3 h. ago Winter is coming: England’s cricketers fly out for long tour that will decide Ashes and World Cup

Four decades ago Mike Gatting lamented 30-game schedule and while improvements were made, players will be weary of gruelling season aheadA meteorologist would say that England’s winter will start this year at midnight on 1 December; an astronomer would point a few weeks later to the 21st, perhaps even the moment at precisely 3.03pm when the northern hemisphere is tilted furthest away from the sun, the least sun-kissed moment of its least sunny day. But a cricket fan might go a little earlier, perhaps as soon as next Saturday at about 7.15am. Leaves might still be clinging to trees as yet unbothered by frost, but that is when the national side is scheduled to play its first fixture of a hectic touring schedule, and by the time it all ends the Ashes will have been decided, a World Cup will have been won, and it will be spring.For the players involved in all formats, these moments will bring a combination of excitement and perhaps also a bit of dread. The T20 squad departed for New Zea...

Politics

20 h. ago England Ashes selection won’t lead to a rivalry with Ollie Pope – Jacob Bethell

Pope has been the long-term incumbent at number three but Bethell’s rise to prominence has cranked up the competition.

Politics

23 h. ago Harry Brook admits Pat Cummins’ absence could boost England’s Ashes chances

Injured Australian captain set to miss at least Perth testBrook expects Stokes to play all five Tests in AustraliaHarry Brook believes Pat Cummins potentially missing the start of the Ashes would play into English hands but warned that Australia’s depth in pace bowlers means any replacement should not be underestimated.With just six weeks to go until the first Test in Perth, the fitness of Cummins remains a major talking point following the detection of a lower back stress injury earlier this year. According to some reports, his entire series could even be in jeopardy. Continue reading...

Politics

23 h. ago Harry Brook says Pat Cummins’ absence could play into England’s hands at Ashes

Injured Australian captain set to miss at least Perth testBrook expects Stokes to play all five Tests in AustraliaHarry Brook believes Pat Cummins potentially missing the start of the Ashes would play into English hands but warned that Australia’s depth in pace bowlers means any replacement should not be underestimated.With just six weeks to go until the first Test in Perth, the fitness of Cummins remains a major talking point following the detection of a lower back stress injury earlier this year. According to some reports, his entire series could even be in jeopardy. Continue reading...

Politics

23 h. ago Harry Brook says Pat Cummins’ absence could boost England’s Ashes hopes

Injured Australian captain set to miss at least Perth TestBrook expects Stokes to play all five Tests in Australia Harry Brook believes Pat Cummins potentially missing the start of the Ashes would play into English hands but warned that Australia’s depth in pace bowlers means any replacement should not be underestimated.With only six weeks to go until the first Test in Perth, the fitness of Cummins remains a major talking point following the detection of a lower back stress injury earlier this year. According to some reports his entire series could even be in jeopardy. Continue reading...

Politics

51 h. ago England beware: terminally obsessed Marnus Labuschagne has gone back to basics | Jonathan Liew

Australian batter, an evangelical Christian who believes this is all written out in advance, may force his way back for the AshesMarnus Labuschagne carefully spreads butter on both sides of a slice of white bread. “That’s the key,” he tells the camera as he brings down the lid of his sandwich grill. “Boom. Then you get it crisp on both sides.” He lifts the lid to reveal a golden square of pure toasted goodness, the melted cheese happily bubbling away inside. “So this is the trick of the trade,” he announces. At which point, he does something horrific and unspeakable.Already, I sense, a glaze of ennui is beginning to form across your eyes. The red lights of sportswriting pretension are flashing wildly. You’re probably aware that Labuschagne scored 160 for Queensland this week and is being feverishly talked up for an Australian Test recall before the Ashes. Continue reading...

Events

2 d. ago Joe Root hits back at critics over dismal record in Australia ahead of Ashes

England haven’t won an Ashes series Down Under since 2010-11 and Root has never scored a century in the country

Events

2 d. ago Joe Root hopes can England grasp ‘great opportunity’ to win Ashes in Australia

England last won an Ashes series Down Under in 2010-11.

Politics

3 d. ago Australia handed huge Ashes blow as Pat Cummins faces series

Pat Cummins has been struggling with a back injury throughout the year and scans have confirmed that the issue has still not healed, with the Australia captain potentially missing the entire Ashes series

Politics

3 d. ago Australia dealt brutal Ashes blow as Pat Cummins could miss 'entire series' vs England

The latest edition of the Ashes gets underway in Perth next month but the current holders Australia have been hit with what could be a huge blow in their preparations for the series

Economics

3 d. ago The ultimate XI of odious Aussies that England fans love to hate: The crying cheat, the umpire's worst nightmare, a chucker, a bloodthirsty nemesis and so many foul

With the Ashes looming, Daily Mail Sport delves deep into the unique, long and sometimes ugly Australia-England cricketing rivalry to bring you a team of villains from Down Under.

Events

1 week ago Jos Buttler: ‘A big burden has been lifted – I wasn’t the same leader after the 2023 World Cup’

The England white-ball veteran on his post-captaincy career, his Ashes struggles and the recent death of his fatherAnother summer is over and, for Jos Buttler, life and cricket feel more precious than ever. The fleeting nature of both has been accentuated by the loss of Buttler’s father, John, after his unexpected death in August. The 35-year-old will soon talk movingly about grief and acceptance but, first, he reflects on his venerable place in white-ball cricket after England’s international summer ended in a low-key series in Ireland.Buttler opened the batting and Jacob Bethell and Rehan Ahmed, who followed him at three and four in the opening match, are both 21. But he had proved his sustained brilliance a few weeks earlier when, against South Africa, he hit 83 off 30 balls in a blistering knock that helped England to become the first team to pass 300 in a T20 international. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Rob Key: England players must ‘not get caught doing stupid things’ on Ashes tour

Key said the players ‘are not going to be anonymous’ when they arrive in Australia.

Sport

1 week ago Chris Woakes announces retirement from international cricket

The England all-rounder has retired from Three Lions duty with immediate effect

Politics

1 week ago Chris Woakes: England seamer retires from international cricket after Ashes omission

Warwickshire all-rounder told he is not in Three Lions’ plans

Events

2 w. ago Rob Key insists Brook’s England promotion is not ‘scheme’ to oust Pope

Key all but confirms Woakes’ international career is overBrook replaces Pope as vice-captain for Ashes seriesRob Key has all but confirmed that Chris Woakes has played his last game for England and insisted that Harry Brook’s promotion to vice-captain for the Ashes is not “an elaborate scheme” to oust Ollie Pope from the team.Speaking a day after naming a 16-man squad to take on Australia, Key, the team director, clarified the selections – not least the late switch in deputy for Ben Stokes – and confirmed that Woakes missed out due to the dislocated shoulder sustained during the final Test of the summer. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Justin Thomas reveals the magical Euro secret which has been nicked by Team USA

Luke Donald has been masterful in his selection of vice captains and Keegan Bradley has followed the lead for Bethpage

Politics

2 w. ago England lay down gauntlet after naming five 90mph seamers in Ashes squad

Wood, Archer, Atkinson, Carse and Tongue lead attackWill Jacks gets nod over Rehan Ahmed as reserve spinnerAlready the quickest scoring team in Test cricket, England will hit Australia with their fastest bowling attack for a generation – perhaps all time – after announcing their 16-man squad for this winter’s Ashes assault.A late curveball from Rob Key’s panel is the inclusion of Surrey’s Will Jacks, offering an attacking option with the bat and serving as the reserve spinner to Shoaib Bashir. Otherwise, the squad is largely as expected, including confirmation that Harry Brook has replaced Ollie Pope as vice-captain. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Potts in contention for England’s Ashes squad as Woakes faces race to be fit

Chris Woakes a risk after dislocating shoulderRehan Ahmed also in frame as second spinner Matthew Potts could be handed a spot in England’s main Ashes squad when Rob Key and the selectors finalise their plans for Australia. While the head coach, Brendon McCullum, has said to expect few surprises after a settled period for the Test side, Jamie Overton’s withdrawal from first-class cricket – plus uncertainty over the fitness of Chris Woakes – does mean there are final decisions to be made this week as regards the seamers.The core of this group picks itself, with Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue all considered bankers – none are expected to play the final round of the County Championship – and optimism that Mark Wood is on track for a return after undergoing knee surgery in March. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Giants New Zealand must be wary of bogey team Canada in semi

Canucks have gone under the radar at Women’s Rugby World Cup but underdogs can upset world No 1 sideFor anyone who might be thinking champions New Zealand are a shoo-in to make the Rugby World Cup final, Canada have three key attributes to suggest they can knock out the Black Ferns in their semi-final on Friday evening: Belief, fast ruck speed and Sophie de Goede.Canada are the world No 2 side and came close to beating England at the 2024 WXV 1, yet have gone under the radar in the buildup to this tournament and during its early stages, with much of the attention focused on the potential for a rematch of the 2022 final between New Zealand and hosts England. Against the Black Ferns in the last four at Ashton Gate, Canada will still be viewed as underdogs in some circles, something the team have spoken about a lot, according to the wing Alysha Corrigan. Continue reading...

Events