Lord’s was under a state of siege. The game seemed to be in meltdown. England had clumsily sacked the coach and controversially ended the international career, again, of their most illustrious player. A few days earlier the team had returned from a Test tour of the Caribbean with their tail between their legs. The 1-1 draw that they contrived against a weak West Indies followed a World Cup in which…
England take bold option with Alex Hales and Zafar Ansari included in squad for Pakistan Test series in UAE
Of all England’s difficult assignments this year, none is more taxing than their imminent tour to the desert. There will be times in the United Arab Emirates while playing Pakistan when they will fondly recall the Ashes as a cakewalk and look forward gleefully to facing the world No 1 might of South Africa. The squads announced for the next leg of this relentless year of Test series (almost all…
England vs Pakistan: Alex Hales and Zafar Ansari named in squad to tour UAE as opener Adam Lyth is left out
England have selected uncapped pair Alex Hales and Zafar Ansari for the forthcoming Test series against Pakistan. Both men have been named in a 16-man squad for the three-match series in the United Arab Emirates, which begins next month. Nottinghamshire opener Hales has been picked ahead of Adam Lyth, the Yorkshire batsman who played all seven Tests this summer but struggled badly for form during the Ashes, while Surrey all-rounder…
County round-up: Zafar Ansari lifts Surrey title hopes with timely 99
While the England selectors were meeting to pick their squad to face Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates, Zafar Ansari yesterday chose a timely moment to underline his case for a call-up, missing out by just one run on what would have been a second century of the season as Surrey advanced their attempt to pip Lancashire to the Second Division title. The 23-year-old all-rounder is a contender as both…
England tour to Pakistan: Trevor Bayliss hints selectors will stick by Adam Lyth as opener
The England squads for the autumn tour against Pakistan will be named today. When the selectors met last night there was probably little time for congratulating themselves on jobs well done in regaining the Ashes and rebuilding the one-day team. There was too much weighing of options to be done for the challenges ahead in the desert states of the United Arab Emirates, where Pakistan are forced to ply their…
Chris Gayle: West Indies cricket star has a strip club in his house
Chris Gayle has a strip club in his home. You’re not reading that wrong. Chris Gayle, probably the best West Indian player of his generation, has a strip club in his home. The 35-year-old is well known for his party loving lifestyle and often posts pictures on his Instagram page out with friends at nightclubs and pool parties. But in his latest posts, the big hitting left-hander revealed that he…
England vs Australia ODI latest: England lose series 3-2 after Australia win by eight wickets at Old Trafford
Sport, bless its cotton socks, occasionally fails in its mission. The final international match of the 2015 season was supposed to be a riveting climax to a wonderful summer in which the England team have not only been reinvented but also regained the Ashes. The first probably led to the second. If they did not defeat Australia to win the one-day series in the fifth and deciding match, they would…
England vs Australia ODI latest: England on verge of series defeat after being blown away for just 138 runs
Sport, bless its cotton socks, occasionally fails in its mission. The final international match of the 2015 season was supposed to be a riveting climax to a wonderful summer in which the England team have not only been reinvented but also regained the Ashes. The first probably led to the second. If they did not defeat Australia to win the one-day series in the fifth and deciding match, they would…
England one-day game finally comes of age
International one-day cricket in England appears to have grown up at last. It has taken 43 years to reach this point. In that time fleeting glimpses of maturity have never come close to allaying its status as a poor relation. But this seminal summer has seen it welcomed into the fold, finally one of us and ready to stand on its own two feet. After the victory which levelled the…
Jason Roy Video Diary: Part 2
[embedded content] Jason Roy gave fans a taste of what it’s like to face some of England’s bowlers in the nets during a session in South Africa. With the use of a GoPro camera, fans get a heads-on view of how the opening batsman prepares for opposing bowlers at the crease, helping one another during their intense sessions. The Surrey man reveals the challenges, as well as the things he…