Sri Lanka v England: Rory Burns’ patience a helpful attribute as debut finally nears in first Test November 5, 2018 Many things have been up in the air during the build-up to England’s first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle tomorrow but a debut for Rory Burns is not one of them. With Alastair Cook gone, Jonny Bairstow injured and monsoon season in full effect, England’s preparations on the tour have been far from settled as [...]
Sri Lanka v England: Tourists risk being undercooked for first Test after insufficient warm-up matches November 1, 2018 As the oft-quoted adage goes if you fail to prepare then you are preparing to fail. Due to circumstances largely beyond their control there is a sense England are heading into Tuesday’s first Test against Sri Lanka undercooked and at risk of flaunting the Scouts’ most cherished motto. A two-day game against a Sri Lanka [...]
Chris Tremlett: Sri Lanka Test series can be fresh start as England look to replicate one-day side’s success October 31, 2018 England have one more warm-up game before they begin their Test series against Sri Lanka and I hope they can build on the success of the one-day side and use it as a fresh start. With Alastair Cook retired, Jonny Bairstow fighting for fitness after injury and conditions making it necessary to change tactics, the [...]
Chris Tremlett: Sri Lanka series win heightens England’s healthy selection headache ahead of the World Cup October 24, 2018 The subcontinent is a difficult place to go and win matches, regardless of the opposition, so England will be delighted with their 3-1 one-day international series victory over Sri Lanka. Monsoon season hasn’t helped, but in between the showers England have put in some really good performances. They lost the final ODI by a record [...]
Just not cricket: Why England risk injury to play football in the warm-up October 24, 2018 Jonny Bairstow’s ankle injury, which has made him a doubt for England’s opening Test match against Sri Lanka on 6 November, has sparked a familiar discussion in the cricket world. England’s players and staff are always dreading injuries, especially to someone of Bairstow’s importance. But the origin of his problem will have caused further consternation [...]
UAE T20x: Icon player Kumar Sangakkara and chief executive Salman Butt on Twenty20’s latest league October 16, 2018 You might think that Twenty20 cricket has reached its saturation point. Since its advent in 2003, the game’s shortest format has gone from strength to strength, culminating in a point now where it dominates agendas both domestically and internationally. Its success has seen tournaments spring up all over the globe in an attempt to catch [...]
Chris Tremlett: Testing conditions make Sri Lanka the hardest but most rewarding England tour October 10, 2018 Sri Lanka is the hardest place I have ever visited to play cricket. England’s players, who are one game into their tour after the washout in Dambulla today, will be faced with a many more challenges than just those on the pitch. India has similar difficulties, but the sheer heat and humidity of Sri Lanka is [...]
Sri Lanka v England preview: Tourists hold all the aces ahead of Dambulla opener October 9, 2018 How times have changed for England. Last time they were in Sri Lanka to play a one-day series things were far less rosy than they are currently. In 2014, a side led by Alastair Cook succumbed to a 5-2 series defeat, as Kumar Sangakkara plundered a whopping 454 runs with five scores of over 50 [...]
Chris Tremlett: Natural leader Andrew Strauss leaves ECB with a modern blueprint ahead of a crucial year October 3, 2018 Andrew Strauss stepping down as England’s director of cricket is a shame, but family comes first and he leaves knowing what he’s achieved. The move has been ongoing over the summer with Andy Flower covering for him while his wife Ruth undergoes treatment for cancer. That’s his priority at the moment, so it has probably [...]
Chris Tremlett: Balanced Surrey look set for big things after first County Championship title in 16 years September 18, 2018 Surrey sealing the County Championship with victory at Worcestershire last week was the culmination of a great year, but their success has been building for some time. There’s been a lot of pressure, because such a big county going 16 years without winning the Division One title is not good enough. At times they’ve been [...]