Cricket news

• All we want for Christmas is a Boxing Day Test to remember | Sam Perry

  24-12-2019 18:00 via theguardian.com
  
  In Australia and New Zealand, the Boxing Day Test has two teams capable of producing the type of cricket befitting the stage and the occasion. But MCG pitch might have the final sayIn cricket’s darkness lies much of its charm. As a player, for example, moments of personal failure will outstrip success considerably. A batter might spend all week preparing meticulously, ‘ticking the boxes’ of nets, extra throwdowns, fitness, avoidance of alcohol, early to bed on Friday, only to b
  
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• The best sports photography of 2019

  24-12-2019 11:51 via theguardian.com
  
  Tiger Woods’s comeback at the Masters, the brilliance of Simone Biles, Pep Guardiola berating Raheem Sterling, Ben Stokes’s World Cup heroics, Liverpool’s stunning Champions League defeat of Barcelona, Megan Rapinoe’s iconic celebration and South Africa’s Siya Kolisi lifting the Rugby World Cup trophy – here is our selection of the year’s best sports images.Click on each image for more informationLast year, I was lucky to be playing again  &hellip
  
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• The Spin’s Test team of the decade, from Cook to Anderson via Kohli | Andy Bull

  24-12-2019 11:42 via theguardian.com
  
  Three Englishmen, three Australians, two from India and South Africa and one from New Zealand make a formidable XIThe 2010s end, like they began, with India top of the world rankings and in between 598 players, from Varun Aaron to Zulqarnain Haider, have played 431 Tests in 171 series. Here is our Test team of the decade, picked by a panel of 10 Guardian journalists: Vic Marks, Ali Martin, Rob Smyth, Tim de Lisle, Emma John, Tanya Aldred, Geoff Lemon, Adam Collins, Jonathan Liew and Andy Bull. C
  
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• 'It puts things in perspective': England supporting Stokes after father's illness

  24-12-2019 09:59 via theguardian.com
  
  Root says Stokes and family must get ‘all the support they can’Ged Stokes in critical condition with all-rounder at his bedside
  England’s preparations for the Test series continue to be nightmarish. The grimmest news came on Christmas Eve when it was announced that Ben Stokes’s father, in Johannesburg to watch the Test on Boxing Day, was in “a critical condition” in hospital. Later in the day it transpired that Chris Woakes had become another victim of the flu
  
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• Ben Stokes' father in critical condition in Johannesburg

  24-12-2019 09:59 via theguardian.com
  
  Former rugby league player Ged Stokes has ‘serious illness’Stokes to miss England training session before Boxing Day Test
  Ben Stokes’ father Ged is in “a critical condition” in a Johannesburg hospital, with the England all-rounder at his bedside. The England and Wales Cricket Board announced that the former rugby league player was taken in with a “serious illness” on Monday.Stokes was due to join his teammates in a Christmas Eve training session in Centu
  
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• Australia batsman David Warner passed fit for Boxing Day Test after nets scare

  24-12-2019 04:20 via theguardian.com
  
  Warner was struck on the thumb during Monday’s nets session‘We know how well he’s playing, he’ll be ready to go’Justin Langer has declared David Warner a certain starter on Boxing Day after the in-form batsman sent an injury scare through the Australia camp. Warner, who was struck on the thumb during Monday’s nets session, completed training with strapping around the thumb on Tuesday ahead of the second Test against New Zealand at the MCG. Related: Bodyline 20
  
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• Bodyline 2019? Australia to return fire at Kiwi bouncers in Boxing Day Test

  24-12-2019 00:11 via theguardian.com
  
  Matthew Wade expects more short stuff from visitors at MCG‘If they keep dishing out, I’m sure they’ll get a little bit back’Australia’s pace cartel will return fire if New Zealand continue with their bodyline-style tactics during the Boxing Day Test, according to Matthew Wade.The left hander bore the brunt of the visitors’ aggressive short-ball approach in Perth and often opted for the unusual tactic of taking the ball on the body, rather than offering a shot.
  
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