The Bert Sutcliffe Oval – the venue for the Sheffield Shied game © Martin Hunter-IDI Back in October, the New Zealand touring team was hosted for a tour match at Blacktown Oval to Sydney’s west – if “hosted” is the right word. The ground staff had been unable to grow grass after the football season, leaving a pitch of rolled mud that was at first a road before growing progressively…
Sore McCullum targets victorious finish
Brendon McCullum on the Australia series: “Certainly the one that we’ve been waiting for.” © Getty Images And so begins Brendon McCullum Month. It is not officially marked on calendars in New Zealand, probably only because they were already printed when he announced his decision just before Christmas. But expect February to be a month of celebration of McCullum’s career, beginning with his final ODI series, continuing with his 100th…
MP drop allrounder for allegedly killing black buck
Madhya Pradesh have dropped Rameez Khan from their Ranji Trophy squad after the allrounder was arrested for allegedly killing a black buck in the state’s Sagar district. Rameez was named in Madhya Pradesh’s squad to play Bengal in the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal in Mumbai on February 3. “We have not selected Rameez for the Ranji squad as he is not available because he is jail in connection with the alleged…
Hodge to be named Rajkot franchise's head coach
Brad Hodge was the first batsman to make 5000 runs in the T20 format © Cricket Australia Former Australia batsman Brad Hodge is set to be the head coach of the new Rajkot franchise for the 2016 season of the IPL. Hodge’s appointment is likely to be made on Tuesday when the franchise unveils its team name in Delhi. The franchise had also been in talks with former South African…
Chappell-Hadlee Trophy dusted off at last
Match facts February 3, 2016Start time 1400 local (0100 GMT) Play 03:07 Australia quicks look forward to NZ pitches Big Picture There was much fanfare around the announcement of the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy back in May 2004. At simultaneous press conferences in Melbourne and Christchurch the boards of both countries set out their plans to compete for the trophy on an annual basis, strengthening the cricketing ties between the trans-Tasman neighbours….
Rashid stronger for BBL experience
Adil Rashid believes he has returned to the England set-up as a better bowler following his successful Big Bash League. The Yorkshire leg-spinner was voted the tournament’s second-best player after his 16 wickets, and miserly economy rate, helped Adelaide Strikers top the table. While they would suffer a semi-final defeat to eventual champions Sydney Thunder for Rashid, who was released by the England and Wales Cricket Board to play in…
Donald trick shot goes viral
Aneurin Donald may have had to wait for his chance at the ICC Under-19 World Cup, but the Welshman in the England ranks certainly made an impact on his tournament debut in Sunday’s win against Zimbabwe. The Glamorgan batsman, who captained England in last summer’s Royal London One-Day Series against Australia, replaced George Bartlett at number five in the batting order when the Somerset youngster was ruled out by illness….
England's recent limited-overs record in SA
With England set to take on South Africa in five one-day internationals and two Twenty20s, ecb.co.uk looks at how they fared in their last away limited-overs series against the Proteas. One-day internationals in 2009 – South Africa 1 England 2 1st ODI – Match abandoned without a ball bowled in Johannesburg On the back of their semi-final defeat to Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy, England were looking to build…
Elwiss praises Robinson influence
[embedded content] All-rounder Georgia Elwiss is enjoying life under new England women Head Coach Mark Robinson as they prepare for his first series in charge. England face South Africa in a three-match one-day international series that could see them jump above the Proteas and into a fourth place in the ICC Women’s Championship table. Robinson was appointed into the role last November, in the wake of the Ashes series defeat,…
Here's Jonny's Best Moments
[embedded content] Jonny Bairstow has entertained us with his insightful behind-the-scene diary blogs during the Test series and, in his last instalment, the Yorkshireman has revealed his top-three moments on, and off, the field during the past few weeks. The wicketkeeper-batsman will remain on with the limited-overs team – for five one-day internationals and two Twenty20s – but he will hand over his place in front of the camera to…