Champions Trophy updates, 9am GMT start in KarachiHussain’s truth-bomb fights back against AI robotsHow to keep 50-over cricket relevant | Email Daniel2nd over: England 18-1 (Duckett 9, Smith 0) England have two players who have held their heads high throughout this troubled tour – Ben Duckett and Joe Root. Duckett, facing Lungi Ngidi, plays two serene clips for four, as if he hadn’t even noticed that he’d lost his opening partner.1st over: England 9-1 (Duckett 0, Smith 0) Marco Jansen’s left-arm angle was a foreign language to poor Salt, who hadn’t even been able to face it in the nets as England left all their lefties at home. He managed a spank over cover for four but played and missed twice, almost gave a catch in the ring with a shovel to leg, and then got that top edge. One of the worst run-a-ball innings you will ever see. Continue reading...

Politics

Champions Trophy updates, 9am GMT start in KarachiHussain’s truth-bomb fights back against AI robotsHow to keep 50-over cricket relevant | And email Tim2nd over: England 18-1 (Duckett 9, Smith 0) England have two players who have held their heads high throughout this troubled tour – Ben Duckett and Joe Root. Duckett, facing Lungi Ngidi, plays two serene clips for four, as if he hadn’t even noticed that he’d lost his opening partner.1st over: England 9-1 (Duckett 0, Smith 0) Marco Jansen’s left-arm angle was a foreign language to poor Salt, who hadn’t even been able to face it in the nets as England left all their lefties at home. He managed a spank over cover for four but played and missed twice, almost gave a catch in the ring with a shovel to leg, and then got that top edge. One of the worst run-a-ball innings you will ever see. Continue reading...

Events

Updates from the final group match at Gaddafi StadiumAny thoughts? Get in touch with Jim on email5th over: Afghanistan 23-1 (Ibrahim 3, Sediq 6) Johnson, who is moving the ball both in the air and on the pitch, beats Sediq with three successive deliveries. As Ian Smith says on commentary, Afghanistan just need to get through this spell – it’s fine if they are 40 for 1 after 10 overs.4th over: Afghanistan 20-1 (Ibrahim 1, Sediq 5) So far Dwarshuis has been able to control the swing pretty well; two from his second over. Continue reading...

Politics

Updates from the final group match at Gaddafi StadiumPlay starts in Lahore at 2pm local/8pm AEDT/9am GMTAny thoughts? Get in touch with Jim on email5th over: Afghanistan 23-1 (Ibrahim 3, Sediq 6) Johnson, who is moving the ball both in the air and on the pitch, beats Sediq with three successive deliveries. As Ian Smith says on commentary, Afghanistan just need to get through this spell – it’s fine if they are 40 for 1 after 10 overs.4th over: Afghanistan 20-1 (Ibrahim 1, Sediq 5) So far Dwarshuis has been able to control the swing pretty well; two from his second over. Continue reading...

Politics

The Met Office has predicted London will see highs of 10C every day from Thursday until Tuesday when a high of 12C is forecast.

Politics

Champions Trophy updates from Lahore, 9am GMT startRead this week’s edition of The Spin | And email JimIs Livingstone living on a prayer?Yes, says John Starbuck:Hi. Unless he produces a whizzo performance today, I suspect Livingstone will be omitted from Saturday’s game, in favour of the (now) extra spinner. What do you reckon? Continue reading...

Politics

Champions Trophy updates from Lahore, 9am GMT startSign up to get our newsletter, The Spin | And mail Jim Is Livingstone living on a prayer?Yes, says John Starbuck:Hi. Unless he produces a whizzo performance today, I suspect Livingstone will be omitted from Saturday’s game, in favour of the (now) extra spinner. What do you reckon? Continue reading...

Politics

They should beat Afghanistan to progress, but the batters would have benefited from a hit-out against South AfricaIf you were an Australian supporter of a certain pragmatic bent, you might be quite pleased with a washout against South Africa at the Champions Trophy. With a win already banked, you slide past your most dangerous opponent in Group B without having conceded any advantage to them. It leaves you level with them on three points and guaranteed a semi-final as long as you can beat an Afghanistan team that, despite their recent advancements and the memorably close result last time you played, you should still beat anytime, anywhere across a format as extended as 50 overs.If you’re an Australian supporter of the sort of bullishness natural to Australian supporters, including any past or current Australian player, you would say that you always want to play the best teams because you’ll beat them while having a grand old time in the process, and that sliding past your most dange...

Politics

Taliban’s ban on women playing cricket has led to calls for a boycott by the ECB, but Champions Trophy match proceedsA day out from what is a must-win game for both Afghanistan and England, Jonathan Trott, head coach of the former, addressed the issue that is impossible to ignore during this Champions Trophy. The Taliban continues its brutal clampdown on women’s rights back in Afghanistan and Trott outlined the position his players find themselves in.“They know the difference between right and wrong,” said Trott, drawing a distinction between a team that play their cricket in exile under the previous Afghan flag and the regime at home. “They are under no illusions about where they have come from and they’re very courageous. You see that in their cricket and that’s the one thing I’ve not tried to change at all. They know who they are playing for and representing.” Continue reading...

Politics

Buttler’s side, who have lost 17 in 24 and have surrendered both white-ball World Cups in that period, must win Wednesday’s Champions Trophy match.

Politics

Updates from the match at Rawalpindi Cricket StadiumPlay was due to start at 2pm local/8pm AEDT/9am GMT“Just a heads up Rob...” begins Alistair Connor. “Check out weather.com , the rain’s only getting worse in Rawalpindi. Can’t see any sort of match happening. Or are you contractually or diplomatically obliged to avoid mentioning that?”It’s more that I’m one of nature’s optimists you can’t always trust the weather apps. Continue reading...

Politics

Updates from the match at Rawalpindi Cricket StadiumPlay was due to start at 2pm local/8pm AEDT/9am GMTStill raining in Rawalpindi. It’s very light, frustratingly so, but the outfield is in good condition so the turnaround should be very quick if/when the rain stops.Here’s something to read while we wait. The bogeyman is back. Continue reading...

Politics

England have lost 17 of their last 24 ODIs heading into Wednesday’s must-win Champions Trophy clash with Afghanistan.

Politics

Group A: India, 244-4, bt Pakistan, 241 by 6wktsKohli’s 51st ODI century seals victory in DubaiVirat Kohli’s record-extending 51st one-day century secured a six-wicket win over Pakistan in Dubai that puts India on the verge of qualifying for the Champions Trophy semi-finals.After Pakistan were bowled out for a disappointing 241 in 49.4 overs, Kohli took centre stage, ticking off 14,000 ODI runs en route to 100 not out off 111 balls – with a final cover drive sealing his century and India’s victory, which leaves their rivals on the brink of early elimination. Continue reading...

Politics

Over-by-over updates from Group B game (9am GMT)Get in touch with Tanya here | Sign up to the SpinOH MY GOOD GOLLY WHAT A CATCH! Alex Carey has pulled off a blinder to get rid of Phil Salt!1st over: England 12-0 (Salt 10, Duckett 0) Yep the wicket and outfield look like the sort a batter would drool over. England get twelve off the first over as Salt bunts down the ground for four and then flicks off his pads in real style for SIX! Flamboyant from the opener. Continue reading...

Events

Duckett, Archer and Smith all likely to be fit for AustraliaYoung and Latham hit tons in 60-run win for Black CapsEngland begin their Champions Trophy campaign against Australia in bustling Lahore on Saturday and, while recent results have set alarm bells ringing, there is growing optimism that a previously lengthy injury list is at least beginning to ease.So much so, in fact, that Jos Buttler, the captain, and Brendon McCullum, the head coach, may even be able to select from a fully fit squad for their Group B opener, with all 15 players taking part in their first training session at Pakistan’s National Academy on Wednesday. Continue reading...

Sport

England looking to defy poor recent form in opening match against Australia

Sport