Moeen Ali became the first bowler in The Oval’s 100-Test history to take a hat-trick as England wrapped up a crushing 239-run win in the third Test against South Africa on Monday. Victory put England 2-1 up in this four-match series, with just the fourth Test at Old Trafford starting on Friday to come. After … Read more
Ben Stokes took the attack to South Africa after Alastair Cook fell in sight of a hundred on the second day of the third Test at The Oval on Friday. England were 269 for six at lunch, with Stokes 64 not out and Moeen Ali unbeaten on 10. Stokes shared stands of 63 and 75 … Read more
England’s Alastair Cook in action during the first day of the third Test against South Africa at The Oval in London, on July 27, 2017 England were 149 for four after winning the toss at tea on the first day of the third Test against South Africa at The Oval on Thursday. Alastair Cook was … Read more
England captain Joe Root won the toss and elected to bat against South Africa in the third Test at The Oval on Thursday. Root made his decision despite overcast skies and a green-tinged pitch both offering the prospect of assistance for the Proteas’ impressive pace attack in what was the 100th Test staged at The … Read more
The return of Kagiso Rabada means England’s faltering batsmen head into Thursday’s third Test against South Africa at The Oval knowing they will face an even stronger attack than the one that ran through them at Trent Bridge. Despite the absence of fast bowler Rabada, banned as a result of swearing at England all-rounder Ben … Read more
South Africa’s has insisted memories of an inspired innings will play no part when he returns to one of his favourite venues for the third Test against England at The Oval. Five years ago at the south London ground, Amla made South Africa’s highest individual Test score of 311 not out, his marathon effort playing … Read more
Vernon Philander and Chris Morris took two wickets apiece as South Africa closed in on a crushing and series-levelling win against England in the second Test at Trent Bridge on Monday. England were 79 for four at lunch on the fourth day, with all their top four dismissed in Monday’s morning session. They needed a … Read more
Hashim Amla’s second fifty of the match cemented South Africa’s strong position in the second Test at Trent Bridge as they pressed for a series-levelling victory against England on Sunday. South Africa were 160 for three in their second innings, a lead of 290 runs, at lunch on the third day. Amla, who made 78 … Read more
South Africa captain Faf du Plessis won the toss and elected to bat in the second Test against England at Trent Bridge on Friday. The ground has a reputation for aiding swing bowlers and with the grey skies overhead offering the promise of assistance to the quicks, Du Plessis admitted at the toss: “It’s a … Read more
South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has urged the Proteas to pass a “huge test of character” when they face England again at Trent Bridge. Du Plessis did not play in England’s crushing 211-run win in the first of a four-Test series at Lord’s last week following the birth of his first child. But he … Read more
Morne Morkel led South Africa’s fightback with the ball as England collapsed on the fourth morning of the first Test at Lord’s on Sunday. The fast bowler struck twice as England lost seven wickets wickets for 43 runs in 93 balls to be 182 for eight in their second innings at lunch. Jonny Bairstow, dropped … Read more
Kagiso Rabada is “heartbroken” at being banned from next week’s second Test against England at Trent Bridge, according to South Africa team-mate Temba Bavuma. Rabada was suspended after picking up a fourth demerit point for swearing at England’s Ben Stokes after he dismissed the all-rounder on the first day of this four-match series at Lord’s … Read more
Quinton de Kock made a superb counter-attacking fifty only to fall shortly before lunch on Saturday’s third day at Lord’s as England stayed on top in the first Test against South Africa. The Proteas were 323 for eight at lunch — still 135 runs behind England’s first innings 458 and with all their frontline batsmen … Read more
Captain AB de Villiers promised South Africa would “fight our way back” after England thrashed them by nine wickets in the first Twenty20 international at Southampton. After the chastening defeat, which came after their first-round exit at the Champions Trophy, de Villiers said: “It’s not done and dusted. “We go to Taunton and like all … Read more
Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed said being named skipper of the International Cricket Council’s team of the Champions Trophy was the “perfect icing on the cake” of his side’s stunning title triumph. Sarfraz’s side thrashed title-holders India by 180 runs in a remarkable final The Oval on Sunday having been the lowest ranked of the eight … Read more
Pakistan paceman Hasan Ali hopes the Champions Trophy final with arch-rivals India will see him continue to live the dream he had before the competition started. The 23-year-old has been central to Pakistan’s progress since a woeful 124-run defeat by India in their tournament opener at Edgbaston on June 4 and heads into Sunday’s final … Read more
Pakistan paceman Hasan Ali hopes the Champions Trophy final with arch-rivals India will see him continue to live the dream he had before the competition started. The 23-year-old has been central to Pakistan’s progress since a woeful 124-run defeat by India in their tournament opener at Edgbaston on June 4 and heads into Sunday’s final … Read more
Pakistan may be the underdogs heading into a Champions Trophy semi-final with England in Cardiff on Wednesday, but coach Mickey Arthur believes their “best game” could see his side cause a major upset. England were the only team to exit the group stage unbeaten, having won all three of their matches. Pakistan, by contrast, suffered … Read more
Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur has insisted his side will not settle for simply reaching a Champions Trophy semi-final against England as he urged them to go “one step further”. Arthur’s men were the lowest-ranked side when this tournament featuring the world’s top eight one-day international (ODI) teams got underway. And their fans could have been … Read more
Indian skipper Virat Kohli on Tuesday reclaimed the title of world’s best one-day international batsman, buoyed by two half centuries registered while steering his side into the Champions Trophy semi-finals. Kohli edged out South African captain AB de Villiers and Australia’s Dave Warner in the latest rankings, taking back the crown for just the second … Read more