John Hastings returned to Australia’s ODI side in September for the first time in four years © Getty Images Mitchell Marsh‘s elevated place in Australia’s plans has been underlined by the national selectors’ decision to rest him from the second ODI against India in Brisbane in order to give him an extra day’s rest at home in Perth. While Marsh played only a limited role in Australia’s Test summer, his…
Cheatle, Stalenberg in line for Australia debuts
Left-armer Lauren Cheatle has impressed during the WBBL © Cricket Australia/Getty Images Lauren Cheatle and Naomi Stalenberg, who have both impressed with the Sydney Thunder in the Women’s Big Bash League, are in line to debut for Australia after being named in the squad to take on India in six matches over the next month. Australia’s selectors have named a squad of 15 for the matches, beginning with three T20s…
Stanford says English cricket embarrassment 'breaks his heart'
Allen Stanford arrives at Lord’s in 2008, flanked by Giles Clarke, the then-ECB chairman, and Julian Hunte © Getty Images Allen Stanford has claimed that it “breaks his heart” to hear of the embarrassment that his notorious partnership with the ECB caused to English cricket. Speaking to the BBC in his first interview since 2009, when he was sentenced to 110 years for carrying out the second-largest investment fraud in…
Bairstow: England ready for third Test
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…