74 m. ago Joe Root comments on Jos Buttler speak volumes as he makes England cricket statement

England are staring down the barrel of Champions Trophy elimination if they don't beat Afghanistan, but former captain Joe Root is convinced they're on the right track - despite Jos Buttler's side's struggles in the last 18 months

Politics

4 h. ago Joe Root backs ‘brilliant leader’ Jos Buttler as England face crucial game

Make-or-break match looms against Afghanistan Brydon Carse ruled out of tournament with injuryJoe Root has stressed Jos Buttler’s white-ball setup is in better shape than the Test side that buckled towards the back end of his own captaincy, as England attempt to keep their Champions Trophy hopes alive in their controversial match against Afghanistan on Wednesday.Battling to reach the semi-finals after the record-breaking five-wicket defeat against Australia over the weekend, England have endured a further blow with news that the fast bowler Brydon Carse has been ruled out of the tournament with the recurrence of a toe injury. Continue reading...

Politics

4 h. ago Joe Root convinced England on right track under ‘brilliant leader’ Jos Buttler

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

Politics

11 h. ago Brydon Carse set to miss England’s crucial Champions Trophy tie against Afghanistan

Ongoing toe issue saw Carse miss training on MondayEngland need victory after opening five-wicket defeatBrydon Carse appears set to be ruled out for England’s must-win game against Afghanistan this week – and possibly the remainder of their Champions Trophy campaign – after being a notable absentee at training on Monday.Jos Buttler’s men head into Wednesday’s day-nighter at the Gaddafi Stadium desperate for victory following their chastening five-wicket defeat to Australia on the same ground last Saturday. Carse, who had been touch and go to play due to a toe injury, finished as their most expensive bowler on the night, going at 9.85 per over. Continue reading...

Politics

25 h. ago RFU adds extra England Test and leaves Borthwick without warm

Extra match against Australia added for NovemberBorthwick will lose time he has used for training in SpainSteve Borthwick will have to forgo a crucial training camp and guide England into this year’s autumn internationals with a week’s less preparation after the Rugby Football Union arranged an extra lucrative November Test against Australia.England habitually play three autumn internationals in the same year as a British & Irish Lions tour but the RFU arranged a fourth, which could generate up to £10m in revenue, after its latest accounts reported record losses to reserves of £42m. Continue reading...

Events

38 h. ago Jos Buttler defends England selection but pinpoints where bowlers must improve after Australia defeat

Australia chased down a mammoth total as England suffered an early Champions Trophy blow

Politics

48 h. ago Scotland’s Gregor Townsend questions England’s crucial penalty decision

‘I just don’t know how that’s a penalty,’ says head coachSteve Borthwick: ‘They found a way to win the game’Scotland’s coaches and players believe two key officiating decisions potentially denied them another historic Calcutta Cup victory. Gregor Townsend feels his team were unlucky to concede the crucial second-half penalty kicked by Fin Smith that ultimately proved decisive and doubts have also been raised over the solitary English try, scored by Tommy Freeman.Townsend was particularly unhappy about the crucial penalty given against Rory Darge and Tom Jordan for lifting Ben Curry out of a ruck. “I’m going to go through the game two or three times to see whether we could have got better decisions,” said Townsend, the head coach. “I did feel the decision that counted against us for the winning three points where we cleared someone out of the ruck I just don’t know how that’s a penalty. Continue reading...

Politics

48 h. ago Champions Trophy: England still have 'optimism and belief' despite damaging Australia loss

Josh Inglis ensured England’s one-day struggles continued in Lahore despite Ben Duckett brilliance

Politics

3 d. ago Champions Trophy make or break for Buttler as England look to stop slide

After defeat in India, England start tournament against Australia, who are without their feared fast-bowling trioIn contrast to the drawn-out 50-over World Cup and its T20 equivalent, the Champions Trophy is quite a cutthroat affair, with one slip-up in the group stage manageable but two likely terminal. Jos Buttler called it a brutal format before England’s opener against Australia in Lahore on Saturday, while his opposite number, Steve Smith, spoke of needing a “quarter-final” mentality.As unforgiving as it is, there is a fair bit riding on this Champions Trophy for Buttler, a captain who lifted the T20 World Cup in 2022 straight after replacing Eoin Morgan but has struggled to live up to it since. Series results have nose-dived, both world titles were surrendered meekly, and the messaging has often been confusing. Matthew Mott paid the price as head coach last year but not every shortcoming was his. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Jos Buttler determined to rediscover form with bat in Champions Trophy

In 33 ODIs since being appointed permanent white-ball skipper in June 2022, Buttler averages 33.13.

Politics

3 d. ago Champions Trophy 2025: Jos Buttler backs Jamie Smith to thrive at three against Australia

The wicketkeeper-batter has been promoted to back up openers Phil Salt and Ben Duckett

Politics

3 d. ago Nothing will faze him – Jos Buttler backs Jamie Smith to thrive at three

The wicketkeeper-batter has been promoted to back up openers Phil Salt and Ben Duckett in the Champions Trophy.

Politics

4 d. ago Jamie Smith to bat at three in England's Champions Trophy opener against Australia

Wicket-keeper to come in ahead of Joe Root, Harry Brook and Jos Buttler

Politics

4 d. ago Jamie Smith at No 3 for England’s Champions Trophy opener against Australia

Joe Root moves down to No 4 in batter-heavy lineupSmith has batted first-drop just once in his List A careerIt was as if they could not wait to share the news, England naming their XI for Saturday’s Champions Trophy opener against Australia well in advance of the toss and springing a surprise too. Jamie Smith is back from a calf injury and will keep wicket but, more eye-catchingly, he will bat at No 3.The team emerged as Jos Buttler’s side trained under lights at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday evening and, on the eve of a major tournament, represents something curve-ball. Talented but inexperienced, Smith has batted first-drop just once in his List A career at Surrey, while Joe Root, England’s record centurion in ODI cricket, has moved down a spot. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Jamie Smith bumped up the order to three for England’s Champions Trophy opener

The 24-year-old missed England’s last two T20s against India and the three-match ODI series owing to a left calf injury.

Politics

5 d. ago England hopeful over Champions Trophy fitness while NZ crush Pakistan in opener

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

6 d. ago ‘His form has faded’ – Nasser Hussain questions England captain Jos Buttler’s struggles

England’s 3-0 ODI series defeat to India has raised concerns over Jos Buttler’s form and leadership, with Nasser Hussain questioning his struggles ahead of England’s Champions Trophy campaign

Politics