The Hundred shows Tom Harrison and the ECB putting all of its eggs into one basket – will the gamble pay off? January 15, 2019 For a competition that doesn’t yet exist The Hundred – if, as expected, that is what it will eventually be called – has caused an awful lot of consternation. Since being announced in April, information about the new 100-ball format has leaked gradually, like a broken tap, with each drop prompting more questions than the [...]
Chris Tremlett: New England director of cricket Ashley Giles can hit the ground running ahead of exciting year January 9, 2019 Ashley Giles’s appointment as England’s new director of cricket comes at an exciting time. Changes of management in sport often come at a time of crisis, but England are in a stable position and looking forward to a World Cup and Ashes series on home soil this summer. While the circumstances of Andrew Strauss’s departure [...]
Guy Lavender interview: MCC chief executive on a big year for Lord’s, The Hundred and why he’s optimistic for the future of cricket January 8, 2019 The new year brings with it excitement for most, but not many people will be looking forward to what 2019 has to offer more than England cricket fans. If last year was dominated by the football World Cup, then the next 12 months could be all about a different sport, with the Cricket World Cup [...]
Chris Tremlett: Honours are there for the taking for England in 2019 with the World Cup and Ashes approaching January 2, 2019 England begin 2019 in a great place: full of confidence and with honours there for the taking. The tour of the West Indies, which starts this month, is followed by the 50-over World Cup and the Ashes, which are both on home soil. It is a combination which presents a brilliant opportunity. Having beaten India [...]
Cricket highlights in 2018: Alastair Cook’s final century, James Anderson’s record-breaking wicket, Surrey’s impact and more December 19, 2018 It has been a year of highs for England’s Test side, with a legend bowing out, one carrying on and new stars emerging. Here are City A.M’s cricket highlights of 2018. Cook bows out on a high Alastair Cook had been a rock at the top of the England batting order for so long that [...]
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. [...]