47.3 overs Pakistan 290 (Azam 83, Hafeez 76) v New ZealandLive scorecard and-ball-by-ball details Babar Azam’s 83 was the best score of his young career © Getty Images Babar Azam and Mohammad Hafeez set Pakistan on track for a mammoth score with their 134-run third-wicket stand off 17.5 overs, but they fell away during the middle overs, losing three wickets in eight overs, before New Zealand’s quicks blew the tail…
Taylor guides England to convincing win
James Taylor’s well-crafted century paved the way for England to thrash South Africa A by 163 runs at the Diamond Oval in their warm up for the one-day international series. A beautifully paced run-a-ball 116 from the Nottinghamshire batsman on a slow surface laid the foundations before Jonny Bairstow and the lower order upped the ante to post 368 for seven. England scored 127 from the last 10 overs, with…
Taylor ton puts England in control
James Taylor hit a run-a-ball century as England posted a formidable 368 for seven against South Africa A in the first match of the limited-overs leg of their tour. Taylor, who was part of the side which beat the Proteas 2-1 in the Test series, hit eight fours and a six in his innings of 116. Jonny Bairstow, Chris Jordan and David Willey then cleared the rope late on as…
Strong England showing pleases Taylor
James Taylor was delighted to hit form ahead of the upcoming one-day international series with a century against South Africa A. The 26-year-old hit a run-a-ball 116 in an England total of 368 for seven, and Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid and Reece Topley all took three wickets as the hosts were bundled out for 205 in Kimberley. A 163-run win represented a near-flawless warm-up for Eoin Morgan’s side at the…
McCullum returns, Pakistan choose to bat
Toss Pakistan chose to bat v New ZealandLive scorecard and-ball-by-ball details Luke Ronchi received a late call-up for the third ODI after BJ Watling was ruled out © AFP Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first in the third ODI at Eden Park. They had also batted first in the only match they have won on tour so far, at the same venue. Brendon McCullum, who returned after…
Billings reflects on invaluable winter
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…