concerns

Gus Atkinson added to England’s injury problems when he left the field on the second morning of the fourth Ashes Test against Australia.

Pace bowler Atkinson felt his left hamstring after the final ball of the fourth over he bowled on Saturday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

England said the 27-year-old felt some “soreness” and would spend time off the field in order to be assessed “over the next few hours”.

The final Test of the series in Sydney begins on Sunday, 4 January (23:30 GMT on 3 January).

England have already lost fast bowlers Mark Wood to a knee injury and Jofra Archer to a side strain on this Ashes tour.

Matthew Fisher was called up as cover for Wood. Fisher and Matthew Potts are the two England seamers yet to feature in the series.

Atkinson struggled in the opening two Tests of the tour, managing only three wickets.

He was left out of the third Test in Adelaide, then recalled for the Boxing Day match in Melbourne as Archer’s replacement.

Surrey’s Atkinson improved at the MCG, taking two wickets in Australia’s first innings, then making 28 with the bat as one of just three England players to reach double figures.

After bowling one over in Australia’s second innings at the end of the first day, he returned on Saturday morning and had nightwatchman Scott Boland caught behind.

However, at the end of the fifth over of his spell, he bowled a slower ball to Travis Head and immediately felt for his hamstring.

Atkinson left the field and was replaced by substitute Ollie Pope.

Concerns over snow levels for the skiing events at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy have been raised by the president of the International Ski Federation (FIS).

Johan Eliasch highlighted issues with the production of artificial snow, which he said was down to delays with the Italian government releasing funds to organisers.

Livigno Snow Park and Aerials and Moguls Park will be key venues during February’s Winter Olympics.

Livigno mayor Remo Galli has responded to the concerns, stating that the delays were caused by a technical problem.

“We’ll have all the snow we need to have a great Olympics. In fact, we’ll have much more,” Galli told Italian news agency Ansa.

“It was necessary to replace a valve, but it was done within the timeframe, and all the snow guns have been operating for a few evenings.

“We’re doing well, for Livigno and for Italy. And in the next few days, temperatures will drop further, even to 20 below zero, so I’m not at all worried.”

PETER Andre has shared a heartbreaking update on his mother’s health, admitting he worries this Christmas may be her last.

89-year-old Thea, who lives in Australia, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s back in 2023.

Peter has spoken over the last year about his mother’s deteriorating health and the heartache that comes with it.

And in a new interview with OK! Magazine, he admitted: “Of course I worry this could be Mum’s last Christmas.

“She’s very delicate. Her Parkinson’s has progressed quite a bit. Her speech is almost gone. She’ll say a word or two. It’s heartbreaking, because she’s our world, our pillar of strength.”

Peter, who was raised in Australia, often goes back Down Under to visit Thea and his dad Savvas, 92.

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His older sister, Debbie, also resides back home and helps to look after their parents.

Admitting that it’s tough to also see his dad’s health decline with age, the dad-of-five said: “Then I see Dad and he’s 92 and with her every single day. But he’s getting delicate now, too.

“His memory’s going, but I am so grateful that they made that milestone I prayed for – 70 years of marriage in September.”

“It’s a raw pain. I’m a grown man, but I still can’t accept in my heart that these things happen to the people I love the most,” he added.

In September last year, Peter shared a heartwarming clip of his parents to social media as they celebrated their 69th anniversary,

His dad, Savvas, could be seen in the clip bringing wife Thea a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

He wrote at the time: “You inspire me so much mum and dad. Love you so very much.

“My 91-year-old dad giving flowers to my beautiful mum.”

Last year, Peter’s eldest children, 20-year-old Junior and Princess, 18, took a solo trip to visit their grandparents last year.

The holiday fell just days after his wife Emily MacDonagh had given birth to their third child together, Arabella.

The couple also share kids Theo and Amelia, while Peter shares his eldest children with ex-Katie Price.

At the time, the singer shared how proud he was of Princess and Junior for taking the time to visit Emily in hospital after labour before then flying to Austrlia.

He said on Instagram: “Junior and princess. The fact that you drove to Somerset to be with us hours before and the days that followed to see the arrival of your baby sister,”

“AND THEN to get on a plane and travel 12,000 miles to be with your grandmother in a very difficult time for her shows me what beautiful children you are.”