is our responsibility to reduce our impact on the planet as much as possible. welcome along, thank you forjoining us. we start tonight with netball — because england are looking to win their first quad series title this evening. they're playing australia in the final at the copper box in london and our reporter emily croyden is there for us. good evening, emily. before we jump into the final, england played australia last night, england are no strangers to drama — and incredible scenes last night against australia?— and incredible scenes last night against australia? they won the commonwealth _ against australia? they won the commonwealth games - against australia? they won the commonwealth games gold - against australia? they won the commonwealth games gold on | against australia? they won the i commonwealth games gold on the against australia? they won the - commonwealth games gold on the final whistle in 2019 and last night had trails about, they were trailing the diamonds by six going into the final quarter, and helen helsby, the same who scored the winner four years ago, put in an equaliser to make it 48 all. there were lots of uncharacteristic errors, a real lack of flow in the attacking end in particular so they will hope to use the momentum they gained yesterday going into a team that despite all of these incredible moments, they have only actually beaten seven times in their history. england's head coachjess thirlby says, "they're trying to disrupt the world order of netball" — what have you made of them during the quad series? this is exactly the sort of language we were hearing from england in 2018 off the back of a commonwealth games victory, they were beaten by an inspired new zealand in the semifinals of the world cup and due to covid that have not been many games between these teams, yesterday was the first between england and australia for three years so it is only in the next six months also that one will get a picture of whether the balance of power has genuinely shifted, but performance —wise i think england were excellent against south africa, pretty good against south africa, pretty good against new zealand but not on top form against australia last night. so plenty of room for improvement, that could be a problem for australia particularly because they will know they dominated the match last night and they could not see it out, their body language at the end of the match last night really gave away that they were wounded like that. i suspect england with the momentum behind them should see a cleaner and more consistent performance tonight. heading into the commonwealth _ performance tonight. heading into the commonwealth games - performance tonight. heading into the commonwealth games in - the commonwealth games in birmingham, england winning that last gasp, are you looking to these two to potentially be in the commonwealth games final this summer in birmingham? i commonwealth games final this summer in birmingham?— in birmingham? i think it is still uuite in birmingham? i think it is still quite difficult _ in birmingham? i think it is still quite difficult to _ in birmingham? i think it is still quite difficult to say, _ in birmingham? i think it is still quite difficult to say, up - in birmingham? i think it is still quite difficult to say, up until i quite difficult to say, up until this tournament we had no clue what kind of form australia were in because they played so wee due to the pandemic, but their heavy defeat to world champions new zealand in the first round of matches really showed what they are all about. england have had arguably the best preparation for these games, they won against new zealand for the first time in september and they beatjamaica in a series, the coach, jess thirlby, might not say this, but i think women getting their hands on this quad series title for the first time tonight could be huge for their confidence because knabl take huge momentum into the home commonwealth games, and if the world cup in liverpool is anything to go by, the support would be huge. the third—place play—off is going on behind you, england against australia is at 7:30pm, commentary on 5 live sports extra. thank you, emily. next to the ausralian 0pen tennis — where it's been a good day for great britian�*s doubles players. in the singles draw no major upsets today with wins for former champions naomi osaka and rafa nadal as well as for the home favourite ash barty and for alexader zverev, who's chasing his first grand slam title. i've been getting the thoughts of our tennis commentator jonathan 0verend. the top quarter of the women's draw is completely stacked, wimbledon champion ash barty had a straight sets comfortable win over night, barely dropping a game in the tournament so far. naomi 0saka had a few problems in the second set with madison brengle but looked as if she is the circle of a year ago, which is the circle of a year ago, which is fantastic because she is the defending champion in australia but she had problems at the french open when she felt the need to step away from the spotlight and the sport, but it seems to have really refreshed her and some of her play will be really dangerous for the rest of the field. but, and it is quite a big but, her next opponent is amanda anisimova, a big hitting playerfrom the united is amanda anisimova, a big hitting player from the united states, is amanda anisimova, a big hitting playerfrom the united states, and to think that 0saka might need to beat anisimova, ben pattie and then potentially maria solskjaer from greece, another grand slam semifinalists, that is a difficult run at this stage of the grand slam. the men's draw is open too, rough and adele the only one of the big three that it's like, he has had his injury issues and covid that you can never rule him out —— the only one of the big three that is the djokovic, 21 grand slam titles, but it's the number that nadal is going for. �* ., , ., ., it's the number that nadal is going for. �* ., y., ., ,:: it's the number that nadal is going for. ., ., ,:: for. but only one of his 20 grand slam titles _ for. but only one of his 20 grand slam titles in _ for. but only one of his 20 grand slam titles in australia, - slam titles in australia, remarkable. the two other men who have won australian open titles in his rivalry, djokovic and federer, they are not in melbourne, i am surprised more people are not talking about him. he has grand slam winning pedigree, seemingly good fitness at the moment, everybody seems to be backing medvedev, i can understand why, he is the us open champion and the highest ranked player in thejob champion and the highest ranked player in the job that nadal is at the bottom in a reasonably comfortable section, his next game will be tough and that he might play last year's semifinalist after that, but i think nadal should be aiming for the semifinals at least. and? for the semifinals at least. andy murra , for the semifinals at least. andy murray. emma _ for the semifinals at least. andy murray, emma raducanu, - for the semifinals at least. andy murray, emma raducanu, heather watson and dan evans all in action tomorrow. who do you expect to go the furthest from those four? it will be particularly exciting about breakfast time in the uk tomorrow because murray and roger carney could be on simultaneously, we are being spoilt, we will not know where to look —— murray and raducanu. murray has a good chance against the japanese qualifier, and emma raducanu, how she played against sloane stephens in herfirst grand slam match since winning the us open, if she can continue that 0pen, if she can continue that form she has every chance of winning that second match and making progress, they should both be thinking about making the second week, and the raducanu is seated, a grand slam champion, should there be any reason why she should not have high expectations? i will not say she will be an expert she should be thinking about going deep into the second week. thinking about going deep into the second week-— a big day of tennis ahead tomorrow. it's a big night in the fa women's league cup with all four quarterfinals taking place this evening. the record five—time winners arsenal are playing manchester united, and our reporter vicky sparks is at meadow park. iam here i am here at the home of arsenal women, the most decorated side in english women's football history, up against manchester united he was still looking for the first major trophy in their history, this has all the ingredients to be a mouthwatering clash because it believed there only four points between them, arsenal top of the wsl table and manchester united in third. arsenal won 2—0 at united at the end of november, but since then manchester united have been a great form, winning their last four in all competitions without conceding a single goal. arsenal, and this is unusualfor single goal. arsenal, and this is unusual for them, single goal. arsenal, and this is unusualforthem, have single goal. arsenal, and this is unusualfor them, have really unusual for them, have really started unusualfor them, have really started of late, losing four of their last five and last time out they suffered the shock of the wsl season, losing 2— bottom club birmingham, a result which manchester united will certainly take a lot of confidence from. kick—off is at 7:15pm, commentary on bbc radio 5 live. in the women's league cup quarterfinals elsewhere, chelsea, whose manager emma hayes has been named the best women's coach of the 2021, are against west ham, man city take on last year's fighters bristol city, what are two championship clubs left in the competition. the other one are liverpool, they lead the second tier and arab against high—flying tottenham. we must have results on the night, extra time and penalties could beckon.— the night, extra time and penalties could beckon. ., . , ~ could beckon. those matches kick off auainst could beckon. those matches kick off a . ainst the could beckon. those matches kick off against the sporty — could beckon. those matches kick off against the sporty five _ could beckon. those matches kick off against the sporty five minutes. - —— in the next 45 minutes. no details have been revealed over which arsenal player is being looked out over unusual betting patterns but the fa were contacted. we will stay with arsenal. mikel arteta says arsenal "did the right thing" requesting the postponement of last weekend's north london derby against tottenham, because they didn't have enough players. spurs boss antonio conte called the decision strange and said games should only be called off because of covid cases, not for injuries or players away on international duty. we didn't have the players necessary to compete in a premier league match, that is 100% guaranteed. this is a no—win situation. when we played the first three games of the season when lots of teams were postponing matches, we played and we tried to play, we were killed, we were told don't be naive, if you have that many players out, don't play with your kids. then we postponed the match for all the right reasons, believe me, 18 came to us and said we cannot play and these are the reasons, it has to be postponed —— at team came to us. we have never publicly questioned any of this, we would defend our club tooth and nail and we will not have anybody damaging our name or trying to lie about something that did not occur. if we made mistakes we will put our hands up, but we will define our club really strongly.— our club really strongly. arsenal -la our club really strongly. arsenal play liverpool— our club really strongly. arsenal play liverpool in _ our club really strongly. arsenal play liverpool in the _ our club really strongly. arsenal play liverpool in the league - our club really strongly. arsenan play liverpool in the league cup tomorrow night. tottenham do get to play tonight, they're away at leicester. spurs are currently four points off west ham in fourth, but have four games in hand. in the other game manchester united, with just one win in their last four league games, are at brentford. united's interim coach ralph rangnick has been speaking about his england forward jadon sancho, who missed out on first team action yet again at aston villa on saturday, while one of united's academy graduates started. the manager says sancho, who moved from borussia dortmund in the summer, is still getting used to new expectations. it isa it is a difference if you come as an 18—year—old unknown english talented boy to the rosia dortmund, from then on you can only improve, you can only make a success —— to the rescheduled mentor. the level of success and expectation was low. compared to coming to a club like manchester united for a high transfer fee with a high level of expectation. this is psychologically and emotionally more challenging than the one he had adornment, this is exactly those kind of steps he has to make to become a top player for the next ten years for this club. for more football news, check out the football news show, which is available to watch right now, on the bbc iplayer and bbc sport website. it's one of the biggest shocks in the history of the africa cup of nations — the four—time winners ghana went out last night in the group—stage after losing to comoros, who are playing at their first afcon. tonight mo salah and egypt are looking to avoid a similar exit whilst the high—flying super eagles nigeria are also in action. peter 0kwoche is in the cameroon capital yauonde for us. thank you for being on the programme. we'll get onto tonight's matches, butjust put into context for us that ghana result and what's the reaction to their exit been like? when you look at it from the point of view that ghana are always expected to win any african cup of nations they are involved in, you can see how huge and how big then being eliminated in the first round is. they have not gone out of this stage of the competition since 2006 and it is the first time ever in 22 appearances in this competition that they failed to win a single gain in they failed to win a single gain in the group stages, the backlash back home has been huge, fans calling for the whole team to be disbanded, saying some of them are too old to be in the squad and some saying the code should be sacked. the coach came in yesterday to say, listen, i want tuesday on for the world cup, ghana are still in the play—offs, and see what i can build. lots of backlash, the government is calling for an investigation into why they have done so badly. it has not gone well for ghana, they were beaten on the pitch yesterday and they are being bashed by the funds today. em being bashed by the funds today. an extraordinary statement from the government, which called the performance abysmal. egyptology to avoid any upset. —— each chapter are looking to avoid. egypt come into the match against sudan second in the table following defeat to nigeria, a win over guinea—bissau. what have you made of the team, and salah in particular so far? it isa it is a question we have all asked, we have all scratched our heads and wondered what happened. they were pretournament favourites, we have some really great players in that squad, against nigeria in their first game they were so pedestrian and against guinea—bissau they managed to win, guinea—bissau had a goal disallowed and many of us did not think it should be disallowed but it was ruled as a foul. mohammed salad barely got a touch —— mo salah barely got a touch. he chipped had theirfirst shot on barely got a touch. he chipped had their first shot on target in the 70th minute. but of people are saying they should have enough to beat sudan and progress to the next round. nigeria look to have reclaimed their fear factor — are they the favourites now? ahead of their match against guinea—bissau? ahead of their match against guinea-bissau?— ahead of their match against guinea-bissau? lets not get too has . guinea-bissau? lets not get too hasty- they _ guinea-bissau? lets not get too hasty. they have _ guinea-bissau? lets not get too hasty. they have played - guinea-bissau? lets not get too hasty. they have played two - guinea-bissau? lets not get too - hasty. they have played two games, the first was against egypt's, egypt's very pedestrian, they managed to win that game once, they could have scored two or three. in the second game against sudan, the total of the nigerian team is worth about $200 million. sudan is worth less than five, so putting it in that perspective you have to wait until they start knitting the real guns. they are hoping to be the first team in this tournament to win three games out of three and qualify with nine points, if they do, they will be playing a lot of third—place qualifiers. we might not see the real super eagles but you can only play against who is in front of you and they have played well. i will not be getting — and they have played well. i will not be getting carried _ and they have played well. i will not be getting carried away with them just yet, thank you, peter. time now for some of the day's other sport stories. yorkshire have appointed former west indies all—rounder 0ttis gibson as their new head coach on a three—year deal. gibson will take charge at the end of february and replaces andrew gale, who was sacked during the azeem rafiq racism scandal. apologies, you are seeing the wrong pictures. 0tis kidston will be taking over yorkshire, much controversy over azeem rafiq. this is glenn maxwell breaking a record for the highest individual score in australia's big bash lee, and 154. melbourne stars reached 273—2 and a rightful standing ovation. after an ashes nightmare for england's men in australia, it's now the turn of the women's side who'll be hoping for better. the women's ashes is a multi—format competition — wins mean points, starting with the first of three t20's in adelaide. there's also a test match and two one dayers 0ur cricket reporter henry morean is out there and has been speaking to alex hartley who's also played for england and is part of the bbc commentary team. hello and welcome to adelaide, the ashes roadshow has moved from hobart, we have left the men series until my smart shallots and tasmania, but —— and all my smart sheds in tasmania, in the women's series england are trailing, looking to see if they can regain. alex hartley has played in the ashes of the year in australia, i think it is fair to say australia are favourites but hope for england?— but hope for england? there is alwa s but hope for england? there is always hope. _ but hope for england? there is always hope, england - but hope for england? there is always hope, england lost - but hope for england? there is i always hope, england lost heavily the last time they played an ashes series at home, they have regrouped and are getting ready for tomorrow. you have 3t20s, then a test match and then 31—day internationals. the t20$ and then 31—day internationals. the t20s have been moved to the start of the series, does it help england? —— and then three one—day internationals. if and then three one-day internationals.- and then three one-day internationals. , . , ., internationals. if they had started with a test _ internationals. if they had started with a test match _ internationals. if they had started with a test match it _ internationals. if they had started with a test match it would - internationals. if they had started with a test match it would have i internationals. if they had started i with a test match it would have been difficult, anything can happen in the t20, itjust takes danni wyatt to get a quick 50, or sophie ecclestone, then they are in the games. ecclestone, then they are in the names. �* ~., ., , ecclestone, then they are in the names. �* , ., , ., games. beth mooney has a broken “aw, we exected games. beth mooney has a broken “aw, we expected to — games. beth mooney has a broken “aw, we expected to miss i games. beth mooney has a broken “aw, we expected to miss a i games. beth mooney has a broken “aw, we expected to miss a picture, i games. beth mooney has a broken “aw, we expected to miss a picture, ifi we expected to miss a picture, if not all of the ashes. big advantage for england? _ not all of the ashes. big advantage for england? massive, _ not all of the ashes. big advantage for england? massive, somebody l not all of the ashes. big advantage i for england? massive, somebody else will have to open the batting. i messaged beth mooney to see how she was getting on that she gave me no inkling when she would be back, but she will be out for the t20 blast. this venue always looks wonderful, three g20s, we will hope that the crowds are good and once england dated to the conditions we can help make and make the most of it? both teams less prepared _ make and make the most of it? ifizf7ii�*1 teams less prepared than they make and make the most of it? ifizf7ii�*u teams less prepared than they would like, if england can get off to a flyer it gives them the best chance of winning the ashes.— flyer it gives them the best chance of winning the ashes. australia are the favourites _ of winning the ashes. australia are the favourites but _ of winning the ashes. australia are the favourites but england - of winning the ashes. australia are the favourites but england will i of winning the ashes. australia are the favourites but england will see| the favourites but england will see opportunities in the fact that india came here last winter and really cause problems for australia? it is alwa s cause problems for australia? it is always good _ cause problems foraustralia? it 3 always good being underdogs, when england won the world cup in 2017 they were underdogs going on. we have not had the ashes since 2014 so there is huge pressure, being in australia is always tricky but anything can happen because it is the multiformat series. it is anything can happen because it is the multiformat series.— the multiformat series. it is a brilliant way _ the multiformat series. it is a brilliant way of _ the multiformat series. it is a brilliant way of giving - the multiformat series. it is a brilliant way of giving the i the multiformat series. it is a i brilliant way of giving the ashes, increasingly popular in terms of deciding who wins. it all gets under way early on thursday morning uk time and we are looking forward to bringing it to you on test match special and across the uk. australia have held the ashes for the last three series, whilst england have had covid issues of late. 0pening batter tammy beaumont�*s been telling us about the unusual way they've been preparing. we had to have a low—key christmas with family, make sure they were lateral flowing and everything and we have all had to train as individual since two weeks before we flew, heather knight had her partner batting left—handed so she could get practising, sophia dunkley had her mum feeding the bowling machine and another player got hit by her dad, not ideal preparation, different to normal but we have made you want want to go to canberra there were a couple of days of isolation while we had pcr test results, lots of social distancing, no mixing, no going anywhere indoors or too overcrowded, it has been pretty tough but now we are in adelaide it is all about the business and.— are in adelaide it is all about the business and. scotland have announced their squad for next month's six nations. gregor townsend has named five uncapped players, including saracens back—rower andy christie and london irish scrum—half ben white. once again stuart hogg will captain the side as they hope to repeat last year's victories over england and france and improve on their fourth place finish. rory darge, ben vellacott and kyle rowe are also rewarded with call—ups ahead of scotland's first game against england. veteran fly—halfjohnny sexton will captain ireland for the third successive championship after overcoming ankle and knee issues suffered in november. uncapped backs michael lowry and mack hansen have been named in the 37—man squad. ireland's campaign gets under way against wales in dublin. next tonight, great britain have picked their names for the skeleton at the 2022 winter olympics in china. the team includes laura deas, who won bronze at the 2018 games in pyeongchang. she's been speaking to our sports news correspondent laura scott: the fact that everyone will have had the same number of runs going into the same number of runs going into the olympic games is a real... and exciting opportunity for us, as a nation without a home track at against people that had thousands of runs down those tracks, i think it is really aware that all the things we do really welcome to the four and we do really welcome to the four and we can really outperform any sense. going into pyeongchang, it was my first games, i did not know what was coming or necessarily how to handle it, so lizzie was a massive source of support because she had done it before so i could ask a lot of questions about things and i think i am in that position now where hopefully i can provide support and advice to the other guys. having tasted that once, that moment of glory as it were and all of that hard work coming to fruition, who wouldn't want to taste that again? i wouldn't want to taste that again? i would absolutely love to do that but in these pandemic times more than everi in these pandemic times more than ever i really feel like just getting to the olympic games and becoming an 0lympian or representing your country again for a second time really is an honour in itself and i don't take that for granted and diameter credit excited to see what we can do. —— and i'm incredibly excited to see what we can do. the 50th season of the world rally championship gets under way in monte carlo tomorrow. in arguably the biggest shake—up to the rules for a generation, the sport is embracing more environmentally friendly technology and says things will be more unpredictable than ever. with more on that, and the drivers hoping to end the long wait for a british champion, here's nick parrott. it sounds the same, it looks pretty much the same, but this year's top rally cars are very different underneath the bodywork. they have a boost from a new plug—in hybrid system and will run on fossil free fuel, improving speed and sustainability. we fuel, improving speed and sustainability.— fuel, improving speed and sustainabili . ~ ., ., ~ , sustainability. we have to keep relevant, because _ sustainability. we have to keep relevant, because we _ sustainability. we have to keep relevant, because we are i sustainability. we have to keep| relevant, because we are using, consumers can buy in the showrooms at the technology in those colours in the showrooms is also used by us, so it is key that we follow that trend. if we only stick with combustion engines we all know there is a change on the horizon in terms of the motor industry and we have to reflect on that and keep the sport modern by doing that. we're all very glad we made this first step into the new technology. the glad we made this first step into the new technology.— glad we made this first step into the new technology. the buses are ha . . l the new technology. the buses are happy. but — the new technology. the buses are happy. but what — the new technology. the buses are happy, but what the _ the new technology. the buses are happy, but what the drivers? i the new technology. the buses are happy, but what the drivers? the | happy, but what the drivers? the screen smith is one of two britons in the championship. here's hoping it will pay off. in the championship. here's hoping it will pay off-— it will pay off. everything seems to be workin: it will pay off. everything seems to be working well, _ it will pay off. everything seems to be working well, it _ it will pay off. everything seems to be working well, it is _ it will pay off. everything seems to be working well, it is very - it will pay off. everything seems to be working well, it is very easy i it will pay off. everything seems to be working well, it is very easy to l be working well, it is very easy to drive, _ be working well, it is very easy to drive, we — be working well, it is very easy to drive, we will be a lot more competitive, feeling very confident in our— competitive, feeling very confident in our can — competitive, feeling very confident in our car. we expected to be much closer_ in our car. we expected to be much closer than— in our car. we expected to be much closer than previous years. will not know _ closer than previous years. will not know until — closer than previous years. will not know until around portugal in may, but one _ know until around portugal in may, but one thing we are seeing in monte carlo this _ but one thing we are seeing in monte carlo this week is very dry weather, quite _ carlo this week is very dry weather, quite mild _ carlo this week is very dry weather, quite mild temperatures so the amount— quite mild temperatures so the amount of snow is very minimal, it is more _ amount of snow is very minimal, it is more like — is more like a standard tarmac rally which gives you a good indication of where _ which gives you a good indication of where everybody is on the tarmac in terms _ where everybody is on the tarmac in terms of— where everybody is on the tarmac in terms of performance.— terms of performance. toyota has been dominant, _ terms of performance. toyota has been dominant, the _ terms of performance. toyota has been dominant, the eight - terms of performance. toyota has been dominant, the eight time i been dominant, the eight time champion beat is to make to the last two world titles. although the frenchman will only compete in some of the 13 valleys this season, but the welshman is not getting carried away by the end of their rivalry —— in some of the 13 rallies. flit in some of the 13 rallies. of course it siml in some of the 13 rallies. of course it simply as — in some of the 13 rallies. of course it simply as successful— in some of the 13 rallies. of course it simply as successful as - in some of the 13 rallies. of course it simply as successful as that i in some of the 13 rallies. of course it simply as successful as that is i it simply as successful as that is not competing the full season it is one less person to worry about and it is a positive thing, but in all honesty it is one very small part of what is to come this year and i think we could see it is very challenging, it will be interesting to see how it unfolds.— to see how it unfolds. some new colours on _ to see how it unfolds. some new colours on the _ to see how it unfolds. some new colours on the cards compete i to see how it unfolds. some new colours on the cards compete to| to see how it unfolds. some newl colours on the cards compete to a new era for the sport, but with the nine time champion also making a guest appearance for ford, it is anyone's as he will hit the jackpot in monte carlo. we look forward to that. that is all from beyond the sportsday team for good night. —— thatis sportsday team for good night. —— that is all from me and be sportsday team for now. good night. hello. the return of frost for many this morning, showers will pepper the northern ireland, north—east scotland, snow in places, hill snow out of the showers down north see coastal parts of england. chance of hail and a brisk winter. temperatures at or below freezing in many areas, plus three degrees in belfast and cloud towards north—west scotland. showers in these continue through thursday, becoming confined to lincolnshire and norfolk, the wind gradually eases but there will be a wind chill, three or 4 degrees in some spots. plenty of sunshine elsewhere, clad in northern ireland, temperatures six to nine celsius. where skies are clear on thursday night, a first, some cloud increasing to the north—west. western areas in most of the cloud, the best of any sunny spells in the east and most will be dry. hello, i'm ros atkins, this is 0utside source coming to you live from downing street where the pressure is piling on borisjohnson to quit. "you have sat there too long for all the good you have done. in the name of god, go." doesn't the country deserve so much better than this out of touch, out of control, out of ideas and soon to be out of office prime minister? in a dramatic prime minister's questions, cheers and boos as a conservative mp defects to the opposition. borisjohnson though, is defending his record as prime minister. we have more people in employment and more employees on the payroll now than there were before the pandemic began.