Cricket news

• New Zealand v England: second Test, day four – live!

  01-04-2018 23:30
  Vince makes his case as England build a lead of 231 over New ZealandAshley Giles turns down approach to be ECB’s new national selectorYou can email Tim or tweet @TimdeLisle 10.25pm BST It feels like an April Fool – or even, at a pinch, a resurrection. A Test match is unfolding overseas that England are now firm favourites to win. They are 231 runs ahead of New Zealand with seven wickets in hand and two days to go.
  After a bruising winter, today ought to be a walk in Hagley Park for J
  
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• Good news: tax gap down, tax take up | Brief letters

  01-04-2018 19:16
  Tax collection | Opening bowlers | Pope and hell | Mr Pastry lookalike John Bolton | Size of quick crossword | Ear-splitting WagnerHMRC never settles disputes for any less than the amount of tax we believe is due under the law (Report, 27 March). We subject large businesses to an exceptional level of scrutiny, actively investigating more than half of the UK’s largest businesses at any one time. Last year alone HMRC secured £8bn in additional funding for our vital public services by i
  
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• Dean Elgar helps South Africa steam into formidable lead over Australia

  01-04-2018 18:42
  • South Africa 488 & 134-3 v Australia 221
  • Opener becomes second fastest South African to reach 1,000 runsThe South Africa opener Dean Elgar dropped anchor to steer his side to 134 for three at the close of the third day of the fourth and final Test against Australia, giving the hosts a daunting lead of 401 runs. Elgar scored 39 from 158 balls in South Africa’s second innings, as his side look to build an unassailable lead with two full days remaining at the Wanderers.Austr
  
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• South Africa v Australia: fourth Test, day three – as it happened

  01-04-2018 17:28
  The home side extended their lead to 401 on a slow, hard-fought day that will be remembered for an astonishing catch by Dean ElgarRead our report from day three 4.28pm BST Nathan Lyon looks mentally shattered as he leaves the field. The Australians bowled beautifully for most of the day, almost ignoring the fact that the match and series have gone. South Africa took their time but that’s okay. All that matters is winning the series; victory in this match would be a bonus. Thanks for your c
  
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• Ashley Giles turns down approach to be ECB’s new national selector

  01-04-2018 14:53
  • Former England spinner remains Warwickshire sporting director
  • Andrew Straussadvertised the role two weeks agoAshley Giles has turned down an approach from the England and Wales Cricket Board to become its new national selector.Andrew Strauss, the England team director, announced an overhaul to the selection process after – but apparently not in spite of – the 4-0 Ashes defeat in Australia, with James Whitaker stepping down after 10 years on the panel, of which four were
  
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• James Vince makes his case as England build a lead of 231 over New Zealand

  01-04-2018 11:53
  • England 307 and 202-3; New Zealand 278
  • Vince and Mark Stoneman both hit half centuries on day threeBy the time England play their next international match, the Lord’s Test against Pakistan in May, they will have a new chief selector in place. He or she might have expected that an initial task just before the announcement of the squad would be to make a phone call that began along the lines of “I’m sorry to have to tell you, James …” – but after
  
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• South Africa v Australia: fourth Test, day three – live!

  01-04-2018 10:05
  Updates from the final match of the series in JohannesburgVic Marks on the week Australian cricket fell apartFeel free to get in touch on email or tweet @JPHowcroft 9.05am BST 39th over: Australia 110-6 (Paine 5, Cummins 7)Vernon Philander opens with a maiden. Plenty of tempting wide outswingers for Pat Cummins but they were calmly ignored.A special day for Grandstand's @jimmaxcricket who started at the ABC as a trainee 45 years ago today! Happy Anniversary Jim - a special milestone and one whic
  
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• New Zealand v England: second Test, day three – as it happened

  01-04-2018 07:50
  Mark Stoneman and James Vince made important half-centuries as England forged a strong position in the second Test against New Zealand in ChristchurchRead Vic Marks’ match report11.20am BSTRelated: James Vince makes his case as England build a lead of 231 over New Zealand6.50am BST That’s all from me. Thanks for your company – Vic Marks’ report from Christchurch will be with you before too long. Speak soon! 6.49am BST And they decided it’s too dark. Bit odd, as the
  
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• England lead by 231 at stumps on day three of second Test in New Zealand

  01-04-2018 07:50
  Mark Stoneman and James Vince made important half-centuries as England forged a strong position in the second Test against New Zealand in Christchurch 6.50am BST That’s all from me. Thanks for your company – Vic Marks’ report from Christchurch will be with you before too long. Speak soon! 6.49am BST And they decided it’s too dark. Bit odd, as the sun is still out. Does look gloomy though.An excellent batting display from England, then. Cook failed again but Stoneman and V
  
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