Jonny Bairstow says time off after back-to-back Tests in South Africa has left England refreshed and raring to go as they aim to wrap up the series at the Wanderers this week. The tourists, 1-0 ahead in the four-match rubber, were given three days off to rest and recuperate in Cape Town following a hectic schedule that saw them play 10 days of Test cricket out of 12. They travelled…
Proteas without Steyn again
South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn has been ruled out of the third Test against England in Johannesburg as his shoulder injury has not yet recovered. Coach Russell Domingo confirmed today that Steyn, who missed the drawn second Test in Cape Town, is not yet ready to return and will now have further scans on the injury. Kyle Abbott is fit to come back into Domingo’s squad for the match…
England's recent record at the Wanderers
England can wrap up the series against South Africa with a win at the Wanderers in Johannesburg this week. The ground holds mixed memories for England touring teams – they have twice been beaten by an innings in their past three visits – although it was also the venue of Matthew Hoggard’s ‘Magnificent Seven’ performance a decade ago. Hoggard ripped through the Proteas on the final day in 2005 to…
Hong Kong's Irfan Ahmed suspended by ICC
The ICC has found that Irfan Ahmed has breached their anti-corruption code © ICC The International Cricket Council on Monday confirmed that it has charged and provisionally suspended Hong Kong batsman Irfan Ahmed for a breach of the Anti-Corruption Code. The offence is under Article 2.4.2 of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code (effective from 10 October 2012 to 10 November 2014) which states, “Failing to disclose to the ACSU (without undue…
Misbah's England prep cut short by injury
Misbah-ul-Haq may turn up for Pakistan’s tour of England in July 2016 after seven months of no competitive cricket © Getty Images A calf injury to Pakistan Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq has ruled him out of the ongoing National One-Day cup, which had been his final opportunity for competitive cricket before the tour to England in July 2016. Misbah was due to play his second match for Sui Northern Gas Private…
Misbah ruled out of National One-Day Cup
Misbah-ul-Haq may turn up for Pakistan’s tour of England in July 2016 after seven months of no competitive cricket © Getty Images A calf injury to Pakistan Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq has ruled him out of the ongoing National One-Day cup, which had been his final opportunity for competitive cricket before the tour to England in July 2016. Misbah was due to play his second match for Sui Northern Gas Private…
England's fielding 'blips' threaten a habit
Jonny Bairstow: ‘I don’t think you can ever say you’ve nailed it, but I’m pleased with the contribution I’ve made. It’s still a massive learning curve’ © Getty Images Like the man who tells himself the cigarette he sneaks after a cup of coffee doesn’t really make them a smoker, so it can be hard to distinguish – or at least admit to – the difference between ‘a habit’ and…
Napier to call it a day
Essex stalwart Graham Napier will retire from professional cricket at the end of the upcoming season. The 36-year-old, who has represented his county 467 times across all formats since making his debut in 1997, will become director of the Graham Napier cricket academy at Royal Hospital School in September. Napier, who was an unused member of England’s 2009 World Twenty20 squad, currently has 421 first-class wickets to his name at…
Croft to coach England ODI squad in South Africa
Former Glamorgan and England off-spinner Robert Croft will travel to South Africa later this month to work with the England one day squad during their five match series against the Proteas. Croft will join the coaching team of Trevor Bayliss, Paul Farbrace, Ottis Gibson and Graham Thorpe as a consultant spin bowling coach for a 12 day period at the start of the series. Croft played 50 ODIs during a…
Wessels to remain at Trent Bridge
Batsman Riki Wessels has committed his future to Nottinghamshire by signing a new three-year contract. The Australian-born 30-year-old, who also has the ability to keep wicket, will continue to ply his trade at Trent Bridge until the end of the 2018 campaign. Wessels, son of former Australia and South Africa international Kepler Wessels, has compiled 6,792 runs in 177 appearances for Nottinghamshire since signing from Northamptonshire in 2011. He has…