Jofra Archer ends four-year wait for a red-ball wicket: county cricket, day two – as it happened

[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.

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David ‘Syd’ Lawrence, former England cricketer, dies aged 61

  • 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.

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Marnus Labuschagne axed as Sam Konstas returns for Australia in first West Indies Test

  • 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.

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Ben Stokes calls on England to adapt better ‘when we’re up against the wall’

  • 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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