BBC Midlands Today

England's second Test match against New Zealand at Edgbaston is expected to be watched today by 18,000 spectators.

Image source, PA Media

Measures are in place to protect fans who will have to show a negative Covid test from the past 24 hours.

The ground is at 70% capacity as part of the government's pilot scheme to get crowds back in for live events.

Stuart Cain, chief executive of Warwickshire County Cricket Club, says their ground has a "unique atmosphere" for the national team.

"To be able to get 18,000 people in for this Test really will help England and start demonstrating again what live events look like and how good an English summer can be when you have got full stadiums again," he said.

People living in parts of Cheshire are being urged to have a Covid-19 test after an "alarming" rise in cases in the area.

Image source, PA Media

The increase in Crewe and Macclesfield is being largely driven by the so-called Indian variant, now named the Delta by the World Health Organization, Cheshire East Council said., external

Every person over the age of 18 in the two towns are being asked by the authority to have a test, even if they do not have symptoms.

Mobile testing units have been set up in Middlewich, Holmes Chapel and Wilmslow while the council highlighted local testing sites in Macclesfield and Crewe.

BBC Sport

Image source, PA Media

Aston Villa's Jack Grealish says his footballing career has been building towards a major tournament with England at Euro 2020.

England play their first game on Sunday at 14:00 BST at Wembley against Croatia, which Grealish says will be "unbelievable" and his family is "so excited already".

"It'll be a great feeling for them to watch me at a major tournament," he says.

"Hopefully I get on the pitch and express myself at some point and make them proud."

The 25-year-old has won seven caps since making his England debut in September.

You might get the chance to witness some of a solar eclipse this morning.

Image source, Getty Images

Today's event is termed an annular eclipse, with the Moon moving across the face of the Sun but not completely blocking out the light coming from it.

While the best of the action will be witnessed in the Arctic, the West Midlands region will see about 20% of the Sun eclipsed at some time between 11:00 and 11:30 BST.

As ever, the advice is not to try to look at the Sun with the naked eye. This can do severe damage.

Anyone gazing skyward should only do so with the aid of protective viewing equipment, such as approved eclipse glasses or a pinhole projector.

BBC Weather

There'll be a mix of sunny spells and patchy cloud today and we could see the odd shower drifting in at times. A gentle breeze and a high of 23C (73F).

It will stay largely dry tonight with clear spells, but again there could be the odd spot of light rain. Low: 15C (59F).

You can get a latest forecast for your area by going to the BBC Weather website.

Christopher Wright says he longs to regain enough movement to hold hands with his wife.

Worcestershire hold Notts to a last-ball tie, after Liam Livingstone-inspired Lancashire win the first game of the 2021 T20 Blast.

One is found guilty of murder and two are convicted of manslaughter following Shane Mayer's death.

West Midlands Ambulance service says it is facing unprecedented delays outside hospitals.

Benjamin Monk's apparent memory loss about events surrounding the death is "convenient", jury told.

BBC Four

The story of Coventry Cathedral during and after World War Two will be told in a new documentary on BBC Four on Wednesday night.

In November 1940, German bombers destroyed much of the city centre and reduced the city’s medieval cathedral to rubble.

Just 22 years later, in May 1962, a new cathedral designed by Basil Spence was consecrated on the site and is recognised today as one of Britain‘s greatest post-war buildings.

Building for a New Britain will start at 21:00 and feature rarely seen archive film.

Abdi Mohamed was found with serious neck injuries and died in hospital, police say.

Nathan Batha was eventually brought to a halt with the help of a police stinger.

Nathan Batha sped along the M6 in Cheshire at more than 150mph and through Warrington at 100mph.

A virtual event is being held for residents living near a quarry blighted by smell.

Residents in Silverdale, Staffordshire, have been campaigning for action at Walleys Quarry.

It is currently being monitored by the Environment Agency.

The Environment Agency is hosting a virtual community event tonight between 18:00 to 20:00.

It says residents will be able to ask questions about its regulation of the quarry.

The taster sessions' organiser says golf courses are normally among sport's least accessible places.

The 28-year-old woman from Coventry set off on Tuesday and was rescued near Minehead the same day.