Big Bash: Ludeman wins it for Adelaide to trump Pietersen’s debut fifty

Tim Ludeman scored the quickest fifty in the Big Bash as the tournament got underway with Adelaide Strikers beating Melbourne Stars by eight wickets.

Ludeman (92no) brought up his fifty from just 18 balls in style, with a massive six over midwicket off James Faulkner in the fifth over – one of five sixes in his innings as he stole the limelight from Kevin Pietersen, who made a fifty of his own in Melbourne’s score of 148-7 from their 20 overs.

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Big Bash: Ludeman wins it for Adelaide to trump Pietersen’s debut fifty

Australia v India: Murali Vijay ranks century as one of his best

Murali Vijay said it was great feeling to score 144 – his fifth Test century and fourth against Australia – as India reached 311-4 on day one of the second Test.

Vijay – who hit two fifties in India’s defeat in Adelaide last week – made the Australian bowlers toil in the Brisbane heat, with humidity high and temperatures in the late 30s.

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Australia v India: Murali Vijay ranks century as one of his best

Alastair Cook must stand down as ODI captain, says Sir Ian Botham

England legend Sir Ian Botham says the time has come for under-fire captain Alastair Cook to stand down from the one-day side.

Cook has come under increasing pressure over his role in England’s 50-over team, with the 5-2 series defeat by Sri Lanka representing their fifth in a row under his leadership.

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Alastair Cook must stand down as ODI captain, says Sir Ian Botham

Sixth ODI: Chris Woakes buoyed by England win over Sri Lanka in Pallekele

Chris Woakes is convinced that England can level their one day series against Sri Lanka having a triumph in Pallekele on Saturday.

The tourists cut Sri Lanka’s lead in the seven-match series to 3-2 by winning the fifth match of the series in Pallekele to the reservation day.

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Sixth ODI: Chris Woakes buoyed by England win over Sri Lanka in Pallekele

Sri Lanka v England: Alastair Cook hails ‘exceptional’ Joe Root after win in fifth ODI

England captain Alastair Cook commended Joe Root following the Yorkshireman’s century helped England get the better of Sri Lanka in the fifth one-day international.

England successfully chased down 240 to defeat the hosts by five wickets at Pallekele Stadium and remain in the series at 3-2 down with two to play.

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Sri Lanka v England: Alastair Cook hails ‘exceptional’ Joe Root after win in fifth ODI

Sri Lanka v England: Joe Root and James Taylor revealed maturity and purpose, says Bob Willis

Joe Root and James Taylor’s pacey innings in the fifth ODI typified a newfound maturity in England’s batting lineup, says Bob Willis.

Root (104 not out off 117 balls) and Taylor (68 off 90) put on 104 for the 3rd wicket on Thursday as England got the better of Sri Lanka by five wickets in Pallekele.

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Sri Lanka v England: Joe Root and James Taylor revealed maturity and purpose, says Bob Willis

Sri Lanka v England: Bob Willis support tourists to win fifth ODI on Thursday"s resumption

Bob Willis anticipates England to dispatch Sri Lanka’s twist strike and win the fifth ODI when it restarts at 9am on Thursday morning.

Rain kept Alastair Cook’s side from starting their run chase in Pallekele on Wednesday after they ignored Sri Lanka – who now head the seven-match series 3-1 – for 239 in 49 overs.

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Sri Lanka v England: Bob Willis support tourists to win fifth ODI on Thursday"s resumption

Ian Botham: James Tredwell could turn things in England"s favour against Sri Lanka

Sir Ian Botham is calling for James Tredwell to be remembered for Wednesday’s vital fifth ODI with Sri Lanka as England conflict to maintain the show alive.

The Kent spinner was left from Sunday’s side, who endured a six-wicket defeat with two balls to spare in Colombo, a consequence that saw England go 3-1 down in the seven-match series.

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Ian Botham: James Tredwell could turn things in England"s favour against Sri Lanka

James Taylor uncertain of position in England team for fifth ODI in Sri Lanka

England batsman James Taylor confesses he isn’t confident of his location in the team for Wednesday’s fifth one-day international with Sri Lanka.

Taylor top-scored with 90 in Sunday’s six-wicket defeat, which makes England 3-1 down in the seven-match series.

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James Taylor uncertain of position in England team for fifth ODI in Sri Lanka

Bangladesh crush Zimbabwe in Chittagong to sweep three-Test series

Bangladesh eased to a 186-run victory over Zimbabwe in the third and final Test in Chittagong on Sunday to sweep the series 3-0.

Resuming the day on 71-1 and chasing a formidable target of 449, the tourists were bowled out for 262 in their second innings just before tea on the fifth day, with Regis Chakabva (89no) the only batsman to offer much resistance as wickets tumbled around him.

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Bangladesh crush Zimbabwe in Chittagong to sweep three-Test series

West Indies Cricket Board say talks are progressing with India after cutting their tour short

Talks are progressing between the West Indies Cricket Board and their Indian counterparts after cutting short their tour last month, the WICB has announced.

An internal contractual dispute led to the West Indies squad leaving India midway through their tour despite having three Tests, a fifth ODI and one Twenty20 match scheduled.

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West Indies Cricket Board say talks are progressing with India after cutting their tour short

LV= County Championship: Essex on top at Chelmsford as Hampshire regain thanks to duet

Essex made an ideal start in their own bid to overtake Hampshire and clinch promotion from Division Two of the LV= County Championship.

Chasing a fifth consecutive victory in four-day activity, Essex skittled Worcestershire for only 84 at Chelmsford and then reached 198-3 in reply – meaning they already lead by 114 runs.

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LV= County Championship: Essex on top at Chelmsford as Hampshire regain thanks to duet

County Championship: Worcestershire promoted to Division One after beating Surrey

Worcestershire procured their fifth promotion in 12 seasons in the trunk of a spectacular all round performance by Jack Shantry against Surrey at New Road.

Shantry, the 26-year old Shropshire-created left-arm seamer and left handed batsman, attained the rare feat of 10 wickets along with a century in a match as Worcestershire squirmed out of close-hopeless scenarios twice in one day, to snatch a 27-run win against Surrey.

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County Championship: Worcestershire promoted to Division One after beating Surrey