4 d. ago The Spin | In defence of the draw: why Ben Stokes and England should take note

The Bazball win-or-bust mantra has proven successful but it is time for captain to embrace grey in black and white world“A tie is like kissing your sister,” Edward J Erdelatz said to the New York Times in 1954. Erdelatz was the United States Navy’s head football coach and his side had just drawn 0-0 against Duke University. “No one asked the mild spoken navy coach to explain,” the report adds. Well, quite. But sister or not, everyone knew what he meant.Erdelatz’s unique take on the merits or otherwise of not winning are ingrained in American sports where a Lombardian win-at-all-costs mentality prevails. Try explaining Test cricket to an American sports fan, they say, with a wry chuckle – the fact that two teams can battle it out for five full days and in the end, there is not necessarily a winner. Good luck, they smirk. Adelaide 1961? You may as well be describing the plot of Christopher Nolan’s Memento to a toddler. Old Trafford 2005? More chance of a cider-addled bee getting to gr...

Politics

5 d. ago Ben Stokes would ‘jump at chance’ to lead Durham Hundred team, says county chief

Durham hope to benefit from any increase to the current eight-team structure.

Politics

1 week ago The man at the top of the batting stats, a former U19 captain and a contemporary of Ben Stokes: Six players England should consider for Harry Brook's new

RICHARD GIBSON: In terms of results, Brook inherits a team that has lost 19 of 26 one-day internationals and 17 in 32 Twenty20 matches, necessitating the need for some freshening up.

Sport

1 week ago England sent Ben Stokes succession plan as legend shares Harry Brook fear

EXCLUSIVE: Harry Brook has been named as England's new white-ball captain as eyes turn towards who could succeed Ben Stokes with the 32-year-old continuing to struggle with injury

Politics

1 week ago England name new ODI and T20 captain as Ben Stokes decision made

England test captain Ben Stokes has been a leading contender to replace Jos Buttler as white-ball captain, after the wicketkeeper resigned as skipper in the wake of the disastrous Champions Trophy

Politics

2 w. ago England warned of making selfish Ben Stokes decision as new T20 captain decided

Ben Stokes and Harry Brook are reportedly in a two-horse race to become England's next ODI captain, with Brook already set to be appointed in the role for the T20 side

Events

2 w. ago Michael Vaughan claims England would be ‘selfish’ to give Ben Stokes white

Reports suggest that England’s Test skipper and Harry Brook could split the white-ball captaincy duties

Events

2 w. ago James Anderson to miss county season start but could play for three more years

The 42-year-old’s England career ended last summer having claimed a record-breaking 704 wickets.

Politics

2 w. ago Ben Stokes set to miss opening rounds of County Championship but on track in recovery

The England Test captain has been recuperating after undergoing hamstring injury

Politics

2 w. ago Ben Stokes will ‘do whatever it takes’ to be fit for summer, says Durham boss

Ryan Campbell says Stokes ‘sets the bar, wherever he is’.

Politics