England’s nightmare first two days could not have gone worse
from Cricket https://ift.tt/mFetqA4
from Cricket https://ift.tt/mFetqA4
England’s nightmare first two days could not have gone worse
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Remembering Wayne Larkins: Seven career highlights from a cricketing maverick
A cavalier and sometimes controversial character, former England batsman Wayne Larkins recently passed away at the age of 71.
Known to enjoy a drink and a cigarette, he was also a rebel tourist who, like many of his contemporaries, played cricket in and against Apartheid South Africa.
While his averages are not much to write home about, the man who was known as ‘Ned’ is still very fondly remembered as an entertainer and a wonderful servant to cricket.
As we reflect on his life, let’s take a moment to look at some of the highlights and records from a career that spanned 30 years, between 1972 and 2002.
Wayne Larkins: County legend for Northamptonshire
Wayne Larkins spent the bulk of his domestic career with Northamptonshire, where he became one of the most feared openers in English county cricket.
He played over 450 first-class matches and scored more than 27,000 runs across all formats, including 59 centuries.
Known for his front-foot flair and aggressive stroke play, he often got his sides off to fast starts and was a key part of a Northamptonshire side that regularly challenged for honours in the 1980s and 1990s.
Belated and bittersweet international career
Despite his immense county form, Larkins’ England career never quite hit the heights many believed it would.
He played only 13 Tests and 25 One Day Internationals between 1979 and 1991, a reflection of both England’s selection inconsistency and his own erratic availability.
His Test average of 25.44 and ODI average of 29.58 don’t do justice to his natural talent, but when he was on song, Larkins was a joy to watch at the crease.
Longest interval between ODI appearances (8th all-time)
Wayne Larkins holds the unusual distinction of having one of the longest gaps between One Day International appearances in cricket history.
His first ODI came in 1979, but he wasn’t seen in an England limited-overs shirt again until 1990, a staggering gap of over a decade.
He currently ranks 8th on the all-time list for longest interval between appearances in the format. His recall was unexpected but proved fruitful, as he provided experience and attacking instinct during a time of rebuilding for England.
One of the oldest players to score a maiden ODI century
In 1991, at the age of 37 years and 32 days, Larkins scored his first and only One Day International hundred, an entertaining 121 against Australia at Sydney.
It made him the ninth-oldest player ever to score a maiden ODI ton, an achievement that underlined his longevity and late-career resurgence. That knock was a highlight in what turned out to be his final year in international colours.
Hit the winning runs in England’s first Test win over West Indies in 16 years
In 1990, England finally broke a 16-year Test hoodoo against the West Indies with a famous win in Kingston.
Fittingly, it was Larkins who hit the winning runs, a moment that remains one of the most cherished in England’s modern Test history.
It capped off a series where he contributed with gutsy performances against a formidable Windies attack which included Malcolm Marshall, Patrick Patterson, Courtney Walsh and Ian Bishop, showing he had the temperament for the big stage, even if he was underused at that level.
While Allan Lamb was named Man of the Match in that game, Larkins contributed a total of 75 runs and was dismissed just once.
Rebel Tour of South Africa
Like many players of his era, Larkins’ international career was disrupted by his decision to join the rebel tours of apartheid South Africa in the early 1980s.
The move led to a ban from international cricket and affected his standing with selectors and the wider public. While some saw it as a pragmatic financial decision, others viewed it as politically and morally problematic.
It is a controversial chapter that reflects the complexities of the sport during that era, and one that likely cost Larkins more caps and a more sustained England career. He spent time playing for Eastern Province in the wake of the tour.
A life in cricket that spanned four decades
Despite some brushes with controversy in later life, Larkins’ love for cricket remained undiminished. He played at a high level well into his 40s and continued to turn out for Bedfordshire in the Minor Counties Championship into the early 2000s.
A swashbuckling player in an era of technicians, he brought flair, risk, and an entertainer’s touch to the game. His innings were never dull, and his legacy as a cult figure in English cricket is secure.
The post Remembering Wayne Larkins: Seven career highlights from a cricketing maverick appeared first on Cricket365.
from Cricket365 https://ift.tt/u5UDXdh
Did Labuschagne reach 3,000 Test runs faster than Lara or Sehwag?
Which batters have been the fastest to reach 3,000 Test runs?
Find out more about the Test cricketers to reach 3,000 Test runs in the fewest number of innings.
The 3,000-run mark – especially in record time – is a coveted milestone in Test cricket.
1. Don Bradman – 3,000 Test runs in 33 innings
Australia’s Don Bradman reached 3,000 Test runs the fastest. The prolific right-hander will be remembered for several key innings in the longest format of the international game and that astonishing 99-plus average of his.
Bradman reached this milestone against the old enemy, England, in Sydney in 1933. It will be interesting to see if a modern-day Test cricketer ever beats this incredible achievement.
2. Everton Weekes – 3,000 Test runs in 51 innings
West Indian Everton Weekes reached 3,000 runs in Test cricket the second fastest. Weekes hit 139 and 87 not out against Australia in Port of Spain in 1955.
It took him more than seven years and 30 Tests to reach the milestone and, to this day, he remains the fastest West Indian to collect 3,000 runs in Test matches. Shai Hope and current company can only aspire to be as prolific as Weekes, Lara and yesterday’s other heroes.
3. Marnus Labuschagne – 3,000 Test runs in 51 innings
Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne was the third fastest to reach 3,000 runs in Test cricket. He has come a long way as a permanent fixture in Australia’s Test XI since subbing in for the concussed Steven Smith several years ago.
Labuschagne was trialled as an opening batter during the 2025 World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s. It didn’t work and he was dropped for the subsequent Test series against the West Indies. He’ll likely be back at some stage, though.
4. Herbert Sutcliffe – 3,000 Test runs in 52 innings
Herbert Sutcliffe of England was the fourth fastest to reach 3,000 Test match runs. The years was 1930, the venue Trent Bridge in Nottingham and the opposition Australia when Sutcliffe reached this lofty milestone.
Sutcliffe played a monumental 750-plus first-class fixtures and scored more than 50,000 runs at that level from in a career that spanned almost 30 years. His 151 first-class centuries included 16 in Test match cricket.
Also read: Revealed – how many more Test runs Joe Root needs to beat Sachin Tendulkar
5. Brian Lara – 3,000 Test runs in 52 innings
West Indies have another player on this list of the fastest to 3,000 Test runs. Brian Lara reached the milestone the fifth fastest. Lara is arguably – or perhaps inarguably – the greatest left-handed batter in the history of Test cricket.
He holds numerous records, including the highest score in first-class cricket and highest score in Test cricket. Fans won’t forget that 501 not out he scored for Warwickshire against Durham in 1994. A decade later, he nailed 400 not out for the West Indies versus England.
6. Neil Harvey – 3,000 Test runs in 54 innings
Australian Neil Harvey collected 3,000 runs in Tests the seventh fastest. Like Bradman, Harvey reached this milestone for Australia against England in Sydney. But he did it 21 years after Bradman.
Harvey struck 92 not out in the fourth innings of this second Test, but it was not enough to prevent Australia from flopping to a 38-run defeat in the wake of Frank Tyson’s completion of a telling six-wicket haul on the final day.
7. Viv Richards – 3,000 Test runs in 54 innings
Another West Indian, Viv Richards, gathered 3,000 runs in Test match cricket the seventh fastest. Sir Viv personified entertainment throughout his international career. The term ‘swashbuckling’ was frequently associated to his style of play.
Richards’ milestone came at the home of cricket, Lord’s, where West Indies drew with England in the second Test in 1980. Richards struck a fine century and was named player of the match in the stalemate.
8. Garry Sobers – 3,000 Test runs in 55 innings
West Indians account for almost half this top nine list of Test match cricketers to reach 3,000 runs the fastest. Sobers did it the eighth fastest to keep good company among Richards and his other countrymen.
Sobers moved past 3,000 runs in Test cricket against Australia in Brisbane in 1960. This Test series opener, uniquely, ended in a tie. When all 40 wickets were taken and all was said and done, the Aussies and Windies had played out a cricket spectacle. Sobers hit a ton in the match.
9. Virender Sehwag – 3,000 Test runs in 55 innings
India‘s Virender Sehwag reached 3,000 runs in Test cricket the ninth fastest. Sehwag was renowned for taking the attack to the bowlers at the top of the order, regardless of the format. Grant, he was a bit more subdued in Test cricket, but often showed his ODI aggression at this level as well.
He collected this milestone during a three-match affair with Pakistan in 2005 – and collected the player of the series award for a total of 544 runs, including a double-ton in the closing fixture.
Read next: Did Chris Gayle get named in this West Indies’ best Test XI of the past 40 years?
The post Did Labuschagne reach 3,000 Test runs faster than Lara or Sehwag? appeared first on Cricket365.
from Cricket365 https://ift.tt/2p1UqwX
Did Marnus Labuschagne reach 3,000 Test runs faster than Brian Lara or Virender Sehwag?
Which batters have been the fastest to 3,000 Test runs?
Find out more about the Test cricketers to reach 3,000 Test runs in the fewest number of innings.
The 3,000-run mark – especially in record time – is a coveted milestone in Test cricket.
1. Don Bradman – 3,000 Test runs in 33 innings
Australia’s Don Bradman reached 3,000 Test runs the fastest. The prolific right-hander will be remembered for several key innings in the longest format of the international game and that astonishing 99-plus average of his.
Bradman reached this milestone against the old enemy, England, in Sydney in 1933. It will be interesting to see if a modern-day Test cricketer ever beats this incredible achievement.
2. Everton Weekes – 3,000 Test runs in 51 innings
West Indian Everton Weekes reached 3,000 runs in Test cricket the second fastest. Weekes hit 139 and 87 not out against Australia in Port of Spain in 1955.
It took him more than seven years and 30 Tests to reach the milestone and, to this day, he remains the fastest West Indian to collect 3,000 runs in Test matches. Shai Hope and current company can only aspire to be as prolific as Weekes, Lara and yesterday’s other heroes.
3. Marnus Labuschagne – 3,000 Test runs in 51 innings
Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne was the third fastest to reach 3,000 runs in Test cricket.
4. Herbert Sutcliffe – 3,000 Test runs in 52 innings
Herbert Sutcliffe of England was the fourth fastest to reach 3,000 Test match runs.
Also read: Revealed – how many more Test runs Joe Root needs to beat Sachin Tendulkar
5. Brian Lara – 3,000 Test runs in 52 innings
West Indies have another player on this list of the fastest to 3,000 Test runs. Brian Lara reached the milestone the fifth fastest.
6. Neil Harvey – 3,000 Test runs in 54 innings
Australian Neil Harvey collected 3,000 runs in Tests the seventh fastest.
7. Viv Richards – 3,000 Test runs in 54 innings
Another West Indian, Viv Richards, gathered 3,000 runs in Test match cricket the seventh fastest.
8. Garry Sobers – 3,000 Test runs in 55 innings
West Indians account for almost half this top nine list of Test match cricketers to reach 3,000 runs the fastest. Sobers did it the eighth fastest.
9. Virender Sehwag – 3,000 Test runs in 55 innings
India’s Virender Sehwag reached 3,000 runs in Test cricket the ninth fastest.
Read next: Did Chris Gayle get named in this West Indies’ best Test XI of the past 40 years?
The post Did Marnus Labuschagne reach 3,000 Test runs faster than Brian Lara or Virender Sehwag? appeared first on Cricket365.
from Cricket365 https://ift.tt/4WpSeDB
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
India show fight but Stokes is bravest England captain of all
India show fight but Stokes is bravest England captain of all
from Cricket https://ift.tt/Txfz2k0
from Cricket https://ift.tt/Txfz2k0
Joe Root increasingly closer to securing 2nd position on this top 11 list led by Sachin Tendulkar
No matter how you dress it up, scoring Test cricket runs remains the pinnacle of cricketing achievement for batsmen.
The ability to occupy the crease for long periods and grind out scores against aggressive bowlers with no fielding restrictions in place can take some doing.
There have been many incredible batsmen who have played the game over the years since the first Test was played back in 1877. But which players have the most Test runs to their credit?
Let’s look at the top 11 run-scorers in Test history. What’s interesting is that every player on this list is from the modern era, proof of how the volume of games, enhanced fitness, and evolving techniques have shaped batting excellence.
11. Allan Border (Australia): 11,174 Test runs
- Career span: 1978-1994
- Innings: 265
- Average: 50.56
Allan Border was the glue that held Australian cricket together during one of its most challenging eras. Known for his steely temperament, grit, and ability to bat for hours, Border finished with over 11,000 runs, becoming the first player to pass the 11,000-mark.
His average above 50 is testament to his consistency over 156 Tests. As a captain, he laid the groundwork for the Australian dominance that would follow under the likes of Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting.
While all the other batsmen on the list played some of their cricket in the 2000’s, Border is the only name who didn’t.
10. Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka): 11,814 Test runs
- Career span: 1997-2014
- Innings: 252
- Average: 49.84
Elegant, stylish, and devastatingly effective on subcontinent tracks, Mahela Jayawardene was the cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s middle order for over a decade.
His ability to build innings, especially alongside longtime teammate Kumar Sangakkara, created one of the most prolific partnerships in Test history.
Jayawardene’s mastery in home conditions is well documented, but he also produced telling knocks abroad, including a famous double century against India in Ahmedabad.
9. Shivnarine Chanderpaul (West Indies): 11,867 Test runs
- Career span: 1994-2015
- Innings: 280
- Average: 51.37
With his unorthodox stance and immense powers of concentration, Shiv Chanderpaul quietly amassed nearly 12,000 runs over two decades.
He often played the role of rescuer for the West Indies, holding innings together when wickets fell around him. His average of 51.37 is higher than many of the more celebrated names and underlines just how effective he was, especially in times of adversity.
8. Brian Lara (West Indies): 11,953 Test runs
- Career span: 1990-2006
- Innings: 232
- Average: 52.88
Few players have possessed the flair and audacity of Brian Lara. Whether it was the world-record 375, the unbeaten 400, or the stunning 153* against Australia, Lara was a genius who thrived on pressure and challenge.
With almost 12,000 runs and an average near 53, he remains one of the most watchable and explosive players to ever grace the game.
7. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka): 12,400 Test runs
- Career span: 2000-2015
- Innings: 233
- Average: 57.40
Arguably the most complete Sri Lankan batsman ever, Kumar Sangakkara combined elegance with ruthlessness. He averaged an astonishing 57.40 over 134 Tests, a figure bettered by only a few players.
His career included a purple patch where he seemed incapable of failing, regularly scoring centuries home and away. Sangakkara’s refined technique and adaptability made him successful across all conditions.
While he is only seventh on the list of top scorers he boasts the highest average on this list.
6. Alastair Cook (England): 12,472 Test runs
- Career span: 2006-2018
- Innings: 291
- Average: 45.35
Alastair Cook’s strength lay in his resilience and mental fortitude. He faced more deliveries in Test cricket than any other player in history and was England’s go-to man at the top of the order for over a decade.
Though his average is lower than many in this list, the sheer volume of runs, especially at the top of the order in tough away conditions like India and Australia, speaks volumes of his quality. His farewell hundred against India in 2018 was a fitting end to a stellar career.
5. Joe Root (England): 13,087 Test runs
- Career span: 2012-present
- Innings: 281
- Average: 50.92
The only active player on this list, Joe Root has quietly carved out a career of the highest calibre. Technically brilliant and consistently prolific, Root has been England’s batting lynchpin for more than a decade.
He enjoyed a purple patch between 2021 and 2023, scoring runs against every major side in both home and away series. With time still on his side, it’s not inconceivable that he could finish second only to Tendulkar, if not even surpass him.
4. Rahul Dravid (India): 13,288 Test runs
- Career span: 1996-2012
- Innings: 286
- Average: 52.31
Nicknamed ‘The Wall’ for his impregnable defence, Rahul Dravid was the bedrock of India’s batting for over 15 years. Whether absorbing pressure at number three or building monumental partnerships, Dravid exemplified patience and technique.
His ability to score runs in tough conditions, like his twin centuries at Adelaide and Rawalpindi, cemented his place among the game’s greats. His tally of 13,288 runs is a testament to consistency, hard work, and grace under fire.
Often ignored when the greats are debated, Dravid gave nothing away – if you needed to pick somebody to bat for life, Dravid would be the man.
3. Jacques Kallis (South Africa): 13,289 Test runs
- Career span: 1995-2013
- Innings: 280
- Average: 55.37
Jacques Kallis wasn’t just South Africa’s best batsman; he was arguably the greatest all-rounder of all time. With a remarkable average of 55.37 and 45 centuries, Kallis was the rock in the South African top order.
Often unfairly labelled as a defensive player, his strike rate and ability to dominate were there when required. Add in over 290 Test wickets, and Kallis’ all-round contribution remains unmatched.
Quite simply, on a cricket field there was nothing he couldn’t do, it’s no wonder that in speaking to The Howie Games podcast in February 2025 that Ricky Ponting said: “Jacques Kallis is the greatest cricketer of all time. I don’t care about anyone else.”
2. Ricky Ponting (Australia): 13,378 Test runs
- Career span: 1995-2012
- Innings: 287
- Average: 51.85
Aggressive, competitive, and hugely skilled, Ricky Ponting led from the front for Australia during their golden era. Whether scoring hundreds against India, England, or South Africa, Ponting always played with intensity.
He was at his best in pressure situations and remains the highest run-scorer in Ashes history. His tally of 13,378 runs came in an era filled with elite bowlers, which only adds weight to his achievement.
1. Sachin Tendulkar (India): 15,921 Test runs
- Career span: 1989-2013
- Innings: 329
- Average: 53.78
The undisputed king of Test cricket, Sachin Tendulkar’s records are unlikely to be broken anytime soon. With nearly 16,000 runs, 51 Test centuries, and an average close to 54 across a 24-year career, he redefined longevity and excellence.
Tendulkar played in every corner of the cricketing world and mastered every condition and opponent. From his first century at Old Trafford in 1990 to his emotional farewell in Mumbai, his story is one of greatness sustained over time.
For many, he is the gold standard of Test batting and the top run-scorers in the longest format of the international game.
Read next: Did Chris Gayle get named in this West Indies’ best Test XI of the past 40 years?
The post Joe Root increasingly closer to securing 2nd position on this top 11 list led by Sachin Tendulkar appeared first on Cricket365.
from Cricket365 https://ift.tt/IugihTF
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
England vs India at Edgbaston tickets on sale for second test
England will follow the thrilling five-wicket victory over India at Headingley by welcoming the visitors to Edgbaston in the second test.
Starting on Wednesday 2 July, the test will give India a chance to tie the series after falling to a last day England rally and a stunning 149 from Ben Duckett in one of the all time run chases.
The next test promises to be just as exciting and demand for seats will be high after the Yorkshire heroics of the England side.
Fans can still attend the game in Birmingham and there are multiple ways to get tickets. If you cannot make it the match will also be live streamed on Sky Sports Cricket.
Tickets for the test against India at Edgbaston on the opening day (Wednesday 2 July) are limited to a very small number in the Eric Hollies Stand and the RES Wyatt Stand priced at around £115 for a single ticket. There are small groups of tickets available together but availability is extremely limited.
It is the same for the other four days, with tickets on sale in very low numbers across the Birmingham test.
There are a handful of tickets available on each day that are priced as low as £25 although some are listed as restricted view.
Hospitality and VIP seats are sold out for the opening day of the test but days two and three are still available on Seat Unique. The £949 Skyline seats include seating on the level four Skyline balcony for the best view in the stadium.
The Skyline seat includes a two-course street food buffet, afternoon tea, a complimentary bar and a live DJ.
You can buy tickets here.
The post England vs India at Edgbaston tickets on sale for second test appeared first on Cricket365.
from Cricket365 https://ift.tt/FICJkEy
