Middlesex batsman Nick Compton has been awarded an England increment contract for 2015-16. Compton qualifies for the award by virtue of playing four Tests against South Africa during the current contract period. Non-contracted players can earn an England increment contract via a points system. Five points are awarded for a Test appearance and two for a T20 or ODI appearance, with an increment contract being awarded automatically once the player…

Dawid Malan reflected on a good day for Middlesex, and also on the influence of Gary Kirsten on the England Lions, after stroking a century to set up a second comfortable 50-over victory over Pakistan A in Dubai. Malan’s 114 from 109 balls, which continued a prolific white-ball winter with the Lions after he top-scored with 253 runs from five innings in the Twenty20 series victory before Christmas, was followed…

Hamilton Masakadza smacked eight fours and five sixes in his unbeaten 58-ball 93 © AFP Hamilton Masakadza fired Zimbabwe off to a rapid start, held the middle order together and remained unbeaten till the last over of the innings. A few hours later he was named Man of the Match and Man of the Series having played a big part in his team coming from behind to level the T20…

Dawid Malan continued his prolific white-ball winter for England Lions by stroking a century to set up a second consecutive victory in the 50-over series against Pakistan A in Dubai. The Middlesex opener was the top-scorer for the Lions in their Twenty20 series win before Christmas with 253 in five innings, and followed 41 in the first 50-over match on Wednesday with 114 from 109 balls as they pulled 2-0…

Hamilton Masakadza smacked eight fours and five sixes in his unbeaten 58-ball 93 © AFP Hamilton Masakadza fired Zimbabwe off to a rapid start, held the middle order together and remained unbeaten till the last over of the innings. A few hours later he was named Man of the Match, Man of the Series and had played a big part in his team coming from behind to level the T20…

Stephen Cook and Hashim Amla added 202 to blunt England’s attack © Gallo Images As South Africa’s domestic structures come under scrutiny for their standard of cricket, Stephen Cook has proved that spending sufficient time in the set-up can still be prime players up for success at the top level. Cook became the sixth South Africa batsman to score a century on Test debut with his 115 on the opening…

Surrey all-rounder Natalie Sciver has been ruled out of England women’s three-match One-Day International (ODI) series in South Africa next month due to an ankle injury. Sciver will remain in England when the squad departs on Monday (25th January) to undergo a rehabilitation programme. Her progress will be monitored and a decision will be made at a later date as to whether she is available to re-join the squad for…

‘It is hard to go after the bowling without getting set, regardless of how the wicket is’ – Mashrafe Mortaza © AFP Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza said losing four wickets in the first three overs put paid to their chase of 181 in the fourth T20I against Zimbabwe in Khulna. Bangladesh were 17 for 4 sixteen balls into their innings and Mashrafe reasoned that a flat track had made his…

Elton Chigumbura reiterated his commitment towards contributing to Zimbabwe’s cause as a senior player © AFP Elton Chigumbura stepped down as Zimbabwe captain shortly after leading his team to a 18-run win that helped them level the four match T20I series against Bangladesh in Khulna. Describing his elevation for the top job as an “honour”, Chigumbura, who ends his second stint as captain, reiterated his commitment towards continuing as a…