Latest news with #AlastairCook
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Ben Stokes' handshake antics show why everyone hates England
England's sullen and ungracious conduct at the end of an Old Trafford Test match they dominated served up easy half volleys for their critics, quick to leap on perceived double standards. But it also gave England a glimpse of what awaits in Australia. The headlines overnight said it all: Spare us the whinging, England, Moral hypocrites, England decide tons are anti-cricket and Spirit of what? How pompous England exposed Bazball's great double standard. A familiar storm is gathering, and England gave it plenty of energy. A barrage of this stuff awaits in November, more so than any Ashes tour since 2013-14 when Alastair Cook's team were the first to follow the 2010-11 winners. Then Kevin Pietersen and Stuart Broad were public enemies No.1 and No.2. This time it will be Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. The Australians respect Stokes but fear what he can do. McCullum they see as someone who always failed on their turf when it mattered. There is nothing England can do to prevent the inevitable attacks, but they can at least make them harder to justify. What England did on Sunday night was lame, but the theory that Indian teams play for personal milestones is one shared by Australia. In fact, England's reaction was very Australian. Matthew Hayden once picked up on the 'milestone culture' in Indian cricket. 'We don't really play for stats. We play for wins. That's the Aussie way,' said Steve Waugh, but it could just as easily have been Stokes. England's mistake was making it look petty rather than pointed. Managing individuals is part of a captain's job. Shubman Gill recognised the importance of a maiden Test hundred for Washington Sundar and the great spade work Ravi Jadeja put in for his team throughout the series. He also revelled in sticking up two fingers at England after how they finished the Lord's Test.
The Age
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
Ben Stokes' handshake antics show why everyone hates England
England's sullen and ungracious conduct at the end of an Old Trafford Test match they dominated served up easy half volleys for their critics, quick to leap on perceived double standards. But it also gave England a glimpse of what awaits in Australia. The headlines overnight said it all: Spare us the whinging, England, Moral hypocrites, England decide tons are anti-cricket and Spirit of what? How pompous England exposed Bazball's great double standard. A familiar storm is gathering, and England gave it plenty of energy. A barrage of this stuff awaits in November, more so than any Ashes tour since 2013-14 when Alastair Cook's team were the first to follow the 2010-11 winners. Then Kevin Pietersen and Stuart Broad were public enemies No.1 and No.2. This time it will be Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. The Australians respect Stokes but fear what he can do. McCullum they see as someone who always failed on their turf when it mattered. There is nothing England can do to prevent the inevitable attacks, but they can at least make them harder to justify. What England did on Sunday night was lame, but the theory that Indian teams play for personal milestones is one shared by Australia. In fact, England's reaction was very Australian. Matthew Hayden once picked up on the 'milestone culture' in Indian cricket. 'We don't really play for stats. We play for wins. That's the Aussie way,' said Steve Waugh, but it could just as easily have been Stokes. England's mistake was making it look petty rather than pointed. Managing individuals is part of a captain's job. Shubman Gill recognised the importance of a maiden Test hundred for Washington Sundar and the great spade work Ravi Jadeja put in for his team throughout the series. He also revelled in sticking up two fingers at England after how they finished the Lord's Test.
Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Times
Joe Root's odyssey of self-improvement: from technician to tactician
'W hen I played with him it was his consistency of striking the ball all the time that amazed me, how many times he middled the ball, whether it was in practice or out in the middle, it was an extraordinarily high percentage.' This was Sir Alastair Cook talking on BBC's Test Match Special about his former England team-mate Joe Root in one of the many, so deserved, encomia that were delivered to Root during the Old Trafford Test, having leapt to second in the all-time runscorers in Test cricket, behind only Sachin Tendulkar. Middling the ball consistently seems like such an obvious and simple ambition for any batsman, but it is one that is easily forgotten amid the technical complexities and mental travails that batting presents. Regular readers will know well my liking for technical detail, but I always impress upon every player that I coach that the sole aim of all that technical talk is to ensure they middle the ball more consistently, whether in attack or defence.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Gill unsure if Bumrah will play final Test
India pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah could play in the decisive final Test against England at The Oval, according to touring captain Shubman visitors stated before this series that star man Bumrah would only play three Tests, which he has now played, but India will earn a 2-2 draw if they win the finale."If he feels like he's fully fit and available for us, I think it would be a great deal for us," Gill told Test Match Special."If he's not playing, I still think we have the right kind of bowling attack."Bumrah, the leading bowler in the world, has taken 14 wickets in the series. No India bowler has the 31-year-old was down on pace and potency in the drawn fourth Test at Old Trafford, when he recorded 2-112 from 33 overs in England's only struggled with a back injury in the early part of this year and India stated before this series his workload would be limited to three Tests. India looking not to repeat tactical mistake - Cook Former England captain Alastair Cook said Gill was right not to show his hand on Bumrah, with the fifth Test not beginning until Thursday."Even if he isn't going to play, you wouldn't tell people now, just on a purely tactical basis," Cook told Test Match Special."They made a mistake at the beginning of the series saying he could only play three, because you get thrown into a situation like now where the series is still on the line."If he's not fit to play, not playing is the right decision."Gill did confirm that Bumrah's fellow seamer Akash Deep will be available at The Oval after missing the fourth Test with a groin wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant will miss the final Test after suffering a broken foot in was struck on his right foot attempting a reverse-sweep at seam bowler Chris Woakes on the first day. He retired hurt on 37, then returned to bat again on day two, eventually moving to 54."Any amount of praise is not enough for him, batting with a broken foot," said India coach Gautam Gambhir. "Generations to come should talk about this, someone who batted with a broken foot."I hope he recovers and comes back quickly for us."Gambhir also said he is "all for" the introduction of injury replacements in Test cricket. Currently, a replacement is only allowed if a player suffers a pulled off a remarkable escape to draw the fourth Test to keep the scoreline at 2-1 in England's their second innings 311 runs behind, the away side were reduced to 0-2 before lunch on day they batted through the next five sessions to leave Manchester with a draw. Gill, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar all made centuries to take India to 425-4, leading by 114 when a draw was agreed with 10 overs of the final day remaining."This is no less than a win for us," said Gill. "Having batted again around 300 runs off the lead, our batsmen put on a great display."
BBC News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Stokes crunches 141 as England's lead over India passes 300
Update: Date: 156.2 overs Title: Eng 661-9 Content: Lead by 303 runs This video can not be played Stokes follows 'towering' six with reverse sweep four A fine innings from the captain. Classical cricket shorts interspersed with some entertainment, too. Update: Date: 12:31 BST Title: Get Involved Content: #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply) England's other bowlers will have to turn up today, Ben Stokes looks in no shape to be rescuing the day again. John, Newcastle Update: Date: 12:30 BST Title: Post Content: Sir Alastair CookEx-England captain on BBC Test Match Special It is great to see Ben Stokes back in the runs, his ability to read the situations and change gears, you wouldn't want anyone else to play in this situation. He is very good at that. It's great for England that he's found his rhythm. Update: Date: 155.3 overs Title: WICKET Content: Stokes c Sudharsan b Jadeja 141 (Eng 658-9) And out next ball attempting to repeat the trick... Ben Stokes loses his balance ever so slightly to Ravindra Jadeja and it's more aerial off the toe end of his bat and Sai Sudharsan pouches the catch on the boundary at long-on. Will that be the declaration...? Nope, Stokes turns to look over his shoulder on his way back to the dressing rooms and tells Brydon Carse to continue. Update: Date: 155.2 Title: Eng 658-8 Content: Fetch that! Ben Stokes with a big swing of his bat and he dispatches Ravindra Jadeja for six over long-off. Update: Date: 12:27 BST Title: Get Involved Content: #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply) Do England specialise in genuine all-rounders more than other Test teams? Neil, London Update: Date: 155 overs Title: Eng 651-8 Content: The crowd are on their feet in the temporary stand singing along to the Great Escape. Plenty of folk in fancy dress, doubtless enjoying a few soft drinks before lunch. A couple of singles and a leg-bye off Washington Sundar's latest over. Update: Date: 12:25 BST Title: Post Content: Sir Alastair CookEx-England captain on BBC Test Match Special Ben Stokes has called for gloves after diving and his gloves would be full of dust but could this be a message from the dressing room to Stokes. You'd have thought that England would want India to bat before lunch but there's only 35 minutes left. Update: Date: 154 overs Title: Eng 648-8 Content: Lead by 290 overs Bryon Carse backs away to leg and wallops Ravindra Jadeja inside out over cover, but cannot quite middle it. Meanwhile, Ben Stokes is having a change of gloves. A message sent out from Baz to declare, perhaps? Update: Date: 12:20 BST Title: How stat?! Content: Jem GreenCricViz data analyst This video can not be played Bumrah breaks top of stump with Dawson dismissal Early indications are showing this is the most variable bounce of any day of the series so far. PitchViz bounce inconsistency is currently 7.7/10 for today, the highest of any day. (1 = highly consistent). Update: Date: 153.2 overs Title: Eng 645-8 Content: This video can not be played Stokes reaches century as England continue to punish India Ben Stokes has been great to watch today. Update: Date: 12:19 BST Title: Get Involved Content: #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply) As a 50-year-old England fan, I feel privileged to have lived through this period of arguably the very best English Test players. Joe Root with the bat, Ben Stokes as an all-rounder and Stuart Broad and James Anderson with the ball. Steve, Kent Update: Date: 152.3 overs Title: Eng 643-8 Content: Brydon Carse with the joy of six now, as he follows up a four off Washington Sundar with a big swipe across the line which just has enough on it to clear the boundary. Update: Date: 12:17 BST Title: Post Content: Andy ZaltzmanTest Match Special statistician A group of young boys play a game of cricket outside Old Trafford, ahead of the Ashes Test between England and Australia in 1964 Last time England scored 600 at Old Trafford, it was 1964 against Australia and Australia were 656-8 declared. England replied with 611, and Australia 4-0 in their second innings, with the match drawn. Update: Date: 12:16 BST Title: Post Content: Prakash WakankarBBC Test Match Special commentator Ben Stokes on the charge, England really turning it on here with the lead at 273. Attack, defence, the reverse sweep and the lofted drive, that's what they say, isn't it, when you are getting runs, get as many as you can as there will be days when you can't buy one. Update: Date: 152 overs Title: Eng 633-8 Content: This video can not be played Stokes hits Jadeja for four and six in back-to-back deliveries Ben Stokes then dismissively thwacks Ravindra Jadeja for a flat six over the boundary at cover. Plenty of entertainment for the Old Trafford crowd now. Update: Date: 12:15 BST Title: Post Content: Sir Alastair CookEx-England captain on BBC Test Match Special England have been ruthless in this innings and that's what has impressed me with a side that is evolving and learning, especially since there is plenty of experience in this squad. Update: Date: 151.3 overs Title: Eng 625-8 Content: Ben Stokes misses the ball with a filthy slog, then makes a bit of a dog's dinnner of a reverse sweep. He then rocks on to his back foot and plays a more orthodox biff through the covers for four. Update: Date: 151 overs Title: Eng 621-8 Content: Lead by 263 runs More histrionics from the ever-entertaining Mohammed Siraj during an over from Washington Sundar. He (needlessly) shies at the striker's end with wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel not in position. Overthrows bring England a couple more. Siraj holds his arms out in despair. The wheels are coming off for India a little here. Update: Date: 12:12 BST Title: How's stat?! Content: England's highest totals in the last 10 years:
