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 [...]
ICC Cricket World Cup and World Twenty20 to be sponsored by Nissan until 2023 October 14, 2015 Major international cricket tournaments such as the Cricket World Cup, Champions Trophy and World Twenty20 will be sponsored by Japanese carmaker Nissan until 2023 after it agreed an eight-year sponsorship deal with the International Cricket Council (ICC). Nissan will replace Hyundai as the ICC's main sponsor. Its first significant foray into cricket follows an increased [...]
What it’s really like to be picked for an England cricket tour – and then be told you’re 12th man October 12, 2015 All the focus will be on the XI selected by England to take on Pakistan this morning on day one of the first Test in Abu Dhabi, but what about the players who did not make the team, what happens to them? During my career I spent time on tour but out of the side [...]
Migrating south for the winter can be making of young players – Chris Tremlett’s cricket comment October 1, 2015 Every single county cricketer looks forward to October because they tend to be mentally and physically shattered following a long domestic season and a solid six-month block of playing and travelling. For those players who are not involved in international squads, October and usually November tends to be a completely free period to go [...]
Hiring Mahela Jayawardene is smart England thinking – Chris Tremlett’s Cricket Comment September 17, 2015 England's appointment of Sri Lanka great Mahela Jayawardene on a consultancy basis for part of their autumn series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates is really smart thinking. I was part of the England squad that lost 3-0 in the UAE in 2012 and we really struggled on the turning pitches. Spin will [...]
Chris Tremlett’s Cricket Comment: Domestic players to welcome ECB’s proposed changes September 10, 2015 Cricket bosses look set to ratify a significant revamp of domestic cricket at their board meeting later this month and some of the changes are certainly things which players have been consistently advocating for years. The England and Wales Cricket Board’s proposal is to reduce the number of County Championship fixtures from 16 to [...]