Hampshire 351 for 8 (Bailey 127, Abbott 76*) vs LancashireScorecard George Bailey’s hundred rejuvenated Hampshire © Getty Images George Bailey has not played a Test match for over three years and there were times during this broiling Mancunian afternoon when it was rather tricky to see why this is so. One accepts at once that it is difficult to compare Lancashire v Hampshire on a steamy Monday at Emirates Old…
Stirling takes his chance with maiden Championship ton
Middlesex 337 for 4 (Robson 152*, Stirling 111) vs YorkshireScorecard Play 01:06 County Championship Round-up: Stirling ton for the champions On Thursday, Ireland’s Test status is expected to be confirmed at The Oval. At London’s other great cricket fiefdom, Paul Stirling provided more welcome news for Ireland: his maiden County Championship century. With Sam Robson serene at the other end in an alliance of 187 which could be match-shaping, the…
No transformation targets in Global T20 league
Haroon Lorgat on transformation: ‘We asked the owners to be very mindful of what we’re trying to drive as a key pillar within CSA’ © Getty Images Cricket South Africa has confirmed there will be no transformation targets in the Global T20 league. However, the board added that all eight franchise owners have been made mindful of its commitment to change. CSA has a strict policy in the current domestic…
Patel's golden form exposes Leicestershire
Nottinghamshire 345 for 4 (Patel 157*, Taylor 61) v LeicestershireScorecard Samit Patel can’t stop scoring runs © Getty Images Samit Patel continued to make the most of the richest vein of form of his career with another imperious innings on the first day of Nottinghamshire’s Specsavers County Championship match against Leicestershire at Trent Bridge. Patel reached the close on 157 not out, scoring his runs from 222 balls with 17…
Coetzer renews Scotland plea for more opportunities
In a 10-day season, Scotland beat Full Members Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe convincingly © Peter Della Penna On May 21, Scotland’s home season began in momentous fashion with a seven-wicket demolition of Sri Lanka. On June 15, they secured another famous win, beating Zimbabwe by 26 runs. Now, after just 10 scheduled days of cricket, it’s all been wrapped up. “We play 10 days of cricket and that’s our season…
Browne's perspiration brings hard-earned reward
Essex 263 for 5 (Bopara 84*, Browne 84) v WarwickshireScorecard Nick Browne was rarely fluent but did an important job for Essex © Getty Images How things change. On the same pitch where 743 runs were scored in one of the greatest run-fests in domestic cricket history, three days later Essex staunchly committed themselves to a day of unremitting toil on a soporific summer’s day. Spectators doubtless expected something less…
SA T20 League will help retain domestic talent – du Plessis
Play 01:53 ‘Players don’t have to look outside anymore’ South Africa’s Global T20 league is the best way to keep players from leaving the country in search of opportunity elsewhere, according to Test and T20 captain Faf du Plessis. A former Kolpak player himself, du Plessis returned to South Africa in 2010-11 after two years at Lancashire and has since become a regular across all formats and in T20 leagues…
Dashing Moeen cut off after seamers shine
Worcestershire 95 for 3 trail Kent 260 (Coles 47) by 165 runsScorecard Joe Leach’s early spell set an impressive tone for Worcestershire © Getty Images Worcestershire’s bowlers bounced back in impressive style from their weekend semi-final mauling in dismissing Kent for 260 on day one of the Specsavers County Championship promotion battle at New Road. But then Kent responded themselves with the ball despite a boundary-laced cameo from England all-rounder…
Rushworth strikes back to dent Selman's graft
Glamorgan 221 for 7 (Selman 103, Rushworth 5-40) v Durham Scorecard Chris Rushworth ensured Durham’s hard graft earlier in the day brought reward © Getty Images Glamorgan opener Nick Selman followed his match-winning century against Durham at Swansea last month with another hundred in the Specsavers County Championship match at Chester-le-Street. But Durham’s Chris Rushworth hit back with the second new ball, grabbing three wickets to finish with 5 for…
Pakistan move closer to direct qualification for 2019 World Cup
Play 02:17 Dravid: We saw the potential this Pakistan team has Pakistan’s triumph in the Champions Trophy has pushed them to sixth in the ICC ODI rankings, and closer to direct qualification for the 2019 World Cup in England. Pakistan, who began the tournament placed eighth, gained four points to move past Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, who are now ranked seventh and eighth respectively. Hosts England and the seven highest…