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At The Oval, England are fighting hard on day three of the second Test against New Zealand. Resuming on two hundred and twenty two for six, trailing by a hundred and sixty nine runs, the hosts are leaning on Jordan Cox and the lower order to drag them back into this one. Stokes and Atkinson are absent, out with their counties, which tells you everything about the pressure on those still standing at the crease.
Over in Major League Baseball, the Minnesota Twins appear to be holding onto Byron Buxton as the August third trade deadline approaches. With playoff contention still very much alive, dealing your best player right now would be a gamble too far, and Minnesota seems to know it. Buxton staying put could be the difference between a postseason run and watching October from the couch.
Meanwhile, the San Francisco Giants are open for business, and Matt Chapman could be heading east before the deadline. Two East Coast franchises are circling the third baseman, and with the Giants willing to move high-priced talent, a deal feels closer than it might look. Chapman is the kind of bat that changes a lineup overnight.
That's your play-by-play. Sports Desk, back to the booth.
