Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

CRICKET: Stokes back in team as India urged to show "grit"

BEN STOKES will start the third Test for England against India at Trent Bridge tomorrow (18), just four days after being cleared of affray.

England captain Joe Root confirmed today (17) that the all-rounder would be back in the starting eleven at the expense of the unfortunate Sam Curran, who was man of the match in the opening test at Edgbaston.


"It was one of the most difficult decisions I've had to make as captain. It's about us as a squad delivering over five games and on this occasion Sam is unfortunate to miss out," said Root.

"Ben is desperate to get back playing cricket. He's desperate to get out there, put in performances and concentrate on his cricket now. He feels ready to play.

"I have known Ben from being really quite young and I feel very confident he will be able to go out and put in a performance."

The 27-year-old Stokes is plunged straight back into the spotlight after an 11-month saga ended when he was found not guilty of affray following the late-night street brawl in Bristol last September after England had won a one day international against West Indies.

Coach Trevor Bayliss has backed Stokes' return, saying it was "for his own well-being".

India's head coach Ravi Shastri faces a very different problem of how to raise spirits with his team, the world's number one ranked Test side, staring at the indignity of losing the five-match series after just three Tests.

England lead the five-match series 2-0 and victory in Nottingham will see them retain the Pataudi Trophy.

In the first test to start on a Saturday in England since they played South Africa at the Oval in 1955, India have to improve their batting urgently and will be grateful that captain Virat Kohli, the only one to shine amid the ruins, is fit after suffering back spasms at Lord's.

Shastri has called on the Indian batsmen to show "resolve" even if it means they look "ugly and dirty" at the crease, as they try to fight back against England.

The 56-year-old told reporters at Trent Bridge yesterday (16): "Batsmen from both teams have struggled.

"When the occasion demands, it’s a case of mental resolve, how you put mind over matter and mental discipline will be the key as far as batsmen are concerned going forward in this Test match."

India had the worst of the conditions at Lord's, batting under overcast skies and on a pitch freshened by pre-match and in-game rain - an environment made to order for England new-ball duo James Anderson and Stuart Broad.

Shastri, however, added: "Conditions have been tough as you have seen right through this series. But that's where character and discipline come into play, the resolve to know where your off stump is, to leave a lot of balls, be prepared to look ugly and dirty and show some grit."

Shastri said it was vital India did not brood on what had happened at Lord's as they looked to regain a foothold in the series.

"Just believe in yourself," he said. "You have been in this position couple of times before and you have responded.

"One thing for sure in this unit, there is no negative bone.

"In spite of what happened in the last Test match, conditions favoured England and that is no excuse whatsoever, it can happen to any side.

"We are here without a negative bone, wanting to play to win, as simple as that."

(Agencies)

More For You

IPL valued at £13.5bn as Bengaluru tops franchise rankings

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Virat Kohli (C), along with his teammates, celebrates with the trophy after winning the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 final cricket match against Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 4, 2025. (Photo by ARUN SANKAR/AFP via Getty Images)

IPL valued at £13.5bn as Bengaluru tops franchise rankings

THE Indian Premier League's business value has been estimated at $18.5 billion (£13.5bn) with reigning champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru its wealthiest franchise, according to a report by an investment bank.

The world's richest cricket tournament has been a top revenue earner for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and in 2020 was estimated to generate more than $11bn (£8bn) a year for the Indian economy.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sharapova defends Sabalenka

The article in question described Sabalenka’s recent practice sessions

Getty Images

Maria Sharapova defends Sabalenka, calls Wall Street Journal article 'lazy reporting'

Highlights:

  • Maria Sharapova criticises WSJ coverage of Aryna Sabalenka's Wimbledon practice
  • WSJ article suggested Sabalenka hits so hard she must train with men
  • Sharapova says the practice is standard in women’s tennis
  • Sabalenka says sessions with Djokovic and Sinner have improved her game

Sharapova challenges headline on Sabalenka

Maria Sharapova has called out the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) over its portrayal of world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka’s Wimbledon preparations, urging the publication to “do better”.

The 2004 Wimbledon champion took issue with an Instagram post by WSJ featuring a smiling Sabalenka under the caption: “The world No. 1 who hits so hard she practises against men.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Sri Lanka crush Bangladesh by 99 runs, clinch series

Sri Lanka's players pose with the trophy after winning the third and final one-day international (ODI) cricket match against Bangladesh at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on July 8, 2025. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)

Sri Lanka crush Bangladesh by 99 runs, clinch series

SRI LANKA stormed to a 99-run win over Bangladesh in the third and final ODI at Pallekele on Tuesday (8), sealing the three-match series 2-1 with a clinical all-round display.

Set a challenging target of 286, Bangladesh faltered under pressure and were bundled out for 186 inside 40 overs as Sri Lanka flexed their bowling muscle to wrap up the contest with ease.

Keep ReadingShow less
Red Bull sacks Christian Horner after 20 years

Red Bull Racing's British team principal and CEO Christian Horner. (Photo by JOE KLAMAR/AFP via Getty Images)

Red Bull sacks Christian Horner after 20 years

CHRISTIAN HORNER is to leave his role as Red Bull team principal with immediate effect after 20 years, the Formula One team announced on Wednesday (9).

The 51-year-old Englishman has occupied the role ever since the team started out in the championship.

Keep ReadingShow less
Carlos Alcaraz Wimbledon 2025

Alcaraz had experienced occasional inconsistency in the first week of the tournament

Getty Images

Carlos Alcaraz eases past Norrie to reach Wimbledon semi-finals

Highlights

  • Carlos Alcaraz defeats Britain’s Cameron Norrie in straight sets
  • Defending champion extends winning streak to 23 matches
  • Faces American Taylor Fritz next in the semi-finals

Alcaraz powers through quarter-final test

LONDON, July 8 (Reuters) – Carlos Alcaraz had hinted that Cameron Norrie might pose a tricky challenge. And for a brief moment on Tuesday, it looked as though the defending Wimbledon champion could be in for an early scare.

The Spaniard found himself down 0-40 in his opening service game on Centre Court. But any suggestion of an upset quickly faded as Alcaraz surged to a dominant 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 victory — a performance that further cemented his status as the favourite to retain the title.

Keep ReadingShow less