His England status could become less certain after the tour of India but the all-rounder’s charity work helps him keep sporting issues in perspectiveMoeen Ali could, in theory, go into the fourth Test starting on Thursday feeling a bit of heat given the manner of his two dismissals during the eight-wicket defeat in Mohali.There is also the fact that Adil Rashid, his fellow spin-bowler, is enjoying a breakthrough series with the ball that, come the English summer, could mean Moeen’s place in the side becomes more scrutinised. Related: Keaton Jennings puts the accent on runs as England’s Mumbai Test looms Continue reading...
Young batsman owes his heady rise to the no-nonsense coaching of his South African father and is unfazed by the prospect of opening against IndiaIf Keaton Jennings bats with the same composure and confidence as he speaks then England may be on to something. He was presented to the press at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday after a training session in which he batted – and bowled – for a long time.Currently England are more interested in his batting. The universal expectation is that Jennings will become Alastair Cook’s new opening partner, though he did not fall into the trap of assuming that would be the case when he walked into the press room with a ready smile, an unmistakably South...
Unlike the long-term England captains before him, Andrew Strauss, Michael Vaughan and Nasser Hussain, the incumbent has the chance to leave his post before he falls out of love with cricketEngland are bad at endings. The last Englishman to win his final series as captain was Keith Fletcher, who led his side to victory over Sri Lanka in a one‑off Test in Colombo and was promptly sacked by Peter May. It doesn’t have to be that way. Imran Khan’s Pakistan won his last series as skipper, so did Mark Taylor’s Australia, and Anil Kumble’s India. But it seems the best ending an English captain can hope for is a defeat, and that their careers, like those of our more disreputable politicians,...
Hampshire all-rounder admits shock at being drafted into squad while Durham opener will go straight into side to face India in the fourth TestThere is a mountain for England to climb whatever the formbook might say. Recent history suggests they have a better chance of winning here than anywhere else in India since they have been victorious in their past two Tests at the Wankhede Stadium.In 2012, they won by 10 wickets after Kevin Pietersen had played one of the innings of the decade, 186 from 233 balls, during which he overwhelmed Ravi Ashwin on a turning track; meanwhile Alastair Cook hit 122, a knock that was merely excellent. In 2006, England won by 212 runs after Rahul Dravid had...
The addition of batsman Jennings for the remainder of the India tour shows the original left-hander-heavy selections contained an element of wishful thinkingThe fervent hope within the England camp is that their prospects for the rest of the tour, unlike the heroic Haseeb Hameed’s finger, are bruised but not broken. But the outlook is bleak. Related: Keaton Jennings stunned by ‘whirlwind’ England call-up for India tour Related: England heading for Dubai R&R and hoping to refresh for final two Tests Continue reading...