Author: WebDesk

Former England skipper Nasser Hussain has heaped high praise on Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, admitting he would have struggled immensely against him during his own playing days. Speaking on Sky Sports Cricket, Hussain confessed, “I would have had an absolute nightmare. Anyone that created that angle like he does would get me out for fun. He would get me out 10 times out of 10 in a five-match series. He is just brilliant, and I wasn’t.” It was the Jasprit Bumrah show once again with the ball as he showcased his brilliance at Headingley, where he returned figures of…

England fast bowler Jofra Archer is all set to make his return to red-ball cricket, with a potential spot in the squad for the second Test against India on the cards. Archer is set to feature for Sussex in their County Championship fixture against Durham, beginning on 22 June. Sussex confirmed Archer’s inclusion in the squad after receiving clearance from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). “We’re pleased to confirm that Jofra Archer has been given the green light by the ECB to join the squad for our match against Durham,” read a statement from the club. Archer returns…

England pacer Mark Wood has signalled positive signs in his recovery as he targets a potential return for the fifth and final Test against India, scheduled to begin on 31 July at The Oval in London. The quickest England speedster had initially been expected to miss the entire series following knee surgery in March – the latest in a series of injury setbacks that have plagued his career. However, Wood has now resumed light bowling in the nets and remains hopeful of making a comeback before the series concludes. “Rehab is going well,” Wood told BBC’s Test Match Special. “I’ve…

Young Australian batter Sam Konstas is aiming for a more measured approach on his return to the national Test side for the upcoming series opener against the West Indies in Bridgetown, starting Wednesday. Konstas, who made headlines during his dramatic debut against India in last year’s Boxing Day Test with an aggressive fifty, replaces Marnus Labuschagne at the top of the order. Known for his audacious strokeplay, the top-order batter is now focused on refining his game. “I still find it hard to believe,” Konstas told Australian media, reflecting on his debut performance. “I’m not sure what I was thinking…

After a smooth, uninterrupted opening day of the five-match Test series between India and England, weather could play spoilsport at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday, 21 June. Day 1 saw hot and dry conditions, allowing India’s new-look batting line-up to thrive in sunshine and on a flat, batter-friendly surface. However, Day 2 is expected to bring a drastic shift, with rain and overcast skies in the forecast. According to local weather reports, Headingley could receive up to 7.6 mm of rainfall through the morning and afternoon. While play is expected to begin on time, persistent showers and heavy cloud cover throughout…

Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped from the Australian Test squad for the first time, missing out on the series opener against the West Indies in Barbados. Vice-captain Steve Smith will also sit out the opening Test due to a finger injury, prompting the recall of young opener Sam Konstas and reserve wicketkeeper Josh Inglis. Labuschagne’s omission comes on the back of a prolonged dip in form, with the batter averaging below 30 across the previous ICC World Test Championship cycle. Australia’s loss in last week’s WTC final appears to have pushed selectors to act, with Konstas set to partner Usman…

South Africa Test captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of the upcoming two-match Test series against Zimbabwe due to a left hamstring strain, as confirmed by Cricket South Africa (CSA) in a media release on Friday, 20 June. In his absence, Keshav Maharaj will lead the national side in Tests for the first time. No replacement has been named for Bavuma. The injury occurred while Bavuma was batting during South Africa’s second innings on day three of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia at Lord’s. He will undergo further scans to determine the full extent of…

A fresh era in Indian Test cricket is set to unfold as Shubman Gill leads a youthful Indian side against Ben Stokes’ experienced England in the opening Test of the five-match series at Headingley, Leeds. India, lacking in experience but rich in talent, enter the series as underdogs. The team hasn’t won a Test series in England since 2007, and to end that drought, they’ll need to read the conditions smartly, select the best XI, and adapt swiftly with both bat and ball. England, meanwhile, are unbeaten at home under Stokes since 2022 and continue to be a formidable force,…

Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has shared heartfelt memories of his special connection with England — a country that played a defining role in his journey to greatness. In 1992, Tendulkar made history when he joined Yorkshire County Cricket Club as their first-ever overseas player at just 19 years old. But his connection with England began even earlier, when he scored his maiden international century — an unbeaten 119 — at Old Trafford, Manchester in 1990, a knock that saved the Test for India and signalled the arrival of a prodigious talent on the world stage. Over the course of his…

England Test captain Ben Stokes has played down the threat posed by Jasprit Bumrah, insisting his side has “no fear” of the Indian pace ace ahead of the first Test at Headingley, which kicks off on June 20. Bumrah, currently ranked the world’s No. 1 Test bowler, boasts a stellar record against England — 60 wickets in 14 matches at an average just above 22 — and has consistently troubled top-order batters like Joe Root, Ollie Pope, and even Stokes himself. Known for his mastery with the Dukes ball, Bumrah’s presence is expected to be key to India’s hopes of…