Joe Root has carried a heavy burden as a defeated England captain © Getty Images Joe Root believes he is the man to captain England on their next Ashes tour in four-year’s time. While Root has been stung by the pain of defeat, he believes the lessons he has learned will stand him in good stead when the side returns to Australia. And, just as he now views being dropped…
Barmy Army pay tribute after seaplane tragedy
1:28 PM ET ESPNcricinfo staff England’s best-known group of travelling fans – the Barmy Army – were planning to pay tribute before the Sydney Test to the cricket-loving group who died in a seaplane tragedy in the city. Richard Cousins, the head of the catering company Compass, was one of five Britons who died, along with the Australian-based pilot, when the Sydney Seaplanes flight plunged into the sea on a…
Why fining Tamim Iqbal will make little sense
12:49 PM ET Mohammad IsamESPN The BCB’s hardline on disciplinary matters has the dual effect of pleasing many cricket fans but also making some players uncomfortable about expressing themselves. Cases in point: Sabbir Rahman’s punishment, and Tamim Iqbal‘s proposed fine. There is hardly a fan in Bangladesh who feels that the sanctions imposed on Sabbir is anything other than what he deserves. But the proposal to penalise Tamim for his…
Gibson wary of rushing Steyn back into action
12:27 PM ET At least one of South Africa’s selection conundrums appears to have already been solved with Dale Steyn‘s comeback likely to be delayed by another week. Conditions at Newlands usually call for a three-seamer, one spinner attack (to which South Africa might add an allrounder). Given Steyn’s lengthy absence from international cricket, coach Ottis Gibson appears reluctant to include him in that combination. “Dale Steyn is fit again….
Continuity matters – the maturing of the Big Bash
3:00 AM ET Tim Wigmore In 1967, a group of 15 men from Glasgow landed in Lisbon to play a game of football. All but one of the squad were born within ten miles of Celtic’s ground. Together, they won the European Cup. Half a century on, the team are an emblem for a lost age in which elite sports teams often were genuinely representative of their local communities. And…
Fit Steyn all but out of Newlands Test, says Gibson
Know your opponent: Dale Steyn (4:43) Ajit Agarkar and Aakash Chopra discuss how Dale Steyn can trouble the Indian batsmen (4:43) 9:30 AM ET At least one of South Africa’s selection conundrums appears to have already been solved with Dale Steyn‘s comeback likely to be delayed by another week. Conditions at Newlands usually call for a three-seamer, one spinner attack (to which South Africa might add an allrounder). Given Steyn’s…
McCullum, Lynn hand Stars third straight loss
Brisbane Heat 144 for 1 (Lynn 63*, McCullum 61, Bowe 1-21) beat Melbourne Stars 141 for 7 (Maxwell 50, Pietersen 30, Swepson 3-14) by nine wicketsScorecard and ball-by-ball details The Bash Brothers – Chris Lynn and Brendon McCullum – finished the job but it was Brisbane Heat’s spin twins – Mitchell Swepson and Yasir Shah – who strangled the Melbourne Stars at the MCG, consigning them to a nine-wicket defeat….
West Indies' last chance for a first win on tour
Ashley Nurse is fired up after taking out Tom Bruce © Getty Images Big picture Much like Jay Gatsby pining for the light at the other side of the dock, West Indies must be aching for the comfort of a win. On this trip to New Zealand, they have lost all seven internationals, not to mention a practice match as well. Unless West Indies win their final match of the…
Bancroft seeks progress after long Ashes duel
Life’s too short to worry about form – Bancroft (1:44) Australia opener Cameron Bancroft talks about how he’s dealing with the pressure of the Ashes (1:44) 2:17 AM ET One of the greatest adjustments a domestic cricketer must make in graduating to the highest level of the game is the nature of the way they are tested. In stepping up from Sheffield Shield to the Test ranks, Cameron Bancroft has…
Starc firming to play in Sydney 'Pink' Test
1:58 AM ET Daniel Brettig in Sydney A recovering Mitchell Starc is a strong chance to return to Australia’s team for the fifth Ashes Test at the SCG, though he would be doing so over the objections of the former spearhead Glenn McGrath, who believes the left-arm quick should only resume bowling when he is “100% fit”. Having failed to recover from a bruised heel in time to take part…