Cricket

New Zealand 208-6 v England: McCullum fireworks add to his star status

International cricket has lost too many of its superstars in the last 18 months but in Brendon McCullum New Zealand appear to have unearthed a new one.

Inside Cricket

Surrey 278 Hampshire 204-7: Surrey's attack adds to plight of Mascarenhas

Friday, 16 May 2008

Even with their captain Dimitri Mascarenhas to lead them Hampshire found themselves struggling against a sharp Surrey attack which tested the batsmen throughout the two full sessions and a bit that were possible before the weather closed in.

Lancashire 113 & 233 Nottinghamshire 202 & 33-1: Shreck has the pace to join Nottinghamshire's national service

Friday, 16 May 2008

Having groomed one England fast bowler in Ryan Sidebottom and made something of a strategic error in signing another in Stuart Broad, the last thing Nottinghamshire need is to have England selectors sniffing around to see who else they might part with in the national interest.

England must lord it over Black Caps

Thursday, 15 May 2008

If England's aspirations of winning next summer's Ashes are to be taken seriously Michael Vaughan's side must start producing a consistent and high quality brand of cricket, and that means walloping New Zealand who, weather permitting, they play this morning in the first of three Tests. It was against the same opposition four years ago that England's credibility and belief began to rise, form that culminated in the 2005 triumph over Australia, and nothing less than a 2-0 series win against the Black Caps is acceptable.

Like father like son: England's original Sidebottom

Thursday, 15 May 2008

"Come on red dog, keep goin', tha'll get 'im in a minute," shouted David Bairstow, the sadly departed former Yorkshire and England wicketkeeper, as another Middlesex batsman edged a delivery from an inconsolable Arnie Sidebottom down to the third man boundary for four. The words of encouragement were well meaning but they rarely did anything to improve the mood of the bowler who, with typical theatre, had just thrown his hands in the air in dismay before resting them on his hips to give the mother of all double teapots.

Tea Report: Surrey 278 v Hampshire 177-7 (64 overs)

Thursday, 15 May 2008

Hampshire suffered a dog day afternoon. After the painstaking care with which Michael Brown and Michael Lumb had compiled their century stand everything went to pot after lunch.

Tea Report: Nottinghamshire 201 v Lancashire 113 & 180-6 (65 overs)

Thursday, 15 May 2008

The news that Chris Read's England prospects are not consigned to history after all will not go down well among Nottinghamshire supporters, much as they feel their wicketkeeper's talents have been undervalued by the national selectors, particularly during Duncan Fletcher's reign as coach.