
Treasured memories of my (small) part in Zimbabwe cricket's golden age
I am reliably informed that Zimbabwe's media officer for this week's Test against England at Trent Bridge is a chap called Darlington Majonga, and I am certain that he will do a much better job than the media officer for Zimbabwe's inaugural Test against India at Harare Sports Club in 1992. That's because that person, bizarrely, was me.
Talk about utterly clueless. It was my third season playing club cricket in Zimbabwe and news of my part-time scribbling had clearly spread, but quite how that might have translated into any sort of suitability for this role was a mystery.
My chief task was to ensure that no outgoing phone calls were made from the press box (which was no more than a sheltered annex on
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Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Steve Borthwick hands Henry Arundell England recall ahead of Bath move after sacrificing international career to join Racing 92
Henry Arundell has been given an early opportunity to return from England exile and reignite his stalled Test career, after being called up by Steve Borthwick ahead of his arrival at Bath. The 22-year-old emerged as English rugby's next big thing in 2022, when he scored a staggering 100m solo try for London Irish at Toulon, before being fast-tracked into the senior national squad, having illuminated the Under-20 side with his prolific exploits. Arundell made his debut for England against Australia in Perth and stunned the Wallabies by striking with his first touch as an international player, with a combination of power, footwork and pace. The flying wing sensation went on to feature at the 2023 World Cup and claim a record-equalling five tries in the pool-stage win over Chile in Lille. However, by then he had agreed to join Racing 92 in Paris – following the financial collapse of Irish – and after the global showpiece he became unavailable to Borthwick, the England head coach, due to the RFU policy against picking players based overseas. His enforced move across the Channel began brightly with a hat-trick on debut for Racing, but he struggled for form and fitness for the majority of a difficult campaign, before agreeing an early release from his contract, in order to join Bath. That has opened the door for his inclusion in the Red Rose training squad preparing for a non-cap match against a France XV at Twickenham on June 21, followed by summer Tests against Argentina and the USA. The involvement with England will allow Arundell to make an early connection with Bath's visionary attack coach, Lee Blackett – who will be assisting Borthwick on the forthcoming tour of the Americas. That arrangement alone is bound to be a boost for a player who remains an exciting young prospect, providing he can regain confidence and sharpness in a positive environment. By the time he joins up with Bath, they could have completed a Treble by winning the Premiership. In the aftermath of his decision to move to the French capital, Arundell's mantel as English rugby's next big thing was seized by Exeter wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who burst on to the Test scene in dazzling fashion last year. Now, Borthwick has both men at his disposal, along with other rookie contenders Ollie Sleightholme, Tom Roebuck and Cadan Murley. Despite having lost a raft of key men to Lions call-ups, this means England should have significant firepower and potency as they gear up to face the dangerous Pumas in La Plata and San Juan, and the USA in Washington DC. Arundell's ability to operate at full back will also be a factor in his favour, as the head coach weighs up his options before naming a tour squad on June 23. Regaining the services of an exciting talent who had migrated to France is good news for Borthwick and he will hope that others follow. England's management team would relish a chance to promote Racing lock Junior Kpoku to their senior squad as and when he returns to the Premiership, while Stade Francais centre Joe Marchant would be another exile on the wanted list.


BBC News
11 hours ago
- BBC News
World Test Championship final: Smith & Labuschagne rebuild for Australia
Update: Date: 11:47 BST Title: Post Content: Jonathan AgnewBBC Chief Cricket Commentator on Test Match Special There is a gentle buzz reverberating around Lord's today. Update: Date: 15 overs Title: Aus 37-2 Content: Ooooh! A heart in mouth moment for Marnus Labuschagne as his edge drops just short of Aiden Markram in the slips to start the 15th. It's another maiden for Wiaan Mulder. Update: Date: 11:44 BST Title: Get Involved Content: #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply) Loving the match. But with the weather being what it is this week. What happens if it is a draw? Tom in Billingshurst Hello Tom. If the match is drawn, tied, or abandoned, the two sides will share the mace. I don't know how they'll share it. One team getting the stick and the other the ball would be the sensible option but I'd rather watch someone slice it lengthways. Update: Date: 11:42 BST Title: Post Content: Jonathan AgnewBBC Chief Cricket Commentator on Test Match Special That was at a catchable height and it went straight between the two players. Update: Date: 14 overs Title: Aus 37-2 Content: A lively start to the second half of this session. Steve Smith flicks Lungi Ngidi's opener fine for four and he sneaks another off the penultimate delivery, this one more aerially between the keeper and leg slip. A touch of fortune there. Update: Date: 11:37 BST Title: Get Involved Content: #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply) With Rabada just one Test wicket behind the great Allan Donald and likely to go past him in this match, where does he stand in the pantheon of South African fast bowlers? Maybe only behind Dale Steyn? Bob in Hammersmith Update: Date: 11:35 BST Title: Post Content: While refreshments are served, here's a reminder of the two Australia wickets to fall in the first hour. Kagiso Rabada has 2-9 from his first six-over spell. This video can not be played Rabada takes two quick wickets to put Australia under early pressure Update: Date: 11:34 BST Title: Post Content: Vic MarksFormer England spinner on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra Marnus Labuschagne is here with his career struggling a little bit and Lord's could be another turning point for him. Update: Date: 13 overs Title: Aus 29-2 Content: Smith 5, Labuschagne 17 Australia's selectors would be pretty chuffed with that outcome, @mardysim. Steve Smith casually perches on his bat as Marnus Labuschagne plays out a maiden to Wiaan Mulder, who has replaced Kagiso Rabada. Mulder beats the outside edge to finish the over. And that's drinks. Update: Date: 11:31 BST Title: Get Involved Content: #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply) @mardysim on X: Couple of quick wickets for the Saffies. Excellent work. 326-2 at the close? Update: Date: 11:30 BST Title: Post Content: Jim MaxwellBBC Test Match Special commentator at Lord's It's quiet here at Lord's as Australia dig themselves in, but South Africa's bowling has been compelling as they make the batters play a shot with each ball. Update: Date: 12 overs Title: Aus 29-2 Content: How do you think Labuschagne's audition to be Australia's next opener is going, George? Apart from that one edge which fell just short of Ryan Rickelton, he's been pretty solid I think. Strong leaves and running smartly. He runs three to finish the 12th over. Update: Date: 11:26 BST Title: Get Involved Content: #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply) David Warner retired over a year ago and Australia are yet to find a permanent opener to partner Khawaja. Sometimes Smith opens, sometimes Head opens, and now Marnus is opening. That vacant spot is a permanent musical chair. That just tells about Warner's huge impact. George, India Update: Date: 11 overs Title: Aus 26-2 Content: A fourth maiden for Kagiso Rabada, with Steve Smith defending all the way. There's a couple of darts to suggest he's interested in the single but every time, he retreats. Rabada has 2-9 from his six overs. Impressive. Update: Date: 11:21 BST Title: How's stat?! Content: Andy ZaltzmanTest Match Special statistician There were 19 balls before Kagiso Rabada conceded a run and only once has he done better in his illustrious career. He has a strike rate of a wicket every 39 balls in Test cricket. This is the best record from a bowler who has bowled 500+ in the history of Test cricket of which there are 292 bowlers. Update: Date: 11:21 BST Title: Get Involved Content: #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply) Dave Bedingham playing club cricket in Nottinghamshire six years ago taking the first catch at Lord's in World Test Final. Great persistence. Bryn, Angel Update: Date: 10 overs Title: Aus 26-2 Content: Marnus Labuschagne tastes early success against Lungi Ngidi, easing a solid drive through the covers for four. So far, so good for the opener who moves onto 14. Update: Date: 11:17 BST Title: Post Content: A change in the bowling attack for South Africa, with Lungi Ngidi replacing Marco Jansen. Update: Date: 11:17 BST Title: Get Involved Content: #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply) Glad to see Broad's coaching in the South African setup in the lead up to this game is working its magic. Aussies all over the shop. Richard, London Update: Date: 9 overs Title: Aus 22-2 Content: Kagiso Rabada has quite the swagger as he walks back to the top of his run-up. He looks the least-hurried man in the world. However, it's Steve Smith who gets the last laugh, punching the ball square to finish the over with a four. It just beats Tristan Stubbs to the rope.


BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
What you might have missed at the weekend
From international debuts to first goals for their countries, here's what you might have missed over the City midfielder Kasey McAteer scored his first goal for the Republic of Ireland on Friday in what was his maiden start for the Foxes academy graduate got on the end of the goalkeeper's parry to put his side ahead before Senegal equalised in the 82nd minute for a 1-1 Town midfielder Jack Taylor also made his first international start for the Republic in the Birmingham City Under-21s player Menzi Mazwi made his debut for Zimbabwe during their 2-0 loss to South Africa in the COSAFA Cup on Saturday, coming on as a substitute in the 77th minute.