10 h. ago Ben Stokes backs Ollie Pope after England century sees off ‘agenda’ against him

The England captain said an answer of his about selection for the India series had been ‘twisted’ after the innings and 45 runs win over Zimbabwe.

Politics

10 h. ago England vs Zimbabwe: Harry Brook takes stunning catch as Shoaib Bashir stars in three

Sensational slip grab provides highlight as Bashir takes career-best six for 81 to wrap up emphatic Trent Bridge triumph

Politics

10 h. ago Sean Williams seizes rare Test chance as Zimbabwe show love and pride in defeat | Andy Bull

Veteran’s 88 was full of crisp cuts, punishing pulls and swingeing sweeps – delighting the visitors’ dancing, singing and chanting fansOn 11 June 1890 a column of three hundred colonialists crossed the Shashe River to begin the annexation of Mashonaland on behalf of Cecil Rhodes’ British South Africa Company. They brought cattle, horses and wagons, rifles, revolvers and field guns, a searchlight, a steam engine, tents, food and water. Each man carried a slouch hat, a spare shirt and pair of socks, a water bottle, a sewing kit, a belt, a bandolier, a hundred rounds of ammunition and a hand axe. And, of course, this being a very English endeavour, in among it all someone packed a bat and ball.So the first game of cricket in what would become Zimbabwe was played just over a month later, on 16 August, between the Pioneer Column’s A Troop and B and C Troops, on a patch of land at Providential Pass at what would become Fort Victoria. Nobody knows who won. “Probably A Troop,” wrote one of ...

Politics

10 h. ago Ben Stokes hits out at ‘twisted agenda’ over centurion Pope’s status

England captain says remarks were misinterpreted‘Popey knows how much I value him’Ben Stokes criticised the speculation about Ollie Pope’s position in the England team, insisting parts of the media were pursuing “an agenda” against him. On the eve of England’s victory inside three days, the captain was asked about the chances of Jacob Bethell, away playing in the IPL, returning for next month’s series against India.“If you talk about nailing down a position, Beth has done himself the world of good with the performances he put in [in New Zealand over the winter],” Stokes said. “I think you can put two and two together.” Continue reading...

Events

11 h. ago Shoaib Bashir stars for England in perfect start to Test summer against Zimbabwe

England triumphed by an innings and 45 runs at Trent Bridge with a day to spare as Bashir took six wickets in the second innings

Politics

12 h. ago Shoaib Bashir runs through Zimbabwe to set up Test win in three days for England

England, 565-6, bt Zimbabwe, 265 & 255, by an innings and 45 runsWilliams hits swashbuckling 88 before tourists subsideThere were periods of resistance, some wonderful shots, and supporters cheering them on from the stands but in the end Zimbabwe could not prevent the inevitable or even reach the fourth day. England, inspired by six wickets from Shoaib Bashir, wrapped up this one-off Test by an innings and 45 runs.The winning moment came 15 minutes or so before tea on day three when Bashir sent down a grubber that pinned Tanaka Chivanga for the simplest of lbw decisions. With the injured Richard Ngarava not appearing for the second innings it meant the tourists were all out for 255 second time around. Continue reading...

Politics

12 h. ago Shoaib Bashir grabs six Zimbabwe wickets as England win Test in three days

England, 565-6, bt Zimbabwe, 265 & 255, by an innings and 45 runsWilliams hits swashbuckling 88 before tourists subsideThere were periods of resistance, some wonderful shots and supporters cheering them on from the stands but in the end Zimbabwe could not prevent the inevitable or even reach the fourth day. England, inspired by six wickets from Shoaib Bashir, wrapped up this one-off Test by an innings and 45 runs.The winning moment came 15 minutes or so before tea on day three when Bashir sent down a grubber that pinned Tanaka Chivanga for the simplest of lbw decisions. With the injured Richard Ngarava not appearing for the second innings it meant the tourists were all out for 255 second time around. Continue reading...

Politics

14 h. ago Shoaib Bashir finally breaks through after frustrating morning for England

Zimbabwe were 141 for three at the break, still 159 behind.

Politics

31 h. ago Shoaib Bashir thrives in ‘happy place’ as spinner breaks England record

Bashir became the youngest Englishman to the 50 wicket mark after a second day three-for against zimbabwe

Politics

32 h. ago Ben Stokes underlines importance with vital spell as England turn the screw against Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe (265 & 30-2) trail England (565/6d) by 270 runs: Back from an injured hamstring, the England captain produced a key burst of fast bowling to help his side seize total control at Trent Bridge

Politics

32 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

36 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

44 h. ago Zak Crawley feels like ‘part of the team again’ after Trent Bridge run fest

The out-of-form opener struck 124 runs as the hosts powered to 498-3 on day one

Politics

55 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

56 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

57 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

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

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

Politics

63 h. ago Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett get England off to solid start against Zimbabwe

The hosts reached 130 without loss at lunch on day one at Trent Bridge.

Politics

65 h. ago England v Zimbabwe: first men’s cricket Test, day one – live

Day one of the series at Trent Bridge, play from 11am BSTDunkley sparks new era for England | Sign up for the SpinAfter years of being ignored because England were also-rans being overshadowed by the World Test Championship, the rankings are back!This four-day Test is the first meeting between the sides since 2003, when England won both Tests by an innings. Interesting team they had, a mix of generations with a couple of bolters.Marcus TrescothickMichael VaughanMark ButcherNasser Hussain (c)Robert KeyAlec Stewart (wk)Anthony McGrath Ashley GilesMatthew Hoggard (Richard Johnson in second Test)Steve HarmisonJames Anderson Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Ben Stokes targets No 1 spot in world Test rankings: ‘One more place to go’

Ashes rivals Australia sit above England in ICC tableZimbabwe Test is captain’s first action since DecemberEngland under Ben Stokes have never lacked ambition, but they go into a defining period of Test cricket with one in particular in mind: to become the first England side in 15 years to take top spot in the International Cricket Council’s rankings, officially the best in the world.“If we win what we’ve got coming up, the likelihood is that we will be at the top of that leaderboard,” Stokes said. “There’s no doubt in my mind we have the ability to be that team.” Continue reading...

Events