Cricket

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has highlighted the importance of Adam Zampa's leg-spin to Australia's success, emphasizing that when Zampa is neutralized, the team struggles to win. This was evident in England's three-wicket victory in the second T20I at Cardiff, where Zampa's figures of 0-37 from four overs proved ineffective.Ponting pointed out that Zampa's performance in victories stands in stark contrast to his performance in defeats. In wins, he boasts an impressive average of 15.20 and an economy rate of 6.38, while in defeats, his average jumps to 40.07 and his economy rate to 8.49.England's strategy in the second T20I was clear: target Zampa's weaknesses. They identified that he is more vulnerable to left-handed batters, and Liam Livingstone and Phil Salt adopted a cautious approach against him, rotating the strike rather than attacking him aggressively.However, it was Jacob Bethell's audacious performance that truly turned the tide. The 20-year-old hit Zampa for 26 runs off just 11 balls, including a remarkable 100m six over long-on. Bethell's aggressive approach and willingness to use his feet forced Zampa to vary his lengths, creating scoring opportunities.Ponting also criticized Australian batters Jake Fraser-McGurk and Marcus Stoinis for their ineffective approach against England's spinners, particularly Livingstone. Their tendency to step away from their bodies and mishit shots towards long-on left them vulnerable.In conclusion, Zampa's struggles in the second T20I highlighted his importance to Australia's success. England's strategy of targeting his weaknesses proved effective, and Bethell's aggressive approach further exposed his vulnerabilities. Australia will need to find a way to protect Zampa and neutralize England's spinners if they want to regain the lead in the series.

England's Liam Livingstone played a pivotal role in his team's thrilling three-wicket victory over Australia in the second T20I at Sophia Gardens on Friday. His blistering 87 off 47 balls propelled England to a challenging target of 194 runs, leveling the three-match series at 1-1.Livingstone's second T20 half-century in his 50th match for England proved crucial. He formed a match-winning partnership of 90 runs with Jacob Bethell (44 off 24 balls) after England faced early setbacks.England captain Phil Salt's aggressive start, hitting three successive sixes in the third over, was cut short by Sean Abbott's dismissal of Will Jacks and Jordan Cox. Salt's departure for 39 off 23 balls left England in a precarious position at 79/3 in the ninth over.However, Livingstone and Bethell steadied the innings, with Livingstone showcasing his power-hitting prowess with six fours and five sixes. Despite Livingstone's dismissal in the 19th over by Matt Short, who took five wickets, England reached the target with six balls to spare.Reflecting on his performance, Livingstone expressed his satisfaction, stating, "I feel like I'm in decent nick with the bat and ball. It's nice to play with a smile on my face." He also praised Bethell, calling him an "incredible talent" and a "fearless kid" who performed well under pressure.Australia, led by Travis Head in place of the unwell Mitchell Marsh, posted a competitive 193/6. Head, leading for the first time, scored 31 off 14 balls before being dismissed by Brydon Carse. Jake Fraser-McGurk scored his first international T20 half-century with 50 off 31 balls before being caught by Jamie Overton off Livingstone's bowling.Commenting on the game, Head said, "We got a really good score and we got really close. Jake Fraser-McGurk played nicely. We didn't get the win, but we move on to Manchester."The victory came after England's 28-run defeat in the first match at Southampton. The series will conclude with the final game in Manchester on Sunday.

Ireland's thrilling final-ball victory in the third ODI against England has ignited a surge of optimism within the team as they prepare for the T20 leg of the tour in Dublin. Gaby Lewis, Ireland's stand-in captain, believes the momentum from their triumph will propel them to success in the shorter format.Lewis's match-winning 72 from 56 balls in the third ODI was instrumental in Ireland's narrow three-wicket victory. Despite a spirited fightback from England, led by Lauren Filer and Mady Villiers, Ireland's lower-order held their nerve to secure the win.The result may not have altered the series outcome, which England claimed 2-1, but it has instilled a sense of belief in the Irish team. After the disappointment of failing to qualify for the T20 World Cup, the victory has provided a much-needed boost."It's huge," said Lewis. "It puts the defeat in the last game to the back of our minds. We're looking forward to bringing that positivity into these two games this weekend."The fact that Ireland prevailed in a shortened 22-over contest has further bolstered their confidence in the T20 format. "It gives us that confidence in the T20 format," said Lewis. "We're looking forward to a 2-0 series win this weekend!"England captain Kate Cross acknowledged Ireland's superiority in the third ODI but praised her team's resilience. "Ireland were the better team in that third ODI," said Cross. "But what our girls did really well was they fought to stay in the game."Cross also highlighted the learning opportunities presented by the setback, particularly for the six new caps who featured in the series. "We got a little bit of a sniff at the end of that game," said Cross. "But incidents like what happened with Hollie [Armitage's misfield] are just part of the game."England's T20I squad will feature several new faces, including Seren Smale and Charis Pavely. Katie George has also been called up as cover for Mahika Gaur, who is recovering from a side strain."Mahika is coming back from an injury," said Cross. "Katie's been added to the squad to just give us a little bit more depth in the seam attack."With the T20 World Cup on the horizon, both Ireland and England will be eager to make a statement in the upcoming matches. Ireland will be looking to continue their winning ways, while England will be determined to prove their mettle in the shorter format.

Joe Root, the cornerstone of England's batting lineup, has been experiencing a remarkable run of form in Test cricket. As part of the illustrious "Fab Four" alongside Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, and Steve Smith, Root has amassed more Test runs than any of his contemporaries. Recently, he surpassed Alastair Cook's record of 33 Test centuries, becoming England's most prolific century-maker.However, in the third and final Test against Sri Lanka, Root's performance faltered, with scores of 12 and 13 in both innings. England's subsequent eight-wicket loss has raised concerns about the team's over-reliance on Root.Former England captain Michael Vaughan expressed his disappointment with England's batting performance in the third Test, highlighting Root's pivotal role. "This week really hit home to me how important Joe Root is to this batting lineup," Vaughan wrote in his column for Telegraph. "His batting is the key. All these flamboyant players around him get flamboyant fifties. But without the glue at No 4 getting the huge amount of runs he does, they are knackered."Vaughan emphasized that Root cannot be expected to rescue the team every time, especially against formidable bowlers like India's Jasprit Bumrah and Australia's Pat Cummins. He also pointed out Root's inability to score a century in Australia despite his prolific record elsewhere."He can't do it every week, and he didn't do it this week," Vaughan added. "Jasprit Bumrah enjoys bowling at Root, and could severely limit his output next summer. The same goes for Pat Cummins in Australia, where Root has never scored a hundred. England have to have ways of succeeding when Root doesn't make big runs. On the basis of this game, they don't."Root has played 14 Tests in Australia, but a century has eluded him so far. However, he has scored 9 half-centuries down under, amassing 892 runs at an average of 35.68.

Michael Vaughan's son, Archie, has made a remarkable debut in the County Championship Division One for Somerset, claiming an impressive six-wicket haul against Surrey. The 18-year-old's victims included England Test players Rory Burns and Ben Foakes, showcasing his exceptional talent and potential.Archie's performance was lauded by cricket enthusiasts on social media, with the England Barmy Army tweeting, "Just the SIX wickets for 18-year-old Archie Vaughan. Outstanding!" Somerset Cricket also praised the young bowler, highlighting his 37 overs, seven maidens, and 102 runs conceded.Archie's six-wicket haul is a testament to his skill and determination. He is considered one of the top young prospects in England and was recently named in the U-19 squad for an upcoming series. His performance against Surrey further solidifies his status as a rising star in the cricketing world.Meanwhile, former England captain Michael Vaughan has expressed his disappointment with the England Test team's performance in the third Test against Sri Lanka. Vaughan criticized the team's approach, stating that they "disrespected Test cricket and Sri Lanka" by being overly aggressive.Vaughan believes that England's complacency after winning the first two Tests led to their downfall. He emphasized that the team's style of play, known as "Bazball," was not effective against a determined Sri Lankan side.Vaughan warned that England's current approach will not be successful against stronger opponents like Australia and India. He urged the team to learn from their mistakes and adopt a more balanced and disciplined approach in future matches.

Liam Livingstone, the dynamic English all-rounder, is determined to use his promotion in the T20I team as a springboard to reclaim his spot in the ODI setup. Despite being a key figure in England's T20 World Cup campaigns, Livingstone was surprisingly omitted from the ODI squad for the upcoming series against Australia.In the recent T20I against Australia, Livingstone showcased his versatility by top-scoring with 37 from No. 4 and claiming 3 for 22 with his legbreaks. He believes that his ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game makes him a valuable asset in both formats.Livingstone acknowledges that his recent struggles with injuries have hindered his progress. However, he is now fully fit and eager to prove his worth. He has been given the opportunity to bat at No. 4 in the T20I series, a role he prefers to the finisher position he has often occupied."I want that responsibility," Livingstone said. "I want to try to win games of cricket for England, and the higher up the order, the more chance you have of doing that."Despite being the second-oldest player in the T20I squad, Livingstone embraces the role of mentor to the younger players. He believes that the fresh environment and new coaching staff have brought a sense of renewal to the team."Things are going to change," Livingstone said. "That naturally happens when you bring in new players, but especially when you bring in new coaches as well. Things have felt different: it's like a new beginning."Livingstone's determination to regain his place in the ODI team is evident. He recognizes that his chances may be limited in the upcoming series due to the absence of Test players, but he is confident that his performances in the T20Is will put him in contention for the Champions Trophy in February."I'm not going to sit here and cry about not being picked," Livingstone said. "There's plenty of cricket to be played around the world, and if I'm not involved in the ODI stuff then there's plenty more opportunities."

Ireland's women's cricket team celebrated a historic victory over England in the third and final ODI of their series in Belfast, securing their first win against their rivals since 2001. Despite a late collapse, Ireland held their nerve to chase down England's total of 153 with just three wickets to spare.The match was reduced to 22 overs per side due to rain delays, and Ireland's bowlers made the most of the conditions. Aimee Maguire, who turned 18 just two days before the match, claimed a career-best 5 for 19, including the wickets of England's top scorer Tammy Beaumont (52) and Freya Kemp (3).England's innings was characterized by a lack of support for Beaumont, with only Ryana Macdonald-Gay (17) reaching double figures. Ireland's fielding was also impressive, with Jane Maguire taking a brilliant catch at cover to dismiss Emma Lamb.In reply, Ireland's chase got off to a flying start thanks to Gaby Lewis, who scored 72 from 56 balls. However, a collapse of five wickets for 13 runs, including three in three balls from Mady Villiers, threatened to derail their victory hopes.But Alana Dalzell held her nerve in the final over, striking a last-ball four to seal the win. The victory was aided by a misfield from Hollie Armitage, who ran past her attempted gather while looking into the sun.Ireland's victory was a testament to their resilience and determination. Aimee Maguire's superb bowling performance and Lewis's aggressive batting set the foundation for their success. The win will give Ireland confidence as they prepare for the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup.

England and Australia are set to face off in the first of three T20Is at the Utilita Bowl near Southampton, with both teams making notable changes to their lineups.England, led by debutant captain Phil Salt, have opted to field a young and inexperienced side. Salt, who will also keep wicket, is joined by fellow debutants Jacob Bethell and Jordan Cox. Jamie Overton, who is playing as a specialist batter, also earns his maiden T20I cap.Australia, on the other hand, have recalled Matthew Short from paternity leave to open the batting alongside Travis Head. Short was not initially expected to join the squad until the ODI leg of the tour, but the early arrival of his first child allowed him to travel over ahead of schedule.Josh Hazlewood also returns to the Australian side, replacing Cooper Connolly. Xavier Bartlett will share the new ball with Hazlewood, taking the place of Aaron Hardie.England won the toss and chose to bowl first, with Salt citing the pitch conditions and the fact that chasing teams generally enjoy more success at the Utilita Bowl.The match marks a significant milestone for Hampshire Cricket, as the club has installed 1,044 newly-installed solar panels at the venue. The initiative is part of Hampshire's commitment to being "the greenest international cricket venue."

England's Joe Root, widely regarded as the heir apparent to Sachin Tendulkar's Test run-scoring throne, has downplayed his team's recent loss to Sri Lanka with a witty analogy.After England's eight-wicket defeat in the final Test of the three-match series, Root, who was named England's Player of the Series and the 'Player of the Summer,' drew a comparison to the popular rock band Coldplay."We are not always going to get it right all of the time," Root said. "For 90% of the summer, we have. We have shown what a good team we can be. I don't think we played our best cricket this week, and that is going to happen from time to time. Coldplay can't be number one every week."Despite the loss, Root finished the series with 375 runs, adding to his 291 runs against the West Indies earlier in the summer. At 33, Root is arguably playing the best cricket of his red-ball career.Root praised the England Test team's performance throughout the summer. "We are constantly learning and evolving as a group, and it is nice to contribute to that," he said. "It is important we are authentic to what we are as a team and what brings out the best in our individual players."With 10,354 Test runs to his name, Root is the only active cricketer with more than 10,000 Test runs. He is also the closest active player to Tendulkar's record of 15,921 Test runs.If Root continues to perform at his current level, he could potentially challenge Tendulkar's record in the coming years. However, Root remains humble about his chances of surpassing the Indian legend."It's a long way away," Root said. "I'm just trying to focus on the next game and the next series. I'm not looking too far ahead."