John Cowen, who has schizophrenia, to remain in hospital for ‘indefinite duration’ after attack on player at tournament A former Countdown champion has been detained in a hospital for treatment after attacking a rival player with a knife during a tournament. Preston crown court heard that John Cowen, 31, ran across a room in Blackpool to attack a fellow player, Thomas Carey, before being restrained by attenders. The space had been hosting a Focal Countdown Group event, where former Countdown champions and contestants faced fans in spelling and number challenges. Continue reading...

* 1st Test D1: England 172; Australia 123-9 * Hosts close 49 behind after ball-dominated day in Perth The opening day of this Ashes series has set an absurdly high bar for what is to come. England played their supporters back at home, a collapse to 172 all out like waking up to a horse’s head in the bed, only for Ben Stokes and his stable of quicks to deliver a more telling statement of their own. If they did not know it before, Australia are now well aware that this is a very different England side to those of the past. The fast forward but fragile batting was a known quantity, granted. But it now comes with a pool of high-octane seamers who will test techniques and tickers in equal measure. Continue reading...