5 h. ago Jofra Archer ‘absolutely desperate’ for England Test return, says Ben Stokes

The fast bowler played the last of his 13 Tests in February 2021.

Politics

7 h. ago Ben Stokes calls on England to adapt better ‘when we’re up against the wall’

Test captain identifies weakness ahead of India seriesRelaxed schedule enabled team to reassess approachBen Stokes may have described England’s recent lack of Test action as “a bit odd” but playing just one game in the past six months has given the side space to reconsider their approach before the series against India.Stokes has won 23 of his 36 games in charge while losing 12 and insisted: “I don’t think it’s arrogant to say that we’ve been good over the last three years,” but with England’s next 10 Tests coming against either India – starting at Headingley on Friday – or Australia they have prepared for potential adversity. Continue reading...

Politics

8 h. ago England: Ollie Pope never in danger of being dropped, insists Ben Stokes

Jacob Bethell has forced the issue of Ollie Pope’s inclusion with some strong recent performances

Politics

9 h. ago Is England v India on TV? How to watch online, dates, times and prediction for first Test

Ben Stokes’ side face India at Headingley in the first test of the five-match series

Politics

10 h. ago It would be remarkable to drop Ollie Pope after 171 – Ben Stokes

Pope will line up for England against India despite pressure on his number three place from Jacob Bethell.

Politics

11 h. ago England are right to stick with a settled top six – Bethell should follow the Lara model | Mark Ramprakash

Ollie Pope retains his No 3 spot for the first Test and India wouldn’t mind having a bit more of that kind of continuityThere always seems to be one man under pressure in England’s batting lineup and consensus over the winter seemed to be that Jacob Bethell’s emergence had put Ollie Pope’s place at risk. Pope has clung on to his place for the start of the India series and my view is that Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum should be very careful before they mess with what is probably the most settled top six of any Test side in the world at the moment.There was speculation about both Pope and Zak Crawley before they scored centuries in last month’s game against Zimbabwe, but that performance should have secured their spots for this series at least. Bethell is a huge talent and some really top cricketers have spoken very highly about his performances and potential – clearly his time will come. He was impressive in New Zealand over the winter and since then we’ve seen exhilarating glimpse...

Politics

16 h. ago Michael Vaughan 'staggered' by Ben Stokes decision in warning ahead of India series

England face India in a Test series this summer ahead of the Ashes a few months later and Ben Stokes' lack of time batting has stunned former captain Michael Vaughan

Events

32 h. ago England vs India: Ollie Pope retains place over Jacob Bethell for first Test against India

Jacob Bethell must wait for his chance as Ollie Pope keeps his place at number three

Politics

33 h. ago Ollie Pope gets nod as Jacob Bethell left out of England side for first Test against India

Pope edges out Bethell for the No 3 spot as Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse return to the seam attack

Politics

35 h. ago Sir Alastair Cook explains why England should pick Ollie Pope over Jacob Bethell against India

The debate over England number three position rumbles on for both the India series and the Ashes in December

Society

55 h. ago India Test series as important as the Ashes to England, claims ECB chief

Ben Stokes and co. face India in the first Test starting this week

Politics

8 d. ago We’ve ticked a few boxes – Brendon McCullum impressed by Harry Brook’s captaincy

The England head coach says Brook and Test skipper Ben Stokes are “two good leaders and two very different personalities”.

Politics

2 w. ago England’s Jamie Overton out for West Indies series with broken finger

Overton dropped a sharp return catch from just his second delivery in the Windies’ reply to England’s 400 for eight

Events

3 w. ago Ollie Pope eager to prove he is better equipped to deal with Australia and India

Pope scored 171 against Zimbabwe as England ran out convincing winners on the one-off Test.

Economics

3 w. ago Ben Stokes claims Jacob Bethell comments were ‘twisted to suit an agenda’

The England captain had hinted at an immediate return to the Test side for the left-hander but has since clarified his remarks

Politics

3 w. ago Ben Stokes backs Ollie Pope after England century sees off ‘agenda’ against him

The England captain said an answer of his about selection for the India series had been ‘twisted’ after the innings and 45 runs win over Zimbabwe.

Politics

3 w. ago Ben Stokes hits out at ‘twisted agenda’ over centurion Pope’s status

England captain says remarks were misinterpreted‘Popey knows how much I value him’Ben Stokes criticised the speculation about Ollie Pope’s position in the England team, insisting parts of the media were pursuing “an agenda” against him. On the eve of England’s victory inside three days, the captain was asked about the chances of Jacob Bethell, away playing in the IPL, returning for next month’s series against India.“If you talk about nailing down a position, Beth has done himself the world of good with the performances he put in [in New Zealand over the winter],” Stokes said. “I think you can put two and two together.” Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Shoaib Bashir finally breaks through after frustrating morning for England

Zimbabwe were 141 for three at the break, still 159 behind.

Politics

3 w. ago Ben Stokes underlines importance with vital spell as England turn the screw against Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe (265 & 30-2) trail England (565/6d) by 270 runs: Back from an injured hamstring, the England captain produced a key burst of fast bowling to help his side seize total control at Trent Bridge

Politics

3 w. ago Ben Stokes strikes twice for England as Brian Bennett leads Zimbabwe resistance

Zimbabwe were 210 for five at tea replying to England’s 565 for six.

Events