South Africa v England: How Mark Wood battled injuries and lengthened his run-up to ease the strain on his body January 26, 2020 Before this week Mark Wood had not played consecutive Test matches since July 2017. As much as he wanted to, his body simply would not allow it. Since making his Test debut for England in May 2015, Wood’s career has been defined as much by injuries as his talent. This, after all, is only his [...]
South Africa v England fourth Test preview: Home captain Faf du Plessis under pressure both on and off the field as series reaches its climax January 23, 2020 How quickly things can change. After the first Test of the series against England in Centurion, South Africa were left to reflect on a first victory in six attempts in which Kagiso Rabada had taken seven wickets to settle their nerves and given the new coaching team a near-perfect start. Just under a month later [...]
Dom Bess and Ollie Pope the stars as England thrash South Africa in third Test to take unassailable 2-1 series lead January 20, 2020 The back-slapping may have been delayed, and the winning moment may have come in an oddly subdued fashion against a worn-out side on their last legs, but England’s crushing victory over South Africa in the third Test was no less momentous. When Sam Curran threw down the stumps at the non-strikers’ end to run out [...]
South Africa v England: Joe Root’s wickets leave visitors on the brink of victory and series lead January 19, 2020 Only rain can stop them now. It’s not a statement which you would expect to be true about England playing an away Test match against South Africa, but after a nigh on perfect fourth day in Port Elizabeth the visitors are on the brink of taking a 2-1 series lead. England began Sunday needing 14 [...]
Premier League talking points: Traore and Jimenez embody Wolves’ spirit, Palace show resilience, Chelsea’s breakdown blues January 19, 2020 Southampton fans would have been forgiven for thinking their brilliant run of form was continuing at half-time against Wolves on Saturday. Holding a 2-0 lead at St Mary’s, a sixth win from seven games looked on the cards. Saints had conceded just three goals in their last five Premier League matches on their charge out [...]
West Ham v Everton preview: David Moyes and Carlo Ancelotti appointments see Premier League underachievers taking alternative routes January 16, 2020 West Ham and Everton meet tomorrow in the Premier League in similar positions. While five places and six points separate them in the table ahead of Saturday’s fixture at the London Stadium there is plenty of common ground between the two sides. The Hammers and the Toffees are the 18th and 19th richest clubs in [...]
Tottenham 2-1 Middlesbrough: Distracted Eriksen outshone by Lo Celso as clean sheet continues to elude Mourinho January 14, 2020 No Premier League manager wants an FA Cup replay, especially around the busy winter period when squads tend to be thinner and those remaining fit players are more prone to injuries. But, after a run of four games without a win, Jose Mourinho can reflect on a third round replay which went against the grain. [...]
How English players became the go-to overseas signings for Twenty20 franchises January 13, 2020 It may be hard to imagine now, but once upon a time English cricketers were not fixtures of the Twenty20 franchise circuit. In October England will head to Australia looking to win their second Twenty20 World Cup. Of their probable starting line-up in the first game at the Perth Stadium the vast majority will have [...]
January transfer window: Why Premier League clubs could hold off splashing the cash in mid-season January 8, 2020 The hype and bluster surrounding the Premier League transfer windows, and the shorter January version in particular, is well established. Rumour, counter-rumour and 24/7 rolling news with reporters in club car parks were designed for such occasions and have become ingrained in football culture. All the window means in practice, however, is that after five [...]
Ben Stokes produces scintillating spell to secure dramatic England victory against South Africa in Cape Town January 7, 2020 In the final session on day five of an enthralling Test match with South Africa, on a well-worn but dead wicket, against the background of Table Mountain and with the away fans in full voice, England needed three wickets to secure a hugely significant victory. There were 17 remaining scheduled overs in which to dismiss [...]
