A chastening five-wicket loss to Ireland a fortnight ago has, according to Fakhar Zaman, pushed Pakistan to finally adopt a more attacking approach when batting first. Pakistan bounced back to win the series 2-1, but in both their wins chased down targets, a situation they are historically much better at. As such the new mindset is only likely to be unveiled at some point over the next three T20Is against…
Ben Stokes, David Bedingham star for Durham before Somerset fight back
Durham 177 for 6 (Bedingham 100*, Robinson 46, Ball 3-41) lead Somerset 171 (Pretorius 53, Stokes 4-54, Siddle 3-27) by six runs A late fightback from Somerset left their Vitality County Championship game with Durham finely poised, despite starring roles from Ben Stokes and David Bedingham. Stokes took four wickets to restrict Somerset to 171 all out in their first innings while Bedingham led Durham’s reply with an unbeaten century…
Shahbaz and Abhishek spin Sunrisers Hyderabad into IPL final
Sunrisers Hyderabad 175 for 9 (Klaasen 50, Avesh 3-27, Boult 3-45) beat Rajasthan Royals 139 for 7 (Jurel 56, Shahbaz 3-23, Abhishek 2-24) by 36 runs “There’s nothing more satisfying than hearing a big crowd go silent.” Pat Cummins, November 19, 2023. The next day he took Virat Kohli’s wicket and made a ground with 100,000 people feel like a ghost town. “We have earned the right to have one…
Eddie Byrom, Kiran Carlson cash in on inconsistent Leicestershire bowling
Glamorgan 352 for 8 (Byrom 86, Carlson 80, Northeast 61*) vs Leicestershire Glamorgan benefited from some inconsistent Leicestershire bowling as they finished on 352 for 8 on day one of their Vitality County Championship match at Leicester after being put in on a pitch as green as the unprepared strips next to it. With leading run-scorer Colin Ingram rested, Eddie Byrom (86) and Kiran Carlson (80) were the chief beneficiaries…
Adam Lyth makes third century of season to drive Yorkshire
Yorkshire 312 for 7 (Lyth 109, Masood 60, Procter 3-63) vs Northamptonshire Adam Lyth celebrated his 200th Championship match for Yorkshire by scoring his third century of the season on day one of this Vitality County Championship game against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road. In-form Lyth, who made his White Rose debut against Durham in 2008, looked in command throughout his innings of 109 (205 balls), playing his trademark cover drive…
Lamb's career-best 186 not out puts Derbyshire in control
Derbyshire 434 for 5 (Lamb 186*, Guest 95, Donald 67) vs Gloucestershire Matt Lamb‘s career-best 186 not out and 95 from Brooke Guest put Derbyshire in a strong position on the opening day of the Vitality County Championship Second Division match with Gloucestershire at Bristol. The visitors ran up 434 for 5 after opting to bat first on an overcast morning, Lamb making his runs, off 228 balls, with 28…
Sussex steal march as Cheteshwar Pujara punishes Middlesex again
Sussex 295 for 4 (Pujara 91*, Simpson 71*) vs Middlesex Cheteshwar Pujara plundered runs against Middlesex’s bowling attack yet again as Sussex posted 295 for 4 after being inserted in the battle between the top two sides in Vitality County Championship Division Two. The India Test veteran, who scored 231 on Sussex’s last visit to Lord’s in 2022 – along with a century against Middlesex at Hove earlier that year…
Tom Bailey dents Warwickshire before Alex Davies battles back
Warwickshire 89 for 3 (Davies 47*, Bailey 3-25) vs Lancashire Three wickets from Lancashire’s Tom Bailey put the hosts in charge against Warwickshire after a truncated day at Emirates Old Trafford ended with the visitors 89 for three from 39 overs on day one of this Vitality County Championship Division One clash. Bailey, who has struggled for consistency so far this campaign, showed what the Red Rose had been missing,…
Kyle Abbott sets Hampshire record as pace-setters Surrey stumble
Hampshire 102 for 1 (Albert 34*, Gubbins 27*) trail Surrey 127 (Abbott 5-25, Dawson 3-21) by 25 runs Kyle Abbott became Utilita Bowl’s greatest-ever wicket-taker as Hampshire showed a chink in champions Surrey’s quest for a third straight Vitality County Championship crown. Fast bowler Abbott overtook Dimi Mascarenhas’ 186 scalps at the ground as his predatory post-lunch spell of five for 25 put him on 188 home wickets since initially…
Essex recover from wobble as Jordan Cox returns to former home
Essex 287 for 4 (Elgar 77, Browne 65) vs Kent Essex recovered from an early evening wobble to reach 287 for four at stumps on day one of their Vitality County Championship derby with Kent at Canterbury. Joey Evison took two for 38 for a Kent attack weakened by injuries, but after reducing Essex to 224 for four, they were unable to shift either Jordan Cox or Michael Pepper, who…