May 2007

Scott Styris set to make debut

Editor / 31 May 2007 / Leave a comment

New Zealander Scott Styris looks set to make his debut for high-flying Durham in their Friends Provident Trophy clash with Worcestershire on Friday. The Black Caps' all-rounder has been signed on a two-month deal and comes into a side second...Read more »

Hoggy fitness boost

Editor / 30 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Matthew Hoggard is confident of returning to fitness for the third Test next week and will test out his injured groin in a club game this weekend. The 30-year-old was forced to sit out England's crushing victory over the West...Read more »

Freddie not ready

Editor / 30 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Andrew Flintoff's chances of playing at Old Trafford in the third Test against the West Indies look slim after he failed a fitness test on his troublesome ankle. The 29-year-old has suffered with ankle problems over the past few years...Read more »

England v West Indies - Second Test aftermath

Editor / 30 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Things cannot get much worse for the West Indies. A respectable draw in the first Test at Lord's was followed by a hammering at Headingley Carnegie and the news that captain Ramnaresh Sarwan will miss the rest of the series...Read more »

Pietersen keen to push on

Editor / 29 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Kevin Pietersen has urged England to kick on and build on their winning momentum ahead of a busy summer. The Hampshire ace weighed in with a double century at Headingley to help England on their way to a total of...Read more »

Flintoff to test ankle out

Editor / 29 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Andrew Flintoff will prove his fitness for England ahead of the third Test against the West Indies by bowling for Lancashire in their Championship game against Sussex. The 29-year-old all-rounder has missed two Tests against the tourists with an ankle...Read more »

County Championship update

Editor / 28 May 2007 / Leave a comment

With nearly a third of the Liverpool Victoria County Championship season gone, the title battle in the first division is extremely tight. 10 points separates the top three teams and despite losing last time out, Yorkshire remain the leaders. The...Read more »

Styris bolsters Durham ranks

Editor / 28 May 2007 / Leave a comment

The news that New Zealand star Scott Styris is set to join up with Durham is sure to have an impact on Betfair's domestic cricket markets. The all-rounder, who was so impressive at the World Cup with both bat and...Read more »

Windies reveal Sarwan fears

Editor / 28 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Betfair's 'Top West Indies Runscorer' market has a wide open look to it following the news that captain Ramnaresh Sarwan could miss the remainder of their tour of England due to a shoulder problem. Sarwan damaged his ac joint when...Read more »

Durham close gap on title rivals

Editor / 27 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Durham are up to second in the County Championship Division One after an impressive six-wicket victory over Yorkshire. Having been set 131 to win at the Riverside, the home side looked like they might throw away the chance of cutting...Read more »

Punters expect more runs from Pietersen

Editor / 27 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Betfair customers see Kevin Pietersen as the strong favourite to finish the current Test series as the top England batsman, after his impressive double century on Saturday. The Hampshire batsman dominated the West Indies' bowlers when reaching 226 at Headingley,...Read more »

Indians pile on the runs in Dhaka

Editor / 26 May 2007 / Leave a comment

India are completely dominating the second Test with Bangladesh after their first four batsman all made centuries in Dhaka. Beginning the second day on 326-0, with two players retired hurt, the tourists finally declared on 610-3, before reducing the hosts...Read more »

Donald to the rescue

Editor / 26 May 2007 / Leave a comment

England's misfiring fast bowlers will have a new mentor for the third Test after South African legend Allan Donald was drafted into the coaching set-up. New coach Peter Moores has been quick to ring the changes since taking over from...Read more »

Windies hit by injury setback

Editor / 25 May 2007 / Leave a comment

An injury to Shivnarine Chanderpaul is set to have a major impact on Betfair's 'Top Windies Runscorer' for the current Test series. The experienced Chanderpaul is a major doubt for the remainder of the Test series in England after being...Read more »

Friends Provident Trophy previews

Editor / 25 May 2007 / Leave a comment

The county season might be in its infancy, but the Friends Provident Trophy group stage is already reaching its business end. All but two teams will have played at least six of their nine conference games after this busy Bank...Read more »

Glamorgan hit by points blow

Editor / 25 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Glamorgan have drifted have even further in an emerging County Championship Division Two winner market having been docked points by the England and Wales Cricket Board. The Welsh county have had eight points taken off them for preparing a poor...Read more »

India net Kumble boost

Editor / 24 May 2007 / Leave a comment

India star Anil Kumble has shaken off the illness that curtailed his involvement in the drawn first Test with Bangladesh in Chittagong. The veteran leg-spinner was in the Indian starting XI for the first encounter but had to leave the...Read more »

Nel raring to go

Editor / 23 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Andre Nel is enjoying his return to domestic cricket with Essex and is confident they can mount a genuine challenge for the LV County Championship Division Two title. The South African fast bowler is available for two months while there...Read more »

IMPACT OF INTERNATIONALS - CRICKET FEATURE

Editor / 23 May 2007 / Leave a comment

International cricket continues to have a profound effect on the domestic game with a number of leading counties already having seen their hopes of success this season hit by absentees and unavailability of some of their key players. The...Read more »

Sidebottom in shock England call

Editor / 23 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Nottinghamshire's director of cricket, Mick Newell, has backed surprise inclusion Ryan Sidebottom to perform for England if he starts against West Indies on Friday in the second Test at his former Headingley home. The 29-year-old wins his first call-up to...Read more »

England v West Indies

Editor / 22 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Headingley Carnegie, Friday May 26 England's rain-affected draw with the West Indies in the first Test at Lord's offered up more questions than answers for both teams, with punters clearly believing the tourists have more chance of winning matches and...Read more »

Nel pens Pears deal

Editor / 22 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Worcestershire have signed Scotland international Dewald Nel until the end of the season as they look to kick-start their ailing season in Division One of the County Championship. The New Road outfit sit bottom of the table after four matches,...Read more »

Mortaza halts India assault

Editor / 21 May 2007 / Leave a comment

India gave themselves a chance of victory in the first Test against Bangladesh, only for Mashrafe Mortaza to crack 79 to help the Tigers past the follow-on target. With the Chittagong clash badly disrupted by the weather, a draw had...Read more »

Flintoff unscathed after Lancs run out

Editor / 21 May 2007 / Leave a comment

England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has come through Lancashire's Roses win over Yorkshire with no ill effects, but will be further assessed by medical staff this week ahead of the second Test against West Indies. The 29-year-old was forced to miss...Read more »

Washout in Chittagong

Editor / 20 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Betfair customers feel a draw is the likely outcome of the first Test between Bangladesh and India after rain washed out the entire third day's play in Chittagong. Only 97 overs have been possible during the first three days as...Read more »

Twenty 20 preview

Editor / 20 May 2007 / Leave a comment

County players can soon look forward to playing in front of full houses, as the Twenty20 Cup is approaching. The tournament has been a revelation and, now in its fifth year, it is fast becoming the highlight of the county...Read more »

Steve Harmison struggle not a surprise - Bravo

Editor / 20 May 2007 / Leave a comment

West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo was not surprised to see England paceman Steve Harmison struggle in the first Test at Lord's. The Durham star has been in superb form for his county in the early part if the domestic season...Read more »

Afridi the star for Pakistan

Editor / 19 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Shahid Afridi turned in a batting masterclass as Pakistan took a 1-0 one-day international series lead over Sri Lanka after a five-wicket victory in Abu Dhabi. The all-rounder, who was dropped twice, smashed 73 off just 34 balls - including...Read more »

Flintoff to test ankle

Editor / 19 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Andrew Flintoff will play for Lancashire as a batsman only against Yorkshire in a one-day match on Sunday as he steps up his match fitness. The all-rounder is battling to shake off an ankle problem in time for England's second...Read more »

Derbyshire hit by Harvey wait

Editor / 18 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Derbyshire will have to wait a bit longer before they can call upon the services of Ian Harvey, as attempts to become a British citizen have been delayed. The Australian played earlier in the season for the Midlands outfit as...Read more »

Cook reveals key to success

Editor / 18 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Alistair Cook claims his absence from England's World Cup squad has helped him after he hit a century against the West Indies. The 22-year-old Essex man overcame a slow wicket at Lord's, as England were put into bat by the...Read more »

Malik confident of support

Editor / 17 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Pakistan's Shoaib Malik has insisted he is not feeling any pressure ahead of his debut as skipper and is confident he has the full support of the players. Malik, who has played just 18 Tests, leads the side for the...Read more »

Lancashire v Yorkshire - FPT round-up

Editor / 17 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Although the televised action continues to concentrate on the England clash with West Indies in the first Test at Lord's, there are still masses of punting options available this Sunday in the Friends Provident Trophy, including the first Roses...Read more »

Bangladesh still learning - Bashar

Editor / 17 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Betfair punters eyeing a shock victory in the opening Test between Bangladesh and India will not have welcomed Habibul Bashar's comments that the Tigers are 'still learning' the ropes of the five-day game. Bangladesh defeated the tourists at the recent...Read more »

Anderson called up by England

Editor / 16 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Betfair punters have been alerted to the news Lancashire fast bowler James Anderson has been called into the England squad for the first Test against the West Indies. Anderson is in action for his county on Wednesday morning but will...Read more »

England sweat on Flintoff fitness

Editor / 16 May 2007 / Leave a comment

England will hand a late fitness test to Andrew Flintoff before naming their side to take on the West Indies in the first Test at Lords', which gets underway on Thursday. Flintoff is struggling with an ankle injury picked up...Read more »

Bangladesh v India

Editor / 16 May 2007 / Leave a comment

1st Test, Friday 4.30 Bangladesh go into this clash aiming to prove that their World Cup win over India was not a fluke. Repeating that shock success will be no easy task - the Tigers have only won one of...Read more »

Big guns absent for Durham

Editor / 15 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Betfair customers who have backed Durham to win the County Championship will be keeping a keen eye on how they fare against Warwickshire without their trio of England stars. The Dynamos currently sit in third place in the Division One...Read more »

KP keen to emulate Aussies

Editor / 15 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Kevin Pietersen wishes English players had the same mental approach to the game as Australians, who always strive to better themselves. The South African-born batsman was one of very few Englishmen to emerge with any credit from the disastrous Ashes...Read more »

Moody calls time on Sri Lanka

Editor / 14 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody will be looking to sign off in style with victory over Pakistan in the upcoming One-Day Series after announcing his resignation. The 41-year-old turned down the offer of a new contract with the World Cup...Read more »

Graveney wants a win

Editor / 14 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Chairman of selectors, David Graveney, has admitted it is "vitally important" England kick off their Test series against West Indies with a win. England, who are the overwhelming 1.67 favourites on Betfair to claim a first Test victory at Lord's,...Read more »

Dravid eyeing whitewash

Editor / 13 May 2007 / Leave a comment

India skipper Rahul Dravid was delighted with how they secured victory in the second one-day international against Bangladesh and is now targeting a 3-0 series whitewash. Saturday's win in Mirpur gave the tourists a 2-0 lead with one to play,...Read more »

England announce squad

Editor / 13 May 2007 / Leave a comment

There was little change in the 'Series Winner' or 'first Test' Betfair markets as England announced their squad for the opener against the West Indies this morning with few surprises. As expected skipper Michael Vaughan was not named as he...Read more »

Gough targets England role

Editor / 12 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Darren Gough has stated his case to become England's new bowling coach and says he has got what it takes to get the pace attack firing again. The Yorkshire captain says England have never recovered from the loss of Troy...Read more »

Flintoff eyes Lancashire glory

Editor / 12 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Andrew Flintoff believes Lancashire have got what it takes to end their long wait for silverware by lifting the County Championship this season. Lancashire came so close to lifting the trophy last season before Sussex pipped them at the death...Read more »

Cricket Gloucestershire v Hampshire

Editor / 11 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Gloucestershire v Hampshire (Friends Provident Trophy) - Bristol (Sunday 10:45am - live on Sky Sports) Friends Provident Trophy action is back on the cards on Sunday, with six games in the North and South conferences sure to provide Betfair punters...Read more »

Broad injury concerns

Editor / 11 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Leicestershire fast bowler Stuart Broad is set to miss England's first Test against the West Indies after suffering a knee injury. It was anticipated that the 20-year-old, son of former England batsman Chris Broad, would get a first chance for...Read more »

Vaughan hope for England

Editor / 11 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Yorkshire coach Martyn Moxon says England captain Michael Vaughan is recovering well from a broken finger and may face the West Indies. The 32-year-old picked up the injury when he was struck by a delivery from Australian paceman Stuart Clark,...Read more »

Dhoni guides India home

Editor / 10 May 2007 / Leave a comment

India exacted a measure of revenge over Bangladesh after an unbeaten 93 from Mahendra Dhoni clinched victory over the Tigers by five wickets in Dhaka. Chasing 251 for victory, the visitors slipped to 144-5 but the wicket-keeper batsman kept his...Read more »

Holders playing catch-up already

Editor / 10 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Sussex are facing a must-win match in only their third match of the defence of their Friends Provident Trophy against Glamorgan Dragons at Hove on Friday. The Sharks need a confidence boost after suffering back-to-back defeats in both competitions they...Read more »

Cricket a new era England assessed

Editor / 10 May 2007 / Leave a comment

A new era - England assessed England, like many other teams after the World Cup, are entering a new era. New coach Peter Moores takes over a team that is at low ebb in the One Day arena, but he...Read more »

Tigers look for India repeat

Editor / 09 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar believes Bangladesh can repeat their World cup victory over India, as the two sides prepare to meet in a one day international in Dhaka on Thursday. The Tigers knocked their opponents out at the first round...Read more »

Caribbean summer - the West Indies assessed

Editor / 09 May 2007 / Leave a comment

A new coach, a new captain, but a familiar question: can the West Indies win a Test series overseas? They have not triumphed in an away rubber of three or more matches since 1992/93, when Richie Richardson's side won a...Read more »

Kevin Pietersen concern for England

Editor / 09 May 2007 / Leave a comment

is the latest injury concern for England ahead of this month's opening Test against the West Indies. The Hampshire batsman has picked up a calf muscle problem whilst playing for his county in their one-day clash with Ireland. The...Read more »

Harvey blocked by ECB

Editor / 08 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Ian Harvey has been blocked from playing for Derbyshire as a non-overseas player by the England and Wales Cricket Board because he does not qualify as a British citizen. The Australian all-rounder has been covering for the injured Travis Birt...Read more »

Time not on Moore's side

Editor / 08 May 2007 / Leave a comment

David Moore, the newly-appointed West Indies coach, admits time is against him as he plots his blueprint for success in the upcoming Test series against England. The first Test starts next week and Moore has made no secret of the...Read more »

Flintoff finds his touch

Editor / 07 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Andrew Flintoff believes he is on the right track as the England all-rounder searches to find his form with the bat. 'Freddy' fired 66 off 84 balls for Lancashire on Sunday, helping his county to a victory over Northamptonshire in...Read more »

Old Timers on the county scene

Editor / 07 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Although there has been a move towards getting more youngsters into English county cricket, there are still plenty of 'old stagers' making big waves in the game, providing their teams with valuable runs and wickets that could make the difference...Read more »

Flower to help England growth

Editor / 07 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Former Zimbabwe wicket-keeper Andy Flower has been appointed as assistant to England coach Peter Moores. The 39-year-old replaces Matthew Maynard with immediate effect, after retiring as a player with Essex. Moores has stated that Flower was always his number one...Read more »

Yorkshire knocked off top spot

Editor / 05 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Yorkshire were knocked off the top of the LV County Championship Division One table as Hampshire salvaged a draw at the Rose Bowl. Set a huge 443 to win, Hampshire were 336-8 when captain Shane Warne was dismissed with almost...Read more »

India favourites despite setbacks

Editor / 05 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Betfair customers feel India will be far too good for Bangladesh in the first one-day international next week despite the tourists' injury problems. Star batsman Sachin Tendulkar is already a doubt for the match in Dhaka on Thursday after suffering...Read more »

Tresco confident of England future

Editor / 05 May 2007 / Leave a comment

England are expected to dominate their early-season encounters with the West Indies and Marcus Trescothick's likely return would boost their chances ever further. The Somerset man's future in the international game was thrown into question when he returned home early...Read more »

Adams admits to Sussex failings

Editor / 04 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Betfair traders have shown they are concerned by the form of defending county champions Sussex, following back-to-back innings' defeats. Sussex were beaten heavily at Kent, losing by an innings and 106 runs to leave them with a record of one...Read more »

Vaughan hands England injury concern

Editor / 04 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Michael Vaughan looks set to miss England's opening Test of the summer against the West Indies after suffering a broken finger. The captain's latest injury problem came on Thursday while playing for Yorkshire in their County Championship clash at Hampshire....Read more »

Friends Provident Trophy previews

Editor / 04 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Worcestershire v Nottinghamshire - Sunday 10:45am (Live on Sky Sports 3) The Friends Provident Trophy is in its early stages but the tournament's format means no team can afford too many early defeats. The 20 sides - Scotland and Ireland...Read more »

Vaughan happy with return to form

Editor / 03 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Michael Vaughan took encouragement from his return to form with the bat with a healthy 72 for Yorkshire on Wednesday. The England captain needed some time at the crease after a disappointing World Cup campaign and, with the first Test...Read more »

Samuels axed by Windies

Editor / 03 May 2007 / Leave a comment

West Indies have begun their rebuilding programme by dropping batsman Marlon Samuels for the upcoming Test series in England. The former greats are desperate to reverse their fortunes after a disappointing World Cup on home soil and Samuels is a...Read more »

CRICKET FEATURE - England's wicket keeper dilemma

Editor / 03 May 2007 / Leave a comment

England named two wicket keepers in their performance squad for this summer's internationals, neither of whom have played Test cricket. Paul Nixon and Matt Prior have both experienced the One Day arena, and the selectors are under more pressure than...Read more »

Harmy top of domestic rankings

Editor / 02 May 2007 / Leave a comment

England paceman Steve Harmison can enjoy a few days rest in the knowledge that he is the top-rated cricketer in the new Professional Cricketers Association rankings. The PCA has devised a complex system to rate all county cricketers during the...Read more »

Freddie - I'll be back

Editor / 02 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Betfair punters who feel England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is a spent force may take note of his determination to bounce back after a period in the doldrums. The 29-year-old established himself as the game's premier all-rounder after the 2005 Ashes...Read more »

A look forward to the English summer

Editor / 02 May 2007 / Leave a comment

England's sorry winter and spring will still be fresh in the memory when they open their summer international campaign next month, with the West Indies and, later, India arriving for tours to provide new coach Peter Moores with his first...Read more »

Sarwan takes Windies armband

Editor / 01 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Ramnaresh Sarwan has been charged with the task of leading a West Indies renaissance after being confirmed as their new captain following the retirement of Brian Lara. Sarwan, who top scored in his homeland during the World Cup with 375...Read more »

Vaughan and Warne lock horns

Editor / 01 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Michael Vaughan will on Wednesday resume his 2005 Ashes duel with spin king Shane Warne when table-topping Yorkshire travel to take on Hampshire at the Rose Bowl. Vaughan completed his first outing for Yorkshire Phoenix since returning from a disappointing...Read more »