England fast bowler Steven Finn hopes to make the most of his late call-up to Champions Trophy duty when the tournament hosts face New Zealand in Cardiff on Tuesday. Finn was left out of England’s original squad for a tournament featuring the world’s top eight one-day international teams. But the 28-year-old Middlesex quick was recalled … 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
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
Faf du Plessis criticised South Africa’s performances against New Zealand as “not good enough” Friday, despite going into the final Test in Hamilton with an unbeatable 1-0 lead in the series. The South African captain said he was also expecting injured wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock to front up on Saturday for the start of the … Read more
Injuries rocked New Zealand and South Africa Thursday, two days out from the start of the third and final Test in Hamilton with Tim Southee ruled out and Quinton de Kock doubtful. New Zealand, under pressure to win if they are to level the series, were already sweating on their firepower and the availability of … Read more
New Zealand and South Africa were both hit by injuries Thursday, two days from the start of the third Test, with Tim Southee ruled out and Quinton de Kock in doubt. New Zealand bowling spearhead Southee has a torn hamstring while de Kock is nursing a ligament injury to the index finger on his right … Read more
New Zealand’s squad will remain unchanged for the third Test against South Africa in Hamilton despite the mauling the Black Caps received in Wellington, chief selector Gavin Larsen said on Monday. Larsen ruled out an overhaul after New Zealand slumped to an eight-wicket loss within three days in the second Test in Wellington, insisting the … Read more
After four days of rain the covers were peeled off the Basin Reserve wicket on Tuesday and to South Africa’s delight it was green ahead of the second Test against New Zealand. The greener the better in Wellington has been New Zealand’s mantra in the past. But their tone has been softened for the second … Read more
New Zealand battled their way back into the first Test against South Africa with four wickets on the second morning in Dunedin on Thursday, including centurion Dean Elgar. Elgar, who batted South Africa out of trouble on day one, fell to former schoolboy rival Neil Wagner for 140 during a short-ball barrage. His overnight partner … Read more
Neil Wagner made an impressive return to the New Zealand line-up Wednesday as South Africa struggled for runs in the opening session of the first Test in Dunedin. Showing no sign of discomfort from the finger he broke on his bowling hand five weeks ago, the South African-born bowler took two for 23 as New … Read more
South Africa are backing their pace attack to snap New Zealand’s unbeaten run at Dunedin’s University Oval when the first Test starts on Wednesday. After surveying a typically green New Zealand wicket and learning the Black Caps have won three, drawn four and lost none of the seven Tests on the ground, opener Dean Elgar … Read more
South Africa set a New Zealand a difficult target of 280 on a turning wicket in the fourth one-day international on Wednesday thanks to half-centuries from skipper AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis. De Villiers top-scored on 72 not out, with du Plessis making 67 and Wayne Parnell contributing 29 off 12 balls before … Read more
Centurion (South Africa) (AFP) – South Africa remained in a strong position but failed to take full command in their first innings on the second day of the second Test against New Zealand on Saturday. South Africa were 358 for five at lunch, adding only 75 runs in 27 overs during the morning for the … Read more
Centurion (South Africa) (AFP) – South African captain Faf du Plessis ground out a century and was rewarded for his patience when New Zealand lost three quick wickets before the close of play on the second day of the second Test at SuperSport Park on Sunday. New Zealand finished the day on 38 for three, … Read more
Centurion (South Africa) (AFP) – South Africa held on to a strong position despite a top-order batting collapse in their second innings on the third day of the second Test against New Zealand on Monday. South Africa were 105 for six at the close, an overall lead of 372 runs on a pitch at Centurion’s … Read more