England don’t deserve to top Test rankings yet, says skipper Alastair Cook after 10-wicket humbling by Pakistan August 14, 2016 Skipper Alastair Cook admits England have areas to improve on before they can contemplate assuming the status of the world’s No1 Test side after the hosts slumped to a 10-wicket hammering against Pakistan at the Kia Oval. Consecutive half-century stands failed to prevent England being dismissed for 253, leaving the tourists with the formality of knocking [...]
Moeen Ali promises Pakistan’s batsmen that a rough ride awaits after leading England’s revival with his third Test century August 11, 2016 Centurion Moeen Ali has predicted an uncomfortable day for Pakistan’s batsmen after England successfully initiated a counter-attack from a position of peril during the opening stages of the fourth and final Investec Test at the Kia Oval. England recovered from 110-5 to post 328 all out as Moeen, who was dropped on nine and 13, chalked [...]
No1 spot in the Test world rankings beckons for England. That’s all well and good, the real challenge is staying there August 10, 2016 It's all very well getting to No1 in the world Test rankings but the true measure of a side worthy of that tag is to stay there for a long time. That’s the challenge facing England should they hit the summit by the end of the summer. Such a feat will be achieved if Alastair [...]
Move over Joe Root: What England’s greatest ever batsman tells us about how to use statistics August 9, 2016 Cricket fans will be delighted that Joe Root is establishing himself this summer as a truly great batsman. His Test match batting average of 55.49 is bettered by only 16 players from across the world since Test cricket began in 1877. Root currently sits seventh in the England career batting averages, and he clearly has [...]
Alastair Cook’s delight as England take unassailable lead against Pakistan August 7, 2016 Captain Alastair Cook savoured one of the best wins of his tenure after England bowled Pakistan out for 201 to claim the third Investec Test at Edgbaston and take an unassailable lead in the series. Five bowlers took two wickets apiece as Pakistan’s middle order collapsed from 124-3 to 125-7 in just 23 balls and England, [...]
England seamer James Anderson apologises for umpire outburst during frustrating day as Azhar Ali-inspired Pakistan turn the screw at Edgbaston August 4, 2016 England seamer James Anderson was forced to apologise after his emotions boiled over during a frustrating second day of the third Investec Test which saw Pakistan turn the screw at Edgbaston. Anderson clashed with umpire Bruce Oxenford after he was warned about running on the pitch post-delivery. England’s leading Test wicket-taker received two official warnings, [...]
Pakistan have the edge but should be very wary of gritty England and their new ball August 3, 2016 The pendulum is swinging Pakistan’s way. The tourists have the edge after day one of the third Investec Test at Edgbaston but the clash is well set. If England bowl well with the new ball tomorrow morning it will be very hard work for the tourists. There is no doubt, however, that Pakistan will be the [...]
England refuse to hit the panic button despite being skittled out for 297 as Pakistan draw first blood in third Investec Test August 3, 2016 Defiant top-scorer Gary Ballance refused to be downbeat despite England being dismissed for 297 on the opening day of the third Investec Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston. Ballance chalked up a resolute 70 while sharing half-century stands with Moeen Ali, who notched 63, and James Vince after England were invited to bat in seamer-friendly conditions. [...]
Cricket betting: Pakistan can depend on Misbah – but not Masood against Jimmy Anderson August 2, 2016 Misbah-ul-Haq was Pakistan’s saving grace at Old Trafford in an otherwise abject performance in the second Test. Without the 42-year-old skipper’s 52 in the first innings, and 35 in the second, the 330-run margin of defeat would have approached record-breaking territory. Remarkably, the evergreen Misbah is touring England for the first time, having made his Test [...]
Cricket betting: Home sweet home for Woakes and England in crucial third Test August 2, 2016 Momentum is an oft-used word during a Test series, but in recent times its importance has waned. Last summer saw England and Australia trade blows in a see-sawing Ashes series that finished 3-2 to the hosts. England won the first, third and fourth Tests, though were completely outplayed in the other two, as the idea [...]