13 h. ago England lose shortened T20 ‘shambles’ against South Africa in rain

South Africa 97-5; England 54-5; South Africa win by 14 runs (DLS)Reduced to nine-over contest before being cut to five-over chaseIt was mildly absurd in one sense, a day of rain showers in Cardiff turning the first T20 international between England and South Africa into a shortened thrash that did not get underway until 8.50pm.But the hardy spectators who stuck around were at least rewarded for their patience with something resembling a match; a bit of fun, chiefly, albeit one that now sees the tourists go into ’s second outing at Old Trafford with a 1-0 lead in this three-match end-of-summer series. Continue reading...

Politics

15 h. ago England v South Africa: first men’s T20 international gets under way after rain delay – live

Over-by-over coverage of the first T20Get in touch with Tim to share your thoughts“Shame (but very predictable) about the current weather,” says Alfie Sparrow, although his email is actually about something else. “I’ve just moved into London, living in Tooting with some old uni mates. I was wondering if any readers have local cricket club recommendations? Played alongside Bas de Leede growing up in the Netherlands, winning 3 national titles in our age group. Wish I could say I was still near his quality but that’s far from the case – just after a friendly club for next summer.” Hope you find one.“My girlfriend has very tentatively started to get into cricket,” reports Charles Aspden. “And we discussed potential telly programmes which would further entice her in. In true Alan Partridge fashion, she wants to see ‘Tea with Amol Rajan,’ a show somewhere between Bake Off and Grandstand. Amol travels the country to try the best and worst teas around the village, county and international g...

Society

16 h. ago England v South Africa: first men’s T20 international, start delayed by rain – live

Over-by-over coverage of the first T20Get in touch with Tim to share your thoughts“Shame (but very predictable) about the current weather,” says Alfie Sparrow, although his email is actually about something else. “I’ve just moved into London, living in Tooting with some old uni mates. I was wondering if any readers have local cricket club recommendations? Played alongside Bas de Leede growing up in the Netherlands, winning 3 national titles in our age group. Wish I could say I was still near his quality but that’s far from the case – just after a friendly club for next summer.” Hope you find one.“My girlfriend has very tentatively started to get into cricket,” reports Charles Aspden. “And we discussed potential telly programmes which would further entice her in. In true Alan Partridge fashion, she wants to see ‘Tea with Amol Rajan,’ a show somewhere between Bake Off and Grandstand. Amol travels the country to try the best and worst teas around the village, county and international g...

Society

17 h. ago England v South Africa: first men’s T20 international – live

Over-by-over coverage of the first T20 (6.30pm BST start)Get in touch with Tim with your thoughtsMy optimism about the weather may have been misplaced. The cameras are showing the outfield, which is doing an impersonation of Grimsby Town’s home turf when they beat Man United. “Looks like a paddy field,” says Ian Ward. The umpires venture out for a look in their pink cagoules, and soon put their umbrellas up.Some team news: Lungi Ngidi is out of the series. He has a hamstring strain, according to our friends at Cricinfo. His place in South Africa’s battery of seamers will go to Nandre Burger, but not until the second game at Old Trafford on Friday. Continue reading...

Society

3 d. ago Jofra Archer will be ready for ‘biggest series of our lives’ – Brendon McCullum

Archer will be key to England’s Ashes hopes and showed his quality with four for 18 against South Africa on Sunday.

Politics

3 d. ago Jofra Archer stars as England power to record ODI win against South Africa

3rd ODI: England, 414-5, bt South Africa, 72, by 342 runsJacob Bethell and Joe Root score centuries to set up rout What even was this? What does any of it mean? In an extraordinary, bewildering, borderline nonsensical game, England romped to their fifth-highest total of all time before they skittled South Africa for their second-lowest to win by the largest margin in the history of the format – the teams divided in the end by 342 runs.For the home side this was every bit as ecstatic as the grizzly defeat in the series opener had been miserable, as centuries from Jacob Bethell – the very first of his career – and Joe Root – not his – helped England to post 414 for five, and were followed by a magnificent display with the ball from Jofra Archer as South Africa lost all nine wickets – their captain, Temba Bavuma, unable to bat because of a calf strain – for just 72. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Jacob Bethell ton guides England to record victory over South Africa

Back-to-back defeats at Headingley and Lord’s meant they had already lost the Metro Bank Series but their response was utterly comprehensive

Politics

3 d. ago England beat South Africa by 342 runs for biggest winning margin in men’s ODI history – as it happened

Jofra Archer, Joe Root and Jacob Bethell star for England as they inflict a record ODI win on South Africa in SouthamptonAn interesting chat between Nick Knight, Shaun Pollock and Mike Atherton. Athers says that England are trying to bring the ODI and Test teams together whilst treating the T20 side as a different entity. That’s sensible on paper, he says, but brings a “real challenge because of the amount and volume of Test cricket England play. They are going to have to be quite strong about where their players play franchise cricket.”South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Temba Bavuma (capt),Matthew Breetzke, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Wiann Mulder, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Codi Yusuf, Nandre Burger. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Jacob Bethell ton sets England on way to record ODI victory over South Africa

Back-to-back defeats at Headingley and Lord’s meant they had already lost the Metro Bank Series but their response was utterly comprehensive.

Politics

3 d. ago Jacob Bethell and Joe Root smash centuries as England hit record ODI win over South Africa

The Three Lions’ 342-run winning margin is the largest ever

Events

3 d. ago England beat South Africa by 342 runs for biggest winning margin in men’s ODI history – live

Updates from the match in Southampton (11am BST)You can email James | Report: South Africa seal seriesAn interesting chat between Nick Knight, Shaun Pollock and Mike Atherton. Athers says that England are trying to bring the ODI and Test teams together whilst treating the T20 side as a different entity. That’s sensible on paper, he says, but brings a “real challenge because of the amount and volume of Test cricket England play. They are going to have to be quite strong about where their players play franchise cricket.”South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Temba Bavuma (capt),Matthew Breetzke, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Wiann Mulder, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Codi Yusuf, Nandre Burger. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Jacob Bethell and Joe Root smash centuries for England against South Africa in third ODI

Bethell hits maiden ton as Harry Brook’s resurgent side post huge 414-5 at the Rose Bowl

Politics

3 d. ago Jacob Bethell hits century as England pile on the runs against South Africa

Bethell blasted 110 in 82 balls as England piled on their fifth highest total for the loss of five wickets.

Events

3 d. ago England set South Africa target of 415 to win third men’s one

Updates from the match in Southampton (11am BST)You can email Tanya | Report: South Africa seal seriesAn interesting chat between Nick Knight, Shaun Pollock and Mike Atherton. Athers says that England are trying to bring the ODI and Test teams together whilst treating the T20 side as a different entity. That’s sensible on paper, he says, but brings a “real challenge because of the amount and volume of Test cricket England play. They are going to have to be quite strong about where their players play franchise cricket.”South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Temba Bavuma (capt),Matthew Breetzke, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Wiann Mulder, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Codi Yusuf, Nandre Burger. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago Marcus Trescothick admits England revival is needed to book World Cup spot

England lie eighth in the ICC ODI standings after back-to-back defeats against South Africa.

Politics

5 d. ago England rest Ben Duckett for South Africa T20 series as Sam Curran handed recall

Opener given much-needed break with Ashes looming after ODI struggles against the Proteas

Politics

6 d. ago Stuart Broad puts England ODI defeat down to ‘jaded minds’ after packed summer

Two defeats in three days at the hands of South Africa saw England lose their one-day series with a game still to play.

Politics

6 d. ago Harry Brook doesn’t accept tiredness as an excuse for England’s subpar performances

White-ball captain Brook and teammates, including Ben Duckett, Joe Root and Jamie Smith, have run themselves ragged this summer

Politics

6 d. ago Jacob Bethell’s innings against South Africa offers silver lining amid England’s ODI gloom

A much-improved England came up five runs short at Lord’s as South Africa took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series

Politics

6 d. ago England vs South Africa live: Result and final score as hosts fall just short in second ODI

After a hammering at Headingley, England couldn’t beat South Africa in a closer game at Lord’s

Sport