February 4, 2026 4:36 PM

England coach Brendon McCullum praises ‘tough lad’ Harry Brook’s response to NZ controversy

England head coach Brendon McCullum is impressed with white-ball captain Harry Brook for his deft handling of a recent controversy and leading the team to a series victory in Sri Lanka ahead of their campaign in the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup. Brook has been in the eye of a storm since news emerged of his altercation with a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand late last year. The 26-year-old apologised last month for the October 31 incident, which he felt caused embarrassment to him and his team. ...

February 4, 2026 4:32 PM

England spinners seal Sri Lanka series sweep ahead of T20 World Cup

Spinners Jacob Bethell and Will Jacks led the way as England beat Sri Lanka by 12 runs in a low-scoring match on Tuesday to sweep their Twenty20 series 3-0 ahead of the World Cup. England posted a meagre 128-9 with the bat, their lowest total against Sri Lanka in the format, as pace bowler Dushmantha Chameera bagged a five-wicket haul, but all-rounders Jacks (3-14) and Bethell (4-11) produced their best bowling performances in the format to restrict the hosts to 116. "We've shown we can adapt ...

January 28, 2026 10:06 AM

England’s Root says no malice in Brook’s ‘Stone Cold’ century celebration

Joe Root said he hopes England captain Harry Brook's WWE-inspired celebration after a blistering century against Sri Lanka on Tuesday will not be misinterpreted, as he attempts to rebuild trust following last year's nightclub incident. Brook smashed 136 off just 66 deliveries, bringing up his ton in 57 balls before celebrating by removing his gloves and smashing them together, mimicking former WWE wrestler "Stone Cold" Steve Austin's signature beer can celebration in the ring. Brook walked in ...

January 28, 2026 10:38 AM

Joe Root and Harry Brook tons fire England to ODI series win over Sri Lanka

England's Joe Root and Harry Brook struck contrasting centuries as the tourists powered to a 53-run victory over Sri Lanka in Colombo on Tuesday to secure a 2-1 win in their one-day series. After choosing to bat, England were on the back foot when Ben Duckett (7) and Rehan Ahmed (24) fell inside the opening 11 overs. But Root and Jacob Bethell steadied the innings with a controlled 126-run stand for the third wicket before Bethell's assured 65 ended when Jeffrey Vandersay struck. Root then fo...

January 27, 2026 4:00 PM

England’s Liam Dawson wants to be fifth time lucky with World Cup debut at age 35

Liam Dawson, who has been with the England squad at four different World Cups but never played a match, is hoping to make his debut at the global tournament in next month's Twenty20 World Cup at the age of 35. Dawson was in the squad at the T20 World Cup in 2016 and the 50-over one in 2019. He was a travelling reserve in the T20 World Cups of 2021 and 2022 and last month was named in England's 15-man party for this year's tournament co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. He has scored one fifty and...

January 21, 2026 2:55 PM

Harry Brook says lucky to be England captain despite nightclub brawl in NZ

Harry Brook said he is lucky to be England's white-ball captain even after an altercation with a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand late last year. A Daily Telegraph report said Brook was struck by a nightclub bouncer after being denied entry to the venue on October 31. The 26-year-old subsequently apologised for his behaviour which he felt "brought embarrassment" to him and his team. Talking to reporters on the eve of their one-day series against Sri Lanka, Brook said he did not consider stepp...

January 5, 2026 4:46 PM

Joe Root says offering thanks, not bidding farewell, after Sydney century

England's Joe Root paused as he left the field to salute all four corners of the Sydney Cricket Ground on Monday after making a fine 160 in the fifth Ashes test, but the 35-year-old does not want to consider if this is his final bow in Australia. Root showed all of his qualities of composure, technique, timing and patience to compile his second century of this series having headed out to Australia never having made three figures in the country. Asked about his gesture to the crowd after he was...

January 5, 2026 4:44 PM

Ashes 5th Test: Root ton fires England before Head strikes back for Australia

Joe Root contributed a magnificent 160 to England's first-innings tally of 384 but Travis Head drove Australia to 166 for two in response on the second day of the fifth and final Ashes test on Monday. England's hopes of winning the urn are long gone after defeats in the first three tests of the series but they continued to show the spirit, lacking in previous beaten touring sides, that was evident in their victory in Melbourne last week. Until Australia took the second new ball, Root looked in...

January 4, 2026 4:23 PM

Ashes: Harry Brook finally shows the patience and control his critics have demanded

England batsman Harry Brook struck his highest score of the Ashes series on Sunday, ending the first day of the fifth test on 78 not out after showing the kind of patience and discipline that he has too often lacked on a disappointing tour. Brook still rode his luck at times, particularly when he was tempted into pull shots by Australia's short-pitched bowling, but his 154-run partnership with fellow Yorkshireman Joe Root left England in a good position at 211 for three when bad light and rain ...

January 4, 2026 12:58 PM

Ashes: Root, Brook lift England to 211/3 as bad weather forces early stumps on Day 1 at SCG

England enjoyed one of their better days of the Ashes series on Sunday when a 154-run stand between Joe Root and Harry Brook drove them to 211 for three before the opening day of the fifth test was brought to a premature end at Sydney Cricket Ground. Play was stopped for bad light 20 minutes before tea with storm clouds threatening, and abandoned to boos from the remnants of the 49,574 crowd some 90 minutes before the scheduled close of play. At 3-1 down in what has been a mostly miserable ser...