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Wednesday, July 3, 2024

Lauren Bell confident changes to her bowling action will have long-term benefits

Pamela Rios July 03, 2024 Leave a Reply
Lauren Bell confident changes to her bowling action will have long-term benefits

England bowler Lauren Bell believes “challenging” changes to her action and repertoire will benefit her career in the long term.

Bell claimed her first ever five-wicket haul in international cricket as England beat New Zealand by five wickets at Bristol to complete a 3-0 ODI series whitewash.

“It’s been a little bit challenging,” Bell told Sky Sports about the changes she has made to her bowling in recent weeks.

England Women v New Zealand Women – Third Women's One Day International – Seat Unique Stadium
England’s Lauren Bell (centre right) celebrates taking the wicket of New Zealand’s Isabella Gaze (not pictured) at Bristol (Nigel French/PA)

“But I think as I go on with my career it will be one of the best things I’ve done.

“Since Durham (the first ODI at Chester-le-Street) I’ve made a few changes to the mental side of it.

“The skill’s there, it’s just applying it in a game and I managed to do that today.”

Bell was omitted from Sunday’s second ODI at Worcester after her three wicketless overs at Chester-le-Street cost 28 runs.

Handed a reprieve in a rain-reduced 42-over contest, Bell bounced back with figures of 9-0-37-5 and claimed the scalps of New Zealand’s best batters Amelia Kerr and Sophie Devine, who made 57 and 43 in the visitors’ 211 for eight.

Bell said: “They built partnerships really well, but I was pretty clear what was good on this wicket.

“My second spell when I came back on Heather (Knight, captain) said to me it was an important time to get a wicket, so I was really happy.”

England were in trouble at 72 for four in the 16th over with Knight, Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier – who was named player of the series – and Sophia Dunkley back in the pavilion.

But Nat Sciver-Brunt shone with an unbeaten 76 from 84 balls and support from Amy Jones (50) and Alice Capsey (35 not out) guided England home by five wickets with 20 balls to spare.

England Women v New Zealand Women – Third Women's One Day International – Seat Unique Stadium
England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt smashes a boundary during her unbeaten 76 against New Zealand (Nigel French/PA)

Knight said: “I’m really happy. We were put under pressure, the Kiwis bowled really well in the powerplay and they had a biggish partnership in the middle.

“We had to find a way to claw back momentum and I think we did that brilliantly.

“That partnership between Amy and Nat showed their maturity and experience in the game, the way they played to get us out of that tricky spot.

“It is really pleasing we’re able to win in different ways. We dominated the first two games, but the fact we were put under pressure and responded brilliantly with bat and ball is a really good sign.”

England Women v New Zealand Women – Third Women's One Day International – Seat Unique Stadium
England’s Lauren Bell takes the plaudits after her career-best five-wicket haul against New Zealand (Nigel French/PA)

Star spinner Sophie Ecclestone and Lauren Filer both made way in the England attack ahead of a five-match T20 series with the White Ferns that starts in Southampton on Saturday.

Knight said: “Leaving Lauren out was tough the way she’s been bowling in the last few games.

“To see Belly come back was really pleasing, we spoke this morning (Wednesday) and she was pretty nervous.

“She’s been going through a bit of a rough patch and trying to work a few things out to better her game.

“To break that big partnership and take the key wicket of Sophie enabled us to take pressure back on to them.”

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Nat Sciver-Brunt stars as England secure series whitewash over New Zealand

Pamela Rios July 03, 2024 Leave a Reply
Nat Sciver-Brunt stars as England secure series whitewash over New Zealand

England completed a 3-0 ODI series whitewash over New Zealand as Nat Sciver-Brunt engineered a successful run chase in Bristol.

Sciver-Brunt made an unbeaten 76 from 84 balls as England – 72 for four at one stage in reply to New Zealand’s 211 for eight in a rain-reduced 42-over contest – crossed the winning line by five wickets with 20 deliveries remaining.

A fifty from Amy Jones and Alice Capsey’s unbeaten 35 gave Sciver-Brunt the necessary support to get the job done.

It was a recovery act that ensured Lauren Bell’s career-best figures of five for 37 from nine overs did not go to waste.

Drizzle prevented play until 2.35pm as England took the opportunity to rest Danni Wyatt, Lauren Filer and Sophie Ecclestone, with the series already wrapped up by handsome wins at Chester-le-Street and Worcester.

Bell was one of the beneficiaries of the changes after sitting out Sunday’s win at New Road – and England’s capacity to strike early was evident again.

Georgia Plimmer’s full-length dive could not beat Charlie Dean’s direct hit from backward point, and fellow opener Suzie Bates edged Kate Cross to give a difficult chance that wicketkeeper Jones accepted in outstanding fashion.

Sophie Devine and Amelia Kerr repaired the early damage with a partnership of 68 from 77 balls.

Lauren Bell celebrates taking the wicket of New Zealand's Amelia Kerr on her way to a five wicket-haul
Lauren Bell starred with the ball (Nigel French/PA)

Devine became Bell’s first victim for a run-a-ball 43, chopping on a delivery that bounced more than she had expected and was too close to cut.

The unfortunate Maddy Green was adjudged lbw but unable to review as DRS was briefly out of operation.

Kerr and Brooke Halliday put on 65 for the fifth wicket before Bell returned to the attack and tilted the contest in England’s favour.

She won an lbw call against Kerr, aiming for a big legside swish and departing after making 57 from 82 balls. Halliday’s resistance ended on 31 when she gloved down the legside and Jones took another smart catch.

Bell wrapped up her five-wicket haul as slower balls deceived Isabella Gaze and Lauren Down, both spooning up comfortable catches to Sciver-Brunt on the offside.

Amy Jones reaches her half-century against New Zealand and is congratulated by team-mate Nat Sciver-Brunt
Amy Jones made a half-century (Nigel French/PA)

England had a poor start to their reply as Tammy Beaumont was given out lbw from the fifth ball after being beaten by Hannah Rowe’s late swing.

Beaumont walked straight off after the umpire’s finger went up, although she might have been advised by her partner Maia Bouchier to invite a review.

Skipper Heather Knight went for nine as Rowe took a simple return catch, and England slipped to 39 for three as Bouchier touched Molly Penfold’s steepling bouncer to Gaze behind the stumps.

Gaze took a second catch to remove Sophia Dunkley off spinner Kerr, but Sciver-Brunt and Jones steadied the ship with a fifth-wicket partnership of 90.

Jones made a run-a-ball 50 before feathering Halliday behind, and the script might have been different had Plummer not dropped a sitter at cover with Sciver-Brunt on 63.

England coasted to victory from that point, with Sciver-Brunt unruffled and Capsey’s polished cameo underlining her talent.

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Glamorgan narrowly miss out on record run chase to draw with Gloucestershire

Pamela Rios July 03, 2024 Leave a Reply
Glamorgan narrowly miss out on record run chase to draw with Gloucestershire

Glamorgan finished one run shy of a world-record run chase as they draw with Gloucestershire in Division Two of the Vitality County Championship.

Having been set a mammoth target of 593, Glamorgan got to within touching distance in the final couple of overs at Cheltenham.

Mason Crane levelled the scores with one ball to go, but in a final dramatic twist, Jamie McIlroy was out to the final ball from Ajeet Singh Dale, going for a big shot but being caught by James Bracey.

Crane finished unbeaten on 43, while Sam Northeast and Marnus Labuschagne had powered Glamorgan’s run chase, making 187 and 119 respectively.

Surrey extended their lead at the top of Division One with a 145-run victory over rivals Essex as Tom Lawes took four for 26 on the final day.

Essex were bowled out for 215 despite a defiant 60 from Dean Elgar, with Lawes taking two wickets in successive balls in the morning and then dispatching Paul Walter and Michael Pepper after tea.

Jordan Clark took three for 56 and Dan Worrall two for 71 as Surrey completed victory with 25.5 overs to spare, taking 20 points to move 23 clear at the top of the table as they target a third consecutive crown.

Essex had started the contest closest to Surrey in the table but have dropped down to third place behind Somerset, who chased down 410 to beat Warwickshire by five wickets on the final day at Taunton – the second highest second innings run chase in Somerset’s history.

Former club captain Tom Abell hit an unbeaten 152 off 207 balls to steer Somerset to victory with 4.2 overs to spare.

Tom Banton made 81, James Rew finished on 57 not out and Tom Kohler-Cadmore added 49 after Warwickshire had declared on their overnight second innings total of 281 for eight.

Liam Dawson smashed a sensational 28-ball 56 as Hampshire claimed a six-wicket win over Kent.

Hampshire were set an imposing target of 179 from just 31 overs, but Dawson got them over the line in remarkable fashion, hitting two sixes and seven fours as they chased down the target in 23 overs.

Kyle Abbott took five for 89 as Kent were bowled out for 340, before Fletcha Middleton and Toby Albert put on 41 in seven overs to give Hampshire the foundation they would need for victory.

The win keeps Hampshire in the title race after taking three victories from their last four.

Joe Clarke’s fourth century of the season frustrated James Anderson and Lancashire as Nottinghamshire hung on for a draw at Southport.

Clarke and Lyndon James put on an unbeaten 136 for the fifth wicket before the players shook hands with Clarke on 115 not out, with Anderson unable to repeat his heroics from Tuesday as he had figures of one for 25 from 11 overs across two spells on the final day.

Both teams took eight points from the draw to edge clear of the relegation zone.

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Tuesday, July 2, 2024

James Anderson takes seven wickets for Lancashire ahead of England Test farewell

Pamela Rios July 02, 2024 Leave a Reply
James Anderson takes seven wickets for Lancashire ahead of England Test farewell

James Anderson warmed up for his Test farewell with a seven-wicket haul as Lancashire took control of their Vitality County Championship clash with Nottinghamshire.

The England paceman, who is set to earn his 188th and final cap against West Indies next week, recorded seven for 35 as Nottinghamshire were skittled for 126 and forced to follow on in the First Division encounter at Southport.

After the washout of day two on Tuesday, Lancashire declared on 353 for nine in their first innings with captain Keaton Jennings unbeaten on 187.

Ben Slater, who carried his bat for an unbeaten 64, was the only player to offer resistance as Anderson took charge but the opener failed second time around as the visitors slipped to 84 for two, still trailing by 143.

Elsewhere, Kashif Ali and Adam Hose both hit half-centuries to guide Worcestershire to a six-wicket win over Durham at Chester-le-Street.

Ali (76 not out) and Hose (50) put on 129 for the fourth wicket as the visitors successfully overhauled their 231-run target.

In a game still ongoing, Ryan Patel’s brilliant 107 built on Jamie Smith’s 70 as leaders Surrey set Essex a formidable 361 to win their top-of-the-table clash at the Kia Oval.

The visitors were 21 for two by stumps.

Half-centuries from Rob Yates (57), Alex Davies (50) and Jacob Bethell (66) saw Warwickshire tighten their grip on proceedings against Somerset at Taunton.

The visitors earned a first-innings lead of 128 by bowling the hosts out for 284 from an overnight 208 for six.

Yates and Davies then produced a century opening partnership and, despite a mid-innings stumble, Warwickshire reached stumps on 281 for eight, 409 runs ahead.

Jack Leaning and Ben Compton gave Kent hope of a draw after being made to follow on at Hampshire.

Leaning, making his return from injury, hit a first-innings 118 and was then unbeaten on 32, with Compton 71 not out, as Kent closed on 132 for two, trailing by just 30.

In Division Two Ben Coad took six wickets as Yorkshire wrapped up a convincing innings and 204-run win against Derbyshire inside three days at Chesterfield.

The 30-year-old returned from a back injury in style by taking six for 30 and Vishwa Fernando claimed four for 58 as Derbyshire were bowled out for 171 in their second innings.

Jonny Tattersall earlier completed his third first-class hundred, scoring 107 before the visitors declared on 451 for nine, leaving Derbyshire needing 375 to make Yorkshire bat again.

Nathan McAndrew finished with five for 73 as leaders Sussex secured a 63-run victory over Northamptonshire at Wantage Road.

The Australian took two wickets in three balls in one lively burst as Northamptonshire were bowled out for 220 having resumed on 137 for four in their pursuit of 284.

Leicestershire recorded their first win of the season as they saw off Middlesex by 123 runs at Grace Road.

The visitors, shot out for 86 in their first innings, were set an unlikely victory target of 466 after Leicestershire made 372 in their second innings with 77 from Ben Green.

Leus Du Plooy (60) and Ryan Higgins (41) dug in but their dismissals in quick succession effectively ended Middlesex hopes as they were bowled out for 342 despite 59 from skipper Toby Roland-Jones.

James Bracey hit a career-best 204 not out as Gloucestershire took command against Glamorgan at Cheltenham.

Cameron Bancroft improved his overnight 159 to 184 and Beau Webster weighed in with an unbeaten 65 as the home side racked up 610 for five before declaring in their second innings.

Marnus Labuschagne (67) led the resistance but Glamorgan closed still 370 behind on 222 for three.

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Sir Geoffrey Boycott diagnosed with throat cancer for the second time

Pamela Rios July 02, 2024 Leave a Reply
Sir Geoffrey Boycott diagnosed with throat cancer for the second time

Former Yorkshire and England batsman Sir Geoffrey Boycott has revealed he has been diagnosed with throat cancer for the second time.

The 83-year-old will undergo surgery later this month in a bid to beat the disease he was initially diagnosed with in 2002, at the age of 62.

In a statement to the Daily Telegraph, Boycott said: “In the last few weeks I have had an MRI scan, CT scan, a PET scan and two biopsies and it has now been confirmed I have throat cancer and will require an operation.

Harry Gration funeral
Sir Geoffrey Boycott is to undergo surgery after being diagnosed with throat cancer (Danny Lawson/PA)

“From past experience I realise that to overcome cancer a second time I will need excellent medical treatment and quite a bit of luck and, even if the operation is successful, every cancer patient knows they have to live with the possibility of it returning. So I will just get on with it and hope for the best.”

Boycott played 108 Tests for England and scored 151 first-class centuries in a 25-year career.

He subsequently spent 14 years as a pundit on the BBC’s Test Match Special before retiring in 2020.

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Monday, July 1, 2024

Surrey have the edge after 14 wickets fall on second day of top-of-table clash

Pamela Rios July 01, 2024 Leave a Reply
Surrey have the edge after 14 wickets fall on second day of top-of-table clash

Vitality County Championship leaders Surrey were locked in a tight battle after 14 wickets fell on the second day of their top-of-the-table clash with Essex at the Kia Oval.

Shane Snater claimed two scalps to finish with three for 56 as the hosts added just 14 to their overnight total to be dismissed for 262 in their first innings.

Essex were then bowled out for 180 in reply. Paul Walter (64) and Matt Critchley (48) offered some resistance but Daniel Worrall and Jordan Clark took three wickets apiece.

The hosts were 44 for three in their second innings, leading by 126.

Michael Burgess fell for 147 as Warwickshire posted 412 in their first innings against third-placed Somerset at Taunton.

The wicketkeeper added 21 to his overnight score while Michael Booth weighed in with 31 before becoming one of five victims for Migael Pretorious.

Somerset were 208 for six in response after Tom Abell (61 not out) and Tom Banton (78) rescued them from 57 for three.

Hampshire captain James Vince hit 211 to help his side run up a huge 505 for eight declared against Kent at Southampton.

Fellow centurion Ben Brown (110) added just four to his overnight score as their fourth-wicket partnership was ended on 259 but Vince, having resumed on 149, went on to pass his double century in a 279-ball knock that included 33 fours.

Kent were 206 for six in reply after half-centuries from Jack Leaning (73 not out) and Feroze Khushi (53).

Durham’s low-scoring encounter with Worcestershire appeared to be heading towards a conclusion despite limited play at the Riverside Ground due to the weather.

Resuming on 33 for three in their second innings, the hosts progressed to 148 for nine – a lead of 226 – before the close.

Colin Ackermann top-scored with 40 while England Test captain Ben Stokes added 26 but four-wicket returns from Tom Taylor and Nathan Smith kept Worcestershire hopes alive.

Rain prevented any play on the second day of the contest between Lancashire and Nottinghamshire at Southport.

Second Division leaders Sussex’s clash with Northamptonshire at Wantage Road was in the balance as the hosts closed on 137 for four, requiring a further 147 for a shock win.

Sussex set a target of 284 after being bowled out for 237 in their second innings.

Tom Haines (45) and John Simpson (40) led the way as the visitors improved on their first innings 143 but Luke Procter (four for 45) and Ben Sanderson (three for 44) kept them in check.

Emilio Gay then hit 67 to give Northamptonshire, skittled for 97 first time round, hope of an unlikely comeback but his dismissal before the close could prove costly.

Leicestershire were in a commanding position against second-placed Middlesex at Grace Road as they closed with a lead of 404 on 311 for eight in their second innings.

Toby Roland-Jones took five for 76 as Middlesex battled on but, after 75 from Lewis Goldsworthy and with tailender Ben Green 45 not out, the visitors face a daunting task to prevent a first defeat of the season.

Cameron Bancroft (159 not out) and Miles Hammond (121) hit centuries – and James Bracey (90 not out) was on course to emulate them – as Gloucestershire took command against Glamorgan at Cheltenham.

Glamorgan had eked out a first innings lead of 18, thanks to 44 from Mason Crane before they were dismissed for 197, but the hosts then gained the upper hand as Bancroft and Hammond put on 201 for the third wicket.

James Wharton hit a career-best 188 and Jonathan Tattersall was unbeaten on 93 as Yorkshire built a huge lead over Derbyshire on a rain-shortened day in Chesterfield.

Wharton cracked 23 fours and six sixes as Yorkshire, who dismissed their opponents for just 76 on day one, closed 340 ahead on 416 for six.

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James Anderson to stay with England in new role as fast bowling mentor

Pamela Rios July 01, 2024 Leave a Reply
James Anderson to stay with England in new role as fast bowling mentor

James Anderson will remain in England’s Test set-up this summer after agreeing to join their backroom staff following his valedictory international appearance at Lord’s next week.

The 41-year-old is set for an emotional farewell in the first Test of the home summer against the West Indies, starting next Wednesday, after being informed England are looking to build towards the future.

While England are ready to move on from Anderson on the field, the vast experience he has accrued across 187 Tests in which he has taken 700 wickets – both a record for non-spinners – means they are reluctant to cut the cord altogether.

James Anderson, centre, has taken 700 wickets in 187 Tests (Mike Egerton/PA)
James Anderson, centre, has taken 700 wickets in 187 Tests (Mike Egerton/PA)

Anderson, who has yet to decide whether he will continue playing county cricket for Lancashire, will therefore step into a newly-created role as England’s fast bowling mentor for the last two Tests against the Windies and a three-match series versus Sri Lanka that follows.

“He’s got so much to offer English cricket, we don’t want to see that go,” said Rob Key, the managing director of England men’s cricket.

“He’s going to be with us all summer. It’s something that he’s very keen to do as well. He hasn’t done loads and loads of it, but we’ve got no question about his knowledge and experience with bowling.

“We have a great opportunity for the rest of the summer to find out just how much he enjoys it or doesn’t enjoy it. What he does with Lancashire, we’ll probably work out after the Lord’s Test.

“Someone like Jimmy Anderson is going to have lots of options. I think English cricket would be very lucky if he chooses to stay in our game.”

England managing director Rob Key, left, and coach Brendon McCullum
Rob Key, left, and Brendon McCullum are reshaping their England squad (Mike Egerton/PA)

England have had a significant shake-up of their squad for the first two Tests to face the Windies, with no room for Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes, Jack Leach or Ollie Robinson.

Bairstow is the most high-profile casualty just a few months on from his 100th Test appearance in the 4-1 series defeat in India, where a top score of 38 in 10 innings left his position vulnerable.

The Yorkshireman lit the touchpaper for the ‘Bazball’ era with six Test centuries in 2022 but he has struggled to hit the heights since suffering a horrific leg break at the back end of that summer.

“Jonny just needs to get back to what he was a couple of years ago,” Key said. “Generally, his form, in all formats, has just been going slightly in the wrong direction.”

Jonny Bairstow did not reach 40 in the recent tour of India (Adam Davy/PA)
Jonny Bairstow did not reach 40 in the recent tour of India (Adam Davy/PA)

While Bairstow and Foakes have engaged in a long-term tug-of-war for the wicketkeeping spot, Jamie Smith has supplanted both and will take the gloves at the home of cricket. He is joined in the squad by two other uncapped players in fast bowlers Dillon Pennington and Gus Atkinson, while Shoaib Bashir has been selected ahead of fellow Somerset spinner Jack Leach.

Smith is a specialist bat and wicketkeeping understudy to Foakes at Surrey but Key, who rejected suggestions of a “Bazball reset” for this series, is a long-term admirer of a player averaging in excess of 50 in this year’s Vitality County Championship.

“We’ve been watching Jamie Smith for quite some time,” said Key. “You just see players who are rare talents and he looks like that.

“There’s a lot made of us just wanting someone who can go out there and play shots and that’s not the case. We want someone who can not only up the ante when they’re batting with the tail but soak up pressure when they need to as well and we feel Jamie Smith can do that.

“Often you’re not making judgements on what they’ve done. You’re making judgements on what they’re going to do.”

Matthew Mott, right, and Jos Buttler led England to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup (Andrew Matthews/PA)
Matthew Mott, right, and Jos Buttler led England to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Key was speaking just a few days after England’s semi-final defeat by eventual champions India in the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean.

While they reached the last four, England beat just one of the four Test nations they faced, with captain Jos Buttler and head coach Matthew Mott already under pressure after an abysmal 50-over World Cup last year.

Asked whether the pair will be in situ for England’s next white-ball assignment against Australia later this summer, Key added: “We’ll let the dust settle and move forward from there.

“I’m not going to rush anything. I don’t think it’s a bad sign when you get to a semi-final. At times I thought we showed how good we were in that. And at times we were inconsistent.”

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