Pakistan paceman Wahab Riaz took to Twitter on Wednesday to apologise for his lacklustre showing against arch-rivals India in the Champions Trophy, saying he had “let down his nation”. The 31-year-old left-arm quick was smashed for 87 runs in just 8.4 wicketless overs when the Asian giants met in their Champions Trophy opener at Birmingham’s … Read more
Virat Kohli has urged India to produce a repeat of their Pakistan demolition when they face Sri Lanka in the Champions Trophy on Thursday. Kohli’s side made a memorable start to the tournament as the defending champions crushed arch rivals Pakistan by 124 runs in Birmingham on Sunday. After India piled up 319 for three … Read more
England booked their place in the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy with an 87-run win over New Zealand in Cardiff on Tuesday. Victory meant England had won both their opening Group A games following their eight-wicket defeat of Bangladesh at the Oval last week. New Zealand, set 311 for victory, were bowled out for 223 … Read more
Mickey Arthur has no doubt Pakistan will be “up for the fight” when they face his native South Africa in the Champions Trophy after a humiliating defeat by arch-rivals India. Pakistan’s crushing 124-run loss to title-holders India in their tournament opener at Edgbaston on Sunday was labelled the “Mother of all mismatches” by the Indian … Read more
Pakistan will seek to bring in a replacement for Wahab Riaz after the fast bowler was ruled out Monday of the remainder of the Champions Trophy with an ankle injury. The 31-year-old left-arm quick suffered the setback while bowling during Pakistan’s crushing 124-run defeat by title-holders India at Edgbaston on Sunday in what was the … Read more
Pakistan faced calls for a total overhaul on Monday after slumping to a “shameful defeat” against arch-rivals India at the Champions Trophy in England. The highly anticipated match at Edgbaston proved anti-climactic as Pakistan were thrashed by 124 runs, extending their winless streak against India to three years. While Indian media rejoiced in the “Mother … Read more
Now unbeaten against Pakistan for more than three years, India on Monday celebrated a thumping win over their arch-rivals to launch their defence of the Champions Trophy. Skipper Virat Kohli hit a blistering 81 as India thrashed Pakistan by 124 runs in a rain-affected game on Sunday at Edgbaston. The Indian Express called the triumph … Read more
Vice-captain David Warner has attacked Cricket Australia’s handling of a pay dispute and once again raised the spectre of an Ashes series boycott by players later this year. The feisty opener has not backed away from claims he made last month of a potential players’ strike during the showpiece home series against England, starting in … Read more
New Zealand paceman Trent Boult believes hosts England have the strength in depth to cope with the “massive” loss of Chris Woakes. The two countries meet in the pool phase of the Champions Trophy at Cardiff on Tuesday, with England having launched a tournament featuring the world’s top 50-over sides with a dominant eight-wicket win … Read more
India captain Virat Kohli was adamant he had “no problems” with coach Anil Kumble amid reports of a damaging rift on the eve of the team’s Champions Trophy title defence. An extra layer of intrigue has been added to India’s opening match against Pakistan — already the most high-profile fixture in world cricket — in … Read more
Title-holders India will look to put an off-field row behind them when they face arch-rivals Pakistan in their Champions Trophy opener at Edgbaston on Sunday. The build-up to what is arguably cricket’s most anticipated fixture has been dominated by reports of a falling out between India captain Virat Kohli and coach Anil Kumble. Former India … Read more
Australia captain Steven Smith looked forward to a better performance from his attack in the remainder of the Champions Trophy after an “ordinary” display in their no result opener against New Zealand. Rain came to Australia’s rescue when, after several interruptions, Friday’s match was finally abandoned with Smith’s men 53 for three off nine overs … Read more
Australia were set a revised target of 235 in 33 overs to win their Champions Trophy one-day international opener against New Zealand at Edgbaston on Friday. Further rain during the mid-innings break led to a new target being drawn up under the Duckworth/Lewis method for weather-affected limited overs matches. New Zealand, who saw their innings … Read more
Sri Lanka face a nervous wait to discover if captain Angelo Mathews will be fit for their Champions Trophy one-day international opener against South Africa on Saturday. The all-rounder has been struggling with a calf problem and was due to have a fitness test on Friday. But Sri Lanka are set to delay any final … Read more
Rain saw the Champions Trophy one-day international between Australia and New Zealand at Edgbaston on Friday reduced to a 46 overs per side contest. New Zealand, who won the toss, made a brisk start to be 67 for one off 9.3 overs when persistent rain saw the umpires take the players off the field at … Read more
Tension over the future of India’s head coach Anil Kumble grew Friday after a top cricket administrator resigned slamming the Indian board for its handling of the controversy. Amid a reported battle between team captain Virat Kohli and Kumble, a deadline for applications to become head coach passed this week without any announcement by the … Read more
India have far more at stake in Sunday’s Champions Trophy match against arch-rivals Pakistan than launching their title defence — even if skipper Virat Kohli insists it is “just another game”. The cricket-mad neighbouring countries rarely square off and hundreds of millions of fans are expected to tune in and watch the teams fight for … Read more
South Africa begin their Champions Trophy challenge at the Oval on Saturday by taking on a Sri Lanka side against whom they have already enjoyed overwhelming one-day international success this year. The Proteas whitewashed Sri Lanka 5-0 in a bilateral series in South Africa in January. Sri Lanka were not alone in being a touring … Read more
Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali has insisted his side will treat their Champions Trophy opener against title-holders India in Birmingham on Sunday as “just another game”. Politics in both countries means the Asian giants, arguably cricket’s fiercest rivals, now rarely meet outside of International Cricket Council events. Such is the global and commercial appeal of the … Read more
Australia must decide whether to unleash all of their ‘fearsome foursome’ of Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson in their Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand on Friday. Injuries have meant the quartet of fast bowlers have rarely all been fit at the same time and, even now, Australia may decide it’s … Read more