Surrey is once again the team to beat: PA/John Walton The County Championship season starts on Friday and there will be plenty of quality on display, with a number of English players set to play most of the first six rounds. Telegraph Sport’s experts predict how the season will go and which players to keep … Read more
Rob Key (left) focuses on providing Ben Stokes with a battery of fast bowlers – Philip Brown/Getty Images Rob Key has a simple message for fast bowlers in county cricket as he plots the next phase of England’s Bazball development. ‘I don’t care how many wickets you take. I want to know how fast you … Read more
Mike Brearley was more dictatorial than Ben Stokes, but an equally impressive man-manager – Getty Images/Patrick Eagar Even after losing this Test series in India, his first series defeat in charge, Ben Stokes should still be recognized for what he is: one of the most successful captains England have ever had. Michael Brearley is widely … Read more
Ben Stokes may have to recalibrate England’s strategy – Getty Images/Gareth Copley Competing with Australia and India, England failed to beat the two best teams in the world and to get to the next level they need to “smooth off the rough edges”, as Brendon McCullum admitted after the defeat in Ranchi. “I haven’t thought … Read more
Douglas Jardine (left) and India captain CK Nayadu before the second Test match in January 1934 – Getty Images/Popperfoto The ground staff at the Bombay Gymkhana are re-marking the five-a-side football pitches with whitewash and the chalet-style café in the Swiss Pavilion is doing well. The wicker chairs on the veranda overlooking the field are … Read more
Jamie George is ready to roll up his sleeves ahead of his first match as England captain – Getty Images/David Rogers Jamie George said he was inspired by Ben Stokes’ ‘Bazball’ approach as England’s new captain urged his team to play with courage heading into the Guinness Six Nations. As he prepares to lead England … Read more
Can Ben Stokes become only the fifth England men’s captain to win a series in India? India will be the ultimate stress test for Bazball’s first rule of being endlessly positive. No other tour challenges the senses and the strength of a team as much as this one. The fact that only four England captains … Read more