Adil Rashid’s leg-spin holds no fear for Bangladesh’s batsmen, insists all-rounder Sabbir Rahman October 5, 2016 Bangladesh all-rounder Sabbir Rahman goaded England ahead of Friday’s opening one-day clash by insisting Adil Rashid’s leg-spin bowling holds no fear for his side’s batsmen. Rashid has forced himself into the one-day reckoning over the past 18 months and is England’s leading wicket-taker in 50-over contests since the 2015 World Cup, claiming 38 scalps. The [...]
Durham’s punishment is harsh but fair, although the ECB need to look at Test match scheduling October 5, 2016 It's sad to see what has happened to Durham. They’ve been in the top flight since 2006 and have won the County Championship three times in the last nine years – I feel really sorry for them. There will be a lot of upset and angry players in that dressing room and I understand that, [...]
Chris Woakes confident for Bangladesh one-day series after 50-over warm-up success October 4, 2016 England all-rounder Chris Woakes declared his side ready for action after they secured a four-wicket victory in their sole warm-up clash against a Bangladesh Cricket Board Select XI in the stifling heat of Fatullah. Stand-in captain Jos Buttler struck an unbeaten 80 and Moeen Ali 70, sharing a stand of 139, as England recovered from [...]
Jonathan Trott interview: International past is no hard place for England’s rock October 4, 2016 If he had his own way Jonathan Trott might still have the ringing in his ears from an international curtain call this summer, but as he knows only too well, scripts sometimes need redrafting. Such a picture book ending would have afforded the South Africa-born batsman, who became England’s rock at No3, a last opportunity to score [...]
English cricket bosses relegate financially-stricken Durham after handing out rescue package October 3, 2016 Durham cricket chiefs have expressed their disappointment after the financially-stricken club was handed a string of sanctions, including demotion, by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). The north-east outfit have been relegated to Division Two of the County Championship, docked 48 points for next season and stripped of their Test match status after [...]
Joe Root set for £1m pay deal as England cricket chiefs confirm biggest shake-up to central contract system for more than a decade September 29, 2016 England cricket chiefs have confirmed the biggest shake-up to the way that the country’s centrally-contracted players are paid for more than a decade. The England and Wales Cricket Board have for the first time awarded central contracts to regulars in the one-day team as well as those in the Test side. Mainstays of both teams, [...]
ECB proposal to give greater rewards and a central deal to one-day players is on the money September 28, 2016 The England and Wales Cricket Board’s proposed revamping of the central contract structure, which could see the introduction of standalone deals for one-day players for the first time, is a positive step forward. Currently, central contracts are handed to the mainstays of the Test set-up, while fringe players and those featuring in limited-overs cricket are [...]
Intriguing final day in prospect as Middlesex and Yorkshire look to conjure victory in title decider September 22, 2016 Middlesex seamer Tim Murtagh admits his side face a dilemma on the final day of their crunch title-decider against Yorkshire after Somerset wrapped up a convincing victory over Somerset at Taunton. In some ways the equation is clear; whoever prevails between Middlesex and Yorkshire will be crowned county champions, while Somerset will only seal first [...]
Former England all-rounder Tim Bresnan leads Yorkshire’s revival against Middlesex and eyes swinging pendulum September 21, 2016 Former England all-rounder Tim Bresnan is backing the pendulum to swing Yorkshire’s way after his unbeaten knock of 72 boosted his side’s bid to secure a third successive County Championship title. Yorkshire were wobbling at 53-4 before Bresnan and wicketkeeper Andy Hodd shared a century stand as the visitors ended day two at Lord’s on [...]
Tough on counties but ECB right to rest England players for final Championship fixtures September 21, 2016 I fully appreciate how disappointing it must be for counties and their supporters that their international players are not playing in the final round of Championship fixtures but on balance I believe the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) are right. Of the eight Division One teams in action this week, six have something to [...]