Your Guardian sport weekend: England face the Pumas, F1 in Vegas and the north London derby

The NWSL Championship final between Washington Spirit and Gotham FC is underway, with the match taking place in San Jose, California. The game has been delayed, with the national anthem yet to be performed as of 5:10 PM Pacific time. Both teams have a history of championship success, with the Spirit winning in 2021 and Gotham in 2023.

The partnership between Disney and Formula One (F1) marks a significant transformation in the sport's presence in the United States. The Las Vegas Grand Prix showcased this change, with Disney characters like Mickey Mouse and Goofy engaging fans in the pit lane. The success of F1 in the U.S., now hosting three sellout races, highlights the sport's growing popularity and Disney's strategic involvement, reflecting a notable shift in the American sports landscape.

Premier League clubs are now prohibited from selling hotels or their women's teams to circumvent spending regulations. This decision follows a meeting where 14 out of 20 clubs voted in favor of implementing a squad cost ratio (SCR) system, replacing the previous profitability and sustainability rules. The clubs also rejected controversial anchoring plans aimed at financial adjustments.

England's cricket team showcased a dominant performance against Australia, highlighted by Mark Wood's impactful bowling after Jofra Archer's departure. Despite initial setbacks, including Zak Crawley's early wicket, the match evolved into an entertaining spectacle with 19 wickets falling, reflecting the high stakes of the Ashes series.

Brydon Carse praised England's pace attack following a dramatic first day of the Ashes series in Perth, where 19 wickets fell, leaving Australia 49 runs behind with nine wickets down. England was bowled out for 172, with Mitchell Starc taking seven wickets for 58 runs. Despite the underwhelming total, Carse noted the positive atmosphere in the England dressing room, particularly under captain Ben Stokes.

The England cricket team, under New Zealand coach Brendon McCullum, is adopting an aggressive playing style known as 'Bazball' as they aim to reclaim the Ashes from Australia for the first time in a decade. This strategy marks a significant shift in their approach to the historic rivalry.

Updates from Perth indicate that England won the toss and chose to bat in the first Test of the Ashes series against Australia. The match marks the beginning of a highly anticipated cricket rivalry, with Jake Weatherald set to debut for Australia. Pre-match banter has intensified, particularly involving former England spinner Monty Panesar and Australian captain Steve Smith.

On the first day of the Ashes Test in Perth, Australia, Mitchell Starc delivered an outstanding performance, taking five wickets as England struggled to reach 161 runs for the loss of seven wickets. This match marks the beginning of a highly anticipated series between the two cricketing rivals.