Cricket spot-fixer Mervyn Westfield admits he is “a bit rusty” as former Essex bowler wins appeal to be allowed to return to professional game a year early February 18, 2016 Jailed fixer Mervyn Westfield has been granted permission to return to professional cricket this season despite having a year still to serve on a five-year ban from the game. Former Essex bowler Westfield will be permitted to be play for a county’s second XI or for minor counties following a ruling by an England and [...]
Surprise England World T20 pick Dawson is a competitive cricketer and up for a fight February 10, 2016 There was a sense of dismay when uncapped all-rounder Liam Dawson was included in England’s squad for the ICC World T20, which starts next month, especially given head coach Trevor Bayliss admitted that he’s never even seen him play. But Dawson, who was a team-mate of mine at Hampshire a few years back, is a [...]
Michael Vaughan urges cricket bosses to consider Kevin Pietersen for World T20 January 24, 2016 Former skipper Michael Vaughan has re-opened the Kevin Pietersen debate by insisting that England’s cricket bosses should swallow their pride and select the maverick batsman for this year’s World Twenty20. Pietersen was sacked by the England and Wales Cricket Board in February 2014 before his hopes of rekindling an international career during last summer’s Ashes [...]
New Balance to replace Adidas as England cricket kit manufacturer in deal worth over £5m January 9, 2016 American sportswear brand New Balance has agreed a deal with the ECB to kit out the England cricket team when its current deal with Adidas comes to an end next year. According to reports the Boston-based sportswear manufacturer, which designs shirts worn by Premier League sides Liverpool and Stoke City, will fork out more than [...]
Chris Cairns says reputation has been scorched despite former New Zealand cricket captain being cleared of perjury and perverting course of justice November 30, 2015 Former New Zealand captain Chris Cairns believes his reputation has been “scorched” despite being acquitted of perjury and perverting the course of justice on Monday. Cairns, 45, was cleared at the end of a nine-week trial at Southwark Crown Court, having been accused of lying when he stated under oath during a 2012 libel trial [...]
Cricket chiefs opt to scrap mandatory coin toss in domestic game’s County Championship November 26, 2015 England cricket bosses last night decreed that the age-old and mandatory pre-match coin toss will be scrapped in both divisions of the County Championship next season. The aim of the proposal is to produce better and more consistent pitches in domestic red-ball cricket, lessen the significance of winning the toss and help the future development [...]
Who gives a toss? I’m in favour of England cricket scrapping it November 25, 2015 England cricket bosses will tomorrow discuss scrapping the coin toss at the beginning of domestic matches in a bid to improve the consistency of pitches and encourage spin bowling. I am all in favour of the proposal. If the plan is enacted, a one-year trial will ensue during the 2016 season where no toss will take [...]
England cricket coach Trevor Bayliss heartened despite agonising first Test draw against Pakistan October 18, 2015 England coach Trevor Bayliss insists their agonising draw in the first Test against Pakistan is proof that his side can prosper in the previously perilous subcontinental conditions of the United Arab Emirates. Fading light prevented England recording a stunning victory on Saturday having routed Pakistan for just 173 in their second innings. The tourists were [...]
England cricketers fear reprisals if they seek my advice, says former skipper Kevin Pietersen October 14, 2015 Maverick batsman Kevin Pietersen believes current England players are loath to contact him for advice because they fear incurring the wrath of the country’s cricket bosses. Pietersen, who was sacked by the England and Wales Cricket Board in February 2014, conceded last month that director of cricket Andrew Strauss had been vindicated in dashing his [...]
Pakistan v England: All-rounder Ben Stokes backs Adil Rashid after leg-spinner endured the worst debut in Test cricket history October 14, 2015 England all-rounder Ben Stokes has backed under-fire leg-spinner Adil Rashid to rediscover his poise after enduring the worst debut in Test history as his side’s bowlers were put to the sword by Pakistan in Abu Dhabi today. A toiling Rashid returned figures of 0-163 from his 34 overs, surpassing the 0-149 posted by Australia leg-spinner Bryce [...]