Cricket

Jos Buttler's recovery from a calf injury has suffered a setback, ruling him out of Lancashire's T20 Blast quarter-final and casting doubt on his availability for England's upcoming T20I series against Australia.The England captain has not played any cricket since the T20 World Cup semi-final defeat to India in June. He sustained a calf injury in July while preparing for the Hundred, which forced him to miss the tournament.Buttler had been targeting Wednesday's quarter-final at Hove for his comeback after weeks of rehabilitation. However, he has now been ruled out of contention, as confirmed by Lancashire coach Dale Benkenstein."We've had some bad news on his recovery," Benkenstein said. "He had an injury he was recovering from, and he's sort of tweaked it again. He's not only just out of our T20s, but I think he's even struggling to make the international ones. He was very keen to play for us."England are not overly concerned about Buttler's fitness ahead of their first T20I on September 11 and remain hopeful that he will be available to captain the side throughout Australia's eight-match white-ball tour.England's new-look squad are due to report to the Utilita Bowl on Sunday ahead of two training days, when their medical staff will get a clearer picture as to whether Buttler will be available.England's white-ball teams do not have an official vice-captain, with Sam Curran and Phil Salt the main contenders to deputise in the event that Buttler is unavailable. He is not expected to keep wicket during the T20I series, which increases the chance that he will be able to feature despite suffering a setback.Lancashire will have their other England players available on Wednesday night at Hove, with Salt, Liam Livingstone, and Saqib Mahmood all set to be involved. Jofra Archer is expected to feature for Sussex, whose T20 side is captained by Tymal Mills.Hove has not hosted a T20 quarter-final in front of a crowd since 2019, and tickets have been sold out for the past two weeks.

Ravi Bopara, a seasoned English cricketer, has been ruled out of the T20 Blast's knockout stages due to a finger injury sustained while playing in the Cayman Islands. Bopara, known for his prolific run-scoring and all-round abilities, is a significant loss for Northamptonshire, who have reached the quarter-finals for only the second time since their 2016 title triumph.Bopara, who joined Northamptonshire on a T20-only contract earlier this year, made a significant impact in the group stages. He was the team's second-highest run-scorer and third-highest wicket-taker, helping them finish second in the North Group and secure a home quarter-final. However, his participation in the knockout stages has been cut short by the unfortunate injury.According to a club statement, Bopara "ruptured the tendon in a finger on his right hand while attempting a caught-and-bowled" during a match for Miami Lions in the Max60 tournament in the Cayman Islands. He underwent surgery but will require three weeks of recovery time, ruling him out of the crucial quarter-final against Somerset on September 5.Northamptonshire has also been dealt another blow with the news that 19-year-old seamer Raphy Weatherall has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to a lower-back stress fracture. Weatherall had taken 11 wickets in the group stages, showcasing his potential as a promising young fast bowler.Furthermore, Northamptonshire will be without Sikandar Raza for the quarter-finals and are awaiting confirmation from Cricket South Africa regarding the availability of Matthew Breetzke. However, they have received a boost with the return of Australian allrounder Ashton Agar, who has been cleared to play.Bopara's absence is a major setback for Northamptonshire, who will be looking to make a deep run in the T20 Blast. His experience and leadership will be sorely missed, and the team will need to find a way to compensate for his contributions.

Jos Buttler, England's white-ball captain, is targeting a return to action in Lancashire's T20 Blast quarter-final against Sussex on September 4. Buttler has been sidelined since the T20 World Cup due to a calf injury but has been working diligently to regain fitness.Buttler's return is a major boost for Lancashire, who are battling to avoid relegation in the County Championship and have struggled in the Metro Bank Cup. The T20 Blast represents their best chance of salvaging their season and reaching Finals Day.Lancashire coach Dale Benkenstein is optimistic about Buttler's availability, stating that he has been "doing a lot of rehab" and is "very keen to play." A fitness test on the day of the match will determine his participation.Buttler's return will also be a welcome sight for England, who face Australia in a T20I and ODI series in September. Buttler has been backed to continue as England's white-ball captain despite the departure of head coach Matthew Mott. He will work alongside interim coach Marcus Trescothick during the series.Lancashire will also be bolstered by the return of Saqib Mahmood and Phil Salt, who were rested for the Championship defeat to Surrey. Liam Livingstone and George Dockrell are also expected to be available.Mahmood's workload is being carefully managed after two injury-plagued summers, while Salt has been nursing a back injury. Benkenstein believes that having a full-strength team for the knockout stages gives Lancashire a "best chance" of reaching Finals Day.However, Buttler and other England players named in the T20 squad will not be available for Finals Day on September 14, which clashes with the second and third T20Is against Australia.

Despite concerns raised by players about the demanding schedule, the volume of men's county cricket in England will remain largely unchanged in 2025. A survey conducted by the Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) revealed that over 80% of players expressed concerns about their physical well-being due to the packed schedule.However, the only modifications for the upcoming season will be minor adjustments. Each county will continue to play a minimum of 14 County Championship matches, eight Metro Bank Cup matches, and 14 Vitality T20 Blast matches.The PCA continues to advocate for gradual changes, such as spreading out T20 fixtures throughout the week to reduce tight turnarounds and implementing uniform three-day gaps between Championship matches."There's definitely room for improvement in 2025 compared to 2024," said Daryl Mitchell, the PCA's interim chief executive. "The schedule can definitely be managed better."The main point of contention for the 2025 schedule revolves around the T20 Blast and the timing of the knockout stages. In 2023, the knockout stages were held immediately after the group stages in July, allowing counties to retain their overseas players. This year, they will be held in September, giving clubs more time to sell tickets for home quarter-finals.Kent's T20 captain Sam Billings criticized this year's Blast schedule as "ridiculous," arguing that holding the final two months after the group stages "just does not make sense." However, it is understood that T20 Finals Day is likely to remain in September next year, potentially overlapping with England's white-ball series against South Africa."Everyone's in agreement that the schedule isn't perfect, is it?" Mitchell said. "The ECB and the counties - particularly the directors of cricket that I've spoken to - are on board with what we've said. I don't think players in general would actually want a significant reduction in cricket, maybe just a few days here and there… we're looking for small, incremental change."The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) recently announced the international fixtures for the 2025 summer, including incoming men's tours from Zimbabwe, India, West Indies, and South Africa, as well as women's tours from West Indies and India. The Hundred will be played in August, starting immediately after the fifth Test against India and running until the end of the month.

Surrey's Sam Curran produced a scintillating performance, smashing his maiden T20 century to guide his team to a thrilling five-wicket victory over Hampshire at The Kia Oval. The triumph secured Surrey a home quarter-final and the top spot in the South Group.Curran, the England all-rounder, unleashed a barrage of six sixes and seven fours in his unbeaten 58-ball 102. He reached his century with the winning hit, as Surrey chased down Hampshire's target of 184 with five balls to spare.Curran, who was dropped on 11 and caught off a no-ball on 44, shared crucial partnerships with Dominic Sibley (27) and Jamie Overton (21). John Turner emerged as the pick of Hampshire's bowlers, claiming 2 for 30.Hampshire's innings was anchored by Toby Albert's career-best 66, his first half-century in the format. Jordan Clark's economical 3 for 24 kept the target within reach, while Matt Dunn, playing his first T20 match in three years, chipped in with two wickets.Despite missing their leading scorers Ollie Pope and Jamie Smith due to Test duty, Surrey's batters stepped up to the challenge. Will Jacks started aggressively with a six off the first ball, but Brad Wheal dismissed him and Laurie Evans in quick succession.Eddie Jack removed Rory Burns with a stunning catch by Tom Prest, leaving Surrey reeling at 27 for 3. However, Curran's reprieve on 11 proved pivotal. He celebrated by hitting Dawson for a six and then punished Howell with two consecutive maximums.Despite losing Sibley, Curran reached his half-century in 34 balls and surpassed his previous career-best in the format with a fourth six. Overton joined the party with two sixes off Jack, and although he departed before the end, Curran sealed the victory with a six into the Bedser Stand.

Visa complications have dashed the hopes of South African fast bowler Ottneil Baartman joining Hampshire for the remainder of the T20 Blast. Baartman, who played a pivotal role in South Africa's run to the T20 World Cup final, was set to bolster Hampshire's bowling attack in their final six group matches.However, his arrival was hindered by unspecified visa issues, forcing the club to cancel his deal on Friday. Hampshire's quarter-final aspirations have taken a significant blow, as they currently sit seventh in the nine-team South Group with only four matches remaining.Baartman was initially signed as a replacement for Naveen-ul-Haq, who withdrew from his Hampshire contract due to personal reasons and is now representing Texas Super Kings in Major League Cricket.Hampshire's campaign has been plagued by inconsistency, with two wins, three no-results, and five defeats. Their hopes of reaching the knockout stages now hinge on winning all four of their remaining fixtures."We'll have to do some calculations to determine if we can still qualify," said Hampshire coach Adi Birrell after their recent loss to Sussex. "Two wins out of ten doesn't give us much of a chance, but we'll have to assess the situation."Birrell acknowledged that Hampshire's performances have been subpar throughout the tournament. "We haven't played well enough to progress," he said. "We've been off in all departments, and we haven't put in a complete performance yet."With their quarter-final hopes fading, Hampshire will now focus on finishing the season on a positive note and building towards next year's campaign.

Glamorgan have bolstered their T20 Blast squad with the acquisition of Scotland's pace spearhead, Chris Sole. The 30-year-old joins the Welsh county for the remainder of the group stages, bringing with him a wealth of international experience and raw pace.Sole's inclusion is a significant boost for Glamorgan, who have struggled to find consistency in the Blast this season. The Welsh county currently sits seventh in the South Group, with only the top four teams progressing to the quarter-finals.Sole's arrival is expected to provide a much-needed injection of pace to Glamorgan's bowling attack. The right-armer has been clocked at speeds above 90mph/145kph during his international career and has a proven track record of taking wickets.Glamorgan head coach Grant Bradburn, who previously worked with Sole during his time in charge of Scotland, is confident that the fast bowler will make a significant contribution to the team."To be able to add Chris Sole's high-quality skills, experience, and character into our squad brings an exciting vibe to our team," Bradburn said. "Having worked with Chris previously in Scotland, we know the high value he will bring and I'm sure he will thrive in our environment."Glamorgan's director of cricket, Mark Wallace, echoed Bradburn's sentiments, highlighting Sole's impressive performances for Scotland."We have been tracking Chris for a while, and now that his World Cup campaign is over with Scotland, it's great to be able to bring him in to add some pace to our attack and bolster our seam bowling resources in the Vitality Blast," Wallace said.Sole, who took two wickets at the T20 World Cup, is eager to make an immediate impact for Glamorgan."I'm very excited to be included in Glamorgan's Vitality Blast campaign and can't wait to join the squad at the Oval tonight," Sole said. "Hopefully, I can contribute to some on-field success in the coming weeks."Glamorgan will hope that Sole's inclusion can help them secure a place in the quarter-finals of the Blast. The Welsh county faces a tough challenge in their remaining group matches, but they will be confident that Sole can provide the X-factor that they need to succeed.

Marnus Labuschagne's One-Handed Catch Stuns Cricket WorldMarnus Labuschagne, the Australian batting sensation, has once again showcased his exceptional fielding skills with an extraordinary one-handed catch in England's T20 Blast competition. Representing Glamorgan, Labuschagne's acrobatic effort to dismiss Gloucestershire's Ben Charlesworth has become an instant highlight in the cricketing world.As Gloucestershire chased a challenging target of 192, Charlesworth attempted to take on England spinner Mason Crane's delivery in the 10th over. The shot fell short, and Labuschagne, initially positioned far from the ball's landing spot, displayed remarkable athleticism to dive and catch it with his right hand.The catch was not only spectacular but also crucial, as it came at a critical juncture in the match. Gloucestershire needed 96 runs from 66 balls at that stage, and Labuschagne's dismissal of Charlesworth put a significant dent in their chase.Labuschagne's teammates erupted in excitement, mobbing him in celebration. The commentator exclaimed, "Oh! That is unbelievable. That is one of the greatest catches you will ever see." The co-commentator added, "Oh my goodness. That is incredible. What a catch that is, one-handed, full stretch. Brilliant catch."Despite Glamorgan's eventual defeat in a last-ball thriller, Labuschagne's catch stood out as a moment of brilliance. It showcased his exceptional reflexes, agility, and commitment to fielding. The catch has gone viral on social media, with cricket fans around the world praising Labuschagne's athleticism and skill.Labuschagne's one-handed catch is a testament to his all-round abilities as a cricketer. Not only is he a prolific batsman, but he is also a highly capable fielder. His fielding skills have been a key factor in Australia's recent success in Test cricket, and his latest catch in the T20 Blast has further enhanced his reputation as one of the most complete cricketers in the world.

Yorkshire Vikings emerged victorious in a thrilling Roses clash at Headingley, defending a competitive total of 173 for 8 to defeat Lancashire Lightning by seven runs. The match witnessed a pulsating battle on a pitch favoring pace off, with the pendulum swinging both ways before ultimately settling in Yorkshire's favor.Yorkshire's innings was anchored by Shan Masood's 61 off 41 deliveries and Joe Root's 43 off 33. The duo shared a crucial 104-run partnership for the fourth wicket, guiding their team to a solid total. Lancashire's bowlers, led by Chris Green's two for 21, kept the Vikings in check during the middle overs, but Masood and Root's contributions proved decisive.In response, Lancashire's chase got off to a promising start with Keaton Jennings scoring 46 off 33 balls. However, Yorkshire's bowlers, particularly off-spinner Dom Bess, applied pressure, triggering a mini-collapse that saw Lancashire lose three wickets for 21 runs. Bess's dismissal of Jennings proved to be a turning point, as the Lightning's momentum was halted.Despite valiant efforts from Matty Hurst and Steven Croft, Lancashire's hopes dwindled as Root's off-spin accounted for Balderson. Jordan Thompson's late strikes sealed the victory for Yorkshire, who successfully defended 20 runs off the final over.The win marked Yorkshire's fourth in seven matches, while Lancashire, the North Group leaders, suffered their third defeat in eight. The Roses clash lived up to its billing, providing an entertaining spectacle for the fans in attendance.