5 h. ago Jofra Archer ‘absolutely desperate’ for England Test return, says Ben Stokes

The fast bowler played the last of his 13 Tests in February 2021.

Politics

7 h. ago Ben Stokes calls on England to adapt better ‘when we’re up against the wall’

Test captain identifies weakness ahead of India seriesRelaxed schedule enabled team to reassess approachBen Stokes may have described England’s recent lack of Test action as “a bit odd” but playing just one game in the past six months has given the side space to reconsider their approach before the series against India.Stokes has won 23 of his 36 games in charge while losing 12 and insisted: “I don’t think it’s arrogant to say that we’ve been good over the last three years,” but with England’s next 10 Tests coming against either India – starting at Headingley on Friday – or Australia they have prepared for potential adversity. Continue reading...

Politics

7 h. ago Jasprit Bumrah explains why he resisted India Test captaincy temptation

On eve of England v India series, the bowling sensation explains his stance on the captaincy after Virat Kohli’s retirement

Politics

8 h. ago England: Ollie Pope never in danger of being dropped, insists Ben Stokes

Jacob Bethell has forced the issue of Ollie Pope’s inclusion with some strong recent performances

Politics

8 h. ago Is England v India on TV? How to watch online, dates, times and prediction for first Test

Ben Stokes’ side face India at Headingley in the first test of the five-match series

Politics

9 h. ago Mark Ramprakash believes Jacob Bethell’s test match career can follow Brian Lara’s

Ramprakash says Bethell must wait for his chance to cement his place in the test side much like Lara did for the West Indies

Politics

10 h. ago It would be remarkable to drop Ollie Pope after 171 – Ben Stokes

Pope will line up for England against India despite pressure on his number three place from Jacob Bethell.

Politics

10 h. ago England are right to stick with a settled top six – Bethell should follow the Lara model | Mark Ramprakash

Ollie Pope retains his No 3 spot for the first Test and India wouldn’t mind having a bit more of that kind of continuityThere always seems to be one man under pressure in England’s batting lineup and consensus over the winter seemed to be that Jacob Bethell’s emergence had put Ollie Pope’s place at risk. Pope has clung on to his place for the start of the India series and my view is that Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum should be very careful before they mess with what is probably the most settled top six of any Test side in the world at the moment.There was speculation about both Pope and Zak Crawley before they scored centuries in last month’s game against Zimbabwe, but that performance should have secured their spots for this series at least. Bethell is a huge talent and some really top cricketers have spoken very highly about his performances and potential – clearly his time will come. He was impressive in New Zealand over the winter and since then we’ve seen exhilarating glimpse...

Politics

15 h. ago James Anderson and Stuart Broad assess England seamers ahead of ‘era

After the retirements of their two highest Test wicket-takers, England head into 10 crucial matches against India and Australia with a new-look stock of pace bowlers

Politics

15 h. ago Hail the Prince: Shubman Gill’s India captaincy a prophecy fulfilled but Test doubts remain

After a run of greats at the helm, the tourists’ early promotion of their new leader is an intriguing choice to steady a listing shipShubman Gill was a pretty laid-back character when he played for Glamorgan three summers ago. So laid back, in fact, that early on during his time there he parked the brand new Volvo the club had arranged for him and apparently left the keys in the ignition. Sure enough, after training, he returned to find it had been pinched.Cue panic in the finance department at Sophia Gardens, calls to the insurers and the like. But at least his new teammates had material for some lighthearted mickey-taking. Gill, just turned 23 but already an India star on the rise, had arrived for three September rounds of the County Championship in 2022. Saying hello with 92 on debut in Cardiff, and goodbye with 119 at Hove, it sounds like he fitted in well. Continue reading...

Politics

16 h. ago Michael Vaughan 'staggered' by Ben Stokes decision in warning ahead of India series

England face India in a Test series this summer ahead of the Ashes a few months later and Ben Stokes' lack of time batting has stunned former captain Michael Vaughan

Events

32 h. ago England vs India: Ollie Pope retains place over Jacob Bethell for first Test against India

Jacob Bethell must wait for his chance as Ollie Pope keeps his place at number three

Politics

33 h. ago Ollie Pope gets nod as Jacob Bethell left out of England side for first Test against India

Pope edges out Bethell for the No 3 spot as Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse return to the seam attack

Politics

33 h. ago Michael Vaughan pinpoints how England can beat India in five

Former Test, ODI and IT20 captain Michael Vaughan spoke on a new podcast

Politics

35 h. ago Sir Alastair Cook explains why England should pick Ollie Pope over Jacob Bethell against India

The debate over England number three position rumbles on for both the India series and the Ashes in December

Society

36 h. ago Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli welcome Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant to their London home ahead of India vs England Test series: Report

Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli welcome Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant to their London home ahead of India vs England Test series: Report  Times of India

Politics

39 h. ago Behind the scenes at Sky Sports Cricket and how they changed the game

After nearly 20 years as the primary home of televised cricket in England, Sky Sports are still setting standards. Harry Latham-Coyle was granted an exclusive look behind the scenes at their Test coverage

Sport

55 h. ago India Test series as important as the Ashes to England, claims ECB chief

Ben Stokes and co. face India in the first Test starting this week

Politics

55 h. ago Tendulkar v Anderson: two master craftsmen who gave more than anyone to Test cricket | Andy Bull

If the Pataudi Trophy had to be renamed then the rivalry between India and England’s two most-capped Test cricketers was worthy of the switchSpring 2006 and India are batting against England at the Wankhede in Mumbai. The series is all square, one Test each with one to play. England, batting first, have made an even 400, thanks in large part to a century by Andrew Strauss and 88 from his Middlesex teammate Owais Shah, who is making his debut.It is just past tea on the second day and India’s openers are already gone, bounced out by Matthew Hoggard. Sachin Tendulkar is at No 4 and England’s captain, Andrew Flintoff, has just thrown the ball to his first-change bowler, Jimmy Anderson. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago England will want to get value for money out of Jofra Archer – Stuart Broad

Archer has not played Test cricket since 2021.

Politics