11 h. ago Bennett scores Zimbabwe’s fastest Test century before England regain grip

Only Test, D2: England 565-6d; Zimbabwe 265 & 30-2Stokes shines as England toil before enforcing follow-onThere were a few sideways glances during the first day of Zimbabwe’s first Test match in England for 22 years, followed by calls for cricket’s longest format to adopt a two-division structure. After a flogging like the one their players had just suffered across three sessions, perhaps this was to be expected.But on day two, cheered on by some wonderful pockets of support, the tourists mustered a pushback. First came an improved showing with the ball, England losing three for 67 to declare on 565 for six, followed by something of a fairytale century from opener Brian Bennett. Though bowled out for 265, and closing on 30 for two following on, Zimbabwe had given their hosts a far stiffer outing. Continue reading...

Politics

14 h. ago Ben Stokes strikes twice for England as Brian Bennett leads Zimbabwe resistance

Zimbabwe were 210 for five at tea replying to England’s 565 for six.

Events

33 h. ago ‘I’m the right man’: Zak Crawley ignores pressure with century against Zimbabwe

‘I’ve been made a better player by people around me’Crawley’s place thought to be under threat from BethellIf Zak Crawley showed little sign of the pressure he was under as he became one of three English centurions on the opening day against Zimbabwe, it is possibly because he did not know he was under any.The opener’s place in the team was presumed to be at risk after a poor run of form was followed by heavy hints that Jacob Bethell would be parachuted straight into the team on his return from the IPL, but after scoring 124 – England’s third-highest innings of the day after Ben Duckett’s 140 and Ollie Pope’s unbeaten 169 – the 27-year-old insisted he had heard no such rumours and had felt nothing from his coaches and colleagues except support. Continue reading...

Events

35 h. ago Ollie Pope scores century as England set new record in dominant win over Zimbabwe

England make light-work of Zimbabwe in first meeting between the nations for 22 years

Politics

35 h. ago Ollie Pope smashes 169 off Zimbabwe to show England selectors his class

Only Test day 1: England 498-3 v ZimbabweDuckett and Crawley also hit centuries in one-off TestThere were shades of The Thick of It after Ben Stokes gave his press conference a day out from this one-off Test against Zimbabwe. When the minister – or in this instance the England captain – said Jacob Bethell would be straight back in for the series against India, this apparently referred to the squad and not necessarily the XI.That Stokes sought to make this clarification through the back channels perhaps said more about the task at hand than England’s true thoughts on the subject. No captain would ever wish to send a player out believing whatever they achieved would be irrelevant, not least a vice-captain and team-first character such as Ollie Pope. Continue reading...

Culture

38 h. ago Ben Duckett hundred powers England into dominant position against Zimbabwe

Duckett made 140 as England reached two on 295 for one.

Politics

60 h. ago Jacob Bethell ‘has done himself world of good’ – Ben Stokes hints at Test recall

The 21-year-old made a strong impression in his debut series against New Zealand before Christmas.

Politics

61 h. ago Phil Foden makes England decision as Man City star bravely opens up on mental health struggles

Manchester City star Phil Foden has opened up about his "frustrating" season and has revealed that he has asked to be left out of the England squad that is set to be announced on Friday

Politics

2 d. ago Jude Bellingham set for MONTHS on sidelines as Real Madrid star to undergo surgery

Jude Bellingham has endured a difficult season, with Real Madrid having failed to win a major honour, with the England international finally set to undergo surgery to fix a shoulder injury

Politics

3 d. ago Vaccine set for NHS rollout after 'concerning' rise in 'superbug'

A world-first is set to be rolled out in England

Politics

3 d. ago Sam Cook set for England debut as Josh Tongue returns to Test squad vs Zimbabwe

Essex bowler Cook will make his England Test debut this week as Tongue returns to a new-look attack

Politics

4 d. ago Ben Stokes gives up alcohol to help recovery from hamstring injury

The Test captain is set to make his comeback in England’s one-off Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge this week

Events

5 d. ago Ben Stokes quits alcohol to help hamstring injury rehabilitation

England Test captain to return against Zimbabwe‘It’s just getting harder to do everything’Ben Stokes has stopped drinking alcohol during his latest injury rehabilitation in an effort to be firing on all cylinders for England this summer. The Test captain is set to make his comeback on Thursday in the one-off Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge, having been sidelined since December after tearing his left hamstring in New Zealand.He rushed back from a similar injury last year but his recovery this time after an operation has been painstakingly managed and Stokes has left no stone unturned to fulfil his vow to return in peak physical condition. Speaking to the Untapped podcast, the 33-year-old said: “After my first major injury, I remember the shock of it, after the initial adrenaline had stopped, thinking: ‘How has this happened? We did have a bit of a drink four or five nights ago, could that have played a part? It wouldn’t have helped.’ Continue reading...

Events

5 d. ago Ben Stokes says he gave up alcohol to aid latest injury rehabilitation

The Test captain is set to make his comeback on Thursday in England’s one-off Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge.

Events

5 d. ago Brits prepped for weekend washout as wettest May Bank Holiday on record looms

The west of England is set to be battered by torrential rain as the UK is split in half by a 320 mile wall of downpours – with one meteorologist warning it could washout 'half the country'

Politics

7 d. ago UK faces first 30C day of year with exact dates England set to roast announced

UK faces first 30C day of year with exact dates England set to roast announced  Birmingham Live

Politics

8 d. ago James Anderson set to make county cricket return one year on from England farewell

Anderson bid an emotional farewell to England at Lord’s last year

Politics

1 week ago Scarlets set to sign England World Cup winner who will become an option for Wales

The Scarlets have moved quickly to snap up the talented youngster

Politics

1 week ago Australian cricket community mourns death of batter and Ashes hero Bob Cowper

Cowper was the first Australian to score a triple-century against England on home soilGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralian cricket is mourning the death of Bob Cowper, whose triple-century remains one of the most revered Ashes innings.Cowper died this weekend, aged 84. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago India great Virat Kohli set to call time on Test cricket career before England tour

Rohit Sharma announced Test retirement this weekIndia due to embark on five-Test England tour in JuneVirat Kohli is set to deliver another blow to India’s plans for their imminent tour of England by indicating he wants to retire from Test cricket just days after Rohit Sharma’s decision to stand down, according to reports.Indian media is reporting that the 36-year-old has told the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that he no longer wishes to play the longest format of the game. The news comes amid rising tensions border with Pakistan. The Indian Premier League is on a one-week pause, while the Pakistan Super League has also been suspended. Continue reading...

Politics