England players deserve criticism for poor performances but questioning the team's desire is uncalled for, vice-captain Ben Stokes has said ahead of the third of the four-test series against South Africa at The Oval on Thursday.
Former interanational umpire Bomi Jamula is wary of trashing the Decision Review System (DRS) which came under the microscope during the just-concluded first Ashes Test between England and Australia at Trent Bridge, Nottingham.
'It depends on whom you want to play. I feel you have a choice, it's a tough one to make.'
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.
Pant is also the first Asian wicket-keeper to take five catches in an innings on Test debut.
Mumbai youngster Prithvi Shaw and Andhra batsman Hanuma Vihari were the two surprise inclusion in India's squad for the last two Tests of the ongoing five-match series against England.
England must chase down a world-record 474 to win the second Test while South Africa have two full days to bowl them out after the tourists' batsmen provided the strongest possible platform for victory on the third day in Nottingham on Sunday.
India was able to finish Day 1 of third Test on 307 for six because their batsmen capitalised well on the conditions at Trent Bridge and did not offer any chances in the middle session, said England pacer Chris Woakes.
Virat Kohli dropped a position to 11th leaving India with no batsmen in the top 10 of the ICC Player Rankings for Test batsmen, in the latest update of the ICC Player Rankings released by the International Cricket Council on Tuesday.
England pair Joe Root and James Anderson broke the all-time Test record for a 10th-wicket partnership on Saturday but the first Test against India at Trent Bridge looks like ending in a draw.
Former Indian captain Ravi Shastri has insisted that widespread criticism has vindicated India's blunt and uncompromising position on the Decision Review System (DRS), saying that the 'shit' has hit the roof in a massive series, referring to the Ashes.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken the first step towards controlling the controversial Decision Review System (DRS) in the third Ashes Test at Old Trafford with trial of an alternative system to reduce the third umpire's reliance on the host broadcaster.
Glenn McGrath has said that Indian team would need to execute their plans properly during their one-off Test match against Bangladesh starting in Fatullah on Wednesday.
Following the batting unit's poor show, England came under sharp criticism, with former captain Geoffrey Boycott slamming the batsmen for showing lack of patience and technique.
Star England batter Jonny Bairstow has credited his sensational run of form in the past five Test innings, including the two against India, to freedom from COVID-19 protocols and role clarity under new head coach Brendon McCullum.
India 21 for no loss at stumps on Day 1 after bowling out England for 183 in the first Test, in Nottingham, on Wednesday.
Frank Tyson, the former England cricketer regarded as one of the fastest bowlers of all time, has died at the age of 85, the BBC reported on Sunday.
Mitchell Johnson has set his sights on equalling the record of mentor Dennis Lillee after becoming just the fifth Australian to take 300 Test wickets last week.
England's Liam Plunkett smashed the last ball of the match for six to earn his team a dramatic tie with Sri Lanka in the first one-day international in Nottingham on Tuesday.
Seeking to continue their winning momentum and take an unassailable 2-0 lead, India were dealt a blow ahead of the third one-dayer against England at Trent Bridge on Saturday as opener Rohit Sharma was ruled out of the remainder of the tour because of injury.
Kevin Pietersen was included in a 14-man squad for next week's third Ashes Test against Australia at Old Trafford despite concerns over his calf injury, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Sunday.
'These are elementary things you do not do against any decent swing bowler in English conditions. To try to do it to James Anderson, who is one of the great master craftsmen in those conditions, tells me the Indian batsmen have not done their homework'
India Hanuma Vihari was signed up by Warwickshire as cover for Pieter Malan after the South African faced difficulties in obtaining a visa due to travel restrictions imposed in view of the raging COVID-10 pandemic.
Stuart was docked 15 per cent of his match fees and a third demerit point was added to his disciplinary record - a punishment made on the recommendation of Broad senior for using inappropriate language against Pakistan's player Yasir Shah during the first Test in Manchester.
Virat the batsman wins, Virat the captain loses
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has paid rich tribute to the world's oldest cricketer, Lindsay Tuckett, who passed away in Bloemfontein this morning at the age of 97.
New England batsman Tom Westley has been promised a debut to remember when he makes his first test appearance in Thursday's third Test against South Africa at The Oval.
South Africa took full advantage of an abject England batting display on Monday to complete an easy 340-run win in the second Test to level the series 1-1 with two games left to play.
Here's a glimpse of all that happened around the world of sport last week, in 10 images.
Australia captain Michael Clarke defiant as Australia seek to salvage Ashes.
"Ravi Shastri should be removed as head coach before the Australia tour. Ravi Shastri is a very good cricket commentator and he should be allowed to do so," Chauhan, also Uttar Pradesh Sports Minister, said while agreeing to demands raised by former cricketers for removal of Shastri as coach.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is working on COVID-19 protocols to organise a warm-up game for the touring Indian team against 'Combined Counties' side in the third week of July as a tune-up for the first Test in Nottingham, starting on August 4.
Stuart Broad has been backed by captain Alastair Cook to lead the attack in the absence of James Anderson as England try to show they can win a major Test match without their all-time leading wicket-taker.
Indian batsman Rohit Sharma has been ruled out of the remaining three One-dayers and the one-off Twenty20 against England after sustaining a fracture in the middle finger of his right hand.
Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa has received an official reprimand and one demerit point for breaching the International Cricket Council's code of conduct during the World Cup match against West Indies.
Alastair Cook marked The Oval's 100th Test match with a familiarly stubborn unbeaten half-century, standing firm as the home side battled to 149 for four against South Africa at tea on an absorbing first day of the third Test on Thursday.
England face an uphill battle to save the second Test at Lord's after slumping to 105 for four at the close of Sunday's fourth day in pursuit of 319 to beat India.
Former opener Sunil Gavaskar predicted an India win by a 4-0 or 3-1 margin, depending on the weather, adding that the visitors would emerge victorious anyway as England is depleted without the likes of Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer.
Kevin Pietersen's England return was halted by rain on Thursday as the second Twenty20 match against New Zealand at the Oval was abandoned after just two balls, handing the Black Caps a 1-0 win in the two-match series.
The national selection committee is awaiting an update on skipper India Virat Kohli's injured wrist as they get ready to announce the squad for the two-Test series against the West Indies.
