Former Hampshire and South Africa batsman Neil McKenzie has announced his retirement from first-class cricket. The 39-year-old decided to call time on his playing career after hitting an unbeaten double-hundred for Lions against Warriors. His 19,041 runs came at an average of 45.77, and McKenzie shared in two record breaking partnerships. A stand of 415 with Graeme Smith against Bangladesh in 2008 remains the highest in Test cricket for the…
Duminy, Puttick propel Cobras to easy win
File photo – JP Duminy scored a 62-ball 68 and picked up two wickets in Cape Cobras’ comfortable win over Dolphins © AFP Half-centuries from Andrew Puttick, JP Duminy and Jason Smith gave Cape Cobras the platform for a 68-run win over Dolphins in Cape Town. Cobras, who chose to bat, got off to a good start courtesy Puttick and Stiaan van Zyl (35), who added 116 for the first…
Hong Kong thrash Scotland
Hong Kong defeated Scotland by nine wickets in a weather-affected first Twenty20 international at Mong Kok. The match was delayed due to a wet ground and reduced to 10 overs per side when it did get under way, with George Munsey, Calum MacLeod and Matt Machan the only Scots to reach double figures after the tourists were asked to bat first. They stuttered their way to 66 for seven, their…
'Kane did an outstanding job as captain' – McCullum
Brendon McCullum believes Kane Williamson ‘did an outstanding job as captain’ in his absence © Getty Images Having literally flung himself into injury in an ODI late last month, Brendon McCullum earned a four-week glimpse into his future. McCullum aggravated a back complaint when he dove into advertising hoardings, attempting to save a boundary in the second ODI against Sri Lanka. Since then he has watched Kane Williamson lead the…
Pakistan hope for feel-good Auckland vibe
Match facts January 31, 2016Start time 1100 local (1000 GMT) Martin Guptill is a doubtful starter after rolling his ankle during training on the eve of the match © AFP Big Picture This tour ending where it began – in Auckland – may lead to good vibes taking hold in the Pakistan camp. They have been outclassed so far, but their solitary win of the trip came at Eden Park….
McCullum set to return as NZ eye series win
Match facts January 31, 2016Start time 1100 local (1000 GMT) Brendon McCullum is back in the New Zealand side after recovering from a back injury © PA Photos Big Picture This tour ending where it began – in Auckland – may lead to good vibes taking hold in the Pakistan camp. They have been outclassed so far, but their solitary win of the trip came at Eden Park. Their previous…
McCullum back as NZ look to wrap up series
Match facts January 31, 2016Start time 1100 local (1000 GMT) Brendon McCullum is back in the New Zealand side after recovering from a back injury © PA Photos Big Picture This tour ending where it began – in Auckland – may lead to good vibes taking hold in the Pakistan camp. They have been outclassed so far, but their solitary win of the trip came at Eden Park. Their previous…
McCullum comes back for Australia ODIs
Brendon McCullum hasn’t batted for New Zealand since the first ODI against Sri Lanka on Boxing Day © Getty Images Captain Brendon McCullum is on the verge of returning from the back issue that has sidelined him December after he was named to lead a 13-man New Zealand squad for the home ODI series against Australia beginning February 3 in Auckland. McCullum hasn’t played since the second ODI against Sri…
Buttler relishing Proteas test
Jos Buttler believes England face their toughest limited-overs challenge of the last 12 months in the upcoming one-day international series against South Africa. Since Eoin Morgan’s side overhauled their approach to white-ball cricket last spring, England have beaten World Cup runners-up New Zealand, been pipped in the decisive rubber by champions Australia and thrashed Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates. Buttler believes the Proteas will prove an equally tough nut…
England U19s on verge of quarter-final place
Essex team-mates Dan Lawrence and Callum Taylor hit half-centuries to set up England’s second consecutive win in the ICC Under-19s World Cup, by 61 runs against West Indies, which keeps them on course for the quarter-finals. Lawrence followed his record-breaking 174 in England’s opening win against Fiji with 55 off 56 balls, and Taylor continued the impressive form he showed in the warm-up games by top-scoring with 59 from 67…