England build confidence for the World Cup despite comfortable nature of Afghanistan win May 27, 2019 In the end it wasn’t so much a warm-up as a cool down – an opportunity to get loose before Thursday’s World Cup grand opening. England craved a win after Saturday’s 12-run defeat by Australia, but when it came at The Oval against Afghanistan its nature diminished its significance, the home side chasing 160 in [...]
One-Day Cup final: Somerset’s young gun Tom Banton won’t be fazed by Lord’s occasion, says Marcus Trescothick May 22, 2019 Marcus Trescothick has seen enough batsmen in his 26 years of first-class cricket to know a good one when he sees him. Tom Banton may be just 20 and only have a similar number of matches behind him, but he’s already done enough to excite Somerset’s senior player. The Somerset academy graduate has taken the [...]
Chris Tremlett: Well-rounded England justify their position as World Cup favourites May 22, 2019 Three weeks ago England’s World Cup campaign could have been derailed. Alex Hales was withdrawn from the squad after failing a drugs test and the storm that followed could have thrown their preparations off. But to their credit England dealt with the incident quickly and bypassed any distractions. Now, with the tournament just a week [...]
“We’re not just competing against other sports”: The Hundred’s managing director explains why English cricket needs a new format May 21, 2019 The staggered launch of the England and Wales Cricket Board’s great new hope hasn’t gone exactly to plan. Although it was always unlikely to begin in textbook fashion, The Hundred has so far experienced the full repertoire of problems on the runway, leaving the majority of its passengers apprehensive ahead of take-off. After all, the [...]
From the World Cup to Ashes series and The Hundred: English cricket’s battle for hearts and minds May 21, 2019 With the biggest ever summer of international cricket about to start, featuring a men’s World Cup as well as men’s and women’s Ashes series, the sport faces perhaps its greatest challenge. But will such riches put cricket back in the public consciousness for the first time since 2005? That year’s Ashes series marked the end [...]
Lord’s last One-Day Cup final? MCC head of cricket John Stephenson on Hampshire v Somerset, the domestic 50-over competition’s future and The Hundred May 20, 2019 John Stephenson knows a thing or two about one-day cricket. As a fan, player and now head of cricket at Marylebone Cricket Club, he has watched, participated in and enjoyed the format as it has evolved. As a child his interest was piqued by Gloucestershire’s Mike Procter, who scored 94 in a win over Sussex [...]
Chris Tremlett: With Bairstow and Buttler firing England have the best ODI batting line-up in the world May 15, 2019 If the last two games have shown us anything it’s that the sky is the limit for England’s batsmen. Twice in the past week they’ve scored over 350 in One-Day International victories against Pakistan. It’s happening so frequently now that it’s really no longer a surprise. England have the best 50-over batting line-up in the [...]
Chris Tremlett: Joe Denly’s position as third spinner is a bonus not a problem – England shouldn’t overthink his place May 8, 2019 Moeen Ali’s absence from the first One-Day International against Pakistan today threw up another small selection dilemma for England ahead of the World Cup. While Moeen’s rib injury isn’t serious, it meant Joe Denly was thrust into the spotlight to audition as the third spin option. Unfortunately for him, the rain denied him a chance [...]
Chris Tremlett: Alex Hales only has himself to blame – England were right to drop him over drugs breach May 1, 2019 I don’t have a lot of sympathy for Alex Hales. The batsman was this week dropped from England’s World Cup squad after failing a recreational drugs test and I think director of cricket Ashley Giles has made the right decision. It’s not the first time he’s been in the spotlight for his actions away from [...]
Eoin Morgan interview: England captain on World Cup preparation, reaching world No1 and squad make-up April 30, 2019 With the Cricket World Cup just around the corner you could forgive the captain of the hosts and favourites for displaying some signs of nerves. After all, the events between 30 May and 14 July will define Eoin Morgan’s four years of hard work. Alongside coach Trevor Bayliss, Morgan has been instrumental in turning England [...]