Latest news with #BenFoakes
BBC News
7 days ago
- General
- BBC News
How Bazball's baby showed merit in England's thinking
England's Tuesday began stuck in was Jamie Smith who ensured there were no dangers of them grinding to a halt team that arrived at The Oval on e-bikes after traffic problems in London were powered to their victory by a freewheeling Smith, who followed a duck in Cardiff with an electric 64 from 28 balls to clinch a series clean sweep."I wanted to push out my chest a bit and say that I'm good enough to open the batting," Smith, 24, said after the seven-wicket the face of it, England's decision to employ Smith as an opener in this series is one straight from the playbook of out-of-the-box decisions made in the Brendon McCullum era of English Shoaib Bashir being called up for the Test side on the back of six first-class appearances was rogue, asking Smith to open the batting for a floundering 50-over side at the start of a new era - a position he has never batted in professional cricket - was not far behind. But in reality, despite regular 50-over openers Will Jacks or Tom Banton looking the frontrunners in the squad beforehand, Smith was always the obvious candidate - he is, after all, Bazball's favourite Foakes did little wrong in India in 2024 but by England's next Test, Smith had replaced 70 on debut and 95 in his third Test, the talk around Smith was glowing. When he made his maiden Test century a match later against Sri Lanka there were already suggestions he should take a job proving as troublesome to fill as the manager's role at Old Trafford - England's Test number Bethell's emergence has put that one on the backburner but when McCullum took over as England's white-ball coach last September it was no coincidence Smith was recalled to the set-up for the next Harry Brook revealed last week McCullum was talking about the possibility of Smith opening at the Champions Trophy in Pakistan - before incumbent Phil Salt had been shown the door."Me and Baz think Smudge could be an unbelievable white-ball opener," Brook said before the is no criticism but Brook has begun to sound like a jammed cassette when outlining his ideal batter since taking the Leeds to London, "we want batters that can put their best balls under pressure" he has said again and again - and could have hardly have done that better than he did in the third Surrey academy product received nine balls on a 'good length' under the lights at his cricketing home and scored 20 runs at a strike-rate north of 200. Across the match, his batting contemporaries managed 56 runs off 71 balls against such fascination with Smith comes with all of the caveats of his international career being only 24 matches old but with the knowledge that at his best he can seemingly do it this very ground against Sri Lanka last year he scored 15 from his first 31 deliveries in a Test before crashing 52 off his next 18. He has a technically solid defence and drives through the covers with ease. But he can also pick the ball off a length and deposit it over mid-wicket as he did on Tuesday."He's not a slogger, is he? He's playing proper shots," was how Brook put it also know the importance of an opening partnership if their rebirth after the troubles of Jos Buttler's final 18 months as captain is to be Morgan's World Cup-winning team had Buttler's fireworks, a match-winner in Ben Stokes and Joe Root's calmness but none of that would have been possible without Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow setting platforms that would have been too big for the Tests, England's best performances under McCullum captaincy - in Rawalpindi, at The Oval, or at Edgbaston - have all been built on significant opening Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley against the red ball, Duckett and Smith attack the white like they are playing different get technical, Duckett's average interception point against seamers is around 1.77m, 33cm behind Smith' right-hander Smith targets boundaries in front of him, left-hander Duckett has scored only 18% his career runs against pacers in the 'V'.And in McCullum, Smith has a coach who opened 107 times in ODIs and did so in a New Zealand side that reached a World Cup final - an ideal sounding board should one be one may expect with England's relaxed approach, however, Smith has largely been left to create his own plans during his first week in the job."He knows how to bat," Brook said."Like I said so many times, he's done it in Test cricket for periods. "He's gonna have a good go at it at the top in one-day cricket and I think everybody's excited to see how he goes."Brook knows there will be bumps to come but Smith will be given every chance to lead England on their ride.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Surrey on verge of beating Yorkshire
Rothesay County Championship Division One, Kia Oval (day three) Yorkshire 255 & 185-6: Wharton 67, Bairstow 64*; Lawes 2-36 Surrey 512: Foakes 86, Patterson 85; Hill 4-58 Yorkshire (3 pts) trail Surrey (6 pts) by 72 runs Match scorecard Jonny Bairstow made a belligerent 64 not out and James Wharton an excellent 67 but Yorkshire are still facing defeat against Surrey at the Kia Oval. Surrey took three wickets late on day three to underline their complete dominance in a County Championship match they will expect to bring them a second win of the Division One season. The champions were held up by Bairstow and Wharton's fourth wicket stand of 84 but then Matt Fisher bowled Wharton and Tom Lawes removed George Hill and nightwatchman Jordan Buckingham in successive balls to leave Yorkshire 185-6 at stumps – still 72 runs adrift. Lawes had Hill caught at first slip and then pinned Buckingham leg-before, leaving Matt Revis to keep Bairstow – who has hit two sixes and eight fours in his 66-ball effort so far – company until the close. Nathan Smith and Jordan Clark had earlier Yorkshire up against it in their second innings at 31-2, although Wharton and Jonny Tattersall then dug in either side of tea and put on 52 for the third wicket. Finlay Bean was the first Yorkshire wicket to fall, for seven, thin-edging a Smith outswinger through to tumbling wicketkeeper Ben Foakes, and five overs later Adam Lyth was also gone, for 16. Lyth, who had looked fortunate to survive an impassioned leg-before appeal from Smith to the second ball of the innings, had made it only to 16 when Clark's seventh ball bounced steeply at him and he edged to third slip. Clark's first spell was an impressive 6-5-4-1 and, on his return to the attack after tea, the big all-rounder had Tattersall caught at second slip for 12. Bairstow, however, was soon into his stride and Surrey were forced on to the defensive as he and Wharton added 84 inside 17 overs. The 24-year-old Wharton impressed with some classical strokeplay but it was Bairstow who predictably led the counter-punching as he pulled Fisher over the short long leg boundary for successive sixes on his way to a 39-ball half-century. Fisher, though, hit back by producing a magnificent inswinger to bowl Wharton between bat and pad after he had faced 135 balls and hit six fours. Surrey were already 129 runs ahead at the start of day three when they resumed on 384-7, and any hopes Yorkshire might have had of quickly bringing the innings to its conclusion were quashed as Clark and Smith settled in comfortably despite overcast conditions. New Zealand all-rounder Smith looked a quality player to be coming in at number nine, on-driving Jack White early on for a sumptuous boundary – although he did also nick the same bowler down into the ground and clean between keeper and first slip for another four to bring up Surrey's 400. Smith's 70-ball 42 was ended when Hill, Yorkshire's stand-out bowler throughout, angled his medium-pace through a defensive push and deservedly won an lbw shout to complete an excellent five-wicket haul. Hill only bowled one more over after that, finishing with 5-66, but Smith and Clark's eighth wicket partnership of 94 in 25 overs had taken Surrey's lead close to 200. They were soon well beyond that, too, Lawes arriving at number 10 to showcase his own all-rounder status with a series of classy strokes against a tiring attack. The 22-year old was off the mark with a lovely lofted straight four off Revis and he also twice pulled the same bowler for further boundaries. Clark, on 41 overnight, had completed 2,000 first-class runs for Surrey before, on 69, playing on against Jordan Thompson after a determined near three-hour knock in which he had faced 147 balls and struck only five fours. Surrey's final wicket then added 48 more, with Lawes scoring freely in an unbeaten 37 from 33 balls and last man Fisher also contributing some nice shots in 18 before flashing Thompson high to first slip. ECB Reporters' Network supported by Rothesay Notifications, social media and more with BBC Sport
BBC News
18-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Surrey on verge of beating Yorkshire
Rothesay County Championship Division One, Kia Oval (day three)Yorkshire 255 & 185-6: Wharton 67, Bairstow 64*; Lawes 2-36Surrey 512: Foakes 86, Patterson 85; Hill 4-58Yorkshire (3 pts) trail Surrey (6 pts) by 72 runsMatch scorecard Jonny Bairstow made a belligerent 64 not out and James Wharton an excellent 67 but Yorkshire are still facing defeat against Surrey at the Kia took three wickets late on day three to underline their complete dominance in a County Championship match they will expect to bring them a second win of the Division One champions were held up by Bairstow and Wharton's fourth wicket stand of 84 but then Matt Fisher bowled Wharton and Tom Lawes removed George Hill and nightwatchman Jordan Buckingham in successive balls to leave Yorkshire 185-6 at stumps – still 72 runs had Hill caught at first slip and then pinned Buckingham leg-before, leaving Matt Revis to keep Bairstow – who has hit two sixes and eight fours in his 66-ball effort so far – company until the Smith and Jordan Clark had earlier Yorkshire up against it in their second innings at 31-2, although Wharton and Jonny Tattersall then dug in either side of tea and put on 52 for the third Bean was the first Yorkshire wicket to fall, for seven, thin-edging a Smith outswinger through to tumbling wicketkeeper Ben Foakes, and five overs later Adam Lyth was also gone, for who had looked fortunate to survive an impassioned leg-before appeal from Smith to the second ball of the innings, had made it only to 16 when Clark's seventh ball bounced steeply at him and he edged to third first spell was an impressive 6-5-4-1 and, on his return to the attack after tea, the big all-rounder had Tattersall caught at second slip for however, was soon into his stride and Surrey were forced on to the defensive as he and Wharton added 84 inside 17 24-year-old Wharton impressed with some classical strokeplay but it was Bairstow who predictably led the counter-punching as he pulled Fisher over the short long leg boundary for successive sixes on his way to a 39-ball though, hit back by producing a magnificent inswinger to bowl Wharton between bat and pad after he had faced 135 balls and hit six were already 129 runs ahead at the start of day three when they resumed on 384-7, and any hopes Yorkshire might have had of quickly bringing the innings to its conclusion were quashed as Clark and Smith settled in comfortably despite overcast Zealand all-rounder Smith looked a quality player to be coming in at number nine, on-driving Jack White early on for a sumptuous boundary – although he did also nick the same bowler down into the ground and clean between keeper and first slip for another four to bring up Surrey's 70-ball 42 was ended when Hill, Yorkshire's stand-out bowler throughout, angled his medium-pace through a defensive push and deservedly won an lbw shout to complete an excellent five-wicket haul. Hill only bowled one more over after that, finishing with 5-66, but Smith and Clark's eighth wicket partnership of 94 in 25 overs had taken Surrey's lead close to were soon well beyond that, too, Lawes arriving at number 10 to showcase his own all-rounder status with a series of classy strokes against a tiring attack. The 22-year old was off the mark with a lovely lofted straight four off Revis and he also twice pulled the same bowler for further on 41 overnight, had completed 2,000 first-class runs for Surrey before, on 69, playing on against Jordan Thompson after a determined near three-hour knock in which he had faced 147 balls and struck only five final wicket then added 48 more, with Lawes scoring freely in an unbeaten 37 from 33 balls and last man Fisher also contributing some nice shots in 18 before flashing Thompson high to first Reporters' Network supported by Rothesay
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Alex Lees' half-century helps Durham close in on Nottinghamshire total
Durham trail Rothesay County Championship Division One leaders Nottinghamshire by 87 runs following half centuries from James Minto, captain Alex Lees and Emilio Gay. Gay will resume unbeaten on 74, alongside Ollie Robinson (25), after respective knocks of 67 and 82 from openers Minto and Lees helped the hosts reach 320 for four at stumps on day two at Chester-le-Street. Ben Foakes hit 86 and Kurtis Patterson registered 85 as Surrey established a 129-run advantage against Yorkshire at the Oval. Ben Foakes' brilliant innings comes to an end as he is caught behind for 86. Top knock, Foakesy! 🫡 Surrey 351/7, leading by 98 as Nathan Smith comes to the crease. 🤎 | #SurreyCricket — Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) May 17, 2025 The reigning champions closed on 384 for seven, with Yorkshire's George Hill taking four for 58 after his side were bowled out for 255 on day one. Archie Vaughan hit 80 as Somerset made 338 before enforcing the follow-on against Sussex at Taunton. Sussex will resume on 127 for four in the second innings, trailing by 59 runs, after opener Tom Haines made 50 before being trapped lbw by Migael Pretorius. At Edgbaston, pace bowler Kyle Abbott took five for 47 to put Hampshire in command against Warwickshire. ⌚STUMPS | Hampshire: 159-6 (46) lead by 265 runs. Albert and Wheal make it through to the close of play 🤝 Fletcha Middleton made 76, his highest score of the season, as we build a healthy lead in Birmingham 🏗️@trethowansllp 🔢 Match Centre 👉 — Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) May 17, 2025 Abbott's second five-for in successive games helped dismiss Warwickshire for 194 before the away team – spearheaded by Fletcha Middleton's 76 from 124 balls – moved on to 159 for six in their second innings to lead by 265. Essex trail Worcestershire by 259 runs after being bowled out for 157 following three wickets apiece for Tom Taylor and Matthew Waite. The hosts were 58 for five at stumps, adding to a first innings total of 358. In Division Two, England great James Anderson marked his first competitive outing since his international farewell last June by taking two wickets for Lancashire to help reduce Derbyshire to 112 for four at Old Trafford. Derbyshire trail by 346 runs after the struggling hosts, who are seeking a first win of the season, posted 458.
BBC News
17-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
In-form Foakes helps Surrey into lead against Yorkshire
Rothesay County Championship Division One, Kia Oval (day two)Yorkshire 255: Bairstow 89; Clark 3-31, Lawes 3-77Surrey 384-7: Foakes 86, Patterson 85; Hill 4-58Surrey (6pts) lead Yorkshire (3pts) by 129 runs with three wickets remainingMatch scorecard Ben Foakes maintained his fine form with the bat by hitting 86 to fashion a solid Surrey lead in their County Championship encounter with Yorkshire at the Kia who hit a career-high 174 not out against Warwickshire earlier this week, followed it up with another vital knock to guide the home side to 384-7 at stumps on day two, 129 in left-hander Kurtis Patterson also sparkled on his Surrey debut with 85 but after he and Dan Lawrence fell in rapid succession, they needed Foakes – aided by the lower-middle order – to cement their George Hill (4-58), fresh from recording a nine-wicket match haul in Yorkshire's previous game at Essex, was again the pick of the visitors' Burns and Dom Sibley resumed in the morning with a deficit of 209 and shaved off just another 10 runs before the skipper departed, nudging a Jack White delivery that left him into the hands of brought Patterson to the crease for the first time in Surrey colours, taking a while to settle before he unveiled his ruthless cover drive and dispatched both White and Jordan Buckingham to the was expensive, conceding two boundaries in quick succession to Sibley – who appeared nicely set at 29 until he failed to get forward sufficiently to Hill and was trapped Patterson was into his stride by then and advanced to his half-century from the penultimate ball of the morning session, ably supported by some wristy leg-side strokeplay from Dan might have removed Patterson on 60 soon after lunch, when he miscued a hook off Buckingham – but James Wharton, moving in from long leg, was unable to cling onto the receiving treatment for a back problem just before the interval, Lawrence still looked uncomfortable in the middle, but he stuck around for almost two hours helping Patterson to add Surrey's momentum was dented when they lost both batters in the space of three deliveries, with Ben Coad returning for his second spell of the day to pin Lawrence in front of the stumps for impact was even more immediate, removing Patterson in the same manner with the first delivery of his stint from the Vauxhall End and that left Foakes and Jason Roy to regroup as they closed in on the visitors' struck the ball cleanly and crisply, particularly on the leg side, while Roy employed a greater degree of brute force, punching Jordan Thompson off the back foot for four and slamming Adam Lyth into the pavilion to secure his side's first batting bonus final say went to Lyth, who had his fellow ex-England opener pouched at slip for 26 in the first over after tea, but Foakes progressed past 50 for the fifth time this season with one of his looser shots, slashing White just past the slips for captain Jonny Bairstow handed his wicketkeeper's gloves to Jonny Tattersall for the final session, having sustained a finger injury, but continued to direct proceedings in the was Tattersall who snapped up an outside edge off Foakes late in the day to provide Hill with his fourth wicket, but Jordan Clark – having almost chopped on twice early in his innings – swung the bat to reach 41 not out with a clutch of Reporters' Network supported by Rothesay.
