (NED) 45.99
2 P Maslak (CZE) 46,12
3 T Jordier (FRA) 46.13
4 T van Diepen (NED) 46.17
5 V Muller (CZE) 46.31

Defending champion Karsten Warholm is not entered and in his absence the favourite is the three-time world and three-time European champion Pavel Maslák. The Czech athlete won in Karlshrue and Madrid and is second ranked in Europe this winter.

Two years ago Liemarvin Bonevacia came last in his heat in 47.86 but is a much improved athlete judging by his top ranked win in the Dutch Championships and he looks the most likely challenger to Maslak.

Third place looks more open with French champion Thomas Jordier and Dutch No.2 Tony van Diepen next on the lists but Glasgow silver medallist and Spanish champion Óscar Husillos (46.37) has the better competitive record. Karol Zalewski, a world indoor 4x400m gold medallist will also be a factor on his home track

None of the British trio James Williams (46.60), Lee Thompson (46.65) and Joe Briar (46.81) rank in the top 10 and would do exceptionally well just to make the final but all are improving and should go faster on the quick Toruń track and have a good chance of making the semis.

Warholm’s 45.05 championships best from 2019 will not be challenged.

Prediction: 1 Maslak (CZE) 45.96; 2 Bonevacia (NED); 3 Husillos (ESP)

800m

Final: Sunday 18.25 (heats Friday 20.05 , semis Saturday 19.25)

2019: 1 A de Arriba (ESP) 1:46.83; 2 JAMIE WEBB 1:47.13; 3 M English (IRL) 1:47.39

2021 rankings of those entered:

1 WEBB 1:44.54;
2 A Kramer (SWE) 1:45.09
3 A Kszczot (POL) 1:45.22
4 M Garcia (ESP) 1:45.66
5 A Tuka (BIH)/P Bosse (FRA) 1:45.95

Though world leader Elliot Giles (1:43.63) was sadly a late withdrawal to focus on his Olympic preparation, this could still be the best quality track race of the championships.

Jamie Webb, second in 2019 and second to Giles in last month’s Toruń race, has also shown sensational from this winter and goes in with the quickest time of those competing.

Though he trailed the Britons by a distance in Toruń recently, proven championships contender Adam Kszczot will surely mount a more serious challenge this time round.

The reigning world indoor champion is on his home track and is going for his fourth European indoor title and is renowned as a fast finishing canny racer. His indoor PB though is slower than Webb’s at 1:44.57.

Sweden’s Andreas Kramer, who was second in the 2018 outdoor Europeans to the Pole, is also in PB form and an obvious candidate for a medal too and would prefer a faster race which might help Webb put pressure on the Pole Amel Tuka, a double world medallist outdoors who set a PB in Madrid last week. Meanwhile the former world outdoor champion Pierre-Ambroise Bosse looks like he is getting better race by race and you can’t discount Mariano Garcia who beat the pair of them with a brave run in Madrid.

French champion Benjamin Robert (1:46.06) and Ireland’s 2019 bronze medallist Mark English (1:46.10) are others in with a shout.

Irish eyes will also be on 18-year-old Cian McPhillips (1:46.13) who pushed English all the way in the Dublin trial race.

Defending champion Álvaro de Arriba was only fifth in Madrid (1:46.93) last week but is always dangerous in a tactical race. The second Briton Guy Learmonth (1:46.73 indoor PB in Glasgow) was a finalist in 2015 but would need to go even quicker to replicate that here.

Prediction: 1 Kszczot (POL) 1:45.50; 2 WEBB; 3 Kramer (SWE)

1500m

Final: Friday 21.35 (heats Thursday 20.20)

2019: 1 M Lewandowski (POL) 3:42.85; 2 J Ingebrigtsen (NOR) 3:43.23; 3 J Gomez (ESP) 3:44.49

2021 rankings of those entered:

1 J Ingebrigtsen (NOR) 3:31.80;
2 M Lewandowski (POL) 3:35.71
3 NEIL GOURLEY 3:35.79
4 M Rozmys (POL) 3:36.10
5 J Gomez (ESP) 3:36.32

Last time in Glasgow, Jakob Ingebrigtsen left it far too late to wind the pace up and was easily out-kicked by Marcin Lewandowski and the Pole also pipped him for third in the World Championships in Doha in 2019.

When the Norwegian ran his top-ranked run in Lievin this year though he was five seconds ahead of the Pole but without pacemakers, it won’t be that emphatic with the Pole’s competitive ability, faster finish and home advantage meaning it might go down to the wire.

Lewandowski ran a Polish record in Toruń last month and ran 3:31.46 in Doha and on his home track will have the incentive of a fourth Indoor title at 800m or 1500m.

The biggest bonus for Ingebrigtsen is his brother Filip should be in the field and could help his title challenge by not allowing the race to be just a test of who has the fastest last 400m or 800m.

With Jake Wightman absent, the next in the rankings is fellow Doha finalist Neil Gourley who was a fraction down on the Pole in Torun and will be keen to make up for Glasgow in 2019 when he won his heat but missed the final through illness.

Others to look out for include Polish No. 2 Michal Rozmys and Glasgow bronze medallist Jesus Gomez.

The improving Piers Copeland (3:38.55) has an excellent chance of making the final though it might be tougher for Archie Davis (3:42.09) who is not ranked in Europe’s top 50 but the 22-year-old will benefit greatly from the experience.

George Mills has been entered as a reserve.

Prediction: 1 Lewandowski (POL) 3:34.65; 2 J Ingebrigtsen (NOR); 3 GOURLEY

3000m

Final: Sunday 17.52 (heats Saturday 11.00)

2019: 1 1 J Ingebrigtsen (NOR) 7:56.15; 2 CHRIS O’HARE 7:57.19; 3 H Ingebrigtsen (NOR) 7:57.19

2021 rankings of those entered:

1 M Katir (ESP) 7:35.29
2 J Gressier (FRA) 7:39.70
3 ANDY BUTCHART 7:40.85
4 A Almgren (SWE) 7;41.6
5 M Foppen (NED) 7:42.55

In Glasgow Jakob Ingebrigtsen won easily as he became the youngest ever European champion at 18 years and 163 days and now two years stronger, he should be too good for the opposition though he has not run a 3000m so far this winter.

His brother Filip Ingebrigtsen (7:54.33) is entered for this event as well and could well challenge for a medal in his own right.

Lewandowski is also entered in this event (which comes after the 1500m) and while he would be dangerous in a slow run race, it’s hard to see the non 1500m runners allowing a dawdle. He has run 7:51.69 this winter though so has clearly worked on his endurance as he aims to become the first ever athlete to win 800m, 1500m and 3000m titles.

The former Moroccan Mohamed Katir heads the rankings from when second in Karlshrue, but was only second in a very slow Spanish Championships and will want a quick race.

France’s Jimmy Gressier and Andrew Butchart are next in the rankings and will also prefer a faster pace. They were seventh and 10th in Glasgow last time.

The recent national records of Swede Andreas Almgren and Dutchman Mike Foppen show they too are in good form. France’s Djilali Bedrani (7:46.52), who was fourth in Glasgow, will also hope to be in the medals this time. And Ireland’s Sean Tobin (7:48.01), one of the best pacemakers on the circuit, could be a factor is his own right.

Marc Scott was initially entered but withdrew to race 5000m in the United States instead but Philip Sesemann (7:51.27) was entered as a reserve and could make the final along with British trials winner Jack Rowe (7:54.35). The latter is not ranked in the top 40 but judging by his win over Butchart in Manchester he could cause a shock.

Prediction: 1 J Ingebrigtsen (NOR) 7:47.88; 2 Lewandowski (POL) 3 F Ingebrigtsen (NOR)

60m hurdles

Final: Sunday 17.00 (heats Saturday 12.10, semis Sunday 13.00)

2019: 1 M Trajkovic (CYP) 7.60; 2 P Martinot-Lagarde (FRA) 7.61; 3 A Manga (FRA) 7.63

2021 rankings of those entered:

1 Belocian (FRA) 7.45
2 POZZI 7.51
3 Dal Molin (ITA) 7.55
4 Manga (FRA) 7.58
5 Czykier (POL) 7.59

Wilheim Belocian was only seventh in Glasgow but he tops the rankings and has clearly been the top European this winter and the former World and European Junior champion is out to win his first senior title.

Next in line on time is the world indoor champion Andy Pozzi who can take great heart from his return from injury with his Madrid run and will be keen to do better than his sixth in Glasgow.

The 2013 runner-up Paolo Dal Molin, the 2019 bronze medallist Aurel Manga and Poland’s Damian Czykier complete the top six in the rankings and should be among the finalists at the very least.

Defending champion Milan Trajkovic ran a 7.76 in America earlier in February but pulled out of a race in Torun on his return to Europe and has little hope of defending.

Former champion and 2019 runner-up Pascal Martinot-Lagarde (7.54) and Olympic silver medallist Orlando Ortega (7.64) have both run indoors though at a level well below their best and won’t run in Torun.

Prediction: 1 POZZI 7.42; 2 Belocian (FRA); 3 Manga (FRA)

4x400m relay

Final: Sunday 18.57

2019: 1 Belgium 3:06.27; 2 Spain 3:06.32; 3 France 3:07.71

No 2021 rankings

This could be a cracking end to the men’s championships and Poland have a great record at this event but with only one of their runners inside 46.80 this winter there are much faster teams on paper.

The Dutch have never had a great 4x400m pedigree in the past but their four fastest runners occupy four of the top 10 places in the European rankings including the top spot and should have too much firepower for the rest.

The Belgians defend their title and have the three Borlee’s among their squad but none have shown anything like their best form so far this winter.

The Czechs have a better team on current form with Maslak, and fifth-ranked Vit Muller with Patrik Som (46.58) with Michal Desenský (46.99) to back them up.

Britain can also boast a solid squad with four men in the 46.60 to 46.81 range but probably need someone to provide a Martyn Rooney-type anchor to challenge those with sub-46 performers.

Italy are the other team who qualified with a likely team of 46.57 to 47.11 performers.

Prediction: 1 NED 3:05.66; 2 CZE; 3 POL

Our previews for the European Indoor Championships also include:

Timetable and TV guide – CLICK HERE
Men’s field previews – CLICK HERE
Women’s track previews – CLICK HERE
Women’s field previews – CLICK HERE

A guide to the action in Toruń this week as the Polish venue stages the 36th European Indoor Championships

Given the relative lack of athletics events in the past year, the European Indoor Championships in the Polish city of Toruń this week is eagerly anticipated.

The biennial event was last held in Glasgow in 2019 and has survived the coronavirus pandemic whereas other championships such as the World Indoor Championships and World Cross Country Championships – both of which were due to be held this month in China and Australia respectively – have been postponed.

The action in Toruń starts on Thursday March 4 with a session of qualifying heats and rounds followed by finals from Friday March 5 to Sunday March 7. Our previews to the events are split into four parts as follows.

Men’s track previews – CLICK HERE
Men’s field previews – CLICK HERE
Women’s track previews – CLICK HERE
Women’s field previews – CLICK HERE

Timetable of finals

Friday March 5
10:00   Pentathlon 60m hurdles
10:52   Pentathlon high jump
13:05   Pentathlon shot put
19:00   Pentathlon long jump
19:06   Women’s shot put
20:20   Men’s long jump
20:35   Men’s shot put
20:45   Pentathlon 800m
21:00   Women’s 3000m
21:35   Men’s 1500m

Saturday March 6
10:00   Heptathlon 60m
10:42   Heptathlon long jump
12:15   Heptathlon shot
18:50   Heptathlon high jump
19:15   Women’s pole vault
19:40   Women’s long jump
19:50   Women’s 1500m
20:10   Men’s 400m
20:25   Women’s 400m
20:58   Men’s 60m

Sunday March 7
10:00   Heptathlon 60m hurdles
10:53   Men’s triple jump
11:00   Heptathlon pole vault
11:19   Men’s high jump
17:00   Men’s 60m hurdles
17:05   Men’s pole vault
17:15   Women’s 60m hurdles
17:20   Women’s triple jump
17:30   Heptathlon 1000m
17:45   Women’s high jump
17:52   Men’s 3000m
18:13   Women’s 800m
18:25   Men’s 800m
18:46   Women’s 60m
18:57   Men’s 4x400m
19:10   Women’s 4x400m

TV guide

BBC is covering the championships online and via the red button but terrestrial television listings are as follows.

Friday March 5
BBC2 9:00-12:15 and 18:30-21:00
Saturday March 6
BBC2 8:45-12:20 and 17:15-20:15
Sunday March 7
BBC2 8:45-12:45 and 15:45-18:30

With the COVID-19 pandemic hitting football clubs' finances around the world, Europe's top teams are looking to their youth teams rather than to transfers for ways to freshen up. Already this season we've seen teenagers like Borussia Dortmund's Giovanni Reyna, Arsenal's Bukayo Saka and Manchester United's Mason Greenwood make their names at their clubs.

Not all young players come through a team's own academy, of course, as Manchester United spent a potential €41 million on signing 18-year-old winger Amad Diallo from Atalanta in January, while Barcelona landed Pedri from Las Palmas for €5m over the summer.

But who could be the next star to make the step up? Here's some hot prospects under the age of 19 -- already first-team regulars, or making an impact in their B/U21 teams -- that could have a breakout year in 2021.

AC MILAN: Gabriele Alesi, 17, AM

The Sicilian is still mainly competing among his U17 peers, but is arguably the biggest prospect at Milanello. Alesi reached notoriety two years ago when he decided the U15 championship by scoring the winning goal in the last seconds of the game with an effort from his own half! Still a bit on the skinny side, the creative, technically gifted midfielder has been compared to Milan legend Kaka for his ability on the ball and in how he's able to seamlessly run past opponents.

ARSENAL: Miguel Azeez, 18, DM

Possibly the next Arsenal star from the Hale End production line set for his Premier League debut, the holding midfielder has attracted rave reviews from those monitoring him in training and competitive youth games. However, apart from eight minutes in the Europa League against Dundalk, the composed midfielder has had to be content with just being a part of the first team environment on a regular basis.

The England U18 international, who also qualifies to play international football for Spain and Nigeria, brings order to the midfield with his calm and measured approach to the game. Originally a more advanced box-to-box midfielder, Azeez is already capable of imposing himself on the game from a deeper, more strategic role, and counts Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira and Barcelona's Sergio Busquets as his idols.

BARCELONA: Ilaix Moriba, 18, CM

Long an attraction at youth level, the powerful box-to-box midfielder is now seeing the wheels turn on his move up to the first-team. Having kicked off the new year with his first senior start for Barcelona in the Copa del Rey, he made his full league debut against Alaves on Feb. 13. Based on the minutes he's collected for the first team so far, Ronald Koeman is likely to keep giving him opportunities. Potentially a complete "No. 8" (or even holding midfielder), Moriba's excellent technical skills are matched by his strength.

BAYERN MUNICH: Jamal Musiala, 18, AM

The son of a British-Nigerian father and a German mother, Musiala moved to England in late childhood and spent his formative footballing years at the Southampton and Chelsea academies before returning to Germany in the summer of 2019. With his repatriation to the country of birth, Musiala also recently switched allegiances as he chose to represent Germany despite picking up a couple of England U21 caps.

A naturally-gifted footballer who is remarkably focused, his appreciation of space, where best to pick up the ball, and his ability to pick the right moment for his involvements have long left people stunned. His ability to score from outside the box was in evidence in the Champions League last week, but having been used in a variety of positions -- he prefers to play as an advanced midfield playmaker -- it's still too early to call whether he'll eventually end up as a wide left midfielder or in a deeper role.

CHELSEA: Charlie Webster, 17, CM

Chelsea have a large number of prospects at Cobham born between 2002-2004, but Webster stands out as one of the most talented. Along with fellow U18s midfielder Harvey Vale and prolific striker Jude Soonsup-Bell, it will be interesting to see who will be the first to see first-team action.

Webster is a supremely-skilled, dynamic central midfielder who can alternate between the role of a deep-lying organiser or more advanced playmaker. Playing with his head up and positive in his decision-making -- trying to pick out runners with an early ball -- the 17-year-old often exhibits a variety in his passing and problem solving, something usually associated with more senior players.

DORTMUND: Youssoufa Moukoko, 16, ST

To date, the Cameroon-born Germany youth international has broken more records than he's scored Bundesliga goals: in November last year he became the youngest player ever in a Bundesliga game just one day after turning 16, before repeating the feat in the Champions League a few days later. For good measure, he also became the youngest ever to score a Bundesliga goal, converting against Union Berlin just before Christmas.

Moukoko has scored for fun at youth level and despite the precocious pace of his development, Dortmund are still gently managing his transition to senior football. The teenager's directness -- he always looks to run with the ball instead of pausing to think of what to do next -- intelligent movement, lightning quick speed and ability to finish off moves in a variety of ways make him exceptional for his age.

INTER MILAN: Gaetano Oristanio, 18, FW

One year younger than the last product to come out of the club's production line of forwards, Sebastian Esposito (out on loan at Serie B side, Venezia), Oristanio is a 5-foot-8 second striker with a low centre of gravity and a vicious left foot. Though yet to get the nod from manager Antonio Conte for first-team duties, the 18-year-old Italian has been named on the bench and after impressing at U19 level he's becoming more comfortable in the Serie A training environment. One of the top players born in 2003 for club as well as country.

JUVENTUS: Matias Soule, 17, AM

Signed by the Italian giants one year ago after turning down a professional contract with Velez Sarsfield, the Argentinean might not see first-team action for quite some time yet, but his impact for the Primavera development team is growing. Likened in style to Angel Di Maria in his home country, Soule is an easy on the eye, left-footed winger or "No. 10" with a lovely touch on the ball. The teenager is still growing and has added some weight since arriving in Italy; he seems better equipped to evade challenges and cope physically when dropping deep to pick up the ball.

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LIVERPOOL: Harvey Elliott, 17, FW

In May 2019, having just turned 16, Fulham's Elliott became the youngest player ever to taste Premier League action; fast forward two years and, after a £4m move to Liverpool, he is tipped for the top. The right winger, who loves cutting inside on his favoured left foot, has scored five goals and set up a remarkable nine while on loan at Blackburn in the Championship, which raises the question as to whether he could have been useful at Anfield this season.

Even at 17, Elliott seems a sure bet to have a career at the very top level. To go with his excellent technical skills, ability to create havoc anywhere in the last third and natural interpretation of the game, comes a certain edge and temperament often associated with a top player.

MAN CITY: Cole Palmer, 18, AM

As the club's ongoing relationship with top Dutch prospect Jayden Braaf, who made his Serie A debut on loan at Udinese at the weekend, remains unclear, Manchester-born Cole Palmer seems to be the next to follow Phil Foden's path to the top.

Having already trained with the first team since the summer, Cole repaid manager Pep Guardiola with an assured, confident display when handed his debut in the Carabao Cup at Burnley last September, and was subsequently even given a late appearance at Marseille in the Champions League a few weeks later. With his long legs and gangly look at 6-foot-2, the England U18 international cuts a somewhat atypical figure for an attacking midfielder, but he's deceptively mobile -- excellent at finding space between the lines -- and has a fine goal scoring record at youth level.

MAN UNITED: Shola Shoretire, 17, AM

Shoretire grabbed the headlines when he became the youngest-ever player to feature in European competition for Man United when he came on against Real Sociedad in the Europa League last week -- just four days after making his Premier League debut coming off the bench at the tail end of the game against his hometown club, Newcastle United.

Nimble and quick off the mark, Shoretire gives the impression that he's quicker with the ball than without and his balance, mixed with the ability to navigate short spaces and quickly change direction on either foot, make him hard to read. Though capable of playing anywhere off the front, the England U16 international prefers starting on the left to cut infield on his right foot.

PSG: Kays Ruiz-Atil, 18, CM

It's been a rollercoaster season for the supremely talented young Frenchman. From the highs of making his full Ligue 1 debut back in September and being rewarded with the occasional cameo throughout the autumn, Ruiz-Atil is yet to be given any attention by new manager Mauricio Pochettino. As Ruiz-Atil joined PSG from Barcelona in 2015, it goes without saying that midfielder is blessed with a wonderful touch on the ball and the vision and passing range to execute a precise through-ball; he's also no slouch at picking out deep runs from his own half. A potential reunion with Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea is being mooted as a possibility given that his contract in Paris expires this summer.

REAL MADRID: Alvaro Carrillo, 18, CB

Perhaps an odd pick from a club with the tradition of bringing through talent further up the pitch, the mobile, ball-playing centre-back has recently seen playing-time for the Castilla and should make more rapid steps up with the introduction to senior football.

Carrillo made his mark for Spain at the U17 World Cup in 2019, impressing scouts with his reliable distribution, pace and aerial ability (though at 5-foot-9, he's not the tallest). In an age when top centre-backs are required to deal with the ball as well as a midfielder does, Carrillo possesses the prerequisites to make a fine La Liga career. Whether he makes the final cut at Real Madrid is another question, but the early signs are promising.

TOTTENHAM: Dane Scarlett, 16, ST

Jose Mourinho is not usually one to shower youth players with praise or attention, but on recent evidence he seems content with the progress of Scarlett. The striker is currently best known for becoming the youngest ever Spurs debutant when he came on for Lucas Moura in the Europa League in late November (the record, incidentally, only lasted two months as Alfred Devine played a half -- and even got on the scoresheet -- at Marine in the FA Cup.)

A fast, confident and aggressive striker with an impressive leap, Scarlett seems to enjoy himself as the intensity of the game steps up. In addition to his obvious athleticism, the direct and roaming Spurs forward also likes to show off nice flicks and lay-offs. He became Spurs' youngest ever assist-maker just a couple of minutes after coming on late on in last week's Europa League win against Wolfsberger (the first 16-year-old with an Europa League assist since Monaco's Kylian Mbappe in 2015, coincidentally against Spurs) having made his Premier League debut in February with a last-minute appearance against West Brom.

Borussia Monchengladbach have gone from being the Borussia in the Bundesliga with momentum to the one struggling for confidence. ESPN's German football commentator Derek Rae explains why the confirmed summer switch of coach Marco Rose to the other Borussia, Dortmund, has ushered in a host of problems.

It was little more than a month ago, but in the grand scheme of things it seems more like a year. My closing remarks from the world-feed commentary box after Gladbach's impressive 4-2 win over Borussia Dortmund on Jan. 22 had to do with the changing landscape as regards these two clubs carrying the Borussia prefix.

The Fohlenelf had just overhauled BVB in the table and mercilessly booted them from the Champions League places, a key metric for a Dortmund side constructed to take part in Europe's premier club competition every year. The force seemed to be firmly with the men from the Niederrhein region, while Dortmund resembled a collection of punchless individuals, overly dependent on the cold-blooded finishing of Erling Haaland and the creativity of Jadon Sancho.

As our cameras lingered on Rose, it was impossible not to focus on his future -- and more to the point, his possible Dortmund future.

Since Lucien Favre's departure from Dortmund in December, all indications had suggested Rose would take over the reins at one of the world's most emotional clubs. It had become widely known that there was a clause in Rose's contract allowing him to leave this summer, and the mounting speculation proved unsettling as whispers became louder.

Meanwhile, Max Eberl -- Gladbach's brilliant, long-serving head of sport -- returned at the end of January from a month-long sabbatical in the mountains. This four-week break to recharge batteries was tied to his own recently-signed agreement with the club running through 2026. Once back in his office, Eberl immediately had to start putting out fires as Rose-to-Dortmund rumours engulfed scheduled media briefings at the Borussia Park. Bundesliga results were now going the wrong way, and the 2-1 derby defeat at home against FC Cologne was particularly sore.

Even as performances deteriorated, Eberl remained defiant. He was "99% certain" Rose would stay; then, the following week, "98% sure." Rose clearly felt uncomfortable being asked about the thorny topic of Dortmund, and his body language and tone visibly and audibly changed, becoming more distant with reporters. It turns out that Eberl, as he told Sky Deutschland in a live interview on Sunday morning, learned of Rose's decision after the Cologne game and before the 0-0 draw with VfL Wolfsburg. It was only on the back of that stalemate in the Autostadt that Gladbach formally announced they'd be losing their coach to Dortmund in the summer.

Reaction from Gladbach fans to Rose's impending move has been merciless. They might not have the loudest voices among German football fans, but this is an area of the country that really cares, and they feel genuinely wronged by their coach.

Things got even worse on Saturday as the Foals were tripped up at home by second-bottom Mainz. The following day on Sport1's weekly panel discussion, Doppelpass, 82% of poll respondents said they doubted Gladbach could continue with Rose through the end of the campaign. All parties insist the relationship can and will go on in a professional way, and Eberl himself believes someone seen as a great coach a few weeks ago remains a great coach today.

To his credit, Rose has been honest -- in fact, he's been way more candid than you'd expect from a football person tiptoeing his way through such a minefield. After the Mainz game he took complete responsibility for the defeat, citing his own actions. It's even worth relaying Rose's entire quote to ZDF's Das Aktuelle Sportstudio.

"It's clear that every bad result causes more restlessness and brings more questions, and I have to live with that and take responsibility for it, as I'm the one who caused the unrest with my decision."

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Rose hadn't changed his position ahead of the Champions League defeat to Manchester City, saying the underperformance against Mainz was "on me." He's also been forthcoming when asked about the possibility of Gladbach stars like Marcus Thuram joining him in Dortmund, insisting that will not happen, speaking in the third person: "When Marco Rose says he won't take anyone with him to Borussia Dortmund, that means he won't take anyone with him to Borussia Dortmund. Over and out."

The problem is that others higher up the BVB chain -- Michael Zorc and Sebastian Kehl -- make the judgements about new recruits, and "Borussia-hopping'' is very common. BVB's 2020-21 squad boasts several former Fohlenelf: Marco Reus, Mahmoud Dahoud, Thorgan Hazard and Nico Schulz. The Autobahn journey of just over an hour from Gladbach to Dortmund is well-worn.

If all this drama between the two clubs isn't enough for you, then consider that on Tuesday, Dortmund will be on that same stretch of road going the other way as they head to the Borussia Park for a DFB-Pokal quarterfinal showdown (Tuesday, 2.30 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPNEWS).

Borussia against Borussia again, Rose against his soon-to-be employers and, of course, the prestige factor is the genuine chance to win a trophy with Bayern Munich already out of the competition. Whereas Gladbach's form has taken a nosedive since their league win against the other Borussia, Dortmund's tails are up following their fine Champions League away win against Sevilla FC and the resounding derby triumph over Schalke 04.

It's like a never-ending boxing match. Round 1 went to Gladbach as they outplayed BVB in January. Round 2 swung to Dortmund with their landing of Rose at Gladbach's expense. Round 3 is Tuesday, and it should be a lively exchange of punches. Round 4 will be about who finishes where and who, if either, makes the Champions League -- at present, it's a long shot for both.

Meanwhile, the discussion about Rose's successor is in full swing. Readers in the U.S. will be pleased to know Jesse Marsch, who followed Rose as coach of FC Salzburg, is very much part of that conversation among German pundits. Eberl says he "has a concrete idea in his head" regarding the next step and is doing his homework on prospective candidates. His words on Sport1 from Sunday are instructive in this regard.

"We're looking for best fit for Borussia Monchengladbach," said Eberl. "In the last 10 years we've developed a team style with ball possession started by Lucien Favre and then refined by Andre Schubert and Dieter Hecking in terms of more activity. Now with Marco Rose, for me the best coach we've had to put this active style at the forefront. We found a coach who advocated ball possession, as well as activity and pressing and now, it's a matter of finding the next coach who matches these two facets of our play."

Marsch would seem to have attributes in keeping with this profile, but the American is not the only one in the running. Another Salzburg alumnus Adi Hutter merits a serious evaluation, having taken his Eintracht Frankfurt side to the Europa League semifinals in 2019 and now catapulted the Eagles into the Bundesliga's top four. The style of football is eye catching and significantly, has evolved from Hutter's earlier days of high-octane pressing without as much finesse, especially in recent weeks with the introduction of twin playmakers behind star striker Andre Silva.

Could Hutter be lured from the Main metropolis to the Niederrhein? From a team potentially in the Champions League to one perhaps not in Europe at all? Then again, respected sporting chief Fredi Bobic has had departure rumours flying around him and who wouldn't want to work with Eberl, given the chance?

Gerardo Seoane's work at Young Boys in Switzerland, guiding them to back-to-back titles, has not gone unnoticed either. Erik ten Haag of Ajax Amsterdam is another who must be in the frame if he were to have an interest. Werder Bremen's Florian Kohfeldt looks like a potential Plan B option behind the others.

Life is far from dull for Eberl and everyone else in the Niederrhein. Tuesday could represent yet another tumult of excitement in the ongoing story of Borussia against Borussia.

New Zealand vs Australia, 3rd T20I, Wellington

Pro Tip: The average team total in the last three T20Is in Wellington is 186. The ground has been good to both spinners and pace bowlers. Balance your team with a mix of players.

Our XI: Matthew Wade, Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Glenn Maxwell, Devon Conway, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult, Adam Zampa, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson

Substitutes: Aaron Finch, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Daniel Sams

NOTE: We might not always be able to tip you off about a late injury (or other relevant) updates.

Captain: Kane Williamson
Williamson scored a stroke-filled 53 from 35 deliveries in the second T20I. He has multiple gears anyway, and is a safe fantasy pick especially at home. He averages 41.72 and scores six runs more than his career strike rate, at 131. 69.

Vice-captain: Glenn Maxwell
Maxwell does not fail too often for Australia in the shortest format. So, although he has made just four runs in the tour so far, he is due for a big score. Maxwell's strike rate of 156.86 in this format along with three centuries makes him a key player in this line-up. If Australia have to stay alive in the series then Maxwell is key.

Hot picks
Mitchell Santner: Santner leads the wicket-taking charts with five wickets and also has the second-best economy rate going at just eight runs per over. The Australians have struggled against spin in the past and have lost wickets to Ish Sodhi and Santner in the first two T20Is. Santner should fetch points through wickets or his economy.

Martin Guptill: Guptill had been out of form for a while but got back his rhythm by scoring 97 runs from 50 balls with eight sixes in the previous game. If Guptill can keep his form going, he will be very useful in your fantasy team. He scores big and scores fast. There is a good chance we will be in for a high-scoring game and Guptill could be instrumental in making that happen.

Value picks
Kane Richardson: Death bowlers are usually good for fantasy teams. Although Richardson has been expensive, he has a knack for picking up wickets with his variations. He took 3 for 43 in the previous game bowling some tight death overs.

Devon Conway: Conway was the pick of the batsmen in the first game scoring an unbeaten 99. He did not get much of an opportunity in the second game coming lower down the order. However, if there are a few early wickets, Conway could be vital for New Zealand. He has scored five fifty-plus scores in his last six innings, with three scores in the 90s. He could be a value pick.