Skipper Alastair Cook was keen to focus on the achievements of Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow after England endured a nervy final day in the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town. Man-of-the-match Stokes smashed the fastest Test double-century by an England batsman, off 163 deliveries, during a world-record sixth-wicket stand of 399 with Bairstow, who completed an emotional maiden international ton. Although the tourists struggled to capitalise on…
From crushed to content, Amla unburdens himself
Play 02:15 Amla resigns South Africa captaincy The Hashim Amla who called his men in from the middle with half-an-hour’s play left on the fourth day was neither the same Amla who addressed the media four days before, nor the same Amla who spoke to them 24 hours later at the conclusion of the match. The first Amla was crushed after his team sank to a fourth defeat in six…
Cook rues misses which led to nervous final day
Alastair Cook’s lean start to the series continued when he was caught down the leg side © Getty Images Alastair Cook admitted that missed chances cost England dear in the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town. England missed, depending on what you think constitutes a chance, between five and 10 opportunities during South Africa’s first innings total of 627 for 7 declared. On a flat wicket and against…
Hobden died celebrating New Year, says family
Matthew Hobden was highly regarded and tipped to push for England honours © Getty Images The family of Matthew Hobden, the Sussex pace bowler, have said he died while celebrating New Year with friends in Scotland. His body was discovered by Police Scotland on Saturday at a property in Forres near Inverness. An investigation into his death is continuing but the police have said there are not thought to be…
Naib heroics lift Afghanistan to thrilling series win
Afghanistan 254 for 8 (Naib 82, Shahidi 31, Jongwe 3-50) beat Zimbabwe 248 (Masakadza 110, Moor 42, Hamza 3-41)Live scorecard and ball-by-ball details Hamilton Masakadza’s 111-ball 100 went in vain © Chris Whiteoak Gulbadin Naib played the most important innings of his life to hand Afghanistan a sensational comeback win that not only lifted them to their second 3-2 series win against Zimbabwe, but also ensured Afghanistan broke into the…
Steyn '50-50' for Johannesburg, Philander out of series
Dale Steyn needs further assessment before his availability for the third Test is confirmed © AFP Vernon Philander has been ruled out of the Test series against England due to the ankle injury he sustained in India while Dale Steyn is only rated 50-50 for the third Test in Johannesburg but Kyle Abbott has recovered from his hamstring strain. Steyn suffered a shoulder injury in Durban which ruled him out…
Amla resigns as South Africa Test captain
Hashim Amla has resigned as South Africa’s Test captain. Amla made 201, his best score as skipper, as the Proteas drew the second Test against England in Cape Town, but announced his retirement immediately after the match. Amla said: “After careful consideration, I wish to announce I am stepping down as captain of the Proteas Test team with immediate effect. I remain committed to the Proteas team across all formats…
England survive scare but South Africa are buoyed
England 629 for 6 dec (Stokes 258, Bairstow 150*, Hales 60, Root 50) and 159 for 6 (Bairstow 30*, Piedt 3-38) drew with South Africa 627 for 7 dec (Amla 201, Bavuma 102*, de Villiers 88, du Plessis 86, Morris 69)Scorecard and ball-by-ball details Play 01:29 Bairstow treads fine line on final day From nowhere, a smouldering Newlands Test burst into life. A final day that many anticipated would bring…
Amla steps down as South Africa captain
Hashim Amla has stepped down as South Africa captain © Getty Images Hashim Amla has resigned as South Africa captain following the second Test against England at Newlands. He has come in for criticism of his leadership during the start of the series but had returned to form with the bat with 201. Amla was named as Graeme Smith’s replacement as captain in mid-2014. This was his sixth series in…
England survive scare but South Africa are bouyed
England 629 for 6 dec (Stokes 258, Bairstow 150*, Hales 60, Root 50) and 159 for 6 (Bairstow 30*, Piedt 3-38) drew with South Africa 627 for 7 dec (Amla 201, Bavuma 102*, de Villiers 88, du Plessis 86, Morris 69)Scorecard and ball-by-ball details Play 01:29 Bairstow treads fine line on final day From nowhere, a smouldering Newlands Test burst into life. A final day that many anticipated would bring…