Cricket

England's dominance continued on Day 4 of the second Test against West Indies at Kensington Oval in Barbados. Resuming at 248/3, England extended their lead to 268 runs, putting West Indies in a precarious position.Harry Brook, who remained unbeaten on 71 overnight, played a pivotal role in England's progress. He added 30 runs to his tally, reaching a well-deserved century. Ben Foakes also contributed with a valuable 42, while Stuart Broad chipped in with an unbeaten 24.West Indies' bowlers toiled hard but failed to make significant breakthroughs. Kemar Roach was the pick of the bowlers, claiming two wickets, but England's batsmen remained resolute.With England declaring their second innings at 313/8, West Indies were set a daunting target of 312 runs to win. The hosts' chase got off to a shaky start as they lost two early wickets.Kraigg Brathwaite and Shamarh Brooks steadied the ship with a 50-run partnership, but England's bowlers kept the pressure on. Jack Leach struck twice in quick succession, dismissing Brathwaite and Brooks.At the close of play, West Indies were struggling at 101/4, still needing 211 runs to win. England's bowlers, led by Leach and Broad, looked threatening, and the hosts face an uphill battle to save the match.

Andy Flower, the former Zimbabwean wicketkeeper-batsman and renowned coach, recently shared his insights on the T20 World Cup and the evolution of cricket in an exclusive interview with The Hindu.Flower, who led Zimbabwe to its first-ever Test victory in 1995, holds the record for the highest score by a wicketkeeper in Test cricket, with an unbeaten 232. He also guided England to the T20 World Cup triumph in 2010 and to the No. 1 ranking in Tests a year later.Reflecting on the recent T20 World Cup final, Flower praised India's bowling attack, particularly Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav. He believes Bumrah's exceptional skills in white-ball cricket set him apart from other fast bowlers.Flower also commented on the ongoing debate surrounding Bumrah's status as the greatest seamer in white-ball cricket, comparing him to the legendary Wasim Akram. While acknowledging Akram's brilliance, Flower suggested that if Akram had played T20 cricket, he would have further enhanced his skills and added greater variety to his bowling.Flower's coaching career has been marked by significant achievements. He guided England to the T20 World Cup victory in 2010, instilling an attacking mindset and encouraging innovation in the team. He also played a pivotal role in England's rise to the No. 1 Test ranking, leading them to three Ashes victories.Flower's success as a coach stems from his deep understanding of the game, his attention to detail, and his ability to connect with players. He has worked with some of the most talented cricketers in the world, including Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Steve Waugh.When asked about the best batter and bowler he has encountered, Flower named Wasim Akram as the greatest bowler and Sachin Tendulkar as the most respected batter. He praised Tendulkar's exceptional skills, his ability to handle pressure, and his remarkable longevity in the game.Flower's insights into the world of cricket provide valuable lessons for aspiring players and coaches alike. His emphasis on innovation, adaptability, and a strong work ethic serves as a reminder of the qualities that lead to success in the sport.

England's Test players are set to make a significant impact on the upcoming seasons of the ILT20 and SA20 leagues. After missing the second seasons of both tournaments due to their tour of India, several Test stars are now being targeted by franchises.Joe Root has already been unveiled as a new signing by Paarl Royals in the SA20, and ESPNcricinfo reports that other Test players have also attracted interest. The Telegraph claims that Ben Stokes, who has not played limited-overs cricket since the 2019 World Cup, has been offered a lucrative contract by MI Cape Town.England's managing director, Rob Key, has acknowledged that lucrative offers from franchise leagues have influenced the decision to award multi-year central contracts to players. With Stokes' England contract expiring in September, he could use similar offers as leverage.While England will play T20I and ODI series in India early next year, their winter Test tours to Pakistan and New Zealand will conclude before Christmas. This means that players not involved in those limited-overs squads will be available for the full seasons of the ILT20 or SA20.Root's availability for the SA20 is uncertain, as his England future in white-ball cricket remains unclear. However, he should be available for the majority of the tournament even if selected for the ODI series in India.The ILT20 and SA20 leagues, backed by Indian investors, have transformed the franchise landscape by offering substantial salaries to overseas players during the southern-hemisphere summer. Both leagues will run from mid-January to early February in 2025.Jamie Smith, who made his Test debut recently, has been retained by Gulf Giants in the ILT20 and was also targeted by Pretoria Capitals in the SA20. Like other young players such as Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, and Ollie Pope, Smith has aspirations to break into England's white-ball team but can rely on franchise cricket as a fallback option.Root's experience and versatility will be valuable for Paarl Royals, according to their global director of cricket, Kumar Sangakkara. Sangakkara praised Root's all-around abilities, including his bowling and fielding.

Mark Wood, England's pace sensation, has etched his name in the record books by bowling the fastest over by an England bowler on home soil. During the second Test against West Indies at Trent Bridge, Wood unleashed a barrage of thunderbolts, leaving the opposition batters in awe.In his opening over, Wood's first delivery clocked an astonishing 93.9 mph (151.1 km/h), surpassing his own previous best. He then proceeded to deliver a series of blistering deliveries, including a 96.1 mph (154.65 km/h) yorker that left opener Mikyle Louis bewildered. Wood's relentless assault continued with deliveries at 95.2 mph (152.88 km/h), 92.2 mph (148.06 km/h), and another 96.5 mph (155.30 km/h) yorker. He concluded the over with a rapid 95.2 mph (153.20 km/h) delivery to West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite, achieving an average speed of 94.40 mph across the six balls.Wood's second over was equally impressive, with a sequence of deliveries recorded at 95 mph (152 km/h), 93 mph (149.66 km/h), 95 mph (152 km/h), 96 mph (154.49 km/h), 97.1 mph (156.26 km/h), and 94 mph (151.27 km/h). In his third over, he further increased the pressure with a short delivery to Louis at a blistering 97.1 mph.Wood's exceptional pace has been a consistent feature throughout his career. In 2022, he delivered the quickest ball in Test history, clocking an impressive 156.6 kmph during the Multan Test against Pakistan. He also showcased his blistering speed during the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, where he bowled the tournament's fastest delivery at 154.74 km/h against New Zealand. Wood's name appeared six times in the list of the top 10 fastest deliveries of the World Cup, with each of those balls surpassing 153 km/h.Wood's remarkable pace has not only earned him records but has also played a crucial role in England's recent successes. In the 2019 ODI World Cup final at Lord's, he bowled the tournament's quickest delivery, reaching 154 km/h against New Zealand's Henry Nicholls. His ability to generate such high speeds consistently makes him one of the most feared bowlers in world cricket.

England's dominance continued on Day 2 of the second Test against West Indies at Trent Bridge, as they bowled out the visitors for 416, setting up a commanding position in the match.Resuming on 349/6, England added 67 runs to their overnight total, with Ollie Pope completing a magnificent century (121). Ben Duckett (56) and captain Ben Stokes (54) also contributed valuable runs.West Indies' bowlers struggled to contain England's aggressive batting, with Gus Atkinson and Mark Wood proving particularly effective. Atkinson claimed 4/111, while Wood took 3/72.In response, West Indies made a shaky start, losing opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul for a duck. However, Kraigg Brathwaite (55) and Shamarh Brooks (50) steadied the innings with a 100-run partnership.But England's bowlers struck back, with James Anderson dismissing Brathwaite and Wood removing Brooks. Jermaine Blackwood (45) and Jason Holder (43) offered some resistance, but West Indies were eventually bowled out for 287.Anderson, playing his final Test match, finished with figures of 2/43, while Wood claimed 3/59.England now hold a 129-run lead heading into Day 3, with West Indies facing an uphill battle to save the match.

England cricket legend Stuart Broad unveiled the "Pavilion End" named after him at Trent Bridge cricket stadium ahead of the second Test match between England and West Indies on July 18. The 38-year-old represented England from 2006-2023, playing his last international game, an Ashes Test match against Australia, in July last year.Broad's parents were also present at the stadium during the unveiling ceremony. In 344 international matches, he took 847 wickets at an average of 27.83, with the best figures of 8/15. Broad is the seventh-highest wicket taker in international cricket history and England's second-highest wicket-taker behind James Anderson (991 wickets), who also announced his retirement after a win in the first Test at Lord's.He also scored 4,309 runs at an average of 16.44, with a century and 13 fifties. He was particularly dominant in Tests, taking 604 wickets at an average of 27.68, with the best figures of 8/15. He is currently the fifth-highest wicket-taker in Tests and England's second-highest wicket-taker behind Anderson (704 wickets), with whom he formed a dominant pace duo over the years.Notably, Broad was also a handy batter, scoring 3,662 runs at an average of 18.03, with all of his international centuries and fifties coming in the Test format. His best score was 169.Currently, England are leading the three-match Test series after beating the West Indies by an innings and 114 runs in the first match. England made only one change in its playing eleven for the second Test, with Mark Wood coming in for pace legend James Anderson, who retired from international cricket after a win in the first Test at Lord's.

England's batting lineup unleashed a blistering assault on the West Indies in the second Test at Trent Bridge, setting a new record for the fastest team to reach 50 runs in Test cricket history.Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope led the charge, smashing the West Indian bowlers to all corners of the ground. Duckett reached his half-century in just 23 balls, while Pope followed suit with a 24-ball fifty. England reached the 50-run mark in a mere 4.2 overs, eclipsing their previous record of 4.3 overs set against South Africa in 1994.The West Indies, who had opted to field first, were left reeling as England's batsmen dominated the opening session. Captain Kraigg Brathwaite's decision to bowl first backfired spectacularly as the English openers took full advantage of the favorable batting conditions.England's relentless onslaught continued as Joe Root and Harry Brook joined the party. Root scored a quickfire 45, while Brook contributed a brisk 34. The hosts reached lunch at 152/2, with the West Indies bowlers struggling to contain the English batsmen.After the break, England continued to pile on the runs. Stokes and Jamie Smith added a quick 50-run partnership before Stokes was dismissed for 36. Smith remained unbeaten on 31 as England declared their innings at 258/4, setting the West Indies a challenging target of 373 to win.The West Indies' response was far less impressive. They lost three wickets in the first session, including the key wicket of Brathwaite for just 1. At the close of play, the West Indies were struggling at 54/3, still needing 319 runs to avoid defeat.England's dominance in the second Test has put them in a commanding position in the three-match series. They will be confident of securing a series victory in the third and final Test at Old Trafford, which begins on June 29.

England's women's cricket team faces a "tricky" period before the T20 World Cup in October, according to head coach Jon Lewis. Despite an undefeated home summer, Lewis acknowledges the challenges of maintaining momentum during an extended break.England's 13 wins in 14 matches against Pakistan and New Zealand showcased their dominance, but Lewis emphasizes the need for consistency and adaptability. The team's world-class spin attack, led by Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean, and Sarah Glenn, has been instrumental in their success.However, Lewis highlights the importance of fielding improvements, particularly from Sarah Glenn, and the growing experience of Lauren Bell, Lauren Filer, and Freya Kemp. The team's ability to bat "360 degrees" and access all areas of the ground has also been a key factor.Lewis acknowledges the sense of calm and confidence within the group, but he also recognizes the potential for distractions during the Hundred tournament. He believes that the Hundred can provide valuable experience, but it's crucial for players to navigate it effectively.The conditions in Bangladesh, where the T20 World Cup will be held, pose a significant challenge. Lewis emphasizes the need to understand and adapt to those conditions, as the team that plays them best will likely emerge victorious.To prepare for the unknown, Lewis has intentionally introduced distractions during New Zealand's visit, creating anxiety and pressure to help players develop coping mechanisms. He believes that by raising the level of anxiety, players can learn to bring themselves back to a calm place and communicate effectively.

England's women's cricket team capped off an undefeated home summer with a 20-run victory over New Zealand in the final T20I at Lord's. Captain Heather Knight led the charge with an unbeaten 46 off 31 balls, guiding England to a competitive total of 155 for 7.New Zealand's bowlers, led by Fran Jonas' career-best figures of 4 for 22, had initially put England in a precarious position at 87 for 6. However, Knight's timely knock, supported by Charlie Dean's 24 off 19 balls, steadied the hosts.In response, New Zealand's batting woes continued as England's bowlers made regular breakthroughs. Lauren Bell claimed three wickets, while Freya Kemp and Dean took two each. Amelia Kerr's 43 off 36 balls proved insufficient as the White Ferns fell short of the target.England's 5-0 sweep of the T20I series extended their unbeaten streak against New Zealand and Pakistan to 13 completed matches. The victory marked a fitting end to a successful summer for the hosts, who had also won the ODI series against Pakistan.