The Sports Guru
Cricket
Joe Root returned to first-class cricket after more than three months away and immediately looked every inch the world-class batter he is, only to be denied a milestone hundred by a moment of uncharacteristic…
Test-cricket analysis, England squad coverage, County Championship reports and the rule changes shaping the modern game. Long-form pieces on captaincy, selection and the ECB's strategic decisions, with stats verified against ECB, ESPN Cricinfo and BBC Sport sources.
Cricket
The ECB's bold decision to trial fully participating substitute players in the County Championship is already generating significant controversy after just two rounds of fixtures. Coaches and captains from…
Cricket
Ben Stokes has spoken candidly about the nets accident that left him needing major facial surgery, admitting things could have been far worse. The England captain has also delivered his most honest assessment…
Cricket
Ben Stokes has broken his silence on the reported tension between himself and England head coach Brendon McCullum, conceding their partnership needs to operate differently following a difficult winter. This…
Cricket
Jamie Smith is producing some of the most consistently destructive batting in the County Championship this season, and his second-innings 89 at the Kia Oval was another reminder of why his name keeps coming up…