Harry Brook, England's vice-captain, says that his team's hopes of combatting India's spin bowlers in the first T20I were hampered by an unusual but familiar foe to English touring sides - a thick layer of smog hanging over the ground in Kolkata.

Harry Brook believes thick Kolkata smog contributed to England’s hapless display against spin in the opening T20 against India.

England’s Harry Brook has acknowledged the challenges he faced against spin in the first T20I against India, but also pointed to the “smog” in Kolkata as a factor in England’s underwhelming batting performance during their seven-wicket defeat.

The Bank of England must contend with a slowdown in Britain's economy but also stubborn inflation pressures when it considers whether to cut interest rates in early February as well as its message about the outlook for the rest of the year.

A weaker UK economy is expected to prompt the Bank of England to accelerate interest rate cuts; Goldman Sachs predicts up to six reductions by the end of next year. The investment bank’s analysts think that as inflationary pressures continue and economic growth slows,

Markets are greatly underestimating the likelihood that the Bank of England will need to speed up the pace of interest rate cuts, Goldman Sachs has argued. They forecast that UK interest rates could drop to 3.

Brydon Carse will replace Gus Atkinson for England's second T20 International against India on Saturday while Jamie Smith has also been added to the squad.

England's heaviest defeats in terms of balls remaining in T20Is: Not making excuses but lots of Indian mis-hits have landed safely so the score might have been less one sided had we been luckier in that regard. A top-edge pull from Tilak Varma off Mark Wood flies past Phil Salt. India have won by seven wickets with a whopping 43 balls to spare.

Follow live coverage of India vs England from the England in India 2025 today. The ICC Test Championship sees nine teams compete across a two-year cycle of matches before a two-team final decides the winner.

Teenager Rocky Flintoff, son of former England all-rounder Andrew, scores a century for England Lions in Australia.