England v India, 2nd Investec Test, Lord's

Ballance enjoying the challenge of No. 3

Jul 15, 2014: Jonathan Trott was always going to be a tough man to replace at No. 3, but the early signs are that in Gary Ballance England have someone with the all-round game to take hold of the position

England v India, 2nd Investec Test, Lord's

Bigger concerns for England than Lord's pitch

Jul 15, 2014: While the pitch took most of the blame at Trent Bridge, at Lord's England will need to get more controlling overs from their spinners. The reality is there is no quick fix

India in England 2014

Shastri wants India to 'go for' Cook

Jul 1, 2014: Ravi Shastri has called on India to make Alastair Cook's life "as tough as they can" when the Investec Test series between England and India gets underway next week at Trent Bridge

England news

Sammy surprised by lack of EPL

Jun 30, 2014: Darren Sammy has admitted some surprise at the route English cricket has taken in spreading the T20 competition throughout the season

England v Sri Lanka, 2nd Investec Test, Headingley

Marrying steel with silk

Jun 19, 2014: As Ian Bell reaches his 100th Test at Headingley - becoming the 12th England player to reach the landmark - ESPNcricinfo looks back at five of his best innings

Sri Lanka in England 2014

Panesar 'very difficult' to select - Moores

Jun 17, 2014: As well as England's attack performed on the final day at Lord's, they were screaming out for a specialist spinner especially while they waited for the ball to reverse swing

Sri Lanka in England 2014

Cook runs now top of England's most-wanted list

Jun 17, 2014: With Sri Lanka's attack, and what India will bring next month, a continued failure of Alastair Cook to recover something close to his best form will raise serious worries

England v Sri Lanka, 1st Investec Test, Lord's, 5th day

Cook heard Pradeep inside edge

Jun 16, 2014: While his team launched into a celebratory huddle, Alastair Cook knew what he had heard. The edge from Nuwan Pradeep into his pad, which Paul Reiffel missed, was big enough for Cook to pick it from slip

England v Sri Lanka, 1st Investec Test, Lord's, 5th day

Plenty of ticks for England selectors

Jun 16, 2014: England's new era selections in detail after the first Test at Lord's

England v Sri Lanka, 1st Investec Test, Lord's, 1st day

Ballance channels his Trott, then his KP

Jun 15, 2014: As Kevin Pietersen watched on, Gary Ballance produced a maiden century with many qualities of the man he has replaced, Jonathan Trott

England v Sri Lanka, 1st Investec Test, Lord's, 3rd day

Positive England avoid falling flat

Jun 14, 2014: The pitch has not been the seam-friendly surface Alastair Cook might have anticipated but it stretched his captaincy as England's bowlers strived to find a way through

England v Sri Lanka, 1st Investec Test, Lord's, 2nd day

Prior grateful for lucky break

Jun 13, 2014: Matt Prior had his heart in his mouth when Sri Lanka reviewed a second-ball lbw appeal against him on the first afternoon at Lord's

England v SL, 1st Investec Test, Lord's, 2nd day

England encounter the pleasure and the pain

Jun 13, 2014: England's future was revealed as they took to the field against Sri Lanka and it proved as expected to be a mixed bag

England v Sri Lanka, 1st Investec Test, Lord's, 1st day

A nod to the future for Root and England

Jun 12, 2014: This was one day at the start of a long summer but after a long and painful winter it was a day for England to enjoy the sunshine

England v Sri Lanka, 1st Investec Test, Lord's

Cook confirms Bell, Ballance roles

Jun 11, 2014: The eve of England's first Test in six months did not see Alastair Cook rip up his usual script and name his XI early but he did reveal two noteworthy pieces of information about Ian Bell and Gary Ballance

Sri Lanka in England 2014

New England emerge from rubble

Jun 10, 2014: Fresh faces must be complemented by a fresh ethos as England seek to maintain their early season record at home and repair the damage of winter

Sri Lanka in England 2014

Moeen provides new spin for England

Jun 10, 2014: Moeen Ali is the main spin option available to Alastair Cook and, if all goes to plan, will become the first England bowler to deliver a doosra in a Test match

Women's cricket news

Edwards wins England player award

Jun 9, 2014: Charlotte Edwards, an England captain who was able to savour Ashes success home and away over the last 12 months, has been named the Women's Player of the Year

England news

Bell calls for batting revival

Jun 9, 2014: Ian Bell, who has been named England's Player of the Year, has demanded an improvement in the team's "limp" batting returns over the last year as they prepare to resume Test cricket against Sri Lanka

Northants v Sri Lankans, Tour match, Northampton, 2nd day

Sri Lanka pacemen vie for Test place

Jun 6, 2014: The Sri Lankans continued to do much as they pleased against Northamptonshire.