Hamstring injury makes Ashes hero a doubt for second Test so able deputy Bresnan is on standby

It's a big weekend for...

Comeback Kings of Swing

Tiger Woods, who used to be good, and Sergio Garcia, who used to be good, are on the verge of being good again.

Eric Illsley, the first sitting MP to face criminal charges over the expenses scandal, was sentenced to a year in prison yesterday – 24 hours after it was confirmed he had finally quit Parliament. On the same day, the former Labour MP Jim Devine was convicted of fiddling his Commons expenses. He will be sentenced in about four weeks.

David Cameron phoned cricket star Darren Gough to talk to him about becoming a Conservative MP, it was revealed today.

So what has Andrew Flintoff been doing while his old muckers have been winning the Ashes? After a decade of straining every sinew, quite literally, for his country, you might think he would put his feet up. But instead he has entered another world where the capacity to inflict pain is even greater: TV presenting.

If Shane Warne had never been born not only would Liz Hurley be tucked up beside her Gloucestershire fireplace more often but Stuart MacGill would have a lot more Test caps to his name. The former Australian leggie spent a career as Warne's understudy and so knows a thing or two about the watching the art of spin and yesterday he slammed the decision of his country's selectors to call up Michael Beer.

England's unity gives them a slight edge going into the Ashes, according to the former Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist. The 39-year-old – who played in the last two Ashes series Down Under, both of them won by Australia – expects a tight series but he believes England's fastidious preparation for the first Test in Brisbane next week could be crucial as Australia struggle to decide on their best XI.

Former Australia seamer and Pakistan national coach Geoff Lawson has declared his interest in taking over as England fast bowling coach.

Allan Donald has declared his interest in becoming England's next fast bowling coach.

Yorkshire have appointed Andrew Gale as their new captain for next season.

Anthony McGrath has resigned as captain of Yorkshire and is expected to be replaced today by either Andrew Gale or Jacques Rudolph, McGrath's understudy last season.

Former England cricketer and Strictly Come Dancing champ Darren Gough has bowled over his fans to achieve record radio listening figures of more than one million for TalkSport's drivetime show.