Australia skipper Steve Smith jumps to defence of South Africa counterpart Faf du Plessis in ball-tampering row November 23, 2016 Australia skipper Steve Smith has leapt to the defence of Faf du Plessis by admitting that his side shine the ball in exactly the same way which has seen the South Africa captain hit with a ball-tampering sanction. Du Plessis was found guilty on Tuesday after “applying saliva and residue from a mint or sweet, [...]
Stand-in South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis free to play third Test with Australia despite being found guilty of ball-tampering November 22, 2016 South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis has escaped a suspension despite being found guilty of ball-tampering during his side’s hammering of Australia in the second Test in Hobart last week. The 32-year-old, who has confirmed his intention to appeal the verdict, was charged by the International Cricket Council with applying saliva to the ball, while [...]
Alastair Cook defends England and urges heads to be held high despite India thrashing, although insists changes will be considered November 21, 2016 England skipper Alastair Cook has leapt to the defence of his side after they suffered a 246-run pummelling at the hands of a rampant India in the second Test in Visakhapatnam. The tourists began the day on 87-2 needing to bat three sessions to avoid a 1-0 deficit in the five-match series but had lost [...]
Stuart Broad backs England to bat out final day in Visakhapatnam and claim draw with India despite late double blow November 20, 2016 England seamer Stuart Broad insists he has every confidence his side can salvage a draw from the second Test against India despite the debilitating loss of two late wickets in Visakhapatnam. Skipper Alastair Cook and fellow opener Haseeb Hameed shared a 75-run stand in 50 overs to stall and deflate India, although both fell during [...]
James Anderson admits England in a tough position as India make tourists toil in field November 17, 2016 Returning England seamer James Anderson admits his side have a rescue mission on their hands after India dominated with the bat on the opening day of the second Test in Visakhapatnam. Centuries from skipper Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara put India in control after England had made early inroads to reduce the hosts to [...]
It may very well spin more in Visakhapatnam but it’s a chance for England to prove their credentials to be world No1 November 16, 2016 When England reached No1 in the Test world rankings in 2011 there were questions from subcontinent nations about whether we deserved that billing as we’d only really won in our own conditions and in Australia. The ultimate test of being the top team on the planet is to perform in any given circumstance as the [...]
England have shaken off the underdog tag and are ready to overpower India, insists spinner Zafar Ansari November 15, 2016 England spinner Zafar Ansari insists his side have shaken off the underdog tag as they plot their victory strategy for the second Test against India in Vizag, which starts on Thursday. The tourists turned the screw on the final day of the first Test in Rajkot and reduced India, who are currently ranked No1 in [...]
Alastair Cook defends tactics after England denied victory by India in first Test November 13, 2016 England captain Alastair Cook rejected accusations of excessive conservatism after India held on to deny the tourists victory on the final day of the first Test in Rajkot on Sunday. Cook waited until his team had a lead of 309 before putting India back into bat as England looked to become the first team to [...]
Moeen Ali reveals mature side as he and Ben Stokes turn screw on India November 10, 2016 All-rounder Moeen Ali admitted the embarrassment he felt from past instances of surrendering his wicket proved the inspiration for his century as England surged into a commanding position on day two of the first Test against India. Moeen advanced his overnight score from 99 to 117, while Ben Stokes struck an imposing ton as England’s [...]
Major boost for England as James Anderson reveals he expects to be fit for second Test against India November 9, 2016 Veteran seamer James Anderson has handed England a major boost by revealing that he expects to be ready for frontline action during the second Test against India, which starts in Visakhapatnam on 17 November. Anderson, who is England’s leading Test wicket-taker with 463 scalps, is closing in on full fitness after being ruled out of [...]