Tag: England

Gus Atkinson took a five-wicket haul as England thrashed New Zealand by 115 runs to win the first Test at Lord’s on Sunday.

Surrey paceman Atkinson took 5-30 — his fourth five-wicket innings haul in three Tests at Lord’s — as England went 1-0 up in a three-match series.

But fellow seamer Ollie Robinson was named player-of-the-match after marking his first Test in over two years with seven wickets in the match — including a Test-best haul of 5-39, featuring a rare triple-wicket maiden, in New Zealand’s meagre first-innings 113.

England’s success also owed much to debutant opener Emilo Gay’s 57 in their second-innings 226.

On Sunday, Devon Conway (41) and Glenn Phillips (44 not out) kept England at bay with a seventh-wicket partnership of 53 — New Zealand’s highest of a low-scoring match.

England still only needed 19 overs to take the five wickets they required for victory as their first Test since a woeful 4-1 Ashes series loss in Australia, ended in a comprehensive success.

New Zealand’s overnight 55-5 became 58-6 when Tom Blundell was lbw to fast bowler Josh Tongue.

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Left-handed opener Conway, who resumed on 19 not out, slashed Tongue through gully for four.

He should have been out next ball for 24 when Harry Brook dropped a two-handed chance above his head at second slip after the batter tried to uppercut Tongue.

New batter Phillips drilled Robinson through extra-cover for four on another overcast morning that favoured the fast bowlers, with stroke-play far from easy on a pitch of inconsistent bounce.

The aggressive Phillips thrashed a slightly wide Robinson delivery through the covers for four.

England captain Ben Stokes brought himself on but Phillips clipped his fifth ball through midwicket for four to bring up New Zealand’s hundred.

Stokes did break through when he squared up Conway with a good-length ball that took the edge, Jacob Bethell holding a fine low catch in the gully to end a gritty 91-ball innings.

New Zealand’s 111-7 was transformed into 116-8 when Atkinson had Nathan Smith caught behind.

And the Black Caps were nine wickets down and on the brink of defeat when Kyle Jamieson, who made 38 not out in the first innings, fell for six after clipping Atkinson to midwicket

Phillips defiantly pulled Tongue for six – one of eight boundaries in 52 balls faced.

But there was nothing he could do when Atkinson bowled last man Matt Henry for a duck to finish with innings figure of 5-30 in 11.3 overs.

The series now moves across London to the Oval, where the second Test starts on June 17.

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LONDON: England were on top at the close of play against New Zealand on day two after Gus Atkinson’s double strike at the Lord’s Cricket Stadium. 

The visitors were reduced to 36-3 with 218 more runs required to win. Devon Conway remained not out on 12 while the night-watchman Will O’Rourke was the final wicket to fall.  Atkinson cleaned him up on a duck.

The Three Lions bowlers adopted an aggressive strategy, with captain Tom Latham dismissed on the third ball of the first over. It was Josh Tongue who took Kane Williamson in the 11th over, giving his team a strong position.

Earlier, Jamie Smith helped England recover from a middle-order collapse as they set New Zealand 254 to win the first Test at Lord’s on Friday.

England were dismissed for 226 in their second innings on the second day of a frenetic clash in north London.

New Zealand’s Nathan Smith took 6-70, the second five-wicket haul of the paceman’s six-match Test career.

But given New Zealand were dismissed for just 113 in the first innings, they need a vastly-improved batting effort to avoid falling 1-0 behind in the three-match series.

Debutant opener Emilio Gay was England’s top-scorer in their second innings with 57 and wicket-keeper Smith made 39.

Earlier, England lost four wickets for just one run as 126-2 quickly became 127-6 before Smith steadied the ship in the 150th Test at Lord’s — the most of any ground.

Smith received good support from Gus Atkinson during a seventh-wicket stand of 57.

But Atkinson gave his innings away on 14 when his miscued pull off Kyle Jamieson was caught by the towering fast bowler.

This is England’s first Test since a 4-1 series loss in Australia where they squandered several promising positions.

And it looked like they might be suffering a repeat of their Ashes debacle when Harry Brook, fresh from a first-innings fifty, and England captain Ben Stokes were both dismissed without scoring on Friday.

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There was little Jamie Smith could do when Nathan Smith bowled him with a delivery that kept low to end a 52-ball innings, including six fours.

England were 99-2 when Jacob Bethell was bowled by a Matt Henry delivery that kept low.

Gay, however, was still seeking to punish New Zealand for failing to review a rejected Henry lbw appeal when the Durham batter would have been out for 24.

Gay pressed on to an 84-ball fifty, including seven fours, before he was caught behind off Smith to leave England 126-3.

Brook was trapped in front by Will O’Rourke for a duck and Joe Root fell in similar fashion to Smith for eight.

Stokes was bowled by an excellent Smith delivery that angled in before clipping the top of the left-hander’s off stump.

Ollie Robinson made a useful 29 before he holed out off Nathan Smith to end the innings.

Earlier, Robinson celebrated a five-wicket haul on his return to England duty.

The Sussex pace bowler, playing his first Test in more than two years, produced a triple-wicket maiden on Thursday during a sensational return of 4-10 in six overs as New Zealand slumped to 61-6 at stumps.

He wrapped up the innings on Friday by bowling last man Henry for a duck to leave New Zealand 27 runs behind England’s first-innings 140 all out.

Robinson finished with his Test-best figures of 5-39 in 10.1 overs.

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England pacer Ollie Robinson marked his first Test for more than two years with four wickets, including three in a sensational opening over, as New Zealand slumped to 61-6 before bad light cut short the first day’s play at Lord’s on Thursday.

This is the 150th Test at Lord’s and rarely in the long history of the London ground can the first day have been quite so dramatic, with 16 wickets in total falling before stumps.

Recalled Sussex seamer Robinson had remarkable figures of four wickets for 10 runs in just six overs at the close.

England led by 79 runs at stumps despite being dismissed for just 140 themselves after losing the toss.

Batsmen on both sides struggled in the overcast, bowler-friendly conditions, with even New Zealand great Kane Williamson, blessed with one of the best defensive techniques of his generation, falling for nought to Robinson.

Robinson, bowling the second over of the innings, took three wickets for no runs in four balls to leave New Zealand reeling at 2-3, with the normally reserved Lord’s crowd chanting his name.

The 32-year-old had Devon Conway lbw with his third ball and then removed Williamson and Rachin Ravindra for ducks with the last two balls of his first over.

Williamson, in what could be the 35-year-old’s last appearance at Lord’s, was caught off bat and pad as the ball lobbed gently to short leg.

Ravindra was then lbw to Robinson, after being hit on the back leg.

His review failed to overturn the decision of Australian umpire Rod Tucker, who was standing in his 100th Test. Robinson’s previous 20 Tests had yielded 76 wickets at an impressive average of under 23 apiece.

But doubts about his stamina and attitude, if not his skill, meant that this was his first Test since February 2024.

Gus Atkinson then had New Zealand captain Tom Latham lbw.

Robinson struck again, bowling Daryl Mitchell for 12.

Fast bowler Josh Tongue bowled Tom Blundell to leave New Zealand reeling at 29-6 in just 13 overs.

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Glenn Phillips (31 not out) and Nathan Smith prevented further collapse before bad light curtailed play despite the floodlights being switched on.

Earlier, New Zealand’s Kyle Jamieson took 5-62 in 14 overs — the sixth five-wicket haul of the towering 31-year-old fast bowler’s 20-Test career.

Harry Brook, with 56, was the lone England batter to offer meaningful resistance and he was dropped twice during an otherwise impressive New Zealand fielding display.

New Zealand’s pacemen made England suffer, even though Matt Henry, who was passed fit following a hamstring strain, only managed four overs before leaving the field.

Debutant opener Emilio Gay was out for eight, while Joe Root and Jamie Smith both scored just one run apiece in England’s first Test since their woeful 4-1 Ashes series loss in Australia concluded in January.

Gay, who was playing in place of dropped batter Zak Crawley, emulated England great David Gower by hitting his first ball in Test cricket for four before edging Jamieson to Mitchell in the slips.

Will O’Rourke (3-38) captured the key wicket of Root before Smith was bowled playing no shot by a Jamieson ball that cut back and knocked out his off stump.

England captain Ben Stokes, on his 35th birthday, fell for 12 when an edge off Jamieson was superbly caught low and one-handed by Williamson, diving in front of first slip.

Brook, who was dropped early in his innings had another reprieve, on 45, when Ravindra floored a straightforward catch at midwicket

The batter completed a 64-ball fifty but holed out soon afterwards before a last-wicket partnership of 22 between Tongue and Shoaib Bashir boosted England’s total.

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LONDON: The iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground has etched its name deeper into cricket history, becoming the first venue in the world to host 150 Test matches on Thursday. 

The opening match of the English summer between England and New Zealand marked the milestone, further cementing Lord’s status as the ‘Home of Cricket’ and the most historic Test venue.

The iconic ground leads the global rankings for hosting the most Test matches, followed by Australia’s Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Stadium to host most Tests:

Lord’s Cricket Ground  150
Melbourne Cricket Ground  118
Sydney Cricket Ground 114
Kennington Oval 108
Old Trafford 86

Over the years, Lord’s has provided fans with decades of highly competitive cricket. The venue is known for producing decisive results, with 98 matches ending in wins and only 51 finishing in draws.

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During its 142-year history, the iconic ground has hosted a number of memorable matches, with a total of 143,786 runs scored and 4,627 wickets.

England ace batter Joe Root has scored the most runs at this venue, followed by former players Graham Gooch, Alastair Cook, Andrew Strauss, and Alec Stewart. Meanwhile, Australia batter Steve Smith tops the runs charts for overseas batters at this venue.

Most Runs at Lord’s

Joe Root — 24*, 2166
Graham Gooch — 21, 2015
Alastair Cook — 26, 1937
Andrew Strauss — 18, 1562
Alec Stewart — 20, 1476

In bowlers, legendary fast bowler James Anderson leads the wickets charts with 129 wickets in 29 matches, while New Zealand’s Richard Hadlee has taken the most wickets by a visiting bowler, with 26 wickets in four matches.

Playing XIs

England: Emilio Gay, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (capt), Jamie Smith (wkt), Gus Atkinson, Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir

New Zealand: Tom Latham (capt), Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wkt), Glenn Phillips, Nathan Smith, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Will O’Rourke

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LONDON: Emilio Gay and Sonnie Baker are set to make their debuts as England announced the squad for the first Test against New Zealand.

The first Test will begin on 4 June at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Stadium.

Both opener Gay and fast bowler Baker feature for Durham and Hampshire in the County Championship, while Ollie Robinson is also set to return after a two-year hiatus.

Meanwhile, Shoaib Bashir, who remained out of contention in the Ashes 2025, has also been included in the trimmed squad. The off-spinner’s last Test appearance came against India in 2025.

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The players left out of the original 15 squad are James Rew, legspinner Rehan Ahmed, and fast bowler Matt Fisher.

Head coach Brendon McCullum revealed the notion behind Bashir’s inclusion, noting that conditions did not favor him during the Ashes.

“We firmly believe in Bash as an international cricketer,” England head coach Brendon McCullum told BBC Sport.

“When I look back to why he wasn’t required in Australia, it wasn’t to do with how the ball was coming out of his hand per se, we just felt the conditions were not conducive to spin bowling – as did Australia,” he added.

“We remain hugely confident and optimistic about Bash as a cricketer and the role he can play for us.

Regarding Sonnie Baker and Gus Atkinson’s selection, McCullum hinted that they will assess conditions to finalize the playing XI

“We’ll just work out whether we want the extra air speed, if all of a sudden it becomes 35 degrees and flattens out. Or we stick to what’s tried and tested at Lord’s and remain with more of the type of bowlers that’ll extract some movement with some overhead conditions,” he concluded.

England 12-member squad for first Test

Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith, Ben Stokes (captain), Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue, Ollie Robinson, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir.

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Pakistan is set to play a one-off Test against England ahead of the Ashes 2027, English news outlet The Telegraph reported on Friday.

According to the report, England will play a Test against Pakistan at Old Trafford in late May, with the match scheduled during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2027.

“Next summer, an England Test against Pakistan in late May, at Old Trafford, is currently scheduled during the IPL. That precedes the Ashes, which will begin at Trent Bridge, the most northerly ground of the series. Trent Bridge has not hosted an Ashes Test since 2015, a match best remembered for Stuart Broad’s extraordinary eight for 15,” the report said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan are already scheduled to play a three-match Test series against England in August later this year, as per the Future Tour Program (FTP).

The series is set to begin on 19 August at Headingley, Leeds. The second Test will be played at Lord’s on 27 August, followed by the final match at Edgbaston, Birmingham, on 9 September.

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Moreover, the report also states that England’s best all-format players are also set to miss Test matches in 2028 due to the Olympics.

With England as the top-ranked T20 team in Europe, Team Great Britain is assured a spot in the event alongside India, Australia, and South Africa, with the United States as the host with one more spot ot be filled.

With the Olympics in mind, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has also established a new entity, GB Cricket, to organize participation in the event.

England are due to host West Indies in a three-match Test series in 2027, creating a direct clash with the Olympics.

The report suggests that, given the selection process for Team GB is still unclear and the availability of England’s best players across formats is uncertain, it cannot be said with certainty that Test regulars will miss the West Indies matches.

However, there appears to be a strong desire at the ECB to support the sport’s return to the Olympics by making the best players available.

England Test Series vs Pakistan in 2026

• 19 August – 1st Test – Headingley, Leeds
• 27 August – 2nd Test – Lord’s, London
• 9 September – 3rd Test – Edgbaston, Birmingham

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Cole Palmer and Phil Foden were among a number of high-profile players left out of the England squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026, announced by Thomas Tuchel on Friday.

Real Madrid’s Trent Alexander-Arnold was also omitted, with Saudi-based Al-Ahli striker Ivan Toney the surprise inclusion.

Tuchel, a Champions League winner during his time at Chelsea, has been hired to end England’s 60-year wait to win a major international tournament.

The German, former Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Bayern Munich boss, has made a series of bold calls that will be harshly judged if the Three Lions fall short of glory in the coming weeks.

Palmer and Foden played a major role in England’s run to the final of Euro 2024. However, Chelsea playmaker Palmer and Manchester City’s Foden have paid the price for poor seasons with their clubs.

Tuchel said telling players they would not be on the plane to the United States had been tough.

“It was difficult, sometimes painfully difficult and like even in the phone calls I felt the emotion,” he said. “So I called all players that were with us in camp at least one time, I called them, I wanted to show at least the appreciation and the respect for what they have done.”

Tuchel said he could not wait to be on the plane and “be a coach”.

“Now I’m feeling in between relieved and excited and ready to go because once you get the energy back and once you see the excitement of the players that you chose, and then once the decisions are made, it gives you a certain edge, it gives clarity,” he said.

Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White and Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin have also been overlooked despite being two of the highest-scoring Englishmen in the Premier League this season.

Veteran Brentford midfielder and former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has been included at the expense of Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton.

Tuchel has taken a risk on centre-back John Stones despite his lack of involvement at Manchester City during an injury-hit season.

Toney made an impact off the bench at the Euros two years ago, but has played only two minutes of international football since moving to Saudi Arabia in 2024.

England will kick off their World Cup campaign against Croatia in Dallas on June 17, before playing Ghana on June 23 and Panama four days later.

England squad for FIFA World Cup 2026

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), James Trafford (Manchester City)

Defenders: Reece James (Chelsea), Tino Livramento, Dan Burn (Newcastle), Marc Guehi, John Stones, Nico O’Reilly (all Manchester City), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham)

Midfielders: Declan Rice (Arsenal), Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal)

Forwards: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle)

READ: Harry Maguire ‘shocked’ to be omitted from England squad for World Cup 2026

England defender Harry Maguire said Thursday he was “shocked and gutted” to have been left out of Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026.

The German coach will name his 26-man squad for the tournament in North America on Friday and began making calls to players the previous day.

Manchester United’s Maguire was part of the England squad in March, having received his first call-up under Tuchel, but the 66-cap defender has confirmed he will not be going to the World Cup.

 

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The centre-back, 33, posted on social media: “I was confident I could (have) played a major part this summer for my country after the season I’ve had. I’ve been left shocked and gutted by the decision.

“I’ve loved nothing more than putting that shirt on and representing my country over the years.

“I wish the players, all the best this summer.”

Maguire has played a major role for United since Michael Carrick took charge at Old Trafford in January, helping the team finish third in the Premier League.

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Former Manchester United and England star David Beckham has become Britain’s first billionaire sportsman, according to the 2026 Sunday Times Rich List.

Beckham and his wife Victoria’s collective wealth reached an estimated £1.185 billion ($1.583 billion) this year, the Rich List compilers said.

That moved them into second place in the list of the UK’s wealthiest sportspeople, behind the family of ex-Formula One chief executive Bernie Ecclestone, whose wealth was valued at £2 billion.

Beckham, who retired from playing in 2013, is a co-owner of Inter Miami, estimated to be Major League Soccer’s most valuable club at £1.07 billion.

The 51-year-old also has lucrative brand ambassador roles for companies including Adidas and Hugo Boss.

Beckham captained England and won the Premier League and Champions League during a glittering career with United, before spells at Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan, and Paris Saint-Germain.

Victoria Beckham’s wealth has largely been generated from her fashion label after she originally found fame as a member of pop band The Spice Girls.

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Joining Beckham on the Rich List, seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton is fifth, with a fortune, according to the Rich List, calculated at £435 million.

Reigning Masters golf champion Rory McIlroy is seventh with a £325 million valuation.

Boxer Anthony Joshua is placed at eighth with a fortune of £240 million, one place above his heavyweight rival Tyson Fury, who is ninth on £162 million.

Bayern Munich and England striker Harry Kane and retired former Wimbledon champion Andy Murray are joint 10th with £110 million each.

Among business people with sporting associations, Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe has dropped down the overall Rich List.

His fortune shrank by £1.85 billion, according to the list compilers, to £15.194 billion.

The list compilers lowered the value of Ratcliffe’s petrochemicals company INEOS to £17 billion owing to “rising debt, falling revenues and a loss of £515.7 million”.

Promoters Barry and Eddie Hearn have joined Britain’s billionaire club, with their combined wealth estimated at £1.035 billion.

Barry is the founder and president of Matchroom Sport, one of the leading promoters in boxing, darts and snooker, while his son Eddie is chairman of the organisation.

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England all-rounder Liam Dawson has announced his retirement from first-class cricket with immediate effect in a bid to prolong his white-ball career. 

The 36-year-old confirmed that he will continue to play limited-overs cricket for Hampshire and Manchester Originals, and will also remain available for England’s white-ball teams.

The 36-year-old, who played four Test matches for England, confirmed that he will continue playing limited-overs and will remain available for England’s white-ball teams.

Dawson played four County Championship games this season, claiming seven wickets, before missing Hampshire’s heavy defeat to Glamorgan due to injury.

In first-class cricket, Dawson scored 10828 runs, including 18 centuries, and scalped 380 wickets.

Dawson also represented England in four Tests, with his last appearance coming against India at Old Trafford in 2025.

He was also recognized for his outstanding performances in 2024 when he was named Men’s Player of the Year at the Professional Cricketers’ Association awards, alongside the Overall Domestic MVP and County Championship Player of the Year honors.

Following the announcement, Dawson expressed pride in representing Hampshire while admitting that it was a challenging decision.

“I’ve decided to retire from first-class cricket,” Dawson said.

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“It’s a decision that I haven’t taken lightly but I feel for the benefit of prolonging my career in white-ball cricket, the time is right.,” he added.

The all-rounder said that he was extremely proud to have played over 200 games for Hampshire and had created many special memories with several players.

“I’m extremely proud to have played over 200 games for Hampshire and have had some amazing memories with so many players over the years. I’m fully committed to playing white-ball cricket for Hampshire and continuing the success we’ve had.”

“To the fans and members who have turned out over the years, I can’t thank you enough for your support. Hampshire will always be my home, and I look forward to playing in front of you all at Utilita Bowl very soon,” he concluded.

For the unversed, Dawson’s maiden Test appearance came against India in the 2016-17 tour. He was also included in the squad for the South Africa series later that year; however, he had to wait eight years to play his next Test match, which came against India.

Notably, he was also part of England’s 2019 World Cup-winning squad and traveled as a reserve player with the 2022 T20 World Cup-winning team.

It was in 2025 that he became a regular feature in England’s T20I side, which eventually led to his inclusion in the 2026 T20 World Cup squad.

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