England’s World Cup media centre is proving right up the players’ alley, with Gary Cahill hitting the target on the darts as team-mates went bowling.

After years of tension between press and players, Gareth Southgate has been keen for his squad to embrace a relaxed, open relationship with journalists.

Last week’s Super Bowl-style media day epitomised that approach, as did the way players took to their first media duties at the Cronwell Park hotel in Repino.

England – FIFA World Cup 2018 – Media Activity – 14th June
Kieran Trippier took the chance to test out his bowling skills (Owen Humphreys/PA)

No sooner had the players arrived together at the media centre that Jesse Lingard, Kieran Trippier and Trent Alexander-Arnold tested out the bowling alley.

The media centre includes a pool table, table football, air hockey and even a PlayStation with FIFA18 on it, but it was the chance to take to the alley that took the players’ fancy.

However, England will be hoping to have a better strike rate in Monday’s Group G opener against Tunisia.

Several attempts ended in the gutter as Lingard looked the most impressive, while Cahill proved a dab hand at the oche.

After players batted back questions at Euro 2016 about the team’s darts tournament to the chagrin of some reporters, the centre-back took on a journalist in a darts challenge.

Cahill comfortably rose to the occasion, raising his arms in the air after sealing victory. The pair shared a sporting handshake afterwards.