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Continue reading...England line up Jofra Archer return for second Test against India
Fast bowler back in second XI action for Sussex
Woakes, Carse and Overton named in first-Test squad
Jofra Archer is being primed to make a comeback in the second Test against India at Edgbaston – his first appearance in whites for four years – with England’s stable of fast bowlers under strain before the start of this summer’s marquee series.
Naming a 14-man squad for the first Test at Headingley that starts on 20 June, Luke Wright, who is part of the selection panel, confirmed Gus Atkinson is ruled out with a hamstring injury. In come Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse and Jamie Overton, likewise Jacob Bethell to offer competition among the batting spots.
Continue reading...Eleven killed in terrifying scenes as wild IPL celebrations turn deadly
Packed crowds in India celebrating their cricket team’s victory ended in a deadly stampede on Wednesday with 11 mainly young fans crushed to death, the local state’s chief minister said.
‘It’s Harry’s team now’: Brook makes instant impact in new England era
White-ball captain brought fresh impetus against West Indies as he tries to ‘get a little bit funky’
It is just three games, one series, played at home against one of the few major teams ranked even lower than them. But if it would be unwise to get carried away with England’s clean sweep of West Indies there was no mistaking what we witnessed along the way: green shoots, tender and fragile but undeniable, desperately needed signs of renewal after a period of atrophy. The genesis of a new team, under fresh leadership, with fresh emphases and impetus.
It has been overdue. From the miseries of the last World Cup to the indignity of the Champions Trophy this year, England’s recent 50‑over record is dire. Between the start of that World Cup and this summer they played 26 games and won seven, along the way playing bilateral series against West Indies, Australia, West Indies again and India and losing them all.
Continue reading...The Spin | Why neutrals should back South Africa against Australia in WTC final
Wealth of Big Three is skewing Test cricket and a big win for Australia at Lord’s would only emphasise this gulf
On a recent episode of The Grade Cricketer podcast, the hosts, Sam Perry and Ian Higgins, tore lumps out of South Africa in a foul-mouthed tirade about the World Test Championship final against Australia. Perry predicted a finish “inside three days” and Higgins, practically thumping the table, said: “If I don’t look at a scorecard and South Africa are three for spit my TV is going through the window.” Cue big alpha chuckles and main-character knee slaps.
I know they were joking, skewering Australian arrogance as much as South African frailty, and that they have built a formidable brand that runs on side-mouthed jibes and hyperbolic bluster. Still, the lizard part of my brain lit up in protest. How dare they dismiss my countrymen? I wasn’t alone in taking offence.
Continue reading...Big Bash final hero, emerging gun spinner set for maiden Aussie T20 call-ups — Full squad
Hobart Hurricanes hero Mitch Owen headlines Australia’s T20 squad to play the West Indies later next month, off the back of his whirlwind century in last season’s Big Bash final.
‘Five levels below’: Kohli’s seismic Test call after IPL glory… and Ponting’s knowing response
Virat Kohli said on Tuesday he had given his “youth and prime” to land one of the best moments of his career as Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured him a first-ever Indian Premier League T20 title at the 18th time of asking.
Hazlewood completes King Kohli’s 18-year IPL title dream in epic final win over Ponting
Batting great Virat Kohli fulfilled an 18-year dream of winning an IPL title with Royal Challengers Bengaluru after they beat Punjab Kings by six runs in Tuesday’s final in Ahmedabad, with Australian quick Josh Hazlewood’s role again decisive.
‘We don’t have two teams’: ODI thrown into chaos as ‘gridlock’ forces unparalleled cricket first
Chaos ensued in the lead up to the third one-day international between England and the West Indies, with London traffic delaying the toss by over half an hour.
Joe Root’s greatness is shining anew in the evening of his white-ball career | Jonathan Liew
England talisman’s majestic innings against West Indies shows he still has worlds he wants to conquer
The winning moment is perfect. Perfect in concept, in balance, in execution, in placement, in flourish. The ball disappears through mid-on, and before it has even reached the boundary the lid is off and the smile is unsheathed, and for some reason it matters a great deal that the stroke to complete a towering one-day chase of 309 is not a wallop or a swipe, but an artful on-drive for four.
But then for all his brilliance, there has always been a pleasingly jarring quality to Root in limited‑overs cricket, even a kind of quiet defiance. His match‑winning 166 against the West Indies on Sunday was perhaps his greatest white-ball innings, but above all it was simply a Joe Root innings, all gentle nudges and classical drives, timing over power, manoeuvrability over muscularity, a triumph of pure talent.
Continue reading...‘Made it pretty clear’: Ponting’s Aussie revolution sparked IPL final surge… Kohli stands in his way
Punjab Kings stand in the way of Virat Kohli’s dream of finally winning the Indian Premier League in Tuesday’s final at the world’s biggest cricket stadium.
Aussie World Cup hero retires from ODI cricket after whirlwind 13-year career
Australian white-ball superstar Glenn Maxwell has announced his retirement from 50-over cricket, effective immediately.
‘Only getting better with age’: England superstar Joe Root makes history
Joe Root struck his maiden one-day international score of over 150 as England beat the West Indies by three wickets in Cardiff to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in a three-match series.
IPL final to have Aussie flavour as Inglis fires against superstar, Ponting’s stellar coaching run continues
Shreyas Iyer led from the front with an unbeaten 87 as Punjab Kings beat Mumbai Indians by five wickets on Monday (AEST) to set up an IPL final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Indian Premier League cricket 2025: Rohit Sharma half-century as Mumbai beat Gujurat in eliminator, into qualifer against Punjab, news, video
Rohit Sharma led Mumbai Indians’ batting charge with his 81 to knock Gujarat Titans out of the Indian Premier League with a 20-run win in the eliminator on Friday.