Diminishing Test returns after being promoted to a leadership role is not just an Ollie Pope problem. Since assuming the vice-captaincy for the Sri Lanka series, Harry Brook has not been his usual, ruthless self. Starts have been given away throughout and an average of 39.50 from four innings is comfortably his lowest of any series in which he has played more than one match. The struggle is relative, of…
The day might have ended with covers spreadeagled across the Rawalpindi Stadium as monsoon rains lashed the ground, but Pakistan head coach Jason Gillespie has been through a baptism of fire in his new role. With one day to go in a Test Pakistan must win to ward off a first ever series loss against Bangladesh, Gillespie acknowledged the visitors were favourites, calling for more discipline from his bowlers, and…
England are not overly concerned about Buttler’s fitness ahead of their first T20I on September 11 and remain hopeful that he will be available to captain the side throughout Australia’s eight-match white-ball tour. England’s new-look squad are due to report to the Utilita Bowl on Sunday ahead of two training days, when their medical staff will get a clearer picture as to whether Buttler will be available. England’s white-ball teams…
Suryakumar Yadav has been ruled out of the opening round of the 2024-25 Duleep Trophy to nurse a hand injury he sustained during last week’s pre-season fixture for Mumbai at the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament in Coimbatore. Suryakumar has been advised rest and is currently at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru for a routine assessment. Suryakumar didn’t bat in the second innings of the fixture against TNCA XI…
Two-time SA20 champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape will begin their title defence at home after St George’s Park was awarded the opening match of the new season. The Gqberha venue will also host the first qualifier at the end of the 30-match league phase to decide which team automatically makes it through to the final, to be held at Johannesburg’s Wanderers Stadium. The Wanderers hosted the inaugural SA20 final before Newlands…
“The make-up and balance of this squad is outstanding,” head coach Craig Wallace said. “We’ve got match-winners from start to finish within it, which I think is the big difference in the evolution of this squad during my short tenure. People have been putting in crucial performances each time they step onto the field, and that runs right the way through the squad.” Scotland qualified for the tournament after finishing…
Lunch Pakistan 274 and 117 for 6 (Rizwan 38*, Rana 3-22, Mahmud 2-22) lead Bangladesh 262 (Litton 138, Mehidy 78, Shahzad 6-90, Salman 2-13) by 129 runs Bangladesh took a stride towards a 2-0 clean sweep after nipping out four Pakistan batters in the morning session of the fourth day of the second Test in Rawalpindi. Fast bowler Nahid Rana was the wrecker-in-chief causing problems aplenty with his awkward bounce…
The WBBL and BBL drafts took place on Sunday as clubs filled their overseas slots for the upcoming season. There were plenty of familiar names, but also a few surprises and some interesting tactics. Here are a few aspects that stood out Mandhana a steal for Adelaide Strikers Securing Smriti Mandhana‘s signing is rarely a bad thing, doing it at nearly half the price of the top category available –…
Ollie Pope has pledged to “block out” criticism of his batting, as the scrutiny on him mounts following 30 runs in four innings against Sri Lanka. England may have a perfect record under his captaincy, but Pope has come under fire after failing to reach 20 across two Tests standing in for the injured Ben Stokes. Pope managed scores of 1 and 17 during England’s 190-run win at Lord’s, and…
It should have been a crowning moment on this sun-soaked Sunday afternoon in north-west London. Olly Stone backpedalled from mid-on to settle underneath a catch off Chris Woakes’ bowling, clinching England’s fifth consecutive Test win and their second series win of the summer. And yet, England’s players celebrated this 190-run victory over Sri Lanka in front of a swathe of empty seats. This was not a sign of Test cricket’s…