Chris Tremlett: Jofra Archer can become world-class – his availability is a huge bonus for England ahead of important year December 5, 2018 Jofra Archer is one of the most talented young cricketers in the world, so the fact he will be eligible to play for England next year is very exciting. The England and Wales Cricket Board have sped up the process from seven years of residency to three, meaning Archer, who was born in Barbados but [...]
Australia v India: Hosts welcome No1 Test side while suffering an “identity crisis” in fallout from sandpaper scandal December 4, 2018 The first Test match of the Australian summer is usually a sacred time. Players, coaches, media and public alike typically home in on the cricket, each brimming with anticipation, excitement and confidence. But with India in Adelaide ahead of Thursday's first Test of a four-match series, the focus is far from concentrated. How could it [...]
From outcast to linchpin: How Jos Buttler’s brilliant 2018 has helped revive England and redefine Test batting November 28, 2018 When Jos Buttler arrived at the crease with England wobbling and in danger of succumbing meekly in the second innings of the third Test against Sri Lanka last week he had one thing on his mind. His side may have been 39-4, just 135 runs ahead, on day three in Colombo and the hosts’ spinners [...]
Chris Tremlett: How England can build on Sri Lanka whitewash to reach the No1 Test ranking November 28, 2018 England enjoyed an excellent Test series in Sri Lanka, winning 3-0 to continue their recent momentum under captain Joe Root. Like the one-day side before them they now appear to be developing a strong, exciting and enjoyable brand of cricket. With eight wins from their last 10 Test matches they are clearly going in the [...]
Five things we learned from England’s Test series whitewash over Sri Lanka: Spinners, Foakes, Root and selectors all shine November 26, 2018 England’s tour of Sri Lanka ended perfectly for the visitors and appropriately for the Test series as a whole. A contest defined by England’s mastery of spin bowling was concluded when their stand-out proponent of the art, Jack Leach, trapped opposition captain Suranga Lakmal lbw to complete a 42-run victory and a 3-0 series whitewash. [...]
Chris Tremlett: Sri Lanka series win could prove the turning point for Joe Root’s England captaincy November 21, 2018 England’s series-clinching win in Kandy last week was full of positives for the away side, but no one will be happier than captain Joe Root. Root scored a magnificent 124 in the second innings, his first away from home as captain, to set Sri Lanka a tricky target and seal his maiden away series win [...]
“They complement each other beautifully”: How England’s spinners out-bowled Sri Lanka to secure series win November 18, 2018 England’s series win over Sri Lanka has broken new ground in many ways. The 2-0 scoreline is the side’s first away win since beating South Africa in 2016, their first in Sri Lanka for 17 years and Joe Root’s first away series victory as captain on the back of his first century outside England as [...]
Chris Tremlett: Sam Curran has shown the temperament and ability to move up England’s batting order November 14, 2018 The opening day of the second Test match against Sri Lanka was in many ways a typical one for England. The top order batsmen struggled, losing four wickets in the first session, before the lower order came to the rescue to get them in the game. It’s been a problem for quite some time now, [...]
How do you solve a problem like England’s No3? Ben Stokes’s move highlights uncertainty not flexibility November 13, 2018 Jonathan Trott retired from international cricket in May 2015 after a return to the England side ended in a disappointing stint against the West Indies. While the struggles to find a successor to opener and captain Andrew Strauss following his retirement in 2012 have been well documented, the difficulties in the No3 batting position have [...]
Chris Tremlett: Ben Foakes already undroppable after amazing first two days of England debut against Sri Lanka November 7, 2018 If you had turned on the television to see Ben Foakes bat for the first time against Sri Lanka yesterday you wouldn’t have guessed he was making his Test debut. He came to the crease with England in strife at 103-5 but played with such calmness and authority to guide the tourists away from danger to [...]