Ashes news: What to expect in the second Test and where England must improve at The Gabba
After a hugely disappointing opening Test match in Perth, in which Australia beat England inside just two days, attention now turns to The Gabba for the second Ashes Test.
The second Test provides an opportunity for England to restore an entire nation’s belief, but only if they can put the ghosts of Perth behind them and win at The Gabba.
Here, Sports News Blitz cricket writer Joseph Ould gives his thoughts.
Ashes news: Five takeaways from the first Test as Australia trounce England and Bazball questioned
England arrived for the first Ashes Test in Perth armed with Bazball’s audacious spirit – but by the end of day two, they had been torn apart by Australia.
By all accounts, the 2025/26 Ashes opener had raised an uncomfortable question: Is the aggressive, all-guns-blazing philosophy that has defined England under Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes going to be ill-suited to conditions Down Under?
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Jameel Mulla takes a look at five things we learnt across the two-day Test match in this regard.
Ashes analysis: Series score prediction and the main men for Australia and England
The Ashes is finally here - and we cannot wait to watch that first ball of what should be a pulsating series in the land Down Under.
All the talk is that Ben Stokes’ England have an excellent chance to win the Ashes on Australian soil - but talk is cheap, and we will know by the time we wake up on Friday morning what reality looks like.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s cricket writer Jameel Mulla assesses the series ahead.
The Ashes news: Australia vs England – Five questions that will decide the series Down Under
The 2025/26 Ashes series between Australia and England is shaping up to be one of the most hotly anticipated cricketing battles in years.
And if England are to win Down Under for the first time in 15 years, the details are going to make all the difference.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Joseph Ould takes a look at five key questions that could decide the blockbuster match-up.
From trailblazer to mentor: Roland Butcher on changing the face of English cricket
Roland Butcher’s story is one of resilience, trailblazing achievement, and deep love for the game. A former England international and Middlesex legend, he made history as the first black player to represent his country - a moment that changed English cricket forever.
Today, as a respected cricket speaker, Roland shares the lessons learned from a lifetime in professional sport, from overcoming barriers to building winning teams and nurturing future talent.
His insights reach far beyond the boundary, resonating with leaders, athletes, and audiences alike.
In this exclusive interview with the High Performance Speakers Agency, Roland reflects on his journey through cricket, the importance of representation, and what it truly means to perform at the highest level.
Cricket news: England must overcome woeful Perth record if they are to regain Ashes from Australia
England begin their campaign to regain the Ashes for the first time since 2015 in just under a month’s time, with the opening match against Australia set for Optus Stadium in Perth.
Despite coming into the series with confidence after a battling 2-2 draw with India over the summer, the visitors may find it difficult to start the five-Test showdown off on the right foot.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Oliver Shorland takes a look at England’s woeful record in Western Australia.
Cricket news: England warm up for blockbuster Ashes series with white-ball tour of New Zealand
England’s white-ball tour of New Zealand gets underway this weekend, with several members of the Ashes squad looking to sharpen their skills ahead of next month’s blockbuster showdown with Australia.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Oliver Shorland analyses three key areas of the tourists’ squad.
England women’s cricket World Cup campaign marked by spin dominance and batting inconsistency
England’s women have had a topsy-turvy start to the women's cricket World Cup.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Oliver Shorland looks at three key talking points from the campaign so far.
Cricket news: When empires faced off at Lord’s – A look back at the first-ever England vs India Test
As the dust settles on another thrilling and hard-fought England vs India Test series, it’s impossible not to be swept up in the drama and history of an age-old rivalry.
Yet, long before packed stadiums, broadcast empires, and social media debates, a quieter and humbler beginning unfolded under the brooding skies of London in the summer of 1932, writes Sports News Blitz’s Ishita Trivedi.
Cricket news: England vs India – Gus Atkinson returns for third Test as hosts seek redemption at Lord’s
England pacer Gus Atkinson is the latest addition to the 16-man squad for the hosts ahead of the third Test against India at Lord’s.
After suffering a devastating defeat at the hands of the tourists in Edgbaston, Brendon McCullum’s side will be hoping to bounce back at the home of cricket in this five-match series.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Bilal Patel highlights all the details ahead of the third Test in the capital.
Cricket news: Excellent Shubman Gill shines as India outclass England to level Test series
India secured a thumping 336-run victory over England to secure their maiden Test triumph at Edgbaston to tie the series at 1-1 in this epic five-match encounter.
Whether it be a bowling clinic from Akash Deep or a batting masterclass from Shubman Gill, the home side were outplayed in all departments.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Bilal Patel analyses the key moments from all the action in Birmingham.
Cricket news: England name unchanged side but no room for returning Jofra Archer as hosts look to extend series lead over India
England have decided to stick with the 11 that secured a series-opening victory at Headingley as the second encounter of this anticipated five-match series heads to Birmingham.
The visitors led by Shubman Gill for the first time in Tests were handed a reality-check in true ‘Bazball’ fashion in Leeds and will be hoping for a quick bounce-back to avoid sinking deeper.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Bilal Patel previews what’s in store ahead of the second Test.
Cricket news: England chase mammoth total at Headingley to overcome India in Test series opener
England began their five-match Test series against India with an emphatic fourth-innings chase at Headingley to take an early 1-0 lead in the blockbuster match-up.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Bilal Patel breaks down five decisive moments from a captivating clash in Leeds.
India cricket news: Five key takeaways after first Test match against England
After a thrilling five days of Test cricket, England managed to grab a late but great victory in the first Test against India at Headingley.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Dejan Johal looks at five things from an Indian perspective to take away from this defeat.
Cricket news: England vs India - First Test preview
The eagerly anticipated series between England and India gets underway on Friday when the two sides meet at Headingley for the first of five encounters.
It’s a new era for the visitors who are led by captain Shubman Gill following the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, as they look to win their first series on English soil for the first time since 2007.
As for the hosts, they will be looking to implement their ‘Bazball’ style of play as they seek to win the newly named Tendulkar-Anderson trophy, formerly known as the Pataudi trophy.
Here, Sports News Blitz cricket writer Bilal Patel previews what’s in store for the opening Test match in a thrilling clash.
Cricket betting tips: England vs India – Joe Root, Jasprit Bumrah to dominate 2025 Test series
England and India are set to begin a new chapter in their historic rivalry this summer when the two face off in a much-anticipated five-match Test series.
Here, Sports News Blitz cricket writer Bilal Patel takes a look at the betting odds and offers some expert tips ahead of the thrilling match-up.
Cricket news: England vs India – Three Lions’ predicted XI for first Test at Headingley
England have announced their 14-man squad for the much-anticipated first Test against India at Headingley.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Bilal Patel takes a look at the players and predicts the starting XI for Leeds.
Cricket news: England men’s fixtures for 2025 vs West Indies, India, Australia and more
The England men’s cricket team is set for a blockbuster year, with an exciting five-Test home series against India and the much-anticipated Ashes in Australia the undisputed highlights.
In addition, the Three Lions will play host to West Indies and South Africa for a couple of white-ball series as well as travel across the pond to Ireland for three T20 matches.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Michael Davey gives a handy rundown on the Three Lions’ fixtures for 2025.
Cricket news: Five things we learnt from England’s Test victory over Zimbabwe
England kicked off the cricketing summer with a comprehensive victory by an innings and 45 runs over Zimbabwe in a one-off four-day Test match at Trent Bridge.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Bilal Patel breaks down the key factors in the hosts’ win and looks at how Brendon McCullum’s side is shaping up ahead of this year’s Ashes.
Cricket news: Brilliant Bashir helps England claim a dominant victory
England dominated Zimbabwe in the one-off Test match at Trent Bridge, as they continue to prepare for the Test series against India.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Dejan Johal gives us a review of this game, as well as looking at key contributions throughout it.