Sam Billings shrugged off the disappointment of defeat to reflect on an enjoyable and productive winter in the United Arab Emirates with England and the Lions. Billings, who launched his lengthy spell in the desert with a half-century for England in the T20 series victory against Pakistan back in November, signed off with a new Lions best of 89 out of a total of 216 in another low-scoring match on…
Billings unable to prevent Pakistan A comeback
Pakistan A completed a fightback from 2-0 down to win the 50-over series against England Lions despite the best efforts of Sam Billings, Liam Dawson and Jake Ball. Billings showed his class on a tricky pitch to make 89 from 101 balls, a new Lions best for the Kent wicketkeeper-batsman. But other than Dawson, who continued his excellent all-round tour by making 48 in a fifth-wicket stand of 106 with…
Billings helps Lions set testing total
Sam Billings top scored with 89 as England Lions set Pakistan A 216 to win the fifth one-dayer and the series in Dubai. The Lions, victorious in the first two matches after taking the T20 series before Christmas, got off to a bad start on a difficult pitch. Captain James Vince was trapped lbw by Mohammad Abbas for three in the second over, and in-form opening partner Dawid Malan was…
Leics announce profit but debts cloud future
The planned construction of floodlights at Grace Road is expected to increase T20 attendances © Getty Images Leicestershire have reported an increased turnover for 2015 and a small profit – compared with a loss of £225,000 last year – but the auditors of the club’s accounts have warned of a level of debt that could threaten their future viability. Last season saw Leicestershire win their first Championship game since 2012…
Taylor ton sets up thumping England win
England XI 368 for 7 (Taylor 116, Bairstow 58) beat South Africa A 205 (de Bruyn 73*, Topley 3-38) by 163 runsScorecard and ball-by-ball details James Taylor gets a handshake for his hundred from Jonny Bairstow © Getty Images James Taylor scored a run-a-ball 116 to anchor the England XI against a South Africa A attack devoid of control and ensure the visitors posted a total which left their hosts…
BCCI ombudsman seeks clarification on Thakur complaint
Both of Vikram Rathour’s terms as selector came when Anurag Thakur was a BCCI office bearer © PTI Justice AP Shah, the BCCI ombudsman, has asked independent journalist Niraj Gunde to clarify which rule would specifically apply in his complaint alleging a conflict of interest between BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur and national selector Vikram Rathour. Gunde confirmed that he had received the communication from the ombudsman’s office. “Even assuming that…
Hurry praises Under-19s fielding
England’s Under-19s are determined to maintain and even improve on the high fielding standards that were the talk of the World Cup after their victory over West Indies in Chittagong on Friday. Catches by Jack Burnham, Dan Lawrence, Brad Taylor and especially Somerset’s George Bartlett were highlighted in the live TV coverage of the game, which has England on track for the quarter finals, but still needing a point from…
Frylinck suspension related to assault on player
Robbie Frylinck was suspended by Dolphins on Thursday © BCCI Dolphins allrounder Robbie Frylinck has been suspended pending a disciplinary process related to an alleged assault on a fellow player. The franchise clarified the reason for Frylinck’s suspension on Saturday evening after providing no details of the sanction when it was made public on Thursday. Frylinck will face a formal disciplinary hearing next week. In a press release, the Dolphins…
Zaman stars as Pakistan claim series decider
Pakistan A 217 for 7 (Zaman 62, Curran 2-40) beat England Lions 216 (Billings 89, Zaman 5-27) by three wicketsScorecard and ball-by-ball details Sam Billings made 89 but it was not enough for the Lions © Chris Whiteoak Pakistan A completed their comeback from 2-0 down to take the unofficial ODI series against England Lions with a hard-fought three-wicket win in Dubai. Fakhar Zaman was the star of the show,…
Neil McKenzie retires from all cricket
Neil McKenzie scored over 8000 List A runs © Getty Images Former South Africa batsman Neil McKenzie has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. McKenzie had already retired from first-class cricket in March, but continued playing limited-overs cricket for his franchise Lions. The franchise has agreed to release McKenzie from his contract with immediate effect. The batsman is currently a part of the Virgo Super Kings franchise in…