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Times of Oman
4 days ago
- Sport
- Times of Oman
Stokes becomes second player after Flintoff to achieve rare double for England in Test series
Manchester : Skipper Ben Stokes became the first-ever England captain to secure an aggregate of 300-plus runs and 15-plus wickets during a Test series. Stokes achieved this milestone during his side's fourth Test match against India at Manchester's Old Trafford Stadium. During the match, he struck a brilliant 198-ball 141, his first century in two years and took six wickets, including a first-innings five-wicket haul. Now, in this series with the bat, he has made 304 runs in seven innings at an average of 43.42, with a century to his name. With a ball in hand, Stokes has been merciless, relentless, producing miracles effortlessly. He is the leading wicket-taker in the series with 17 scalps at an average of 25.23, with best figures of 5/72 and has also taken a four-fer. The only other England player to achieve this double in a Test series in the last 40 years was Andrew Flintoff in the Ashes 2005. During that series, 'Freddie' scored 402 runs at an average of 40.20, with a century and three fifties and also took 24 wickets at an average of 27.29, with two four-fers and a fifer to his name. Stokes also tied with legendary all-rounder Ian Botham (12 'Player of the Match' honours) for securing the second-most POTM awards for England and just one short of batter Joe Root's 13 'Player of the Match' awards. Coming to the match, England opted to field first. Half-centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal (58 in 107 balls, with 10 fours and a six), Sai Sudharsan (61 in 151 balls, with seven fours) and Rishabh Pant (54 in 75 balls, with three fours and two sixes) took India to 358 runs, with Stokes (5/72) troubling the visitors with timely wickets and not letting a massive partnership happen. Jofra Archer also took 3/73. In the second innings, Zak Crawley (84 in 113 balls, with 13 fours and a six) and Ben Duckett (94 in 100 balls, with 13 fours) produced a 166-run stand for the opening wicket, sending India on leather chase. The presence of Joe Root (150 in 248 balls, with 14 fours) and Stokes (141 in 198 balls, with 12 fours and a six) aggravated Indian bowlers, who saw these two produce milestone after milestone on their way to a 311-run lead. England was skittled out for 669 runs, with Ravindra Jadeja (4/143) being the pick of the bowlers. Jasprit Bumrah (2/112) had an off day at work. After Chris Woakes reduced India to 0/2, KL Rahul (90 in 230 balls, with eight fours) and skipper Shubman Gill (103 in 238 balls, with 12 fours) caused England's faces to tense, batting three sessions for an 188-run stand. After these two were done, the spin all-rounder duo of Jadeja (107* in 185 balls, with 13 fours and a six) and Washington Sundar (101* in 206 balls, with nine fours and a six) absolutely rattled and frustrated England with their resolve and wall-like presence, taking India to a 114-run lead, ending at 425/4 in a draw. The series is still alive at 1-2, with the final match at The Oval to start from July 31.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Ben Stokes makes good on all-rounder promise as he rips through India with poignant century... this fourth Test is all set up for him to have the final say again, writes RICHARD GIBSON
It was a poignant moment. Off came the helmet, then with a look heavenwards he bent the middle finger of his left hand in tribute to his late father Ged. It was a significant one too in the distinguished career of Ben Stokes: the ending of a two-year wait for his 14th Test hundred making good his proclamation at the beginning of this summer that not only was he now fitter than ever but ready to resume his mantle as one of the best all-rounders the world has witnessed. One who would be 'trying to dominate every situation I find myself in, whether I've got a bat or ball in my hand. I know I've done it before, it's something I've very confident in myself I can do.' Until his 141 here, in England's fifth-biggest Test total of 669, he had lacked fluency with the bat, falling five times between 20 and 44, and it would have been all the more sweet for coming on the ground where the first of two hamstring tears - sidelining him for a combined six months - occurred last August. Not for the first time, Stokes is now flexing his muscles confidently on the eve of an Ashes series. Only three times in his first 113 Test matches did the 34-year-old achieve the match double of five or more wickets and at least 75 runs, but he has now done it twice more in consecutive appearances of this series. The one surprise was that, as its leading wicket-taker, he did not bowl at all on Saturday - presumably concerned about over-exerting himself when fatigued - as India eased to 174 for two in response. His previous hundred in the acrimonious meeting with Australia at Lord's two years ago was laden with aerial blows but in contrast this innings, punctuated by a cramp break on the third evening, was a painstaking affair. At least until he reached three figures. There was a nervy prelude on 99 as he poked around for half a dozen deliveries, to a symphony of Mancunian oohs and aahs, before tucking Mohammed Siraj off his hip to the fine leg fence. If the third day of this contest was all about Joe Root, there was no doubting who the fourth belonged to. Then came the pyrotechnics, as England built a 311-run advantage on first innings. Stokes had been forced to get his skates on with his first run of the day, nudging to mid-on and beating debutant Anshul Kamboj's under-arm throw by millimetres as ball broke bails, but by the midpoint of the morning session, it was he who was dictating the pace. With Brydon Carse in support, after Jasprit Bumrah castled Liam Dawson early on, Stokes launched his 174th ball over long-off from the bowling of off-spinner Washington Sundar, moving into a unique club alongside Sir Garfield Sobers and Jacques Kallis - players who have scored 7000 runs and taken 200 wickets in Tests - in the process. By the time he stuck his second six, a head height arrow off his slow left-arm nemesis Ravindra Jadeja, England's innings was the longest in the Bazball era, and Carse was providing some heft at the other end in a pleasing sign ahead of this November's Ashes. It is hard to recall a deeper England batting order than one featuring Carse at No 10. Even after Stokes departed shortly before 12.30pm, getting under one from Jadeja, England ploughed on, lengthening the time England's bowlers spent off their feet and creating a tricky 10-minute period before lunch for India to negotiate. That they failed to do so came down to a brilliant opening over from Chris Woakes, who squared up Yashasvi Jaiswal with the fourth ball and reacted gleefully as Root scooped up a rebound chance at first slip. When that one-handed grab above the grass was followed next ball by a straightforward chance to Harry Brook at second directed there by Sai Sudharsan's attempted leave, England were dreaming of a four-day finish. The hat-trick ball coincided with the final whistle confirming British Lions success in Melbourne, but there was no further late drama before lunch, and although there was plenty of seam and swing on offer when play resumed, England created a solitary opportunity in a wicketless middle session - Liam Dawson parrying a cut thrashed high to point by India captain Shubman Gill off Carse. England had also burnt two reviews by that stage: Gill first surviving when Kumar Dharmasena ruled replay evidence on whether he had been struck on the pad by Jofra Archer before the ball connected with bat was inconclusive and then surviving when a hopeful challenge from Carse revealed the ball sailing over the top of leg stump. In glorious sunshine, Gill and KL Rahul put into context a pitch upon which Bumrah conceded a century of runs for the first time in his 48-Test career, by continuing unscathed throughout an evening session of Dawson wheeling away economically from one end while Archer and Carse bombed them to a spread field devoid of close catchers at the other. England's one hope of sealing an unassailable 3-1 lead is for bowlers freshened by rest dislodging one of the third-wicket pair early. The second new ball is just 17 overs away, but Lancashire's struggles here this season put their task into context: four matches, four draws. It is all set up, as it so often is, for Stokes to have the final word.
Daily Record
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Tributes as Perthshire hotel boss loses cancer battle just months after marrying partner
Chris Stanton, known as Mr Chris, married his fiancee Alice Maxwell at the hotel earlier this year in front of hundreds of their loved ones. Tributes have been paid to Pitlochry Hydro Hotel general manager Chris Stanton who has died of cancer aged 56. In March this year Chris married his fiancée Alice Maxwell at the hotel in a ceremony attended by over 200 guests. Alice said this week it created a blended family of three beautiful daughters – Francesca, Isabelle and Amy. The happy occasion followed a three-year cancer battle – during which he climbed Ben Vrackie in a charity fundraiser he co-organised. Sadly Chris passed away on June 21 at Cornhill Macmillan Centre, Perth. Chris was born in Whiston Hospital on Merseyside and lived in Huyton until he was three, with his mum, dad, sister and two brothers. He called himself a 'woollyback' and his sense of humour, warm nature and love of The Beatles came from the strong connection with Liverpool. At the age of 16 Chris moved to London to work in various hotels for several years. He went on to work on cruise liners, exploring the world. He also worked during ski seasons, blagging he could speak fluent French, but when it came to food and drink orders he had to ask his sister to help. Chris always wanted to be a dad and he came back to the UK to settle down, moving to Pitlochry in 2000, raising his two beautiful daughters Francesca and Isabelle, and working as general manager at the Pitlochry Hydro Hotel. Chris loved music and volunteered at the local community owned Heartland FM radio station; Moonlight Drive was aired each Thursday and Sunday night, showcasing a range of music and quizzes entertaining Highland Perthshire. Various friends and family joined him on a show or two. He was a keen writer producing stories, short plays and even a musical. He also created and produced a quiz board game called 'All Rounder' and sold them at local farmers' markets. Chris was well known around Pitlochry for his work at the Hydro. He was known as Mr Chris to his colleagues. Many employees became friends, one of which Chris set up on a blind date and now the couple are happily married with two wonderful children. He enjoyed going to gigs, walking his dogs, entertaining at home with his brilliant cooking, playing scrabble, tennis, running, and riding his Vespa. He was behind the name of the '100 step walk' by Pitlochry visitor centre and dam for which Chris and his daughters made the sign, sneaking down one night to erect it. The steps are now officially called '100 step walk'. In 2022 Chris was diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent successful surgery. Late 2023 he was diagnosed with unrelated lung cancer and received further surgery and treatment. Only six months after he had his right lung removed Chris and colleague Csaba Kollo decided organise a charity walk 'Picnic up the Ben' which raised £7,486 with 50% of proceeds to Macmillan, 25% to local first responders and 25% to Pitlochry Paths. Post operations and treatment Chris and his family thought that was the end of Chris's cancer, but unfortunately he started to experience back pain, which turned out the cancer had spread to his spine. Chris didn't have a bucket list, but he wanted to marry his fiancée. During Chris's stay at Perth's Cornhill Macmillan Centre he was told even more devastating news in that the cancer had spread to his brain. Alice said: 'Chris stayed at Cornhill for over four weeks where the care he received was astounding, the whole team of consultants, doctors, nurses, health care assistants, auxiliaries and volunteers worked together delivering the best medical, personal and emotional care. Great support was given not only to Chris but to family and friends. 'Chris never stopped being positive and strong. 'The Cornhill team did everything they could to accommodate his wishes, including a couple of home days, film night and take away with the family and friends in the communal sitting room, two new tattoos (a first for the centre to have a mobile tattooist visit), surprising Chris and me with a bed for us to share, encouraging Chris that if he wanted to enjoy a cigar and dram at home for him to do so and much more... Chris's mum Ruth and sister Julie were named the 'Golden Girls' and stayed at the centre the whole time and like everyone were made extremely welcome. 'Everyone has shared loving words about Chris, his love of life was contagious and those who were in his world were so lucky to have known him.' A JustGiving page has been set up in aid of Perth's Cornhill Centre: His funeral service took place at Perth Crematorium on Monday July 14.
ABC News
07-07-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
South African stand-in captain Wiaan Mulder explains decision to declare 33 runs behind Brian Lara's Test record score
South Africa stand-in captain Wiaan Mulder felt he had no right to dislodge West Indies great Brian Lara from the summit of highest Test innings scores and decided to declare his team's innings against Zimbabwe when he was 34 runs short of breaking the record. Mulder was 367 not out at lunch on the second day of the second test at the Queens Sports Club on Monday when he made the surprise call not to continue batting, passing up the opportunity to set a unique cricketing milestone. "First things first. I thought we'd got enough and needed a bowl. And, secondly, Brian Lara is a legend, let's be real," Mulder said at the close of play on Monday. "He got 400 against England [in Antigua in 2004] and for someone of that stature to keep that record is pretty special. I think if I get the chance again, I'd probably do the same thing." The 27-year-old all-rounder, in his first stint as captain, said he also got support for his decision from coach Shukri Conrad. "He said to me, 'Let the legends keep the really big scores'. And you know, you never know what's my fate or what's destined for me, but I think Brian Lara keeping that record is exactly the way it should be." Mulder did notch up the fifth-highest Test score and, on the list of triple centurions, now sits above the likes of Don Bradman and Gary Sobers. He was only recently promoted up the South Africa order to fill the troublesome number three position and before his triple hundred averaged only 26.20 in 33 test innings, with two previous tons. "To be honest with you, I've never even dreamed of getting a double hundred, never mind a triple hundred," he said on Monday after lashing a mediocre home attack to all corners in an impressive knock that included 53 boundaries. "But it's super special and the most important thing is putting the team in a good position to hopefully win this test," Mulder added. South Africa, which declared on 5-626, is in a commanding position with Zimbabwe trailing by 405 runs, having been forced to follow on after being dismissed for 170 in their reply, with Mulder taking two wickets to top off a day he will never forget. Reuters
Reuters
31-05-2025
- General
- Reuters
England's Overton out of West Indies series due to broken finger
May 31 (Reuters) - England all-rounder Jamie Overton will miss the rest of the home series against West Indies after breaking his right little finger, on his bowling arm, during the first One-Day International at Edgbaston, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Saturday. The 31-year-old, who suffered the injury on Thursday when he tried to take a catch while bowling, left the field for treatment but returned to finish the game with his finger heavily wrapped. He took three wickets as England won by 238 runs. "He will now undergo a period of rehabilitation under the supervision of the England medical team. No replacement will be added to the ODI squad," the ECB said in a statement. Matthew Potts will replace Overton in the England team when they face West Indies in the second of their three ODIs on Sunday, with three Twenty20 matches also scheduled from Friday.
