All Cricket News

Andrew Strauss

England are expected to follow the successful framework established in 2005 when they select their line-up for the first Ashes Test in Cardiff next Wednesday.

National selector Geoff Miller is due to announce the eagerly-awaited squad for the first Test on Sunday morning, when England are expected to name a 13-man party designed to give them options on that first morning.

That is expected to include the 11 players who featured in the warm-up match against Warwickshire at Edgbaston this week and include a spare batsman and bowler to cover for last-minute injuries.

Andrew Strauss

Andrew Strauss will urge England to follow the example of 2005 and show an aggressive intent to Australia when this summer's Ashes series gets under way in Cardiff next week.

England believe the foundations for their stunning success four years ago were set in the first over of the series at Lord's when Steve Harmison whistled the first ball past Justin Langer's nose and struck a damaging blow to his elbow off the next delivery.

"That side of things in the first couple of games will be like the first couple of rounds in a boxing match," stressed Strauss. "People will be looking for signs for who's coming out on top so it will be important to grab momentum early but also both sides will be looking at each other and weighing each other up."

Ravi Bopara

Ravi Bopara is confident his inexperience as a Test number three batsman will not be exposed by Australia when he steps out for his first Ashes Test in Cardiff next week.

The Essex batsman was promoted up to number three at the start of this summer and has responded with centuries in both Tests in the one-sided series win against West Indies.

He said: "It's going to be a big challenge, a different set of bowlers and circumstances, so it will be a challenge. It will be difficult but that is the best thing about it - it will be an enjoyable test for me."

Steve Harmison

Steve Harmison is pessimistic about earning a recall for the first Ashes Test despite causing more problems for the Australian batsmen in their final warm-up game.

Harmison dismissed Australia opener Phillip Hughes twice as he exposed his vulnerability against the short pitched delivery and also removed skipper Ricky Ponting in the contest but does not expect to feature at Cardiff when the five-game series gets under way next Wednesday.

Harmison said: "I've made it difficult for everyone. I've made it difficult for the selectors. But I don't think they will pick me for Cardiff."

Ricky Ponting

Australia captain Ricky Ponting is content with the way his side have built up for the opening Ashes Test in Cardiff starting on Wednesday.

The tourists achieved plenty of positives from their drawn four-day game with England Lions at Worcester as the likes of Brett Lee, Marcus North and Mike Hussey all rediscovered their form with either bat or ball ahead of the first game in the five-match series.

Ponting said: "We got a lot out of this game - almost everyone except me - and it was really good preparation for us going into the Cardiff game. This wicket will be similar to the one we have to confront down there, so we couldn't have asked for much more as far as our preparation goes."

Marcus North

Australia will head for the first Ashes Test with considerable improvements still needed in certain areas after the final warm-up game with England Lions at New Road ended in a draw.

The Lions were set a nominal target of 445 in 60 overs after Marcus North's unbeaten 191 had set up the lunchtime closure and they ended on 162 for four with 14 overs remaining.

The game ended in bizarre fashion with umpire Jeff Evans needing treatment from a paramedic after tumbling to the floor but he was able to eventually walk from the outfield.

Stuart Broad

Stuart Broad has urged England to follow the example of Steve Harmison in 2005 in sending out a "message of intent" to Australia from the very first ball of the upcoming Ashes series.

Broad can still recall how Harmison bowled a brutal opening spell at Lord's in 2005 when striking Justin Langer and Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting and that set the tone and showed that Michael Vaughan's side were not going to be intimated as they achieved a memorable 2-1 triumph.

"The first session of any series is so important. That just isn't the case for an Ashes series. We talk about that in every Test series we play," he said. "Whether it is the batsman or the bowlers, it is about setting the tone in the series. It is absolutely vital."

Mohammad Aamer

Pakistan's fast bowlers Mohammad Aamer and Abdur Rauf sparkled on their debuts but it was Sri Lanka who walked off with the advantage on day one of the first Test in Galle.

Aamer struck two early blows in the morning to reduce the home side to 21 for two and picked up a third wicket in the first over after tea, while Rauf claimed a brace as Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 292.

Seven overs remained in the day for Pakistan to start their reply, and the home side hit back, with Nuwan Kulasekara bowling Salman Butt for a first-ball duck and Thilan Thushara trapping Khurram Manzoor in front for just two. Pakistan reached 15 for two at stumps.

Scotland opened their campaign in the ICC Intercontinental Cup with a 30-run victory over Canada at Aberdeen.

Canada needed 243 for victory and Sandeep Jyoti top-scored for the Canadians with 47, helping them recover from 60 for four to 124 without further loss. Moneeb Iqbal was the man who dismissed him for Scotland.

Shaheed Keshvani added an impressive 34 in the lower order before he was run out, and Geoff Barnett, who had had to retire hurt earlier in the day, was the last man out to Calum MacLeod for 31.

Ireland finished day two of their opening Intercontinental Cup match in a strong position against Kenya in Eglinton.

Resuming on 323 for seven after a rain-affected first day at Woodvale Road, the defending champions added 81 runs to finish on 404 - thanks largely to 44 from 50 balls from Regan West.

David Obuya struck 64 before becoming the first of two victims for West as Kenya slumped to 115 for four in response. Maurice Ouma (52) and Jimmy Kamande (65no) steadied things with a partnership of 108 as Kenya closed on 239 for six.