Joe Denly handed reprieve for West Indies Test seriesOllie Stone left out of ODI squad for Caribbean tripEd Smith declined to rule out the possibility of Jofra Archer entering England’s World Cup thoughts next summer despite the fast bowler’s impending…
Selector has not shied away from bold picks and may use West Indies Test to experiment with the exciting over the pragmaticSince Ed Smith became the chief selector it has been worth keeping an eye on the announcement of England squads. He has delivered…
The ECB’s approach may seem light beside Australia’s to ball-tampering but it is time to look forward to the last summer of cricket as we know itIt is now possible to move on. To the relief of those in charge of the England cricket teams – Trevor Bayli…
Stokes fined £30,000 over incident, Hales £17,500Both players are ‘eligible for immediate selection’Ben Stokes and Alex Hales have been fined by the England and Wales Cricket Board for following an incident outside a Bristol nightclub but both have bee…
• Cricket discipline commission hearing begins on Wednesday • Players face two ECB charges of bringing game into disrepute After 14 months of what has at times felt like glacial progress, English cricket is finally approaching closure over Ben Stokes, …
The England cricketer and the France footballer find redemption in the harsh world of professional sportOne of the most inspiring characteristics of competitive sport is that it offers up more acts of redemption than The Lives of the Saints. Seldom are…
Spectacular entrance of Ben Foakes and supreme application of Ben Stokes were highlights of England’s Sri Lanka whitewashIt is hard to recall a more tranquil, stress-free or successful tour. The last time England whitewashed opponents away from home in…
• In demand fast bowler could play on West Indies tour• ECB signs off playing regulations for 100-ball competitionJofra Archer, the highly-rated Sussex fast bowler who was born in Barbados but holds a British passport, will be available to play for Eng…
Australia’s best 22 players to face off in EnglandImportant game for Steve Smith and David WarnerCricket Australia has taken the unusual step of scheduling an Ashes warm-up match in England between Australia’s best 22 players, desperate to bolster Just…
England have become aggressive, flexible and free-thinking, an approach more in keeping with Michael Vaughan than Alastair Cook or Andrew StraussEvery England fan needs a plan for how to follow a winter series. These last few weeks I’ve been lying in b…
• All-rounder ‘has learned his lesson’, says England coach • Stokes to face Cricket Discipline CommissionThere are not so many clouds on the horizon now for England but they will be grateful for no complications on 10 December. That is the day when the…
Ben Foakes, Jack Leach and Jonny Bairstow secured top grades as England whitewashed Sri LankaBy Gary Naylor for the 99.94 Cricket BlogKeaton Jennings’ outstanding 146* set up the crucial series-opening win in Galle, though he struggled thereafter. He w…
• England captain relieved after nervy end to third Test• ‘I’m very proud of everything we’ve achieved’In the 21st century it is never over until Neil Diamond sings (it is always “Sweet Caroline” of course) and the PA system had to delay pumping out th…
England beat Sri Lanka by 42 runs to win series 3-0Sri Lanka’s 10th-wicket stand makes for nervy finaleThis was not quite the straightforward formality that had been anticipated. In fact, the Sri Lankans, with their pocket-battleship of a No 11 at the …
Over-by-over report from the third Test in ColomboButtler a disciple of patience as England pursue whitewashSend your emails to Rob here 4.48am GMT 23rd over: Sri Lanka 70-4 (Mendis 30, Sandakan 3) Leach again beats Sandakan with another unplayable del…
• Buttler: ‘I’ve really enjoyed playing Test cricket again’ • Vice-captain offers helpful advice to officials over no-ballsJos Buttler, who now speaks with the authority of an England vice-captain, was never going to take anything for granted at the cl…
• Buttler and Stokes steady England innings after early wickets• England 336 & 230, Sri Lanka 240 & 53-4In their sights is England’s first overseas whitewash in a three match series since their tour to New Zealand in 1962-3. On another eventful…
Over-by-over updates from the day’s play in ColomboJennings catches help England turn game aroundAnd you can email Rob with your musings 3.30am GMT Women’s World T20 England were, alas, well beaten by Australia in the final in Antigua. They never reall…
• Jennings takes four catches in Sri Lanka first innings• ‘He’s an exceptional short-leg fielder,’ says Adil RashidIt may be Angelo Mathews did England an unwitting favour in Galle in the first Test. He swung hard at Jack Leach and the ball thudded int…
• England lead by 99 in their second innings• Adil Rashid (5-49) helped dismiss Sri Lanka for 240Just before tea the inescapable conclusion was that England were experiencing their worst day of the tour; they had been profligate with the bat and unusua…
