West Indies, who had threatened to take a bigger lead at various stages of their second innings, folded for 193 after tea on the third day

Tristan Lavalette27-Jan-20241:53

McGlashan: There could yet be some nervy moments for Australia

Stumps Steven Smith made a positive start to Australia’s chase of 216, but a shorthanded West Indies attack hit back late on day three to breathe life anew into the second Test at the Gabba. Australia reached stumps at 60 for 2 and need a further 156 runs to claim a sweep of the home Test summer. But this unpredictable contest may have more twists and turns with heavy showers forecast on days four and five due to the after-effects of Cyclone Kirrily.New-ball bowlers Kemar Roach and Alzarri Joseph started sluggishly and failed to make the most of favourable conditions under lights. Australia rattled off 24 runs before opener Usman Khawaja tickled Alzarri Joseph down the leg side.West Indies’ hopes of ending a two-decade Test drought against Australia were further raised when Justin Greaves squared up Marnus Labuschagne, whose edge was brilliantly snaffled by Kevin Sinclair in the slips. Sinclair – not for the first time in his debut Test – celebrated by crossing his arms after he rose from the turf.Smith and Cameron Green survived a probing examination before stumps. Green was all at sea and struck on the pads by Greaves, but West Indies were unsuccessful in their review. He then edged the next delivery in front of second slip.In contrast, Smith looked technically sound and hit the ball crisply to finish unbeaten on 33 from 56 balls.Kavem Hodge was brilliantly run out by Travis Head from forward short-leg•AFP/Getty Images

It was a resilient effort from West Indies, who were without quick Shamar Joseph after he was struck on the toe on his right foot by an inswinging yorker from Mitchell Starc. It was initially given out lbw but Starc had overstepped. He had to retire hurt to end a West Indies second innings that fell away.They had moved to 148 for 4, with a lead of 170, when the in-form Kavem Hodge hit to Travis Head at forward short-leg and took a couple of steps forward with the stroke, and Head quickly flicked the ball at the stumps. A desperate Hodge dove back but his bat was in the air when the ball hit the stumps in what might prove a match-turning moment.It followed a trend where West Indies lost wickets almost out of nowhere and were left to rue four of their top six batters scoring between 29 and 41 but not kicking on.No. 3 Kirk McKenzie, who drove well during his stay, top-scored with 41 and along with Alick Athanaze played attractively and threatened substantial scores before they both fell to Nathan Lyon either side of the dinner break.Australia’s attack toiled in oppressive conditions, but managed to conjure breakthroughs at crucial junctures much like they did when challenged against Pakistan earlier in the summer.Nathan Lyon had a big job to do as the quicks suffered in the heat•AFP/Getty Images

With the quicks feeling the effects of the hot and humid weather, Lyon was relied upon and he threatened on a ground he has a terrific record at. Bowling quicker than usual, Lyon produced sharp turn and bounce to finish with 3 for 42 from 22 overs.After a frenetic day two, the match returned to normalcy as the surface settled and West Indies eyed batting long. Resuming at 13 for 1, West Indies needed to survive the new ball onslaught and reached the 25-over mark, after which batting has proven easier, relatively unscathed.But the surface did not offer as much zip as it did late on day two when Australia had declared 22 runs behind and Josh Hazlewood had sent back Tagenarine Chanderpaul.McKenzie motored along to thwart Australia’s pace attack. In contrast, skipper Kraigg Brathwaite was anchored to the crease and scored just six runs off his first 33 balls before whacking Starc uppishly through the covers for his first boundary of the innings.The batters defied probing hard-length bowling from Pat Cummins and notched a half-century stand before Brathwaite chipped Green to cover.Kirk McKenzie played a flurry of check-drives down the ground•Getty Images

McKenzie slowed down and on his 50th delivery, he missed an attempted sweep to be trapped lbw on Lyon’s second delivery. McKenzie decided to review, having been hit high on his back leg, but ball tracking showed it to be clipping the off bail and the decision was upheld.Athanaze, who has had limited impact in the series, showed glimpses of why he is highly rated with several attractive strokes and combined well with Hodge after dinner to rattle Australia.Australia’s frustrations boiled over when Mitchell Marsh made a hash of a fielding attempt leading to Lyon, the bowler, gesticulating in annoyance.But Lyon’s mood soon brightened when he dismissed Athanaze on 35 after tossing up a delivery that was edged to slip, where Smith took a sharp catch.It was a relief for Smith, who had earlier in the innings dropped Athanaze and Brathwaite, as West Indies fell away before their late fightback left the match delicately poised.

“He has looked very good at No. 4. He is a great stroke-maker, can play all shots and go through the gears”

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Feb-2024New Zealand have called all the shots so far in the Mount Maunganui Test, and go into day three with a lead of 431 to boot. However, Kane Williamson is not getting carried away just yet, and has called on his team to “maintain their discipline and play the long game” as they look to go 1-0 up against South Africa.Williamson himself contributed 118 to New Zealand’s cause, but it was his “outstanding” team-mate Rachin Ravindra who stole most of the headlines with a fluent 240. Speaking after the first day’s play, Ravindra did not hold back in his praise for his “idol” Williamson, and on Monday, the roles were reversed, as it was the New Zealand captain’s turn to laud the 24-year-old.”Ravindra is simply a class act to watch from the other end,” Williamson said. “One of his biggest strengths is being very calm. He’s clearly got the skills and the game as we’ve seen in ODIs, but to go through the gears here, in such a calm temperament, speaks volumes. Their bowlers weren’t giving much away, so we had to keep each other focused.Related

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“We did a lot of groundwork and South Africa were extremely disciplined with the ball. It was quite difficult to use the pace on the surface, so we just wanted to up the run rate from a position of strength. I wasn’t able to, which was frustrating, but other guys came in and went through the gears in the middle session.”Ravindra has looked very good at No. 4. He is a great stroke-maker, can play all shots and go through the gears. That’s his style. He made the most of the opportunity. He’s quite natural and is loving every moment. From a team’s perspective, we’re loving his attitude to move us forward.”It was an outstanding innings and a special moment for him, but the milestone alone wasn’t enough. You can see he also wanted to put the team in a strong position.”After amassing 511, New Zealand then made further inroads by rattling South Africa’s top order, reducing the visitors to 80 for 4. Williamson believes that with the pitch deteriorating and wind possibly coming into play later on, it is essential that his bowlers be “mindful” with their plans.”Throughout today, and the last part of yesterday, both teams were trying to just hang in there. There was little bit on offer which made it hard to hit through the line, so it was all about just trying to stay with your plans and not lose patience. We had our moments. We were trying to understand where we want to be as a team and took risks when needed to. We gave ourselves the opportunity. Now we need to be mindful with the ball, be disciplined and play the long game, and see how the game unfolds.”We’re in a relatively strong position, but it’ll be hard, South Africa bat deep, the pitch will deteriorate, so let’s see.”

Brand rues missed chances

South Africa, too, are not waving the white flag just yet. Their captain Neil Brand, who finished with six wickets, is confident that “one big partnership” is all that they need to get right back into the game.”It’s been a tough grind today, but we didn’t expect anything less,” he said. “New Zealand played well, but we also gave away a few chances which didn’t help. But we can still do something very much special here.”There wasn’t much of a chat on how we wanted to bat. I told everyone to play their natural games. There were a few strange dismissals, and ideally you don’t want to be two or three wickets down so soon. But these things happen. We have two great batters in David Bedingham and Keegan Petersen at the crease, and anything can happen.”

This is Australia women’s first bilateral tour of Bangladesh, where the T20 World Cup will take place later in the year

Mohammad Isam20-Mar-2024Bangladesh’s cricketers are making full use of staying at the same hotel as the Australians in Dhaka, trapping Alyssa Healy at the toaster and gathering vital information about how one of the best in the world goes about doing her business.Australia are on site for a limited-overs series comprising three ODIs and three T20Is which kicks off on Thursday and their hosts are absolutely thrilled.”They are the legends of the game so our players are looking forward to meeting them,” Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana said. “Already our players are going up to them in the breakfast table. This communication is important to grow as a team. Many of our players never played against them. We see them as idols so playing with them is a huge achievement.”This is the Australia women’s first bilateral tour to Bangladesh so starting from the players to the fans and media, there’s massive interest. Sultana’s opposite number Healy said that they will be looking to learn from the Bangladesh players too, specifically about the pitches and conditions they might face on this tour and beyond considering the T20 World Cup will be taking place here later in the year.Related

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“I’m really proud of this group of people, who see it as a greater responsibility to continue to grow the game,” Healy said. “That doesn’t necessarily mean going over and above but there’s always opportunities to intermingle between the sides. To talk about the game as a whole. To gain some useful experience, and not just that’s not just on their part.”That’s me asking questions about playing here in Bangladesh and playing against sides that we don’t get the opportunity to play against either. I think it goes both ways. The girls are really excited to be here and be a part of this series. Hopefully those conversations will take place. I’ve already had one conversation today around the toaster at breakfast so excited for many more to take place.”2:09

Why Nigar Sultana Joty is happy to see Asian sides play top nations

Fatigue is a subject Healy touched on considering some of Australia’s players are coming off the back of the recently concluded WPL in India, before which they had been busy with national commitments. “I think there’s some differing levels of battery power around our group at the moment,” she said. “I think that’s part of the modern game. That’s exactly what is going to start happening moving forward. Playing right around the world 12 months of the year and managing those expectations are going to be a real challenge.”Fortunately for us, I feel we’ve got some great perspective within our group. We have Tayla Vlaeminck back in our in our squad for the first time for a long time. Sophie Molineux is back around the group. There’s enough perspective in there that if you’re feeling a little bit tired, there are players that are absolutely busting their gut to be here playing for Australia. That’s a nice reminder for each and every one of us. The group is really excited to be here and excited to pull on the yellow and play for Australia again, which I think tips it.”Sultana, meanwhile, has pointed out her team’s bowling as their strength. She also pointed out the bigger picture of playing against Australia at home. Bangladesh have been quite impressive in the last 12 months, particularly after they ran India close in the two white-ball series. They also beat Pakistan in 2-1 in a T20I series and an ODI series at home, and won two matches in South Africa too.Both Sultana and Healy welcomed the huge media presence at the pre-match press conference. “When we were playing against India,” Sultana said, “the journalists’ questions were very different. Whether we can win or not, you asked. I think it is a huge success for my team that you aren’t asking me these questions. The questions this time are about winning and doing better. I think it is a kind of a success.”We really want to do well against Australia. They are a big side. They get facilities that are equal to their men’s team. We are still a way from that, but the BCB is trying. They got us a team sponsor this time. There’s a lot of media attention this time, which wasn’t the case before. The word will spread more about women’s cricket. When girls will know that they have a professional future in this sport, they will be more interested to play cricket.”

Wayne Madsen defies injury to lead Derbyshire’s reply with unbeaten 88

ECB Reporters Network27-Apr-2024Derbyshire 190 for 3 (Madsen 88*, Guest 74*) trail Yorkshire 450 for 5 dec (Brook 126*, Root 119, Lyth 97) by 260 runsHarry Brook and Joe Root posted centuries for Yorkshire before injured Wayne Madsen led an equally impressive Derbyshire fightback during the second half of day two of the Vitality County Championship clash at Headingley.England duo Brook and Root shared a fourth-wicket partnership of 201, underpinning their county’s first-innings 450 for five declared, with Brook top-scoring on 126 not out off 135 balls.Yorkshire started the day on 276 for three from 59 overs, with Root 65 and Brook 44. Root made 119 off 190.The hosts declared shortly after lunch, owing much to the worry of rain to come on day three.But veteran Madsen – nursing an injured right hand suffered trying to take a day one catch – compiled an excellent unbeaten 88 off 185 balls, sharing 167 for the fourth wicket with Brooke Guest, who added 74 to Derbyshire’s close of play 190 for three from 63 overs.Yorkshire’s Brook was dominant throughout his innings, while Root started slowly on day one. “Grind” was the word he used.Root looked more comfortable before lunch on day two, though still wasn’t at his fluent best. He did, however, reverse ramp seamer Zak Chappell for six over third after reaching his century off 163 balls.It was his first Yorkshire century since May 2022 and his 10th overall for them in first-class cricket.Brook’s wait for his ninth for Yorkshire wasn’t anywhere near as long. His last century came against Leicestershire here in the opening round of this season.He reached his latest off 102 balls, and – having achieved that – he pulled Luis Reece’s left-arm seam for six over backward square-leg.There was a disdainful manner about the stroke, as there were many during this innings which ended when Yorkshire declared 15 minutes after lunch with a fifth batting point secured.Derbyshire’s catching haunted them on day one, dropping four.And there was more pain in that regard on day two, with Brook shelled at mid-on by captain David Lloyd off Reece on 106. In truth, the damage had already been done.One of those catches put down during the first morning was by Madsen at first slip. He immediately went off the field nursing his right hand and went to hospital for treatment.There was significant doubt as to whether the 40-year-old would bat, but he came in at his usual number four position with the score at 15 for two in the sixth over.Yorkshire, particularly, Fisher started expertly with the ball. The fringe England quick struck twice in a six-over opening spell which cost only seven runs.Within the space of three balls at the start of the sixth over of the innings, he trapped Harry Came lbw and had Lloyd caught at third slip by Fin Bean.Shortly afterwards, the same fielder in the same position helped Ben Coad remove Reece – 23 for three in the 13th over – and the rebuild job was down to injured soldier Madsen and wicketkeeper Guest.But Madsen showed no obvious sign of discomfort during a battling innings which disarmed the hosts in good batting conditions, and he even shimmied down the pitch and lofted Hill’s seam over long-on for six.Guest was strong off his legs, though was handed a life on 35 when dropped off Fisher by his fellow keeper Jonny Tattersall down the leg-side after tea.Yorkshire’s declaration early in the afternoon came with some poor weather forecast for day three. If they are going to win this game, they may have to do it in three days of playing time, including Monday’s final day.So Madsen and Guest did well to take valuable time out of the game.Guest reached his fifty first, off 82 balls, and Madsen followed off 109 balls. By the time the latter raised his bat, Derbyshire were 132 for three in the 43rd over and in much safer territory.They consolidated their position even further through to close.

Matthew Mott wants players to be “more vulnerable” after becoming “insular” during 50-over World Cup

Matt Roller23-May-2024Matthew Mott believes it is time his England team “get the mojo back” ahead of the T20 World Cup – and has hired Manchester City’s psychologist to help his players be more emotionally vulnerable if they come under pressure in the Caribbean.David Young, who was previously with England from 2016 to 2020, has worked with City during an unprecedented period of success, with the club recently becoming the first team to win four Premier League titles in a row. He has been brought back as a consultant on a short-term basis ahead of next month’s World Cup, with City’s approval.Jos Buttler was influential in the decision and has previously credited Young for helping him perform in the 2019 World Cup final. Young joined the England squad in Leeds ahead of their washed-out first T20I against Pakistan on Wednesday and will link up with them again in Cardiff on Monday, after helping City prepare for Saturday’s FA Cup final against Manchester United.”He’s previously been with the team and he’s already been a great ally in messages back to me, making sure my messages are clear,” Mott, England’s white-ball coach, said. “It’s always good to have someone who’s a little bit removed from the squad to make sure you’re landing your messages… He’s still doing other roles but we’ve got him for this series, and the start of the World Cup as well.”Related

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England’s management are trying to learn from the mistakes they made at last year’s 50-over World Cup, when they were knocked out at the group stage and won three of their nine games – two of which came after their elimination. Mott described the tournament as “death by a thousand cuts” and said: “When you’ve had the kick in the pants like we’ve had, you can’t just go ‘business as usual’. You have to redefine how you go as a team.”As a group, we’ve made a commitment to be a bit more open in and around our training sessions, to help each other out a bit more. In India, all of us were guilty of being a bit insular, and trying to problem-solve ourselves. We’ve made a commitment to open up and be a bit more vulnerable as a group so that we’re helping each other.”Mott has been watching the IPL from afar and said that England could learn from Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s winning streak to qualify for the play-offs. “The way they had nothing to lose and came out and played a different brand of cricket – could we have done that earlier? Maybe, yes. On reflection, we didn’t react as we should have after the start.”Eoin Morgan, Buttler’s predecessor as captain, was sharply critical of England’s performance in India and hinted there was “something else going on” in their dressing-room beyond collective underperformance. Mott – whose first series as coach was Morgan’s last as captain – said the pair have not spoken since, but that he respects Morgan and his opinion.”Family and friends got more upset about it than I did,” he said. “Initially, of course you take it a bit personally but he’s there to have an opinion… All I’ll say is that only the people within the dressing-room can fully understand what’s going on. Once you leave the dressing-room, you might hear titbits of stuff, but you don’t really know how the team’s operating.””It’s time to get the mojo back and go out and really express ourselves”•Getty Images

Buttler suggested this week that he needs to give certain players more “clarity” than he did in India, and Mott said the squad would drive that change: “My style of coaching has always been more of a cooperative approach – keep asking questions on what does their game look like at its best, and if they’re veering away from that, to drag them back on track.”We feel like it’s time to get the mojo back and go out and really express ourselves as a team. I think T20, as opposed to ODI, is so much clearer in the way the players can approach it. We’ve seen in the IPL, you have to go out and really take the game on from the start. Most teams are going to go that way, so it’s going to be an exciting World Cup.”England will confirm their World Cup squad to the ICC before Saturday’s second T20I at Edgbaston and will name the same 15 players that formed the provisional squad, despite both Liam Livingstone and Mark Wood carrying niggles. “Probably not for the next game at this stage, but definitely later in the series, they’ll be up for selection,” Mott said.Jofra Archer’s return was delayed by the rain on Wednesday and he is likely to play at least two of the remaining three T20Is. Mott said that England are “pretty confident” that they know their best XI for the Caribbean, and said he would be comfortable taking Tom Hartley to the World Cup even if he does not win his first T20I cap in this series: “He’s played a lot of high-quality cricket in the last 12 months.”

Derbyshire’s collapse from 114 to 0 to 179 for 6 proved terminal as they lost their third game in five

ECB Reporters Network09-Jun-2024Adam Lyth celebrated becoming the first Yorkshire batter to reach 4,000 T20 runs in style by hitting a superb 51-ball 84 in a nine-wicket win as they routinely chased 180 to beat Derbyshire in the Vitality Blast at Headingley.Yorkshire should have been pursuing many more, but the Falcons stuttered from 114 without loss at the start of the 11th over to 179 for 6. Opener Aneurin Donald blasted a brilliant 84 off 41 and England’s Joe Root claimed 2 for 20 from three overs of off-spin.Veteran opener Lyth, in his 164th county appearance, brought up the county milestone early in the chase as Yorkshire continued their bright start to the North Group with a third win in four games.Lyth was expertly supported by Dawid Malan in a 14.4-over opening stand of 137. The latter finished unbeaten on 79 off 48, sealing victory with 11 balls left.Derbyshire, who have now lost three from five, raced away having been inserted, with Donald taking the lion’s share of 22 off Matthew Revis in the fifth over. He ended it with two fours and two leg-side sixes.The Falcons finished the six-over powerplay at 70 without loss and put a much-changed Vikings attack under serious pressure.The hosts are suffering from a number of seam bowling injuries and earlier this weekend announced the loan signing of Surrey quick Conor McKerr on a five-game deal. It was, therefore, a surprise when he was left out of this fixture.Donald continued his assault at a notoriously batter-friendly venue. And, ultimately, Derbyshire were under par as a result of the true conditions.Fellow opener David Lloyd wasn’t quite the silent opening partner but not far off. When Derbyshire reached 100 in the ninth over, he had 30 to Donald’s 69. But the Falcons had their wings clipped.Jordan Thompson had Lloyd caught at deep midwicket for 41 to make the initial breakthrough, Dom Bess bowled Wayne Madsen and Samit Patel was caught at short third off Matthew Revis – 131 for 3 in the 13th over.Donald was starved of the strike and followed, caught at deep cover off debutant seamer Ben Cliff – his maiden wicket. Ross Whiteley then hoisted Root to deep backward square-leg. The same bowler had Brooke Guest caught at deep midwicket in the last.Derbyshire found or cleared the boundary 16 times in the first half of the innings but only four times in the second. It proved costly and best highlighted their struggles.Rain delayed this fixture by 15 minutes, and it was preceded by a minute’s silence in honour of local Rugby League legend Rob Burrow, who died a week ago. Burrow first made his name with Leeds Rhinos on the other side of Headingley.On the cricket field, Lyth also has legendary status. And the 36-year-old proved why when he set about the chase. Like Donald, he was similarly dominant against the new ball.By the time he reached his fifty off 33 balls with three sixes, his 28th for Yorkshire, the Vikings were well on course at 82 without loss in the ninth over. One of those sixes was handsomely hoisted over cover off Daryn Dupavillon’s seam.The rest of Lyth’s four sixes were slog-swept or pulled leg-side, just as Malan did with two en-route to a fine fifty off 37 balls. By the time Lyth was caught at long-off off Dupavillon, Yorkshire needed 43 and Derbyshire’s horse had bolted.

Opener slams 66 off 32 and then picks up 2 for 25 to put home side top of North Group

ECB Reporters Network07-Jun-2024Lancashire 176 for 8 (Wells 66, Hasan 3-47) beat Birmingham Bears 168 for 6 (Hain 59, Wells 2-25) by eight runsEarly pacesetters Lancashire Lightning beat Birmingham Bears at fortress Emirates Old Trafford to stay top of the embryonic Vitality Blast North Group table, with Luke Wells to the fore.Lightning just defended a 177 target to win by eight runs, sealing their third victory in four games as Wells opened with a career best-equalling 66 off 32 balls, then returned 2 for 25 with his legspinners and added two catches.Bears missed the chance to leapfrog their hosts to the group’s summit, losing for the first time in three matches as they replied to 176 for 8 with 168 for 6 despite Sam Hain’s 59 off 44.Lancashire are now unbeaten in 23 group fixtures at Emirates Old Trafford since the end of summer 2020, excluding matches where not a ball was bowled. Surrey did, however, win here in last summer’s quarter-final.Wells clattered five early sixes before bowling Chris Benjamin to put the skids under Birmingham at 56 for 3 in the seventh over of their chase.The tall left-hander, playing his 48th T20 match, lit up the first half of Lancashire’s innings with his flurry of sixes, including three successively over midwicket off Pakistan pacer Hassan Ali at the start of fourth over, which went for 27.That gave Lightning, invited to bat on a used pitch, valuable momentum at 47 for 1 having only taken eight runs from the first two overs.Wells only scored one off his first six balls yet reached his fifty off 22, taking Lancashire to 73 for 1 after six.He dominated an 80-run stand inside six overs with captain Keaton Jennings from 18 for 1 in the third over. But Bears fought back superbly with four wickets for 30, starting with Jennings stumped off a leg-side wide from left-arm wristspinner Jake Lintott.As spin put the squeeze on, Lintott also had Wells stumped by captain Alex Davies to finish with 2 for 29, while Danny Briggs got Tom Bruce and a brilliant George Garton throw running in from deep midwicket ran out Matty Hurst – Lancashire 128 for 5 in the 14th.Hasan returned to get three wickets in the final over – Steven Croft, Chris Green and Luke Wood caught in the deep – as the hosts lost momentum.But their score was still very competitive courtesy of Wells’ early fireworks, which felt like the exception rather than the norm on this sluggish surface.Lightning quicks Mitchell Stanley and Luke Wood removed openers Davies and Rob Yates caught at third and deep square-leg respectively in the space of three balls to leave Bears 23 for 2 in the third over. Benjamin was then bowled trying to slog sweep Wells, and Bears were struggling.They reached 76 for 3 after 10 overs, needing 101 more. England fringe quick Saqib Mahmood, playing his first T20 match in just over a year following injury, then had Dan Mousley caught at long-leg by action-man Wells – 76 for 4 in the 11th.Bears then hit back, as they had done with the ball. Hain and Jacob Bethell shared 62 inside seven overs, the latter contributing 33 before falling caught behind off Wells.At 138 for 5 in the 17th, Bears needed 39. But Hain, with a season’s best score in all formats to his name, then drilled Wood to Wells at mid-off – 147 for 6 with 11 balls left. That proved decisive, leaving Mahmood defending 24 off the last.

Prospect of Atkinson and Wood in same XI is early indication of attack England want for Ashes

Vithushan Ehantharajah17-Jul-2024From Thursday, James Anderson will be perched up on the England balcony in the Trent Bridge pavilion, at the side of the ground that is due to be renamed “The Stuart Broad End” before the start of the first day’s play. Broad himself will be at the other end, on the ones-and-twos as part of the Sky commentary team.Meanwhile, out in the middle, sandwiched by the gaze of 355 caps and 1,308 Test dismissals, a new era of English Test fast bowling will get underway. No pressure, lads.And yet, despite this being the first time in 12 years on home soil that England have put out a Broad-and-Anderson-less XI, a familiarity remains. Chris Woakes will earn his 50th cap. Mark Wood will return to Trent Bridge, nine years on from taking the decisive wicket here to secure England’s most recent Ashes success. Fresh from 18 overs in the first Test, Ben Stokes is on his way back to being the allrounder he once was.The biggest change is England’s shiniest new thing, Gus Atkinson, taking the new ball. Indeed, this promotion might also be the biggest indicator of what is to come. Not since a Test against New Zealand in 2021, when Olly Stone lined up alongside Wood, have England picked two genuine quicks in their attack.This was always going to be the direction of travel as soon as the 2025-26 Ashes were put at the top of the in-tray, leading to Anderson’s pensioning-off. Despite the deserved eulogies and celebrations of a remarkable career, it is in this second Test – only days after his Lord’s farewell – that England have truly shown their hand. And while it is no overt criticism of Anderson, the England captain made no secret that speed was at the top of England’s agenda.”You ask any batter in the world, whether it be Joe Root, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, pace is a massive weapon that makes you do different things,” Stokes said.”It makes you think differently. But also there has got to be skill attached to your pace. Gus showed that last week, that he’s more than just an out-and-out quick bowler, he’s incredibly skilful. As is Mark Wood. The ability for him to be able to bowl as quickly as he does but have the control and swing as well is something that’s very rare in someone who bowls that fast.Gus Atkinson will take over new-ball duties from the retired James Anderson•Gareth Copley/Getty Images

“It’s an added bonus having people who you can select who can bowl at 90mph and above, but you still have to be very skilful with what you’ve got.”Trending towards a quicker attack tallies with the make-up of October’s central contract list. Quicks populated every tier, from Wood on his three-year deal, down to the three development contracts, all of which were handed to fast bowlers: Matthew Fisher, Saqib Mahmood (both capped at Test level on the Broad-and-Anderson-less tour of the Caribbean in 2022) and, most intriguingly of all, John Turner.Despite not featuring in four-day cricket since July 2023, Turner was plucked off the Hampshire bench to play for the County Select XI against West Indies at the start of the month and impressed with five in the match, including 4 for 60 in the first innings. It would be a rogue shout to elevate a 23-year-old with just three first-class appearances to his name this summer. But is it that much more bold than, say, parking Anderson?Jofra Archer, meanwhile, is the biggest indicator of England’s caution. An encouraging return at the T20 World Cup, with 10 dismissals across eight matches, does not mean a revision to the management’s initial plans to reintroduce him to red-ball cricket in 2025.”For us, it’s about not getting too giddy with it,” Stokes said on Archer’s progression from his 18-month nightmare of elbow and back injuries. “If we don’t see him until next summer, for example, because we’re just making sure… if we don’t have him for a year, let’s say, but it prolongs his career for another two, three years, that’s what we are looking at trying to do.Related

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“We’re not looking to rush Jof back. For me, as a huge Jofra Archer fan, it’s just great seeing him back in an England shirt.”Moving the seam attack along won’t be, erm, seamless. Atkinson has only opened the bowling three times in competitive first-class cricket. Wood, while not in need of overs under his belt to fire at full throttle, is making his first Test appearance after a chastening tour of India.Woakes, too, is emerging out of a tough period following the loss of his father. Following a break from the game, he returned to action for Warwickshire in June, ending a four-month absence from competitive action.His one wicket from 18 overs in the first Test showcased a lack of the snap and zip that earned him the Player-of-the-series gong for last summer’s Ashes, despite only being parachuted into the series from the third Test at Headingley.Woakes admitted a return to Test whites was his way of moving forward after his father’s death., and it promises to be an emotional cap presentation for his half-century of appearances on Thursday, after a journey which began in August 2013. Stokes, who lost his father in 2020, empathises with his desire to use the game to process his grief.”I’m probably guilty of that as well,” Stokes said. “But we had a chat before the game started. Coming into his first game back for England, when you look at the grand scheme of things with what Woakesy went through, that was his first game back without his dad there. There was a lot more emotion attached to that game for him.”I still think, even though he did not quite hit his straps like we’re used to seeing from Woakesy, it was a good run-out – if that makes sense – coming into this week. He’s played a game, obviously took some time out of the game because of an emotional time, but now he’s back out on the field doing what he wants to be doing. There was a lot of emotion last week attached to Woakesy.”Meanwhile, Anderson’s guidance in his new mentoring role was evident on Wednesday as he spent time coaching Stokes through developing a wobble-seam delivery. “I wish I had it last week when it was swinging,” Stokes said. “I could have nipped one back in. Everything he said to me made complete and utter sense and made it sound like the easiest thing in the world to do … but it’s not.”For all the wisdom that will sit watching on from that balcony – and critiquing from the other end – this new iteration of the England pace attack must apply it out on the field. All while staying true to their own attributes that have them front and centre of this new era. A daunting ask, but one Stokes implores all incumbents – present and future – to relish.”I think it’s a great opportunity for someone like Woakesy and even myself to take on a bit more responsibility in terms of speaking to the bowlers.”Jimmy has taken the new ball and will always see what is best to do; swing it, if not, go to his wobble ball. That burden and responsibility now falls on Gus and Woakesy this week and then whoever is lucky enough to take that new ball going forward.”

In another world, Blast matchwinner would be lining up for Oval Test; instead he’s off to Finals Day

Matt Roller04-Sep-2024It is not hard to imagine a world in which Ollie Robinson spent Wednesday preparing to lead England’s attack against Sri Lanka at The Oval. Instead, with weeks left to run on his central contract, he spearheaded Sussex’s charge into T20 Blast Finals Day at a sold-out Hove – first with the ball, and then in the field with a bullseye run-out of Liam Livingstone.It was a performance that left Sussex’s captain, Tymal Mills, pushing Robinson’s credentials on the franchise circuit. “Hopefully, he picks up some more T20 gigs off the back of it,” Mills said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen with him England-wise in red-ball cricket, but he’s shown he’s a very skilful new-ball bowler.”Even with Jos Buttler missing, Lancashire fielded seven internationals to Sussex’s five but were totally outplayed, with Robinson instrumental. On a fresh, grassy pitch, he struck with the first ball of the match, bowling Phil Salt – returning to his old club – via his pad with an in-ducker, then yorked Keaton Jennings in the seventh over after being swung over mid-on for a pair of sixes.Jennings’ dismissal for 37 sparked a slow-motion collapse of 5 for 14 in four overs, before Livingstone took charge of the game: he twice crunched Mills over square leg, and launched Jofra Archer over long-off. But on 43, after steering to short third, he was sent back by Luke Wood, sprawled at full stretch to make his ground, and was beaten by Robinson’s direct hit.When Archer, playing his first game in the Blast since 2021, rearranged Saqib Mahmood’s stumps, Lancashire had been bowled out for just 114, the lowest first-innings score at Hove in eight years. Brad Currie struck twice with his inswingers, while spinners James Coles and Jack Carson kept the brakes on through the middle – but Robinson was the star.”I didn’t expect to have him much at all in the Blast,” Mills said. “But once it looked like he was getting left out of the England team, he was with us from the start and has been fantastic. He’s been thinking about the game, helping me out in the field, and I can’t speak highly enough of him. It’s been a huge boost to have him.”Robinson is not renowned as the most athletic fielder but was quick to point out on Sky Sports that his direct hit was his second of the season. “He’s in excellent shape,” Mills said. “He’s clearly enjoying his cricket. He’s really committed down here — he’s signed a contract extension for next year — and is in a really good place at the moment.”When Stuart Broad retired at the end of last summer’s Ashes series, Robinson looked like the obvious replacement. Instead, he has played a single Test since, bowling 13 wicketless overs in Ranchi while struggling with a back issue. Even with James Anderson following Broad into retirement and Mark Wood injured, Robinson is nowhere to be seen.There is little doubt about Robinson’s ability – he still has an exceptional Test record, with 76 wickets at 22.92 – but he has often faced questions about his fitness and his desire. It was only last week that Luke Wright, England’s national selector, challenged him to “show that he’s robust enough to be able to stand up to the rigours of Test cricket.”Jofra Archer and Tymal Mills were also in action for Sussex•Getty Images

It remains to be seen if Robinson can shake the perception that he has blown one chance too many at Test level. Brendon McCullum, England’s new supremo, has often been informed by his mantra: ‘If you can’t change a man, change the man.’ The implication of Robinson’s non-selection throughout the summer is that the change has been made for good.Either way, this was a promising showing: on an admittedly helpful pitch, Robinson bowled with decent pace, nipped the new ball around and showed his skills to york Jennings. He has 18 Blast wickets at 20.38 this season to supplement 30 at 28.16 in the Championship, and will relish the chance to perform on the big stage at Finals Day next Saturday.This was an exceptional night for Sussex, and the mood at Hove has changed considerably. Only two years ago, they finished second-last in the County Championship with a single win in the season, and won four T20 games out of 14. Now, they are three games away from clinching promotion in the Championship and two away from the Blast title.The County Ground was sold out, and the crowd welcomed Salt and Luke Wells back with pantomime boos as their names were announced on the tannoy. Sussex will not have Archer available at Edgbaston on account of England’s T20I series against Australia – but after this 10th T20 win of the season, they have reason to believe they can break a 15-year wait for this trophy.

Prasidh Krishna beat India C’s defiance with three quick wickets to secure the win

Shashank Kishore22-Sep-2024With 4.1 overs left and the light fading slowly, Prasidh Krishna beat India C’s defiance with three quick wickets to seal India A’s title triumph at the season-opening 2024-25 Duleep Trophy in Anantapur. Prasidh, playing his second straight first-class game after a long injury layoff, dismissed centurion B Sai Sudharsan, Baba Indrajith and Anshul Kamboj to secure victory.Sai Sudharsan, who had battled hard and defied the bowlers to make his fifth first-class century, fell for 111 when he was out attempting a scoop. In Prasidh’s next over, the 80th, he had the injured B Indrajith, who came out to bat only because a draw had seemed a possibility.But in trying to defend a short ball aimed at the ribs, Prasidh had Indrajith caught at leg slip, who had been specifically brought in for the short ball. And then, with a brand new ball taken at the first available opportunity in the 81st over, Prasidh bowled full and straight to dismiss Kamboj lbw to close out the game.Related

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While Prasidh did the late demolition job, it was young Uttar Pradesh seamer Aaqib Khan who did the early damage, nicking off Ruturaj Gaikwad with a superb outswinger, and then having Rajat Patidar bowled.Once those breakthroughs were achieved, Agarwal summoned his spinners on a final-day surface, which had begun to take turn, but not to the extent that made stroke-making impossible. Offspinner Tanush Kotian removed Ishan Kishan and first innings top-scorer Abhishek Porel, while his Mumbai team-mate Shams Mulani dismissed Manav Suthar to open up the possibility of victory.Until that point, it didn’t seem like India B would have the services of Indrajith, who had retired hurt on 34 in the first innings because of a hamstring injury. But with the possibility of a draw looming, he walked out to a packed close-in ring, but only lasted two deliveries. That strike turned a hopeful bunch boisterous as Prasidh and India A then picked up the final wicket after a tense few deliveries of playing and missing to seal the match.That India A were in a position to win outright was largely down to a superb back-to-the-wall century from Baroda’s Shashwat Rawat, who made 124 in the first innings to set up the game on the face of a batting collapse. Then in the second, he struck a half-century along with Riyan Parag to set up a declaration, which eventually helped them build scoreboard pressure on the final day.