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.
‘Fate had decided on 99 for him’: Bumrah’s dig after star’s brutal end, with Test on knife’s edge
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.
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.
Continue reading...How 10-month Aussie mayhem could open door for Sean Abbott’s long-awaited Test debut
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.
Flippin’ awesome: Pant’s stunning celebration before under-fire star emphatically silences critics
The cricket world is familiar with Rishabh Pant’s bravery and flamboyance with bat in-hand at Test level.
‘I’ve come a long way’: Australian opener Sam Konstas adamant he’s improved since Boxing Day bonanza
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.
Stokes’ brave call backfires horrifically as new-look India punish toothless Poms
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.
‘Vulnerable’: Legend’s call for England shuffle as ‘real stress’ emerges for star who ‘needs runs’
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.
What axing means for ‘scared’ Marnus as Ashes great makes stunning call on ‘dangerous’ star
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.
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.
Continue reading...Marnus dropped, Konstas back in Test bombshell as selectors deliver twin Windies recalls
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.
Three-letter text proves England weapon is ‘desperate’ for Ashes revenge after ‘horrific’ hiatus
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.
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.
Continue reading...When India won at Headingley for the first time and left England in despair
Mike Gatting took over from David Gower as captain before the Test at Headingley. It didn’t make much difference
India will be hoping the Test at Headingley this week goes better than their last visit to the ground in 2021. Dismissed for 78 in the first innings, a defeat inevitably followed for the visitors. It was a far cry from their two previous visits – the victory in 2002 inspired by Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly, and their first Test win at the ground in 1986.
England’s defeat at Headingley 39 years ago was a tough one for their fans. As the World Cup in Mexico grabbed the attention of the sporting public, and Boris Becker defended his Wimbledon crown, England’s Test team were plumbing new depths. The glory of the 1985 Ashes series seemed a lifetime ago. That victory had led some to believe that the winter series against the West Indies could be an evenly matched contest between two of the best teams in the world. File that under misplaced confidence. England were crushed 5-0, and the pressure on captain David Gower started to crank up.
Continue reading...Poms shocks as ex-No.1 pick, fan favourite cop cruel snubs — BBL Draft Winners and Losers
Pakistani cricketers and fast bowlers were in high demand during Thursday’s Big Bash League overseas player draft, with seven players from the south Asian nation set to appear in the T20 tournament this summer.