3 h. ago Afghanistan v Australia abandoned due to rain at Champions Trophy – as it happened

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

5 h. ago Jos Buttler confirms England captaincy decision following Champions Trophy humiliation

Jos Buttler had been facing calls to resign as England's captain in the one-day format following back-to-back defeats in the Champions Trophy, leaving them unable to reach the semi-finals

Politics

5 h. ago Afghanistan set Australia 274 to win: Champions Trophy cricket – live

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

24 h. ago McCullum was a tonic for England’s Test side but will the medicine work in all formats?

Elimination from the Champions Trophy will surely end Jos Buttler’s tenure as white- ball captain, but is the lack of 50-over domestic cricket the biggest problem?The diagnosis after England’s Test team hit rock bottom during that wretched Ashes winter of 2021-22 was a pretty shrewd one by Rob Key. Newly hired as director of men’s cricket, Key recognised that the players, good enough but grossly underperforming, had been ground down by the pandemic and its joyless treadmill of fixture fulfilment.In came Brendon McCullum as the antipodean antidote to their negativity on and off the field. He was not a technical hire – although he analyses more information than the golf-bro image suggests – rather a relentlessly positive one who would double down on the aggressive outlook of Ben Stokes, his new captain, and not meet fire with ice. Continue reading...

Science

25 h. ago Steve Harmison thinks time is up for Jos Buttler as England white

The team have endured a miserable 18-month period in which they have given up both limited-overs World Cups.

Events

33 h. ago Mitchell Starc reveals ‘personal views’ partly behind Champions Trophy absence

The Australia fast bowler is also dealing with an ankle issue after withdrawing from the tournament in Pakistan

Politics

33 h. ago Who could succeed Jos Buttler if he steps down as England white

Back-to-back defeats to Australia and Afghanistan have guaranteed a group-stage exit for England.

Events

34 h. ago Michael Atherton gives blunt verdict on Jos Buttler’s captaincy after England crash out of Champions Trophy

Buttler’s side were eliminated from the Champions trophy after losing to Afghanistan to leave the skipper under severe pressure

Events

47 h. ago England cricket captain Jos Buttler urged to resign after latest dismal failure

Jos Buttler's England side were dumped out of the Champions Trophy on Wednesday after being beaten by Afghanistan despite only needing 17 runs from 14 balls with three wickets in hand to win

Events

47 h. ago England eliminated from Champions Trophy after defeat by Afghanistan

Jos Buttler’s side lost by eight runs in Lahore leaving his position as captain in jeopardy

Politics

47 h. ago Michael Atherton expects Jos Buttler’s time as England captain to be over

Buttler’s side were eliminated from the Champions trophy after losing to Afghanistan.

Politics

48 h. ago Jos Buttler considering future after England’s sorry Champions Trophy exit

Captain on brink after third group exit in a rowAfghanistan outplay England to win thrillerJos Buttler will consider his future as England’s white-ball captain after the agonising eight-run defeat by Afghanistan in Lahore that terminated his side’s Champions Trophy hopes, and left him wondering whether he is part of the problem.England fly to Karachi on Thursday for their final group game – against South Africa on Saturday – already out of the running for the semi-finals. Their defeat by Afghanistan, following the loss against Australia last Saturday, made it a third consecutive tournament failure under Buttler’s leadership. Continue reading...

Sport

48 h. ago Jos Buttler will take time to assess his future as captain after England exit

England were knocked out of the Champions Trophy after losing to Afghanistan in Lahore.

Politics

48 h. ago Jos Buttler on brink of QUITTING as England cricket captain after humiliation

England were embarrassed by Afghanistan in Lahore and knocked out of the Champions Trophy at the group stage, leaving Buttler to consider whether his time is up

Politics

48 h. ago England eliminated from Champions Trophy after defeat to Afghanistan

Jos Buttler’s side lost by eight runs in Lahore leaving his position as captain in jeopardy

Politics

48 h. ago What now for England and Jos Buttler after Champions Trophy exit?

An eight-run defeat to Afghanistan continued a worrying downward trend in white-ball cricket.

Politics

49 h. ago England dumped out of Champions Trophy after defeat to Afghanistan

Jos Buttler’s position as white-ball captain is under scrutiny.

Politics

49 h. ago England crash out of Champions Trophy early as Afghanistan defeat deepens ODI woes

Dramatic chase falls narrowly short as Jos Buttler’s side exit at group stage after back-to-back defeats

Events

50 h. ago England chasing 326 to defeat Afghanistan: Champions Trophy cricket – live

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

53 h. ago England need 326 to defeat Afghanistan: Champions Trophy cricket – live

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