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Three consecutive sixes spanked off the bowling of Gudakesh Motie will have had the England coach purring before Smith dropped one inside the ropes to the biggest boundary and into the hands of Shimron Hetmyer.

Yet having been on the ropes for so long, the Sharks hit back with virtually their first visit to the Leicester line when a spell of pressure ended with Ford feeding du Preez's run under the posts.

Still Bristol had Bath on the ropes at both ends.

As the British heavyweight prepares for arguably the toughest test of his career on Saturday, there is another monumental challenge waiting for him outside the ropes - becoming a father.

The Yankees quickly put the Dodgers on the ropes with a messy first inning, scoring one and loading the bases on, among other jabs, two walks and a wild throw home from left fielder Andy Pages.