18 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

30 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

41 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

41 h. ago Zak Crawley feels like ‘part of the team again’ after Trent Bridge century

Crawley hit 124 as the hosts powered to 498 for three on day one.

Politics

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

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

Politics

49 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

52 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

2 d. ago Bazball’s moment of truth arrives in year that will define era of McCullum and Stokes

One-off Zimbabwe Test at Trent Bridge the launchpad for a decisive summer for England and their abstemious captainSo where are we up to right now? Still Bazball 2.0? The start of Bazball 3.0? Given Ben Stokes has knocked the grog on the head this year, perhaps it should be Bazball 0.0% ABV.Although, jokes aside, that recent revelation on one of those man-chat podcasts said a fair bit about Stokes’s nature. Not only has he temporarily paused drinking during his recovery from hamstring surgery but, so taken by this, he has even bought shares in an alcohol-free spirits company. England’s Test captain is someone who, when he sets his mind on something, sees it through to the extreme. Even abstinence. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago England vs Zimbabwe Test prediction: Expect Joe Root impact in Trent Bridge victory

Read the latest tips and betting odds ahead of England’s first Test against Zimbabwe this week

Politics

3 d. ago Zimbabwe’s welcome return sets the table for England’s banquet of Test cricket

A four-day encounter at Trent Bridge is a low-key affair compared to five-Test series against India and Australia but a first meeting with Zimbabwe in 22 years could yet prove crucial for England

Politics

4 d. ago Zimbabwe’s Sean Williams: ‘It’s been a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs – mainly downs’

All-rounder has been playing for his country – on and off – for 20 years and is relishing Thursday’s Test in EnglandIn a Zimbabwe squad not exactly packed with experience – only three of its 16 members have played as many Tests as the 21‑year‑old English spinner Shoaib Bashir – Sean Williams is the most glaring of exceptions. When Jimmy Anderson took off his England cap for the final time last summer, 21 years, six months and 27 days after his debut, Williams took over as the cricketer with the longest ongoing international career: by the final day of the one-off Test at Trent Bridge this week he will be able to look back at precisely 20 years and three months at the highest rung of the cricketing ladder.And still he is breaking new ground: England, who have not played Zimbabwe in any format since 2003, would be the 28th opponents of his international career, taking him two short of the world record held by the retired Kenyan Collins Obuya. “Definitely for me as an individual, it ma...

Politics

5 d. ago We can’t take our eyes off the ball against Zimbabwe – England’s Harry Brook

The international season gets under way at Trent Bridge on Thursday.

Politics

5 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 Sickened Sergio Garcia says he's playing shots that make him want to puke after PGA Championship showing

The Spanish star is determined to lose that sick feeling and fight his way into Ryder Cup team

Politics

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

7 d. ago Newcastle’s elite rise unignorable but Arsenal links to Isak and Gordon irk Howe

Magpies can steal second from the Gunners on Sunday and Eddie Howe says club has ambitions to kick on this summerAssumptions can be inaccurate, unfair and sometimes downright dangerous. Eddie Howe and Newcastle have had their fair share of often lazy theories – about the manager’s future and the limits of the club’s potential – but they travel to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday having trampled all over assorted hypotheses.Should Newcastle win, Arsenal will have been beaten an unprecedented four times by one team in a single season and St James’ Park executives should feel sufficiently confident to start sprucing the stadium up for Champions League combat in early autumn. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Tony Bellew reveals personal 'heartbreak' over Everton's move from Goodison Park

Former boxer Tony Bellew has his season tickets for Everton's new stadium but he will still feel sad when men's team bid farewell to Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon

Politics

7 d. ago Hamilton’s great expectations not yet met but Ferrari fans show patience

Team principal Fred Vasseur talks of ‘extra pressure’ for Hamilton’s first grand prix in Italy for the ScuderiaOn the short walk from the railway station in Imola to the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, the tree-lined streets, scattering dappled spring sunshine, throng with the faithful. They come adorned in the rosso corsa of the Scuderia, heading towards their first home race of the season and the long-awaited chance to see the seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton take to the track for the team they feel are their own.The anticipation, building for more than a year, is palpable and the passion that comes with it all too striking – as Hamilton is more than aware. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Mikel Arteta reveals what PSG bench said about Arsenal after Champions League semi

Gunners boss feels his side have been the best team in Europe’s top competition this season despite heartbreaking last-four exit

Sport