Cricket
Anderson flies home to get fit for World Cup
Published: 02 February 2007
James Anderson will return home from Australia in an attempt to ensure that he will be fit for the World Cup. The fast bowler was the pick of England's bowlers during the triangular one-day series before injuring his back in the team's defeat to New Zealand 11 days ago.
England crisis creates World Cup openings
Published: 01 February 2007
There are several England players here who have far more to play for in the two remaining Commonwealth Bank Series group games than a place in the finals against Australia. England's hugely disappointing form means that World Cup places could yet be grabbed by latecomers who show a bit of talent and nous.
New Zealand 318-7 England 260-8 (NZ win by 58 runs): Mission impossible looms for England in finals scramble
Published: 31 January 2007
England are left facing the prospect of performing a feat they have not come close to completing in Australia this winter following their latest failure in the Commonwealth Bank one-day series. The 58-run defeat to New Zealand yesterday leaves Andrew Flintoff's demoralised side needing to beat Australia in Sydney on Friday if they are to retain any realistic hope of reaching the finals.
ECB insist Fletcher will guide England at World Cup
Published: 30 January 2007
Duncan Fletcher, England's under- fire coach, received the backing of David Morgan, the chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Vaughan blames defeatism for batting disasters
Published: 29 January 2007
Michael Vaughan has compared the atmosphere in the England dressing room when the team are batting to a cancer that spreads rapidly through the side.
Kings of collapse soft in the head
Published: 28 January 2007
Bubbly Ebony rises after trials of body and soul
Published: 28 January 2007
They used to say that to captain England you had to have several initials, like JWHT "Johnny won't hit today" Douglas. So Ebony-Jewel Cora-Lee Camellia Rosamond Rainford-Brent should be well on the way to making a name for herself.
Ian Bell: Diary of a tourist
Published: 28 January 2007
England 110 Australia 111-1: Fletcher says sorry as England hit new low
Published: 27 January 2007
The huge Australia Day crowd booed when Ranjan Madugalle, the match referee, informed them that England had won the toss and elected to bat here yesterday. England's woeful batting in the Commonwealth Bank Series had suggested that Andrew Flintoff's decision was likely to deprive the home supporters of the entertainment they were looking for on this the nation's day, yet few would have anticipated the inept and humiliating display put on by an opponent that is bereft of ideas and belief.
England recognise Ponting's invincibility
Published: 26 January 2007
England appear to have finally conceded that they will not beat Australia this winter. The acknowledgement was indicated by England's admission that they were looking to rest James Anderson for today's Commonwealth Bank series match against Ricky Ponting's side here, in the hope that Anderson will be fit and strong for Tuesday's pivotal game against New Zealand in Perth.
Strauss shows stress of shouldering batting burden
Published: 25 January 2007
Andrew Strauss arrived in Australia full of expectation and confidence. With 10 Test centuries and the reputation of being one of the finest opening batsmen in the world, the Ashes offered him the chance to prove that he was one of the best
England fall to new low Down Under
Published: 24 January 2007
It is debatable which of England's pitiful batting displays at this ground was worse: the capitulation against Australia in the second Ashes Test, or yesterday's abject performance
Lewis expands horizons of 'English' bowling
Published: 23 January 2007
Jon Lewis is not the first England player to be pigeonholed as an English-style bowler, and he will not be the last to take offence at the generalisation.
Kiwis make England crumble
Published: 23 January 2007
New Zealand claimed the prize scalp of Andrew Flintoff as England's victory bid at the Adelaide Oval was knocked off course.
Gloves are off as Nixon promises to keep on sledging
Published: 22 January 2007
It is questionable whether the batsmen of Australia and New Zealand are enjoying the presence of Paul Nixon behind them.
New Zealand 218 Australia 224-8: Hussey stars again to finish off New Zealand
Published: 22 January 2007
Michael Hussey was once again the star of the show as Australia defeated New Zealand by two wickets here in the fifth Tri-Series one-day international yesterday.
South Africa 124 & 331 Pakistan 265 & 8-0: Nel and Ntini rally to keep South Africa hopes alive
Published: 22 January 2007
Jacques Kallis and Herschelle Gibbs shared a 78-run fifth-wicket partnership which ended immediately after lunch when Gibbs was caught at slip off the bowling of Mohammad Asif for 40.
Anderson back in the sunlight at last
Published: 21 January 2007
Loye the whirlwind is quick to impress
Published: 21 January 2007
Inzamam and Asif put Pakistan in driving seat
Published: 21 January 2007
A fighting innings from captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and two wickets from pace bowler Mohammad Asif put Pakistan on top after the second day of the Second Test in Port Elizabeth.
The Ashes Inquest: Golfer who is looking for a bit of reverse swing
Published: 21 January 2007
What may have been a daunting task for anyone else appears to be a challenge Ken Schofield is positively relishing already. Schofield, the executive director of golf's European Tour for 30 years until his retirement in 2004, will head the review of English cricket's international performances over the past four years, including the high of winning back the Ashes in 2005 and the recent disastrous defence Down Under.
Letter from Australia: When Laura screamed 'lbw' I actually wondered if they were my children
Published: 21 January 2007
Odd as it may seem, I never expected that sending my children Frank and Laura to school Down Under four months ago would not only provide an insight into Aussie sporting culture but even hint at some of the underlying reasons for the Ashes débâcle.
England 155 Australia 156-6: England rue missed chance
Published: 20 January 2007
England produced their best bowling display of the winter yesterday yet still failed to gain their first victory over Australia.
Torment for England as lucky Hussey sets up victory
Published: 19 January 2007
Michael Hussey controversially scrambled Australia to victory over England at the Gabba.
Only one man to captain England, says Graveney
Published: 19 January 2007
David Graveney, the chairman of selectors, has defended the decision to appoint Andrew Flintoff as England's captain in the absence of the injured Michael Vaughan
