Hales shines as debutant Shanaka rains on England’s parade May 19, 2016 Opener Alex Hales vowed to continue improving after his timely spike in form helped England recover from a shaky start to their summer on day one of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Headingley. Hales’s patient 71 not out steered the hosts to 171-5 after visiting debutant Dasun Shanaka had plundered three wickets from [...]
England skipper Alastair Cook eyes 10,000th Test run and place in history books May 18, 2016 Skipper Alastair Cook admits the prospect of assuming the status of the youngest ever player to amass 10,000 Test runs is at the forefront of his mind as England begin their international summer on Thursday. Cook – aged 31 years, four months and 24 days – needs just 36 runs to reach the milestone and surpass [...]
Even as a teenager, England debutant James Vince was destined to achieve big things – I doubt he’ll be fazed by his Test bow May 18, 2016 I first saw James Vince when he was about 17 years old and it was immediately apparent that he was a very talented kid. Even at such a young age he was facing bowlers of 85mph plus and he always seemed to have so much time. When someone has that skill and elegance – comparisons [...]
Test rookie James Vince eager for debut as England prepare for Sri Lanka battle at Headingley May 17, 2016 Test hopeful James Vince admits it is beginning to resonate that his debut may be just hours away as England prepare to kickstart their international summer against Sri Lanka at Headingley on Thursday. Hampshire batsman Vince is poised to fill the middle-order vacancy created by the retirement of James Taylor, who was forced to call [...]
Vince and Ball handed England chance as selectors keep faith with Hales and Compton for first Test against Sri Lanka May 12, 2016 Hampshire batsman James Vince admits he was shocked after England selectors put him in line for a first Test cap in the opening match of the home series with Sri Lanka next week. The captain of the England Lions development team is joined in the 12-man squad by Nottinghamshire seamer and fellow Test newcomer Jake [...]
The ECB’s North versus South initiative should be embraced as it will boost England’s one-day credentials May 11, 2016 We have seen over the last 12 months that England’s limited-overs cricket is going from strength to strength so the announcement of a North versus South one-day series can only be a positive in my eyes. It’s just another element designed to improve the national team. The clashes will take place in Abu Dhabi each [...]
Chris Tremlett column: The secret life of a domestic cricketer May 4, 2016 I haven't missed playing at all since I announced my retirement in August last year, although that’s more to do with being in quite a lot of pain towards the end of my career due to injuries. With the domestic campaign up and running again, I wanted to give a flavour of what it’s like [...]
Retired England batsman James Taylor feared he was about to die May 2, 2016 Retired England batsman James Taylor admits he feared his life was on the line when a previously undetected heart condition reared its head and prompted a brush with death. Taylor was forced to retire from cricket last month aged just 26 after being diagnosed with a condition known as Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC). The [...]
England selectors have decisions to make: Runners and riders in the race for England Test selection this summer April 27, 2016 Three weeks tomorrow England play their opening Test match of the summer against Sri Lanka at Headingley and selectors will be considering their options. So what are England’s problem positions and what might the solutions be? Head coach Trevor Bayliss likes an aggressive opener but, as I have written previously, I am not sure Alex Hales [...]
Middlesex opener Sam Robson boosts claims for for Test recall after smashing records at Lord’s April 20, 2016 Records tumbled as Middlesex opener Sam Robson boosted his chances of earning an England recall as his side’s County Championship clash with Warwickshire at Lord’s petered out into a draw. Robson again reached three figures, scoring 106 in Middlesex’s second innings to add to the double century he notched earlier in the match, which gave [...]