Stuart Broad added yet another stunning spell to his already long list of devastating Test bursts on the third afternoon of third Test against South Africa in Johannesburg. Broad scythed through South Africa in a 49-minute period during which he also surpassed Bob Willis to become England’s third-highest Test wicket-taker. It was the seventh time in Tests that the Nottinghamshire right-armer has taken five wickets in a spell and left…
SA dethroned, India No. 1 Test team
South Africa slip to No. 3 in the Test rankings, while England rise to No. 5 © Getty Images South Africa’s 0-2 defeat in their home series against England has pushed them off the top of the ICC Test Rankings. Now India, with 110 rating points, are at No. 1, with Australia one rating point shy in second place. It has been over a year since South Africa last won…
De Villiers commits to Test cricket after chastising loss
Play 00:52 Butcher: Is AB de Villiers captaining a sinking ship? AB de Villiers has dropped a hint that he might be willing after all to lead South Africa’s Test team in the longer term, after stating that it was pressure, not personnel, that led to the side’s downfall on a catastrophic third day at Johannesburg. De Villiers, who had been rumoured to be on the verge of retirement from…
South Africa, and the Wanderers, left stunned
Play 00:52 Is de Villiers captaining a sinking ship? The Wanderers wept. The grey clouds that were glued to the sky all day refused to join in but spitefully hung around to provide the perfect plate for England attack’s to feast off. With the topping above and trimmings from a pitch snaked with cracks below, they feasted on a vulnerable line-up ripe for the picking. South Africa are now, officially,…
Jamie Overton has day to remember
Jamie Overton had his most eventful day in an England shirt as he smashed a half-century then limped off with a toe injury as the Lions lost their second 50-over warm-up match against the United Arab Emirates by two wickets in Dubai today. Overton ended unbeaten on 57 from 35 balls, hitting 22 off the last over including five consecutive boundaries. Even then, a total of 222 for nine proved…
Cook praises team effort as Broad applies icing
Play 01:31 Broad produces his latest epic spell Alastair Cook, England’s victorious captain, said that his players could take pride in a complete team performance after a stunning second-innings bowling display, led once again by Stuart Broad, delivered a remarkable seven-wicket win at Johannesburg, and a first overseas series victory since the tour of India in 2012-13. Cook top-scored with 43 in the run-chase, as England hunted down a target…
Overton's assault can't save Lions
UAE XI 223 for 8 (Patil 50, Plunkett 3-29) beat England Lions 222 for 9 (Vince 58, Overton 57*) by two wicketsScorecard Jamie Overton’s big-hitting 50 was followed by an injury scare © Getty Images England Lions had a setback ahead of their forthcoming one-day series against Pakistan A when they lost narrowly to a United Arab Emirates XI in a match that went into the final over. The Lions…
Overton's blitz can't save Lions
UAE XI 223 for 8 (Patil 50, Plunkett 3-29) beat England Lions 222 for 9 (Vince 58, Overton 57*) by two wicketsScorecard Jamie Overton’s big-hitting 50 was followed by an injury scare © Getty Images England Lions had a setback ahead of their forthcoming one-day series against Pakistan A when they lost narrowly to a United Arab Emirates XI in a match that went into the final over. The Lions…
South Africa dethroned, India No. 1 Test team
South Africa slip to No. 3 in the Test rankings, while England rise to No. 5 © Getty Images South Africa’s 0-2 defeat in their home series against England has pushed them off the top of the ICC Test Rankings. Now India, with 110 rating points, are the No. 1 Test team, with Australia one rating point shy in second place. It has been over a year since South Africa…
Player training focus in SA: Joe Root
[embedded content] Joe Root has provided ecb.co.uk with a rare and informative insight into what one of the world’s best batsmen does to prepare himself for a Test match. The 25-year-old spoke to our cameras in the lead-up to the third Test against South Africa – where he would score his ninth Test century – where he detailed the key areas he works on ahead of match. Top of the…