Latest news with #Englan
NDTV
12 hours ago
- Sport
- NDTV
Ben Stokes Blasted By England Great Ahead Of India Tests: "Why Wouldn't You...?"
Former Englan captain Michael Vaughan has raised concerns over Ben Stokes ' preparation for the Test series against India, starting June 20 in Leeds. The five-match series against India will be followed by a crucial Ashes tour of Australia later this year. Vaughan stressed on the fact that Stokes barely had any game time heading into the series, especially after a dip in form during the previous season. Vaughan suggested that Stokes should've at least played a game for England Lions against India A to get into the rhythm ahead of what will be a crucial six-nine months for England cricket. "I've been staggered by the lack of time in the middle that Ben's had as a batter. He didn't have a great year last year when he got his injuries. A Scottie Scheffler or a footballer going into a major event would be playing. He's had no game time. Why wouldn't you want to play for England Lions just for a knock, not to bowl? He was bowling against Zimbabwe, and clearly he's fine, but why wouldn't you just want a bit of time in the middle? Call me old school, but I think it's quite nice to go out and hit a few balls," Vaughan told The Daily Mail. Vaughan feels England can only beat Australia on their soil if Stokes is fit enough and firing as an all-rounder. "England can only win in Australia with him, and that's him being the all-rounder. If he goes to Australia just as the batter, that completely breaks the balance of the team and as much as he's a genius captain, the team are 30-40 per cent better when he bowls. To win in Australia, he has to be bowling and batting well," he added. Sharing his views on England's aggressive style of cricket under Stokes, Vaughan said: "Now it's about winning. Look at 2019 when we won the World Cup. Did England play the cricket that they'd been playing previously to win that final? Did they heck. They had to dig deep and play the old school horrible way, but they won. They are remembered as winners. I always revert back to the Newcastle football side of the 1990s - the Kevin Keegan era. Bloody great, we talk about them, but they didn't win. Make sure you're not that. Make sure that you're not the most entertaining England side that's ever been, but not won an Ashes. Don't leave it until 2027," Vaughan explained.
BBC News
07-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Ecclestone keen to 'move on' from Hartley incident
England spinner Sophie Ecclestone says she has "moved on" and "learned from" her refusal to do an interview with Alex Hartley during the Women's Ashes in who was working as a pundit for the BBC and other networks, was refused a TV interview by former England team-mate Ecclestone during England's 16-0 came after Hartley questioned the fitness levels of some of England's players following their early exit from the T20 World Cup last for the first time since the incident, Ecclestone, 25, told BBC Sport: "It is in the past now. "We have got a really exciting summer this year and I am really excited to get back with England and playing West Indies and India again." Ecclestone's refusal to do an interview was prior to the first T20, at which point England were already 6-0 down in the multi-format points-based Connor, the managing director of England women's cricket, has since described the episode as "an unfortunate incident that won't happen again". Ecclestone and Hartley have not spoken why she refused the interview, Ecclestone reiterated her wish to look forward."Everyone has moved on now, as I said," the left-arm spinner said."There is not much more to be said about that story. "Me and Alex have moved on and we have both learned from that. I am excited for the summer to start."Former spinner Hartley, who is currently working with Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League, told BBC Sport: "Sophie and I respect one another and we absolutely have moved on. We will continue to move forward."The fallout from England's defeat in Australia resulted in Jon Lewis and Heather Knight being sacked as coach and captain has been replaced by legendary former captain Charlotte Edwards, who said at her unveiling she will make players "accountable" for England were knocked out of the T20 World Cup group stage in October, former spinner Hartley said some players were "letting the team down" in terms of fitness."Everyone has got their own opinion and everyone is entitled to that," Ecclestone said."Not many people see how hard we work behind closed doors as cricketers and people. People can have their own opinion."It is a new era now and we are all excited to start working hard and hopefully get a few trophies this year." Not the 'right time' to be captain - Ecclestone The position to be England captain remains vacant but Ecclestone, who has served as vice-captain, said she was unsure if it is the "right time" for her to take over."I feel like I would love to do it in the future but I am not sure now is the right time," Ecclestone said. "I am still working on myself and getting better as a cricketer."Ecclestone was speaking at Wythenshawe Cricket Club in Manchester as part of the ECB's Get Set Weekend, where more than 1,700 clubs across the country - record number for the project - get prepared for the new season with the help of 37,000 made her England debut aged 17 in 2016, after Edwards had retired as a player, but as a highly-rated youngster was involved in the England set-up under the former batter."When I was 16 and started coming into the England environment Lottie was captain and I was scared to meet her," Ecclestone said."I remember when I went in I was like 'Charlotte Edwards is in that room…' "I am so excited to work with her again."
