Cricket News
Rolling coverage from around the grounds in Div 1 and 2
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[Meanwhile, at Blackpool, Ben Compton goes to his century-warm applause round the ground as he raises his bat to all corner in a window of bright sunlight.]
The stream cameras are showing surround-sound clouds and the commentators report rising damp. Just what Durham’s were dreaming on. Here come the players and the first over goes to…. Ollie Robinson.
Continue reading...Australian batting star Travis Head is confident Josh Inglis will “excel” with a prolonged run in Test cricket as the tourists prepare for an unknown wicket after rain wreaked havoc on Sunday ahead of the first clash with the West Indies.
In the immediate aftermath of Australia’s loss to South Africa in the World Test Championship at Lord’s last Saturday, skipper Pat Cummins foreshadowed a reset that is now coming to fruition.
Harry Brook fell for 99 on his home ground while the brilliant Jasprit Bumrah took five wickets on Sunday to leave the first Test between England and India at Headingley finely poised.
Lawrence took 18 wickets in five Tests for England
He had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease
The former England bowler David “Syd” Lawrence has died aged 61, a year after he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease and only a week after he was awarded an MBE in the king’s birthday honours for his services to cricket.
Lawrence played five Tests between 1988 and 1992, taking 18 wickets and becoming the first British-born black player to be picked for England. His career in effect ended in February 1992 when, in an apparently innocuous incident while playing for England against New Zealand, he fractured his left kneecap. He managed only four more first-class matches before being forced into retirement, with his last appearance coming in 1997.
Continue reading...Sean Abbott is fully aware of his position in Australia’s pace bowling pecking order, but the New South Welshman has earmarked the chaotic 2026/27 schedule as a potential window for his long-awaited Test debut.
The cricket world is familiar with Rishabh Pant’s bravery and flamboyance with bat in-hand at Test level.
Australian opener Sam Konstas feels like his cricket has “come a long way” since his unforgettable Test debut at the MCG, but the teenager doesn’t feel the need to prove his critics wrong in the Caribbean this week.
Shubman Gill marked his first innings as India captain with a sparkling hundred after fellow young gun Yashasvi Jaiswal also scored a fine century against England at Headingley on Friday.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes it is “inevitable” that Jacob Bethell will feature in the Ashes series despite missing selection for this week’s series opener against India in Leeds.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes that underperforming Marnus Labuschagne could benefit from some time away from the spotlight following his Test axing, adding that Australia’s batting looks “very vulnerable” ahead of the Ashes.
Konstas expected to open; Josh Inglis also comes into side
Steve Smith to miss out in Barbados due to dislocated finger
Australia’s selectors have made their biggest call in recent memory, dropping Marnus Labuschagne from the top order and replacing him with Sam Konstas. Chief selector George Bailey confirmed on Friday that Labuschagne would miss next week’s first Test against the West Indies.
Steve Smith will also miss the match as he recovers from his dislocated finger, with medical staff to assess him ahead of the second Test. Josh Inglis will come into the XI, while it is expected Konstas will open, but Australia will unveil their batting order and bowling attack closer to the start of the first Test next Wednesday.
Continue reading...Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped for Australia’s first Test against the West Indies, with opener Sam Konstas and reserve wicketkeeper Josh Inglis recalled for the series opener in Barbados.
England captain Ben Stokes says Jofra Archer is “absolutely desperate” to be involved in the upcoming home series against India and to revive a Test career that has been stalled for more than four years.
Test captain identifies weakness ahead of India series
He reveals Jofra Archer is pestering him for a Test call
Ben Stokes may have described England’s recent lack of Test action as “a bit odd” but playing just one game in the past six months has given the side space to reconsider their approach before the series against India.
Stokes has won 23 of his 33 games in charge while losing 12 and insisted: “I don’t think it’s arrogant to say that we’ve been good over the last three years.” But with England’s next 10 Tests coming against either India – starting at Headingley on Friday – or Australia they have prepared for potential adversity.
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