The action on the sports field got that much more intense in the last week when England took on arch-rivals Australia in the 2nd Ashes Test at Lord's. Australia, led by century-maker Steve Smith, crushed England to level the series 1-1.
On the tennis court, Davis Cup saw players play for the pride of their nations, and Andy Murray and Lleyton Hewitt kept the flags of their respective countries flying high.
The last seven days were action-packed and Rediff.com has the best sports images from the week gone by snapped right here...
![Britain's Andy Murray slips during his Davis Cup doubles match](//im.rediff.com/cricket/2015/jul/21photos-murray.jpg?w=670&h=900)
Britain's Andy Murray slips during his doubles match against France in the Davis Cup World Group quarter-final at the Queen's Club in London on Saturday, July 18. Photograph: Andrew Boyers/Action Images via Reuters
![Dashalia Mendoza of Ecuador falls off her horse in the modern pentathlon during the 2015 Pan Am Games at Pan Am Aquatics UTS Centre and Field House in Toronto, Ontario on Saturday, July 18. Photograph: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters](//im.rediff.com/cricket/2015/jul/21photos-horsey.jpg?w=670&h=900)
Ecuador's Dashalia Mendoza falls off her horse in the modern pentathlon during the 2015 Pan Am Games at Pan Am Aquatics UTS Centre and Field House in Toronto, Ontario on Saturday, July 18. Photograph: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
![Australia celebrate after winning the second Ashes Test at Lord's on Sunday](//im.rediff.com/cricket/2015/jul/21photos-ashes.jpg?w=670&h=900)
Australia celebrate after winning the second Ashes Test at Lord's on Sunday, July 19. Photograph: Philip Brown/Reuters
United States'Serena Williams and Serbia's Novak Djokovic dance on stage at the Wimbledon Champions Dinner at the Guild Hall in London on Sunday, July 12. Photograph: Thomas Lovelock - AELTC Pool/Getty Images
![South Africa's Springboks Lock Eben Etzebeth scores a try as Australia's Wallabies Adam Ashley-Cooper attempts to tackle him during their Rugby Championship match in Brisbane, on Saturday, July 18](//im.rediff.com/cricket/2015/jul/21photos-rugby.jpg?w=670&h=900)
South Africa's Springboks Lock Eben Etzebeth scores a try as Australia's Wallabies Adam Ashley-Cooper attempts to tackle him during their Rugby Championship match in Brisbane, on Saturday, July 18. Photograph: Jason Reed/Reuters
![Ethiopia's Genzebe Dibaba celebrates her victory and a new world record in the 1500 meters women event at the IAAF Diamond League Herculis meeting at the Louis II Stadium in Monaco, on Friday, July 17](//im.rediff.com/cricket/2015/jul/21photos-dibaba.jpg?w=670&h=900)
Ethiopia's Genzebe Dibaba celebrates her victory and a new world record in the 1500 meters women event at the IAAF Diamond League Herculis meeting at the Louis II Stadium in Monaco, on Friday, July 17. Photograph: Jean-Pierre Amet/Reuters
![Image: Caroline Wozniacki (left) with skier Lindsey Vonn at the 2015 ESPY Awards, at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Thursday, July 16](//im.rediff.com/cricket/2015/jul/21photos-espy.jpg?w=670&h=900)
Danish tennis star Caroline Wozniacki (left) with skier Lindsey Vonn at the 2015 ESPY Awards, at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Thursday, July 16. Photograph: Twitter.
American golfer Jordan Spieth retrieves his ball from the Swilcan Burn on the first hole during a practice round ahead of the British Open golf championship on the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland, on Wedneday, July 15. Photograph: Lee Smith/Reuters
![Back Row (Left to Right): Isabelle Platt, partner of Mitchell Marsh, Jessica Johnson, wife of Mitchell Johnson, Melissa Waring, partner of Nathan Lyon, Dani Willis, partner of Steve Smith, Kyly Clarke, wife of Michael Clarke, and Kristy Voges, wife of Adam Voges. (Front row Left-Right) Bec O'Donovan, wife of Shaun Marsh, Sam Nelson, fiance of Peter Nevill and Cherie Harris, wife of Ryan Harris holding their son Carter, pose on Day 1 of the 2nd Ashes Test match at Lord's Cricket Ground on Wednesday, July 16](//im.rediff.com/cricket/2015/jul/21photos-wags-ashes.jpg?w=670&h=900)
Back Row (Left to Right): Isabelle Platt, partner of Mitchell Marsh, Jessica Johnson, wife of Mitchell Johnson, Melissa Waring, partner of Nathan Lyon, Dani Willis, partner of Steve Smith, Kyly Clarke, wife of Michael Clarke, and Kristy Voges, wife of Adam Voges. (Front row Left-Right) Bec O'Donovan, wife of Shaun Marsh, Sam Nelson, fiance of Peter Nevill and Cherie Harris, wife of Ryan Harris holding their son Carter, pose on Day 1 of the 2nd Ashes Test match at Lord's Cricket Ground on Wednesday, July 16. Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
![Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt and Sam Groth do the chest-bump as they celebrate winning their doubles at the Davis Cup World Group quarter-final against Kazakhstan on Friday, Friday 17](//im.rediff.com/cricket/2015/jul/21photos-chest-hewitt.jpg?w=670&h=900)
Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt and Sam Groth do the chest-bump as they celebrate winning their doubles at the Davis Cup World Group quarter-final against Kazakhstan on Friday, Friday 17. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images