Andrew Flintoff has urged the ECB to fully explain the reason for Kevin Pietersen’s sacking.
“It’s time the ECB told us, the paying public who are missing out on watching Kevin, what went on.”
Read more from original source
Steven Smith heaped praise on Mitchell Johnson after the left-hander’s brutal 88 helped Australia secure a first-innings lead over India in the second Test.
“I said before the Test match that I wanted to lead from the front with my performances, so hopefully I’ve done that.”
Read more from original source
Former Australia paceman Jason Gillespie thinks the time has come to give Ireland full Test status.
Test match crowds are dwindling at the moment and Gillespie, who currently coaches Yorkshire, thinks the presence of Ireland and their ‘Blarney Army’ fan club could help to reverse that trend.
Read more from original source
Ian Botham considers Alastair Cook isn’t a “nailed down” conviction to captain England in the World Cup after head coach Peter Moores said the tourists’ series defeat to Sri Lanka will be subject to a complete review.
Cook is averaging under 18 in the series after scoring only one in the 90-run sixth ODI defeat which leaves England 4-2 down with only Tuesday’s final match of the series in the future.
Read more from original source
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.
Read more from original source
Steven Smith said Michael Clarke played “attractively” after the Australia skipper defied a back injury to score 128 on day two of the very first Test against India.
Clarke made a surprise reappearance in the crease on Wednesday morning having retired hurt soon before tea on day one after wriggling away from an Ishant Sharma bouncer.
Read more from original source
Alastair Cook demonstrated he’s plenty more to offer after placing England on course for an late triumph over Sri Lanka in the third one-day international, says David Lloyd.
Cook contributed 34 to an opening stand of 84 with Moeen Ali (58 off 40 balls) as the tourists successfully chased down a revised Duckworth-Lewis objective of 236 in 35 overs.
Read more from original source
Australia captain Michael Clarke has offered Sean Abbott, who bowled the ball which resulted in the departure of batsman Phillip Hughes, his total support in returning to the sport.
The 22-year old, that has played in three Twenty20 internationals as well as a one-dayer for Australia, is understood to possess experienced counselling because the injury at Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday.
Read more from original source
Harry Gurney believes he can take full advantage of Stuart Broad and James Anderson’s absence in England’s one-day series against Sri Lanka.
Gurney, 28, knows the seven-match tour gives him the opportunity to show the selectors what he can bring to the table ahead of next year’s World Cup.
Read more from original source
Mark Ramprakash’s encounters of the ups and downs of Test cricket will stand him in good stead as England’s fulltime batting coach, says Nick Knight.
Ramprakash, 45, is working together with the team since May but will now raise his involvement after being validated as Graham Gooch’s successor.
Read more from original source
Former Sri Lanka captain Marvan Atapattu continues to be named full time trainer of the national side following an effective spell as interim coach.
Atapattu, 43, becomes the first Sri Lankan to train the team on a full time basis since Roy Dias in 1999, foreign born trainers having been at the helm since that time.
Read more from original source
James Taylor’s prolific form against the top bowlers in national cricket completely warrants his England recall, says Nick Knight.
Nottinghamshire one-day captain Taylor continues to be included alongside Essex’s Ravi Bopara in a 16-man squad for England’s tour of Sri Lanka, where the side – directed by Alastair Cook – will play seven one-day internationals.
Read more from original source
Middlesex have supported a one-year contract for assuring wicket keeper Stephen Eskinazi.
The 20-year old, who was born in South Africa, has spent the past couple of years on a scholarship contract and his striking performances and ongoing development have been rewarded with a complete contract.
Read more from original source
