England summon uncapped all-rounder for New Zealand Test tour October 29, 2024 England have called up uncapped spin bowling all-rounder Jacob Bethell for the Test tour of New Zealand as wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith misses out due to paternity leave. Barbados-born Bethell, who made his T20 and one-day international debuts against Australia last month, has only featured in 20 first-class matches and has a modest batting average of [...]
Stokes needs love from England after Pakistan, says McCullum October 27, 2024 England head coach Brendon McCullum has urged the team to “wrap our arms around” Test captain Ben Stokes following defeat to Pakistan. Since a 3-0 whitewash of the West Indies in July, Stokes has experienced arguably his most challenging spell as skipper. He suffered a badly torn hamstring during a rare outing in The Hundred, [...]
Premier League faces new legal battle – and nemesis barrister October 23, 2024 The Premier League is facing another legal battle with top players and clubs over its financial rules, having already suffered bruising defeats to Leicester and Manchester City this season. Footballers’ union the PFA has hired leading barrister Nick De Marco KC to challenge the top flight’s plans to introduce a new system of “anchoring” next [...]
Government pledge to make UK “top destination for women’s sport investment” October 23, 2024 The government has today pledged to make the United Kingdom a “top destination for women’s sport investment”. Investment minister Poppy Gustafsson, formerly of Darktrace, has launched the Women’s Sport Investment Accelerator scheme to bring together 20 leagues and teams with investors to boost commercial activity in women’s sport. The participating sports include football, cricket, rugby, [...]
Rehan Ahmed back for England in spin-heavy attack October 22, 2024 England spinner Rehan Ahmed has been recalled to the Test team ahead of tomorrow’s series decider against Pakistan in Rawalpindi. The home side have been using industrial fans and heaters to cause cracks in the pitch set to host the third Test between the two sides. England have picked Ahmed, alongside Shoaib Bashir and Jack [...]
Why English cricket is like the Premier League 20 years ago October 21, 2024 Laurie Pinto advised Hampshire on their sale and sees parallels between the stage cricket finds itself in and the Premier League’s situation two decades ago.
Pakistan going to bizarre lengths to create spin Test pitch October 21, 2024 Pakistan’s cricket set up has gone to bizarre lengths to turn the Rawalpindi Test pitch into one that can spin the home side to a famous series victory against England. The Test begins on Thursday with the pitch being subjected to industrial-sized fans, patio-style heaters and natural baking under the Pakistani sunshine. It is hoped [...]
Buttler return delayed until West Indies T20 series October 21, 2024 England white-ball captain Jos Buttler will miss his side’s ODI series against the West Indies due to an injury setback. The 34-year-old was on course to feature in the Caribbean but has suffered “a slight setback in his rehabilitation” from a calf injury. It is hoped he will be fit for the five-match T20 series. [...]
ECB deadline for expressions of interest in Hundred passes today October 18, 2024 Today is a significant day for cricket and the financial security of the sport in England. Because at some point later today the deadline will pass for official expressions of interest in the eight for sale Hundred franchises. In a fund raise that the England and Wales Cricket Board hopes will generate close to £500m, [...]
Hundred bids close today. Ambani family and Delhi Capitals among parties October 18, 2024 Bidding in the first round of the Hundred auction closes today with the ECB confident that the eight franchises will attract between 60 and 80 bids. CityAM has been told that many of the bidders have put in offers for several Hundred franchises however, which the ECB are encouraging in an attempt to inject [...]