Latest news with #BrendonMcCullum
Time of India
a day ago
- Sport
- Time of India
'All good things come to an end ... incredible going out on his terms': Kane Williamson on Virat Kohli's retirement
Virat Kohli (L) and Kane Williamson (R). (Image: Instagram) in Manchester: Shubman Gill has led India in three Tests - losing two and winning one. The ongoing Test series versus England is the 25-year-old's first assignment as Test captain and he has impressed so far. He has been on fire with the bat, leading the pack well in the middle and the off-field vibe, too, has been relaxed. Many pointed fingers at BCCI's move to give him the captaincy armband but his former Gujarat Titans teammate Kane Williamson wasn't surprised with the decision. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! He always felt captaincy sits well on the youngster and believes it's just the start of bigger and better things for the future. Williamson is currently playing the Vitality Blast for Middlesex and was in attendance on Day 3 of the Lord's Test, which India lost by 22 runs. Bombay Sport Exchange Episode 3: Kane Williamson exclusive on NextGen cricketers to watch out for The former New Zealand captain feels the way the series has been played, any side could have won them all. In an exclusive chat with Williamson opens up on how Test batting has evolved, India's new Test captain, England under Brendon McCullum and his views on Virat Kohli 's decision to retire. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tennis takes over in July Tennis TV Watch Now Undo Excerpts: You were at the Lord's last week during the third Test between India and England. Do you think Test batting has evolved over the years and is certainly not what it used to be? Especially with the points system of the World Test Championship? It's certainly... I mean it has evolved. It's changed. Definitely the World Test Championship creating that bit of context, you know, the value. Everybody now just really pushes for a result and therefore you do see the majority of games now matches are decided within sort of four days generally. The wickets, however, have been quite sporting in this series. It's been quite good for the game. It's created a lot more results, a lot more entertaining cricket and then you see teams like England. The best recipe for their success is to go out and be nice and positive and play with that freedom to try and move the game forward as quickly as possible and operate in that fashion. I think every team still does it a little bit differently but on a whole it's absolutely changed direction a little bit and I think that's been important with the challenges that the longer format faces. And we talk about it so often. However, a lot of the Test cricket that we see on our TV sort of really draws you in and is really quite exciting to see. England's head coach Brendon McCullum during a nets session in Birmingham, England. (PA via AP) I'm sure you wouldn't be surprised that the man at the forefront of leading that revolution of sorts is former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum. I mean not not surprised. He always played with that freedom and then having sort of played under Brendon for a long time and how he promotes players to go out and express themselves and commit to it and have that full backing of you know, the people behind them, so they're able to do that day in and day out. That's what we're seeing with this England side and is very consistent with how he's looked to operate for a long period of time. It's been quite enthralling to watch Many Test matches and certainly this series that we've seen between England and India has been very exciting. Two strong teams with slightly different styles, but both looking to push the game forward has been great to follow. India vs England: India fall short at Lord's, England lead series 2-1 Were you surprised that India ended up on the wrong side especially after the kind of cricket they played and how they had England on the edge after getting them out cheaply in the second innings? Or you reckon the pitch played its part to make the scoreline 2-1 in England's favour? It was slightly more old-school wasn't it? The Test match at Lord's where players had to dig deep and work really hard for their runs and bowlers got some assistance and knew that they had to be patient as well to get rewards. We did see both teams operate and adjust in that fashion and any chase last on a wicket that has deteriorated is never easy. And there's been only a handful of chases above that score that have been successful at that ground. There were going to be some challenges there and having said that, India have been outstanding throughout the series and both teams could have won them all really. They've both had their opportunities which I think makes for great viewing and shows that the two very strong teams are going at it but I suppose at the start of that contest, there was that ability to see off the new ball and build some of those early partnerships. Then it goes a long way to knocking off a score like 190. India have been outstanding throughout the series and both teams could have won them all really. They've both had their opportunities Kane Williamson I think we have to be honest that the conditions at Lord's were significantly different to the other two Test matches. Teams were looking at chasing above 300 and there were elements of comfort and some of that because the wickets were so good and held together for the five days. So it was a lot more old-school which was quite nice to watch and follow as well. I think we haven't seen that for such a long period of time. We're gonna have some challenges but I think that the Indian team is playing brilliant cricket, turning up with a great opportunity every day against a strong English side and certainly, you know when the toss goes up you truly don't know who are favourites walking into each match. After three Tests, Shubman Gill is the leading run-scorer in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. (Image via Getty Images) You've seen Shubman Gill from close quarters at Gujarat Titans. What is your assessment of Shubman Gill the captain, the cricketer and how has he responded to the early challenges of Test cricket as a leader and as India's new No.4. He's responded beautifully, hasn't he? I always thought captaincy sits well with Shubman. I know happening in a franchise space is slightly different, you know it's a shorter sort of project versus captain in your country, which is you know it's a lot more consuming. Whilst you're in that role, you're never out of it. It's a much larger role sort of on and off the field. Watching Shubman operate and he's wise beyond his years and you know that responsibility is naturally something that he would look to take on. So hearing him get that opportunity was no surprise to me but you know the quality of the player is something that goes without saying. He's absolutely world-class. And all the other formats throughout... the IPL for a number of years and one day cricket I think he's top of the tree there. Test cricket really is a matter of time. To see him come over here and conditions that can be challenging with the Dukes from time to time, and dominate like he has, it's been amazing. There are going to be really valuable lessons for him and we're looking towards the leader that he will become but it's still early days. Kane Williamson on Shubman Gill And then I think goes a long way for him and his comfort in that role as well as a leader of the Indian team. The cricketer Shubman and the leadership qualities that he has... if he separates those then there is real quality in both departments and actually starting sort of embedding the things that you value, along with the head coach. Forming that really strong bond... it's really important and I think that's what we're seeing in these early stages. There are going to be really valuable lessons for him and we're looking towards the leader that he will become but it's still early days. Virat Kohli retired from Test cricket ahead of the series against England. (AP) When Roger Federer retired, Rafael Nadal got very emotional and said "a part of my life left with him". I know different sport but did you get that kind of feeling when Virat Kohli decided to say goodbye to Tests? Funny you mentioned that. You don't consider that whilst you're just right in the middle of it and then players that you've played alongside for so many years. Your careers have kind of married up from under 19s through to captaining or playing for your country. Then in the captain instance that we did that... were very similar times to the natural progression. Everybody finishes. When some of those decisions are made it does stop you and make you consider a lot of things but also appreciation and respect. Someone like Virat.. so many great moments throughout the international game but really the bond outside of the pitch is something that's you know far more special and those experiences that have been shared together. All good things come to an end and the way he's been able to make those decisions that feel comfortable to him... I think it's been incredible going out on his terms, etc. Although still involved in one of the formats. Lord's museum tour: Cricket's greatest artifacts and the stories behind them What are your thoughts on the Big Three discussions and how England, India and Australia regularly play five Tests but we see the likes of South Africa and New Zealand winning the WTC titles without playing the bigger series. What's your take on the situation? At the end of the day, you just focus on the things that you can control and you know playing five Test match series for countries like New Zealand and other ones that share a similar standing aren't realistic despite a real passion to do so. And like you mentioned, there are other teams out there where that's a more feasible option. You're just focusing on what it is you can do and the calendar that you have and trying to basically put out your best performances and grow as a side over the two-year blocks that you have for the World Championship. Just focus on the things that are in front of you and know that if you do that, you trust that, then it allows you to put out your best performances and ultimately give you a chance, but yeah, there are obviously a number of strong teams within there's and I think it's it's been helpful for the game. Tracing Moeen Ali's steps in Birmingham Playing T20s here in England, how has the experience been like hopping from one ground to another. Yeah I've really enjoyed playing in the Vitality Blast and you know as a family, it's been nice to be in the UK. We have some ties here. So It's been enjoyable and you get to play it, you know, such a variety of grounds and the standards are good so yeah, it's been fun and nice to be sort of playing in a new team as well as a new community. Which is always enjoyable when you get the opportunity to play cricket around the world. For an international professional like you, how is it like to interact with different individuals, part of different cultures, during your time playing for different teams in different leagues around the world? I do really enjoy that aspect. Little bit of flexibility and those opportunities to be exposed to different cultures in different parts of the world and playing good cricket and in the sport that I love. It's definitely an attractive part... at this stage of my career and also to have the family with me and they get to see some. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Tactical twist: batting first and slow does the trick for England at Lord's
It wouldn't be an understatement to say that England's run-rate in the Lord's Test against India was well under its usual lofty standards. Ever since coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes joined hands in June 2022, the Englishmen's run-scoring graph has seen more crests than troughs. It was a different England that set out to bat against India in the third Test, though. Stokes' decision to bat first, too, was unusual for the team under this new regime. Only two times have England chosen to bat first in home Tests since June 2022; the other instance being the 2023 Birmingham Test against Australia. The change in strategy, in accordance with the conditions and the opponent's strengths and weaknesses, bore fruit as England successfully defended its 192 on a tricky day-five Lord's pitch. Underrated virtue The English batters were willing to bide their time and scrap for runs, a virtue often underrated in the modern game. The first-innings run-rate of 3.44 while amassing 387 was England's third-slowest in home Tests in the Bazball era. The record for the most sedate English innings at home in the time period came in its second innings, where England took 62.1 overs to score 192 (3.08 rpo). The Indian bowlers, too, were on the ball on the first day. In fact, England did not get a run for 28 deliveries in a row when Ollie Pope and Joe Root had to survive probing spells from Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj in the post-lunch session. 'Baz, Baz, Bazball. Play Bazball. Come on, I want to see,' Siraj quipped at Root. 'No more entertaining cricket here, lads. Welcome back to boring Test cricket,' said skipper Shubman Gill as India looked to capitalise on England's uncharacteristic batting approach. The Englishmen dug deep, even as the Indians took a dig at them for their new modus operandi. #ShubmanGill, with the most sarcastic sledge of the season kyunki ye seekhne nahi, sikhane aaye hain 😎 "Welcome to Boring Test Cricket." 🫢💭 Who said Test matches aren't spicy? 🔥#ENGvIND 👉 3rd TEST, DAY 1 | LIVE NOW on JioHotstar ➡ — Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) July 10, 2025 'It was a very slow day, but credit to the way India bowled. I don't think the pitch offered loads after lunch… it was pretty placid. India held their lengths well. I think 251 for four is a good score if we can kick on,' Pope told Sky Sports at close of play on day one. England ended up adding 136 more to its overnight total, thanks to some lower-order vigil. Along with the 387 runs it scored, the time England had kept India in the field (112.3 overs) mattered too. A quick turnaround after the Edgbaston Test (where India bowled last) and the harsh London weather were factors to be considered. The temperature not only affected the players but also the pitch as well. McCullum had asked for a track with 'plenty of life in it' for the third Test. The Indian top-order batting long in the first innings of the first two games may have prompted the England coach to request for a surface with 'a bit more pace, a bit more bounce, and maybe a little bit of sideways movement'. While the first three days showed a dormant version of the Lord's pitch and both teams batted rather steadily (though slowly), the demons in the wicket did come out just in time for the third and fourth innings. The scorching weather had its effect on the track as cracks opened up over time, spelling trouble for the willow-wielders. Fine margins The margins were fine in this game (the first-innings play literally cancelled out after a 387-387 tie). The proceedings, just like the Lord's track, were quite quiet until then, too. All that changed once tempers flared late on day three, as India did not appreciate England's tactics to run down the clock. The game went on overdrive from thereon as the cut and thrust of the rivalry and the Lord's track picked up pace from day four. Root (40, 96b) and Stokes (33, 96b) were at the forefront of England's batting effort in the second innings as the host huffed and puffed to 192. This was by no means a daunting total, but scoring runs on the Lord's track had become a lot more difficult by then. The inconsistent bounce and the pronounced seam movement off the pitch were going to be the Englishmen's allies in the last innings. The home team's idea of batting patiently and asking India to chase on a deteriorating pitch would have been moot had the visitor managed to reach the sub-200 target. But it wasn't to be as England made full use of the unpredictable nature of the 22-yard strip to seal the 22-run win. Ravindra Jadeja's gallant effort (61 n.o., 181b) would have made England sweat as India almost pulled off a heist after being 82 for seven at one stage. In a twist of fate, India lost its last wicket from a delivery that Siraj defended perfectly before the ball trickled onto the stumps to dislodge a bail. The game of cricket can be cruel sometimes. For England, though, this marked the vindication of getting a positive result by playing a brand of cricket outside its comfort zone. Stokes shedding light on England's adaptability ahead of the third Test highlighted that his decision to bat first was not taken on a whim. 'We are not stuck in our ways about it. I want to make that clear. It's something that's been built up. We bowled first at Edgbaston because there were decent overhead conditions, but that soon changed; the clouds broke off and the sun came out. I'm not the Met Office, so I can't tell what's going to happen after 10.30 a.m.,' Stokes had revealed. 'Lord's is meant to be really hot this week. Just because we've had good success at chasing down totals in the fourth innings, it doesn't mean that that is our preference.' 'There's a little bit of discussion around in the morning, but when I get the whites out with the blazer on, I look up to the sky more than anything. It's not rocket science,' Stokes had said. The Lord's factor Over the years, the Bazball revolution does tend to take a mellowed form while playing at the Home of Cricket. Lord's has seen six of England's nine slowest innings in home Tests since June 2022. This pattern of cautious run-scoring also applies to other teams also as Lord's has the lowest average run-rate (3.61) among Test venues in England in the time period. Perhaps the hallowed venue's storied history is making teams play cricket the old-fashioned way… or maybe it is the novelty factor in tackling the famed Lord's slope (it has become rather fashionable to point out the venue's uneven nature). The truth is England showed great character by tweaking its style according to the Lord's pitch. Here's something to keep in mind ahead of the fourth Test: England's run-rates are on a downward curve (from 4.61 rpo in its first innings at Leeds to 3.08 in its last at Lord's) in the series. All eyes will be on the Manchester sky now.
Arab News
4 days ago
- Sport
- Arab News
England's Archer keen to play remaining India Tests, Ashes
LONDON: After missing four years of Test duty due to injury, England speedster Jofra Archer is keen to make up for lost time and says he wants to play the final two Tests against India and prove he deserves a place in the squad for the Ashes series in Australia. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Archer made his Test comeback at Lord's in the third Test, bowling at full tilt to claim five wickets, including three in the second innings as England clinched a 22-run victory to go 2-1 up in the five-match series. England management, men's managing director Rob Key in particular, have been careful about Archer's workload since his recovery from elbow and back injuries but the bowler is raring to go. 'I can play the other two (against India) if they let me,' Archer told Sky Sports. 'I don't want to lose this series. I told 'Keysey' I wanted to play the test summer and I wanted to play the Ashes. 'I think one tick is already there and I will do everything possible in my power to be on the plane in November.' It was Archer's first Test since coach Brendon 'Baz' McCullum and captain Ben Stokes took the helm in 2022 and implemented an exciting result-oriented approach. Archer was happy how his reintegration into the Test squad had been handled. 'Obviously it would have been the format which would have taken the most time to come back to. So I played 50-over and T20 for the last year and a half, two years,' he said. 'The guys have played some really exciting cricket since Baz took over. I think the mentality of the team under Baz suits the way I like to play my cricket. 'I just couldn't wait to get back and actually do it without having to be prompted to do it.' The fourth Test against India begins on July 23 in Manchester.
CNA
4 days ago
- Sport
- CNA
England's Archer keen to play remaining India tests, Ashes
LONDON :After missing four years of test duty due to injury, England speedster Jofra Archer is keen to make up for lost time and says he wants to play the final two tests against India and prove he deserves a place in the squad for the Ashes series in Australia. Archer made his test comeback at Lord's in the third test, bowling at full tilt to claim five wickets, including three in the second innings as England clinched a 22-run victory to go 2-1 up in the five-match series. England management, men's managing director Rob Key in particular, have been careful about Archer's workload since his recovery from elbow and back injuries but the bowler is raring to go. "I can play the other two (against India) if they let me," Archer told Sky Sports. "I don't want to lose this series. I told 'Keysey' I wanted to play the test summer and I wanted to play the Ashes. "I think one tick is already there and I will do everything possible in my power to be on the plane in November." It was Archer's first test since coach Brendon 'Baz' McCullum and captain Ben Stokes took the helm in 2022 and implemented an exciting result-oriented approach. Archer was happy how his reintegration into the test squad had been handled. "Obviously it would have been the format which would have taken the most time to come back to. So I played 50-over and T20 for the last year and a half, two years," he said. "The guys have played some really exciting cricket since Baz took over. I think the mentality of the team under Baz suits the way I like to play my cricket. "I just couldn't wait to get back and actually do it without having to be prompted to do it." The fourth test against India begins on July 23 in Manchester.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Liam Dawson's recall proves county stalwarts can dare to dream of an England call-up, writes NASSER HUSSAIN
Liam Dawson is an excellent choice to come into the England squad, and probably the team, for next week's fourth Test against India at Old Trafford. And he has a chance now to show what he can do before the Ashes. I've always thought Dawson is a tough cricketer, as well as a talented one. He's got 18 first-class hundreds, 15 five-fors and knows his game inside out — as everyone at Hampshire has been telling us ever since he last played a Test in 2017. I understand why he drifted out of England contention. Not everyone is happy to spend a long tour carrying the drinks, especially when there are so many lucrative franchise offers out there. But relations seem to have thawed and Dawson clearly impressed Brendon McCullum when he returned to international cricket during the recent T20 series against West Indies. You feel for Shoaib Bashir, but that's the nature of the game: an injury opens the door for someone else. And Dawson has the chance to show what a competitor he is, not just with the ball, but with his all-round game. If he goes in at No 8, that could be the start of a seriously strong lower order, possibly with Gus Atkinson, who has scored a Test century, at No 9, and Brydon Carse, who batted so well at Lord's, at No 10. It's clear, too, that England have moved on from Jack Leach, who has a good relationship with Ben Stokes but lacks Dawson's all-round qualities. And that could be important when England decide which spin bowlers to take to Australia this winter. You need steel to succeed out there, and Dawson has it in abundance. It's also interesting that the selectors have gone from one extreme to the other — from picking Bashir based on watching social-media footage to selecting a bloke who already has international experience and has done the hard yards in county cricket. England seem to be moving away from the really left-field selections, such as Josh Hull for last year's Oval Test against Sri Lanka, and saying to the county game: if you score runs and take wickets, you've got a chance. Sam Cook got the nod for the Zimbabwe Test, now Dawson is in the mix again. It's a good pick, and a fillip for domestic cricketers around the country.
