IPL 2016

Brendon McCullum believes Kane Williamson ‘did an outstanding job as captain’ in his absence © Getty Images Having literally flung himself into injury in an ODI late last month, Brendon McCullum earned a four-week glimpse into his future. McCullum aggravated a back complaint when he dove into advertising hoardings, attempting to save a boundary in the second ODI against Sri Lanka. Since then he has watched Kane Williamson lead the…

Match facts January 31, 2016Start time 1100 local (1000 GMT) Martin Guptill is a doubtful starter after rolling his ankle during training on the eve of the match © AFP Big Picture This tour ending where it began – in Auckland – may lead to good vibes taking hold in the Pakistan camp. They have been outclassed so far, but their solitary win of the trip came at Eden Park….

Match facts January 31, 2016Start time 1100 local (1000 GMT) Brendon McCullum is back in the New Zealand side after recovering from a back injury © PA Photos Big Picture This tour ending where it began – in Auckland – may lead to good vibes taking hold in the Pakistan camp. They have been outclassed so far, but their solitary win of the trip came at Eden Park. Their previous…

Match facts January 31, 2016Start time 1100 local (1000 GMT) Brendon McCullum is back in the New Zealand side after recovering from a back injury © PA Photos Big Picture This tour ending where it began – in Auckland – may lead to good vibes taking hold in the Pakistan camp. They have been outclassed so far, but their solitary win of the trip came at Eden Park. Their previous…

Brendon McCullum hasn’t batted for New Zealand since the first ODI against Sri Lanka on Boxing Day © Getty Images Captain Brendon McCullum is on the verge of returning from the back issue that has sidelined him December after he was named to lead a 13-man New Zealand squad for the home ODI series against Australia beginning February 3 in Auckland. McCullum hasn’t played since the second ODI against Sri…

Jos Buttler believes England face their toughest limited-overs challenge of the last 12 months in the upcoming one-day international series against South Africa. Since Eoin Morgan’s side overhauled their approach to white-ball cricket last spring, England have beaten World Cup runners-up New Zealand, been pipped in the decisive rubber by champions Australia and thrashed Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates. Buttler believes the Proteas will prove an equally tough nut…

Essex team-mates Dan Lawrence and Callum Taylor hit half-centuries to set up England’s second consecutive win in the ICC Under-19s World Cup, by 61 runs against West Indies, which keeps them on course for the quarter-finals. Lawrence followed his record-breaking 174 in England’s opening win against Fiji with 55 off 56 balls, and Taylor continued the impressive form he showed in the warm-up games by top-scoring with 59 from 67…

Ian Bishop hailed England as one of the teams to watch in the ICC Under-19 World Cup after seeing them stay on course for the quarter-finals with a 61-run win over West Indies. Bishop, the former West Indies fast bowler who has become a respected media pundit, was especially impressed by the composure shown by England’s bowlers and fielders when they were defending a total of 282 for seven. “I…

Jos Buttler’s 46-ball hundred against Pakistan will have increased his prospects of an IPL deal © Getty Images Jos Buttler has set his sights on a stint in this year’s Indian Premier League after losing his place in the England Test team to Jonny Bairstow. After carrying the drinks throughout England’s 2-1 Test series win over South Africa, Buttler will return to centre stage this week as the ODI and…

Oliver Hannon-Dalby hopes that his unexpected taste of touring with the England Lions will end in a series victory over Pakistan A in Dubai tomorrow. The Yorkshire-born Warwickshire seamer found himself in the right place at the right time, both personally and for the Lions, having signed up for a training programme at the ICC Global Cricket Academy this winter. The Lions quickly made plans to use him as an…