The England bowler was refused permission to play for Nottinghamshire this week but with fast bowlers caution is understandableThe 21st-century revival of England’s Test team has much to do with the advent of central contracts. They were introduced in 2000 to the universal relief of the England players and their coaches; there was some grumpiness around the counties but at least they were spared some significant wages. As has been clear this April, the counties have never been averse to what is effectively a handout.But there are occasions when the central contract system is a source of exasperation. And this is one of them. Stuart Broad was very keen to play against Durham on Friday; his county, Nottinghamshire, now a...
Michael Holding says he bowled plenty of faster and better overs in his career, but the six balls that assailed and finally dismissed Geoffrey Boycott in Barbados 36 years ago today do take some beating Continue reading...
England backed their first-choice players in search of a whitewash and are not about to rip up a successful blueprint as they chase a maiden global 50-over titleEngland depart the Caribbean with a largely unruffled 3-0 win over West Indies tucked in the back pocket and while, like the Roman soldiers in Monty Python’s Life of Brian proudly holding up a spoon, they may have unearthed few discoveries, the tour has returned the side to winning ways after India and means plans for June’s Champions Trophy have crystallised a touch more.Ripping up the blueprint before a global tournament has been an English tradition (only once, in the 2010 World Twenty20, did that not end in tears) but the captain, Eoin...
The all-rounder was smashed to all parts by Carlos Brathwaite in the World Twenty20 final and the Caribbean fans are unlikely to let him forget it in a hurryThe first of three one-day internationals between West Indies and England takes place in Antigua on Friday. For one of the teams the Champions Trophy, which is being held in Birmingham, Cardiff and London in June, looms large. This is a good time for preparation.England have hosted the Champions Trophy twice in the past 13 years – in 2004 and 2013 they were runners-up at the Oval and Edgbaston, respectively, after they had seemed well-placed to win both games – and somehow they are the hosts again in 2017. Related: Sam Curran...
A life-changing back injury, an in-demand angle of delivery and an impressive contacts book have paved the way to riches for the bright EnglishmanThe 21st-century cricketer is so much better at “taking the positives” out of a seemingly bleak situation than predecessors were. This week for Tymal Mills, currently in Dubai playing for the Quetta Gladiators alongside Kevin Pietersen in the Pakistan Super League against players such as Chris Gayle and Kumar Sangakkara, every cloud really does seem to have a silver lining.Two years ago Mills was diagnosed with a congenital back condition: his spinal cord and his vertebrae are too close together, meaning the former can become seriously aggravated. The experts decided that bowling fast over long periods of...