TAUNTON-BORN wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler earned his 100th England one-day international cap on what turned into an historic day for the visitors against Australia in Melbourne. The former Somerset star was presented with his landmark cap by James Anderson before the match got underway (see below), and went on to claim a catch behind to dismiss Steve Smith from the bowling of Adil Rashid. 💯 ODI caps for @josbuttler! 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/xC8A2oKIY7 — England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 14, 2018 Australia ended up on 304-8 from their 50 overs, a total England - and in particular opener Jason Roy - soon made look inadequate as they set off towards their target at speed. Despite losing Jonny Bairstow (14) and Alex Hales (4) early, Roy showcased his variety of shots on his way to a record England ODI score of 180 - beating the 171 made by Hales against Pakistan at Trent Bridge in 2016. Joe Root made a chanceless unbeaten 91 … [Read more...] about CRICKET: Buttler earns 100th ODI cap in England victory
Cricket
Snow joke for Weston cricketers
PUBLISHED: 09:15 07 January 2011 Weston CC 20/20 in the snow Archant FOR the first time in Weston Cricket Club’s history, a 20/20 challenge match took place on Boxing Day at the club. FOR the first time in Weston Cricket Club’s history, a 20/20 challenge match took place on Boxing Day at the club. The two teams were led by current first team captain Gary Morgan and former captain Ben Curley. The game was played in heavy snow, with only the wicket being cleared and was enjoyed by players and spectators alike. The Curley XI, batting first, got off to an excellent start thanks to some sublime strokeplay by Wilf Huxtable and big-hitting from Justin Turner. Unfortunately, both were dismissed in quick succession by Arron Hawkins and Tom Dancey. However, good contributions from Tom Court, Pete Lomax and Jalal Ahmed maintained the momentum and a late flurry from John Williams, back from Japan, and Tom Main took the score to 135 in the allotted 20 overs. The Morgan XI started … [Read more...] about Snow joke for Weston cricketers
CRICKET: Trego leads backlash as Prior accuses county players of ‘floating’
SOMERSET all-rounder Peter Trego has taken to social media to respond to Matt Prior's claim that there are too many county players "floating around" who are "not ambitious enough." The former England wicketkeeper, who played his last Test in 2014, made the comments in a BBC Radio 5Live programme on England's struggles overseas in recent years. Prior said: "There’s a lot of cricketers playing county cricket who are not ambitious enough to think, ‘I want to play cricket for England. I want to play and win a series in Australia'. "I think there are too many players at the moment floating around in county cricket having a nice life with very little ambition to push on. "There is a huge responsibility on the counties to create that level of ambition from English cricketers - this isn't just about winning the County Championship or a domestic T20 competition." Several past and present county cricketers responded via Twitter to the 35-year-old's controversial comments, … [Read more...] about CRICKET: Trego leads backlash as Prior accuses county players of ‘floating’
Pickering Cricket Club’s aspirations for girls and women
YORKSHIRE Women's cricketer Wendy Brown is supporting Pickering Cricket Club's bid to encourage more girls to join the team after one of their number was nominated for a place on a prestigious coaching programme. Ruby Hick, a dedicated member of the Ryedale outfit's under-13s side, has received a place on Yorkshire Cricket's Bronze Pathway Scheme, and started the course on Saturday. This is not the first time Hick has taken part in an elite youth programme - last year, she was invited to the North Yorkshire Girls District Training, where she trained with Brown. And Brown is backing the club's grant application, to which starlet Hick was also asked to contribute a few words. The 13-year-old aspires to play at the highest levels, having taken to the wicket at the age of seven. She has settled in as a bowler, but is keen to improve her batting and is also capable behind the stumps. Pickering Cricket Club has in the past fielded women's sides, but the ability to attract the … [Read more...] about Pickering Cricket Club’s aspirations for girls and women
BOOK REVIEW: Yorkshire cricketer Geoff Cope’s rich story is no common tale
"WOULD you mind signing it for me please, Geoffrey?" I said. "I don't want to devalue it," came the answer as quick as a flash. Yet there is little chance of anything devaluing 'In Sunshine and In Shadow' by Stephen Chalke, which tracks the ups and downs of life – both cricketing and otherwise – of former Yorkshire and England off-spinner Geoff Cope. The ex-Yeadon player has packed more into his 70 years than most, including losing his parents when he was relatively young, three times being called for throwing (about the worst thing that can happen to a cricketer), having a Test hat-trick snatched away from him by Mike Brearley's honesty, seeing Yorkshire County Cricket Club go within hours of oblivion and suffering from retinitis pigmentosa, a gradual loss of eyesight that will ultimately render him blind. On the flip side, there have been wonderful mentors such as schoolteacher Ernest Smelt, a cricket life that has been rich in friendships throughout, including … [Read more...] about BOOK REVIEW: Yorkshire cricketer Geoff Cope’s rich story is no common tale