Latest news with #NationalTableCricketFinalsDay
South Wales Argus
11 hours ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Duckett's Headingley innings on of the all-time greats, says Gatting
With England set 371 to win the first Test, the opener crashed 21 fours and one six during his sixth century, dispatching the Indian bowling attack, which included world number one Jasprit Bumrah, to all parts of Headingley in the process. Alongside opening partner Zak Crawley, who chipped in with a composed 65, the pair put on 188 for the opening wicket and set the foundations for what was to become England's second-highest successful run chase in Test history. And former captain Gatting, who played 79 Tests between 1978 to 1995, said Duckett's innings belongs alongside the iconic Ashes knocks of Ian Botham and Ben Stokes at the same ground in 1981 and 2019 respectively. 'It was huge,' said Gatting, speaking at Lord's Taverners' National Table Cricket Finals Day – a fully inclusive, adapted version of the game aimed at young people living with a wide range of learning and physical disabilities played on a table tennis table. 'You talk about Botham in '81, Mark Butcher, Graham Gooch, Ben Stokes, but the innings on Wednesday was quite superb. 'Duckett's innings has got to rank right up there, certainly when you're chasing 370-odd. He's won them the Test match.' Gatting was also impressed by the aggressive, yet calculated approach Duckett and the rest of England's batting line-up took during their stints out in the middle, and feels if they continue in that same vein, they'll become a formidable side for anyone to face. 'To a degree, England have sometimes let the coach Brendon McCullum down in the past because they've been a bit gung-ho at times,' he added. 'They're all very fine cricketers and they should have an understanding, having got to this level, what's needed at certain times, and they showed that at Headingley. 'And if they continue to play like that, they will be a very difficult side to beat. 'It's a special batting lineup; it's probably one of the best we've ever had.' Another pleasing element was the performance of pacer Josh Tongue, who took match figures of 7-158, and played a crucial role in restricting India during their second innings after taking three wickets in four balls to help mop up their tail. And Gatting, England captain during their Ashes win Down Under in 1986/87, has backed the 27-year-old to force his way into Brendon McCullum's Ashes plans this winter after seemingly putting his injury nightmares behind him. 'I think he can force his way in [to England's plans for Australia], I would be very surprised if he doesn't,' said Gatting about Tongue, who missed the entire 2024 season through injury. 'When he played here last time at Lords, he made a huge impression amongst two great bowlers: Broad and Anderson. 'He was the only one that really hurried people, and he was the only one that made the ball do as much as it did, just nip enough. 'It was so disappointing to see him miss out for so long, but it's great seeing him back. 'He looks like one of those guys that really enjoys what he does, and that's great when you're a fast bowler, because it's hard work. 'As a captain, you've got to appreciate having somebody like that in your team, that always has a smile on their face.' The Lord's Taverners impacts the lives of young people facing the challenges of inequality. The charity works across the UK and beyond to provide inclusive and impactful cricket programmes, empowering young people with disabilities and from disadvantaged communities – visit
South Wales Argus
11 hours ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Former England captain David Gower backs Pope for number three spot
There has been mounting pressure over the Surrey batter's place in Brendon McCullum's side after the emergence of precocious talent Jacob Bethell during England's Tour to New Zealand at the end of 2024. The Warwickshire all-rounder made scores of 50 not out, 96 and 78 against the Black Caps at number three, duly staking his claim for Pope's spot, who was batting at number six and keeping wicket during that series due to Jordan Cox's injury. But the England hierarchy have stuck by their vice-captain, who made 171 against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge in May before following that up with a gutsy 106 in the first innings of England's five-wicket win over India in the first Test at Headingley. Pope has often been criticised for being too feast or famine, but Gower, who scored eight of his 18 Test match centuries while batting at first drop, believes if the 27-year-old can continue the former, then his critics will quickly become starved of things to say. 'He's done exactly the right thing by getting runs,' said Gower, speaking at Lord's Taverners' National Table Cricket Finals Day – a fully inclusive, adapted version of the game aimed at young people living with a wide range of learning and physical disabilities played on a table tennis table. 'Putting runs on the board is always the best answer. If your critics are asking questions about you, it's the best defence. 'Being realistic, his habit over the last few years has been to make a big score and then struggle. 'We all want him to do well and therefore we want him to capitalise on his starts. 'The best way to stop people describing him as 'feast and famine' is to continue the feast, which is easier said than done. 'So, I'd say he's secured his place for the rest of the series [against India] and if he continues to do well, that's him pretty much inked in for an Ashes berth. 'I'm sure Jacob will get his chance in due course; he's an incredibly talented cricketer and his all-round game is obviously a benefit. 'But when the incumbents do the job, you've not just got to be very good, you've got to be unbelievably brilliant to claim someone's place.' The performances of Ben Stokes during his last two Tests since his return from a hamstring injury picked up last winter have been particularly pleasing for many onlookers, including Gower. The England skipper looks back to his best with ball in hand, an aspect of the Durham man's game which has been limited in recent years due to injury. Gower, who captained England to Ashes glory in 1985, stressed the importance of having a fit Stokes available and hopes the 34-year-old doesn't miss the chance of holding the famous little urn aloft as captain during his career. 'Ben is a vital cog,' continued Gower. 'The recurring theme I've heard on TV and radio over the past few days is that Ben Stokes balances the side and England look stronger because of it. 'Regarding his captaincy, so many things have happened to him both on and off the field in the last five years. 'That's formed part of the strength he's gained as captain, which is through empathy, sympathy and understanding life. 'All those things have made him very impressive as captain. 'If England were as clever in the last Ashes series as they were during this game, they'd have won the Ashes before it got to Old Trafford. 'So, there were opportunities, and if you're Ben Stokes in 30 years' time, with your recliner chair and a bottle of scotch, and somebody else is winning the Ashes, you don't want to be thinking 'that could have been me, I could have done that'. 'Trust me, it's a beautiful thing when you have that moment with the Ashes, and you claim them as yours, and he'll want to do that.' The Lord's Taverners impacts the lives of young people facing the challenges of inequality. The charity works across the UK and beyond to provide inclusive and impactful cricket programmes, empowering young people with disabilities and from disadvantaged communities – visit
South Wales Argus
11 hours ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
No doubt for Topley that Bumrah is greatest bowler ever
It is something that England international Topley has seen up close, having played with Bumrah at Mumbai Indians during the most recent edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). And while there is often discussion around the best batters and bowlers of all time, for Topley, when it comes to the latter, there isn't any. 'For me, I don't think it's a debate,' said Topley, speaking at Lord's Taverners' National Table Cricket Finals Day – a fully inclusive, adapted version of the game aimed at young people living with a wide range of learning and physical disabilities played on a table tennis table. 'It's probably the rare occasion in sport where you get a lot of people agreeing on the greatest ever. And we're seeing with Bumrah there's no real caveat that anyone else has thrown into the ring either. 'He's in a league of his own in the present day. There are the greats of yesteryear that me, and people my age, never really saw play, but watching some of those players, Bumrah, he's right up there with those people, which is incredible. 'T20 is obviously a different form to Tests, but spending time with him at the IPL, he's humble, he's competitive, he's got it all. He's a superstar in every sense of the word.' Brendon McCullum's outfit took a 1-0 series lead in West Yorkshire on Tuesday after chasing down 371 – England's second-highest successful pursuit in Test cricket. Front and centre of England's charge was opener Ben Duckett, whose brilliant and destructive 149 blunted India's bowling attack and broke the back of their target. 🏆 Congratulations to your new Table Cricket champions… @WGSB! Another fantastic day at the @HomeOfCricket - thank you to everyone involved for making this a special day alongside the wider Disability Cricket Day with @ECB_cricket and @MCCOfficial 🙌 June 25, 2025 By the time the Nottinghamshire man departed - caught in the covers trying to dispatch the ball for what would have been his 22nd boundary - his exploits had well and truly swung proceedings in England's favour, with Jamie Smith later clobbering a six to seal victory. It was a second innings assault that not even Bumrah could stop - the quick failing to take a wicket during his 19 overs - and Topley was full of praise for the way England negated his threat. Like all greats, they do have days where they show they're human after all. 'It's incredible that on the last day, he [Bumrah] didn't take a wicket,' Topley continued. 'And that in itself is such a rare occurrence. 'But that's a testament to how well England played him and how well they performed.' There were plenty of other impressive performances throughout the match too. Ollie Pope's first-innings hundred, Harry Brook's destructive 99, Zak Crawley's 65 during his first-wicket partnership of 188 with Duckett second time around and Josh Tongue's match haul of seven wickets to name but a few. And Topley believes the quality on show in Leeds sets the rest of the series up for more absorbing cricket to come. 'Headingley always seems to throw up these amazing chases, and credit has to go to the pitch there, it's famous for its day-five finishes,' he added. 'And the cricket that was played on it was second to none. 'It was entertaining from ball one on day one, right the way up until the finish. 'Hopefully it sets up for an amazing series and they'll be a lot more incredible cricket to be played.' On his own return to the international set-up, Topley who last played for England in November 2024 and is currently enjoying a fine run of form with Surrey, said: 'It takes two to tango. 'I definitely know I've got the ability, so we'll have to see.'
Powys County Times
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Powys County Times
No doubt for Topley that Bumrah is greatest bowler ever
Reece Topley has played with some of the finest bowlers around, but none come close to Jasprit Bumrah, who he describes as the 'greatest ever'. The Indian superstar may have been on the losing side at Headingley during the first Test against England, but Bumrah's first innings showing, with figures of 5-110, was yet another masterclass in fast bowling. It is something that England international Topley has seen up close, having played with Bumrah at Mumbai Indians during the most recent edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). And while there is often discussion around the best batters and bowlers of all time, for Topley, when it comes to the latter, there isn't any. 'For me, I don't think it's a debate,' said Topley, speaking at Lord's Taverners' National Table Cricket Finals Day – a fully inclusive, adapted version of the game aimed at young people living with a wide range of learning and physical disabilities played on a table tennis table. 'It's probably the rare occasion in sport where you get a lot of people agreeing on the greatest ever. And we're seeing with Bumrah there's no real caveat that anyone else has thrown into the ring either. 'He's in a league of his own in the present day. There are the greats of yesteryear that me, and people my age, never really saw play, but watching some of those players, Bumrah, he's right up there with those people, which is incredible. 'T20 is obviously a different form to Tests, but spending time with him at the IPL, he's humble, he's competitive, he's got it all. He's a superstar in every sense of the word.' Brendon McCullum's outfit took a 1-0 series lead in West Yorkshire on Tuesday after chasing down 371 – England's second-highest successful pursuit in Test cricket. Front and centre of England's charge was opener Ben Duckett, whose brilliant and destructive 149 blunted India's bowling attack and broke the back of their target. 🏆 Congratulations to your new Table Cricket champions… @WGSB! Another fantastic day at the @HomeOfCricket - thank you to everyone involved for making this a special day alongside the wider Disability Cricket Day with @ECB_cricket and @MCCOfficial 🙌 — Lord's Taverners (@LordsTaverners) June 25, 2025 By the time the Nottinghamshire man departed - caught in the covers trying to dispatch the ball for what would have been his 22nd boundary - his exploits had well and truly swung proceedings in England's favour, with Jamie Smith later clobbering a six to seal victory. It was a second innings assault that not even Bumrah could stop - the quick failing to take a wicket during his 19 overs - and Topley was full of praise for the way England negated his threat. Like all greats, they do have days where they show they're human after all. 'It's incredible that on the last day, he [Bumrah] didn't take a wicket,' Topley continued. 'And that in itself is such a rare occurrence. 'But that's a testament to how well England played him and how well they performed.' There were plenty of other impressive performances throughout the match too. Ollie Pope's first-innings hundred, Harry Brook's destructive 99, Zak Crawley's 65 during his first-wicket partnership of 188 with Duckett second time around and Josh Tongue's match haul of seven wickets to name but a few. And Topley believes the quality on show in Leeds sets the rest of the series up for more absorbing cricket to come. 'Headingley always seems to throw up these amazing chases, and credit has to go to the pitch there, it's famous for its day-five finishes,' he added. 'And the cricket that was played on it was second to none. 'It was entertaining from ball one on day one, right the way up until the finish. 'Hopefully it sets up for an amazing series and they'll be a lot more incredible cricket to be played.' On his own return to the international set-up, Topley who last played for England in November 2024 and is currently enjoying a fine run of form with Surrey, said: 'It takes two to tango. 'I definitely know I've got the ability, so we'll have to see.'
Glasgow Times
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Former England captain David Gower backs Pope for number three spot
There has been mounting pressure over the Surrey batter's place in Brendon McCullum's side after the emergence of precocious talent Jacob Bethell during England's Tour to New Zealand at the end of 2024. The Warwickshire all-rounder made scores of 50 not out, 96 and 78 against the Black Caps at number three, duly staking his claim for Pope's spot, who was batting at number six and keeping wicket during that series due to Jordan Cox's injury. But the England hierarchy have stuck by their vice-captain, who made 171 against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge in May before following that up with a gutsy 106 in the first innings of England's five-wicket win over India in the first Test at Headingley. Pope has often been criticised for being too feast or famine, but Gower, who scored eight of his 18 Test match centuries while batting at first drop, believes if the 27-year-old can continue the former, then his critics will quickly become starved of things to say. 'He's done exactly the right thing by getting runs,' said Gower, speaking at Lord's Taverners' National Table Cricket Finals Day – a fully inclusive, adapted version of the game aimed at young people living with a wide range of learning and physical disabilities played on a table tennis table. 'Putting runs on the board is always the best answer. If your critics are asking questions about you, it's the best defence. 'Being realistic, his habit over the last few years has been to make a big score and then struggle. 'We all want him to do well and therefore we want him to capitalise on his starts. 'The best way to stop people describing him as 'feast and famine' is to continue the feast, which is easier said than done. 'So, I'd say he's secured his place for the rest of the series [against India] and if he continues to do well, that's him pretty much inked in for an Ashes berth. 'I'm sure Jacob will get his chance in due course; he's an incredibly talented cricketer and his all-round game is obviously a benefit. 'But when the incumbents do the job, you've not just got to be very good, you've got to be unbelievably brilliant to claim someone's place.' The performances of Ben Stokes during his last two Tests since his return from a hamstring injury picked up last winter have been particularly pleasing for many onlookers, including Gower. The England skipper looks back to his best with ball in hand, an aspect of the Durham man's game which has been limited in recent years due to injury. Gower, who captained England to Ashes glory in 1985, stressed the importance of having a fit Stokes available and hopes the 34-year-old doesn't miss the chance of holding the famous little urn aloft as captain during his career. 'Ben is a vital cog,' continued Gower. 'The recurring theme I've heard on TV and radio over the past few days is that Ben Stokes balances the side and England look stronger because of it. 'Regarding his captaincy, so many things have happened to him both on and off the field in the last five years. 'That's formed part of the strength he's gained as captain, which is through empathy, sympathy and understanding life. 'All those things have made him very impressive as captain. 'If England were as clever in the last Ashes series as they were during this game, they'd have won the Ashes before it got to Old Trafford. 'So, there were opportunities, and if you're Ben Stokes in 30 years' time, with your recliner chair and a bottle of scotch, and somebody else is winning the Ashes, you don't want to be thinking 'that could have been me, I could have done that'. 'Trust me, it's a beautiful thing when you have that moment with the Ashes, and you claim them as yours, and he'll want to do that.' The Lord's Taverners impacts the lives of young people facing the challenges of inequality. The charity works across the UK and beyond to provide inclusive and impactful cricket programmes, empowering young people with disabilities and from disadvantaged communities – visit
