News Analysis

Cricket Ireland have a stated aim of reaching Test cricket by 2020. Such has been their success that they may be able to bring that target forward, but series like the one in West Indies have to be about more than just taking part

Any changes to the XI for Port Elizabeth are likely to come from within the squad but there are few stand-out replacements

On the surface, a seamer's paradise looks like the way to go against India, but with a few struggling batsmen in the team, a backfire cannot be ruled out

Banishment of Kevin Pietersen is intended to strengthen Cook's captaincy but by intervening so strongly on his behalf the ECB risks undermining his reputation

Graeme Smith is banking on his countrymen to come out and show they care more about Test cricket than was thought before

The abrupt discarding of England's highest international run-scorer appears to have been the result of catastrophic mismanagement. The ECB owes us all an explanation

After their unexpected success in South Africa, India's batsmen start the Test series in New Zealand with reputations to maintain

New Zealand are keeping the faith in their opening pair and legspinner, but they are yet to prove their consistency at the top level

Andy Flower was an exceptional coach and leader but his grip on the team had become too tight - England need refreshing

Ashley Giles is seemingly team director-in-waiting and if he is the right man for Alastair Cook then, by default, he is absolutely the right man for English cricket.

Struggling under the weight of England demands, Alastair Cook has considered given up the one-day captaincy - but he remains the right man for the job

He has done very little of late to warrant a Test spot for Australia, but he must find a way to repay the enormous, inordinate faith of selectors, coaches and team-mates

Shamsur Rahman's 267 is the third-highest score in Bangladesh first-class cricket. Ahead of a Test squad announcement, his innings is a knock on the door of the national selectors as they look to pick a steady top order

England's Ashes whitewash has again invited criticism of county cricket, but what is needed more urgently than revolution is a good dollop of honesty

The blame game seems all the rage at the moment. Andy Flower and Kevin Pietersen are both attracting flak and English cricket is all the worse for it

A lack of public interest coupled with the prospect of Champions League qualification leaves the Ram Slam T20 in danger of becoming a means to an end

The Sydney Test could be viewed as a fresh start for England at the beginning of a new year, but the build up has not inspired confidence and it will take a colossal turnaround to end with a victory

Australia's thirtysomethings remain hungry for success as they aim to return to No. 1 on the Test rankings by the end of next year

India's bowlers ran themselves into the ground in their effort to win the Johannesburg Test. In three days' time, they may have to do it all over again

The commanding performances of Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, Trent Boult and Tim Southee against West Indies, with a little support from their team-mates, meant a dominant New Zealand showing. They'll need more of the same when India arrive