Marcus Trescothick marked his return to international cricket with a hundred as England established a promising position on the first day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s. At stumps, England were 318-3, after a day where extraordinary off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, in his first Test at Lord’s, had been the main brake on their progress.

Marcus Trescothick eased himself back into international cricket with an unbeaten 95 as England coasted through the second session of the first day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s on Thursday without losing a wicket. At tea, England were 199-1 with Alastair Cook, in his first Test in England, 44 not out in the opening encounter of a three-match series.

Officials at the International Cricket Council (ICC) called for a ”responsible” reaction to the launch of their new six-year Future Tours Programme unveiled on Tuesday on its website. ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed added: ”The drafting of the new FTP was an incredibly complex process involving two years of analysis and 10 drafts.

Tottenham Hotspur have tried to keep their bid for Champions League football next season alive by asking the Premier League for a replay of their match against West Ham after several of their players were struck down by food poisoning on the morning of the game. Tottenham lost the end-of-season match 2-1 at Upton Park on Sunday.

Steve McClaren was named as the new England manager, in succession to Sven-Goran Eriksson, by the Football Association on Thursday. The Middlesbrough manager, currently Eriksson’s deputy in the England set-up, will take over from the Swede following the World Cup finals in Germany and will take up his new role from August 1 on a four-year contract.

Sven-Goran Eriksson is to leave his post as England coach after the World Cup finals in Germany later this year, the Football Association announced. The Swede’s contract does not expire until 2008, but he has recently been at the centre of a series of embarrassing newspaper revelations.

Leroy Lita’s hat-trick inspired Championship leaders Reading to knock Premiership side West Brom out of the FA Cup 3-2 after extra time in a thrilling third-round replay at the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday. Tamworth came close to knocking out Championship side Stoke City before losing 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out.

Birmingham City may already have played a decisive role in the Premiership title race following their 2-2 draw with Manchester United but that won’t stop Steve Bruce’s men from further trying to influence matters at the top of the table when they take on leaders Chelsea on Saturday.

Arsenal came back from the brink of a League Cup exit against League One Doncaster to win 3-1 in a penalty shoot-out at Belle Vue on Wednesday and book their place in this season’s semifinals. Relieved Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hinted he might change his policy of fielding under-strength sides in the League Cup.