Five things we learned from England’s Test series whitewash over Sri Lanka: Spinners, Foakes, Root and selectors all shine November 26, 2018 England’s tour of Sri Lanka ended perfectly for the visitors and appropriately for the Test series as a whole. A contest defined by England’s mastery of spin bowling was concluded when their stand-out proponent of the art, Jack Leach, trapped opposition captain Suranga Lakmal lbw to complete a 42-run victory and a 3-0 series whitewash. [...]
Chris Tremlett: Sri Lanka series win could prove the turning point for Joe Root’s England captaincy November 21, 2018 England’s series-clinching win in Kandy last week was full of positives for the away side, but no one will be happier than captain Joe Root. Root scored a magnificent 124 in the second innings, his first away from home as captain, to set Sri Lanka a tricky target and seal his maiden away series win [...]
“They complement each other beautifully”: How England’s spinners out-bowled Sri Lanka to secure series win November 18, 2018 England’s series win over Sri Lanka has broken new ground in many ways. The 2-0 scoreline is the side’s first away win since beating South Africa in 2016, their first in Sri Lanka for 17 years and Joe Root’s first away series victory as captain on the back of his first century outside England as [...]
Chris Tremlett: Sam Curran has shown the temperament and ability to move up England’s batting order November 14, 2018 The opening day of the second Test match against Sri Lanka was in many ways a typical one for England. The top order batsmen struggled, losing four wickets in the first session, before the lower order came to the rescue to get them in the game. It’s been a problem for quite some time now, [...]
How do you solve a problem like England’s No3? Ben Stokes’s move highlights uncertainty not flexibility November 13, 2018 Jonathan Trott retired from international cricket in May 2015 after a return to the England side ended in a disappointing stint against the West Indies. While the struggles to find a successor to opener and captain Andrew Strauss following his retirement in 2012 have been well documented, the difficulties in the No3 batting position have [...]
Chris Tremlett: Ben Foakes already undroppable after amazing first two days of England debut against Sri Lanka November 7, 2018 If you had turned on the television to see Ben Foakes bat for the first time against Sri Lanka yesterday you wouldn’t have guessed he was making his Test debut. He came to the crease with England in strife at 103-5 but played with such calmness and authority to guide the tourists away from danger to [...]
Nick Compton interview: Former England batsman on how his passion for photography has helped him move on from cricket November 7, 2018 Retiring from a sport to which you have dedicated most of your adult life isn’t an easy thing to do. For many athletes what comes next is difficult to contemplate and daunting to put into action; the bubble of the changing room is gone and life in the real world begins abruptly. Nick Compton has [...]
Sri Lanka v England: Rory Burns’ patience a helpful attribute as debut finally nears in first Test November 5, 2018 Many things have been up in the air during the build-up to England’s first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle tomorrow but a debut for Rory Burns is not one of them. With Alastair Cook gone, Jonny Bairstow injured and monsoon season in full effect, England’s preparations on the tour have been far from settled as [...]
Sri Lanka v England: Tourists risk being undercooked for first Test after insufficient warm-up matches November 1, 2018 As the oft-quoted adage goes if you fail to prepare then you are preparing to fail. Due to circumstances largely beyond their control there is a sense England are heading into Tuesday’s first Test against Sri Lanka undercooked and at risk of flaunting the Scouts’ most cherished motto. A two-day game against a Sri Lanka [...]
Chris Tremlett: Sri Lanka Test series can be fresh start as England look to replicate one-day side’s success October 31, 2018 England have one more warm-up game before they begin their Test series against Sri Lanka and I hope they can build on the success of the one-day side and use it as a fresh start. With Alastair Cook retired, Jonny Bairstow fighting for fitness after injury and conditions making it necessary to change tactics, the [...]