Cricket news

• Big Bash League season opens to mixed reviews for innovations

  17-12-2019 22:34 via theguardian.com
  
  Thunder beat Heat by 29 runs at the GabbaTimeouts and golden cap introduced for 2019-20The Big Bash League’s two major innovations have received a mixed review from Sydney Thunder captain Callum Ferguson. Tuesday’s season opener at the Gabba between the Thunder and Brisbane Heat was the first time the competition’s new tactical timeouts came into play. Both teams used their timeouts at the first opportunity after seven overs in their batting innings. Many on social media deride
  
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• Root, Denly and Sibley hit half-centuries as England begin South Africa tour

  17-12-2019 17:56 via theguardian.com
  
  • England rack up 309 for seven against Invitational XI
  • Root top-scores with 72, while Burns and Buttler fall cheaplyJoe Root, Joe Denly and Dom Sibley all banked unbeaten half-centuries as England got their tour of South Africa under way with a leisurely day at the crease in Benoni.Lining up against a willing but limited Invitational XI at Willowmoore Park on the first day of two, England racked up 309 for seven, with all three of their top scorers retiring out to give others a chan
  
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• England’s Root, Denly and Sibley hit half-centuries in SA warm-up

  17-12-2019 17:56 via theguardian.com
  
  • England score 309 for seven against South Africa Invitational XI
  • Root leads way with 72 but Burns and Buttler fall cheaplyJoe Root, Joe Denly and Dom Sibley all banked unbeaten half-centuries as England got their tour of South Africa under way with a leisurely day at the crease in Benoni.Lining up against a willing but limited Invitational XI at Willowmoore Park on the first day of two, England racked up 309 for seven, with all three of their top scorers retiring out to give others
  
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• Basil Butcher obituary

  17-12-2019 17:44 via theguardian.com
  
  Widely admired cricketer whose determined character and solid defence held together many West Indies Test inningsIn the dashing era of 1960s Caribbean cricket, Basil Butcher was the sturdy backbone around which many a fine West Indies score or victory was built. Although a stellar batsman in his own right, the unassuming Butcher, who has died aged 86, was generally content to play second fiddle in the middle order to whoever was at the crease – confident in the expectation that when the bi
  
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• England v Pakistan: Powerplay will be key for England - Amy Jones

  17-12-2019 13:52 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Opener Amy Jones tells BBC Sport that 'powerplay will be key in the next two games' after England beat Pakistan by 29 runs in the first Twenty20 International of the series.
  
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• Buy a classic sport photograph: Stokes in the Long Room

  17-12-2019 11:44 via theguardian.com
  
  The latest in a Guardian Print Shop series featuring classic sports images from the likes of Gerry Cranham, Mark Leech and Tom Jenkins – yours to own for just £55 including free delivery“Miracle”, “masterclass”, “sensational”, “heroic”. Google “Ben Stokes at Headingley” and the list of superlatives used to describe his performance against Australia on the fourth day of the third Ashes Test of 2019 is endless. Stokes almost s
  
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• The Spin | The women’s ODI cricket team of the decade, from Edwards to Perry

  17-12-2019 11:37 via theguardian.com
  
  Celebrating the metamorphosis undergone by the game, with professionalism and the rise of the limited-overs gameIn the last decade, women’s cricket has undergone a metamorphosis, unfolding its wings into unexpected corners, enthusing some of the most sceptical hearts and making marketing managers wide-eyed with its potential. In 2010 the world’s leading female cricketers were largely amateur; now Australia, England, India and New Zealand have fully professional national teams, with o
  
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• Evergreen Peter Siddle added to Australia's Boxing Day Test squad

  17-12-2019 02:29 via theguardian.com
  
  35-year-old included on 13-man list for MCG clashPaceman replaces Josh Hazlewood for second TestPeter Siddle has been brought into Australia’s squad for the Boxing Day Test as a replacement for the injured Josh Hazlewood.Siddle is likely to be a bowling reserve, with James Pattinson and Michael Neser already in the squad. Related: Australia streak ahead with New Zealand already playing catch up | Geoff LemonContinue reading...
  
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• Australia streak ahead with New Zealand already playing catch up | Geoff Lemon

  17-12-2019 00:26 via theguardian.com
  
  The tourists’ lack of pink-ball preparation leaves them to rue a poor start in Perth – and in the series as a wholeIt’s never very decorous to say I told you so. But when predictions are borne out to the letter, it would be equally smug not to mention it. Last week I questioned the talking up of the New Zealand Test team’s prospects in Australia, given a history of freezing on such tours. In Perth the two sides repeated the start of their 2015 series blow for blow, with A
  
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