England's latest version of cricket is set for its biggest test as they face world champions Australia in a bid to reclaim the Ashes.
Captain Joe Root and Coach Chris Silverwood made a boo-boo when they picked a pace-heavy attack for the pink ball third Test.
Nathan Lyon captured a long-awaited 400th Test wicket and spun Australia to the brink of a comprehensive victory in the first Ashes Test in Brisbane on Saturday as England lost eight wickets in a stunning morning collapse on Day 4.
India's captain Virat Kohli will have to think overtime about the balance of his squad, with a long tail, often bushy with runs, and just two openers -- one untested (Rohit Sharma) but very capable and another supremely talented (KL Rahul) but highly reluctant starter.
Hosts England dominated the proceedings to take control at the end of Day 1 over visitors Ireland at Lord's.
The last time England toured India, back in early 2021, Joe Root's team went back home beaten and bruised 3-1.
Images from Day 5 of the fourth Test between England and India, at The Oval, on Sunday.
Jonny Bairstow was selected to play as a specialist batsman in England's fourth Test against India even though he fractured a finger while keeping wicket in the third-Test loss.
England captain Ben Stokes on Saturday said staying true to the 'Bazball' approach did not work and conceded that India were too good in their own conditions, always finding a way to wriggle out of tight curves.
IMAGES from Day 2 of the 3rd Test played between England and New Zealand at Headingley on Friday.
England's selectors are acutely aware of the impact on players of bio-secure bubbles and with a demanding year ahead, are making sure they protect their key performers.
England were 7-1 at stumps with Ben Duckett (4) and Ollie Pope (3) batting together
'It's always disappointing being on the losing team. Looking back at when we had our chance to bat yesterday, cricket is always skill against skill.'
James Anderson nearly got Abdullah caught behind on 64 but replays confirmed the ball had touched the ground before nestling in the glove of a diving Ollie Pope.
Captain Dean Elgar said he always believed his young South African side could become a formidable team after they beat England by an innings and 12 runs within three days in the first Test at Lord's on Friday.
Labuschagne has regained the No. 1 position after Root overtook him in mid-June with successive centuries against New Zealand.
Steve Smith scored an unbeaten 85 to guide Australia to 339/5 as England wasted favourable bowling conditions on the first day of the second Ashes Test.
A round-up of Saturday's action in the Premier League.
India figured out England's general "ineptitude against spin" after the second Test in Chennai which created panic in the visiting team ranks, triggering a batting collapse during their loss in the pink ball third Test in Motera inside two days, former Australia captain Ian Chappell said.
England's cricket players on central contracts have agreed to take a 15% pay cut for 12 months due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on finances
Ben Stokes returned to practice with England on Wednesday after the condition of his critically ill father improved, but three others missed out as illness continue to plague the tourists, 24 hours ahead of the first Test against South Africa at Centurion. Stokes spent Tuesday at the bedside of father Ged, who was hospitalised the day before due to a "serious illness".
England will need their batting unit to fire against India, who are eyeing a 13th consecutive Test series victory on home soil.
Images from Day 1 of the 2nd Test between England and New Zealand played on Thursday
Pant is also the first Asian wicket-keeper to take five catches in an innings on Test debut.
IMAGES from Day 2 of the 2nd Test between England and New Zealand played at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Saturday.
England Lions tightened the screws on India 'A' as they dismissed the visitors for 197 and were going strong at 159 for 4 in their second innings on the third day of the only four-day unofficial Test, in Worcester.
India need one more wicket to thrash England in the third Test at Trent Bridge after the hosts ended the fourth day on 311 for nine, 210 runs short of their target.
After Ben Stokes enforced a follow on, New Zealand left the England bowlers frustrated on Day 3 of the second Test in Wellington.
IMAGES from Day 2 of the rescheduled 5th Test between England and India at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Saturday.
England named an unchanged squad for first match of the three-Test series against Pakistan that begins on August 5 in Manchester, the country's cricket Board (ECB) said on Wednesday. England beat West Indies 2-1 in the first international Test series since the COVID-19 pandemic suspended the sport in March, winning the third match by 269 runs on Tuesday.
England were left frustrated after a blunder by third umpire Anil Chaudhary denied them the wicket of India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane and a DRS review.
The hosts finished day two on 54-1 for an overall lead of 249 runs on a deteriorating track.
Jasprit Bumrah is the most complete bowler in international cricket, said former South African seamer Vernon Philander.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the first Test against England?
Australia's pacemen Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins ripped out England's top order with a masterclass of textbook bowling to put their side in sight of a 2-0 Ashes lead on Saturday.
Images from Day 4 of the first Test between England and New Zealand at Lord's in London on Saturday.
Rishabh Pant and Cheteshwar Pujara forged the only century-plus partnership of the innings but India still finished the day 321 behind.
Jonny Bairstow has been rested and injured pacer Jofra Archer was left out while spinner Moeen Ali was unavailable for Test selection.
Influenza has ravaged England with several players and staff taken ill since arriving on Dec. 14.
Images from Day 1 of the third Test between India and England, at the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad.
