Tag: United kingdom

Pakistan’s Babar in ‘same class as Kohli’ after England fifty

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“Elegant fifty – Pakistan’s Babar Azam drives on the first day of the first Test against England at Old Trafford. ©AFP” /> Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pakistan’s Babar Azam was compared to India’s Virat Kohli as one of the world’s leading batsmen after his unbeaten fifty on the opening day of the first Test against England on Wednesday. When bad light forced an early close at Old Trafford, Pakistan were 139-2, with Babar 69 not out and Shan Masood unbeaten on 46. But left-handed opener Masood was twice missed…

Pakistan captain Azhar backs Babar Azam to shine in England Tests

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“Pakistan’s Babar Azam has a Test average of 45. ©AFP” /> Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pakistan captain Azhar Ali is confident Babar Azam will show he is one of the world’s leading batsmen in the Test series against England. The 25-year-old Babar has a fine career Test average of 45.12 from 26 matches heading into the first of a three-match campaign against England at Old Trafford on Wednesday. But his figures during the past two years suggest he is approaching the prime of his career. Babar’s five Test hundreds…

‘Heart and soul’: Recalled Willey stars as England beat Ireland

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“Willey (C) took four wickets early in the first ODI. ©AFP” /> Southampton (United Kingdom) (AFP) – England captain Eoin Morgan hailed the “heart and soul” of David Willey after the left-arm paceman marked his return to the global arena by setting up the world champions’ six-wicket win over Ireland at Southampton on Thursday with his first five-wicket haul in one-day internationals. Left-arm paceman Willey, appearing in his first ODI since being left out of England’s World Cup-winning squad for Jofra Archer, took 5-30 as Ireland were dismissed for just…

Three things we learned from the England-West Indies series

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“England paceman Jofra Archer was forced to self-isolate after a breach of coronavirus protocols. ©AFP” /> Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – International cricket’s first major campaign since the coronavirus lockdown saw England triumph 2-1 in a three-Test series against the West Indies following a 269-run victory at Old Trafford on Tuesday. Below AFP Sport looks at three things we learned from a fascinating contest: – ‘Bubble cricket’ can work – Despite fears life in a bio-secure bubble, with teams holed up in onsite hotels and no spectators allowed into grounds…

Willey relishing England ‘second chance’

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“England’s David Willey . ©AFP” /> Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – David Willey said he was determined to make the most of a “second chance” with England after being recalled Monday into the squad for an upcoming one-day international series at home to Ireland. Left-arm paceman Willey, 30, missed out on England’s triumphant World Cup campaign last year after a change in qualification rules saw him make way for Barbados-born fast bowler Jofra Archer. Having long been a part of the England white-ball set-up, Willey could only watch as Archer…

Rain frustrates Broad’s bid for 500 wickets, England charge

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“Waiting game – Covers protect the pitch as rain delays the start of the fourth day’s play in the third Test between England and the West Indies at Old Trafford on Monday. ©AFP” /> Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Rain kept Stuart Broad waiting for his 500th Test wicket as bad weather frustrated England’s bid for a series-clinching win over the West Indies at Old Trafford on Monday. Play was due to start at 11:00 am local time (1000 GMT), on the fourth day of the decisive third Test. But…

Roach rocks England with Stokes wicket in third Test

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“Key wicket – England’s Ben Stokes was clean bowled by West Indies’ Kemar Roach for 20 on the first day of the third Test at Old Trafford. ©AFP” Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – England suffered a major setback when talisman Ben Stokes was dismissed for just 20 on the first day of the decisive third Test against the West Indies at Old Trafford on Friday. The hosts were 131-4 at tea, with fast bowler Kemar Roach having removed second-Test century-makers Dom Sibley and Stokes on his way to fine figures…

England and West Indies to compete for Richards-Botham Trophy

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“Legends and friends: Viv Richards and Ian Botham. ©AFP” /> Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – England and the West Indies will contest the new Richards-Botham Trophy when they next meet in a Test series, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced Thursday. The trophy has been named in honour of West Indies batting great Vivian Richards and celebrated England all-rounder Ian Botham, who were team-mates at English county Somerset before becoming opponents on the world stage. It will be the Wisden Trophy that is up for grabs when the third…

Holder says man mountain Cornwall can be ‘best spinner’ of series

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“Spin to win? West Indies off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall, in action against Afghanistan in November, could be selected for Friday’s third Test against England at Old Trafford delivers a ball during the third day of the only cricket Test match between Afghanistan and West Indies at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on November 29, 2019.. ©AFP” /> Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – West Indies captain Jason Holder has backed Rahkeem Cornwall to make more of an impact than any England spinner as the tourists decide whether to select the giant…

Stokes replaces Holder at top of all-rounder rankings

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“England’s Ben Stokes is now the world’s top-rated all-rounder. ©AFP” /> Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Ben Stokes’ man-of-the-match performance against the West Indies has catapulted him to the top of the International Cricket Council’s Test all-rounder rankings as well as a career-best third in the batting standings. Stokes was at the heart of England’s series-levelling win against the West Indies at Old Trafford that ended on Monday, scoring 176 and 78 not out as well as taking three wickets. Those performances were enough to see him leapfrog West Indies…