My night watching the Ashes with England’s Barmy Army December 14, 2021 As London’s clocks struck 11pm on a cold Tuesday night in the capital, the sound of cheering, chanting and chatter pierced the night air as I entered a heaving sports pub in Victoria. I was there to watch the start of the 2021-22 Ashes series. Cricket’s biggest rivalry was an hour from its first ball, [...]
Stokes signs new three-year deal with County club Durham December 14, 2021 England’s Ben Stokes has signed a new deal to keep him at his County club Durham until at least 2024. The all-rounder has played 64 times with the red-ball for the club and scored over 3,500 runs. He said: “I am delighted to commit to a further three years with Durham. “I have had some [...]
Ashes: Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood out of second Test December 13, 2021 One of Australia’s star bowling attack Josh Hazlewood is out of the second Ashes Test – due to begin on Thursday in Adelaide. The fast bowler is believed to have developed the rib injury during the first Test at the Gabba, having not bowled too much in the second innings. “Hazlewood returned to Sydney for [...]
Chris Tremlett: It’s curtains for England’s Ashes if they lose second Test December 12, 2021 At 1-0 down in the Ashes, after falling to a nine-wicket defeat at the Gabba on Saturday, England are in a very difficult position but not completely out of the series. Should they lose the second Test, a day-nighter in Adelaide which starts on Thursday, however, that will probably be curtains for their hopes of [...]
Ashes talking points: Head shines as England tail off December 9, 2021 It was day two despair for England as a rampant Australia started piling on the runs at the Gabba in the first Ashes Test. The touring side may have started their innings in the field well but it soon unravelled. Here are the talking points from the second day. Heading the tail Travis Head’s 85-ball [...]
Australia heap more pain on England in first Ashes Test December 9, 2021 England’s chances of salvaging anything from the first Ashes Test receded further as Travis Head’s quick century helped Australia build a 196-run lead on day two in Brisbane. Head hit the third quickest ton in Ashes history, off just 85 balls, while David Warner made 94 and Marnus Labuschagne 74 as the hosts reached 343-7. [...]
Ashes talking points: England weren’t good enough, but Aussies shone December 8, 2021 There was a deep feeling of dread when Haseeb Hameed and Rory Burns walked out onto the Gabba’s moderately green crease to open the batting in the first Test of this winter’s Ashes. But no one would have predicted the collapse that followed. Here are the talking points from England’s batting on day one of [...]
Australia captain Cummins hails ideal start to Ashes after England collapse December 8, 2021 Australia captain Pat Cummins hailed a perfect start to their Ashes defence after they dismissed England for 147 on day one of the first Test in Brisbane. England opener Rory Burns was bowled first ball by Mitchell Starc, while Cummins marked his debut as skipper with figures of 5-38. “It’s all gone to plan so [...]
Ashes: Relentless bowling attack can carry the Australian fight December 7, 2021 It tends to be the Ashes knocks that get the most recognition in a Test match – Adam Gilchrist, Ben Stokes and Kevin Pietersen come to mind – but it’s the relentless bowling attacks that provide the pressure. And in this year’s series, the Aussies have a fearful foursome. In spinner Nathan Lyon and seamers [...]
Chris Tremlett: Ben Stokes is the England player who Australia fear December 7, 2021 Unfortunately, England do not take great form in Test cricket into their Ashes series against Australia, which begins in Brisbane on Tuesday night. Of their 12 Test matches so far this year, Joe Root’s men have won four, drawn two and lost six. It has been a story of inconsistency. But they do have one [...]