The Sport Matrix: Wednesday 25 February 2015

A joyous 200 for England’s Edwards

Charlotte Edwards celebrated her 200th match as captain of England women with a five-wicket win over New Zealand that sealed a 2-1 Twenty20 international series victory in Lincoln.

Edwards, who officially took charge of the team in 2006, made just five from nine balls on her landmark appearance, but England chased down a modest victory target of 98 at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval.

The 35-year-old was bowled by Lea Tahuhu, who also accounted for fellow opener Heather Knight (26) and Sarah Taylor (20) which left the tourists on 55 for three.

Natalie Sciver (16) and Lydia Greenway (25) put on what would prove to be a decisive stand of 38 for the fourth wicket, Katherine Brunt thumped a six to get England over the line with eight balls to spare.

Edwards said: “I’m really proud of the way of the way we played and to win in a convincing manner was really pleasing.”

Mayweather slaps down Amir Khan

Floyd Mayweather has dismissed Amir Khan’s claims that his much-anticipated fight with Manny Pacquaio will be boring and offered the British fighter a ticket to watch the bout.

Khan also suggested Mayweather and Pacquaio were past their peak. Mayweather said: “I am touched Amir is concerned. I can get him a ticket to see what the biggest fight in the history of boxing looks like.”

Swansea to probe Van Gaal ‘insult’

Swansea City could take action against club director John van Zweden over remarks he reportedly made about Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal. Van Zweden is said to have called his countryman an “arrogant b*****d” on Dutch television.

Wiggins leads Sky team at Belgium

Sir Bradley Wiggins will head Team Sky’s line-up at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, the Belgian curtain raiser to Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne, on Saturday. The 34-year-old will tackle the race with Bernhard Eisel, Andy Fenn, Christian Knees, Salvatore Puccio, Luke Rowe, Ian Stannard and Chris Sutton. The 200.2km race is the first step in Wiggins’s build-up to Paris-Roubaix on 12 April – his final outing for Sky.

We’re counting on Conti, says Nicholls

The trainer Paul Nicholls says Silviniaco Conti is in better shape than last year as he heads into the final days of his preparation for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The nine-year-old was second favourite for the Festival feature last year but had to settle for fourth. Nicholls said: “He looks better than he did this time last year. He has been out [yesterday] and done a piece of hard work, which we were very happy with.”