It's A Boom In The Blast As World Cup Fever Begins To Take Its Grip

The good news just keeps on coming for English cricket – with the feelgood factor generated by England’s stunning triumph at Lord’s last summer now precipitating a boom in T20 ticket sales.

Ace Hazell Can See The End Of The Road

WITH the book seemingly closed on her playing days, Danielle Hazell is ready to enjoy the simpler things in life.

Game Must Adopt Zero Tolerance On Racist Hate Speech

If you aren’t listening to the BBC Tailenders podcast, you should be. Equal parts irreverent and self deprecatory, co-hosts Greg James, Jimmy Anderson and Felix White are succeeding in their mission of bringing new people into our game through the fun of the show.

Credit To Simmons And Law For Giving West Indies A Lift

What should have been, on paper, something of a procession for England, has now proved to be a stern test of character as they look to recover from an extremely forgettable performance in the first Test with the West Indies in Barbados.

England Searching For Next Mr Nasty

Rory Dollard argues England’s lack of bowling firepower is costing them as the Windies attack looks to put Joe Root’s side to the sword once again

India's Go-ahead Despite Tax Row

INDIA are not in danger of losing the hosting rights of the 2021 Champions Trophy and 2023 World Cup despite tax exemption issues, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed.

Bad Wickets Can Often Be Perceived As Good

Garfield Robinson argues that England’s tour of the West Indies is a refreshing shot in the arm for Test cricket with the return of a classic contest between bat and ball

OK, YOU'VE BEATEN DEATH BUT CAN YOU BAT NO.3?

The on-field verbals in St Lucia have turned out to be a bit more spicy than the anodyne stuff you normally get out in the middle (“I’ll bowl you a piano, see if you can play that…..”) and it may be time to enhance the TV viewing experience by relocating some of those stump microphones to the dressing rooms.

GABRIEL'S SLUR IS A CULTURAL SETBACK OF ACCEPTANCE

When Steven Davies came out as gay eight years ago this month, the first cricketer to openly do so, I commented that cricket’s ‘big society’ would accept him without prejudice or opprobrium.

Bullish Bayliss Throws Down The Gauntlet (Again)

Roy and Vince remain in coach’s mind for Ashes rumble

Ashes Take Back Seat To Ending India Jinx

Nothing beats that fluttering sensation of excitement that brews in the pit of your stomach at the start of a new cricket season.

How Billy's Route To Playing All Formats Ended In Cardiff

Jeremy Blackmore talks to Glamorgan’s signing from Notts and finds a batsman who is settling in well in his new environment and eager to learn from a new coaching set-up

One-day Wonder Gayle: Tests Are The Ultimate

Chris Stocks discovers that the West Indies legend who has made a fortune in the game’s shortest format still values the longest form of the game

Rookie Freya's Ready As The New Kid On The Block

SELF-BELIEF isn’t just an advantage for Freya Davies – for a prospective England debutant, it’s a downright necessity.

Record Breakers Sri Lanka Look To Seal The Deal

SOUTH AFRICA v SRI LANKA TEST SERIES ROUND-UP

Rule Changes Set Season Up Nicely

It feels like I say it every year but this year’s County Championship promises to be as good as ever before. And I don’t just say that because of the heavy investment of counties in bringing world-class cricketers to these shores, but also the few minor rule changes which will bring our game an added dimension.

Loyal Anderson's Stint To Kick-start Red Rose Revival

THE STINGING pain of a shock relegation from Division One is still felt at Lancashire – and now Glen Chapple’s side are coiled and ready to pounce in search of redemption.

New Boy Ben Has Made An Immediate Impression

Paul Edwards runs the rule over Notts’ new opening pair, Ben Duckett and Ben Slater, and how they have given head coach Peter Moores plenty of food for thought.

Porter: We Can Learn From Our 2018 Mistakes

IF Surrey are the team to beat in this year’s County Championship, Essex are the ones most likely to overhaul the current title-holders at the top of the Division One table over the coming months.

Irish Women Being Backed In Bid To Retain Elite Status

Professionalism in women’s cricket is contagious and Ireland are determined not to be left behind. That progress is manifesting itself in a variety of ways, big and small, both on and off the field – including officiating.

Moores Has Found His Happy Place ...

TOM MOORES, despite his precocious talent, is not beyond self-criticism or pre-match nerves.

Pope's Mission For England Nod Must Start With Piling On The Runs For Surrey

Richard Edwards catches up with Surrey’s in-form batsman Ollie Pope with hopes of an England recall still at the forefront of his mind

So Just Who Is Being Lined Up To Be Our New Branderson?

Succession planning is the cornerstone of all successful sports teams – the identifying, developing and then blooding of new talent to replace the old and waning.

Hameed: Why I Ignore Praise And Criticism

Paul Edwards finds that the recent struggles faced by the young Lancashire and England batsman have been met with a determination to back his own game

Morgan 'Boast' Brings Sir Alf To Mind

Peter Hayter acknowledges the start of the World Cup mind games and compares Eoin Morgan’s attempts at playing the hype to that of an England legend

Thorpe's Vision Can Be A Big Ashes Asset

BACK in 2012, Graham Thorpe championed the cause of Joe Root to break into England’s Test team.

Bairstow: It's Great To Bat With Warner But Ignore That Hug!

Chetan Narula talks to a batsman who is making a name for himself in the IPL about his opening partnership with a Test rival and the upcoming World Cup

You Just Can't Mess With Mother Cricket, Warns Chief Pothas

MIDDLESEX will not be taking Mother Cricket for granted as they strive to turn around their poor record in the Royal London One-Day Cup, according to assistant coach Nic Pothas.

We Have To Give Archer A Chance, Says Morgan

England captain Eoin Morgan has admitted there was no choice this week other than to hand Jofra Archer a World Cup chance, but insists nobody selected for the upcoming series against Pakistan is out of the running for the tournament.

No One Safe, Fred? Sorry, Rashid Must Not Be Sacrificed!

If you take his comments literally, Andrew Flintoff reckons absolutely everyone in England’s One-Day International squad is expendable when it comes to fitting Jofra Archer into their World Cup plans. “He’s got to be in,” the former Ashes hero said this week of the 24-year-old world star-in-the-making.