replacements

Wimbledon has opened its doors once again, but one familiar face won’t be returning

A familiar face won’t be returning to Wimbledon this year.

Thousands of tennis fans will flock to SW19 over the next two weeks as the Wimbledon Championships begin for another year.

Isa Guha returned to host the early morning BBC coverage on Monday (June 29), where she was joined by Tim Henman and Anne Keothavong. Sadly, one BBC legend won’t be joining them as part of the broadcaster’s coverage this year.

Carol Kirkwood, who usually covers the weather throughout the Championships, will not be on screen this year, after she stepped down from her role at BBC Breakfast back in April.

After an impressive 28-year career, Carol announced her retirement to focus on her marriage and travelling the world.

Isa paid tribute to Carol just minutes into Wimbledon’s coverage on Monday, saying: “Now, this is normally the time in the show that we head across to Carol Kirkwood for a British weather update, especially here in the sunshine.

“It would have been great to see her, but after 28 years on BBC Breakfast, Carol has moved on. So, we wish you all the best, Carol. Hopefully you’ve got your feet up on the sofa with a cup of tea to enjoy the tennis this week.”

Confirming Carol’s replacements, Isa continued: “Of course, there isn’t one presenter who could replace Carol, so we’re going to have a selection of BBC weather’s finest over the two weeks, including today with Matt Taylor.

“Welcome along, Matt. How is it looking today, and for the rest of the fortnight?”

Matt, who was stationed outside the training courts, then said: “Morning Isa. Absolute pleasure to be here, even if we are missing Carol. But I suspect eagle-eyed viewers may be able to spot her in the crowd somewhere today indulging in a love of tennis right here at Wimbledon itself.

“For her, for the crowds, also those warming up behind me, almost perfect conditions – certainly compared to the heat and humidity last week.”

As Carol enjoys the tennis, she will be replaced by a rotating roster of BBC weather stars, which is likely to include Sarah Keith-Lucas, Elizabeth Rizzini, Tomasz Schafernaker, and Helen Willetts.

There’s lots to look forward to at Wimbledon this year, as US icon Serena Williams is set to make a blockbuster singles comeback after four years away from the sport. She will also resume her iconic doubles pairing with her older sister, Venus.

British legend Andy Murray is also back at the scene of one of his greatest triumphs as part of Jack Draper’s coaching team.

Novak Djokovic is still chasing his elusive record 25th Grand Slam title, where he will face stiff competition from current World Number One Jannik Sinner.

Coverage of Wimbledon will air on BBC One and BBC Two, as well as being available to stream on BBC iPlayer

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) could decide to alter the regulations around replacements after the first block of County Championship fixtures is concluded. Each team has two more games before the competition breaks for the T20 Blast.

During those two rounds of matches, match referees will speak to the directors of cricket at the 18 counties to gain feedback on the trial. The ECB wrote to counties this week to confirm they will be consulted.

The governing body has stressed that the new regulations are a trial, and it will learn each time the rules are applied. The protocols for selecting a replacement player are not new – substitutions for concussions and cases of Covid were in place before this season.

The International Cricket Council has permitted trials for injury replacements to take place in domestic cricket, with India and Australia implementing their own versions.

Though Anderson admits his team would have been left short of fit players against both Gloucestershire and Durham had replacements not been permitted, he said he was “leaning towards” scrapping injury replacements.

The 43-year-old is the most successful seam bowler in Test history, with 704 wickets.

Anderson suggested he would not ever be permitted to come into a game as an injury replacement, because he would always be more experienced than the player he would be replacing.

“It basically means I’ve got to play every game,” said Anderson.

“There’s no point me resting, because I can’t then come into a game – I can’t be a replacement, ever. If I get injured, I get injured. There’s more chance of me getting injured if I try to play every game.

“I can be replaced, because no one in our squad has the same experience, but I could never replace someone else.”