Cricket News

England gave themselves a chance of pulling off an unlikely victory with Joe Root anchoring their pursuit of 354 after James Anderson led the way with the ball

Joe Root was as surprised as anyone to see pictures of Ben Stokes at Heathrow on Sunday but accepts there is no point dwelling on the possibility of him returning during the current Ashes series

While he did not quite say that Australia had crossed a line, Joe Root did suggest they had behaved in a way in which England would not

Mark Stoneman and James Vince added a century stand for the second wicket as England doused some of Australia's fire in the opening Ashes exchanges

Joe Root has admitted England were given a "massive shock" by their experiences in Brisbane four years ago but believes it will be different this time

Dawid Malan scored his first hundred in an England shirt and though Moeen Ali and Craig Overton missed out on the chance to find form late wickets left victory in sight

Alastair Cook, Joe Root and Dawid Malan also hit half-centuries on a productive day in the middle, but the quality of the bowling was a world away from what will greet England next week

Mark Stoneman, Joe Root and Dawid Malan scored half-centuries but England struggled to capitalise on a slow surface in their day-night warm-up match

England are preparing to be without Ben Stokes for the entirety of the Ashes but Joe Root said they would travel to Australia hoping to "prove a lot of people wrong"

Holes in England's batting leave Joe Root facing "the biggest challenge an England captain will ever have" in attempting to win the Ashes in Australia

Joe Root was grateful for the chance to redeem himself in spectacular style to prevent the West Indies opener from doing too much damage

It has looked likely for quite some time, but defeat at Old Trafford confirmed that West Indies will have to progress through next year's qualifying tournament to reach the 2019 World Cup

It has looked likely for quite some time, but defeat at Old Trafford confirmed that West Indies will have to progress through next year's qualifying tournament to reach the 2019 World Cup

England dropped at least 14 chances against West Indies and the head coach also admitted they are no nearer knowing their best top order

Having overseen back-to-back Test series wins in his first summer in charge - the first time England have beaten both touring sides since 2013 - Joe Root was in understandably upbeat mood

Joe Root joined a list of captains who've been thwarted after declaring at Headingley, but insisted he would stay positive despite defeat in the second Investec Test

The second Test was delicately poised after a oscillating day with West Indies taking a lead of 169 before Mark Stoneman and Joe Root led England's reply

England's top-order plays the same familiar refrain, as West Indies' best day of the series doesn't quite finish with them in command

West Indies' new-ball bowlers took four wickets apiece as England were bowled out for 258, a total centered around Ben Stokes' sixth Test century

Alastair Cook conceded that the performance of the day had come from his sidekick and successor as captain, Joe Root