Rishabh Pant became the first India batsman to score hundreds in both innings of a Test against England on Monday’s fourth day at Headingley before the hosts hit back to set up a dramatic finale to the series opener.
First look at Windies Test pitch as Aussies eye major shake-ups with Ashes on horizon: Ultimate guide
After the disappointment of the World Test Championship final defeat, Australia’s return to the Caribbean was always going to feel like a bit of a reset heading into the new WTC cycle.
Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul sparkle with tons as India set England 371 to win first Test
Tongue takes three wickets in four balls
Another India lower-order collapse gave England a fighting chance of a thrilling victory in the first Test at Headingley, with the hosts 21-0 in their second innings at the close of play on day four, chasing 371 to win.
Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul struck centuries for the visitors, with the former becoming the second wicketkeeper to hit twin tons in a Test match. But just as he did in the first innings, Josh Tongue came to the fore when seeing off the Indian tail, with three wickets in four balls helping ensure the tourists lost their final six second-innings wickets for 31 runs.
Ali Martin’s report will follow shortly.
Continue reading...Jofra Archer ends four-year wait for a red-ball wicket: county cricket, day two – as it happened
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...Surprise call-up tipped to ‘excel’ but Aussie star has ‘no doubt’ Marnus will return to Test side
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.
The first Aussie Test domino has fallen. These men are banging down the door — State of Play
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.
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