37 h. ago England need to be introduced to concept of consequences after Ashes flops | Mark Ramprakash

Players and coaches need to realise they will not be immune if fortunes do not change in the third Test in AdelaideThere’s always a lot of white noise around an Ashes series but at the moment for England it must be overwhelming, not just given their performances in the first two Tests but because of the mid-tour break they’ve just been on, with assorted media and attention-seekers following them around the beaches of Noosa.I absolutely understand that Brendon McCullum’s priority is to do what he believes is right for the team, but the optics around that trip were not great and many England fans, who have spent their hard-earned money travelling to Australia with little reward so far, will be quick to bring it up if they produce another poor display. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago England’s Ashes approach is scrambling the brains of the next cricketing generation | Mark Ramprakash

This squad aren’t just throwing away the series, they’re messing up the minds of the young cricketers I try to coachThe cracks are starting to show with this England team and with the narrative we’ve been fed for three years after another defeat. Their identity of always taking the aggressive option, of relentlessly putting pressure on their opponents, isn’t holding up to scrutiny. So far in this series they haven’t had the strength needed to achieve it, and they haven’t had the skills either.I was confident that they could win the Ashes this time, mainly because I thought there was quality in the squad and that they had adapted their game to add intelligence and adaptability to their armoury. It’s becoming clear that neither of those beliefs were completely true. And meanwhile I’m seeing things at home that make me worry that this team aren’t just messing up this series, they’re messing up a whole generation of young cricketers. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Bank of England set to introduce biggest rule change since 2008 financial crash

Central bank eases capital rules on lenders just as it warns of risk of “sharp correction” in US tech stocks amid fears it could be a bubble that will burst

Events

2 w. ago 'Ridiculous' SNP failure to introduce speed awareness courses despite success in England

MSPs express frustration after more than a decade of consideration

Events

2 w. ago What England's Ashes flops are doing ahead of crucial second Test in Brisbane

The England cricket team's preparations are under the spotlight after Ben Stokes's side capitulated to a two-day defeat in the first Test in Perth

Politics

2 w. ago Are England actually honest with themselves? If they are, they’ll know they have to change | Mark Ramprakash

Ben Stokes’s batters must realise the aggressive option doesn’t always mean attacking Australia’s bowlers, and if they don’t, it could be all over in BrisbaneIt’s not over yet. There is still hope. Before the Ashes started I had plenty of it, because of England’s fantastic array of fast bowlers and because I felt they had improved on their crash‑bang‑wallop, one-size‑fits‑all approach to batting. Then the series got under way, and while the bowlers did their bit, the batters failed badly. After the two-day humiliation in Perth they are inevitably under the microscope – but while everyone is questioning England’s approach, how much are they challenging themselves?I based my optimism on some of what I had seen over the summer. In the first innings against India at Lord’s Joe Root and Ollie Pope put on 109 runs at almost exactly three an over, staying calm and building a foundation that eventually won their side the match. I watched that and admired the way they had refined their attit...

Politics

2 w. ago Labour's new 'mansion tax' sparks fears of 'Big Brother snoopers' marauding the streets to spy on Brits' homes

In her Budget on Wednesday, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said she was introducing a 'high value council tax surcharge' in England for homes worth £2million or more.

Politics

2 w. ago England’s possible opponents in World Cup 2026 group stage revealed

The introduction of seeding to the World Cup draw means England will avoid Spain and Argentina until the semi-finals and France until the final if all four teams top their groups

Politics

3 w. ago Government responds to calls to introduce free bus travel for one group across England

Currently, only disabled people and people of state pension age qualify for free bus travel under the The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme

Politics

3 w. ago I can’t remember ever being so confident at the start of an away Ashes series | Mark Ramprakash

Australia have big injuries and concerns over their top order: if England start well in Perth they can win back the AshesIt’s the Ashes in Australia and that is a series England have become used to losing, so much so that even Jimmy Anderson, the greatest English Test wicket‑taker of all time, has the home side as favourites. But if Australia have ever been there for the taking, it is now. Looking at how the two sides are shaping up before the opening game I feel punchy about England’s chances: the team are strong, settled, and I think that if Ben Stokes plays all five Tests they will win the Ashes and win them comfortably. I can’t remember ever being so confident before an away Ashes.That confidence is based on a strong group of seamers and a top seven that have now played a lot of Test cricket and have a lot of runs under their belt. They will look at an opposition that will be without the injured Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood in Perth and fancy their chances of racking up runs. ...

Politics