Englands

NASSER HUSSAIN: Going harder with the bat is not the answer to England’s problems, a cultural overhaul is required to fix this mess – and why it’s a weak excuse for Harry Brook to say he’s learning on his feet

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England have slipped to a new low despite Jos Buttler pointing to their dressing room talent

Back in 1999 when I was appointed England captain, we had hit rock bottom in the Test rankings after underperforming for a very long time. Duncan Fletcher, the new coach, turned to me and said: ‘You’re not the best side in the world, but you shouldn’t be the worst side, either.’ Now England have slipped … Read more

Inside England’s Champions Trophy disaster: How a lack of tension and too many ‘what-ifs’ saw Jos Buttler & Co crash out in Pakistan

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Jos Buttler's side crashed out of the Champions Trophy in rapid time, leading to his resignation

The man with the most to ponder while sifting through the wreckage of England’s Champions Trophy campaign has already fled the scene. Rob Key, England’s managing director of men’s cricket, was on a flight home within five hours of Afghanistan’s eight-run victory earlier this week. The 45-year-old’s departure was in keeping with his schedule and … Read more

Why England’s Ashes pace plan risks falling flat on its face after chastening Champions Trophy campaign, writes LAWRENCE BOOTH

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The sight of Mark Wood flexing his left knee sent tremors beyond England's Champions Trophy campaign

The sight of Mark Wood flexing his left knee during England’s chastening defeat by Afghanistan in Lahore on Wednesday wasn’t just bad news for their Champions Trophy hopes. It was a reminder that Ben Stokes’s plans to hit Australia with express pace this winter remains delicately poised between reality and fantasy. And fantasy currently has … Read more

England’s Euro 2025 squad: Who’s on the plane and who’s got work to do?

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England’s Champions Trophy exit underlines regression of ‘one-dimensional’ side, say Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton | Cricket News

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England Cricket ICC Champions Trophy

Brendon McCullum “has got his hands full” with England following his team’s disappointing Champions Trophy exit against Afghanistan, believes Michael Atherton. England suffered an eight-run defeat to Afghanistan on Wednesday as they fell short of a target of 326 to win, despite Joe Root’s stylish 120 from 11 deliveries in Lahore. Opener Ibrahim Zadran starred … Read more

England’s bright start fades as Portugal claim draw in Nations League opener

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ICC Champions Trophy: England’s awful run of form leaves Jos Buttler’s side needing to ‘do an Australia’ | Cricket News

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Australian players celebrate winning the Cricket World Cup (Associated Press)

England will be looking to ‘do an Australia’ as they begin their Champions Trophy campaign against the same opposition in Lahore on Saturday, live on Sky Sports. Australia are the masters of heading into an ICC event with questions over their competitiveness – and then winning them. We saw that in the 2021 T20 World … Read more

Six Nations: Fin Smith or Marcus Smith? England’s fly-half conundrum assessed ahead of Calcutta Cup | Rugby Union News

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Fin Smith produced a player-of-the-match performance on his first England start

In Fin Smith and Marcus Smith, England have two talented players with distinct qualities needed to drive evolution under Steve Borthwick. Fly-halves by trade, accommodating both in their preferred position is an impossible task with only one, coveted, No 10 jersey on offer. Said jersey is currently on Fin Smith’s back after he was named … Read more

England’s midfield puzzle demands a new combination ahead of Nations League

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Clinton scored the winner against Switzerland on her last England start

Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting … Read more

‘Do me a f*****g favour! Stop writing about cricket …’: Kevin Pietersen slams UK journalist over England’s training controversy | Cricket News

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'Do me a f*****g favour! Stop writing about cricket ...': Kevin Pietersen slams UK journalist over England's training controversy

Kevin Pietersen (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen has taken aim at a ‘leading’ UK journalist for defending England’s lack of practice during their tour of India. Pietersen, who has been vocal about England’s struggles, lashed out on social media after the journalist cited injuries and a tight schedule as reasons … Read more