Cricket round-up: Just who fills the gap when international stars retire? January 6, 2022 If one sport has matched the fireworks of New Year, it is cricket. In the space of a week, New Zealand’s Ross Taylor, South Africa’s Quinton de Kock and Pakistan’s Mohammad Hafeez announced their retirement from the sport. Each a key figure in their Test side, their impact on the game should not be underestimated [...]
England Ashes woe down to batting failure, says Stuart Broad January 6, 2022 England bowler Stuart Broad has laid the blame for a miserable Ashes series at the feet of the tourists’ batters as they look to avoid another defeat in the fourth Test. Broad revived debate about his controversial omission earlier in the series by taking five wickets on the first two days in Sydney. His performance [...]
Wood pleased with England start to fourth Ashes Test despite ‘carnage’ January 5, 2022 England bowler Mark Wood hailed the team’s solid start to the fourth Ashes Test in Sydney, despite the “carnage” affecting their preparations. The tourists restricted Australia to 126-3 on a rain-affected first day, with Wood, the recalled Stuart Broad and James Anderson taking one wicket apiece. Since their Ashes hopes were extinguished in the third [...]
Cricket round-up: Ashes squads named and NZ Test in balance January 4, 2022 Ashes captains Joe Root and Pat Cummins have named their squads for the fourth Ashes Test while New Zealand’s cricket match against Bangladesh goes to the final day. Ashes Joe Root has named his squad for the fourth Ashes Test as Stuart Broad comes in for Ollie Robinson ahead of tonight’s start in Sydney. Broad [...]
Ashes: Root says ‘we’ve got to stay tight’ amid Covid-19 and poor series January 3, 2022 England captain Joe Root has said his touring Ashes side need “to stay tight” following a poor opening three tests and Covid-19 issues. The fourth Test begins tomorrow night – UK time – with England already 3-0 down and series losers. England have also been dogged by positive Covid-19 tests in the camp which includes [...]
The strange case of The Hundred: a North-South divide? January 1, 2022 Recently this country has been roughly split down the middle on, well, virtually everything. Opinions are polarised and if there’s a fence in the middle, we’re damn well not sitting on it. Summer 2021 saw a new concept dividing the nation. Sports fans, I give you the strange case of The Hundred. Unlike most cricket [...]
England coach Chris Silverwood to miss fourth Ashes Test through isolation December 30, 2021 England men’s cricket coach Chris Silverwood will miss the fourth Ashes test next week after being told he must isolate for 10 days. England were rocked before and during the third Test when a family member of the touring party tested positive for Covid-19. Silverwood’s side lost the ashes 3-0 and are looking to avoid [...]
Ashes: England were dominated in every aspect of the game and the numbers don’t lie December 28, 2021 Runs, wins, wickets, score lines – cricket is a game of numbers. It’s also a sport where you can at least attempt to control the controllables. You make a conscious decision whether to block or play, pitch short or full, run or hold. So in this Ashes series, over before the halfway point, why do [...]
Ashes: Australia retain the urn as they seal 3-0 series win Down Under December 28, 2021 Australia have retained the Ashes urn over England after securing the third Test and taking an unassailable 3-0 lead Down Under. The Baggy Greens were favourites to retain the trophy they’ve held since 2017 but the 3-0 scoreline blew England away. England were bowled out for 68 in their second Melbourne innings, their eighth lowest [...]
Ashes: England wait on Covid-19 tests after day two positives December 27, 2021 England are waiting on a further round of Covid-19 tests after four positive cases in the camp led to the second day of the third Test being delayed. England’s players were told not to travel to the Melbourne Cricket Ground after “a positive test in the team’s family group” on the morning of the second [...]