2 w. ago The Spin | Sophie Devine’s impact on women’s cricket should be measured in more than statistics

The New Zealand legend played with joy and fun, but was also a true fighter who spanned eras in the women’s gameAs the Women’s World Cup has progressed, sanding down the edges and turning up the four semi-finalists you might have predicted from the start, a sideshow has been quietly playing stage left. A down-to-earth sideshow – just like the woman herself – the Sophie Devine farewell.Devine made her New Zealand debut in October 2006, in an ODI and T20 series against Australia. Nineteen years later, still with the same open face and broad smile, she has played her final one-day international – a losing affair against England neither side will polish up for the mantelpiece. The most memorable moment came at the end with the affectionate guard of honour given to Devine by both sides and the Māori tribute led by Melie Kerr and sung by her teary teammates as the stadium emptied. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago England beaten in ODI opener against New Zealand despite Harry Brook heroics

Brook’s century rescued England from 33 for five to post 223, but New Zealand chased the target down to start the three-match series with a victory.

Politics

3 w. ago Harry Brook smashes remarkable century to rescue England against New Zealand

The tourists had been 56 for six before captain Brook helped them to a competitive total.

Events

3 w. ago Luke Wood determined to enjoy his latest lease of life with England

Wood was an ever-present in England’s rain-affected T20 series win in New Zealand.

Politics

3 w. ago Harry Brook insists New Zealand T20s 'worth it' as latest washout seals England series win

Two of three matches in series abandoned due to rain but tourists still benefit from team bonding experience

Politics

3 w. ago England win series after washout in final New Zealand T20 but Brook left frustrated

Third T20: NZ 38 for 1 v England. Match abandonedRain means only 25 balls bowled in final match of seriesEngland’s T20 series against New Zealand ended as it had started, with a washout. On a previously dry day, the weather teased and taunted. Rain first intervened at 7.17pm, two minutes after the start of play. After a brief resumption it returned, paused, gave the ground staff a bit of time to mop up, allowed the umpires to schedule a 10pm restart and then fell once again at 9.59pm. Twenty-five balls were bowled.“You don’t want to come all the way over to this part of the world and only play one game,” Harry Brook said. “Very frustrating.” Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Harry Brook: England T20 side’s bonding time in New Zealand made it worthwhile

A washout at Eden Park was the second abandonment of the three-match T20 series.

Politics

3 w. ago New Zealand v England: final men’s T20 abandoned – as it didn’t happen

England’s T20 series against New Zealand finishes on a rather damp note but the tourists claim 1-0 winHere we go! That’s tough on the two Tims, who had made a rollicking start.After three balls: NZ 8-0 (Seifert 8, Robinson 0) Wood’s first ball is an inswinger that swings all the way to the square-leg boundary, with an easy nudge from Tim Seifert. The second ball is a dot, and the third is another four – a full toss, thumped through the covers. But then Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago New Zealand v England: final men’s T20 abandoned – live reaction

Updates from Auckland as England win the seriesGet in touch! Share your thoughts with TimHere we go! That’s tough on the two Tims, who had made a rollicking start.After three balls: NZ 8-0 (Seifert 8, Robinson 0) Wood’s first ball is an inswinger that swings all the way to the square-leg boundary, with an easy nudge from Tim Seifert. The second ball is a dot, and the third is another four – a full toss, thumped through the covers. But then Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago England clinch T20 series win over New Zealand with Auckland washout

Just 22 balls were possible in the third match in the series.

Politics

3 w. ago New Zealand vs England: Harry Brook and Phil Salt power tourists to dominant T20 win

England take 1-0 lead in three-match series in Christchurch after first match was abandoned due to rain

Politics

3 w. ago Harry Brook and Phil Salt power England to dominant T20 win over New Zealand

The duo’s efforts formed the backbone of the tourists’ 236 for four.

Politics

3 w. ago New Zealand chasing 237 to beat England: second men’s T20 international – live

Match at Hagley Oval begins at 7.15am BSTShare your thoughts with Rob via email2nd over: England 24-1 (Salt 20, Bethell 0) Duffy dug that wicket ball in short, which meant it hit high on the bat as Buttler came charging at him. Nicely bowled if he meant it.This Hagley Oval pitch looks better for batting than on Saturday. Salt climbs into a wide ball from Jacob Duffy, blasting it square on the off side for four, then top-edges a pull over the keeper’s head for another boundary. Continue reading...

Society

3 w. ago New Zealand v England: second men’s T20 international – live

Match at Hagley Oval begins at 7.15am BSTCurran rises to England challenge after exileShare your thoughts with Rob via email2nd over: England 24-1 (Salt 20, Bethell 0) Duffy dug that wicket ball in short, which meant it hit high on the bat as Buttler came charging at him. Nicely bowled if he meant it.This Hagley Oval pitch looks better for batting than on Saturday. Salt climbs into a wide ball from Jacob Duffy, blasting it square on the off side for four, then top-edges a pull over the keeper’s head for another boundary. Continue reading...

Society

4 w. ago Curran and rain to the rescue for wobbly England against New Zealand in T20 opener

Curran hits unbeaten 49 in England’s 153-6‘He’s a very valuable player to us now,’ says Harry BrookEven before the rain fell, the start of England’s winter had become something of a damp squib. On a cool Christchurch evening their batters had been surprised by movement off the seam – “You don’t expect that in white-ball cricket, so when it does do a little bit it’s almost a shock,” said Harry Brook – and becalmed by the spin of Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell, and they duly wobbled their way to 81 for five before first Sam Curran seemed to rescue them, and then the weather definitively did.Only two batters scored more than 20, with the dismissal of Jos Buttler for 29, the former captain becoming the fifth man to fall, concluding a feeble start to England’s innings before Curran’s 49 improved their outlook. Continue reading...

Events

4 w. ago Curran and rain to England’s rescue against New Zealand in T20 opener

First T20: England 153-6. Match abandonedSam Curran hits unbeaten 49Even before the rain fell, the start of England’s winter had become something of a damp squib. On a cool Christchurch evening their batters had been surprised by movement off the seam – “You don’t expect that in white-ball cricket, so when it does do a little bit it’s almost a shock,” said Harry Brook – and becalmed by the spin of Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell. They duly wobbled their way to 81 for five before Sam Curran seemed to rescue them and then the weather definitively did.Only two batters scored more than 20, with the dismissal of Jos Buttler for 29, the former captain becoming the fifth man to fall, concluding a feeble start to the innings before Curran’s 49 improved their outlook. Continue reading...

Events

4 w. ago New Zealand v England: first men’s T20 cricket international hit by rain – as it happened

Rain washes out the first match of the series at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch3rd over: England 14-1 (Buttler 9, Bethell 2) Buttler gets a single off the first ball but Bethell can’t get off strike. Some free flowing shots go straight to the fielders and the pressure starts to rise. Play and a miss! Henry moves one off a length late and it is wafty-woo from Bethell. There we go – a tuck off the hip for two gets the youngster off the mark, that’ll settle him down a bit. Just three off the over.2nd over: England 11-1 (Buttler 7, Bethell 0) Jacob Bethell gets an early visit to the middle. Don’t mention the A word! He starts with two dots, a play and miss and a thick outside edge. Good over from Duffy and New Zealand have the better of the early exchanges. Continue reading...

Events

4 w. ago England’s opening T20 against New Zealand abandoned due to rain

They tourists were denied the chance to defend 153 for six because of the weather.

Politics

4 w. ago New Zealand v England: first men’s T20 cricket international abandoned due to rain – live

First T20 called off after Christchurch deluge Series remains 0-0 with two matches to play3rd over: England 14-1 (Buttler 9, Bethell 2) Buttler gets a single off the first ball but Bethell can’t get off strike. Some free flowing shots go straight to the fielders and the pressure starts to rise. Play and a miss! Henry moves one off a length late and it is wafty-woo from Bethell. There we go – a tuck off the hip for two gets the youngster off the mark, that’ll settle him down a bit. Just three off the over.2nd over: England 11-1 (Buttler 7, Bethell 0) Jacob Bethell gets an early visit to the middle. Don’t mention the A word! He starts with two dots, a play and miss and a thick outside edge. Good over from Duffy and New Zealand have the better of the early exchanges. Continue reading...

Society

4 w. ago New Zealand v England: first men’s T20 cricket international – live

Updates from the series opener in Christchurch Sign up for The Spin newsletter | And mail JamesThe players emerge onto the outfield of a blustery Hagley Oval. Looks like a double cable knit sort of evening to me. Let’s play!Mitch Santner – not at all reminding me of the ‘Weatherfield One’ Deidre Barlow when he wears his oversized specs wins the toss. Continue reading...

Society