9 h. ago ‘Fingers crossed’ Ben Stokes can ‘do something magic’ despite scare – Ollie Pope

Stokes pulled up with what appeared to be a groin problem late on day one of the third Rothesay Test.

Politics

10 h. ago England left sweating on Ben Stokes fitness after injury scare against India

The England captain appeared to injure himself while batting with Joe Root at Lord’s

Events

10 h. ago Joe Root unbeaten on 99 as England dig in on opening day of third Test

England knuckled down to 251 for four.

Politics

10 h. ago Joe Root unbeaten on 99 as England dig in against India but Stokes injury a concern

Third Test, day one: England 251-4Root unbeaten on 99 while captain picks up knockEngland opted not to train on Tuesday but Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum still made a beeline for Lord’s. Two days out from the third Test – a pivotal match with the series locked at one-apiece – they were keen to speak to the groundstaff to express their hopes for a pitch with pace, bounce and a bit of sideways movement.It was too late to be making demands and, like the disappointed customers of Mr Tourette, signwriter extraordinaire from the Modern Toss cartoons, England’s captain and head coach had to settle for a slow, occasionally two-paced surface. Throw in a sluggish outfield — plus an Indian attack buoyed by their win at Edgbaston and now augmented by Jasprit Bumrah — and run-scoring was anything but straightforward. Continue reading...

Events

13 h. ago Joe Root and Ollie Pope steady England after openers fall in same over

Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley were dismissed in the space of four balls.

Politics

16 h. ago India dismiss both England openers in same over on first morning of third Test

Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley were dismissed as the hosts reached lunch on 83 for two.

Politics

18 h. ago England vs India: Ben Stokes wins toss and bats first in Third Test as Jofra Archer and Jasprit Bumrah return

Stokes changes approach in sunny conditions at Lord’s after criticism for opting to bowl at both Headingley and Edgbaston

Politics

35 h. ago ‘He’s very determined’: England look to Archer before pivotal third Test

Seamer’s pace has potential to upend India’s dominance, but England’s batting needs urgent improvementNearly six years after Jofra Archer made his Test debut against Australia at Lord’s he will finally return after England confirmed that he will replace Josh Tongue as the only change to the team so comprehensively beaten by India at Edgbaston last week.Archer is a man of few words and, as he has battled through a string of injuries across those intervening years, also not a lot of action. So the conversation that confirmed his return to Test cricket was entirely typical, said England’s captain, Ben Stokes: “I went: ‘Are you ready this week?’ And he went: ‘Been ready.’ That was literally it.” Continue reading...

Politics

38 h. ago Why the Dukes ball is causing problems for England and India: ‘It’s not good for cricket’

The bowling side are frequently complaining about the ball going soft and losing shape

Politics

40 h. ago Jofra Archer’s Test return a ‘pretty great day’, says Ben Stokes

Archer will make his England comeback in the third Test against India at Lord’s.

Politics

42 h. ago Jofra Archer returns to England side for third Test against India

Captain Ben Stokes confirmed Archer’s return in place of fellow quick Josh Tongue.

Politics

65 h. ago Jofra Archer could help England unsettle India, says Stuart Broad

The former England paceman says the tourists have been ‘borderline perfect’ in the series to date.

Politics

3 d. ago Brendon McCullum admits Ben Stokes got it wrong in crushing India defeat

Ben Stokes made the decision to bowl first at Edgbaston before India built an insurmountable lead on a flat wicket and condemned England to a chastening 336-run defeat, levelling the series

Politics

3 d. ago England have a Ben Stokes problem – but there is a radical solution

The England captain’s poor run of form with the bat risks making him a passenger in his own team

Politics

4 d. ago England call up Gus Atkinson to bolster bowling ranks after India defeat

Stokes ponders changes after bowling 234 overs‘It’s no secret that we have spent some time in the field’England have called up Gus Atkinson for Thursday’s third Test against India as they seek to refresh a bowling group that toiled through 234 overs at Edgbaston in a losing cause.Ben Stokes admitted his side’s travails on the way to a humbling 336-run defeat had left them needing to repair both their bodies and their morale, with barely 72 hours in which to do it. “We’re disappointed, but we’ve got three days to turn around, so we need to get over this one just like we got over the enjoyment and the excitement of winning the first game – we need to flip our heads around,” the England captain said. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Ben Stokes says ‘there probably will be a decision to make’ with third Test team

Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson could be asked to breathe new life into England’s bowling.

Politics

4 d. ago England crash to heavy India defeat that reveals Bazball flaw

Ben Stokes’ men were bowled out for 271 with 27 overs still remaining as India levelled the series at 1-1

Events

4 d. ago Ben Stokes’ waning influence with the bat on display in England’s soggy defeat | Andy Bull

Captain was bamboozled by Jadeja’s bowling before falling to Washington Sundar in crushing second Test loss to IndiaIt was raining hard in Birmingham on Sunday morning. A weight of great black clouds broke over the city while it was feeling its way into the day. On the streets people pressed themselves together under the cover of bus stops and awnings: revellers off to the Queens Heath pride festival, heavy metal lovers making their way home after Black Sabbath’s farewell gig at Villa Park the previous evening, and cricket supporters bound for the ground, most of them with last-minute tickets, split between anxious Indian and wry English fans, the only people in the city who were happy enough to be getting wet.The bad weather was about the only way England were going to get out of this match with a draw. A team who have spent three years learning how to do the improbable were in no position at all to attempt the unremarkable and bat out the match, even after the rain had washed out ...

Politics

4 d. ago Ben Stokes says sloppy start led to heavy England defeat by India at Edgbaston

Stokes saw his side crumble to a mammoth 336-run loss at Edgbaston.

Politics

4 d. ago India close on victory as Ben Stokes falls on brink of lunch

Akash Deep led the way as the tourists reduced England to 153 for six in notional pursuit of 608 at Edgbaston.

Politics